labourlist--2020-07-06--Lara McNeill: Why I’m standing again to be Labour’s NEC youth rep

As a junior doctor working in the coronavirus wards , I have witnessed socialism in action .
Health workers of every grade have worked to exhaustion to save other people .
The workers of the National Health Service , whether in crisis or in times of greater calm , were not motivated by profit or individual gain , but for the highest human principle – the fight for life .
This historic crisis has also exposed the dark side of our system .
From Boris Johnson ’ s dishonesty to our health system ’ s reliance on grubby corporate profiteers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be clearer that things should not go on like this .
Our country has the second-highest coronavirus death toll in the world .
That is a result of not only our government ’ s appalling decisions , but the neoliberal political system that has been the norm for all my life .
Working in the NHS , I have been desperate for Labour to expose the full extent of the crisis our health system is under – a systemic failure that has left my colleagues doing their best to save lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our party has been far too willing to go along with government policy , and not willing enough to present a courageous alternative .
Many young members are disappointed and angry .
I have been persuading them with all my heart to stay in the Labour Party , but we have to prove that we ’ re worth sticking with .
Tony Benn spoke of the two flames in every person : the flame of anger against injustice , and the flame of hope in a better world .
I feel both of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is why I am once again standing to represent young members on our party ’ s national executive committee ( NEC ) .
In the midst of a global crisis , nobody should be too keen on discussing internal elections .
But the two things are closely linked .
Soon , we ’ ll be entering one of the greatest recessions in history .
When that crisis will be handled by a hard-right Tory government propped up by billionaires and corporate conmen , we need a party that won ’ t accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests but will resist with all its might .
All too often , it feels like Sir Keir Starmer ’ s leadership is doing quite the opposite .
When asked by angry members about why they should stay , I remind them of the socialist heritage in our party .
The left-wingers who ignored Labour ’ s leadership and confronted the Blackshirts during the struggles of the Thirties .
The stalwarts like Bernie Grant and Diane Abbott , who fought racism and sexism when these issues were embarrassing to the party establishment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ resisted attempts to water down our commitment to workers ’ rights when we were in power , and figures like Jeremy Corbyn and Dennis Skinner who spoke out against the War on Terror and the demonisation of Britain ’ s Muslim community .
This is the red thread of Labour I proudly identify with .
And organising with the oppressed must remain at the heart of our path to victory .
When a young , multiracial movement in Bristol tears down the statue of a slave trader , Young Labour should be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Black Lives Matter .
From the oppression of the Kashmiris and the annexation of the West Bank to the murderous counter-offensive against socialists and social democrats in Latin America , Young Labour must stand with them .
When trans people face horrific levels of discrimination for simply existing , Young Labour should stand in solidarity with them , whether that bigotry comes from street harassment or government legislation .
When Boris Johnson tries to force teachers and carers to work in potentially lethal conditions during a pandemic , Young Labour must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not invested in petty parliamentary games .
This is the Young Labour I ’ ve helped to build over the past two years , and one we must keep on building .
As our generation faces Tory rule , a resurgent far-right , living and working at the mercy of bosses and landlords , and a looming climate breakdown , we need an organised , fighting youth movement .
I am proud of the last two years .
At Labour ’ s 2019 party conference , Young Labour wrote and passed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rent controls , the end of Right to Buy on day one of a Labour government , and for legal powers regarding the public ownership of land , so that Britain can finally build genuinely affordable housing on a mass scale .
I organised a National Political School , which brought together young members with council leaders , trade union militants , Windrush justice campaigners , socialist economists and veterans of the underground struggle against apartheid in South Africa .
Our conference Youth Days have also seen similarly fascinating discussions between young people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with inviting socials that strengthen the bonds and friendship of the whole movement .
And after the era of New Labour contempt for our unions , I ’ ve used my time as an NEC member to maximise the voice and role of organised workers .
I lobbied successfully for all Labour Party employees to be paid at least a living wage of £10 an hour .
After years of what seemed like a hopeless struggle , I was delighted to begin the process by which Young Labour members have the open , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student members can now elect their representatives for the first time .
All these things – and more – met with organised resistance .
Looking at the relationships we built with the Norwegian Labour Party , the Austrian Social Democrats , and the Workers Party of Lula – who we made our honorary president in a gesture of international defiance and solidarity – we saw that Young Labour lags far behind our sister organisations elsewhere .
Unlike in other countries , young democratic socialists in Britain lack the institutional resources and autonomy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young people ’ s concerns and hopes .
Under the previous leadership , even the democracy review proved to be a huge disappointment , despite Young Labour ’ s best efforts .
Given the ugly internal culture of unaccountable power and prejudice unmasked by the leaked Labour report , greater transparency and democracy is still the watchword .
Labour frustrates us all sometimes .
I campaign to make it better because I love this party and desperately want a Labour government .
We can not win with young people alone , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
From Jeremy Corbyn ’ s leadership to the Black Lives Matter protests , we certainly won ’ t win by delegitimising visions of a better world that galvanise the youth .
They are movements , not moments , and our party can ’ t afford to ignore them .
We can ’ t forget that this Tory government went hard and won big on false promises of radical change to left-behind communities .
There can ’ t be any real return to the false comfort of business-as-usual politics .
We need a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialist alternative that takes us from anger to hope and victory .
I desperately want Keir Starmer to be the next Prime Minister , but we have to be honest – that won ’ t happen unless Labour goes into the next election staying true to the radical principles on which he was elected to lead our party .
These are my truths , and if you lend me your vote to send me back to the NEC , I will fight for them with determination .
I will do all I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way .
I don ’ t take no for an answer , and I don ’ t stop until we win .

