Labour’s plans sparked heated debate on GB News with left-leaning political commentator Jonathan Lis being slapped down by Daily Express columnist Carole Malone.
Malone hit out at Keir Starmer’s plans to hand unions more power with his Employment Rights Bill, saying it will allow emergency workers to strike at will, potentially throwing the country into chaos as a result.
“I think it was a positive, social democratic platform”, he said.
“Should it be the sum total of Labour ambition? Of course not. But it’s a good start.”
Malone clashed with Lis on GB News
GB NEWS
Malone hit back by suggesting an easing of strike laws will see a “bloated state” eased through.
“I have to take issue with what you say about emergency services”, Lis responded.
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“The emergency services, there has always been a policy that emergency will not be affected. Why do you think people go into this profession? They want to save lives.”
An angry Malone responded by asking: “Are you kidding me?”
She added: “You’re talking about doctors on strike actually leaving sick people to go on strike and you’re telling me it’s a vocation.
“They’re paid a six-figure salary a lot of these doctors.”
Labour’s agenda was a divisive topic on GB News
GB NEWS
“They’re allowed to be paid for what they do”, Lis responded.
Sir Keir Starmer pledged to remove “unnecessary restrictions” as he set out his legislative agenda in the King’s Speech.
He is hoping to update trade union laws by removing “unnecessary laws” on their activity, pledging to “level up workers’ rights”.
Outlining the legislative agenda for the year ahead in the House of Lords, King Charles added: “My Government is committed to making work pay and will legislate to introduce a new deal for working people to ban exploitative practices and enhance employment rights.
Sir Keir Starmer has overseen an overwhelming Labour majorityPA“It will seek to establish the appropriate legislation to place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful artificial intelligence models.”
Labour’s plan on trade union centres includes striking down minimum service levels, which were introduced by the Tories in 2022 to ensure the delivery of restricted services during industrial action.
Rishi Sunak’s government were left frustrated in their bid to impose the measure, with Aslef (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen) warning it would respond to any enforcement with more strike action.
It heralds a shift in policy, with the Prime Minister laying bare his hopes to resume good faith negotiating and bargaining with trade unions.