Menu
18/01/2012
'McCluskey Is Wrong' - Miliband
The Leader of the Labour Party has defended his leadership and policies against major criticism from a top union chief.
Responding to a highly critical article in Tuesday's Guardian by the leader of the Unite union, Ed Miliband has this morning said he was "changing the Labour party" and taken tough decisions.
In the article, the Unite's general secretary Len McCluskey said the "embrace of austerity" by the Labour party's leadership represented "a victory for discredited Blairism" at the expense of the party’s core supporters.
Mr McCluskey also said the Labour leadership's support for a public sector pay freeze challenged the whole course Ed Miliband had set for the party, and jeopardised his leadership.
The criticism comes as pressure continues to mount on Mr Miliband who has come under fire from a number of former supporters, including former policy adviser Lord Glasman, in recent weeks.
Hitting out at his latest critic, Ed Miliband said Len McCluskey was entitled to his views but was "wrong".
“I am changing the Labour Party so we can deliver fairness even when there is less money around and that requires tough decisions," he said.
Mr Miliband added: “It requires a tough decision to put the priority on jobs ahead of public sector pay. It also requires us to say we do believe the Government is going too far, too fast with their cuts but we are not going to make specific promises to reverse those cuts unless we are absolutely sure that we know where the money is coming from.
“That is right, it is responsible and it is the way we are going to proceed.”
(DW)
Responding to a highly critical article in Tuesday's Guardian by the leader of the Unite union, Ed Miliband has this morning said he was "changing the Labour party" and taken tough decisions.
In the article, the Unite's general secretary Len McCluskey said the "embrace of austerity" by the Labour party's leadership represented "a victory for discredited Blairism" at the expense of the party’s core supporters.
Mr McCluskey also said the Labour leadership's support for a public sector pay freeze challenged the whole course Ed Miliband had set for the party, and jeopardised his leadership.
The criticism comes as pressure continues to mount on Mr Miliband who has come under fire from a number of former supporters, including former policy adviser Lord Glasman, in recent weeks.
Hitting out at his latest critic, Ed Miliband said Len McCluskey was entitled to his views but was "wrong".
“I am changing the Labour Party so we can deliver fairness even when there is less money around and that requires tough decisions," he said.
Mr Miliband added: “It requires a tough decision to put the priority on jobs ahead of public sector pay. It also requires us to say we do believe the Government is going too far, too fast with their cuts but we are not going to make specific promises to reverse those cuts unless we are absolutely sure that we know where the money is coming from.
“That is right, it is responsible and it is the way we are going to proceed.”
(DW)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 September 2011
Miliband Must Prove Worth To Labour Party
The man in charge of the Labour party has it all to do today as Ed Miliband faces a his party faithful and must show that their leader is indeed the man to beat David Cameron and Nick Clegg at the next elections.
Miliband Must Prove Worth To Labour Party
The man in charge of the Labour party has it all to do today as Ed Miliband faces a his party faithful and must show that their leader is indeed the man to beat David Cameron and Nick Clegg at the next elections.
11 May 2010
Government Still Hangs In The Balance
The future of the UK's hung parliament is still unsure as the Liberal Democrats continue to hold out for a better deal with either Labour or the Tories.
Government Still Hangs In The Balance
The future of the UK's hung parliament is still unsure as the Liberal Democrats continue to hold out for a better deal with either Labour or the Tories.
29 September 2010
David Miliband To Set Out Future Plans
Former Foreign Secretary, David Miliband is due to make a statement regarding his future, later today. He has until 5pm to make a decision on whether to serve under his brothers Labour's leadership in the next shadow cabinet.
David Miliband To Set Out Future Plans
Former Foreign Secretary, David Miliband is due to make a statement regarding his future, later today. He has until 5pm to make a decision on whether to serve under his brothers Labour's leadership in the next shadow cabinet.
29 September 2005
NHS plan defeat for Labour party leadership
The Labour Party leadership has suffered an embarrassing defeat over proposals to increase private company involvement in health care. Unison leader David Prentis accused the Labour Party of "government by diktat" and asked if the party's vision was really a health service "driven not by patient need, but by profits and markets.
NHS plan defeat for Labour party leadership
The Labour Party leadership has suffered an embarrassing defeat over proposals to increase private company involvement in health care. Unison leader David Prentis accused the Labour Party of "government by diktat" and asked if the party's vision was really a health service "driven not by patient need, but by profits and markets.
19 January 2012
Action Not Words On 'Responsible Capitalism'
The Labour Party has criticised a pledge by David Cameron to make capitalism more responsible, saying he would be judged on his "deeds, not his words". During his speech in London on Thursday morning, the Prime Minister announced a number plans to institute a 'moral capitalism' and to encourage firms to show "social responsibility".
Action Not Words On 'Responsible Capitalism'
The Labour Party has criticised a pledge by David Cameron to make capitalism more responsible, saying he would be judged on his "deeds, not his words". During his speech in London on Thursday morning, the Prime Minister announced a number plans to institute a 'moral capitalism' and to encourage firms to show "social responsibility".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