As a junior doctor working in the coronavirus wards, I have witnessed socialism in action. Health workers of every grade have worked to exhaustion to save other people. The workers of the National Health Service, whether in crisis or in times of greater calm, were not motivated by profit or individual gain, but for the highest human principle – the fight for life.
This historic crisis has also exposed the dark side of our system. From Boris Johnson’s dishonesty to our health system’s reliance on grubby corporate profiteers to deliver life-saving equipment, it couldn’t be clearer that things should not go on like this. Our country has the second-highest coronavirus death toll in the world. That is a result of not only our government’s appalling decisions, but the neoliberal political system that has been the norm for all my life.
Working in the NHS, I have been desperate for Labour to expose the full extent of the crisis our health system is under – a systemic failure that has left my colleagues doing their best to save lives with decaying infrastructure and out-of-date PPE. Our party has been far too willing to go along with government policy, and not willing enough to present a courageous alternative.
Many young members are disappointed and angry. I have been persuading them with all my heart to stay in the Labour Party, but we have to prove that we’re worth sticking with. Tony Benn spoke of the two flames in every person: the flame of anger against injustice, and the flame of hope in a better world. I feel both of those flames burning in me, and this is why I am once again standing to represent young members on our party’s national executive committee (NEC).
In the midst of a global crisis, nobody should be too keen on discussing internal elections. But the two things are closely linked. Soon, we’ll be entering one of the greatest recessions in history. When that crisis will be handled by a hard-right Tory government propped up by billionaires and corporate conmen, we need a party that won’t accept their plans to reshape society in their interests but will resist with all its might. All too often, it feels like Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership is doing quite the opposite.
When asked by angry members about why they should stay, I remind them of the socialist heritage in our party. The left-wingers who ignored Labour’s leadership and confronted the Blackshirts during the struggles of the Thirties. The stalwarts like Bernie Grant and Diane Abbott, who fought racism and sexism when these issues were embarrassing to the party establishment. The Tribune group and union-sponsored MPs who resisted attempts to water down our commitment to workers’ rights when we were in power, and figures like Jeremy Corbyn and Dennis Skinner who spoke out against the War on Terror and the demonisation of Britain’s Muslim community.
This is the red thread of Labour I proudly identify with. And organising with the oppressed must remain at the heart of our path to victory. When a young, multiracial movement in Bristol tears down the statue of a slave trader, Young Labour should be on their side, proudly and loudly saying that Black Lives Matter. From the oppression of the Kashmiris and the annexation of the West Bank to the murderous counter-offensive against socialists and social democrats in Latin America, Young Labour must stand with them.
When trans people face horrific levels of discrimination for simply existing, Young Labour should stand in solidarity with them, whether that bigotry comes from street harassment or government legislation. When Boris Johnson tries to force teachers and carers to work in potentially lethal conditions during a pandemic, Young Labour must be unconditionally with those workers and their unions, not invested in petty parliamentary games.
This is the Young Labour I’ve helped to build over the past two years, and one we must keep on building. As our generation faces Tory rule, a resurgent far-right, living and working at the mercy of bosses and landlords, and a looming climate breakdown, we need an organised, fighting youth movement.
I am proud of the last two years. At Labour’s 2019 party conference, Young Labour wrote and passed a comprehensive housing crisis policy. It demanded rent controls, the end of Right to Buy on day one of a Labour government, and for legal powers regarding the public ownership of land, so that Britain can finally build genuinely affordable housing on a mass scale.
I organised a National Political School, which brought together young members with council leaders, trade union militants, Windrush justice campaigners, socialist economists and veterans of the underground struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Our conference Youth Days have also seen similarly fascinating discussions between young people from all over the world, coupled with inviting socials that strengthen the bonds and friendship of the whole movement.
And after the era of New Labour contempt for our unions, I’ve used my time as an NEC member to maximise the voice and role of organised workers. I lobbied successfully for all Labour Party employees to be paid at least a living wage of £10 an hour. After years of what seemed like a hopeless struggle, I was delighted to begin the process by which Young Labour members have the open, democratic student wing they deserve. All student members can now elect their representatives for the first time.
All these things – and more – met with organised resistance. Looking at the relationships we built with the Norwegian Labour Party, the Austrian Social Democrats, and the Workers Party of Lula – who we made our honorary president in a gesture of international defiance and solidarity – we saw that Young Labour lags far behind our sister organisations elsewhere. Unlike in other countries, young democratic socialists in Britain lack the institutional resources and autonomy to run mass campaigns that speak directly to young people’s concerns and hopes.
Under the previous leadership, even the democracy review proved to be a huge disappointment, despite Young Labour’s best efforts. Given the ugly internal culture of unaccountable power and prejudice unmasked by the leaked Labour report, greater transparency and democracy is still the watchword.
Labour frustrates us all sometimes. I campaign to make it better because I love this party and desperately want a Labour government. We cannot win with young people alone, but we cannot win without my generation either. From Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership to the Black Lives Matter protests, we certainly won’t win by delegitimising visions of a better world that galvanise the youth. They are movements, not moments, and our party can’t afford to ignore them.
We can’t forget that this Tory government went hard and won big on false promises of radical change to left-behind communities. There can’t be any real return to the false comfort of business-as-usual politics. We need a Labour Party that is serious about a socialist alternative that takes us from anger to hope and victory. I desperately want Keir Starmer to be the next Prime Minister, but we have to be honest – that won’t happen unless Labour goes into the next election staying true to the radical principles on which he was elected to lead our party.
These are my truths, and if you lend me your vote to send me back to the NEC, I will fight for them with determination. I will do all I can to build a Young Labour that leads the way. I don’t take no for an answer, and I don’t stop until we win.


labourlist--2020-07-06--WATCH: In conversation with… Jon Ashworth MP

Join us at 6pm on Tuesday , July 7th , for our latest “ In conversation with… ” online event @ @ @ @ @ and Labour ’ s Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Jon Ashworth @ @ @ @ @ for questions , please feel free to email them to us in advance .
You @ @ @ @ @ suggest questions during the event .
This page will refresh automatically to show the livestream @ @ @ @ @ at 6pm .
You will also be able to watch it directly on YouTube by @ @ @

Join us at 6pm on Tuesday, July 7th, for our latest “In conversation with…” online event featuring LabourList editor Sienna Rodgers and Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Jon Ashworth.
If readers have suggestions for questions, please feel free to email them to us in advance. You will also be able to suggest questions during the event.
This page will refresh automatically to show the livestream below when the event starts at 6pm. You will also be able to watch it directly on YouTube by clicking here.


labourlist--2020-07-06--10 things to look for in Wednesday’s speech from the Chancellor

