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Category: Speeches

  • Catherine West – 2020 Comments on Alexei Navalny

    Catherine West – 2020 Comments on Alexei Navalny

    The comments made by Catherine West, the Shadow Minister for Europe, on 2 September 2020.

    Confirmation from German authorities that the nerve agent Novichok was used against the Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny is a serious and alarming development. The Russian government has serious questions to answer.

    The despicable Salisbury attack in 2018 was a clear example of the willingness of the Russian state to use chemical weapons against opponents and critics anywhere in the world. We must be categorical in our condemnation of the use chemical weapons and support the referral of Alexei Navalny’s poisoning to the OPCW.

    The UK government must work with democratic allies in the EU and NATO to ensure that those responsible are held to account. There must be no impunity for the use of chemical weapons.

  • Lucy Frazer – 2020 Comments on New Glen Parva Prison

    Lucy Frazer – 2020 Comments on New Glen Parva Prison

    The comments made by Lucy Frazer, the Prisons Minister, on 2 September 2020.

    The new jail at Glen Parva is another milestone in our plan to transform the prison estate, providing the environment needed to steer offenders away from crime.

    As well as rehabilitating prisoners and keeping the public safer, the prison will be a major boost to the local economy. Hundreds of jobs will be created during and after construction, sending a clear signal that this government is committed to supporting communities and infrastructure across the country.

  • Anneliese Dodds – 2020 Comments on a Youth Unemployment Scheme

    Anneliese Dodds – 2020 Comments on a Youth Unemployment Scheme

    The comments made by Anneliese Dodds, the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 2 September 2020.

    Labour has repeatedly called for a youth employment scheme that matches the scale of today’s jobs crisis, just as the Future Jobs Fund did at the time of the global financial crash.

    The Labour Government in Wales has done just that with its Jobs Growth Wales scheme: bringing local authorities, employers, trade unions and other stakeholders together to help young people into work without impacting older workers.

    But the Conservative government’s Kickstart scheme, which has been delayed, already looks like it lacks that cross-organisational coordination. It will only work if employers and jobseekers have clarity and confidence that the scheme will lead to meaningful work. The Government can’t afford to get this wrong.

  • Rachel Reeves – 2020 Comments on Boris Johnson Refusing to Meet Grieving Families

    Rachel Reeves – 2020 Comments on Boris Johnson Refusing to Meet Grieving Families

    The comments made by Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 2 September 2020.

    These revelations that bereaved families had to write to Boris Johnson five times asking to meet him – for him to privately go back on his public word and refuse are astounding, and upsetting for so many whose families and lives have been impacted by COVID in this way.

    41,504 people have tragically lost their lives to this virus. The very least the Prime Minister could do is respond truthfully to their families, and have the heart to meet some of them and their representatives.”

    The Prime Minister has been going back on his word all summer – but to not even meet with grieving families hits a new low.

  • Preet Gill – 2020 Comments on International Development and the UK

    Preet Gill – 2020 Comments on International Development and the UK

    The comments made by Preet Gill, the Shadow International Development Secretary, on 2 September 2020.

    Since the Department for International Development’s formation in 1997, it has delivered life-saving and life-changing support including vaccinating millions of children against polio and other deadly diseases and ensuring millions have had access to a good education.

    The British people are rightly proud of the impact UK aid and development has had in supporting the world’s poorest and most vulnerable.

    However, under this Government, the future of the UK’s commitment to lead on international development is uncertain.

    With the launch of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office today, the Government must show that it is committed to the principles DfID was founded on to consolidate the hard-won soft power and reputation built up since its inception. Now is the time to step up and show genuine global leadership to make the world safer, fairer and better.

  • Kate Green – 2020 Comments on Gavin Williamson and Taking Responsibility

    Kate Green – 2020 Comments on Gavin Williamson and Taking Responsibility

    The comments made by Kate Green, the Shadow Education Secretary, on 2 September 2020.

    The evidence given by Ofqual today has raised serious questions about Gavin Williamson’s role in this summer’s exam fiasco.

    Gavin Williamson has repeatedly tried to blame Ofqual and officials for the crisis over exams. It is now clear he was responsible.

    Williamson must urgently come to the Commons to offer an explanation and to take responsibility for his own incompetence.

  • Lisa Nandy – 2020 Comments on US Not Helping in Global Vaccine

    Lisa Nandy – 2020 Comments on US Not Helping in Global Vaccine

    The comments made by Lisa Nandy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, on 2 September 2020.

    This is an extraordinary attack on the World Health Organisation in the midst of a global pandemic and a deeply concerning setback in the search for a vaccine.

    This kind of ‘vaccine nationalism’ risks hampering the fight against the spread of Covid-19 and ultimately delaying the development, manufacture and distribution of a vaccine. This is a global fight that demands a coordinated international response.

    It is becoming increasingly clear that the UK government is either unwilling or unable to exert influence across the Atlantic, and that the ‘deep friendship… and special relationship’ heralded by the Foreign Secretary is becoming increasingly one-sided.

    The UK must now show global leadership, begin building alliances with our democratic partners around the world and work collaboratively to prevent a national scramble for a vaccine.

  • Stephen Doughty – 2020 Comments on African Migrants in Saudi Arabia

    Stephen Doughty – 2020 Comments on African Migrants in Saudi Arabia

    The comments made by Stephen Doughty, the Shadow Minister for Africa, on 31 August 2020.

    Emerging evidence of the shocking conditions in which African migrants are being held in Saudi detention centres is deeply disturbing and demands immediate action.

    The Saudi Government must bring an immediate end to this appalling practice and permit access for independent health and human rights experts. It is vital that those being detained are held in line with international migration law and treated with the dignity and compassion they deserve.

    UK Government Ministers must immediately raise this worrying situation with their counterparts in Saudi Arabia, particularly in light of the country’s historically poor record on protecting and upholding human rights.

  • Preet Gill – 2020 Comments on the Foreign Aid Budget

    Preet Gill – 2020 Comments on the Foreign Aid Budget

    The comments made by Preet Gill, the Shadow International Development Secretary, on 31 August 2020.

    The British public are rightly proud of the role they have played in supporting the world’s poorest and most vulnerable.

    This latest move by the government to backtrack on a manifesto commitment they made last year shows that their word cannot be trusted, and signals a retreat from the world stage in the middle of a global pandemic.

    Labour is committed to continuing our global reputation as a development power by ensuring we continue to show Britain at its best; as an outward-looking, progressive country making the world safer, fairer and better for all.

  • Keir Starmer – 2020 Comments on the Future for Young People

    Keir Starmer – 2020 Comments on the Future for Young People

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 31 August 2020.

    For millions of families across England, this week will be a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

    Excitement for children who will be back in the classroom for the first time in months. But, anxiety for teachers and parents about a year ahead that is full of uncertainty because of a pandemic that continues to cast its shadow over children’s education.

    I want to pay tribute to the extraordinary dedication of our teachers and school staff who have worked tirelessly over the summer to make sure schools can reopen safely.

    Labour want and expect children to be back at school. Every day that schools were closed was a day of opportunity, learning and support lost. This situation was worsened by the exams fiasco and the Government’s chaotic approach to education.

    We cannot keep repeating those same mistakes. Young people’s futures cannot be held back by the Conservatives’ incompetence.

    That is why the Education Secretary must come to Parliament to tell us how he will protect our children’s futures. He needs to explain how he will make up for the damage already done, bring pupils up to speed and mitigate against the ongoing risk from the pandemic.