Labour’s Armed Forces Day a time to recognise sacrifice and service

Bob Ainsworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, on Armed Forces Day said: “Today is an opportunity for people up and down the country to recognise the achievements and sacrifices of our outstanding servicemen and women and veterans. Their bravery and courage are what make our Armed Forces world class.

“Today my thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones in Afghanistan and elsewhere. We can never repay the immense sacrifice they have made but we can ensure that we do everything we can to support them.

“On Armed Forces Day, which I am proud Labour introduced, I am sure communities up and down the country will be taking this chance to say thank you to our Armed Forces, who do so much for our country, and their families who offer them such huge support.”

Harman: “Same old Tories hitting hardest at those who can least afford it”

Harriet Harman MP, Acting Leader of the Labour Party, has criticised the coalition’s Budget statement as one that will throw people out of work, hold back economic growth and harm vital public services.

It is a Budget of broken Tory and Lib Dem promises on VAT.

She emphasised that there was an alternative. Last week the independent Office for Budget Responsibility reported that Labour’s plans would have more than halved the deficit over four years.

Harriet Harman said: “This is a Tory Budget that will throw people out of work, that will hold back economic growth, that will harm vital public services.

“Yes, it’s the Chancellor’s first Budget but it’s the same old Tories hitting hardest at those who can least afford it and breaking promises.

Labour leadership election is a five horse race

Today Labour released the validly nominated candidates for the leadership of the Party.

Andy Burnham, Ed Balls, David Miliband and Ed Miliband and Diane Abbott have all received the necessary minimum of 33 nominations from Labour MPs by the deadline of 12.30pm on 9 June.

Ed Miliband: ConDem “muddle and confusion” on energy security

Ed Miliband MP, Labour’s Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, yesterday told the House of Commons that the coalition’s energy policy is only papering over the cracks and fails to deliver the long term coherence and certainty that the country needs.

Ed Miliband said: “In this area above all the country needs a clear sense of direction. Instead this is a government with not one, not two but three positions on new nuclear:

“A government notionally in favour of it.

“A Liberal Democrat representative who will speak against it.

“And the party itself that will sit on the fence in any vote.

“We always knew being a Lib Dem in opposition meant not having to choose but old habits seem to die hard.

“If this government carries on as it has started, fudging some key differences, papering over the cracks, it will be a recipe for muddle and confusion and not the long-term direction we need.

David Miliband: contradictory ConDem coalition hurts Britain

David Miliband MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, said today that the Coalition Government held contradictory and incompatible views on Europe, resulting in inaction and no policies.

David Miliband said: “We will hold the Government to account for their promises on Europe. Their contradictory, mutually exclusive and incompatible promises on Europe.

“The government goes into European negotiations with no policy on European defence; it is not mentioned in the Coalition agreement; no policy on European energy – also not mentioned; and on justice and home affairs, all they can say is that they will review cases one by one; no principles, no plans.

“The reason is simple: they cannot agree on anything, and Britain is weak as a result. The Prime Minister threatens vetoes abroad; the truth is that policy has been vetoed at home.

Labour will be a responsible opposition promises Harman

Harriet Harman MP, Acting-Leader of the Opposition, today said in response to the Queen’s Speech that Labour will be a responsible opposition – determined to prevent unfairness, speaking up for the public services that matter, and vigilant to protect jobs and the economy.

Harriet Harman said: “We will be an effective opposition. We will not oppose for the sake of it. That’s not what the public wants. But, we will not pull our punches. Though we are in opposition, we will be powerful in the public interest.

“We will be determined – to prevent unfairness.

“We will speak up – for the public services that matter.

“We will be vigilant – protecting jobs and businesses.

“As the Government acknowledges, their most important domestic task is the economy. The new Government takes over an economy in which recovery is already under way and where Government action has blunted the impact of the recession.

More Labour women MPs than all other parties put together

Acting Leader of the Labour Party, Harriet Harman MP said she was proud of Labour’s achievements for women as she joined with the rest of her female Labour colleagues.

Labour’s women MPs now total 81 or over 31% of the Parliamentary Party, yet another increase, which is more than all the other parties put together.

Harriet Harman also pledged not to let Labour’s record for women be unpicked by the new Government.

Harriet Harman MP, said: “In the new parliament, Labour women MPs remain the voice of women in Parliament. Labour has more women MPs than all the other parties put together.

“Despite the fact that we are in opposition, we are the majority when it comes to speaking up for women. When it comes to issues like childcare, care of the elderly, maternity pay and leave and tackling domestic violence, Labour women will continue to speak up for women in this country.”

NEC agrees timetable for election of new Leader

Labour’s National Executive Committee has today agreed on a timetable for the election of the next leader of the Labour Party.

Acting Leader of the Labour Party, Harriet Harman MP, said: “Over the next few months, up to 4 million people will have the chance to help shape Britain’s progressive future by choosing the next leader of the Labour Party. The new leader will be unveiled at the start of this year’s annual conference on Saturday 25 September.

“This leadership election is an important opportunity for the Labour Party to reflect, renew itself and re-engage with the people of Britain.

“The timetable agreed yesterday will ensure the contest is open, engaging and energising. We will reach out to Labour Party members, to supporters in affiliated organisations and most importantly to the voters. Over the coming months, the candidates will meet thousands of people at meetings across the country, including events organised in workplaces and take part in innovative online discussions and campaigns.

Gordon Brown’s resignation email to Labour members

This is the text of the email from Gordon Brown, sent to members earlier today, in which he sets out his reasons for resigning as Leader of the Labour Party:

I wanted to explain to you the decision I have taken today.

I have said since Friday that it is crucial that this country, which I love so dearly, has a principled and strong government that can meet the challenge of securing the recovery and changing our politics.

As we know, the Liberal Democrats felt that they should first talk to the Conservative Party. Mr Clegg has just informed me this afternoon that he intends to continue those discussions and now wants to open up formal discussions with the Labour Party. I think it is sensible that we respond positively.

It is clear to me that there is a progressive majority in Britain and I believe it could be in the interests of the whole country to form a progressive coalition government. If the national interest can be served by such a coalition then I should discharge the duty to form that government.

PM: “Under them you’re on your own, with Labour we’re on your side”

Gordon Brown, Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, said in a speech at Bradford University:

Tomorrow our country moves from a month of deliberation to a day of decision.

And for Britain this is not a small decision election but a big decision election.

And I am here in Bradford today at Bradford University to talk about the future we are fighting for.

The future we know it is ours to win.

The future for jobs and skills and for the industry and businesses of today and tomorrow.

And I want to focus today on what above all else I believe this election is about.

Because elections are not just contests of individual interests but they challenge us as a country to live up to our best ideals.

And we stand now not simply on a battleground of party advantage but must seek the high ground from which our country’s future can be seen settled and shaped.

You know me well enough by now to know that I stand committed to shape that future not in the image of the best PR and the best marketing, but according to our best ideals and hopes.

First we have unfinished business that must be finished.

Our country must secure the recovery.