Rishi Sunak will deliver a statement in the Commons on Wednesday .
Detail has been thin on the ground , save for some briefing to the newspapers about apprenticeships and possible VAT cuts .
But if Boris Johnson ’ s damp squib of a speech last week is anything to go by , it is unlikely to measure up to the unprecedented challenge faced by our economy in these extraordinary times .
What the country desperately needs is a back to work Budget focused on jobs , jobs , and jobs again .
Instead , the Tories are frantically trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will say .
Rather than rising to the challenge of tackling the greatest economic emergency for a generation , they are playing down the urgency of decisive action .
If that sounds familiar , it ’ s because these are precisely the mistakes the Tories made at the beginning of the health crisis – not taking the challenge seriously , not gripping it , and being too slow to respond .
Right now , across the world , finance ministers are laying out ambitious packages to restart their economy and guide hard-pressed sectors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK government ’ s actions in putting in place the furlough scheme and the self-employment income support scheme were right , they have now had plenty of time to plan the next steps for our economy .
So far we ’ ve seen little evidence that they have a plan .
It would be a big mistake to imagine that it ’ s a case of job well done .
As well as having a plan , it ’ s important too that the government delivers it properly and gets the messaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to succeed .
But since the Dominic Cummings fiasco , people have begun to lose faith in what they say .
We need the test , track and isolate system fully operational as soon as possible , to help ensure public confidence and make sure public health and our economy improve in lockstep .
This is crucial : if the government ’ s plans to ensure public safety and suppress the virus don ’ t command public confidence , there will be real consequences for consumer confidence , business investment and the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ speech on Friday set out the key tests by which we will measure the government ’ s economic response this week .
We want to see those tests met .
And on top of that , we expect to see a lot of detail in any budget that rises to the challenge of our times .
Here are ten things we will be looking out for in the Chancellor ’ s statement .
It starts with jobs , jobs , and jobs again .
We all know the job retention scheme – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income support scheme can ’ t go on forever .
But the scheme must be extended in those industries most impacted by ongoing public health restrictions and there are things the government could do now to spend existing money better and protect jobs and livelihoods more effectively .
Removing it right across the economy at the same rate , regardless of how badly hit sectors have been , will be a disaster .
Last week ’ s job losses are a foretaste of what ’ s to come if the Chancellor persists in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in every industry .
Some sectors are being hit harder than others by the pandemic , and they are going to continue being hit harder because the distancing restrictions strike at how their businesses work .
It ’ s great that we ’ ve now seen a package of support for the performing arts announced by government , but we need to see support in place for hard-hit sectors like hospitality and tourism , and the worst hit manufacturing industries .
That ’ s especially important if the Tories still aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the job retention scheme .
In particular , we need an approach that recognises that different sizes of company have different needs .
Smaller companies have shorter redundancy periods , so to avoid a tide of redundancy notices for workers in smaller firms in the near future , the government urgently needs to abandon its one-size-fits-all approach .
That will be key to preventing wider job losses in supply chains and also protecting the economies of the many towns and cities across the UK which are built around major employers .
Without decisive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prelude to redundancy for too many people .
Even with effective action to retain and sustain jobs , we know that the shape of the economy coming out of the pandemic is likely to be different from before – and in any case we ’ ve all known for years that it needs to be different .
We want to see an effective scheme to support job creation – modelled on Labour ’ s Future Jobs Fund – that ensures people are able to find decent work even in the challenging labour market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lasting damage not just to individuals , their livelihoods and their families , but to whole communities .
It ’ s vital that the government acts to prevent that .
4 .
Support for the workers who most need it The shape of the economic crisis we ’ re in means it is especially tough for people entering the job market for the first time and for people nearing retirement age .
The government has made some positive noises about young people in particular , but we need to see their ambition match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Research from the Institute for Public Policy Research published on Friday suggests that without further government action there will be an extra 620,000 young people unemployed by the end of the year ( with 380,000 new claims to benefit between April and the end of the year expected to last for six months or more ) .
Youth unemployment is scarring : it lowers long-term employment prospects and earning potential .
And it is people from the poorest backgrounds and with the lowest qualifications who are likely to be the worst affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also out on Friday points out that young people starting out in the labour market have increasingly been working in lower-paid occupations , many of which are in sectors hardest hit by the pandemic – for example , hospitality and non-food retail .
That means younger workers are going to be finding it much harder to take their first step onto the career ladder .
It ’ s crucial that we ensure the pandemic is not a scar on the careers of a generation .
5 .
Projects that deliver for Britain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of infrastructure projects in Britain that are crying out for delivery and that will help working people and businesses alike .
But , as Anneliese said on Friday , the test of a project can ’ t be whether it piques the interest of the Prime Minister or his closest adviser .
We don ’ t need another bungled Garden Bridge project .
We don ’ t need more talk .
We want to see instead a package around new and accelerated projects which make a real difference to the lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are built , but as they are built .
That means that projects must involve local firms .
They must give the local workforce new skills and training .
They must lead to material improvement in the quality and availability of local employment .
And while hard hats and poured concrete are crucial , we also need to think further : infrastructure isn ’ t simply about bricks and mortar .
There are plenty of other ways in which we could make improvements to Britain ’ s capacity and resilience as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more use of the skills of people whose sectors are currently operating at reduced capacity – for example , improving staffing ratios in social care .
6 .
Projects for every part of our country The economic recovery from this crisis needs to be tailored to all the different regions and nations of our country , not dreamt up by Tory ministers in Whitehall .
Funding needs to be driven by the needs of our economy and the realities of what can be delivered , not by the need for the local Tory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaflets .
Last week the government announced new funding for local government , where hard-pressed councillors are facing horrible choices .
As Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed has said , it ’ s a start , but we don ’ t know how it will be shared out .
Much of the detail is being held back until the autumn , which might be too late to save many frontline workers ’ jobs that are now at risk .
And what was really striking about the announcements in the PM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the UK weren ’ t there .
Buried in a footnote to the press release was confirmation that none of this new spending would entail extra money for the devolved governments .
Instead , they were just encouraged to bring forward existing capital spending themselves .
If it ’ s right for Westminster to spend money in England to boost the UK economy , it ’ s right to provide money to Cardiff Bay , Holyrood and Stormont to do the same .
As Welsh government finance minister Rebecca Evans said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech was a “ complete non-announcement – no new funding this year and not a single penny of new investment ” .
Rishi Sunak needs to do much better than his boss this week .
We urgently need to fit our country for the huge challenge of the climate emergency .
We want to see the government working to ensure that every single project must be consistent with the drive to net zero .
We need to build the green jobs of the future , and we need Britain to be part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resilient , and more sustainable economy .
The recent committee on climate change ( CCC ) report laid bare how badly the UK is falling behind , and just as the German , Danish and South Korean stimulus packages have focused on green technologies , so must ours if we are to stand a chance of keeping up .
This week is a major opportunity for the government to focus Britain ’ s economic recovery on the industries of the future , and get us on track to decarbonise our economy .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as shadow minister for climate change Matt Pennycook has argued , is increasing energy efficiency .
The Tory manifesto promised to invest £9.2bn in the energy efficiency of homes , schools and hospitals .
The CCC has argued that even that is not enough .
Inefficiently heated buildings produce almost a fifth of the UK ’ s carbon emissions .
Reducing energy consumption , improving our health , and supporting new jobs : we ’ d like to see an ambitious plan from the government to start delivering their own promises .
8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working families As lockdown eases , quarantine ends and working patterns change , working parents with younger children have been looking to arrange childcare again .
Ensuring that childcare is available is crucial to supporting a return to normal working arrangements for so many families : it has to be part of a strategy for economic recovery .
For so many providers , margins are tight at the best of times and uncertainty about how many children they might be looking after in the weeks and months ahead doesn ’ t help at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and early years Tulip Siddiq has said , urgent support is needed to help early years providers cope with reduced demand and extra safety costs , yet the sector has consistently been ignored .
We need to see the government wake up to the reality that many thousands of essential childcare places could be lost unless it steps in with a properly funded plan .
It ’ s easy to slip into talking about sectors of the economy without remembering how the jobs and services they provide are woven into the fabric of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towns and villages the damage is most obvious , but the damage happens everywhere .
Retail closures mean job losses for people who work in the shops , declining footfall for the remaining shops on the same high streets , longer journeys for people who depended on that shop .
If the last theatre in a town or city closes , that is a tragedy for all the staff – and it also means a loss to the cultural life of everyone who lives there and nearby .
It means fewer children getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as read them in school .
It means a change to the evening economy and the businesses that support that .
We need to see real understanding by the government of how sectors like the UK ’ s creative industries not only support the shape of wider economy in cities and towns across the country , but also showcase the culture and creativity of our people .
Even if growth picks up in the big cities , abandoned town centres , closed factories and closed venues would be a grim future for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure its much trumpeted Towns Fund moves swiftly and addresses the challenges of today and tomorrow as well as the challenges of yesterday .
And it must ensure that funds announced this week for the performing arts speedily get to local venues – before we see even more job losses .
In the last few months NHS workers – both frontline staff and everyone who makes the Service work behind the scenes – have risen magnificently to the challenge .
But our gratitude doesn ’ t pay their bills .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions representing NHS staff .
As Keir has said , we must show our NHS staff the same commitment they have shown our country in its hour of need .
What ’ s more , a second wave of Covid-19 can not be ruled out .
The government must be prepared , especially since a winter flare-up coming at the same time as seasonal flu would put yet more pressure on our hospitals and primary care .
We want to see the government taking steps to ensure NHS trusts across the country are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second wave .

