General Press Comments

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Alex Cardigan
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Re: General Press Comments

Post by Alex Cardigan »

The leader of the Conservatives is criticising those of us who agreed with the Metropolitan Police and Macpherson Report alike - that there is an issue with racism in our police force - by suggesting there is no argument allowed on the "genuine counter argument to the proposals put forth by their political opponents". My question to Mr Croft is simple - what counter argument? There is a lazy, thinly-veiled attempt at appealing to core Conservative supporters of a claim that the police have no issues with racism. That is the counter-claim in full. One inflammatory sentence. It is not supported by an argument, it is not supported by any evidence, and it isn't even supported by the Met!
The Rt Hon. Alexander Simon "Alex" Cardigan MP
Deputy Leader of the Opposition (2015 to present)
MP for Kensington (1974 to present)
Secretary of State for International Development (2010 to 2015) | Shadow Secretary of State for International Development (2005 to 2010) | Shadow Secretary of State for Trade (1997 to 1999) | Chief Secretary to the Treasury (1995 to 1997) | Secretary of State for National Heritage (1992 to 1995) | Minister for Schools (1990 to 1992) | Minister for Foreign Affairs (1979 to 1981)
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Barclay A.A. Stanley
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Re: General Press Comments

Post by Barclay A.A. Stanley »

Closed for grading.
Lt. Col. Sir Barclay A.A. Stanley, Rtd., KBE
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Armed with nothing but a pint of gin, Sir Barclay went to battle against the forces of Communism, Socialism, and Liberalism.
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Blakesley
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Re: General Press Comments

Post by Blakesley »

GPC - 13 January 2020 - Why do we speak?

It's important to have a quick discussion about the purpose of General Press Comments. Before posting, one should ask themselves, "Does this contribute to the national discussion on an issue?". If the answer is no, off to soapbox with you. Press comments should, generally, make a strong point. If you are addressing policy, in general you want to a) quickly introduce what you're talking about; b) say what your position is; c) say what you're doing; and d) say why your opponents are wrong (or pathetic). Of those four things, (a) is critical for context (which you need in GPC) and at least one of either (c) or (d) are essential to being interesting to the press (both is welcome though). If your statement consists of just (a) and (b), then it's not interesting to the press. A lot of things fell into that category this time around.

Which brings us to the relevant topics here today: Tory psychodrama and Macpherson/immigration.

Tory Psychodrama

This one was never going to be pretty for the Tories. The greatest thing they have going in their favour is that Baker kept his sniping confined to Soapbox. The reality is that between leaks and the fact that there was a vote of no confidence, William Croft isn't looking fully in control of his party. The Shadow Cabinet, in due course, trot out statements of support for Croft - none of which seem to address the underlying issue, which is Mr Croft's appeasement of Cosette Beauvais-Becker (even if he isn't, it sure looks like he is). Sir Jack Anderson stands out for landing some punches on the Tories, particularly noting that they can't even seem to come to an agreement within their frontbench - which, of course, is the cause of this whole debacle in the first place. Astrid Goldman follows up by saying the Tories are just out of place - is this true? Well, if anything they appear to be doubling down on Hague's strategy, which did not win them a majority - maybe something to think about? Rebecca Flair comes in with some punches towards the end as well. But let's be reasonable here - this wasn't going to make other parties look better, it was only going to make the Tories look worse. Fortunately for them, Croft's convincing win does provide some redemption.

Momentum:
Labour: 0
Conservatives: -4
Liberal Democrats: 0

XP:
Sir Jack Anderson (+1)

Immigration and Macpherson

These are being lumped together because they pull at the same base concept (though Macpherson dominates). One one side, the Conservatives are arguing against political correctness as a concept. On the other, Labour wants to care for "the other" in society. So we need to step back and think about the context here. In broad swaths of society, including the police, the Macpherson report is accepted. By going back down this road, the Tories are embarking on a strategy that Hague tried before the election which *checks notes* did not work. Getting into the meat of what was said, Sir Jack Anderson launches an opening salvo that is quickly backed up by Andy Edwards. Clarice Ashbridge comes back swinging after the Prime Minister makes a statement and hits hard. Of course, the elephant in the room that really prevents Labour from getting hit too much here is that the Met admitted that institutional racism is a problem - and when you spend a lot of time defending the police, you're expected to listen to what they say. However, the Conservative base is excited by their rhetoric. Alex Cardigan just comes out and starts making valid points and seems pretty reasonable playing the "both sides" card. When then conclude this adventure with some remarks about EDMs and half the press don't even know what those are.

Momentum:
Labour: +2
Conservatives: +1
Liberal Democrats: +1

XP:
Andrew Edwards (+1)
Clarice Ashbridge (+1)
Alex Cardigan (+1)

Odds and Ends

Clarice Ashbridge made some good remarks about some foreign policy positions pushed by the Socialist Campaign Group. While she doesn't get influence for those, she is seen as growing into her role as Shadow Foreign Secretary, though some wonder why exactly she's spending her time focusing on Labour backbenchers.

Jack Wright and James Doherty call for a review of Labour Party democracy, but that isn't going anywhere at the moment (nor are the big beasts really engaging in it). Perhaps next time, gents. (Note: there may be separate coverage of the op-ed).

Labour as a whole announce some policies regarding literacy, defence procurement, and NHS spending, though those really aren't engaged with. The lack of opposition response to government initiatives in the press, however, is noted. And that may become a problem in the future if it continues.
Blakesley
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Re: General Press Comments

Post by Andy Edwards »

I'm proud to have announced that from today, the Government is ending the private ownership and private management of prisons in the UK. Since I joined Parliament I have spoken out against the idea that private companies, wholly unaccountable to the public, should have the ability to restrict rights of people- even prisoners- and that they should be allowed to profit off prison overcrowding. We've also seen how privatization of prisons has failed: it just results in overworked, underpaid staff and more prison violence.

