Tory MPs often like to talk a tough game on China – but is it Labour who are now making the running? While the Conservatives are often at pains to wrap themselves in the flag and bang the drum for King and country, Mr S can’t help but notice in recent weeks how frequently members of the Labour party like Lisa Nandy and Stephen Kinnock are to be found urging a firmer line on Beijing.
First, there was the appalling attack on the Hong Kong democracy demonstration in Manchester outside the Chinese consul, in which suspected Chinese consular officials destroyed posters and assaulted a protester. The government response was assailed by a range of cross-party voices with both Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Alicia Kearns of the Tories demanding a tougher line. The former characterised his party’s response as ‘wholly inadequate’, criticising ministers for failing to summon the Chinese ambassador immediately after the incident.
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