Rishi Sunak will deliver a statement in the Commons on Wednesday. Detail has been thin on the ground, save for some briefing to the newspapers about apprenticeships and possible VAT cuts. But if Boris Johnson’s damp squib of a speech last week is anything to go by, it is unlikely to measure up to the unprecedented challenge faced by our economy in these extraordinary times.
What the country desperately needs is a back to work Budget focused on jobs, jobs, and jobs again. Instead, the Tories are frantically trying to lower expectations of what the Chancellor will say. Rather than rising to the challenge of tackling the greatest economic emergency for a generation, they are playing down the urgency of decisive action. If that sounds familiar, it’s because these are precisely the mistakes the Tories made at the beginning of the health crisis – not taking the challenge seriously, not gripping it, and being too slow to respond.
Right now, across the world, finance ministers are laying out ambitious packages to restart their economy and guide hard-pressed sectors through the difficult times ahead. While the UK government’s actions in putting in place the furlough scheme and the self-employment income support scheme were right, they have now had plenty of time to plan the next steps for our economy. So far we’ve seen little evidence that they have a plan. It would be a big mistake to imagine that it’s a case of job well done.
As well as having a plan, it’s important too that the government delivers it properly and gets the messaging right. We all need the government to succeed. But since the Dominic Cummings fiasco, people have begun to lose faith in what they say. We need the test, track and isolate system fully operational as soon as possible, to help ensure public confidence and make sure public health and our economy improve in lockstep. This is crucial: if the government’s plans to ensure public safety and suppress the virus don’t command public confidence, there will be real consequences for consumer confidence, business investment and the entire economy.
Our Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds’ speech on Friday set out the key tests by which we will measure the government’s economic response this week. We want to see those tests met. And on top of that, we expect to see a lot of detail in any budget that rises to the challenge of our times. Here are ten things we will be looking out for in the Chancellor’s statement. It starts with jobs, jobs, and jobs again.
1. Retaining jobs
We all know the job retention scheme – the so-called furlough – and the self-employment income support scheme can’t go on forever. But the scheme must be extended in those industries most impacted by ongoing public health restrictions and there are things the government could do now to spend existing money better and protect jobs and livelihoods more effectively. Removing it right across the economy at the same rate, regardless of how badly hit sectors have been, will be a disaster. Last week’s job losses are a foretaste of what’s to come if the Chancellor persists in removing these schemes at the same rate in every industry.
2. Sustaining jobs
Some sectors are being hit harder than others by the pandemic, and they are going to continue being hit harder because the distancing restrictions strike at how their businesses work. It’s great that we’ve now seen a package of support for the performing arts announced by government, but we need to see support in place for hard-hit sectors like hospitality and tourism, and the worst hit manufacturing industries. That’s especially important if the Tories still aren’t moving away from their one-size-fits-all approach to the job retention scheme.
In particular, we need an approach that recognises that different sizes of company have different needs. Smaller companies have shorter redundancy periods, so to avoid a tide of redundancy notices for workers in smaller firms in the near future, the government urgently needs to abandon its one-size-fits-all approach. That will be key to preventing wider job losses in supply chains and also protecting the economies of the many towns and cities across the UK which are built around major employers.
3. Supporting job creation
Without decisive government action, furlough will be a prelude to redundancy for too many people. Even with effective action to retain and sustain jobs, we know that the shape of the economy coming out of the pandemic is likely to be different from before – and in any case we’ve all known for years that it needs to be different. We want to see an effective scheme to support job creation – modelled on Labour’s Future Jobs Fund – that ensures people are able to find decent work even in the challenging labour market ahead. We know that unemployment does lasting damage not just to individuals, their livelihoods and their families, but to whole communities. It’s vital that the government acts to prevent that.
4. Support for the workers who most need it
The shape of the economic crisis we’re in means it is especially tough for people entering the job market for the first time and for people nearing retirement age. The government has made some positive noises about young people in particular, but we need to see their ambition match the scale of the challenge we face. Research from the Institute for Public Policy Research published on Friday suggests that without further government action there will be an extra 620,000 young people unemployed by the end of the year (with 380,000 new claims to benefit between April and the end of the year expected to last for six months or more).
Youth unemployment is scarring: it lowers long-term employment prospects and earning potential. And it is people from the poorest backgrounds and with the lowest qualifications who are likely to be the worst affected. An Institute for Fiscal Studies report also out on Friday points out that young people starting out in the labour market have increasingly been working in lower-paid occupations, many of which are in sectors hardest hit by the pandemic – for example, hospitality and non-food retail. That means younger workers are going to be finding it much harder to take their first step onto the career ladder. It’s crucial that we ensure the pandemic is not a scar on the careers of a generation.
5. Projects that deliver for Britain, not just the Prime Minister
There are a lot of infrastructure projects in Britain that are crying out for delivery and that will help working people and businesses alike. But, as Anneliese said on Friday, the test of a project can’t be whether it piques the interest of the Prime Minister or his closest adviser. We don’t need another bungled Garden Bridge project. We don’t need more talk. We want to see instead a package around new and accelerated projects which make a real difference to the lives of working people – not just after they are built, but as they are built.