The idea that we should abide by more violence and more risk of losing a prison just to save a few pennies in the here and now is a trade-off that we should not be making for the British people. The safety of the British public and the basic rights of people shouldn't be subject to the whims of profit-oriented companies- so I'm glad that by ending private prisons we're bringing those responsibilities back into the public sphere. The experiment of privatization taught us some lessons- chief among them that it needs to be ended.
Andrew Edwards MP
MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston (1992-) | Labour
Secretary of State for the Home Office (2001-)
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Re: General Press Comments

Post by Brown »

I'm honoured to have tabled the most substantive legislation to help address fire and rescue services since 1947 in the House of Commons. As the number of fires and false alarms is on the rise in the United Kingdom, the Government is taking decisive action to ensure that our Fire and Rescue Services have the coordination, authority, and structure they need in order to keep our communities safe from fire and other life-threatening events. I am especially pleased to announce that this legislation, if enacted, will allow my department to impose regulations ensuring that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in every tenancy throughout the United Kingdom, which experts agree will save lives. Rest assured that the Government and my department will continue to work closely on issues of fire safety and ensure that Britain's fire and rescue services are well equipped and prepared to assist communities in the 21st century.
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Re: General Press Comments

Post by Sir Jack Anderson »

I do not oppose the role the private sector has to play in helping deliver efficiency in key public services where it serves a purpose. As Chancellor, I'm clear that value of money is a key priority I will consider when committing to public spending.

But unlike the Conservatives, I do not view value for money as just being a race to the bottom in delivering the cheapest public service. We have to consider what delivers the most efficient public service. It's clear that the private sector is not currently able to do that in our prison service in comparison with our public sector, and there are legitimate concerns that the profit motive can create perverse incentives within our prisons. So I have happily committed the necessary funds to put our prisons in house so we can keep our streets safer.
Sir Jack Anderson
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Member of Parliament for Southampton Test
Chair of the Treasury Select Committee. (2000-2001)
Chancellor of the Exchequer. (2001-)
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Re: General Press Comments

Post by Sir Jack Anderson »

As Chancellor, I understand that there is no better investment you can make than in our children. Education remains Labour's priority.

The Treasury has committed to spending £1.5 billion on the 'Future Classrooms' initiative which will help to make our schools modern and fit for purpose. £1 billion will be spent upgrading classrooms or, where it is more economically efficient, building new schools altogether. And £500m will be committed to installing or upgrading IT facilities across primary schools, ensuring they are fit to deliver on a modern curriculum that will prepare children across the country for the information economy.

Giving every child the chance to succeed with a stellar education isn't just the right thing to do - it is the most sensible thing to do. The Future Classrooms initiative is a crucial part of Labour's plan to deliver on that.
Sir Jack Anderson
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Member of Parliament for Southampton Test
Chair of the Treasury Select Committee. (2000-2001)
Chancellor of the Exchequer. (2001-)
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Re: General Press Comments

Post by Rebecca Flair »

No politician relishes sending troops to war however when it is necessary and legal it is absolutely right that we support the Government in doing so. In his speech to the House of Commons the Defence Secretary mentioned that NATO had planned the operation they are undertaking but he did not specify a projected end time. It is essential, to avoid mission creep and the unduly long deployment of our troops in harm's way, that we specify now when we aim to end the operation so that we can hold the Defence Secretary accountable to his own plan and bring our troops home in an orderly fashion.
Rebecca Flair
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Leader of the Liberal Democrats 2015 - Present
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Re: General Press Comments

Post by Sir Jack Anderson »

In the face of immense opposition and false warnings of two million lost jobs from the likes of the Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Chancellor, this Labour government boldly introduced the minimum wage. We know it has been a huge success in collaboration with economics, academics, businessmen and Trade Unionists, and has boosted the incomes of the low paid without overseeing any job losses.

While this was a bold step, it is not enough, and this government fully intends to build on the legacy of the minimum wage. In following the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission, this government will be lifting the minimum wage to £4.10 this month - representing a boost of up to £870 per year in the incomes of millions of the lowest paid workers. I'm proud of this government's legacy and the minimum wage's legacy, and intend to work closely with and strengthen the remit of the Low Pay Commission so that business and the labour movement can work closely to end the scourge of low pay in Britain.
Sir Jack Anderson
Labour Party.
Member of Parliament for Southampton Test
Chair of the Treasury Select Committee. (2000-2001)
Chancellor of the Exchequer. (2001-)
First Secretary of State. (2001-)
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Re: General Press Comments

Post by Andy Edwards »

I'm proud to serve in a Government that takes the needs of working men and women in this country seriously, and that includes the comments this from from the Chancellor that the minimum wage will be increased as of this month. Increasing the minimum wage lifts up everyone and provides a true foundation for economic growth and opportunity for workers, families, and the United Kingdom. Of course I would love to see this go up more and more to lift as many millions as we can out of poverty, but I know that this Government's moves are sensible and sustainable... and they're a far sight better than what the Tories had hoped for when they fought hard against even a most basic wage for those in our country that need it most.

We know the minimum wage benefits workers, businesses, and the economy: it provides meaningful compensation for work, it provides an incentive to invest in people rather than treat them like cogs in a machine, and it makes sure people afford to actually meet their basic needs. The more that we can continue to raise wages for workers the better off we'll be- and at least we're doing more than just spinning. I hope to work with other members of the Government to strengthen the Low Pay Commission and make continued, meaningful, and lasting reforms to our economy for the betterment of British workers.
Andrew Edwards MP
MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston (1992-) | Labour
Secretary of State for the Home Office (2001-)
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