The statement made in a newspaper interview that was published last week.
When questioned during his visit to Stockport, Sunak chose not to answer the question about agreeing with Daly.
It is undesirable for any child to experience poverty, and I personally do not want to see it happen. The most effective solution is to ensure that parents have stable, high-paying jobs and that their taxes are reduced. This is precisely what we will be implementing, beginning tomorrow.
When questioned about the reason behind 25% of children in Bury living in poverty, if it was not due to inadequate parenting, Sunak responded:
According to research and evidence, the most effective method of preventing children from experiencing poverty is to ensure that they do not live in households where no one is employed. A child with both parents unemployed is five times more likely to grow up in poverty.
It is undesirable for anyone to witness that. That’s why it’s crucial to generate excellent employment opportunities for parents everywhere, and to streamline the process of obtaining such jobs. This is why we are allocating resources to improve childcare services, with a focus on the most significant expansion of such services to date, and also to ensure that these jobs offer fair compensation.
The minimum wage in the country is set to increase by a significant amount in the upcoming season, after already experiencing a historic increase in the previous year. Additionally, we are reducing the taxes for individuals, resulting in an average tax cut of £450 for employed individuals, effective from tomorrow.
At 9:26 am, he expressed his support for MPs having a free vote. He also mentioned that he would be in favor of it. This offer to provide government time is important because it prevents opposition from using filibustering to block a backbench bill from passing.
I am saddened by the passing of Derek Draper. He was a highly intelligent and witty individual who embodied strong values and was the center of many different communities, including the political sphere.
Thirty years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Derek. Like everyone who crossed paths with him, I was captivated by his charm and zest for life. He was a faithful and supportive friend to many. The past few years have been incredibly difficult for him and his loved ones. My heartfelt sympathies go out to Kate, Darcey, Billy, and the rest of his family.
The lowest point in ten years.
Davies stated that he does not believe it is currently very challenging. When asked to elaborate on this statement, he further explained, “The traditional method of saving is necessary.”
When questioned about her reply, Reeves stated:
I do not believe those comments accurately reflect the reality experienced by millions of individuals in Britain. While there are certainly homeowners, many are facing difficulties due to increased mortgage expenses. Additionally, there are numerous individuals who are unable to purchase a home due to rising interest rates, which can be attributed to the management of the economy under Liz Truss and the Conservative party. Therefore, I am aware that these remarks may be perceived as out of touch with the challenges faced by these individuals and their families.
She responded that Labour plans to decrease taxation as a percentage of GDP within their first term in office.
I advocate for reducing taxes for individuals who are employed. My goal is for individuals to have more control over their own money and how they choose to spend it. However, in order to achieve this in a responsible and equitable manner, economic growth is necessary. This is why all of my plans, as well as Keir Starmer’s plans, prioritize promoting economic growth.
This is essentially the same statement made by Keir Starmer during his Q&A session with reporters yesterday.
In his account of the visit, Timan cites a person who participated in the booing and when questioned about their actions, replied:
Have they not destabilized the country? The public services, health system, and economy are all falling apart. We are fed up with their actions.
Timan also stated that Sunak was warmly welcomed by the Conservative party members he met with.
Derek Draper shared this on X platform.
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Derek Draper, who fought bravely against Covid. He will be remembered as a brilliant, creative, and multi-talented individual, and our hearts go out to Kate, Darcey, and Billy. Rest in peace, Derek.
The Liberal Democrats criticized Sunak for being negligent and urged him to take immediate action to prevent further harm to people’s lives and livelihoods. They also pointed out that Sunak should have been visiting those affected by the floods today.
During a live interview this morning, Sunak was questioned about the government’s actions regarding the flooding. He stated that…
Yesterday, I had a conversation with individuals from the East Midlands who had experienced the effects of flooding. We discussed the devastating impact it has had.
I want to assure everyone that the Environment Agency has personnel present in all impacted regions. Additionally, there are currently numerous high-capacity pumps in operation, actively making a positive impact. It is crucial for individuals to heed the guidance provided for their specific locations where flood warnings have been issued.
Individuals should feel confident. The Environment Agency has personnel stationed in various locations, fully acknowledging the pressing nature of the situation and taking appropriate and swift action.
Geneva Abdul is providing comprehensive coverage of the flooding on a separate live blog.
The statement made in a newspaper interview released the previous week.
When questioned about his stance on Daly during his trip to Stockport, Sunak chose not to respond and instead avoided the question.
It is undesirable for any child to experience poverty during their upbringing, and I share this sentiment. The most effective method of supporting families is by ensuring that parents are employed in lucrative positions with good salaries, while also reducing their tax burden. This will be implemented starting tomorrow.
