Blogminster » Party Blogs/News

'European legality of minimum pricing confirmed' -- Party News (SNP)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:45:05 +0000

The SNP have welcomed confirmation the Scottish Government’s plans to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol is permissible under EU law…

'ERS backs no strings referendum' -- Party News (SNP)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:45:05 +0000

The Electoral Reform Society says no strings should be attached by the UK Government to Scotland's referendum.…

'There is no evidence to justify Argentina’s actions, which do not reflect the will of the Falkland Islanders – Murphy' -- Party News (Lab)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:18:47 +0000

Jim Murphy MP, Labour's Shadow Defence Secretary, commenting on reports that Argentina will make a complaint to the United Nations about Britain’s “militarisation” of the Falkland Islands, said:…

'Cameron’s Government has wasted 18 months on its disastrous and wasteful NHS reorganisation – Kendall' -- Party News (Lab)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:05:28 +0000

Liz Kendall MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Care and Older People, responding to the Health Select Committee Report on Social Care, said:…

'Defence Select Committee agrees with Labour that capability gaps and lacking contingency plans require urgent action – Murphy' -- Party News (Lab)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:31:48 +0000

Jim Murphy MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, in response to the Defence Select Committee’s report on ‘Operations in Libya’, said:…

'Response to Osborne speech to the FSB – Businesses are crying out for a real plan for jobs and growth – Reeves' -- Party News (Lab)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:22:23 +0000

Rachel Reeves MP, Labour’s Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, responding to George Osborne’s speech to the Federation of Small Businesses dinner, said:…

'Letter from Jon Trickett MP to Sir Jeremy Heywood on newspaper reports surrounding Andrew Lansley' -- Party News (Lab)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:27:48 +0000

Jon Trickett MP, Labour's Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, has sent a letter to Sir Jeremy Heywood regarding reports today of briefings from Downing Street against Andrew Lansley. In the letter he said:…

'Graham Watson: European renewable energy is answer to Gazprom gas crisis' -- Party News (Lib Dem)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:06:00 +0000

Commenting on the ongoing crisis where Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Germany have experienced reductions of up to 30% in Russian gas supplies from Gazprom over the last few days, Sir Graham said:

"The freezing conditions across Europe highlight yet again the dangers of being so overly-reliant on Russia for a quarter of our gas. Gazprom has - understandably - diverted its supplies to keep Russian homes warm, leaving many European countries short and prices on the rise."

"And we just don't know what Gazprom will do next."

"But the wind is blowing harder than ever in the Scottish Hebrides and it is 15 C and sunny in southern Spain and Greece. If, instead of building gas pipelines, we were building electricity transmission infrastructure and switching from fossil fuels to wind and solar power, this week's energy outlook would be a different story. European renewables are the answer to our energy security."

"Indeed, the sun is also shining bright as ever in the Sahara. Importing electricity from North Africa…

'Cameron must clarify if briefing on Lansley reflects majority opinion in No 10 – Burnham' -- Party News (Lab)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:59:17 +0000

Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, said in response to the Downing Street suggestion in today’s Times newspaper that 'Andrew Lansley should be taken out and shot':

“David Cameron must make an urgent statement and clarify whether these remarks come from a rogue source, or reflect his own and majority opinion in 10 Downing Street.
…

'£2.5m funding for small business loans' -- Party News (SNP)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:54:12 +0000

SNP MSP John Wilson has welcomed £2.5million funding that will finance interest free loans to small businesses to help them save energy.…

'Building a Green Economy: a low-carbon plan for jobs and growth' -- Party News (Lab)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:47:39 +0000

In a speech to the Aldersgate Group, a coalition of environment agencies, NGOs, think tanks and industry representatives, Caroline Flint, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, set out the case for an active industrial strategy to drive green growth, reboot the British economy and build a more resilient and responsible economy for the future
…

'New fund is nothing more than a sticking plaster over gaping hole in previous support for sustainable transport – Maria Eagle' -- Party News (Lab)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:49:06 +0000

Maria Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to today's announcement on transport funding, said:…