That means that projects must involve local firms. They must give the local workforce new skills and training. They must lead to material improvement in the quality and availability of local employment. And while hard hats and poured concrete are crucial, we also need to think further: infrastructure isn’t simply about bricks and mortar. There are plenty of other ways in which we could make improvements to Britain’s capacity and resilience as a country that might allow us to make more use of the skills of people whose sectors are currently operating at reduced capacity – for example, improving staffing ratios in social care.
6. Projects for every part of our country
The economic recovery from this crisis needs to be tailored to all the different regions and nations of our country, not dreamt up by Tory ministers in Whitehall. Funding needs to be driven by the needs of our economy and the realities of what can be delivered, not by the need for the local Tory MP to have content for their election leaflets. Last week the government announced new funding for local government, where hard-pressed councillors are facing horrible choices. As Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed has said, it’s a start, but we don’t know how it will be shared out. Much of the detail is being held back until the autumn, which might be too late to save many frontline workers’ jobs that are now at risk.
And what was really striking about the announcements in the PM’s speech last week was which parts of the UK weren’t there. Buried in a footnote to the press release was confirmation that none of this new spending would entail extra money for the devolved governments. Instead, they were just encouraged to bring forward existing capital spending themselves. If it’s right for Westminster to spend money in England to boost the UK economy, it’s right to provide money to Cardiff Bay, Holyrood and Stormont to do the same. As Welsh government finance minister Rebecca Evans said, for Wales the PM’s speech was a “complete non-announcement – no new funding this year and not a single penny of new investment”. Rishi Sunak needs to do much better than his boss this week.
7. A greener future for Britain
We urgently need to fit our country for the huge challenge of the climate emergency. We want to see the government working to ensure that every single project must be consistent with the drive to net zero. We need to build the green jobs of the future, and we need Britain to be part of the transition to a greener, more resilient, and more sustainable economy. The recent committee on climate change (CCC) report laid bare how badly the UK is falling behind, and just as the German, Danish and South Korean stimulus packages have focused on green technologies, so must ours if we are to stand a chance of keeping up.
This week is a major opportunity for the government to focus Britain’s economic recovery on the industries of the future, and get us on track to decarbonise our economy. A key part of that greener future, as shadow minister for climate change Matt Pennycook has argued, is increasing energy efficiency. The Tory manifesto promised to invest £9.2bn in the energy efficiency of homes, schools and hospitals. The CCC has argued that even that is not enough. Inefficiently heated buildings produce almost a fifth of the UK’s carbon emissions. Reducing energy consumption, improving our health, and supporting new jobs: we’d like to see an ambitious plan from the government to start delivering their own promises.
8. Making sure childcare is there for working families
As lockdown eases, quarantine ends and working patterns change, working parents with younger children have been looking to arrange childcare again. Ensuring that childcare is available is crucial to supporting a return to normal working arrangements for so many families: it has to be part of a strategy for economic recovery. For so many providers, margins are tight at the best of times and uncertainty about how many children they might be looking after in the weeks and months ahead doesn’t help at all. As shadow minister for children and early years Tulip Siddiq has said, urgent support is needed to help early years providers cope with reduced demand and extra safety costs, yet the sector has consistently been ignored. We need to see the government wake up to the reality that many thousands of essential childcare places could be lost unless it steps in with a properly funded plan.
9. Communities at its heart
It’s easy to slip into talking about sectors of the economy without remembering how the jobs and services they provide are woven into the fabric of particular communities and places. In single-industry towns and villages the damage is most obvious, but the damage happens everywhere. Retail closures mean job losses for people who work in the shops, declining footfall for the remaining shops on the same high streets, longer journeys for people who depended on that shop. If the last theatre in a town or city closes, that is a tragedy for all the staff – and it also means a loss to the cultural life of everyone who lives there and nearby. It means fewer children getting the chance to watch plays as well as read them in school. It means a change to the evening economy and the businesses that support that.
We need to see real understanding by the government of how sectors like the UK’s creative industries not only support the shape of wider economy in cities and towns across the country, but also showcase the culture and creativity of our people. Even if growth picks up in the big cities, abandoned town centres, closed factories and closed venues would be a grim future for people across Britain. The government needs to ensure its much trumpeted Towns Fund moves swiftly and addresses the challenges of today and tomorrow as well as the challenges of yesterday. And it must ensure that funds announced this week for the performing arts speedily get to local venues – before we see even more job losses.
10. NHS pay and resilience
In the last few months NHS workers – both frontline staff and everyone who makes the Service work behind the scenes – have risen magnificently to the challenge. But our gratitude doesn’t pay their bills. It’s time for meaningful pay talks with the unions representing NHS staff. As Keir has said, we must show our NHS staff the same commitment they have shown our country in its hour of need. What’s more, a second wave of Covid-19 cannot be ruled out. The government must be prepared, especially since a winter flare-up coming at the same time as seasonal flu would put yet more pressure on our hospitals and primary care. We want to see the government taking steps to ensure NHS trusts across the country are well prepared for the extra pressures of a second wave.


