UKPOL.CO.UK

Category: Speeches

  • Angela Rayner – 2021 Letter to Boris Johnson on Jennifer Arcuri

    Angela Rayner – 2021 Letter to Boris Johnson on Jennifer Arcuri

    The letter sent from Angela Rayner, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, to Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, on 31 March 2021.

    Dear Prime Minister

    I am writing to you regarding comments made by your Press Secretary and official spokesperson yesterday, stating that the Independent Office for Police Conduct had found that claims regarding a potential breach of the rules in handing public money and access to Jennifer Arcuri were “untrue and unfounded”.

    The IOPC’s report does not include the phrase “untrue and unfounded”. Acting with integrity and honesty, as your Press Secretary claims you have always done in this matter, would mean that you should be happy to correct the record.

    Following the handing of £2 billion of taxpayers’ money in government contracts to donors and friends of the Conservative Party during the Coronavirus pandemic, there is significant and justified public concern regarding cronyism and special treatment for people with close relationships with and links to the Conservative Party and Ministers when it comes to public money and preferential treatment and access.

    With each passing week there are more revelations about Conservative Party cronyism and more allegations of the misuse of taxpayers’ money come to light, with recent events raising very serious questions about the conduct of former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron and the special access granted to ministers and Whitehall departments for favoured business figures.

    It is in this context that the Greater London Authority investigation into whether any preferential treatment or access was given to Jennifer Arcuri during your time as Mayor of London takes on a renewed importance. As I am sure you would you agree, it is vital to ensure complete probity in all matters relating to the distribution of taxpayers’ money, and I would urge you to take urgent steps to assure the British people that there was no special or preferential treatment on your part in the awarding of public grants or preferential access to Jennifer Arcuri.

    The British people deserve to know that taxpayers’ money is spent with honesty and integrity on the basis of what you know, not who you know. So I would also urge you again to publish the details of companies who have been awarded government contracts through referral to a special “high priority” and “VIP” lane thanks to existing relationships with, or tips from, Conservative Ministers and Members of Parliament.

    Yours Sincerely

    Angela Rayner MP

  • Sean Doyle – 2021 Comments on Zero Emissions Flights

    Sean Doyle – 2021 Comments on Zero Emissions Flights

    The comments made by Sean Doyle, the CEO of British Airways, on 31 March 2021.

    Innovative zero emissions technology is advancing fast and we support the development of hydrogen as an alternative fuel source because we believe it has the potential to enable us to reach true zero emissions on short-haul routes by 2050.

    There is a huge amount of energy and excitement building around the possibilities of a zero emissions future for aviation and while there is no single solution to this challenge, we acknowledge the need for urgent action to tackle the impact flying currently has on our planet and are making progress on our journey to net zero.

  • Nadhim Zahawi – 2021 Comments on Vaccine Progress

    Nadhim Zahawi – 2021 Comments on Vaccine Progress

    The comments made by Nadhim Zahawi, the Vaccines Minister, on 29 March 2021.

    Vaccines save lives and are the best way out of this pandemic, so I urge everyone, regardless of race or religion, to come forward for the vaccine when it’s your turn.

    The NHS, GPs, pharmacists and volunteers will continue to do everything they can to vaccinate people as quickly as possible and I’m immensely proud of their tireless efforts to reach this milestone so quickly.

  • Matt Hancock – 2021 Comments on Vaccine Progress

    Matt Hancock – 2021 Comments on Vaccine Progress

    The comments made by Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 29 March 2021.

    I’m absolutely thrilled that more than 30 million people have now had the jab across the UK – including 650,000 vaccinations delivered yesterday.

    The vaccine is saving lives and is our route out of this pandemic. I want to say a massive thanks to the team.

    When you get the call – get the jab.

  • Rebecca Pow – 2021 Comments on Flooding Projects

    Rebecca Pow – 2021 Comments on Flooding Projects

    The comments made by Rebecca Pow, the Environment Minister, on 29 March 2021.

    We’re investing a record £5.2 billion in 2,000 new flood and coastal defences over the next six years – but with the effects of climate change already being felt it’s vital that we combine this with long-term approaches to improve communities’ resilience.

    These 25 projects will not only help to inform future approaches to prepare communities for flooding and coastal change across the country, but also help reinforce the UK’s position as a world leader in innovation and new technology as we build back better.

  • Oliver Dowden – 2021 Comments on the Sport Survival Package

    Oliver Dowden – 2021 Comments on the Sport Survival Package

    The comments made by Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 29 March 2021.

    We promised to stand by and protect our major spectator sports when we had to postpone fans returning.

    Through our Sport Survival Package and existing business support schemes, we have helped hundreds of clubs to survive this difficult winter period. As the turnstiles begin to open over the coming weeks, players, staff and fans across the country can now look forward to a full return to action with confidence.

  • Nigel Huddleston – 2021 Comments on Return to Organised Sport

    Nigel Huddleston – 2021 Comments on Return to Organised Sport

    The comments made by Nigel Huddleston, the Sports Minister, on 29 March 2021.

    Over the past year we have prioritised the importance of physical activity, permitting basic exercise at all times. Kids have responded to parents becoming PE teachers, and to Sport England’s ‘Join the Movement’ campaign. However the reality is that activity levels have still dropped in lockdown.

    That’s why outdoor grassroots sport reopening today is so important. Many have waited patiently for this moment and cannot wait to get back to playing the sports they love. But we want to encourage everyone to get into sport. No matter what age or ability, there will be a sport out there for you.

  • Oliver Dowden – 2021 Comments on Return to Organised Sport

    Oliver Dowden – 2021 Comments on Return to Organised Sport

    The comments made by Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 29 March 2021.

    The long wait is over. I urge everyone to get their trainers on, get outside and enjoy all of the positive benefits sport can bring.

    We want to see children be active 60 minutes a day, and adults two and a half hours a week to help us build back fitter, healthier and happier from this pandemic.

    Sport and physical activity will be at the heart of our national recovery and today marks a really important step forward.

  • Boris Johnson – 2021 Comments on Return to Organised Sport

    Boris Johnson – 2021 Comments on Return to Organised Sport

    The comments made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, on 29 March 2021.

    I know how much people have missed the camaraderie and competition of organised sport, and how difficult it has been to restrict physical activities – especially for children.

    So as teams return to outdoor pitches, courts, parks and fields, I hope today will kick-start a Great British summer of sport – with people of all ages reunited with teammates, and able to resume the activities they love.

    I know many will welcome the increased social contact, with groups of 6 or two households now also able to meet outdoors.

    But we must remain cautious, with cases rising across Europe and new variants threatening our vaccine rollout. Despite today’s easements, everyone must continue to stick to the rules, remember hands, face, space, and come forward for a vaccine when called.

  • Matt Hancock – 2021 Comments on New Office for Health Promotion

    Matt Hancock – 2021 Comments on New Office for Health Promotion

    The comments made by Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 29 March 2021.

    Good physical and mental health are central to our happiness and well-being. Yet so much of what keeps us healthy happens outside of hospital and the health service.

    By establishing the Office for Health Promotion we will bring health promotion into the heart of Government, working to the Chief Medical Office, so we can level up the health of our nation, working across national and local government.

    Prevention is better than cure. By putting in place innovative prevention measures, we can help everyone to live longer, healthier lives as we ease back to normality, and relieve pressures from our NHS.