Damien Moore has claimed that residents of Sefton feel “under attack from the vindictive policies of Labour-controlled Sefton Council” for trying to “impose a cycle network”.
In response Jacob Rees-Mogg replied: “I hear gossip that (Mr Moore) is actually working in collaboration, and whisper it quietly, with the Liberal Democrats in his area against these schemes, which I think shows how completely lunatic they must be to have created an alliance between him and the Yellow Peril” before labelling Sefton a “terrible socialist council”
Members of the opposition quickly called out Mr Rees-Mogg’s comments for including a racist slur.
The ‘Yellow Peril’ is a racist color-metaphor that represents the peoples of East Asia as an existential danger to the Western world.
The exchange in full:
Damien Moore: “Southport is under attack from the vindictive policies of Labour-controlled Sefton Council who are trying to impose a cycle network on my constituency. Residents, business, disability groups and safety campaigners are against it. Revenues are already down because of an existing scheme, and the inaccurate data used to support this scheme is truly shameful. Will my right honourable friend make time available to debate these schemes I know concern many across this house.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg: “I hear gossip that my honourable friend is actually working in collaboration, whisper it very quietly, with the Liberal Democrats in his area against these schemes which shows how completely lunatic they must be to have created an alliance between my honourable friend and the ‘Yellow Peril’. So I do congratulate him on his broad-mindedness. But we have to remember the convenience of motorists and the need to have capacity on the road for motorists and that cycle lanes need to be safe and take into account the views of locals. But I understand my honourable friend is also extending the consultation period to 25 July so I’m sure that many people will want to send in their views to this terrible socialist council.”
Shadow Commons leader Thangam Debbonaire said: ““Unfortunately, and I hope that the Leader is doing this unintentionally, the Leader made use of an extremely offensive racist term, I find it really difficult to understand but I am sure it may be possible that he was not aware that it was, in relation to the Liberal Democrats.
Mr Rees-Mogg replied: “If I have used a term that is offensive I apologise profoundly. I had absolutely no intention of using a term that was offensive. I don’t actually know what term I used that was offensive, so if out of ignorance I have, I apologise.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg’s assertion that it was Damien Moore who either organised an extension to the cycle lane consultation, or that he caused Sefton to do so, has previously been strenuously denied by the Council.
Southport’s Liberal Democrat group denied the claims of cooperation.
On behalf of the Southport Liberal Democrat group, John Pugh told OTS News: “There has been no direct co-operation with the Conservatives other than me suggesting that they back my call for moratorium and I have been very critical of Tory MPs for supporting the first wave of cycle lanes without consultation.
“However it’s pleasing that our efforts in opposing the dafter dimensions of the current schemes have been noticed by the Leader of the house and in Westminster.
“I do not think the employment of the phrase “Yellow Peril”, however unthinking, was intended by Jacob Rees-Mogg as a deliberate racist slur, but more probably reflects his recognition that in seats like Southport it’s only the Liberal Democrats that present an enduring threat to Conservative dominance.
“That’s what history seems to show. ”
There has been widespread condemnation of Sefton’s proposed cycle lane scheme which would see an artery installed from Plough Roundabout to Ainsdale. Southport’s Conservatives had led opposition while the Liberal Democrats have also spoke out against the plans while remaining in favour of cycle lanes generally.
Mr Moore’s office declined to comment on the exchange when asked for his views and to confirm he was cooperating with the Liberal Democrats, while the Sefton Labour group was not immediately available to comment.
The Sefton Council ‘Your Streets Your Say’ consultation closes this Sunday.
OTS News on Social Media