Stephen Flynn accuses Labour frontbench of being 'born-again Thatcherites'

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has accused the Labour frontbench of being “born-again Thatcherites”.

Mr Flynn told the Commons: “With his backbenchers looking for a unity candidate to replace him (Sunak), which of the now numerous born-again Thatcherites on the Labour frontbench does he believe best fits the bill?”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak replied: “It was surprising to hear all this talk about the 1970s from the shadow chancellor in particular, but then if you see what’s happening in places like Birmingham where taxes are going up by 21%, services are being cut – whether its social care, children’s services, or indeed in some streets literally the lights are being turned off – it was unsurprising why they were talking about the 70s.”

Mr Flynn then asked: “There’s a serious point to be made here, because IFS (Institute for Fiscal Studies) have warned of the conspiracy of silence which exists between the Labour Party and the Conservative Party when it comes to £18 billion of looming public sector cuts.

“Indeed, just last night they actually outlined that the fiscal rules of the Labour Party and the Conservative Party are in effect identical.

“So with such continuity on offer, the public are right to be anti-Westminster aren’t they?”

Mr Sunak pointed to tax rises by the SNP in Scotland, adding: “Where the SNP, or indeed Labour, are in charge, it’s working people that pay the price.”