Barry called on transport secretary Grant Shapps to stop blocking negotiations and give a free hand to the management of rail companies to reach agreement with the RMT, while also describing the instruction issued to shadow cabinet members by the Labour leader’s office not to join picket lines as a “nannying approach to grown up MPs”, when he spoke to Times Radio’s Carole Walker.
🎧 Listen to the interview 🔽
Responding to the revelation that Labour front benchers have been told by the party leadership that they are banned from picket lines this week amid RMT rail strikes, Barry said:
"Why is someone writing this tosh to our shadow cabinet? Do they not understand that the thing about solidarity is it is reciprocal? If you give it, you get it.
"If we want the people of this country to support us as a potential government then we have to show them that we support them when they stand up against unfair treatment and try to protect their families. After 12 years of falling wages and with inflation running at 9%, perhaps now is the time that a bit of solidarity from Labour MPs would not go amiss.”
“Industrial action is the one real power that working people have left – the power to withdraw their labour.”
🎧 LISTEN to Barry telling LBC radio’s Nick Farrari this week why he backs rail workers, and all working people, who withdraw their labour in defence of their right to be treated fairly by their employers.
Barry is among the speakers at this year’s Eve of Gala rally in Durham, an event that kicks off the annual Big Meeting.
With the Tories seeking to further destroy the already weak employment rights working people have in the UK, its never been more important to fight for a new deal for workers. So if you’re going to the Gala, don’t miss Barry talking about the campaign to stop the disgraceful tactic of fire and rehire, and why the Labour Party must start standing up for trade union and workers’ rights.
Friday 8 July, 6pm, Durham Town Hall.
Barry gave a passionate speech during yesterday’s Queens Speech debate in which he touched on much of what the Government could have included with particular reference to his tabled amendment.
Barry touched on the backlog to the NHS, the right to food, land reform and stronger workers rights to stop fire and rehire
Barry challenged the Leader of the House with regards to trade relations with Northern Ireland, specifically Article 16. The Leader of the House’s response left much to be desired.
The full exchange can be viewed below;
Barry challenged Home Office Minister, Tom Pursglove with regards to the ridiculous length of delays to people receiving passports and reminded him that it isn’t just those going on holiday who have been affected.
Barry brought some reality to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement today by raising the case of a single mother who turned down potatoes at a food bank as she didn’t have enough money to be able to heat them. Rishi Sunak’s answer was predictably weak.
The exchange can be viewed below
Barry urges the Chancellor to support our NHS
Barry spoke to P&O workers who marched and picketed at DP World who own P&O Ferries to Old Palace Yard outside Parliament to make themselves heard before the Opposition Day Debate later that afternoon.
Barry spoke to workers and gave speeches in solidarity which you can view below