Labour: Tories just offer a lot of angst

Friday, 23, May 2008 12:00

Liam Byrne, Labour MP and minister for borders and immigration, comments to politics.co.uk on the Conservative win at Crewe and Nantwich:

"Tonight's result is very disappointing when we had such an outstanding candidate. We always fight to win and we’re always disappointed to lose.

"Tonight's result wasn't unexpected. It wasn't dissimilar to the local elections and the message is very similar.

"Finances are pinched, the global economy is tightening, and that combination of issues is going to make elections harder to win.

"By-elections are an opportunity for the electorate to send a message to government because there’s no change of government on the table. The Conservatives didn't offer any alternatives to Labour, they just offered a lot of angst. In a by-election you can get away with that, but in a general election you can't.

"By-elections are rarely a good indication of what's going to happen in general elections.

"What Labour will master this year is a very careful balance between helping family finances and preserving medium term investment in schools, hospitals and the police – all of which is vital to British prosperity.

"We're not going to sacrifice Britain's future. What Labour has to do now is unite behind that strategy, get across our work to voters, and contrast that with David Cameron, because everyone knows the Tories will throw away the future in order to cut taxes today.

"You have to get a balance between the here and now and the future."