UK politics live: Priti Patel says four-day week would have ‘devastating impact’ as smoking ban faces backlash
Priti Patel attacks Starmer for seeking to make ‘fewer places where you can smoke’
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Dame Priti Patel has warned Labour’s four-day week plan would be “devastating” for businesses as she launched her Conservative leadership campaign in London.
The former home secretary criticised Sir Keir Starmer’s speech in the Downing Street Rose Garden on Tuesday this week as “one of the most feeble, pitiful and dishonest speeches you will ever hear”.
She also accused Sir Keir of launching a “nasty financial assault” on pensioners with the decision to cut winter fuel payments.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer faced backlash for moving a £100,000 portrait of Margaret Thatcher in No 10 Downing Street because he found it “unsettling”.
The portrait controvercy has drawn sharp criticism from Conservative MPs, who branded his decision as “petty” and a “vindictive” act.
The prime minister hinted at a potential smoking ban in outdoor spaces like pub gardens.
Speaking in Paris, he confirmed changes to smoking laws are under consideration, with details to be revealed soon. But the move has sparked concern among hospitality groups over potential negative impacts on the sector.
The potential new Tobacco and Vapes Bill also caused cabinet tensions with Business Department officials warning that the move could create financial challenges for the industry.
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Priti Patel U-turns on return of death penalty
Priti Patel has said she no longer supports the return of death penalty during her Tory leadership bid speech.
She said: “The answer is no and you know exactly where I stand on law and order and supporting the police and ensuring that our police officers are given the powers and the tools to do their job which is a complete contrast to this Labour Government... that voted against all the laws and legislation that I put forward on those issues.”
The former home secretary also ruled out suggestions that the Tory leadership election should be shortened, adding that “the rules have been set, they have been determined and that is the timeframe”.
Would Patel remove portrait of Tony Blair?
Priti Patel has been asked whether she would remove a portrait of Tony Blair if she ever gets into Downing Street.
Laughing she said: “Margaret Thatcher is going back up on the wall.”
Addressing the smoking ban, she criticised the government claiming that the hospitality sector will be hit by Labour’s potential plans to change tobacco laws.
Patel urges Tories to stop trying to be ‘all things to all people’
Priti Patel has Asked has said the Conservatives need to stop trying to be “all things to all people” to combat the electoral threat posed by Reform UK.
She said: “Reform are just one factor, there is no doubt about that. The reality is we have to go back to being the true Conservative Party that we stopped being, effectively.
“We were trying to be all things to all people. The key thing to all of this is that we do have to ensure that we always stand up for public values, the values of the country, the British people and show that they are our compass.”
Patel slams Starmer over Thatcher portrait row
Priti Patel has attacked Sir Keir Starmer over his decision to move a portrait of Margaret Thatcher in No 10.
She said: “On Keir Starmer, where shall we start? 56 days in office and he seems to be spending more time removing portraits of great, strong, Conservative female leaders rather than getting on and doing the strong job of governance.”
Pointing at her campaign backdrop, she added:“If he wants a picture to replace Margaret Thatcher he can always have this one.”
She said: “I think it tells us everything really about his priorities. His priorities are not on serving the country.
“His priorities are literally just about tinkering at the margins, hiding behind great portraits of great Conservative female prime minister. That is why we need to get him out of office.”
‘I will make Conservatives professional, competent, election-winning machine'
Priti Patel has promised Tory members that she will turn the Conservative Party into a “professional, competent, election-winning machine” if they back her.
Addressing all voters, she vowed to come create “credible and compelling plans for the future of our country”.
Where is smoking already banned?
Authorities in England, Northern Ireland and Wales banned indoor smoking in 2007, with Scottish authorities bringing in a ban the previous year.
The laws apply to enclosed workplaces, public buildings and public transport, which includes pubs. Ministers gained powers to ban smoking in private cars in 2014, particularly where a person under the age of 18 is in the vehicle.
Drivers or passengers who smoke in cars with anyone under 18 inside could be fined £50 in England and Wales, with similar laws in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
New Zealand’s government tried to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009, and passed the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022.
But the change was repealed by a new government before it could come into effect from January 2027.
The City of Carlsbad, 32 miles north of San Diego in California, plans to ban smoking and vaping in and around apartments, condos, care facilities and other multiunit homes, except for certain designated outdoor spaces, from January next year.
Patel makes fun of Reform UK in leadership speech
Former home secretary Priti Patel has poked fun at Reform UK after she promised to “take on and defeat” all the other parties from across the political spectrum.
She told the audience in London: “The reds, the yellows, the greens and that non-Conservative shade of blue which occasionally pops up at election time.”
Patel accuses Starmer of launching ‘nasty financial assault’ on pensioners
Priti Patel has branded Sir Keir Starmer’s speech from Downing Street earlier this week “pitiful”.
The Tory leadership contender said the prime minister it was “one of the most feeble, pitiful and dishonest speeches you will ever hear”.
Attacking Sir Keir over the decision to cut winter fuel payments, she added: “He was completely dishonest with his complaints and his claims about the British economy that he has inherited which were clearly made to justify his nasty financial assault on the very people who deserve dignity in their retirement and who have spent their working lives contributing to the very fabric of our nation.
“That is our parents and our grandparents.”
Priti vows to take Conservatives ‘back to winning ways'
Priti Patel has proimised to take the Conservative party back to “winning ways” if she becomes the new Tory leader.
Conservative leadership campaign in London promising to get the party “back to winning ways”.
She said: “The Conservative and Unionist Party is the greatest political party in the world, and I’m proud to stand here today for its leadership. Under my leadership, I will bring our party experience and strength, and I will get us back to winning ways.”
Dame Patel added: “I have heard loud and clear what the British people have had to say, and while we will reflect and learn on the lessons, under my leadership our party will be firmly focused on the future.
“So today, eight weeks on, our attitude will change, and we will draw a line in the sand because it’s time to move on and move forward.
“I’m an optimist with clear goals, and I will revive our party so that we can provide the leadership that our great country needs, because conservativism has not failed.
“Our values and our principles remain as true as ever, and they are still shared by the majority of the public.”
Tory Leader of Essex Council introduces Priti Patel
Kevin Bentley, the Tory leader of Essex County Council, has introduced Priti Patel ahead of her major speech.
Mr Bentley praised work ethic and loyalty, adding: “People know Priti, people trust Priti, people know what she stands for.”
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