• Disrupting Power Since 2015
  • Donate
  • Login
Friday, May 16, 2025
  • Login
  • Register
Canary
MEDIA THAT DISRUPTS
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION
SUPPORT
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
Canary
No Result
View All Result

Theresa May’s pledges on ‘workers’ rights’ just completely fell apart live on the BBC [VIDEO]

Steve Topple by Steve Topple
16 August 2017
in UK
Reading Time: 3 mins read
170 2
A A
0
Home UK
319
SHARES
2.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

On Monday 15 May, Theresa May laid out the Conservative Party’s proposals on workers’ rights for the general election. But in a matter of hours, her pledges were lying in tatters. A senior Tory fell apart live on the BBC and admitted all the party’s plans were uncosted.

The wheels on the bus… completely fall off

Kwasi Kwarteng, who is defending the seat of Spelthorne in Surrey, was being interviewed about May’s policy proposals on BBC Daily Politics. He was discussing new employment policies, such as a pledge to allow workers a year off, unpaid, for caring duties.

Kwarteng, when host Jo Coburn probed him about where the money would come from, tried to twist the interview towards the usual Tory attack of Labour making unfunded pledges:

When Labour make specific spending commitments… to have, say, 10,000 extra policemen, they don’t actually know the numbers…

Much of Labour’s leaked manifesto is costed, though. Specifically, the 10,000 extra police will be paid for by reversing cuts to Capital Gains tax. Or like putting a 45p rate of tax on earnings over £80,000 to pay for an extra £7.4bn for the NHS each year. Unlike the Tories’ policies. Because Kwarteng then said, without a hint of irony, that regarding the new regulations:

We don’t know how many people are going to use those rights…

Wait, what?

Coburn continued to press him on whether it was “fully costed”. At first, he said it was and that they had done a full impact assessment. But Coburn kept pushing Kwarteng about where the money would come from. And he floundered:

May made several policy announcements about workers’ rights. Hailing them as “the greatest expansion in workers’ rights by any Conservative government in history”, they included:

  • One year unpaid carer’s leave.
  • Statutory leave for parents after the death of a child.
  • Workers’ representation in company boardrooms.
  • Pension protection.
  • New protection for people working in the ‘gig economy’.
  • A guarantee that current EU workers’ rights would be protected after Brexit.

Labour bad?

But according to Kwarteng, the Tories don’t have any idea how they will pay for these, apart from having a “plan to balance the budget”. Nor do they have any idea about how many people will take up new statutory rights like carer’s and bereavement leave. So they have no idea how much any of it will cost.

This is yet more peak hypocrisy from the Tories. May has repeatedly claimed that Labour would “trash the economy and destroy jobs”; at one point saying it would “waste your money”, while releasing headline-grabbing ideas for which they don’t know the cost. And there’s nothing strong and stable about promising things to the electorate that you simply cannot deliver.

Get Involved!

– Register to vote in the 8 June general election.

– Discuss the key policy issues with family members, colleagues and neighbours. And organise! Join (and participate in the activities of) a union, an activist group, and/or a political party.

– Also read more Canary articles on the 2017 general election.

Featured image via screengrab

Share128Tweet80
Previous Post

Theresa May thinks she’s got rid of millions of voters. But there’s a week to send her a massive fuck you

Next Post

‘Sick relative? Win a year’s unpaid leave!’ says Theresa May

Next Post
‘Sick relative? Win a year’s unpaid leave!’ says Theresa May

'Sick relative? Win a year's unpaid leave!' says Theresa May

jeremy-corbyn-rally

Labour's new pledge for Northern Ireland could bring hope to thousands

surgeons NHS doctors

Doctors are praising a whistleblower whose legacy will be a safer NHS

Jeremy Corbyn Leeds 15 May video

Even BBC reporters were left stunned by yesterday's pro-Corbyn crowds in West Yorkshire [VIDEO]

There’s a quiet revolution brewing in rural England. And Theresa May should be very worried.

There's a quiet revolution brewing in rural England. And Theresa May should be very worried.

Trump has just sparked another major national security row
Analysis

Trump just sparked another major national security row – not that he cares

by Steve Topple
15 May 2025
The far-right's latest attack on Jeremy Corbyn is its most preposterous yet - with Lee Anderson leading the charge
Analysis

The far-right’s latest attack on Jeremy Corbyn is its most preposterous yet

by James Wright
15 May 2025
Starmer Rwanda deportation plan
Analysis

Just when you thought Starmer couldn’t stoop any lower – he does this

by Ed Sykes
15 May 2025
Jewish anti-Zionists IJAN respond to police ban on protest against Israeli ambassador
Analysis

Jewish anti-Zionists IJAN respond to police ban on protest against Israeli ambassador

by Ed Sykes
15 May 2025
Social Media Activism: How Grassroots Movements Are Gaining Power Online
Lifestyle

Social Media Activism: How Grassroots Movements Are Gaining Power Online

by Nathan Spears
15 May 2025
  • Contact
  • About & FAQ
  • Get our Daily News Email
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

The Canary
PO Box 71199
LONDON
SE20 9EX

Canary Media Ltd – registered in England. Company registration number 09788095.

For guest posting, contact [email protected]

For other enquiries, contact: [email protected]

The Canary is owned and run by independent journalists and volunteers, NOT offshore billionaires.

You can write for us, or support us by making a regular or one-off donation.

© Canary Media Ltd 2024, all rights reserved | Website by Monster | Hosted by Krystal | Privacy Settings

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion

© 2023 Canary - Worker's co-op.

Before you go, have you seen...?

Trump has just sparked another major national security row
Analysis
Steve Topple

Trump just sparked another major national security row – not that he cares

The far-right's latest attack on Jeremy Corbyn is its most preposterous yet - with Lee Anderson leading the charge
Analysis
James Wright

The far-right’s latest attack on Jeremy Corbyn is its most preposterous yet

Starmer Rwanda deportation plan
Analysis
Ed Sykes

Just when you thought Starmer couldn’t stoop any lower – he does this

Jewish anti-Zionists IJAN respond to police ban on protest against Israeli ambassador
Analysis
Ed Sykes

Jewish anti-Zionists IJAN respond to police ban on protest against Israeli ambassador

ADVERTISEMENT
Lifestyle
Nathan Spears

Social Media Activism: How Grassroots Movements Are Gaining Power Online

Travel
Nathan Spears

Best Destinations In Spain For A Couples Holiday

Travel
Nathan Spears

Surviving Long Layovers: A Frequent Traveller’s Guide