labourlist--2020-07-06--Back council debt cancellation or face “new phase of austerity”, Labour told

The Labour Campaign for Council Housing has said that the Labour Party must “ support and campaign for debt cancellation ” for councils in the pandemic – or face a “ new phase of austerity ” .
In a letter to the Labour leader Keir Starmer and deputy Angela Rayner today , the organisation described a “ deepening crisis of local government funding , which is spiralling out of control ” .
Chair Ben Clay and secretary Martin Wicks welcomed the call from the Local Government Association Labour group for the government to cover the costs of councils ’ expenses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the loss of income .
But it warned that even if the government does so , the impact of the virus will not be “ short-lived ” and further measures would be needed to stabilise council finances .
The group has said that Labour should demand the following from government : • “ They should cover the extra costs of dealing with the pandemic and the lost revenue resulting from the lock-down in full ; • “ They should cancel local authority debt held by the Public Work Loans Board , thus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ; and • “ Urgent discussions should take place on what Preston Council leader Matthew Brown has called “ a new financial settlement for local government ” based on actual needs.
” Clay and Wicks wrote that failure to campaign for the above demands would mean that “ councils will begin to fail ” – warning that “ key workers would receive thanks for their critical work during the pandemic in the form of redundancy notices ” .
The group said that if Labour councils were to try and set balanced budgets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impose cuts in jobs and services which could well be worse than the Osborne cuts ” .
The government last week announced additional funding for local authorities , of £500m , to be distributed across all local authorities in the UK .
It also committed to covering some of the lost income suffered by councils .
The leaders of both the Local Government Association Labour group and the cross-party organisation London Councils slammed the package – describing the sum of money as “ wholly inadequate ” .
Research by the Local Government Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding gap of over £7bn – the financial burden of the pandemic amounting to £10.9bn , while the government has provided £3.2bn in additional funding .
148 of 173 councils asked in a recent survey predicted a budget shortfall and at least five have warned they may issue a section 114 notice – this prevents any new expenditure and gives a council 21 days to make an alternative budget .
A budget made after the issue of a section 114 notice would involve significant cuts to existing services .
Several local authorities have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issuing such a notice .
The Labour Campaign for Council Housing issued its campaign statement in response to the crisis faced by councils , emphasising the additional spending power that would be made available to them by cancelling the PWLB debt .
It has argued that the government set a precedent when it cancelled the debt owed by NHS trusts , which amounted to a total of £13.4bn , to ease the pressure they faced during the pandemic .
Supporters of the campaign include Labour left MPs John McDonnell , Richard Burgon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Byrne , Clive Lewis , Claudia Webbe and Mick Whitley , as well as Bristol mayor Marvin Rees .
Labour ’ s Steve Reed rejected the campaign during a LabourList interview last week , saying that the proposal would cost around £90bn and that resources should be sent “ where need is greatest , not where debt is greatest ” .
The Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary added : “ Let ’ s not just reward badly-run Conservative councils that are speculating with public funds , let ’ s send money to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on where their lives and access opportunity.
” Below is the full text of the letter send to the Labour leadership today .
Debt cancellation is a necessary part of the solution of the local authority funding crisis to prevent a new phase of austerity .
We are writing to you in relation to the deepening crisis of local government funding , which is spiralling out of control .
We believe that we are rapidly reaching the point of the collapse of council services and of some local authorities .
Robert Jenrick ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent a new phase of austerity for local government .
The LGA Labour group is rightly calling on the government to cover both the extra expenses of dealing with the pandemic and the lost revenue resulting from the lock-down .
Every pressure needs to be brought to bear on the government to honour its commitment to compensate councils for ‘ doing whatever is necessary ’ .
However , even if we succeed in getting the government to do that it is quite clear that the impact of the pandemic will not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said it will impact for three to five years .
As an emergency measure to deal with this situation we have called for the cancellation of local authority debt held by the Public Works Loan Board .
This would provide councils with an extra annual spending power of around £4.5bn a year , which would go some way to stabilising council finances .
At the recent national policy forum , Steve Reed said that “ Labour leaders do not want debt cancellation ” because “ it implied no distribution of funding on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s not true that Labour council Leaders do not want debt cancellation .
We know that because 17 of them have signed our statement in support of debt cancellation .
These are Labour leaders of Amber Valley , Birmingham , Bristol , Cheshire West & Chester , Corby , Ealing , Halton , Kirklees , Leicester , Liverpool , Luton , Milton Keynes , Norwich , Preston , Stroud , Telford and Wrekin , Wirral .
In addition the deputy leader of Leeds has signed , and opposition Labour group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Swindon have as well .
This can not be dismissed as an insignificant expression of opinion even if it is currently a minority of Labour council leaders .
In regard to the method of funding of local authorities we believe that it should be based on annual assessments of social needs in each locality , at least adjusted in line with inflation each year .
However , the reality is that we will not be able to secure such a system in place before the financial crisis comes to a head .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the government : • They should cover the extra costs of dealing with the pandemic and the lost revenue resulting from the lock-down , in full ; • They should cancel local authority debt held by the PWLB , thus providing around £4.5bn extra spending power a year ; and • Urgent discussions should take place on what Preston Council leader Matthew Brown has called “ a new financial settlement for local government ” , based on actual needs .
This would provide the basis for Labour , the unions and service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force another government U-turn .
Without a serious campaign along these lines , which can shift the government , then section 114 notices will start to emerge and councils will begin to fail .
When Islington Council leader Richard Watt described the local authority crisis as “ an existential ” one he was not exaggerating .
If we are unable to move the government and Labour councils set balanced budgets with insufficient funds , they will impose cuts in jobs and services which could well be worse than the Osborne cuts .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial year .
We have already heard of one Labour council sending out notices to staff asking for volunteers for redundancy .
In a recent Zoom meeting in Leeds , one senior councillor explained that without extra money soon there would be compulsory redundancies , charges for services for which there are currently no charges , and closure of all libraries and museums .
Key workers would receive thanks for their critical work during the pandemic in the form of redundancy notices .
More and more people who desperately need services will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be no good Labour councils telling their constituents it ’ s not our fault , it ’ s the Tories .
That did not work under the previous Leader .
If Labour councils are implementing a new phase of austerity it would hardly enhance the Party ’ s electoral prospects .
So we believe that it is absolutely critical that Labour and the unions mobilise a campaign to stop this new phase of austerity for local government which will be socially disastrous .
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees , writing to us , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have called on national government to underwrite the true costs of the pandemic to local authorities , including lost income .
My Labour administration supports debt cancellation , including through the Public Works Loan Board , as part of a funding solution.
” He is right .
Debt cancellation is part of the funding solution , in conjunction with full funding for the impact of coronavirus on councils .
It is the simplest measure to stabilise council finances whilst efforts are made for urgent discussions on a funding system based on need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that debt cancellation , which would include cancellation of the ( largely fictitious ) housing revenue account debt , is crucial for addressing the underfunding of existing council housing .
It would provide HRAs with at least an additional £1.25bn a year , which would help to address the backlog of work which has built up as a result of the pandemic , and could help boost new council house building .
Moreover , we think that Labour should demand of the Tories now , what it committed to in its manifesto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year grant for new building of social rent council housing .
This will not only address the housing crisis but will put back to work people thrown out of work as a result of the pandemic and the lock-down .
One of the consequences of the pandemic is likely to be a spike in evictions .
A large scale council house building programme is critical for dealing with homelessness .
We are therefore appealing to you to support , and campaign for , debt cancellation as an emergency measure which is crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phase of austerity which , in the context of a pandemic which is far from over , will be socially disastrous .
If Labour Councils implement a new phase of austerity we will pay a heavy political price .
We would be keen to discuss these issues .
Angela made a commitment during the deputy leadership campaign to meet us within 100 days .
We would welcome the opportunity to take up that offer and would be grateful if you could provide us with a date that would be convenient for a Zoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Campaign for Council Housing Martin Wicks , Secretary Labour Campaign for Council Housing