When questioned about the reason for nearly 25% of children in Bury experiencing poverty, Sunak responded that it was not due to inadequate parenting.
Research and evidence suggest that the most effective method of preventing children from growing up in poverty is to ensure that they do not reside in a household where no one is employed. Children in households where neither parent works are five times more likely to experience poverty.
It is important to provide excellent employment opportunities for parents and make it more accessible for them. This is why we are investing in childcare, including the biggest expansion ever seen, to ensure that these jobs are also well-compensated. Nobody wants to witness the struggle of working parents.
The minimum wage in the country will experience a nearly unprecedented increase in the upcoming spring season. It has already seen a historic increase over the past year, and we are currently implementing tax cuts for individuals. The average working person will receive a £450 tax cut starting tomorrow.
Derek Draper stated:
I am saddened to learn of Derek’s passing. My thoughts are with Kate, William, and Darcey during this difficult time. It is incredible that Derek was able to survive for so long after battling Covid, which is a testament to the love he had for his family and their love for him. This speaks volumes about Derek’s character – while he may have been a tough and ruthless political operative, he was also a kind, generous, and good-natured man who was a great friend to have. He played a significant role in the New Labour narrative from the very beginning, but above all, he was a valued colleague and dear friend. He will be greatly missed.
Derek Draper.
:
According to Alastair Campbell, the former communications director for Tony Blair:
I am deeply saddened by the news of Derek Draper’s passing. He was a larger-than-life personality, always giving rather than taking, and had so much left to offer before Covid ultimately took its toll. My heart goes out to @kategarraway and their children, whose love and unwavering support for Derek was profound until the very end. Rest in peace.
who has been leading the fight against anti-Semitism in the party.
John Mann, the ex-Labour member of parliament who has been at the forefront of combatting anti-Semitism within the party.
I have been acquainted with Derek Draper since his early days in Chorley as a young member of the Labour party. He had a significant impact on the New Labour movement, although it has not been widely recognized. He is a remarkable and devoted friend.
Jonathan Reynolds, the opposition spokesperson for business affairs
I am deeply saddened to hear this news this morning.
During my time as a student at Manchester, Derek’s name was often mentioned at @ManchesterSU. When I had the chance to meet him, I discovered that he was very considerate and kind, which was quite different from how he was portrayed publicly at the time.
Sending thoughts and well wishes to him and his loved ones.
From Mark Ferguson, the former LabourList editor
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Derek Draper. He was the creator of LabourList and served as its first editor. He consistently showed honesty, kindness, and warmth towards me. My thoughts are with his family and all those who were fortunate enough to know him.
and ex-senior adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg
Adrian McMenamin, previously a consultant for the Labour Party and former senior advisor to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
Unfortunately, I received distressing news about Derek Draper. I reminisce about the good times we shared, as well as the disagreements. I always admired Derek’s resilience, but it seems he won’t be able to recover this time.
, who was cleared of all sex charges
Nigel Evans, the Conservative MP and deputy speaker of the House of Commons, was found not guilty of all charges related to sexual misconduct.
I am deeply saddened by the news of Derek Draper’s passing. He had a long career in politics and I had the privilege of knowing him when I was first elected many years ago. He was a dedicated public servant and an amazing person. My thoughts are with Kate and I offer my deepest condolences.
From the Daily Mirror’s Kevin Maguire
and a columnist for the Guardian:
According to Matthew d’Ancona, a previous editor of Spectator and current columnist for the Guardian:
Derek Draper will always incarnate for me the upstart energy and vivid excitement of the Nineties. And a very nice guy. Condolences to @kategarraway and family.
, and now head of the London office for the Washington Post –
Joe Murphy, previously the political editor for the Evening Standard, is currently the head of the London office for the Washington Post.
I received a message from my coworker, Owen Jones.
I am deeply saddened to learn about this.
Although Derek Draper and I come from different branches of the Labour party, I have always found him to be charming, inquisitive, and playful.
My thoughts are with Kate Garraway, who devoted herself to caring for him. It was evident that they were deeply in love until the very end.
RIP
Kate Garraway.
After contracting Covid during the initial stages of the pandemic, Draper’s health significantly declined. Despite being most recognized for his marriage to Garraway and her dedicated care during his illness, he initially gained recognition in politics as a spin doctor for New Labour under Peter Mandelson before their victory in the 1997 election.
Later, he became involved in a lobbying scandal that was one of the party’s earliest. He was working as a lobbyist at the time and was caught boasting, “There are 17 influential individuals in this government, and to say I have close relationships with all of them would be an understatement.”