'SNP only party that will protect free education' -- Party News (SNP)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:40:21 +0000

While the SNP is committed to free education, Johann Lamont said she was not opposed to back-door tuition fees for Scottish students.…

'UK cuts undermining inward investment' -- Party News (SNP)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:40:21 +0000

SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie warns that UK economic policy is undermining inward investment.…

'SNP welcome referenda expert’s analysis' -- Party News (SNP)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:40:20 +0000

Dr Matt Qvortrup says Westminster would be ill-advised to challenge referendum in court…

'Lorely Burt: Labour hypocrisy on bankers’ bonuses' -- Party News (Lib Dem)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:37:00 +0000

“The sheer hypocrisy of Labour to point the finger on bankers’ bonuses is staggering. Labour presided over the biggest boom in bonuses this country has seen, from £3.1bn in 2001 to £11.5 billion in 2007. At the same time, they sat back and knighted the financial speculators who led this country to the brink of economic collapse.

“The Coalition Government inherited this economic mess from Labour and has taken decisive action to put the country back on track. We’ve capped cash bonuses at state owned banks to £2,000 and overall, the bonus pool is smaller than last year and considerably less than under Labour.

“In Government, Liberal Democrats are doing the right thing – implementing the Vickers’ proposals to make banking safer in the future, continuing our fight to get the banks to lend more and introducing the banking levy which raises £2.5bn a year. All Labour can do is complain from the side lines.

“While Labour spent thirteen years being intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich, Liberal Democrats…

'We need more rigorous apprenticeships for young people – Twigg and Marsden' -- Party News (Lab)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:20:24 +0000

Stephen Twigg MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, responding to David Cameron’s article on apprenticeships, said:…

'Energy switching campaign a potentially trailblazing way to bring down bills – Flint' -- Party News (Lab)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:03:32 +0000

Caroline Flint MP, Labour's Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said in response to the launch of the first UK-wide collective energy switching campaign by Which? and 38 degrees:…

'Home Secretary needs to explain action she is taking on the national security implications of Abu Qatada judgement – Cooper' -- Party News (Lab)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:35:22 +0000

Yvette Cooper MP, Labour's Shadow Home Secretary, commenting on the announcement on Abu Qatada…

'Government is kicking away opportunities for the next generation – Buck' -- Party News (Lab)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:23:37 +0000

Karen Buck MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Young People responding to the Barnardo’s Report on the 16-19 Bursary Fund…

'Labour proposals to criminalise stalking, we will keep Govt to its word – Cooper' -- Party News (Lab)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:19:00 +0000

Yvette Cooper MP, Labour's Shadow Home Secretary, said:

"It is a step forward that the Government is taking our proposals to criminalise stalking seriously and we welcome the apparent change of heart between this afternoon in the Commons and this evening in the Lords about the pace of action needed to support victims.
…

'Julian Huppert: Coalition cycling investment comes at a crucial time' -- Party News (Lib Dem)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:10:00 +0000

“Promoting cycling and green transport is the right thing to do and I am delighted Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government are taking action.

“This comes at a crucial time. Just five days ago The Times launched a cycle campaign in response to the shocking increase in fatalities among cyclists on our roads.

“It is absolutely essential people should be able to walk to work or cycle to school in a safe environment. The extra £8m for Sustrans will go a long way to achieving this.

“And the £7m for improved rail-cycle links will ensure that we continue to build a transport network which puts passengers first.” …

'Michael Farmer appointed as new Co-Treasurer' -- Party News (Con)

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:30:00 +0000

The Conservative Party announces today that Michael Farmer has been appointed Conservative Party Co-Treasurer with effect from March 1 2012.…

'You can judge the Tories by the friends they keep – Dugher' -- Party News (Lab)

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:12:58 +0000

Michael Dugher MP, Labour's Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, commenting on the appointment of Michael Farmer as Conservative Party co-Treasurer…

'Senior management of the publicly-funded Network Rail have done the right thing – Maria Eagle' -- Party News (Lab)

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:54:11 +0000

Maria Eagle MP, Labour's Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to news that Network Rail directors will give up bonuses, said:…