UKPOL.CO.UK

Category: Speeches

  • Jonathan Ashworth – 2020 Comments on New Coronavirus Cases

    Jonathan Ashworth – 2020 Comments on New Coronavirus Cases

    The comments made by Jonathan Ashworth, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 6 September 2020.

    Today’s increase in Coronavirus cases is deeply concerning and a stark reminder that there is no room for complacency in tackling the spread of the virus.

    This increase, combined with the ongoing testing fiasco where ill people are told to drive for miles for tests, and the poor performance of the contact tracing system, needs an explanation from Ministers.

    Matt Hancock must come to the House of Commons tomorrow to set out what is being done to get testing back on track and bring case numbers down.

  • Louise Haigh – 2020 Comments on Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland

    Louise Haigh – 2020 Comments on Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland

    The comments made by Louise Haigh, the Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, on 6 September 2020.

    These reports, if true, show what we have long feared – that the ‘oven-ready’ Brexit deal the Prime Minister promised the British people was yet another example of his fluid relationship with the truth.

    Just 10 months after signing a treaty promising to implement the Northern Ireland protocol, Boris Johnson’s government is already threatening to renege on the UK’s legal obligations.

    This would be an act of immense bad faith: one that would be viewed dimly by future trading partners and allies around the world and make it more difficult for us to hold other governments to account.

    It beggars belief that the Government is – yet again – playing a dangerous game in Northern Ireland and sacrificing our international standing at the altar of the Prime Minister’s incompetence.

    It is in the interest of all parties to reduce the burden on businesses and the economy in Northern Ireland, but these practical solutions must be agreed on the basis of trust – trust which Ministers have now jeopardised.

  • Sarah Jones – 2020 Comments on the Grenfell Inquiry

    Sarah Jones – 2020 Comments on the Grenfell Inquiry

    The comments made by Sarah Jones, the Shadow Policing and Fire Minister, on 6 September 2020.

    Over three years after Grenfell, it is shameful how little progress has been made. The Government has continuously broken their promises, while tens of thousands of people across the country are stuck living in unsafe flats. The victims and survivors of Grenfell are still waiting for justice. This is completely unacceptable.

    Labour’s amendment to the Bill is an attempt to force the Government to deliver the recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry’s Phase One Report. Every measure necessary should be put in place to prevent a fire like Grenfell from ever happening again. We urge the Government to honour their promises and back the amendment and get the work done.

  • Matthew Pennycook – 2020 Comments on Net Zero Emissions

    Matthew Pennycook – 2020 Comments on Net Zero Emissions

    The comments made by Matthew Pennycook, the Shadow Climate Change Minister, on 7 September 2020. The comments were made with reference to an Institute for Government report on the Government’s approach to achieving net zero emissions.

    This report lays bare the Government’s failure to put the country on a path to net zero emissions.

    If Ministers were determined to end the UK’s contribution to global heating by mid-century they would have a clear roadmap to achieve that goal, it would be pursued relentlessly from the centre, the institutional architecture would be put in place to coordinate and drive progress across all departments, and emissions reduction would be woven throughout government policy.

    Until this Government gives emissions reduction the status it requires and acts accordingly, the UK is destined to remain off track for the net zero target, legislated for just over a year ago.

  • Stephen Morgan – 2020 Comments on Armed Forces Recruitment

    Stephen Morgan – 2020 Comments on Armed Forces Recruitment

    The comments made by Stephen Morgan, the Shadow Armed Forces Minister, on 7 September 2020.

    The worrying increase of over seven thousand application withdrawals this year continues this Government’s decade of decline in failing to support our country’s Armed Forces and its recruits.

    Whilst the Minister claims to be looking to improve the Armed Forces ‘offer’, its failing recruitment contract is clearly not working.

  • Jim McMahon – 2020 Comments on Grant Shapps and Government’s Quarantine Policy

    Jim McMahon – 2020 Comments on Grant Shapps and Government’s Quarantine Policy

    The comments made by Jim McMahon, the Shadow Transport Secretary, on 7 September 2020.

    When there are so many unanswered questions around the Government’s quarantine measures it is astounding that this statement failed address them. Passengers and the aviation industry need confidence that Ministers aren’t simply making it up as they go along.

    This seemed to be an exercise in deflecting attention. We are still yet to see the scientific evidence for the Government’s decision making and why, unlike in Scotland and Wales, those returning from Portugal don’t need to self-isolate.

    After the mess we’ve seen it is vital that the Government undertakes a review into quarantine policy, to report as soon as possible. It should include outlining options for a robust testing regime in airports, and related follow up tests, that could help to safely minimise the need for 14-day quarantine.

  • Boris Johnson – 2020 Comments on Blockade of Newspapers

    Boris Johnson – 2020 Comments on Blockade of Newspapers

    The comments made on Twitter by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, on 5 September 2020.

    A free press is vital in holding the government and other powerful institutions to account on issues critical for the future of our country, including the fight against climate change.

    It is completely unacceptable to seek to limit the public’s access to news in this way.

  • Emily Thornberry – 2020 Comments on Blockade of Newspapers

    Emily Thornberry – 2020 Comments on Blockade of Newspapers

    The comments made by Emily Thornberry, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, on 5 September 2020.

    This is very worrying and I don’t really know what it is that is expected to be achieved and I know that for many older listeners it’s very much part of their daily life, getting their paper delivered, and I think it’s just wrong.

  • Dawn Butler – 2020 Comments on Blockade of Newspapers

    Dawn Butler – 2020 Comments on Blockade of Newspapers

    The comments made on Twitter by Dawn Butler, the Labour MP for Brent Central, on Twitter on 5 September 2020.

    Bravo Extinction Rebellion. Excellent work.

  • Kirsten Oswald – 2020 Comments on Tony Abbott

    Kirsten Oswald – 2020 Comments on Tony Abbott

    The comments made by Kirsten Oswald, the Deputy SNP Leader at Westminster, on 4 September 2020.

    If holding misogynistic, homophobic, Trump-backing, climate change-denying views, as well as saying that some elderly people with Covid-19 should be allowed to die, is what qualifies you for a role with this Tory government in promoting the UK internationally then it is not so much Global Britain as it is Little Britain.