Theresa May’s General Election is due to FEAR over BREXIT, blasts John McDonnell
SHADOW Chancellor John McDonnell slammed Theresa May’s decision to hold a General Election in June saying she is “fearful” over Brexit and the economy.
John McDonnell puts May's general election down to FEAR
The Labour MP said the Prime Minister was putting “party before country” in holding a General Election on June 8 and was afraid of the economy “diving” and Brexit negotiations “falling apart”.
The MP for Hayes and Harlington added Mrs May could “not deliver on the promises she’s given over Brexit” as the fallout over the UK’s exit from the European Union continues.
Speaking on Sky News, Mr McDonnell said: “The reason she’s now going for a General Election is yes, she’s putting party before country but I also think she realises people are waking up to the fact that the economy now is beginning to dive.
“You’ve seen inflation increasing, you’ve seen wages stagnating, that’s having its affect in terms of those people who unfortunately are now heavily in debt as a result of consumer spend that has been buoying up the economy over the last six months.
In some ways this is cowardice, not facing up to the real challenges of our country
“In addition to that, she realises that she cannot deliver on the promises she’s given over Brexit, she can’t even hold her own party together on it.
“She’s cutting and running but we’ll be able to expose that and I’m hoping that we’ll have debate after debate head-to-head between her and Jeremy Corbyn and other ministers from the Government and myself and ministers from our side.
“I think in that debate people will wake up to the fact that actually she’s not interested in the long term interest of the country, this is short term party advantage and people do not like prime ministers who put their party before the country.”
Asked if he admired the Prime Minister for holding a General Election, when it had taken former Prime Minister and Labour leader Gordon Brown longer to do so, Mr McDonnell hit out at the suggestion.
Former remainer backs Theresa May to win general election
He said: “This isn’t political courage. This is cutting and running because she’s fearful of the situation in 12 months’ time as the economy begins to dive and also as planned Brexit negotiations fall apart.
“In some ways this is cowardice, not facing up to the real challenges of our country.”
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has boasted he will try and use the snap General Election to block Brexit.
Mr Farron said: "This election is your chance to change the direction of our country.
"If you want to avoid a disastrous hard Brexit. If you want to keep Britain in the single market. If you want a Britain that is open, tolerant and united, this is your chance."
Theresa May pre-empted the Lib Dem attack by saying the party wanted to "grind the business of government to a standstill, prop up Labour and re-open Brexit debate".