A Middlesbrough Labour MP has told his Conservative counterpart to 'stick to the lemontops' amid a spat about the UK's rail strikes.

The row broke out on Twitter between Redcar Conservative MP Jacob Young and Middlesbrough Labour MP Andy McDonald after the former criticised the planned rail strikes, which are supported by Mr McDonald, for affecting commuters.

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Mr Young wrote: "For the workers… but not those who want to go to work next week.

"Rail strikes mean commuters are stuck and will lose income at a time when the cost of living is rising.

"A full-time worker on the living wage will lose £160 over the course of your rail strikes."

The Northern Echo:

He added that over the last five years rail unions have donated more than £187,000 to Mr McDonald's office.

This brought a sharp retort from Mr McDonald who fired off a series of Tweets saying: "For goodness sake!

"We are the Labour movement. We were born of the trade unions to secure better outcomes for working people.

"I make no apology for receiving support from unions representing millions of workers and fighting to secure better wages and working conditions for us all.

"The assistance of the rail unions was critical during my time as Shadow Secretary of State for Transport in the development of a blueprint for the re-nationalisation of the railway - the authentic GB Rail - which remains in place for an incoming Labour Government to implement.

"All my donations are declared and registered in the public domain.

"It’s no secret.

"Better to be funded by clean money from trade unions than bankrolled by Russian oligarchs, as many of Mr Young’s Tory colleagues are.

"Stick to the lemontops @JacobYoungMP, it's more your level."

 

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