With the reformation of rock band The Stone Roses and pop act Steps recently hitting the number one spot in the album charts, it’s obvious that there’s a nineties revival going on. And it’s happening in politics too. At Westminster, the actions of the Tories have been spookily reminiscent of the dying days of the Major administration 20 years ago.
With the economy flat lining, scandal engulfed ministers resigning, others threatening to quit the cabinet and splits over Europe it has been like a bad case of déjà vu.
This week saw the biggest rebellion on Europe in any political party since the dawn of time. 81 Tories defied their leader, voting in favour of an EU referendum. In the chamber, the Tory rebels were vitriolic about Britain’s relationship with Europe and, despite strong arm tactics by government whips, they gave the prime minister a bloody nose when it came to the vote.
We also learned that the work and pensions secretary threatened to quit the cabinet if he is ever forced to vote against his eurosceptic instincts again. Despite the agreement in Brussels that brings the prospect of treaty change closer, I suspect the issue of Europe and ‘the 81’ will continue to cause the prime minister a very bad headache and put strains on the coalition.
Monday was also the 50th anniversary of Prime Minister’s Questions. The first occasion featured old Etonian Tory prime minister Harold Macmillan, fielding questions about his negotiations to get us into the ‘Common Market.’ Fifty years on, the latest Old Etonian Tory prime minister spent the day frantically pleading with his own side not to vote for a referendum to get us out of it.
As I pointed out at Business Questions, the past few days have exposed a weak prime minister leading a divided government, too busy fighting internal battles to fight for Britain’s interests.
Meanwhile a leaked report from the millionaire financier Adam Beecroft this week revealed a plan to scrap the protection against unfair dismissals in the workplace – describing it as a ‘price worth paying’. Despite the most ferocious squeeze in living standards for generations, the government’s only plan appears to be an attack on the rights of millions of people in workplaces up and down the country. In the Commons, I called for an urgent debate on the report and questioned why the owner of four Aston Martins and major donor to the Tory party, qualifies Mr Beecroft to have a worthwhile opinion on anything!
Instead of threatening hard-working people with the abolition of their rights the government needs to get to grips with the economy fast and come up with a plan for the jobs and growth that Britain badly needs.
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Angela Eagle is MP for Wallasey and shadow leader of the House of Commons
GROWTH chimes badly with the anti-capitalism movement doesn’t . We do need growth,which on the one hand can sound like more willy -nilly produce produce grab profit grab profit with the excuse of “provide jobs” but the protests only think of the profits .I think this is the area that needs clearer articulation to bring people together. So is that what the co-operative movement is aiming for ? It doesn’t sound that realistic so far as most people do not have tough business drive and of course then those with too much get greedy.
Anglea should have a more senior role on the front bench!