Tag: Politics

A tale of two leaders

Johnson’s ‘people’s government’ and Corbyn says sorry

Election fallout continued today as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn issued a public apology to supporters. Corbyn, certainly the most criticised opposition leader (since the last one!) by both hostile media and elements within his own party, announced on Friday morning that he will not fight the next general election as leader but will stay on to oversee an inquiry into what went wrong for the ‘People’s Party’.

The general election delivered a resounding victory for the Conservative Party, who fought a single-issue campaign of ‘Getting Brexit Done’. The voters – at least in England – bought it, and the Tories celebrated their greatest victory since the days of Margaret Thatcher with 365 seats, an overall majority of 35 – a result beyond their most bullish predictions.

On Friday, Boris Johnson – who throughout the general election campaign was criticised for hiding from scrunity (one one occasion, quite literally, in a fridge) told the nation: 

This morning I went to Buckingham Palace and I am forming a new government and on Monday MPs will arrive at Westminster to form a new parliament and I am proud to say that members of our new one nation government – a people’s government – will set out from constituencies that have never returned a Conservative MP for 100 years and yes they will have an overwhelming mandate, from this election, to get Brexit done and we will honour that mandate by Jan 31

And so in this moment of national resolution I want to speak directly to those who made it possible, and to all those who voted for us, for the first time, all those whose pencils may have wavered over the ballot and who heard the voices of their parents and their grandparents whispering anxiously in their ears – I say thank you for the trust you have placed in us and in me and we will work round the clock to repay your trust and to deliver on your priorities with a parliament that works for you.

And then I want to speak also to those who did not vote for us or for me and who wanted and perhaps still want to remain in the EU and I want you to know that we in this one nation conservative government will never ignore your good and positive feelings – of warmth and sympathy towards the other nations of Europe because now is the moment – precisely as we leave the EU – to let those natural feelings find renewed expression in building a new partnership, which is one of the great projects for next year.

And as we work together with the EU as friends and sovereign equals in tackling climate change and terrorism in building academic and scientific cooperation, redoubling our trading relationshipI frankly urge everyone on either side of what after three and a half years after all an increasingly arid argument I urge everyone to find closure and to let the healing begin because I believe – in fact I know, because I have heard it loud and clear from every corner of the country –  that the overwhelming priority of the British people now is that we should focus above all on the NHS, that simple and beautiful idea that represents the best of our country with the biggest ever cash boost: 50,000 more nurses, 40 new hospitals as well as providing better schools, safer streets and in the next few weeks and months we will be bringing forward proposals to transform this country with better infrastructure, better education, better technology.

And if you ask yourselves what is this new government going to do, what is he going to do with his extraordinary majority? I will tell you that is what we are going to do we are going to unite and level up – unite and level up – bringing together the whole of this incredible United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland together, taking us forward unleashing the potential of the whole country delivering opportunity across the entire nation.

And since I know that after five weeks frankly of electioneering this country deserves a break from wrangling, a break from politics, and a permanent break from talking about Brexit.

I want everyone to go about their Christmas preparations happy and secure in the knowledge that here in this people’s government the work is now being stepped up to make 2020 a year of prosperity and growth and hope and to deliver a Parliament that works for the people.

Thank you all very much and happy Christmas.

LABOUR PARTY leader Jeremy Corbyn has issued a public apology to Labour supporters over his party’s heavy defeat in the general election. Writing an open letter in the Sunday Mirror and the Observer today, he acknowledged the party’s failings in the poll and said he accepted his responsibility for it.

‘I will make no bones about it. The election result on Thursday was a body blow for everyone who so desperately needs real change in our country.

To every single person who voted for the Labour Party – everyone who shared the hope that Britain could be a fairer country that works for the many, not the few – I say thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

And to the Sunday Mirror and its readers, your support has been such a source of strength. I wanted to unite the country that I love but I’m sorry that we came up short and I take my responsibility for it.

I remain proud of the campaign we fought. I’m proud that no matter how low our opponents went, we refused to join them in the gutter. And I’m proud that our message was one of hope, rather than fear.

Millions of people saw in our manifesto a better future for themselves and their communities. Our policies to protect the NHS, end austerity, invest in every part of our country and tackle inequality, were popular with voters who saw through a ferocious smear and fear campaign against us.

But despite our best efforts, this election was ultimately about Brexit. The Tory campaign, amplified by most of the media, managed to persuade many that only Boris Johnson could “get Brexit done.”

That will soon be exposed for the falsehood it is, but in this election it overpowered our attempt to reach across the divide and bring our country together

We will learn the lessons of this defeat, above all by listening to those lifelong Labour voters who we’ve lost in working class communities. This party exists to represent them. We will earn their trust back.

Make no mistake: Labour is the greatest force for progressive change this country has ever known, and although this wasn’t our moment, our time will come again under new leadership. We will never give up on the commitment and determination to build a fairer and more decent society.

Elections always result in winners and losers. Only time will tell if the biggest losers after this bruising battle could be those who still believe in a United Kingdom.

