Tom Watson, Baron Watson of Wyre Forest

Thomas Anthony Watson, Baron Watson of Wyre Forest (born 8 January 1967) is a British former politician who served as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party from 2015 to 2019 and Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport from 2016 to 2019. A member of the Labour Party, he was Member of Parliament (MP) for West Bromwich East from 2001 to 2019. Since 2022, he has been a member of the House of Lords.

The Lord Watson of Wyre Forest in 2023

Quotes

2016

• The EU invests £11bn a year on manufacturing innovation programmes of which 15% are invested here in the UK.
  • Reality Check: Does the UK get 15% of EU R&D funding? BBC News (8 April 2016)

• [a Leave vote would be a] hit to the UK economy
  • EU referendum: Labour urges its voters not to back Brexit BBC News (10 June 2016)

• [Labour is] clear that Britain is better off in Europe
  • EU referendum: Labour urges its voters not to back Brexit BBC News (10 June 2016)

• The Labour Party is about as united as it possibly can be in asking people to Remain
  • EU referendum: Labour urges its voters not to back Brexit BBC News (10 June 2016)

• And you know, woe betide politicians that don't listen to what voters tell them. You know, I think a future Europe will have to look at things like the free movement of labour rules.
  • Labour's Tom Watson: EU free movement rules must change BBC News (14 June 2016)

2018

• I feel great. I feel absolutely fantastic. Chilled out, I feel like my IQ has gone up. I feel younger. It's a great feeling.
  • Labour's Tom Watson 'reversed' type-2 diabetes through diet and exercise BBC News (13 September 2018)

2019

• I can only vote for a deal if you let the people vote on it too. Prime Minister, you've lost control of this process, you're plunging the country into chaos, let the people take control.
  • Brexit march: Million joined Brexit protest, organisers say BBC News (23 March 2019)

• Our position is we want a confirmatory ballot. It's very difficult for us to move off that because I don't think our party would forgive us if we signed off on Tory Brexit without that kind of concession.
  • Brexit talks: Will Labour push a public vote option? BBC News (4 April 2019)

• We are a remain and reform party
  • Brexit: Cross-party deal must include new referendum - Sir Keir Starmer BBC News (13 May 2019)

• It is my honestly held view that Parliament will not be able to get a deal on Brexit and therefore the only choice, reluctantly, is to ask the people to take another look at it.
  • Brexit: 'High price to pay' for Labour stance, says Watson BBC News (17 June 2019)

• Pro-European is who we are and who we have always been. Our members are Remain. Our values are Remain. Our hearts are Remain.
  • Brexit: 'High price to pay' for Labour stance, says Watson BBC News (17 June 2019)

• The only way to break the Brexit deadlock once and for all is a public vote in a referendum,
  • Brexit: Labour deputy Tom Watson calls for referendum ahead of election BBC News (11 September 2019)

• There is no such thing as a good Brexit deal, which is why I believe we should advocate for Remain. That is what the overwhelming majority of Labour Party members, MPs and trade unions believe.
  • Brexit: Labour deputy Tom Watson calls for referendum ahead of election BBC News (11 September 2019)

• There eventually comes a point when circumstances are so changed, when so much new information has emerged that we didn't have in 2016, when so many people feel differently to how they felt then, that you have to say, no... the only proper way to proceed in such circumstances is to consult the people again.
  • Brexit: Labour deputy Tom Watson calls for referendum ahead of election BBC News (11 September 2019)

• By backing a people's vote, by backing remain, I am sure we can deliver the Labour government the people of this country so badly need,
  • Labour party conference: Corbyn plays down divisions amid aide's exit BBC News (22 September 2019)

• We've got to eradicate anti-Semitism, anti-Jewish racism in all its forms [and] for us to address that now, I think he needs to take a personal lead on examining those cases and if necessary, recommend it to our NEC (National Executive Committee) what needs to be done.
  • Jeremy Corbyn must take 'personal lead' on anti-Semitism - Watson BBC News (24 February 2019)