Politics LIVE: Tories SLAM Labour for ‘surrendering’ to unions over anti-strike law

The Conservatives have accused Labour of “surrendering” to trade unions after the Governmant confirmed it is scrapping an anti-strike law created last year.

The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 came in response to a spate of public sector strikes and placed requirements on how much continuing work would have to be done in certain sectors, including health, education and transport, during industrial disputes.

The previous Government never imposed any of the requirements despite the law coming into force.

Conservative shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake said: “By surrendering to their union paymasters, Labour is showing us who is really in charge. We put the interests of the British public first through our Minimum Service Levels Act, making sure that the militant unions could not cripple the railways, schools or the NHS.

“But Labour are placing access to emergency care and schools staying open at risk just to appease the unions. Angela Rayner should be focusing on the urgent issues the country is currently facing.”

Deputy PM Angela Rayner, who is overseeing the change in policy, responded saying: “Attempting to clamp down on the fundamental freedom of working people has got us nowhere, and this was targeted at sectors who dedicate their lives to serving us all.

“That’s why we’re scrapping this pointless law and creating a new partnership between business, trade unions and working people through our New Deal. Repealing this legislation is the first part of our plan to reset industrial relations so they are fit for a modern economy.”

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Communities minister Jim McMahon issues warning to rioters – ‘they will be dealt with’

He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “There is no grounds at all for anybody in the country to go out there and believe that they have to self-defend either premises or a local community.

“The police force have the resources they need to provide on-the-ground support, there is co-ordination taking place with local councils, as I said, and the local community groups as well.”

He added: “To be clear, it doesn’t matter what the cause or motivation is – if somebody breaks the law and causes damage and intimidation, they will be dealt with.”

Sadiq Khan urges people to ‘check on friends’ following riots

The Mayor of London said on social media: “I am in constant touch with the Met, City Hall and the police are working closely with community leaders and local organisations to protect targeted buildings and places of worship, as well as provide reassurance for Londoners.

“I know the shocking scenes have left many Muslims and minority ethnic communities scared and fearful, so I ask my fellow Londoners to check on their friends and neighbours and show them that care and compassion is what Londoners are all about.

“In London, we have zero-tolerance for racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism or any form of hate and we pride ourselves on being open, diverse and welcoming of all faiths and backgrounds. It’s woven deeply into the fabric of our great city and is why those who seek to divide our communities will never win.”

Nigel Farage refuses to apologise over Southport claims

The Reform UK leader denied stoking the violent disorder seen across England and Northern Ireland. It comes after he took to social media hours after the Southport attack to question whether the attacker was known to the police.

He told LBC: “I condemn all acts of political violence. At no point in the last 30 years have I ever encouraged political violence. I have nothing to do with any form of street violence.

“The reason the Southport riots were as bad as they were was we weren’t told the truth.

“There were some stories online from prominent folks with a big following, Andrew Tate, suggesting that the man had crossed the channel on a boat in 2016. I asked a very simple question, was this man known to the security services.”

Murdo Fraser enters Scottish Tory leadership race

In a post on social media, the MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife said the party needs “real change”, but said he will not seek to split the Scottish Conservatives from their UK-wide counterparts as he did in a previous leadership run in 2011.

in a video posted on social media, he said: “This party, our party, has let us all down. You, its members, were let down by Boris Johnson over partygate, you were let down by Liz Truss’s mini-budget, you were let down by Rishi Sunak at D-Day.

“And yes, I’m sorry to say, you were let down by Douglas Ross and his team.

“So now, our party must change, and change cannot be continuity in a fancy wrapper – our party needs a leader who will reach every corner of it, change it and hold it together all at the same time.”

Fraser is the sixth candidate to enter the race, alongside Russell Findlay, Brian Whittle, Meghan Gallacher, Liam Kerr and Jamie Greene.

TUC general secretary welcomes new law -‘time for a new, grown-up era of industrial relations’

Paul Nowak said: “Public services work best when governments listen to and engage constructively with their workforces.

“The TUC and countless experts repeatedly warned the previous Conservative administration that its vindictive minimum service levels were unworkable and would only worsen and prolong disputes.

“It speaks volumes that not one single employer to date has issued a work notice ordering staff to break a strike.

“They, too, can see how toxic these laws are. The new Government is right to repeal this spiteful legislation. It’s time for a new, grown-up era of industrial relations.”