Similar to his previous employer, Draper made a return as a political strategist – but ultimately resigned from another position in 2009 due to his involvement in the Damian McBride smear scandal.
In a post on Instagram Garraway said:
I regret to inform you all that my beloved husband Derek has died.
As some of you may be aware, he has been in a critical condition since suffering a heart attack in early December. This was caused by previous damage from Covid in March 2020, resulting in additional health complications.
During Derek’s last moments, his family was with him and I stayed by his side, holding his hand for the entirety of his final hours until he peacefully passed away.
I have many more things to express, and I will do so in the appropriate time. For now, I want to express my gratitude to the medical teams who worked tirelessly to save him and ensure that his last moments were peaceful and dignified.
I am grateful and appreciative to all of you who have shown immense generosity in supporting my family. Rest in peace, my dear Derek. I was fortunate to have you in my life.
Both Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak have recently stated that any adjustments to assisted dying legislation should be made through a private member’s bill. This is a common stance among leaders when it comes to altering laws related to “conscience matters” – issues typically left to a free vote due to their contentious moral implications, particularly for certain religious groups.
They are partially stating this due to the fact that it is a common occurrence. “We’ve always done it this way” is a surprisingly influential argument in Westminster politics, despite being illogical. The significant liberal reforms implemented by the Wilson government in the late 1960s – such as legalizing abortion, reforming divorce laws, and partially legalizing homosexuality – were proposed by individual members of Parliament.
In 1990, the abortion law was altered to reduce the limit from 28 weeks to 24 weeks. The vote remained free, but this time it was for an amendment to a government bill.
In the 1960s, private members’ bills were preferred over official government/Labour causes by Harold Wilson. This approach is still relevant today, as Starmer would support MPs endorsing assisted dying, but may be hesitant to make it a Labour policy. This is because it could deter those who oppose the idea from voting for the party. While making it a government bill with a free vote may seem like a solution, opponents could still argue that it is a government bill. If Starmer were to do this, the Conservatives, especially under the leadership of a social conservative like Miriam Cates, could potentially whip their MPs against it. This would turn the issue into a fully party political one and decrease its chances of passing in the Commons.
Suggestions have been made for Israel to maintain security authority over Gaza after defeating Hamas, with a Palestinian entity responsible for daily governance tasks.
When questioned about the plans, Starmer stated:
It is unacceptable to have Israeli occupation or to have people forcibly removed from their homes and unable to return. In the past four months alone, two million people have been displaced, which is completely unacceptable.
I believe that it is not Israel’s role to dictate the situation in Gaza. There must be greater international consensus on this matter, otherwise it will not be successful.
Starmer mentioned the leaders of Qatar and Jordan as potential negotiators in finding a solution for peace.
He restated his request for a pause in hostilities, expressing his desire for it to result in a permanent end to fighting. He shared with LBC:
Currently, we are witnessing a tragedy that has persisted for several months. There have been an excessive number of civilian casualties in Gaza, a significant amount of displacement, and inadequate humanitarian assistance.
We all desire a ceasefire. The question is: what steps can we take to achieve it?
I believe it is necessary to have a humanitarian ceasefire. We previously had a brief ceasefire, let us resume it promptly.
We can utilize this strategy for serious negotiations to address the clear problems – Hamas must release the hostages, aid must be delivered – and to progress towards a political plan for a two-state resolution.
During a call-in on LBC, Keir Starmer expressed his stance on a Labour government setting aside time for Members of Parliament to thoroughly discuss a private member’s bill that would permit assisted dying.
During my time as chief prosecutor and director of public prosecutions, I personally reviewed every case of assisted dying that was investigated by the police. Therefore, I have likely examined more files and situations related to this matter than most others.
As a chief prosecutor, I drafted guidelines in an attempt to effectively enforce the existing law, with the goal of safeguarding individuals from exploitation. However, there were also instances where acts of compassion, often carried out by caring family members, aligned with the desires of someone who wished to end their own life.
We attempted to enforce the existing legislation, but I strongly believe that we should amend it instead. It is not fair for the prosecutor to be responsible for enforcing a flawed law. It would be more effective for parliament to make changes to the law.
I strongly support a modification to the legislation. It must be meticulously drafted.
I believe the most effective option would likely be utilizing a private member’s bill, typically addressed on a Friday in parliament. Additionally, I am willing to allocate time for this. It is important that it is a free vote.
When asked to verify if he would support altering the law, Starmer replied affirmatively but with the condition that it is the appropriate change.
Source: theguardian.com
