Party Lines: December 2nd

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

After England failed to secure the 2018 World Cup Ed Miliband said that he was deeply disappointed but commended everyone involved in the bid:

“I would like to commend the whole of the bid team for all their hard work and dedication. Along with millions of others I am deeply disappointed we did not win. I am sure the World Cup will be back here again.”

However, shadow secretary of state for sport Ivan Lewis wants to see an independent root and branch inquiry following England’s failed World Cup bid:

“Despite the impressive efforts of Team England, supporters will be bitterly disappointed at England’s failure to land the 2018 World Cup. This follows on from the England team’s poor performance in South Africa.”

“Serious questions have to be answered as to how we can learn lessons from these significant setbacks to build a better future. The Coalition and the football authorities should now set up an independent root and branch inquiry into all aspects of how our national game is run.”

And speaking on BBC News this afternoon, shadow transport secretary Maria Eagle criticised the lack of preparation for the current cold weather:

“I don’t think that simply saying that ‘Oh we’ll have a statement by Christmas’ is a good enough response.”

“We’ve had people having to sleep overnight in cars on major motorways, we’ve had people stuck on trains.”