Sienna Rodgers@siennamarla
Key quotes in Wes Streeting’s Progress speech:
• “We… had a dishonest leadership contest, followed by an overcautiousness in opposition. Interesting policy ideas couldn't be floated because we were too afraid of what the Tories might say, so we said nothing… As a result, we arrived in government underprepared in too many areas and lacking clarity of vision and direction.”
• “We’ve carried this culture into government, with a heavy-handed approach that has seen backbenchers scolded for interesting private members bills which weren't the government's policy – like banning smartphones in schools – and withdrawing the whip from a good Labour MP speaking up for his farmers, only to later adopt his position.” (Refs to Josh MacAlister and Markus Campbell-Savours)
• “Today, Tommy Robinson and his followers are marching through the streets of our capital city. The last time he did, ministers were sent out by Number 10 with a media script to explain the march, rather than condemn it.”
• “Leaving the European Union was a catastrophic mistake… We can no longer afford to be silent about it. We must remake the argument… We need a new Special Relationship with the EU, because Britain’s future lies with Europe - and one day back in the European Union.”
