Early Parliamentary General Election

Debate between Jeremy Corbyn and Robert Flello

Wednesday 19th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab)]

We welcome the opportunity of a general election because it gives the British people the chance to vote for a Labour Government who will put the interests of the majority first. The Prime Minister says she has only recently and reluctantly decided to go for a snap election. Just four weeks ago, her spokesperson said

“there isn’t going to be an early general election”.

How can any voter trust what the Prime Minister says?

Britain is being held back by the Prime Minister’s Government. She talks about a strong economy, but the truth is that most people are worse off than they were when the Conservatives came to power seven years ago. The election gives the British people the chance to change direction. This election is about her Government’s failure to rebuild the economy and living standards for the majority; it is about the crisis into which her Government have plunged our national health service; and it is about the cuts to our children’s schools, which will limit the chances of every child in Britain, 4 million of whom now live in poverty. It is a chance of an alternative to raise living standards. More and more people do not have security in their work or their housing.

[Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab)]

rose—

--- Later in debate ---

[Jeremy Corbyn]

I congratulate my Friend on his election to the House and on his work. I agree with him: I have no confidence in this Government either.

[Robert Flello]

Will my right hon. Friend give way?

[Jeremy Corbyn]

In the interests of unity in Stoke-on-Trent, what else can I do?

[Stephen Pound (Ealing North) (Lab)]

Don’t forget that there are five towns.

[Robert Flello]

Six.

My right hon. Friend highlighted the fact that the Prime Minister for 12 months dithered over whether she wanted an election, and all the time said that she did not want one, but is not the reality that her mind was focused by the fact that she may well lose some of her Back Benchers if the Crown Prosecution Service has its way?

[Jeremy Corbyn]

The timing of the election and the role of the CPS is extremely interesting, and it is interesting that the Prime Minister did not mention it in her contribution.