Author Archives: GovWorldMag

Commenting on today’s reports that Ministers will trigger exit from the London Fisheries Convention, shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Sue Hayman MP, said:

“Labour opposes a hard Brexit that would jeopardise jobs, environmental sustainability and the future prosperity of the British fishing industry. 

“The London Convention predates British membership of the EU by a decade and has arguably been superseded by the Common Fisheries Policy which the UK will withdraw from automatically following our leaving the EU.

“Given that the majority of fish caught by UK vessels are within the Atlantic (fishing area 27) which includes the edge of Greenland to North Russia and as far south as the bottom of Spain/Portugal, it is vital that any Brexit deal does not jeopardise access to these waters for our British fishing fleet.

“This provocative decision at this stage of the negotiations puts at risk those necessary and far more valuable fisheries management arrangements we will need to agree on leaving the EU as well as a tariff free trade deal so vital to our British fishing exports. It is another example of the Tories’ reckless approach to Brexit.”

Responding to allegations of a cover up of unlawful killings by U.K. forces in Afghanistan, Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, said:

“The allegations of unlawful killings and war crimes in Afghanistan are extremely serious and must be fully investigated.

“Our armed forces have a reputation for decency and bravery. If we do not act on such shocking allegations we risk undermining that reputation, our security at home and the safety of those serving in the armed forces abroad.

“Our values and respect for the rule of law require full accountability. We owe it to our armed forces and the victims and their families to ensure that a thorough investigation takes place.

 “There can be no question of a cover up. The government must now establish an independent inquiry into what has taken place.”

In response to Kensington and Chelsea council suspending rent payments for Grenfell residents, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Andrew Gwynne MP, said:

 “It is unacceptable that it has taken until now for the council to suspend rent for displaced residents in Grenfell Tower and the surrounding area that were evacuated from their homes.

 “People have been made homeless in this tragedy, lost family, friends and everything they own – Sajid Javid needs to finally show some leadership and send in commissioners to take control of this council.”