Blakesley Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Press clippings and reactions to speeches, live events, and other things will go here. This will include longer commentary offered by the A-Team on Discord and reposted here as a record. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blakesley Posted October 23, 2022 Author Share Posted October 23, 2022 Reaction to Shadow Chancellor James Manning's Speech in Peterhead The Belfast Telegraph: Nesbitt concerned over Conservative NI plans Quote Former UUP Leader Mike Nesbitt called Conservative Brexit plans for Northern Ireland, outlined by Shadow Chancellor James Manning, "reckless and dangerous". In a speech in Peterhead, Mr Manning called for unilateral action on the Irish border and letting the EU choose whether to be "constructive or destructive". Mr Nesbitt went on record saying that this was "idiocy of the highest order" and that is "directly flew in the face of the pledge Sir Dylan [Macmillan] made hours earlier to protect the peace process." In a warning to Conservative leaders, Mr Nesbitt said that, "If you choose unilaterialism and force Northern Ireland into a place where it must choose between Europe and the United Kingdom, there is an extremely high risk that it will choose Europe and the union will end." The Daily Telegraph: Manning endorses the free market Brexit that Britain needs Quote Far from out concerns about endorsing a Remainer's Brexit, Mr Manning championed the plans that we need for Britain to make a success of Brexit. Britain as an open, trading nation with unilateral removal of trade barriers. A bonfire of regulations imposed on us by Brussels. A firm commitment to maintaining Britain's internal market. For anyone concerned about Mr Manning's championing of Brexit, their concerns should now be assuaged. The task for Mr Manning now is not just Brexit, it is to champion a supply-side revolution for Britain to free our economy. Financial services will only be stronger after Brexit if we recognise that regulators we went too far after the financial crisis. Capital markets will need reassuring, via tax cuts, that London will remain the centre of global finance. It would behoove Manning to make policy that aligns his positive vision of Brexit with a domestic economy that enables it. The Times: The right vision of Britain's Brexit economy Quote Speaking in Peterhead, Shadow Chancellor James Manning presented the right, aspirational vision for the British economy. While some of his policies, such as those on the border, are far more aspirational than others, it is the vision Britain requires. And while parts were quite aspirational, others, such as a bold trade policy and regulatory slashing plan, are certainly within the ability of Mr Manning to achieve if he is fortunate enough to enter Number 11. We look forward to Mr Manning building out the content of this agenda. ... Despite his best efforts, key leaders in corporate Britain remain opposed to the Brexit economy outlined by Mr Manning. UK Finance chair Bob Wigley maintains that "the costs of Brexit far exceed the benefits" for the financial services sector. Make UK said that even the most high-tech border will require costly supply chain shifts. More work will clearly be needed to bring key stakeholders alongside. These groups appear unwilling to change their position on the Brexit bit, so their interests will need to be addressed via domestic policy. Certainly a challenge for Mr Manning, though a manageable one. The Financial Times: Manning presents positive, if unachievable, view of Brexit Quote The core of Mr Manning's argument is that we can achieve a great deal outside of the European Union. However, he fails to address the trade-offs. Britain is not in an advantageous position in terms of trade negotiations with the United States. India will demand concessions on migration - a risk for the Tory coalition. WTO rules are, largely, on the EUs side in the scenarios laid out. The idea of a high-tech border with minimal friction is a fantasy. The amount of friction on the US-Canada border, or even the Norway-Sweden border, is exponentially higher than current arrangements as an EU member. Those technical realities remain unaddressed. However, the view is positive. Mr Manning presents and aspirational manifesto for what a post-Brexit economy might look like. And that, at a minimum, is a savvy political move. Even if he is doubling down on a unicorn Brexit. Perhaps even worse, it is now an ideological unicorn. The Guardian: Tory Brexit unicorn runs to the hard right Quote Shadow Chancellor James Manning's vision of a post-Brexit British economy is one of a utopia that just happens to be on fire. His ideologically inspired Brexit economy is one so radical that even capitalism would reject it. It is a fantasy of the highest order, a unicorn running through a burning forest. It's one with no borders, unless you're a migrant. No regulations, unless you're a trade union. And no tariffs, unless you're an industry the Tories like. That's not an economic strategy, it's an ideological and political mission. Despite press briefings to the contrary, it's clear that Mr Manning has caved to the pressure to bow at the altar of No Deal. His vision of a Brexit economy - no tariffs, no regulation, chaos at the border - is the vision of an attempt to salvage an economy in crisis. And economic crisis is what a Conservative hard Brexit would get Britain. The highest praise that can be levied at Mr Manning is that he is forthright in thinking about what he would do after inflicting the greatest act of economic self-harm