MP insists a general strike will not happen
A LABOUR frontbencher has insisted that a general strike is not party policy, after an MP won a standing ovation by advocating a nationwide walk-out to topple the Government.
Crewe and Nantwich MP Laura Smith said Labour should join with trade unions to mount a general strike if Prime Minister Theresa May refused to call a general election.
Shadow Justice Secretary Richard Burgon was among those filmed rising to their feet to applaud her demand.
But he later insisted: “I didn’t lead a standing ovation. I stood up and clapped her speech.
“I applauded every speech and Laura’s speech was fantastic. It was a very powerful speech.”
Burgon added: “A general strike isn’t Labour policy, it’s not TUC policy. It’s not going to happen.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and his top team have made loud demands for an early general election throughout the party’s annual conference in Liverpool.
But the Prime Minister said it would not be in the national interest to hold a general election before Brexit Day on March 29.
Speaking to a meeting of the Socialist Campaign Group at the Momentum festival in Liverpool, Smith said: “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.”
After the applause died down, Smith said: “That went better than I thought it would’ve gone.”
Tory party chairman Brandon Lewis said: “Labour have shown their true colours. A general strike would cause havoc, hitting workers and families hard and harming our economy and people’s livelihoods.”