Banking (Responsibility and Reform) Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Banking (Responsibility and Reform)

Jim Cunningham Excerpts
Tuesday 7th February 2012

(12 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chuka Umunna Portrait Mr Umunna
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I completely agree with my hon. Friend.

Jim Cunningham Portrait Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)
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The Conservatives always tried to rewrite history when they were in opposition, but the truth is coming out now. Even Polly Toynbee, who was the biggest critic of my right hon. Friend the Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown), has now forgiven him and wishes he were back.

More importantly, if the man or woman in the street who goes to work every day fails in their job, they get the sack. No one but a banker would ever be rewarded for failure, but we now have a culture in this country of rewarding failure. Surely that must be wrong.

Chuka Umunna Portrait Mr Umunna
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I agree with my hon. Friend and I shall come to that precise point shortly.