UKPOL.CO.UK

Category: Speeches

  • Michael Gove – 2021 Comments on Government Jobs Moving to Scotland

    Michael Gove – 2021 Comments on Government Jobs Moving to Scotland

    The comments made by Michael Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 15 March 2021.

    The Cabinet Office’s new HQ in Glasgow will co-locate the engine room of the UK Government in Scotland, bringing decision makers closer to the communities they serve and ensuring closer collaboration between Scotland’s two governments as we tackle the COVID-19 pandemic together and work to build a sustainable recovery.

    Not only will this bring new jobs and investment to Scotland, it will strengthen the diversity of the UK Civil Service, ending the Westminster knows best approach to policy making and ensuring Scottish voices shape everything we do.

    The road to recovery from the pandemic will be tough, but with all four nations pulling together we can ensure we build back a stronger, fairer and greener United Kingdom.

  • Dominic Raab – 2021 Statement on Mathias Cormann

    Dominic Raab – 2021 Statement on Mathias Cormann

    The statement made by Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, on 15 March 2021.

    My congratulations to Mathias Cormann on his selection as the next OECD Secretary General. As the UK holds the Presidency of the G7 and hosts COP26 later this year, our close partnership with the OECD will be vital to building back better from this pandemic.

    I look forward to working closely together to support the global economy to recover from COVID, and step up the fight to tackle climate change.

  • David Lammy – 2021 Comments on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

    David Lammy – 2021 Comments on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

    The comments made by David Lammy, the Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, on 15 March 2021.

    The tragic death of Sarah Everard has instigated a national demand for action to tackle violence against women.

    This is no time to be rushing through poorly thought-out measures to impose disproportionate controls on free expression and the right to protest.

    Now is the time to unite the country and put in place on long overdue protections for women against unacceptable violence, including action against domestic homicides, rape and street harassment. And we must tackle the misogynistic attitudes that underpin the abuse women face.

    Instead, the Conservatives have brought forward a Bill that is seeking to divide the country. It is a mess, which could lead to harsher penalties for damaging a statue than for attacking a woman.

    Labour will be voting against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill on this basis. We are calling on the Government to drop its poorly thought-out proposals and instead work with Labour to legislate to tackle violence against women which is forcing so many across the country to live in fear. As well as to deliver the important areas that are long promised, like tougher sentences for attacks on frontline workers and increased sentences for terrorists.

  • David Lammy – 2021 Comments on Women and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

    David Lammy – 2021 Comments on Women and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

    The comments made by David Lammy, the Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, on 14 March 2021.

    In the 20 schedules, 176 clauses and 296 pages of the Conservatives’ Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, “women” are not mentioned even once.

    This is a missed opportunity to tackle violence against women and girls that has become endemic in the UK.

    Under the Conservatives, rape convictions have fallen to an all-time low, delays in the Crown Courts are at an all-time high, and justice is not being served for thousands of women and girls.

    After a decade of inaction, the Government must now work with Labour to legislate to tackle violence against women.

  • Sam Tarry – 2021 Comments on National Bus Strategy

    Sam Tarry – 2021 Comments on National Bus Strategy

    The comments made by Sam Tarry, the Shadow Bus Minister, on 15 March 2021.

    This so-called strategy offers nothing for those who were looking for a bold vision to reverse the millions of miles of bus routes lost across the country.

    People will be wondering when they return to work whether there will be enough affordable and regular buses for their daily commute.

    The Tories said deregulation would improve our buses but they’re running bus services into the ground. Passengers now face a toxic mix of rising fares, cuts to services and reduced access.

    The Government must do more to protect this crucial sector – not least given we’ve already seen more than 1,000 jobs lost in the bus and coach manufacturing industry alone since the pandemic started.

  • Rachel Reeves – 2021 Comments on Government Transparency During Pandemic

    Rachel Reeves – 2021 Comments on Government Transparency During Pandemic

    The comments made by Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 15 March 2021.

    This underlines the absolutely crucial need for this government to be far more transparent and honest, something Labour has consistently called for.

    Open and accountable governments make better governments, but Johnson’s administration has not only acted unlawfully in this regard, but also seems willing too often to bend the truth.

    With growing stories of taxpayer waste and cronyism, they should take the lessons from today’s report and immediately ramp up transparency to reassure the British people that they are using their money responsibly in the fight against Covid.

  • John McDonnell – 2021 Comments on Clapham Common Clashes

    John McDonnell – 2021 Comments on Clapham Common Clashes

    The comments made by John McDonnell, the Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, on 14 March 2021.

    After watching shocking scenes of the police handling of a peaceful gathering of women in Clapham this evening, the Government’s attempt to rush through Parliament next week a significant increase in police powers over public demonstration and activities surely has to be resisted.

  • Priti Patel – 2021 Comments on Clapham Common Clashes

    Priti Patel – 2021 Comments on Clapham Common Clashes

    The comments made by Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, on 14 March 2021.

    Some of the footage circulating online from the vigil in Clapham is upsetting. I have asked the Metropolitan Police for a full report on what happened. My thoughts remain with Sarah’s family and friends at this terrible time.

  • Alistair Carmichael – 2021 Comments on Clapham Common Clashes

    Alistair Carmichael – 2021 Comments on Clapham Common Clashes

    The comments made by Alistair Carmichael, the Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland, on 14 March 2021.

    Ed Davey is right – hard to see how there can be community confidence in the Met chief after this. That said, Cressida Dick resigning will not be enough on its own – she cannot be used as a human shield for Priti Patel. The problem is the policy and the policy comes from the top.

  • Andy McDonald – 2021 Comments on Clapham Common Clashes

    Andy McDonald – 2021 Comments on Clapham Common Clashes

    The comments made by Andy McDonald, the Shadow Spokesperson for Employment Rights and Protections, on 14 March 2021.

    Remembering Sarah. Sad to see the scenes at Clapham. The Met have got this so badly wrong. Sensitivity and compassion were needed tonight not heavy handed Policing. #ReclaimtheStreets