Michael Wheeler

Michael Wheeler

Labour — Worsley and Eccles

Speaking in the House of Commons on 11 March 2025

Debate

Employment Rights Bill

Contribution

I think that a Bill that promotes good, secure work across the economy is something we should not shy away from. I believe, if I am correct, that the figure referenced represents 0.5% of the costs of businesses, so no—I am not concerned. I would like to finish in a slightly odd place. Benjamin Disraeli believed that his Government’s active role in passing legislation that benefited the working person would “gain and retain for the Conservatives the lasting affection of the working classes”— clearly he failed in that endeavour. One nation Tories are now a vanishingly scarce presence on the Opposition Benches. I ask all hon. Members on those Benches, with their opposition to this Bill: when did the Conservatives give up even trying to be on the side of working people?

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