General Press Comments

[Sir Jack Anderson]

Dylan Macmillan must not be quite on board with Mr. Mountstuart's assertion that he wouldn't be 'robbing' anyone if he were Chancellor. Afterall, just by becoming Shadow Chancellor he has comfortably robbed Mr. Macmillan of his favourite Great Office.

[Amelia Lockhart]

I am delighted that this Government is being the most ambitious on adult literacy: by 2010, we will halve the numbers of adults who are functionally illiterate. This is an economic necessity if our country is to prosper in an increasingly competitive world, and a necessity if we want to ensure that the British people benefit fully. So the Government is taking significant additional steps to tackle a lack of basic literacy skills by providing new training courses, encouraging a greater diversity of provision, ensuring people have paid time off to attend lessons and help every unemployed person has the advice they need. This is a significant – and necessary – new investment. These actions will help millions more secure basic literacy skills, and ensure that no one is locked out of prospering from a globalised economy in the future.

[Charles Trenython]

This Governments' latest announcement on naval defence procurement is great news for the defence of the realm and for the British defence industry. It is vital that any Government continues to assess its ability to defend its citizens. The procurement of 7 new patrol-centric vessels, to operate in the English Channel, Irish Sea and Strait of Gibraltar can give the British people and international partners alike further assurances that British waters are safe to operate in. They will provide a vital strategic role in ensuring our first line of naval defence moves with the times.

The design and manufacture of 7 new vessels, with our partners in industry, will further add to the jobs created through the provisions of the Strategic Defence Review in 1998. By creating these jobs in our shores, we give young people the chance to enter the industry through vocational routes such as appenticeships, formal routes such as degrees in engineering and harbour our existing skillsets built up over many years.

[Will Frost]

Labour MP Jack Wright has taken to the press to call the United States the "greatest rogue nuclear state in the world." His assessment is not only ridiculous and devoid of any factual merit, but serves to undermine the strength of the Special Relationship between the US and the UK. I urge the Prime Minister to publicly condemn the comments being made by a member of her own party, and to make clear in no uncertain terms that the Government remains committed to our strategic alliance with the United States. Falling short of a full condemnation indicates to the country that the Prime Minister is willing to allow radical socialists to speak on behalf of her party, and that New Labour isn't so "new" after all.

[Clarice Ashbridge]

Donald Rumsfeld is right to point to the threat of dangerous rogue states gaining a foothold on the nuclear ladder, and he is right to seek agreement with Russia in order to further enhance our collective defence capabilities.

The extension of the lifetime of the Trident D5 ballistic missiles as well is very welcome news as well. The Trident missile programme is vital to our continued defence capabilities as a nation, as well as being a major employer in the West of Scotland, and whilst it is sad that some in the Labour Party would put working people out of a job and critically damage our national security, I am confident that the vast majority of MPs in Parliament will join me in applauding this decision.

[Andy Edwards]

I'm proud to support the announcement of our adult literacy programs and commend the comments of Ms. Lockhart: we absolutely can and should be doing more to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to fully participate in our economy and society. Labour is making up for the educational failures of the Conservatives, who seem more focused on making sure that they get more people into Eton than they do ensuring fair access to basic educational skills.

The benefits of expanded literacy programs are numerous and well worth the extra funding that this Government is putting into them. Better employment, better wages, better socio-economic outcomes, lower crime and fewer repeat offenses... the list goes on and on. I'll let the Conservatives figure out how to make Eton a little more money using the public purse while standing beside leaders like Ms. Lockhart who are seeking benefits for everyone who truly needs it.

[Sir Jack Anderson]

William Croft’s weak leadership has fundamentally led to him coddling extremist politicians and courting toxic ideas that have no place in a modern Britain. It is a shame to see the once great party of government be driven into the mud under his spineless leadership.

[Charles Trenython]

William Croft, the Leader of the Conservative Part, whom we are so used to peddling hyperbole and sensationalism in the press, shows his true colours with his own party starting to turn on him. He speaks of a man with no integrity, no principles and no spine. Not to twist the knife, but this behaviour is consistent of a man who is not fit to be anywhere near an elected office in this country, let alone Prime Minister. Meanwhile, the Government are pressing on with our agenda and our united front to build a better Britain for all. I know which side of the aisle I would rather be on.

[Clarice Ashbridge]

This goes without saying perhaps, but I do have confidence in William Croft as leader and I will not be supporting this ill advised and spiteful attempt to oust him from the leadership. Throughout my brief time in Parliament, I have always known John Baker to be a man of integrity, honesty and transparency: and it is beyond me why he has chosen to give up on that now. It is right that William Croft removed him from the Shadow Cabinet for his actions.

Despite this deeply disappointing turn of events, it has been encouraging to see the parliamentary respond in one voice in response to this motion. From moderates like myself all the way to Ms Beauvais-Becker, we are all united in our belief that William should not be ousted from office on the whims of one man's personal agenda. I urge those who may be tempted to support this: please put the interests of the party over any personal feelings and back Mr Croft. The stakes are too high to turn back now.

[Dame Evelyn Redgrave]

It’s frankly disappointing and baffling that Mr. Baker has decided to take the course of action that he has. This action, mere months after the first leadership contest in our party’s history which gave the leader a democrat mandate from the members, shows contempt for the votes of 73,000 party members.

Needless to say, I will support William Croft in this motion of no confidence that Mr. Baker has insisted on. William retains my full confidence and I will urge every colleague to back him in this vote, though I believe that the vast majority of Conservative MPs will see through Mr. Baker’s actions and will support our democratically elected Leader.