Latest news with #Jogee
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.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tory MP appeared to make ‘offensive' Irish potato famine remark, Commons told
A senior Conservative MP appeared to make 'offensive and insensitive' comments about the Irish potato 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 (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) 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.' Mr 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, Mr Jogee (Newcastle-under-Lyme) raised a point of order in connection with the remarks made by Mr Griffith. After Mr Jogee read out the words spoken by Mr Griffith in the debate, one MP could be heard saying: 'Shocking.' Mr 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.' Mr Griffith and the Conservative Party have been approached for comment.
BBC News
16-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Stratford-on-Avon MP says farmers 'feel betrayed' by government
Farmers feel "betrayed" by the government over its planned changes to inheritance tax, an MP has April 2026, agricultural assets worth more than £1m, which were previously exempt, would be subject to inheritance tax at 20%.The government previously said it was a "fair and balanced" approach that would help to fix public services and only affect about 500 estates a Stratford-on-Avon MP Manuela Perteghella told BBC Politics Midlands smaller farms could be forced to sell off productive land. "Hundreds of farms are going to be affected by these changes. Frankly, they feel betrayed by the government. They are going to have to sell their land," she Perteghella said the value of farmers' land did not equal their earnings and that many did not earn much more than the minimum wage."These are small family farms, and these changes will do nothing to discourage wealthy individuals who land bank for tax purposes," the Liberal Democrat MP added. A number of protests have been held since the policy was announced in October's budget, including when hundreds of tractors blocked Westminster last Hughes, former Conservative MP for Walsall North, said farmers were not prepared for "this dreadfully pernicious tax", adding that there should have been more consultation."They [the government] categorically said in the run-up to the election this would not happen. It was said multiple times by all members of the cabinet, so it seems crazy we're in this position," he added. Representatives of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) are due to meet with Treasury ministers on Jogee, Labour MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, said he had spoken to farmers in his constituency and that it was important ministers listened to the "strength of feeling"."I want to see our farming industry supported. I want them to feel they are part of how we move our country forward," he Mr Jogee said it was important to tackle the issue of wealthy individuals buying up farmland "because it suits them financially"."This has to be a conversation that delivers real results for people sitting at the table," he added. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
