Prime Minister focusing on the job and not his legacy, says Darren Jones
Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, has insisted that Sir Keir Starmer is getting on with the job and is not preparing to hand over power.
He said, during The Camilla Tominey Show on GB News: “The Prime Minister is absolutely focused with getting on with the job.
“I get that there’s a debate happening inside the Labour Party. I recognise and acknowledge that, and look, it’s right that we have a discussion about how to improve our electoral performances running up into the next general election, but your viewers need to know that the Prime Minister has always said country first, party second.
“He is getting on with the job of being Prime Minister. He expects all of his ministers, including me and all of my cabinet colleagues, to be doing the same, and that’s what we’re getting up every morning to get on with.”
Asked if his legacy would be 16 policy U-turns and 30 leadership resets, Jones said: “No, I don’t think so. I think if you ask the public what’s the kind of benefit that they’ve experienced so far from this Labour government…I mean, it’s still the first half of the parliament.
“For all of those children lifted out of poverty, that will make a big difference, for renters who now have the rights to not be kicked out of their home by their landlords, just so that they can increase the rent for no good reason, they will feel better off.
“For people on zero hours contracts, who are waiting for the Employment Rights Act to come and give them secure work, so they know how many hours they’re getting week in, week out, to balance the family finances, that is good work.
“For people on the NHS waiting list, the lowest it’s been for years. People who are worried about things like knife crime, and knife crime is down 10% and also for people who are worried about, for example, small boats and immigration, we’ve seen over 50% of asylum hotels closed, over 60,000 people with no right to be here sent back to their country of origin.
“My point is, there’s lots done, we’ve got lots done, but there’s obviously lots more to do, and that’s what we’re all focused on delivering.”
He defended measures announced by the Chancellor to help families during the summer holiday period: “There’s no denying there are macroeconomic challenges here about how we improve people’s pay and living standards, working with employers and getting the economy firing on all cylinders.
“But I have to say to you, I find it pretty remarkable how many wealthy commentators in the Westminster bubble tell me that helping parents get free travel on the bus this summer or making it a bit cheaper to do something nice with your kids when they’re at home from school is irrelevant.
“There are lots of young people across the country, including in my own constituency, who, when they’re not in school during the summer holidays, and mum and dad don’t have enough money to do something nice for the kids, or to be able to afford to even travel into the city centre. Sometimes that little bit of extra help will make a big difference to them.
“These wealthy commentators from the Westminster bubble need to get out of London. They need to talk to people. They need to understand that whilst these are small interventions, they’re important interventions at a time when we know the cost of living is a challenge for people.”
