Labour

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on a report from The UK in a Changing Europe, ‘A successful Brexit – four economic tests’, said:

“This is an important and detailed piece of work which should be looked at seriously by everyone involved in the Brexit negotiations.

“It is vital for the good of the country that we can hold the Government to account using a series of tests like this, but to do so we will need much greater openness and transparency than the Government has shown so far.

“That’s why Labour’s amendments to the Bill in Parliament this week will seek to require regular progress reports from the Government and full Parliamentary scrutiny.”

Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour Party, commenting on President Trump’s potential state visit to the UK, said:

“Donald Trump should not be welcomed to Britain while he abuses our shared values with his shameful Muslim ban and attacks on refugees’ and women’s rights.

“Theresa May would be failing the British people if she does not postpone the state visit and condemn Trump’s actions in the clearest terms. That’s what Britain expects and deserves.”

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party , responding to Theresa May’s press conference in Turkey, said:

“President Trump’s executive order against refugees and Muslims should shock and appal us all. 

“Theresa May should have stood up for Britain and our values by condemning his actions. It should sadden our country that she chose not to.

“After Trump’s hideous actions and May’s weak failure to condemn them, it’s more important than ever for us to say to refugees seeking a place of safety, that they will always be welcome in Britain.”

Responding to the joint press conference held between Theresa May and President Trump, Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry has said:

“The Prime Minister promised to speak frankly to President Trump, and tell him where she disagreed with him, but we heard nothing of the sort.

“She appears only to have discussed those issues on which we already know they agree: trade and security. But we heard nothing about climate change, about respect for human and reproductive rights, about war crimes in Syria, about the nuclear deal with Iran, or about the illegal settlements in the West Bank. 

The Prime Minister referred to a special relationship based on our shared history and interests, but she has to realise that it is also a relationship based on shared values, and if the President is going to discard those values, whether by embracing torture or ignoring climate change, then she must be willing to tell him frankly that he is wrong.

“Her failure to do so today – even behind closed doors – was nothing less than shameful.”

Julie Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister, commenting on reports of increases in waiting times for hip operations, said:

“It is absolutely shocking in 21st Century Britain that patients in some parts of the country will only qualify for knee and hip replacement operations on the NHS if they can prove pain so exceptional that it prevents sleep.

“Rationing of this kind is totally unacceptable and is against the best traditions of the NHS. However, there are concerns that if the Government continues to deny sufficient funding to the NHS, rationing of treatments could become more widespread.”