Angela Smith
@LadyBasildon
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@UKLabour Leader of @UKHouseofLords, former MP
Joined July 2011
My thanks to colleagues across the @UKHouseofLords for supporting my motion on #Brexit. Emphatically rejecting no deal & clear that PMs Deal is inadequate- vote 321 to 152 - a majority of 169. A vote for common sense!.
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I’m honoured to have been re-elected tonight as the Leader of the Labour Group of Peers - a huge thank you to my @LabourLordsUK colleagues.
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There’s only been a handful of General Elections like this before. They come around once in a generation. #Marr #Ridge #RealChange.
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… but a big question is with 258 Conservative Peers why are so many abstaining tonight? Could they be very disgruntled with their Leader and the policy?.
BREAKING: Govt defeated for 10th time today on #PolicingBill as Peers vote 198-153 to prevent Amendt 152 which creates offence of 'interference with key national infrastructure' being added to the bill. (Amendt 153 also falls.).
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Am delighted & honoured to be re-elected as Leader of our fantastic Group of Labour Peers for @UKLabour @LabourLordsUK.
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When I was first introduced into @UKHouseofLords a friend commented on my new ‘part time job’. It’s now nearly 11pm on a Thursday night and still here! On Tuesday the House sat until 3.30am and Wednesday until 1am! But surely such important debates should not be taken so late?!.
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#Election97 - And another massive swing to Labour in #Basildon! What a night - I look so young . .
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My statement following tonight’s historic votes in @UKHouseofLords @LabourLordsUK.
Response from Shadow Leader of the Lords @LadyBasildon to tonight’s HoL votes on #UKIMBill to remove clauses relating to #NorthernIreland protocol & #RuleOfLaw:
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This Legislation is so poor that even Tory Peers can’t support it. In 3 of the 8 votes the Govt lost last night fewer than 100 of the 258 Tory Lords backed the Government.
String of Lords defeats reflects concerns over PM and legislation
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This is getting very silly. Let’s be clear @UKHouseofLords has voted - cross party - to let MPs make a judgement of the Government’s withdrawal deal, rather than the Hobson’s Choice of My Deal or No Deal. MPs will now vote on that amendment.
Liam Fox accuses Lords of trying to block Brexit
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Welcome Home.
Starmer’s action on antisemitism prompts three Jewish peers to rejoin Labour.
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Yet again Tory MP, Sir Christopher Chope’s blocking of a Bill disgusts us all. Two points: This was a independent Cross Bench Bill that had full support of @UKHouseofLords with NO objections. And why was he ever given a knighthood!
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If this Prorogation was genuinely just for a new Queen’s Speech it would last 5 days - not 5 weeks! It is wrong - and clearly a device geared to evading Parliamentary scrutiny & engagement on Brexit. I am not prepared to be party to such a political charade.
EXCL: Leaders of Labour and Liberal Democrats in the Lords, @ladybasildon and @richardnewby3, are boycotting tonight's prorogation ceremony. Usually they would be required to wear robes and doff caps
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A significant Government defeat and victory for common sense on nuclear safety following #Brexit It's hard to understand why the Govt insists we leave #Euroatom, but there is time for Govt to reconsider and take a pragmatic sensible aproach
BREAKING: Govt defeat in Lords, as Peers vote 265-194 (Oppn. maj. 71) for cross-party amendt (3) to #NuclearSafeguardsBill re: suspending withdrawal from #Euratom until arrangements made to allow continuation of existing safeguarding agreements.#Brexit
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Am watching the Boris Johnson press conference with an increasing sense of appalled incredulity. The PM has avoided and evaded answering serious questions and clearly not wanting to hear any follow up questions. Truly shocking.
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The Govt has now lost 5 key votes on #PolicingBill - but has scheduled the debate to run late … and very late ….
BREAKING: 5th Govt defeat on #PolicingBill today as Peers vote 238-171 FOR cross-party amendt (132) to remove noise provisions & other restrictions on public assemblies.
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I’m not just disappointed - I am really angry about this. I have known @andrewfgordon since he first, as a very young man, volunteered in my office. He is smart, brave, decent and witty - and a credit to Basildon & the Labour Party. Clearly qualities missing in others!.
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On Thursday I asked the Government about ministers who broke the Ministerial Code in their behaviour towards civil servants - the reply seems even more significant today.
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Is this what the Home Secretary meant about ‘being ahead of the curve’?.
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The issues being raised about Govt contracts, inc today’s report from the @GoodLawProject are extremely serious and can’t be dismissed as press allegations - full, thorough & public investigation is needed.
#LordsQs @LadyBasildon refs @cabinetofficeuk Lord True to @GoodLawProject report on conflict of interest at heart of Govt/@Conservatives re: #PPE contracts & #TestandTrace & calls for public/select cmttee inquiry beyond ongoing @thisNAO investigations .@CommonsPACAC @karinsmyth.
