Accusations and Denials:
In a recent turn of events during Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour MP Alex Cunningham accused Home Secretary James Cleverly of using derogatory language to describe Stockton, a claim vehemently denied by Mr. Cleverly’s spokesperson. According to Cunningham, the alleged slur surfaced in response to a question about child poverty directed at the Prime Minister on November 22.
Mr. Cleverly’s spokesperson stated, “He did not say that, and would not. He’s disappointed people would accuse him of doing so,” emphasizing the denial of any such remark.
Parliamentary Exchange:
The incident unfolded as Alex Cunningham, representing Stockton North, questioned the Prime Minister about the high child poverty rate in his constituency, stating, “Why are 34% of children in my constituency living in poverty?” According to Labour, during the audio of this interaction, Cleverly could be heard responding with the alleged comment, “because it is a shithole.”
Cunningham subsequently used a point of order in the House of Commons to accuse Cleverly, asserting that the Home Secretary was “clearly unfit for his high office.” The Deputy Speaker refrained from making an immediate judgment on the matter.
Political Responses:
Chris McDonald, Labour’s candidate for Stockton North, expressed strong condemnation, labeling the incident as a disgrace. McDonald also highlighted what he perceives as the Conservative Party’s view of the Teesside region and its stance on the challenges faced by families nationwide. He specifically called on local Tory councillor Niall Innes, Tory candidate for Stockton North, to publicly denounce the alleged remarks made in the House.
Child Poverty Statistics:
According to the Labour Party, child poverty levels in Stockton North are reported to be 33.9%, reflecting a significant increase of 7.9% since 2014/15.
Conservative Response:
A spokesperson for the Conservative Party countered the allegations, firmly stating, “No Conservative MP made any negative remarks about Stockton,” as reported by ITV News.
As the situation unfolds, these accusations bring attention to the intersection of political discourse, parliamentary conduct, and local issues affecting communities.