A Labour MP claims that the current government party has failed to deal with the cost-of-living crisis, as she claims her party must “speak up” for workers’ rights amid the rail strikes.

Kate Osborne, a parliamentary aide to shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle, joined striking workers in Bromley today.

Just before 10am this morning, Kate Osborne published a tweet, alongside a video, stating that workers have had “real terms pay cuts for decades” and are now facing a “cost of living crisis, food poverty and energy bill rises - all political choices of this Government”.

Shadow Treasury chief secretary Pat McFadden said he understands why the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union is pressing for a pay rise due to the rising cost of living, but that he wants to see a negotiated settlement.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer reportedly ordered frontbenchers not to join picket lines outside stations as the country faces the biggest rail strike in a generation.

Kate Osborne told the News Shopper: “As a lifelong Trade Unionist and supporter of workers fighting for better pay, terms and conditions, I cannot - under any circumstances - fail to support RMT members who plan take industrial action this week and come what may I will attend RMT picket lines this week The Labour Party was formed out of the trade union movement to give working people their own political voice.”

The Conservatives have wanted to use the row to claim Labour is on the side of the striking workers who have caused chaos for millions of commuters, and the Opposition leader will be reluctant to give the Government any more ammunition for that attack.

Kate claims that the Labour Party’s strength is in their support for workers – including teachers, NHS staff, Local Government workers and many more who are struggling to cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union told the PA news agency that the Labour Party was founded by the trade unions, and they expect Labour MPs to “defend workers, by words and by actions.”

Kate added: “This Government has failed to deal with the cost-of-living crisis, and of course they are playing politics with this RMT dispute, threatening to legislate against the right to strike.

“As the Labour Party we must speak up for workers right to take action to protect their pay and conditions.

“We should be tackling the false narrative that pits railway workers against the traveling public, that states workers are overpaid.”

“Workers have had real terms pay cuts for decades,” Kate added, as she states that people are now facing a cost-of-living crisis, as well as food poverty and energy bill rises.

She said: “These are all political choices of this Government.

“Staff taking strike action are of course standing up for their rights - but they are also standing up for commuters - demanding a safe, well-staffed railway where people are put before profit.

“Solidarity to workers on strike today, they have my full support.”

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