The Labour Campaign for Council Housing has said that the Labour Party must “support and campaign for debt cancellation” for councils in the pandemic – or face a “new phase of austerity”.
In a letter to the Labour leader Keir Starmer and deputy Angela Rayner today, the organisation described a “deepening crisis of local government funding, which is spiralling out of control”.
Chair Ben Clay and secretary Martin Wicks welcomed the call from the Local Government Association Labour group for the government to cover the costs of councils’ expenses in tackling the virus, as well as the loss of income.
But it warned that even if the government does so, the impact of the virus will not be “short-lived” and further measures would be needed to stabilise council finances. The group has said that Labour should demand the following from government:
“They should cover the extra costs of dealing with the pandemic and the lost revenue resulting from the lock-down in full; “They should cancel local authority debt held by the Public Work Loans Board, thus providing around £4.5bn extra spending power a year; and “Urgent discussions should take place on what Preston Council leader Matthew Brown has called “a new financial settlement for local government” based on actual needs.”
Clay and Wicks wrote that failure to campaign for the above demands would mean that “councils will begin to fail” – warning that “key workers would receive thanks for their critical work during the pandemic in the form of redundancy notices”.
The group said that if Labour councils were to try and set balanced budgets without sufficient funding, they “will impose cuts in jobs and services which could well be worse than the Osborne cuts”.
The government last week announced additional funding for local authorities, of £500m, to be distributed across all local authorities in the UK. It also committed to covering some of the lost income suffered by councils.
The leaders of both the Local Government Association Labour group and the cross-party organisation London Councils slammed the package – describing the sum of money as “wholly inadequate”.
Research by the Local Government Association last month revealed that councils face a funding gap of over £7bn – the financial burden of the pandemic amounting to £10.9bn, while the government has provided £3.2bn in additional funding.
148 of 173 councils asked in a recent survey predicted a budget shortfall and at least five have warned they may issue a section 114 notice – this prevents any new expenditure and gives a council 21 days to make an alternative budget.
A budget made after the issue of a section 114 notice would involve significant cuts to existing services. Several local authorities have said that they are weeks away from issuing such a notice.
The Labour Campaign for Council Housing issued its campaign statement in response to the crisis faced by councils, emphasising the additional spending power that would be made available to them by cancelling the PWLB debt.
It has argued that the government set a precedent when it cancelled the debt owed by NHS trusts, which amounted to a total of £13.4bn, to ease the pressure they faced during the pandemic.
Supporters of the campaign include Labour left MPs John McDonnell, Richard Burgon, Zarah Sultana, Paula Barker, Ian Byrne, Clive Lewis, Claudia Webbe and Mick Whitley, as well as Bristol mayor Marvin Rees.
Labour’s Steve Reed rejected the campaign during a LabourList interview last week, saying that the proposal would cost around £90bn and that resources should be sent “where need is greatest, not where debt is greatest”.
The Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary added: “Let’s not just reward badly-run Conservative councils that are speculating with public funds, let’s send money to where people really need it to move on where their lives and access opportunity.”
Below is the full text of the letter send to the Labour leadership today.
Dear Keir and Angela,
Debt cancellation is a necessary part of the solution of the local authority funding crisis to prevent a new phase of austerity.
We are writing to you in relation to the deepening crisis of local government funding, which is spiralling out of control. We believe that we are rapidly reaching the point of the collapse of council services and of some local authorities. Robert Jenrick’s “comprehensive package” is insufficient to prevent a new phase of austerity for local government. The LGA Labour group is rightly calling on the government to cover both the extra expenses of dealing with the pandemic and the lost revenue resulting from the lock-down. Every pressure needs to be brought to bear on the government to honour its commitment to compensate councils for ‘doing whatever is necessary’.
However, even if we succeed in getting the government to do that it is quite clear that the impact of the pandemic will not be short-lived. Indeed various Labour council leaders have said it will impact for three to five years. As an emergency measure to deal with this situation we have called for the cancellation of local authority debt held by the Public Works Loan Board. This would provide councils with an extra annual spending power of around £4.5bn a year, which would go some way to stabilising council finances.
At the recent national policy forum, Steve Reed said that “Labour leaders do not want debt cancellation” because “it implied no distribution of funding on the basis of need”. Firstly, it’s not true that Labour council Leaders do not want debt cancellation. We know that because 17 of them have signed our statement in support of debt cancellation. These are Labour leaders of Amber Valley, Birmingham, Bristol, Cheshire West & Chester, Corby, Ealing, Halton, Kirklees, Leicester, Liverpool, Luton, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Preston, Stroud, Telford and Wrekin, Wirral. In addition the deputy leader of Leeds has signed, and opposition Labour group leaders in Derby, Gloucester, and Swindon have as well. This cannot be dismissed as an insignificant expression of opinion even if it is currently a minority of Labour council leaders.
In regard to the method of funding of local authorities we believe that it should be based on annual assessments of social needs in each locality, at least adjusted in line with inflation each year. However, the reality is that we will not be able to secure such a system in place before the financial crisis comes to a head. We believe that Labour should therefore be demanding of the government:
They should cover the extra costs of dealing with the pandemic and the lost revenue resulting from the lock-down, in full; They should cancel local authority debt held by the PWLB, thus providing around £4.5bn extra spending power a year; and Urgent discussions should take place on what Preston Council leader Matthew Brown has called “a new financial settlement for local government”, based on actual needs.
This would provide the basis for Labour, the unions and service users to come together to try and force another government U-turn. Without a serious campaign along these lines, which can shift the government, then section 114 notices will start to emerge and councils will begin to fail. When Islington Council leader Richard Watt described the local authority crisis as “an existential” one he was not exaggerating.
If we are unable to move the government and Labour councils set balanced budgets with insufficient funds, they will impose cuts in jobs and services which could well be worse than the Osborne cuts. But the cuts will come before the next financial year. We have already heard of one Labour council sending out notices to staff asking for volunteers for redundancy. In a recent Zoom meeting in Leeds, one senior councillor explained that without extra money soon there would be compulsory redundancies, charges for services for which there are currently no charges, and closure of all libraries and museums.
Key workers would receive thanks for their critical work during the pandemic in the form of redundancy notices. More and more people who desperately need services will not be provided with them. It will be no good Labour councils telling their constituents it’s not our fault, it’s the Tories. That did not work under the previous Leader. If Labour councils are implementing a new phase of austerity it would hardly enhance the Party’s electoral prospects.
So we believe that it is absolutely critical that Labour and the unions mobilise a campaign to stop this new phase of austerity for local government which will be socially disastrous.
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, writing to us, in support of debt cancellation said: “I have called on national government to underwrite the true costs of the pandemic to local authorities, including lost income. My Labour administration supports debt cancellation, including through the Public Works Loan Board, as part of a funding solution.”
He is right. Debt cancellation is part of the funding solution, in conjunction with full funding for the impact of coronavirus on councils. It is the simplest measure to stabilise council finances whilst efforts are made for urgent discussions on a funding system based on need.
As a council housing campaign we think that debt cancellation, which would include cancellation of the (largely fictitious) housing revenue account debt, is crucial for addressing the underfunding of existing council housing. It would provide HRAs with at least an additional £1.25bn a year, which would help to address the backlog of work which has built up as a result of the pandemic, and could help boost new council house building. Moreover, we think that Labour should demand of the Tories now, what it committed to in its manifesto, that they should provide a £10bn a year grant for new building of social rent council housing. This will not only address the housing crisis but will put back to work people thrown out of work as a result of the pandemic and the lock-down.
One of the consequences of the pandemic is likely to be a spike in evictions. A large scale council house building programme is critical for dealing with homelessness.
We are therefore appealing to you to support, and campaign for, debt cancellation as an emergency measure which is crucial for stopping the introduction of a new phase of austerity which, in the context of a pandemic which is far from over, will be socially disastrous. If Labour Councils implement a new phase of austerity we will pay a heavy political price.
We would be keen to discuss these issues. Angela made a commitment during the deputy leadership campaign to meet us within 100 days. We would welcome the opportunity to take up that offer and would be grateful if you could provide us with a date that would be convenient for a Zoom meeting.
Many thanks
Ben Clay, Chair Labour Campaign for Council Housing
Martin Wicks, Secretary Labour Campaign for Council Housing