Comments on the general election result

With all the votes now counted, the Conservatives now have a clear majority at Westminster. They have 365 seats, while the Labour Party had a disastrous night – their worst since the 1930s.

But while England voted to ‘get Brexit done’, it was a markedly different story north of the border where the SNP cemented their position as the dominant force in Scottish politics, winning 48 of the 59 seats- a rise of 13. Continue reading Comments on the general election result

Not My Prime Minister!

Rally at Scottish Parliament 2.30 – 4pm today

This government is promising to crash the UK out of the EU, sell off our NHS, Drive thousands into poverty and support the richest in society.

We the people have to send a message to this new government that they do not have the support of the people.

We are stronger, we will Rise UP, and we will unite against this hate filled and dangerous government.

Please join us at 2:30 PM today to show Boris that the people are against him!

Event hosted by Youth Rise Up and Stand Up to Racism – Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon: “a brighter, better future is possible”

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday:

Tomorrow we go to the polls in an election which could determine Scotland’s future path for many years to come.

Brexit, the NHS, and the very future of Scotland are at stake – and the nightmare scenario is surely the possibility of 5 years of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister.

Chaos, confusion and a rallying of his right wing Brexiteers have been the hallmarks of Boris Johnson’s time in Downing Street. All of that – coupled with the damage of austerity and welfare cuts – means that this us the the time to end the Tories’ ruinous reign.

This election campaign has certainly flown by – and for those of us pounding the streets, it’s fair to say that the month of December wouldn’t be our first choice to be out knocking doors.

I’ve been out and about all over Scotland speaking to people, and although the weather may have been cold, the reception for the SNP’s message in this campaign has been warm.

But while I’ve been out and about speaking to people, Boris Johnson seems to be going to all sorts of lengths to avoid scrutiny. He has dodged TV interviews and debates left, right and centre – and has done his level best to avoid speaking to ordinary voters in Scotland.

It is little wonder he refuses to be challenged on his policies when all the evidence is that they will cause such deep and lasting damage to our NHS, workers’ rights, the economy and to living standards for this and generations to come.

Boris Johnson’s repeated claim that Brexit will effectively be wrapped up by Christmas is the biggest con since the one painted on the side of the Vote Leave bus – and it demonstrates why people are right not to trust him.

The truth is that Brexit will not be ‘done’ any time soon – even if Boris Johnson succeeds in dragging Scotland out of the EU with the UK. What follows will be years – potentially decades – of arguing over trade deals and future relationships. Let’s remember that leaving was supposed to be the easy part.

This brings me to another issue that is on the line in this election – the NHS. Although health is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, meaning the Scottish Government has responsibility for running Scotland’s NHS, we don’t have control over things like trade negotiations – and these could have a fundamental effect on our health service.

Notwithstanding all the panicky denials during the campaign, we know that Boris Johnson is desperate to do a trade deal with Donald Trump. We also know that US drug firms want ‘full market access’ to the NHS, and we know that Donald Trump would jump at the chance to charge our NHS more for drugs.

All of that could be devastating for our NHS budget. Even a 20% increase in drug prices would take hundreds of millions of pounds out of the frontline NHS budget.

Putting the NHS up for negotiation in any such talks would threaten the founding principles of the health service. In short, a re-elected Boris Johnson government poses perhaps the biggest threat to the NHS in its 70-plus year history.

I believe people in Scotland deserve a lot better than this as their future – and in tomorrow’s election we have a chance to aim higher than Boris Johnson and the sorry mess of Brexit.

SNP MPs will demand an end to austerity, an extra £4 billion for Scotland’s NHS, as well as guaranteed protection for the NHS from a Trump trade deal. We will push for fairer pensions, enhanced maternity and parental leave, stronger action on climate change and an end to the misery of Universal two, the child cap on tax credits and the shameful rape clause.

And for Scotland, we can ensure that decisions about our future are made by the people who live here – not by Westminster.

That is the fundamental point of independence.

Scotland has so much potential. From our successful industries of renewables, tourism, financial services and life sciences, to our highly educated workforce – many countries can only dream of having the resources that we so often take for granted.

Independence would unlock all of this potential, and build a better and brighter future for the people living here.

But whatever your views on Scotland’s constitutional future, surely we can all agree that our future should be decided by people living here, and not imposed on us by the likes of Boris Johnson.

This election will not decide the question of independence – but it does give us a chance to protect Scotland’s right to choose our own future.

So I am asking people to look ahead – not just to the next few weeks, but towards the future we all want to see for Scotland.

Do we want 5 years of Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg and the Brexit extremists, imposing draconian policies on Scotland and dragging us out of the EU against our will?

Or do we want Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands?

I think the choice is clear. And that brighter, better future is possible if Scotland votes SNP tomorrow.

Boris Johnson Polling day message: “I promise I will not let you down”

In his polling day message to voters, Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked the public to vote Conservative:

“As we reach the end of this election campaign, let’s pause to remember why it’s happening in the first place.

“When I became your Prime Minister, I set out to strike a new deal with the European Union that would honour the referendum by taking back control of our laws, borders, money and trade.

“There were many doomsters and gloom-mongers who said it couldn’t be done, but they were wrong. We got a fantastic new deal which finally delivers the change people voted for three and a half years ago.

