Wolverhampton's Pat McFadden MP finally 'seeing through' Donald Trump's 'rhetoric' after repeatedly being forced to respond to President's outbursts
Wolverhampton MP Pat McFadden is starting to 'see through' Donald Trump's bluster after repeatedly having to respond to the President's outbursts on behalf of the Government.
The Secretary for Work and Pensions was unveiling his latest policy to kerb youth unemployment but instead was grilled about President Trump's latest overnight outburst.
He was asked about the President's threat NATO countries 'would be in a bad place' if they did not help US military operations in the Straits of Hormuz.
Mr McFadden was grilled about UK - US relations on Radio 4's flagship Today programme this morning. When asked if he takes President Trump's threats seriously, Mr McFadden said: "Of course we take the President of the United States seriously.
"However, over the last 15 months I have to often had to respond during morning interviews. I've learnt to see through the rhetoric and concentrate on the strong relationship our two countries have.
"However, that does not mean we have support every US military action or get involved in every fight they have.
"It is in everyone's interest to ensure the flow of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz to arrest the sharp increase in gas and oil prices recently."
Mr McFadden stressed the NATO Alliance was designed to be defensive and the USA should not expect unqualified support in military operations.
He said: "This is a US and Israel military action and not NATO led."
After dealing with international affairs Mr McFadden finally promised he would be introducing reforms to get more young people into work.
He said: "Welfare reform should be about getting people into work and there are too many young people who are not in work. A young person on benefits has less chance of getting into work than an older person, that cannot be right."
The minister unveiled a £1 billion youth employment reform package which will pay companies to employ unemployed young people.
Companies will get a £3,000 grant for each hire of a person aged 18 to 24 who has been looking for a job for at least six months.
The 'new deal for young people' is aimed at creating 200,000 jobs.