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And here it is - the first stature of a female, Millicent Fawcett, in Parliament Square.
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Deeply shocked, saddened and horrified about David Amess MP. There are hardly words to describe the horror of this. My thoughts are with his family, his friends and his colleagues.
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Watch this . a deeply shocking, appalling & ridiculously offensive response from Matt Hancock to @TanDhesi According to the Minister it seems that even asking a question is ‘divisive’. It’s just bluster to avoid answering a question he clearly doesn’t know the answer to.
Imposition of 10pm curfew on hospitality industry was entirely avoidable, but became inevitable due to Govt’s shambolic privatised test & trace system. Instead of fobbing me off again or giving misinformation, it’d be good if Health Secretary could actually answer my question.
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Did no-one sit down with the Prime Minister and run through possible questions before letting him out on his own?.
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Just loved the opportunity to indulge my inner teenager! Great to meet @jayosmond & @merrillosmond. I’m The Proud One now!
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Who in Downing Street thought this garden press conference was a good idea?.
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Theresa May thanks #bbcquestiontime audience for turning up - perhaps they should thank her! It is a bit unusual!!.
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Very different response in the @UKHouseofLords. Condemnation of aggressive tone and content from all corners and all parties of the House.
Shameful scenes in Commons as Tories laugh and applaud #LawBreaker #LiarJohnson as he utterly disregards and disrespects the #SupremeCourt ruling that he unlawfully gagged Parliament - please RT so EVERYONE knows.
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There’s an easy way out for Boris Johnson - just confirm that the UK Government accepts the rule of law and international treaties it has negotiated. To do otherwise shames our country.
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Oh dear . Jacob Rees Mogg gets it wrong again. Whilst MPs join long snaking queues to vote or have to use a ‘proxy’ to vote for them the Lords remote voting is fast, efficient and failed just once in 20 voting days. Now who’s embarrassed?!.
Jacob Rees-Mogg uses House of Lords example to trash remote voting - says "I really wouldn't hold up their Lordships' house as a model", it's failed on one occasion and is "embarassing".
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Wow! Congratulations to our 5, yes 5, new West Sussex County Councillors from Worthing. First time ever. they’re ready to take on West Sussex Tory County Councillors!.
5 #Labour West Sussex County Councillors elected today to represent #Worthing! 🌹.A huge thanks to Team Labour for all your hard work & for everyone who trusted us with your vote ❤️.@BBCPolitics @bbcsoutheast @BBCSussex @Worthing_Herald @WorthingJournal @WSCCNews
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Just one disappointment in the outstanding speech from @Keir_Starmer at #LabourConnected - it would have been great to have been in a packed conference hall hearing such a thoughtful, rallying speech about our values & why we need to win with Keir as our Leader & next PM!.
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The amendments that the Government brought in late and have never been debated by MPs fall when they are defeated tonight.
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This is what we call an ‘early night’ this week for @LordRoyKennedy & I as we leave @UKHouseofLords at 11.22pm on Thursday night!
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Am so shocked and desperately saddened at the loss of Jack Dromey. Our thoughts are with Harriet, Joe and family.
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It is disgraceful to use child refugees as a bartering chip with the EU. I will not withdraw my amendment.
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So very sad to that Lord Bill McKenzie has passed away. He was a highly respected, much admired and loved member of our Labour Lords Group. Despite being very ill he was an active Labour Peer. We are really going to miss him. @LabourLordsUK.
We are extremely sad to hear the news that Lord Bill McKenzie of Luton has passed away. We will provide a more detailed statement shortly, but the thoughts and prayers of everyone at Luton Council are with Lord McKenzie’s family and friends during this very difficult time.
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By not voting on Opp days it's not just Parly that Tory MPs showing contempt 4, but constituents, who r entitled to know views on big issues.
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Love that so many friends are texting that they’ve just seen me win Basildon for @UKLabour on BBC Parliament Channel on #Election97.
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So sad that the wonderful & very special Lord Ted Graham died yesterday, a week before his 95th b’day. Although frail 4 some time his spirit, passion & humour never dimmed. His @LabourLordsUK & @CoopParty friends will miss him. But we’re richer for knowing him.
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An exciting & extraordinary night. Some months earlier I was part of the BBC rehearsal for election coverage. I played every ginger haired MP inc Neil K & Robin Cook!.
Tomorrow we're repeating the BBC's 1997 general election results coverage. Watch #Election97 on BBC Parliament from 9am Saturday:
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It’s nearly midnight - @UKHouseofLords is debating a statutory enquiry into death if Sarah Everard…. surely an issue of such importance should not be this late at night?.
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I am shocked & deeply saddened at passing of Lord Alan Haworth. Alan was Labour to his core with an entertaining, affectionate and encyclopaedic knowledge of parliamentary colleagues past and present. He was great company and we will miss him enormously.
