Rt Hon James Brokenshire, MP said: I am sickened by this incident with dissident republican terrorists placing a bomb close to a primary school in north Belfast. This shows their wanton disregard for human life, potentially putting children in danger… read more
UKIP Defence Spokesman Cllr Bill Etheridge MEP has called Jeremy Corbyn’s defence policy “an incoherent mess which would throw the UK into huge security difficulties.” Cllr Etheridge was “shocked” that Mr Corbyn would not want to eliminate the leader of … read more
23 Apr 2017
John Lamont has been formally approved as the Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk.
At a meeting of local party members this evening, John was backed unanimously as candidate for the general election on June 8, with no other person putting their name forward.
John is currently the MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire and was the Conservative candidate in the 2015 General Election when he narrowly lost to the SNP candidate by 328 votes. The seat is the most marginal in Scotland and one of the most marginal constituencies in the whole of the UK.
John will make an announcement on what his selection means for his position as Member of the Scottish Parliament for Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire early next week.
Speaking after the meeting, John Lamont said: “It is an honour and a privilege to have been selected as the Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate in the General Election on June 8th.
“Much has changed in the Borders in the past few years. With the Liberal Democrats all but disappeared, we live in the most marginal constituency in the whole of Scotland.
“In June, it will be a choice between myself, who will stand up for Scotland in a strong United Kingdom or a nationalist whose number one priority is pushing for a second independence referendum.
“I have had great privilege of representing this glorious part of Scotland for the last 10 years in the Scottish Parliament. I want to continue this but in the United Kingdom Parliament. My local advice surgeries will continue each week, my support of local businesses and events will continue throughout the year, and my dedication to getting a better deal for every community that I represent will continue as it has done for the last decade.
“I have put my name forward for this election because I believe I am the best candidate to stand up against the SNP and their plan to break up Britain.
“A second independence referendum may be the First Minister’s priority, but it isn’t mine. I believe the Borders needs a politician who will focus on growing the economy, bringing investment and jobs to the Borders and a strong Scotland as part of a strong United Kingdom.”
read moreJeremy
Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, will announce Labour’s plan to give
Britain’s workers the break they deserve and bring our four nations together
with four new national holidays for the whole of the United Kingdom.
Under Labour’s proposals, UK-wide public holidays will be held on St, David’s
Day (1st March), St Patrick’s Day (17th March), St. George’s Day (23rd April)
and St. Andrew’s Day (30th November). With eight public holidays, the UK
currently has the fewest of any G20 or EU country.
Speaking on St George’s Day to announce the policy, Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of
the Labour Party, will say:
“For years, Britain’s workers haven’t had a proper pay rise, with wages
for most people still below 2007 levels. After seven years of painful
austerity, our workers deserve a break – and under a Labour government, they
will have the opportunity of four more days off a year.
“The four nations that make up our great country have rarely been more divided
due to the damaging and divisive policies of this Conservative government.
“But where Theresa May divides, Labour will unite our four nations. A Labour
government will make St George’s Day – England’s national day and Shakespeare’s
birthday – a public holiday, along with St David’s Day, St Andrew’s Day and St
Patrick’s Day.
“And we will ask for the support of the governments of Wales, Scotland and
Northern Ireland so that the same four holidays can be enjoyed across the
United Kingdom.
“These holidays will be a chance for workers to spend time with their families,
in their communities and with their friends. But they will also be a chance to
celebrate the national cultures of our proud nations.
“The next Labour government will give workers the break they deserve and bring
our country closer together.”
The Leader of Scottish Labour, Kezia Dugdale will say:
“Scottish Labour believes that together we’re stronger, and that means
celebrating what unites us across the four nations of the UK.
“St Andrew’s Day is a proud day of celebration in Scotland, and some workers
already get the day off, but Labour would like to see that extended to all
workers – not only in Scotland, but across the UK.
“Scotland is home to tens of thousands of people from England, Wales and
Northern Ireland, and this policy will encourage the entire country to
celebrate the four national days.
“Our country is far too divided as a result of the SNP’s plans for a second
independence referendum and the Tories’ plans for a hard Brexit, and only by
backing Labour can voters send Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May a message that
together we’re stronger.”
The Leader of Welsh Labour, Carwyn Jones will say:
“Welsh Labour has long been in favour of making St David’s day a public holiday
in Wales. Today’s pledge would make that a reality for the 1.4 million
hardworking people across Wales.”
Ends
Editor’s Notes:
1. The UK
has the lowest number of public holidays of the major economies – 8 compared
with a G20 average of 12. Four extra holidays would take us to the G20 average.
2. St
Andrew’s Day is a public holiday in Scotland, where the issue is devolved, as
is St Patrick’s Day in Northern Ireland. Labour’s proposal would be to seek the
support of the governments of the three devolved administrations for four
public holidays, but the decision whether to go ahead in Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland would be theirs.
3. Estimates
of the economic impact of public holidays (including by the DCMS) are
contradictory, varying between a net benefit and net cost. There is no
definitive measure. There is also evidence of productivity and wellbeing
benefits, and the evidence of costs are that they are of delayed rather than
lost output.
UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall writes, “What does a party leader go into a general election hoping for? That’s normally a pretty easy question to answer – as many votes as possible for his party at the expense of every other … read more