Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the
Labour Party, writing
in the Sunday Mirror, said:

Theresa May talks about delivering
an economy that works for working people. But in practice, she’s doing the
opposite. 

In next month’s Budget, the Tories
are set to press on with their endless austerity: still deeper cuts to health
and social care, education and local services.

They’re now trying to take away
more money from people with disabilities – while they’re handing out multi-billion
pound tax breaks to the wealthiest. It’s the nasty party all over again.

Labour is campaigning for an
investment-led economy that restores pride to every community. And we are
determined to end to a tax system rigged for the richest. We think everyone
should pay their fair share.

On Thursday, the people of Stoke
rejected Ukip’s politics of hate and division – and its sham claim to represent
the working class. They voted instead for the NHS, decent jobs and homes,
investment and fairness.

But the result in Copeland was
deeply disappointing. Labour’s share of the vote in Copeland has been falling
for 20 years and of course I take my share of responsibility.

Both these areas, like many others
in Britain, have been left behind by globalisation and lost out from a rigged
economy.

So it’s no surprise that they
rejected the status quo by voting to leave in the EU referendum. That’s why it
was important for Labour to respect the result and vote for Article 50.

The task now is to fight for a
positive future for Britain after Brexit – not the kind of bargain basement tax
haven the Tories want to engineer.

And we must take our message of
economic renewal and fairness to every part of Britain – and show that Labour
has changed under my leadership.

The Conservatives have neglected
working people by cutting investment and letting wages stagnate or fall year
after year. Six million people now earn less than the living wage.

Labour will be campaigning for
investment in decent jobs and homes, education for all, support for the NHS and
social care, and fair taxation.

Last year Labour forced the
Government to U-turn on £4bn cuts to personal independence payments for people
with disabilities. If we stand together we can stop the latest attack
too. 

We haven’t done enough yet to
rebuild trust with people who have been ripped off and sold out for decades and
don’t feel Labour represents them.

But if we stand together, I am
confident we can do that and turn back the Tory tide. 

I was re-elected Labour leader
five months ago with a bigger majority and I am determined to finish that job:
to reconnect Labour with our working class voters and values – so we can win
power to rebuild and transform Britain, for the many, not just the few.

Jonathan
Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow City Minister, commenting on RBS’s reported £7bn annual loss
today, said:

“Today’s
results show RBS still has much to do to overcome the legacy of the financial
crisis.

"Whilst
the core banking business of RBS is improving, the financial burden caused by
the errors of the past has generated a significant loss.

"British
taxpayers have had to stump up huge support for RBS – they need to know that
there has been a significant change in the regulation and culture of banking to
prevent this happening again.

"The
scale of the taxpayers’ support also means there needs to be a conversation
about what the long-term future of RBS should look like, to best protect the
public’s money.”

Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour Party,
commenting on the Stoke-on-Trent Central and Copeland by-elections, said:

“Labour’s victory in Stoke is a decisive rejection of UKIP’s
politics of division and dishonesty. But our message was not enough to win
through in Copeland. 

"In both campaigns, Labour listened to thousands of
voters on the doorstep. Both constituencies, like so many in Britain, have been
let down by the political establishment.

“To win power to rebuild and transform Britain, Labour will go
further to reconnect with voters, and break with the failed political
consensus.”

“I’d
like to begin by saying thank you to the returning officer and their staff for
all their work in making sure this election runs smoothly.

 “I
also must thank my wife, Sophia, and our beautiful daughter, Hannah. Both are a
constant source of strength, love and inspiration to me. Without their support,
this campaign would not have been possible.

“Can
I also thank the police for all that they have done today and throughout the
campaign.

 “For
democracy to work it needs the support of dedicated public servants and here in
Stoke-on-Trent we can be proud to have some of the most dedicated in the
country.

“I’d also like to thank my agent George Sinnott, and the
incredible team of Labour Party workers and volunteers who have sustained this
campaign throughout. To see the energy and commitment that all of you have
shown these last few weeks is a reminder of the incredible strength and passion
of our movement.

“I feel profoundly humble to have been chosen by
the people of Stoke-on-Trent Central to represent them in Parliament.

“My wife Sophia and I chose to make our life here and it was the
best decision we ever made. I’m proud to call the Potteries my home, and I’m
prouder still to have been given the opportunity to represent our city as your
next MP.

“In recent weeks Stoke-on-Trent has found itself in the national
spotlight. Our city has been the focus of a media which all too often
prefers to dwell on our problems instead of highlighting our achievements.

“But over these last few weeks a city lazily dubbed by some as the
capital of Brexit has once again proven to the world that we are so
much more than that.

“We are a city of innovators and educators, artists and
entrepreneurs. We pioneered the first industrial revolution and I believe that
we have the potential to lead the next one.

“This city will not allow ourselves to be defined by last year’s
referendum. And we will not allow ourselves to be divided by the result.

“Nor will we be divided by race, or faith, or creed. We will move
forward together to tackle the problems that we face and secure a brighter,
more prosperous future for one another.

“So for those who have come to Stoke-on-Trent to sow hatred and
division, and to try to turn us away from our friends and neighbours, I have
one message – you have failed.

“Tonight the people of Stoke-on-Trent have chosen the politics of
hope over the politics of fear. We have said with one voice that hatred and
bigotry are not welcome here. This is a proud city and we stand together.

“This election is a victory for British values of tolerance and
respect. But it is also a victory for the proud Labour values that are the
hallmark of our city and its people.

“It is a message that the people of Stoke-on-Trent won’t just sit
back while this Tory government cuts our National Health Service to the bone
and puts the future of our public services at risk.

“It is a warning that we will not stand idly by while politicians
in Westminster pour ever-money into London and the South East while the rest of
the country is simply left to fend for itself.

“And it is a demand that the contribution our people have made to
this country is respected and rewarded with the support and investment we
deserve.

“Politics
can be passionate – and there have been moments in this campaign that have
polarised people.

“My
job – and it is the job of all of us here – will be to put this campaign behind
us – and work together.

“For those who voted for me in this election, thank you very much.
But for those who did not, or who did not vote at all, I want you to know that
I will be your representative as well.

“I will work every day to repay the trust that the people of
Stoke-on-Trent have placed in me.

 “I will be a strong, local voice that our city needs and I
will always put the people of Stoke-on-Trent first. I have a plan for the
Potteries, and that plan begins today.”

Baroness
(Angela) Smith of Basildon, Labour’s Leader in the House of Lords, in response
to reports of potential government concessions on the Article 50 Bill, said:

“Reports
that the Government is considering a serious concession on parliamentary
engagement and a vote on the negotiations are welcome.

“What
happens next is a pivotal moment and will determine the tone and trust in the
weeks, months and years to come on this issue.

“Ministers
have rightly conceded the need for a vote before the deal is concluded and we
welcome that.

“Our
amendment on a vote on the outcome of negotiations has been drafted by taking
note of what happened in the Commons, including ministerial comments, as well
as expert advice from peers in the Lords debates. The Government will have
heard the senior cross bench peer and former Supreme Court judge Lord Hope’s
speech about the need for further
legislation should this Bill not be amended.

“We
believe we would win that vote. The Government of course could try to overturn
it in the Commons.

“But
rather than Ministers just holding to the line that they won’t amend the bill
but will make a statement on the record, it would be a positive and mature
signal for future progress of legislation if having accepted the principle they
write this into the bill.”

Ends