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Goodnight Mr Phipps - last photo on last day of 25 years at the @UKHouseofLords for our Principal Doorkeeper
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Looking forward to join the panel for tonight’s Westminster Hour on @BBCPolitics Radio 4. Don’t you just hate it when nothing is happening?.
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A truly decent, honourable and remarkable man.
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The Government must explain why it voted against taking ‘all appropriate steps’ to avoid a No Deal Brexit. Surely, nobody in Government thinks leaving the EU without a deal could ever be acceptable?.
RESULT: #HouseofLords votes 283 for, 131 against @LadyBasildon motion calling on govt to take ‘all appropriate steps’ to avoid no-deal and give #HouseofLords enough time to pass draft laws approved by @HouseofCommons, so motion is agreed.
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Keir Starmer appoints Labour frontbench - this is a seriously impressive team.
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Tessa’s tireless campaigning to support & help those living with cancer was inspirational. She leaves that legacy and so much more. We will treasure wonderful memories of a true friend and a great colleague. Sincere condolences to David and her much loved family.
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A truly great man. John Hume: Nobel Peace Prize winner dies aged 83
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Powerful message from @JonAshworth & @AngelaRayner at our Press Conference on the Tory threat to our public services
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Powerful, moving speech from B'ness Patricia Hollis on why tax credit cuts are so very wrong stuns House of Lords into absolute silence.
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Sorry Jane - the Cabinet Secretary confirmed to me in writing that Dido Harding’s Test & Trace role is NOT a civil service position, it is in fact an unregulated appointment by the Government. She also takes the Conservative whip in the House of Lords - that’s pretty political.
@DianaJohnsonMP The Dido Harding appointment is different because it’s a civil service job and soon to be in charge of public health. This is a political appointment to be Boris Johnson’s spokesman. Of course it’s going to be highly political.
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Decisive. Exactly what the Labour Party and the country needs.
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A real honour to be included in this year's Women in Westminster list alongside so many great women involved in different ways across Westminster and in public life - and all making themselves heard! #wiw100 @theHouse_mag @LabourLordsUK
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My first virtual Labour Party Conference & #LabourConnected - great opening speeches from @AngelaRayner & @MarshadeCordova - feels very strange for us not to be together but so important that we can still connect.
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So proud of my mum receiving the Alf Dove award. A real tribute to the work that she loved for so many years and her contribution to Pitsea and Basildon.
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Truly shocking. To Leave EU without a deal would be irresponsible & catastrophic. A very worrying response from the Minister.
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To paraphrase Oscar Wilde "To lose one Brexit Secretary may be regarded as misfortune. to lose another looks like carelessness".
Raab has quit.
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Throughout this campaign @AlfDubs has been an inspiration. Even when voting down his amendment the Govt couldn’t say he was wrong - because he wasn’t #SoProudOfAlf.
It is bitterly disappointing that after a victory in the Lords the government have voted down my amendment in the Commons. What could be more humane than asking that unaccompanied child refugees stranded in Europe be able to join relatives in this country?.
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I wonder if Theresa May ever regrets promising ‘strong and stable’ Government?
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Impressive debate on @WASPI_Campaign with @BaronessRos @BaronessGale @JDBakewell and Rita Donaghy - minister now responding, but v disappointing.
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Having whipped their MPs last night to vote to allow the Govt to break International Law, they now announce that the clauses will be pulled from the #UKIMBill. Good call at last but typical of a 'cliff edge approach' to negotiations.
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Ok . so are we sure that the press conference wasn’t delayed so that viewers tuned into Strictly . and then missed the PMs embarrassing waffling answers to questions?.
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Delighted to join @IanMurrayMP as he welcomes our new Labour MPs to Westminster. A great team!
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Wise words from Keir Starmer as he urges Labour to learn from Joe Biden's 'broad coalition' | Keir Starmer | The Guardian
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Er . no. The Government could have listened to their own advisers,SAGE, on 21st September - yes September - or @Keir_Starmer. Or the Welsh Labour Govt. It wasn’t crystal Balls that were needed. .
Nadine Dorries says only 'a crystal ball' could have predicted the need for second lockdown
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An impressive and welcome addition to @LabourLordsUK.
🔺️Update - I hope you are all well and staying safe. Tomorrow - Monday 22 March 1pm, I will be officially introduced into the House of Lords as Lord Vernon Coaker of Gedling in the County of Nottinghamshire. You can watch the short ceremony live here 👇
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Many congratulations to @CBTHunting - a great event for an effective campaign. There is no justification for so called ‘Trophy’ hunting.
