Eddie Mair challenges Tory MP who insists regional leaders "put politics aside"

21 October 2020, 17:16

"You want politics put aside, should Sir Keir join the Cabinet?"

By Fiona Jones

This is the moment Eddie Mair asks Tory MP Jake Berry if Sir Keir Starmer should be invited to join the Cabinet after he called for local leaders to "put politics aside" when challenging the Government's financial support for regions.

This came after talks between Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Westminster broke down over the amount of financial support offered for the area to go into the toughest Covid restrictions.

MP Jake Berry told Eddie Mair that the people of the north "want politics put aside to deal with this crisis, they want Andy Burnham working with the Government."

Eddie asked how politics could be put aside between politicians.

"Great national events and crises call for us to move beyond petty politics," he said, citing both World Wars, with Eddie reminding him this is not a war.

Starmer: It's corrosive to public trust to pit region against region

Mr Berry explained that the economic impact made it not dissimilar to a war, so Eddie responded, "Well in that case get Boris Johnson to invite Keir Starmer into his Cabinet."

The MP ignored this, insisting that the public wish for regional leaders to "take the rosettes off" and stop having a "hairy chest competition about money" and "come up with a solution."

He continued that if any politician, no matter their stripe, uses the pandemic as a political football then "the public will turn against them."

"At times when it's very difficult for the country, politicians should forget their party and simply work with other people, that's what should happen?" Eddie surmised, to which the MP said people "expect" politicians to "work in the national interest."

Andy Burnham reacts to Manchester entering Tier 3 Covid restrictions

"Which leads me to ask you again...if it's okay for regional leaders to put down their party rosettes, should Boris Johnson invite Sir Keir Starmer into his Cabinet?" Eddie asked - Mr Berry replied that "we're not at that position."

Eddie reminded him that this was the point he was making and Mr Berry branded him "mischievous" for making that comparison.

"I'm following your argument to its logical conclusion. If there's a national crisis, it's OK for regional leaders to set aside political differences, but not national ones?" Eddie said.

Mr Berry backtracked about national unity, and said, "People don't want to see opposition for opposition's sake."

More Eddie Mair

Eddie Mair's heated row with Sir Iain Duncan-Smith on cost of living measures

Eddie Mair's heated row with Sir Iain Duncan Smith on cost of living measures

Where to seek help if you're impacted by the cost of living crisis

Where to seek help if you're impacted by the cost of living crisis

Eddie Mair scrutinises Tory MP who backs Liz Truss over her stance 'on woke'

Eddie Mair scrutinises Tory MP who backs Liz Truss over her stance 'on woke'

Furious caller clashes with climate scientists over 'pointless' net-zero targets

Furious caller clashes with climate scientists over 'pointless' net zero targets

Eddie Mair lists Ministers with the power to oust Boris Johnson

Eddie Mair lists Ministers with the power to oust Boris Johnson

'Horrific': LBC listeners reveal chilling experiences of stalking

'Horrific': LBC listeners reveal chilling experiences of stalking

'Scotland is inept': Scottish caller furious over idea of IndyRef 2

'Scotland is inept': Scottish caller outraged at idea of IndyRef 2

Texas Republican: Ensuring doors work properly will stop school shootings

Texas Republican: Ensuring doors work properly will stop school shootings

'You don't need a crystal ball!': Furious Eddie Mair corners Tory MP on cost of living crisis

'You don't need a crystal ball!': Furious Eddie Mair corners Tory MP on cost of living crisis

Exclusive
Kremlin chaos: Putin 'constantly surrounded by doctors' as illness throws regime in disarray

Putin 'constantly surrounded by doctors' as illness throws Kremlin into chaos

Tory MP: 'Oil companies have a cartel monopoly' over consumers

Tory MP: 'Oil companies have a cartel monopoly' over consumers

Jack Monroe slams Tory MP's 'abhorrent' food bank comments

Jack Monroe slams Tory MP's 'abhorrent' food bank comments

Tory MP accuses peer of 'hyperbole' over anti-protest bill concerns

Tory MP accuses peer of 'hyperbole' over anti-protest bill concerns

'Prime Minister in waiting!' Starmer saluted after Covid fine resignation pledge

'Prime Minister in waiting!' Starmer saluted after Covid fine resignation pledge

From Covid infection to being fined: Eddie Mair's painstaking timeline on partygate and Boris

From Covid infection to the fine: Eddie Mair's painstaking timeline on partygate and Boris

Partygate fines: Eddie Mair grills Tory MP Sir Roger Gale over PM future

Partygate fines: Eddie Mair grills Tory MP over PM's future