Left-winger calls for general strike to topple Tories
A CORBYNISTA MP caused outrage yesterday when she called for a ‘general strike’ to try to topple Theresa May’s government.
laura Smith won a standing ovation when she called on labour to join with the trade unions to mount a nationwide walk-out if Theresa May refuses to call a general election.
Among those seen rising to their feet was shadow justice secretary richard Burgon – although he later insisted he ‘didn’t lead the ovation’.
The speech by Crewe and nantwich MP Miss Smith came in the wake of repeated demands for an early general election by Jeremy Corbyn and his allies during the party conference.
She told a fringe meeting organised by the Momentum group in liverpool: ‘Today we’ve heard calls for a true people’s vote. A general election.
‘Comrades, we must topple this cruel and callous Tory government as soon as we can. And if we can’t get a general election, we should organise with our brothers and sisters in the trade unions to bring an end to this government with a general strike.’
A general strike would involve co-ordinated walkouts by trade unions to maximise disruption. The last was in 1926, when Britain’s industry was brought to a standstill for nine days after other industries joined miners striking over wages.
Mr Burgon, who was seated alongside Miss Smith on the podium, joined other audience members in rising to his feet during sustained applause. But he later insisted he was applauding her speech, not the call for a strike. he added: ‘A general strike isn’t labour policy, it’s not TUC policy. it’s not going to happen.’
Other labour frontbenchers also tried to row back on the comments. Shadow business secretary rebecca long-Bailey said: ‘laura is an absolutely amazing MP, she’s so full of energy and enthusiasm, but we’re certainly not advocating general strikes as labour Party policy.’
Speaking on BBC radio 4’s Today programme, labour deputy leader Tom Watson blamed the comments on overexuberance by Miss Smith.
he added: ‘She is a new MP and she was at a big fringe event – nothing to do with the party organisation – and i’m sure she got a little bit carried away.’
But Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns said: ‘A nationwide workers’ walkout will bring the country to a standstill. labour are using the general public as pawns in their political game-playing. Appalling.’
Tory party chairman Brandon lewis said: ‘A general strike would cause havoc, hitting workers and families hard.
‘labour have learnt nothing from the past and just like last time would wreck the economy and leave ordinary people worse off.’ A general election is not due to be held until 2022.