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The Journal
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Tory MP appeared to make ‘offensive' Irish potato famine remark, House of Commons told
A SENIOR CONSERVATIVE MP appeared to make 'offensive and insensitive' comments about the Irish Famine, the Commons has heard. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith, responding to a question, said he was not sure if a person could 'subsist entirely on a seed potato' before adding it 'may have been tried historically and not with enormous success'. Labour MP Adam Jogee said the words appeared to reference the mid-19th century tragedy, which resulted in around one million deaths after the potato crop failed in successive years. Speaking during a Commons debate on the economy on Wednesday, Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone intervened to raise the seed potato industry. He said: 'We have been crying out to get the best of Scottish seed potatoes into European markets, and therefore I do say thank you to the Government for this, it means a lot to farmers, and I have had very positive comments about it. I am being absolutely fair-minded about that.' Advertisement Griffith, in his reply, said: 'I am not sure if one can subsist entirely on a seed potato, I think that may have been tried historically and not with enormous success, but I congratulate the honourable member on the success of his seed potato industry.' On Thursday, Jogee raised a point of order in connection with the remarks made by Griffith. After Mr Jogee read out the words spoken by Griffith in the debate, one MP could be heard saying: 'Shocking.' Jogee, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on Ireland and the Irish in Britain, added: 'These words appear to be referencing the tragedy of the Irish potato famine which, if true, is of course offensive and insensitive and, of course, would have taken place at the time in the United Kingdom. 'So can you please advise on how best we can remedy any offence caused by outlining the process for an honourable member to withdraw such a statement?' Deputy Speaker Judith Cummins replied: 'The chair is not responsible for the shadow secretary of state's remarks but the honourable member has put his point on the record.' Griffith and the Conservative Party have been approached for comment.
Reuters
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Reactions to Canada's election results
April 29 (Reuters) - Canada's ruling Liberals held on to power in elections on Monday, but fell short of the majority government Prime Minister Mark Carney wanted to help him negotiate over tariffs with U.S. President Donald Trump. Here are some reactions to the results: PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY "Our old relationship with the United States, a relationship based on steadily increasing integration, is over," Carney said in a victory speech in Ottawa. "The system of open global trade anchored by the United States, a system that Canada has relied on since the Second World War, a system that, while not perfect, has helped deliver prosperity for our country for decades, is over." CONSERVATIVE LEADER PIERRE POILIEVRE "Canadians have opted for a razor-thin minority government, a virtual tie in the vote, so I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Carney on leading this minority government." LIBERAL TRANSPORT MINISTER CHRYSTIA FREELAND "I think it's important for us to have a little bit of perspective when we look at this result. And for me, I look back to as recently as December, when everyone was writing the Liberal Party off. People were even talking about whether we would retain official party status in the next election. And so tonight, when it is clear that we are going to form the government, from my perspective, that is an outstanding result." JAGMEET SINGH, LEADER OF CANADA'S NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY "This night is a disappointing night for New Democrats," Singh said in a speech in which he announced he was stepping down as leader of his left-leaning party. FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN "I congratulate Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party on their success in Canada's election. I'm confident Mark will be a strong leader for the fundamental values and interests Canadians and Americans share."