“MPs had the chance to vote that deal through parliament and honour the promises they made to deliver Brexit. But instead they ignored the will of 17.4 million people and voted for more dither and delay.

“The last Parliament was so obsessed with arguing about Brexit, they were even arguing about arguing. They were not focusing on what you, the people, want.

“Enough is enough. This election is our chance to end the gridlock but the result is on a knife-edge.

“We could have another hung parliament with more of the same – more dither, more delay, more uncertainty. Jeremy Corbyn and Nicola Sturgeon are already stitching up deals to block Brexit in their coalition negotiations. They’d inflict on this country the chaos of two referendums next year, on Brexit and on Scottish independence. And, if that wasn’t enough, they’re plans would wreck our economy, with more borrowing and higher taxes.

“Or we could have a Conservative majority government which will get Brexit done and unleash Britain’s potential.

“If we can smash through the parliamentary gridlock, the Government will be able to concentrate on changing the country for the better – strengthening the NHS with £34 billion extra funding and 50,000 extra nurses, supporting schools with £150 million extra every week, keeping people safe with 20,000 more police officers on the streets. There’s a wave of investment just waiting to pour into this country, but only if we end the Brexit uncertainty.

“I want us to get Brexit done. I want to focus on your priorities. I want to unleash this country’s potential. Above all I want to end the division and bring this country back together again. Whether you voted Leave or Remain, you matter and your voice matters.

“Today is our chance to unite as a country and put the uncertainty to bed so people can get on with their lives. Just imagine how wonderful it will be to settle down to a turkey dinner this Christmas with Brexit decided – and how awful it would be if Corbyn and Sturgeon were in Downing Street advancing their plans for two more referendums.

“Let’s stop the chaos and stop the referendums. We can secure a majority Conservative government if we win just nine more seats.

“To every one of you who is fed up with the endless arguments and wants to move on, every one of you who wants us to respect the referendum result and deliver the change people voted for, every one of you who wants us to focus on a positive, united future, every one of you who worries about the chaos of a Corbyn-Sturgeon alliance in a hung parliament, my message is simple.

“Give me a majority and I will finish what we started – what you instructed us to do – three and a half years ago.

“A great future is there within our grasp, but I need your vote.

“Even if you have never voted Conservative before, this is your chance to be heard and I promise I will not let you down.

“So vote today to break the gridlock.

“Vote to get Brexit done.

“Vote to unleash Britain’s potential.

“Enough is enough. Let’s get it done.”

Oh, Jeremy Corbyn: Labour leader’s eve of poll appeal

Speaking while out on the campaign trail last night Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, said:

“Tomorrow, people across the UK will go to vote and they have a choice. They can elect a government that they can trust. They can elect a government that will eliminate child poverty, end the cruelty and injustice of Universal Credit, give hope to the next generation by investing properly in health and education and deal with the climate emergency on the world stage.

“The only way of getting rid of a Tory government is voting Labour across the country. We need an end to austerity and a government that will give real hope and real security to people.

“There’s an issue of trust in politics. As out manifesto sets out, we want to create a society that works for everybody. But on the other side, can you honestly trust a Prime Minister who cannot tell the truth about talks with the Americans over the privatisation of our National Health Service?

“Who cannot tell the truth about the Brexit negotiations that he has so far failed to deliver on, or one who keeps on making promises that turn out to be a mirage the following day. When you go to vote, you need to know that the people you’re electing not just mean what they say but say what they mean and carry it out when they go into government.

“The choice is clear. Theirs is the party of billionaires, ours is the party of the many. Tomorrow you can vote for despair and vote for the dishonesty of this government, or you can vote Labour and get a government that can bring hope to the future.”

Jo Swinson: Back Lib Dems to stop Tory majority and stop Brexit

Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson delivered her final speech of the election campaign in Esher and Walton, urging voters to back the Liberal Democrats to stop Boris Johnson getting a majority and stop Brexit.

Ms Swinson attended a series of rallies with activists throughout to the day including in the Conservative-held seats of Esher and Walton, Guildford and Wimbledon.

The Lib Dem leader said:

“My message today is clear. To stop Brexit, we must stop Boris Johnson. We have one more day left to do it.

“To all my fellow Lib Dem activists up and down the country – I say this: keep going. Keep fighting for every vote.

“And to everyone out there who has a growing pile of Lib Dem leaflets on their kitchen table: we can win where you live.

“You can stop another Conservative MP being elected. You can stop Boris Johnson from getting a majority he doesn’t deserve. You can help us stop Brexit.

“On Monday, Boris Johnson once again showed us the kind of leader he is going to be.

“Faced with that heart-breaking image of Jack, he refused to look at it, to acknowledge it, even taking the phone out of the journalist’s hand and putting it in his pocket. As though that would somehow make it all go away. What a coward.

“He doesn’t care about Jack, and if he wins a majority, he’ll spend the next five years not caring about you or your family either. He’ll spend five years running away from scrutiny. Avoiding inconvenient truths. Hoping that his power and privilege alone will keep him in Number 10.”