A fine line up at @CBTHunting event in #Parliament today - @KP24, @BillBailey, Eduardo Gonclaves, Ranulph Fiennes, our very own @LadyBasildon & @PeterEgan6 #BanTrophyHunting
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. and I remain proud to have been one of the @UKLabour team on that Bill. With the Tory Party opposing the legislation we had the longest ever sitting of a @HouseofCommons Committee!.
Today we celebrate 20 years of the Minimum Wage - one of the finest achievements of the last Labour government.
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The Government tells us that David Frost’s move to National Security Adviser is political, that he is not a civil servant. So does his appointment to the @UKHouseofLords mean he will answer questions and report back to Parliament?.
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Very proud of @LabourLordsUK team esp Jill Pitkeithley who persuaded Govt to exempt carers from the benefit cap - so important. Well done!.
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In over 20 years in Parliament I’ve heard some impressive speeches. But none ever moved me in the way that Tessa’s did today. It was warm,serious, witty, inspiring - truly a great & important Parliamentary moment.
Tessa Jowell receives a standing ovation in the House of Lords, after she delivers moving speech on cancer care, appealing for patients to be able to trial treatments
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Really powerful and justified comments from @LordCFalconer - and endorsed by every other speaker from across the political divide.
#UQ @LordCFalconer tells @MoJGovUK Keen 'rule of law in UK is not pick & mix, w/ acceptable laws chosen by Home Sec or a No10 adviser. This stinking hypocrisy chokes our country’s reputation & destroys our Govt's ability to lead at home & make agreements abroad' .
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. and the reply from Lord True. if true. surely means Pritti Patel has to go?
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The first rule of Budgets - the louder they cheer the more quickly it unravels. .
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It’s the ‘Not me Guv’ approach to politics. If you don’t care enough to want to take responsibility to tackle these problems then move over and leave it to those that do.
Priti Patel arrogantly says poverty 'isn't the Tory government's fault'.
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For those of us in the Chamber this was an extraordinary moment - an angry minister condemns the Government that he can no longer be part of and walks out.
Remarkable honesty. "Given that I am the minister for counter fraud, it would be somewhat dishonest to stay on in that role if I am incapable of doing it properly.”.
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Bitterly disappointing, but unsurprising, the Minister Lord True refuses to update Parliament on negotiations with the EU with the old chestnut - ‘we won’t give a running commentary’. Why not? Surely Parliament is entitled to the information? @UKHouseofLords.
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So 2 consecutive PMs who in trying to put Party above principle & national interest damaged themselves & their party.Time to put country 1st.
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Amazing support - thank you to all my colleague from all parties & none! X.
BREAKING: Govt defeat as Peers overwhelmingly back @LadyBasildon motion to set up Joint Parliamentary Committee on impact of #NoDealBrexit by 245 to 99 - oppn. maj. 146. Now over to the Commons. .
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So sad to hear about Les McKeown of the Bay City Rollers. On this evening in #Basildon he was on good form meeting fans after the show.
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Proud to respond to #QueensSpeech2017 - a weak Govt programme that fails to seriously address the key issues
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When @DLawrenceOBE speaks out she does so with courage, decency and speaks for so many. Her voice must be heard.
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Excellent interview with @NickTorfaen about Labour’s approach in his role as our shadow Home Secretary. A smart thoughtful approach supporting our police
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Big day tomorrow in @UKHouseofLords . .
The House of Lords is expected to vote on Monday to delete the parts of the internal market bill (relating to NI) that @JoeBiden hates - the bits that break international law. Will @BorisJohnson commit to putting them back in? #specialrelationship.
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Leadership.
My response to the EHRC's report into the Labour Party.
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It’s a very sad day for our Labour family - but we take great pride in Patricia’s work & achievements. We’ll miss her as a great colleague and a true friend.
Some very sad news to announce about our colleague and friend Patricia Hollis:
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Did I really hear Boris Johnson, the U.K. Foreign Secretary, compare the Irish border with that between 2 Boroughs in London? No, surely not even Boris could think that?? @BBCr4today.
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It’s just a matter of humanity . thanks @AlfDubs - it gives MPs an opportunity to support this decent, sensible amendment.
The Lords supported my amendment to the #ImmigrationBill to protect the family reunion rights of unaccompanied child refugees. The Commons now needs to do the right thing by these uniquely vulnerable children and support the amendment .@safepassageuk
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No - that’s wrong. Those new amendments that hadn’t been in the Bill but were introduced at a late stage in the Lords, will now fall.
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The Govt's whole approach to Brexit has been to just get through each day & put off difficult issues to the next.This time it's not so easy. And on Monday the position has to be clear so @UKHouseofLords can debate whatever it is that the Govt thinks it has agreed. @LabourLordsUK
Let me see if I’ve understood what happened today. PM bought off a Remain revolt by convincing MPs they’d get a meaningful vote on deal but avoided Brexiteer revolt by saying she would not allow one. What can possibly go wrong? (Watching from Moscow so may have misunderstood . ).
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