Jon Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, responding to Michael Gove’s speech to the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“After complaining about the ‘preposterous’ number of Etonians in David Cameron’s inner circle, Michael Gove is in no position to claim that the Tories are the party of social justice.  

“You can’t pose as the party of labour when you put a privileged few before hardworking families, leaving working people £1,600 worse off while cutting taxes for people earning over £150,000.  

“This latest attempted rebrand of the Conservative Party is as superficial as David Cameron’s husky-hugging. Only Labour can tackle the cost-of-living crisis and earn our way to higher living standards for everyone.”