The comments made by Angela Rayner, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, on Twitter on 23 January 2023.
Nadhim Zahawi’s position is clearly untenable. Every hour that Rishi Sunak refuses to sack him shows just how weak the Prime Minister is.
Tag: Comments
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Caroline Lucas – 2023 Comments on the Personal Conduct of Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Nadhim Zahawi
The comments made by Caroline Lucas, the Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, on Twitter on 22 January 2023.
Sunak shamed for breaking the law (again) over his seat belt embarrassment. Zahawi condemned for his “error” over millions in unpaid tax. Johnson exposed over his jobs-for-loans quid pro quo. There’s not an ounce of “integrity, professionalism and accountability” in this Tory Government.
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Angela Rayner – 2023 Comments on Tax Affairs of Nadhim Zahawi
The comments made by Angela Rayner, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, on Twitter on 21 January 2023.
Nadhim Zahawi’s story about his tax affairs doesn’t add up. After months of denials, the truth emerges.
His position is untenable. Rishi Sunak must dismiss him from his Cabinet.
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Rishi Sunak – 2023 Statement on Accepting a Fine for Not Wearing a Seatbelt
The statement issued on behalf of Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 20 January 2023 following a fine for not wearing a seatbelt.
The Prime Minister fully accepts this was a mistake and he has apologised. He will of course comply with the fixed penalty.
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Sarah Green – 2023 Parliamentary Question on Forcing Prepayment Meters on Customers
The parliamentary question asked by Sarah Green, the Liberal Democrat MP for Chesham and Amersham, in the House of Commons on 18 January 2023.
Sarah Green (Chesham and Amersham) (LD)
Many of my constituents are struggling to keep up with their energy bills this winter. When families fall behind, they are too often punished by being switched over to prepayment meters, which are more expensive do nothing to help their financial situation. Will the Prime Minister back our call to ban energy companies from forcibly installing prepayment meters and stop them switching smart meters over to prepayment meters remotely?
The Prime Minister
I want to assure the hon. Lady that Ofgem has specific regulations in place regarding the use of prepayment meters and how energy companies should treat those who are struggling with their bills. I am pleased to say that her constituents will receive, at a minimum, around £900 of support with their energy bills this winter as a result of this Government’s actions.
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Neale Hanvey – 2023 Parliamentary Question to Prime Minister on Health Strikes
The parliamentary question asked by Neale Hanvey, the Alba MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, in the House of Commons on 18 January 2023.
Neale Hanvey (Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath) (Alba)
A Transport Secretary implying NHS workers are deliberately putting people in danger, a Health Secretary pitting dedicated nurses against vulnerable patients—does the Prime Minister really expect the public to believe that the very people who have dedicated their lives to saving life and limb are so reckless? Is it not the case that this Government have pushed them to their absolute limit and they have no other option but to strike?
The Prime Minister
We have enormous respect and gratitude for all our public sector workers, especially those in the NHS. That is why we have backed them with not just record funding, but record investment in more doctors and nurses, with 15,000 more doctors, 30,000 more nurses and more lifesaving equipment that will help them to do their jobs. We continue to want to engage constructively in dialogue with them.
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Rishi Sunak – 2023 Comments on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, in the House of Commons on 18 January 2023.
Stephen Flynn (Aberdeen South) (SNP)
To promise is ae thing, to keep it is another. Well, the Scottish Government kept their manifesto promise to the people and, thanks to support from Members of all political parties in Holyrood, the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed. Surely in that context, the Prime Minister must recognise that it is a dangerous moment for devolution when both he and, indeed, the Leader of the Opposition seek to overturn a promise made between Scotland’s politicians and Scotland’s people.
The Prime Minister
Let me be crystal clear: the decision in this case is centred on the legislation’s consequences for reserved matters. This is laid out in the Scotland Act 1998, which established the Scottish Parliament—the hon. Gentleman talks about that and, at the time, it was supported by the SNP. This Bill would have a significant adverse effect on UK-wide equalities matters, so the Scottish Secretary, with regret, has rightly acted.
Stephen Flynn
Let me be crystal clear—[Hon. Members: “Ooh!”] This is the Conservative party seeking to stoke a culture war against some of the most marginalised people in society, and Scotland’s democracy is simply collateral damage. On that issue of democracy, let us reflect, because on Monday the UK Government introduced legislation to ban the right to strike, against the express wishes of the Scottish Government; on Tuesday, they introduced legislation to overturn the GRR Bill, against the express wishes of the Scottish Government; and this evening they will seek to put in place legislation that rips up thousands of EU protections, against the express wishes of the Scottish Government. Are we not now on a slippery slope from devolution to direct rule?
The Prime Minister
No, of course we are not. This is simply about protecting UK-wide legislation and ensuring the safety of women and children; it is not about the devolution settlement. I urge the hon. Gentleman and his party to consider engaging with the UK Government on the Bill, as we did before the legislation passed, so that we can find a constructive way forward in the interests of the people of Scotland and the United Kingdom.
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Rishi Sunak – 2023 Comments on David Carrick
The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, in the House of Commons on 18 January 2023.
I know Members across the House will be as shocked and appalled as I am about the case of David Carrick. The abuse of power is truly sickening, and our thoughts are with his victims. The police must address the failings in this case, restore public confidence and ensure the safety of women and girls. There will be no place to hide for those who use their position to intimidate women and girls, or for those who fail to act to reprimand and remove people who are unfit for office.
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Rishi Sunak – 2023 Comments on the Right to Protest
The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 16 January 2023.
The right to protest is a fundamental principle of our democracy, but this is not absolute. A balance must be struck between the rights of individuals and the rights of the hard-working majority to go about their day-to-day business.
We cannot have protests conducted by a small minority disrupting the lives of the ordinary public. It’s not acceptable and we’re going to bring it to an end.
The police asked us for more clarity to crack down on these guerrilla tactics, and we have listened.
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Selaine Saxby – 2023 Comments on Industrial Action and Minimum Service Levels
The comments made by Selaine Saxby, the Conservative MP for North Devon, in the House of Commons on 10 January 2023.
Selaine Saxby (North Devon) (Con)
Strikes have a disproportionate impact in rural Britain, where there are no other modes of public transport. The nearest alternative hospital may be more than 60 miles away and ambulances have already travelled far further to get there, and that is without mentioning the vacancy rates in public services, which are so high due to our housing crisis. Can my right hon. Friend confirm how these measures will help support rural communities?
Grant Shapps
My hon. Friend is right. These so-called forever strikes, which have continued for month after month on the railways, are particularly hurting rural communities. It is easy sometimes for people to imagine that those affected will just sit at home on Zoom or Teams and have those conversations. That view of the world is much easier for someone in a desk job, perhaps in management. It is much harder for someone in a rural community or for a hospital porter or cleaner who needs to get to the hospital. The very people being hurt most by these strikes that never seem to come to a conclusion on the railways are the hardest-up in society. This Government will stand behind them with minimum service levels.