The Good Morning Britain studio turned heated on Wednesday morning as Labour MP Yvette Cooper called into the ITV morning show.
The shadow Home Secretary spoke with ITV presenters Charlotte Hawkins and Rob Rinder, who are helming the show during the summer break, and the interview turned fiery amid a discussion of industrial action.
Rob held the MP’s feet to the fire as he quizzed her on the Labour party ’s support of strike action, after shadow transport minister Sam Tarry was sacked after defying a ban on appearing on the picket line.
Labour’s relationship with the trade unions is now in further doubt as the party continues to rely heavily on trade union funding, which have now been thrown into question amid the lack of party support for industrial action.
Rob initially put to the shadow Home Secretary: “Your leader said it was inappropriate for you to join your strikes, despite that people ignored him.
“Can you understand why people have had simply enough of the Labour party that doesn’t stand by them and therefore want to reduce the amount it’s going to give you?”
Cooper replied: “Working people have seen their wages drop over many years. The real squeeze is happening now.
“What we want to see is stronger growth, lower inflation and better pay and conditions for working people. It’s why we’ve put forward proposals for fair pay agreements.”
However, Rob then interrupted the MP as he said: “Yvette Cooper, one of the things I admire about you -”
The MP then cut in to reply from her remote location: “You’ve interrupted me again, Rob.”
Rob continued undeterred as he said: “I’m sorry, I’m going to get into trouble for interrupting you. Normally, I would care, but I don't on this one.
“You’re normally known for giving straightforward answers.”
He then continued: “They’ve reduced the amount they’re giving you. This is the union that built the Labour party.
“You’re not standing shoulder to shoulder with you anymore. They’re striking. They’re ordinary people whose wages are going down.
“Do you support strikes, yes or no? You can’t be that worried about your job.”
Vette simply replied “We support people’s work to strike of course. It’s very important.
“It’s how working people for decades have been able to argue for better pay. But we also want to see a proper government plan.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.
