Labour Dispute Over P&O Ferries Boycott

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer publicly distanced himself from Transport Secretary Louise Haigh's call for a boycott of P&O Ferries, stating it does not reflect the government's position. Haigh's comments, describing P&O as a 'cowboy operator' and her encouragement for a boycott, have reportedly jeopardized a £1 billion investment from P&O's parent company, DP World, which is now under review ahead of a crucial investment summit. Starmer emphasized the importance of resolving the situation, asserting that the investment summit showcases growing confidence in the UK economy. The incident has sparked criticism from Conservative MPs, who argue it illustrates Labour's inexperience with business matters. Haigh's remarks follow significant backlash against P&O Ferries for its controversial decision to replace 800 British seafarers with cheaper overseas staff in 2022. The government is actively engaging with DP World to mitigate potential fallout from Haigh's statements.