Sevenoaks and Swanley Labour Party

Labour's Shadow Chancellor Alistair Darling responded to George Osborne's claims today that the government’s economic policy is 'fair' and 'progressive'.

Bob Ainsworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, has responded to Liam Fox’s speech today on cuts to the Armed Services at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors saying:

“Today we had more unanswered questions from Liam Fox. He still can’t tell us how our nuclear deterrent will be paid for – but maybe that’s unsurprising as George Osborne seems to be calling all the shots.

Responding to David Cameron's proposals on benefit fraud Jim Knight, Shadow Minister for Welfare Reform, said:
 
"The Labour Government halved welfare fraud over the past decade and it's right that this should remain a priority.

Shadow Justice Secretary, Jack Straw MP, responding to the Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee’s damning criticism of Nick Clegg’s refusal to allow adequate scrutiny of his political reform Bills, said:
 
“This correspondence is further evidence that Nick Clegg’s pre-election commitment to increased openness and accountability was just empty rhetoric. There is a sharp contrast between the way he is handling these major pieces of constitutional legislation and the way in which Labour in government handled equivalent legislation.

Labour's Shadow Home Secretary, Alan Johnson MP, responding to Theresa May's speech said:

"The Home Secretary demonstrates a lack of understanding about the powers already available to the police. An Anti-Social Behaviour Order is one of a series of different powers available to the police and is used when other punitive measures have failed.

Responding to the coalition's u-turn today on prison parties, Jack Straw MP, Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary said:
 
"This is chaotic stuff and very early in the government's term.
 

Alistair Darling MP, Labour's Shadow Chancellor said:

"Today figures show the results of the Labour Government’s approach to supporting the recovery.

Shadow Business Secretary, Pat McFadden MP, responding to the latest survey of business attitudes from the Federation of Small Businesses said:

"This survey shows the huge risks the Government is running with the economy.  

Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Tessa Jowell MP, in response to David Cameron’s speech on the big society, said:

“The content of today's speech is simply a brass-necked rebranding of programmes already put in place by a Labour Government.

Shadow Transport Secretary Sadiq Khan MP, responding to reports of the Coalition’s plan to raise the free bus pass age earlier than planned, said:

“David Cameron owes the public an apology today.  His mock outrage during the General Election campaign has been shown up as a cynical and misleading act, and his manifesto commitment to protecting concessionary fares as a sham.