Rishi Sunak faces backlash over 'nurse firing bill' over 'insulting' anti-strike plan

Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner has called the Government's controversial Strikes (Minimum Services) Bill 'irrational and so insulting 'as protesters gathered outside Downing Street in tense debate

Demonstrators outside Downing Street protest against controversial anti-strike legislation (

Image: AFP via Getty Images

Rishi Sunak is facing a growing backlash tonight against 'a nurses layoff bill' forcing strikers to 'betray their comrades'.

"Draconian" new laws allowing the government to set minimum staffing levels during civil service walkouts have been called "irrational and so insulting" by opponents.

During a tense debate in the House of Commons, Deputy Labor Leader Angela Rayner fumed: "I've been a Member of this House for about seven years and I can't remember a measure at a time if irrational and so insulting.< /p>

"Not only is this a vindictive attack on the fundamental freedoms of British workers, but this legislation is as empty of details as it is full of holes.

“We will oppose the sacking of the Nurses Bill, and not just nurses, but many key workers whom we have applauded and who have maintained our services.”

Ms Rayner promised a Labor government would repeal the controversial Strikes (Minimum Services) Bill if passed.

Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader of the Labor Party, called the bill "vindictive" (

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As MPs debated the bill, hundreds of protesters, including RMT boss Mick Lynch, gathered outside Downing Street to express their anger.

Banners proclaimed key workers were 'betrayed' - and Mr Sunak also faces opposition from his own party.

Tory MP Stephen McPartland wrote ahead of the vote: 'I will be voting against this disgraceful bill today.

"It does nothing to stop strikes - but NHS staff, teachers and workers can be targeted and sacked if they don't betray their fellow workers. Fine unions if they don't provide minimum service levels but do not lay off individuals."

Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the TUC, fumed...