
Audio By Carbonatix
The public did not trust Labour to deliver on many of its election commitments, two of the those vying to succeed Jeremy Corbyn have said.Sir Keir Starmer said its manifesto was "over-loaded" and hampered Labour's ability to present itself as a "force for good and a force for change".And Jess Phillips said Labour lost trust "on some of the basics", such as its "not believable" broadband pledge.Five candidates have so far entered the race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn.Emily Thornberry, Lisa Nandy and Clive Lewis have also been making their initial pitches over the weekend.Ms Thornberry told Sky's Sophy Ridge if Labour "can't win elections then we are failing this party" while Ms Nandy said radicalism was "irrelevant" unless it helped people with their daily needs and concerns.
While there was a strong case for nationalising the railways and ending private involvement in the prison and probation services, she suggested tackling deep-seated social problems, such as homelessness and social care, were more important than public control of key utilities."We lost them on some of the basics. My son does not go to school five days a week. Lots of people in the country can give you their own example. While that was the case, offering free broadband was just not believable."The Birmingham Yardley MP said the party must stop obsessing with factionalism and internal positioning and speak honestly to people."People have to feel a connection with us again. People have to feel we are on their side."Ms Nandy also distanced herself from the broadband pledge, telling BBC Radio 5 Live's Pienaar's Politics."People said to us, 'It's all very well promising free broadband but can you sort out the buses?' and that was the more pressing issue in their lives. It's not about whether you're radical or not it's about whether you're relevant."
- Labour's ruling body is due to meet on Monday to decide the timetable for the election. Would-be candidates have to be nominated by more than 20 MPs and must also get the backing of at least 5% of constituency parties or three affiliated bodies - two of which must be trade unions.
While there was a strong case for nationalising the railways and ending private involvement in the prison and probation services, she suggested tackling deep-seated social problems, such as homelessness and social care, were more important than public control of key utilities."We lost them on some of the basics. My son does not go to school five days a week. Lots of people in the country can give you their own example. While that was the case, offering free broadband was just not believable."The Birmingham Yardley MP said the party must stop obsessing with factionalism and internal positioning and speak honestly to people."People have to feel a connection with us again. People have to feel we are on their side."Ms Nandy also distanced herself from the broadband pledge, telling BBC Radio 5 Live's Pienaar's Politics."People said to us, 'It's all very well promising free broadband but can you sort out the buses?' and that was the more pressing issue in their lives. It's not about whether you're radical or not it's about whether you're relevant."On Brexit
Ms Thornberry said Labour had been wrong to allow the Conservatives to fight the election on the "single issue" of Brexit.She told Sky News that the opposition's focus should now be on ensuring the UK had a relationship with Europe in the coming years that's "going to work for jobs and the economy".Sir Keir, who like Ms Thornberry was a supporter of another referendum, suggested the issue of EU membership was now closed and the party needed to move on from an argument between Remain and Leave.But Ms Phillips suggested the door should not entirely be shut on the UK rejoining the bloc at some point, saying a "wait and see" policy was sensible and she would "always fight" for something if it made the UK safer and better off.On military action
The candidates have also been pressed on the UK's relationship with the US following the killing of Iran's top military leader, Qasem Soleimani, in Iraq.Ms Phillips said people were "not shedding any tears" over the Iranian general's death and, while she opposed the Iraq War, she would always support the deployment of British forces abroad if there was a "moral case" for it."What we have to make sure is that when we take action, it is lawful, proportionate and there is a moral case for it. If those questions can be answered, then I would absolutely take action to protect British lives."However, Sir Keir said the UK should never find itself in the position of "blindly following the Americans".If he became prime minister, he said he would pass legislation to circumscribe the ability of governments to take military action. He suggested it would have to pass three tests - if it was lawful, had been supported by Parliament and was part of a viable plan.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Edmond Boateng takes up secretary role at Honorary Consular Corps of Ghana
33 seconds -
Gambia appoints British barrister to prosecute gruesome Jammeh-era crimes
17 minutes -
Girl group Flo on entering into their ‘bombastic, confident, strong’ era
27 minutes -
Germany suspends military approval for long stays abroad for men under 45
43 minutes -
Liverpool face uphill Champions League task after PSG thrashing in Paris
44 minutes -
‘Ketamine Queen’ sentenced to 15 years in Matthew Perry overdose death
54 minutes -
Nigeria begins mass trial of 500 terrorism suspects
1 hour -
Atletico Madrid stun 10-man Barcelona to seize Champions League semi-final advantage
1 hour -
Black Stars coach to be announced by next week – Sports Minister
2 hours -
Chiefs, queen mothers and principal elders of Odau group denounce ‘rebellious Etweresohene’, pledges allegiance to Okyenhene
2 hours -
KNUST library dress code sparks online backlash over strict rules
2 hours -
Cultural Diplomacy in Action: Ghanaian youth leaders present symbolic smock to U.S. Chargé d’Affaires
2 hours -
Ghana Card payment activation under review – NIA breaks silence on financial integration
2 hours -
Ofori-Atta’s ICE release on bail positive; he poses no risk – Amanda Clinton
2 hours -
Ken Ofori-Atta’s passport seized after bail, set to reappear in US Court on April 27
2 hours