in Britain's history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blakesley Posted October 24, 2022 Author Share Posted October 24, 2022 Reaction to Prime Minister James McCrimmon's Speech to Citizens UK The Guardian: McCrimmon has one shot left: he's close to squandering it The Sun: The Devil in Downing Street Quote In his speech, McCrimmon referenced David Cameron as making a "deal with the devil" in agreeing to the Brexit referendum, as if democracy is something to be feared. What's absolutely clear now is that McCrimmon joins the ranks of ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE determined to thwart or water down Brexit. It wasn't David Cameron who made a deal with the devil. The devil is in Downing Street. And Britain needs an exorcism. The New Statesman: Playing for time Quote Faced with calls to make an appearance, James McCrimoon did just that - announcing The Fair Shot as a renewal of Labour's 2017 manifesto commitments. It is clear that this is a rebrand and a speech made as a to prevent the clock on his leadership from running out. Inaction would see Labour parliamentarians on maneouvers. This may be enough to avoid that. However, survival cannot be the order of the day for what should be a transformative Labour government. Yes, we're starting to see an agenda being assembled. However, that agenda is largely the result of the departure of one of McCrimmon's top allies and the rising of of Mr West and one of his. This speech was not a roadmap to further that agenda. Lacking in detail and plans for accomplishing the agenda, it couldn't be. And therein lays the problem. Nobody doubts that Mr McCrimmon has a vision. They just doubt that he can deliver it. And now he's playing for time until others can craft the plan for him. The Morning Star: This is the moment for radicalism, James Quote James McCrimmon has the opportunity to transform the country. He is squandering it. Even his speech was lacklustre in its ambition. But we have confidence that, given time, Mr McCrimmon can deliver the 2017 manifesto and go beyond it. We were given bold promises of sectoral bargaining and employee ownership. Now is the time for those pledges to be the heart of government - not this piecemeal movement on employment rights (though better than nothing). You have the opportunity to be radical, James: you represent a radical tradition. We believe in you to achieve something with it. The Daily Mirror: Delivering a fair shot for the many requires delivery Quote The Fair Shot is an initiative that we can all get behind. It is the proper packaging for the bold promises that Labour made at the last election to serve the many, not the few. In making this the centre of his premiership, Mr McCrimmon made an astute play. He has made clear what Labour stands for and, aspirationally, what Labour will deliver over its term in government. However, aspirations are not enough. Now The Fair Shot must be delivered. This will require the full efforts of the socialist enterprise. Mr McCrimmon must set ministers to work. Those central to the cause, Josephine Ricci and Kayla Gray, must take a more central role in shaping policy. Advancing this bold endeavour will require the work of all involved o the left. It's time they step up to deliver a fair shot for Britain's working people: for the many, not the few. The Times: As McCrimmon seeks a reboot, wiser heads in Labour might seek a re-do Quote Though his speech relabelling the Labour manifesto as "The Fair Shot" might be viewed as an attempt at a reboot, it may not have succeeded. What McCrimmon successfully did was muddy the waters on what was, for the left, a popular programme of government. Five months into his premiership, he is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. This is not the maneouver of a Prime Minister in a position of power. While he was giving his speech at Citizen's UK, we must question if other ministers at the top table are beginning to question the need for a re-do of Labour's leadership election, not just a reboot of the McCrimmon ministry. The party has other leaders, Harry West and Anthony Clarke among them, who might be seen as more capable (or at least more visible). One might question whether one of them would do better in leading the country during turbulent times. The Independent: It's time to consider one's position Quote We are seldom one to call for dramatic change in the nation's governance. However, eventually, we must do so. Unfortunately, now is the time that those at the top in the Labour Party must consider their positions. After rant that, at times, came across as paranoid and determined to confront the enemy within Labour, something needs to change. This is not a cruel indictment of Mr McCrimmon or his capability. It is a reality that must be confronted. The Fair Shot is the speech of a Leader of the Opposition facing internal dissent, not a Prime Minister in his fifth month in office. It is the speech of an idealist facing rebellion, not someone determined to deliver. Unfortunately for Mr McCrimmon, delivery is what Britain needs right now. If he cannot deliver, someone else can. Headlines of the Moment The Economist: [cartoon of McCrimmon holding on as he dangles off a ledge] Grasping on. The Daily Telegraph: [image of McCrimmon walking out to give his speech] Dead man walking The Daily Mail: A fair shot? The MAIL says...PUT THIS MAN OUT OF HIS MISERY! Evening Standard: Man who bungled Grenfell disaster makes empty pledge on safe housing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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