European Union (Finance) Bill

James Cartlidge Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd June 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I cannot but throw back the record of the Labour Government in that regard.

[James Cartlidge (South Suffolk) (Con)]

It is difficult to listen to what Labour Members are saying about new clause 2 without remembering what happened when they were in government in the United Kingdom. Let us not forget the huge increase in the number of people they employed, including outreach workers and people with non-jobs. Given the vast inefficiency and waste of all those years, it seems a bit rich for Labour Members to expect us to take lectures on the subject.

[Mr Gauke]

That is a very good point. However, you would not wish me to be detained too long, Mr Streeter, by the fact that various candidates for the leadership of the Labour party appear to be recognising that too much money was spent before the crash, and that not all of it was spent in an efficient manner.