labourlist--2020-07-06--Labour’s Steve Reed apologises for “puppet master” tweet

Labour ’ s Steve Reed has apologised “ unreservedly ” for the language he used in a tweet suggesting that Tory donor Richard Desmond was “ the puppet master to the entire Tory cabinet ” .
The Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary posted on social media this afternoon to apologise for his comment , which referred to an ongoing cash-for-favours scandal involving Desmond and minister Robert Jenrick .
Reed has now said that the post was “ inappropriate ” , adding that he had deleted it “ as soon as I realised my error ” .
He had tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the puppet master for the entire Tory cabinet ?
” .
Asked about the post in an interview with LBC this morning , Keir Starmer said : “ I haven ’ t seen that tweet and I ’ ll have a look at it when I finish here.
” The leader said he would speak to the shadow cabinet member afterwards .
Responding this afternoon to concerns raised over Reed ’ s tweet , which has been criticised as antisemitic , a Labour spokesperson said : “ Steve deleted the tweet and did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is understood that no further action will be taken by the Labour leadership against the local government spokesperson following his deleting of the tweet and apology issued today .
The comment by Reed follows the sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey from the frontbench last month after she shared an interview containing a claim that US police learnt kneeling on people ’ s necks “ from seminars with Israeli secret services ” .
On the firing of Long-Bailey from his team , Starmer reiterated this morning : “ I ’ m absolutely clear in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing to do , because I do not want the Labour Party and antisemitism to be in the same sentence ever again.
” Amid accusations of ‘ double standards ’ over the treatment of the two opposition frontbenchers , allies of the leadership have pointed out that Reed swiftly deleted the tweet and apologised .
Long-Bailey has said that she was told by the leader ’ s office to quote her original tweet when issuing a clarification , but Starmer ’ s office has said that she was asked to delete the tweet @ @ @ @

Labour’s Steve Reed has apologised “unreservedly” for the language he used in a tweet suggesting that Tory donor Richard Desmond was “the puppet master to the entire Tory cabinet”.
The Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary posted on social media this afternoon to apologise for his comment, which referred to an ongoing cash-for-favours scandal involving Desmond and minister Robert Jenrick.
Reed has now said that the post was “inappropriate”, adding that he had deleted it “as soon as I realised my error”. He had tweeted: “Is billionaire former porn-baron Desmond the puppet master for the entire Tory cabinet?”.
I want to apologise unreservedly for the language in the tweet I posted on Saturday. It was inappropriate and as soon as I realised my error I deleted it — Steve Reed (@SteveReedMP) July 6, 2020
Asked about the post in an interview with LBC this morning, Keir Starmer said: “I haven’t seen that tweet and I’ll have a look at it when I finish here.” The leader said he would speak to the shadow cabinet member afterwards.
Responding this afternoon to concerns raised over Reed’s tweet, which has been criticised as antisemitic, a Labour spokesperson said: “Steve deleted the tweet and did not mean to cause any offence.”
It is understood that no further action will be taken by the Labour leadership against the local government spokesperson following his deleting of the tweet and apology issued today.
The comment by Reed follows the sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey from the frontbench last month after she shared an interview containing a claim that US police learnt kneeling on people’s necks “from seminars with Israeli secret services”.
On the firing of Long-Bailey from his team, Starmer reiterated this morning: “I’m absolutely clear in my mind that it was the right thing to do, because I do not want the Labour Party and antisemitism to be in the same sentence ever again.”
Amid accusations of ‘double standards’ over the treatment of the two opposition frontbenchers, allies of the leadership have pointed out that Reed swiftly deleted the tweet and apologised.
Long-Bailey has said that she was told by the leader’s office to quote her original tweet when issuing a clarification, but Starmer’s office has said that she was asked to delete the tweet from the start.


labourlist--2020-07-06--Momentum’s new leadership is wrong to attack Labour councils

Left-wing Labour organisation Momentum ushered in a new dawn this weekend , with Gaya Sriskanthan and Andrew Scattergood succeeding Jon Lansman as the new leadership of the group .
The first task of the new co-chairs was to publish their vision for Momentum in the post-Lansman era .
Their Tribune article outlines some of the group ’ s priorities moving forward : “ delivering a unified left for the national executive committee elections ” , “ leading criticisms of Keir Starmer ” and “ developing transformational socialist policy ” .
In the middle of the article , there was also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials who have managed to maintain power in many areas of the country over the last decade : Labour councils .
Scattergood and Sriskanthan write that “ there have been few things more detrimental to Labour ’ s national electoral success than Labour councils delivering austerity without so much as an inch of resistance ” .
There are a number of things that are grossly inaccurate , unfair and ill-informed within this statement .
Firstly , Labour-controlled councils have been the party ’ s vanguard over the last decade of national electoral defeats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association has been active in highlighting the impact of austerity , with councils losing 60p of every £1 of central government funding between 2010 and 2020 .
The Labour group within the LGA has been at the forefront of action against austerity , chiefly the ‘ breaking point ’ and ‘ pounds not plasters ’ campaigns .
In response to the Tribune article , LGA Labour ’ s deputy chair Michael Payne – a councillor in Gedling – stated : “ There ’ s nothing left-wing or socialist about undermining Labour councils , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be the Tories.
” Secondly , the article takes aim at precisely the wrong group .
Within the Tribune piece , there is no mention of the words Conservative , Tory or central government , and the key actors in the nation ’ s austerity drive – David Cameron , Theresa May , Boris Johnson – are not criticised once .
Instead , the article opens fire on Momentum ’ s Labour colleagues in Town Halls across the country .
Thirdly , the article puts forward that one of the main reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of national success has been the implementation of cuts at a local level by Labour councils .
However , in a YouGov poll taken the day after the December 2019 general election , austerity from Labour councils did not feature as one of the key reasons that led former Labour voters to back other parties .
The main reasons in this poll were Jeremy Corbyn ’ s leadership ( 35 % ) , Brexit ( 19 % ) , and policy/economic Incompetence ( 16 % ) .
These figures broadly correlate with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the most popular reason record for defection being unhappiness with Corbyn ’ s leadership .
Again , Labour councils did not feature in the results .
Finally , and perhaps most damningly , Scattergood and Sriskanthan ’ s article completely overlooks the fact that Labour councils were following the policies of Labour ’ s left-wing leader throughout these years .
Corbyn , John McDonnell and Jon Trickett all explicitly wrote to Labour councils in 2015 demanding that they set legal budgets , mindful to avoid a 1980s Militant in Liverpool scenario .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter , explicitly stated : “ the situation councils are now in is if they don ’ t set a budget , a council officer will do it for them .
There is no choice for them anymore.
” Labour-led councils did their part during Corbyn ’ s leadership , following party policy , mitigating the impacts of the cuts , and protecting key services where possible .
Indeed , local government was one area where the party achieved some successes under Corbyn , particularly with the elections of Labour mayors in London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheffield .
The new Momentum leadership , far from building a consensus for a future Labour government , has used one of its first media releases to attack Labour-led councils that have spent the last ten years fighting to protect services , save jobs and see Labour returned to power at a national , as well as local , level .

Left-wing Labour organisation Momentum ushered in a new dawn this weekend, with Gaya Sriskanthan and Andrew Scattergood succeeding Jon Lansman as the new leadership of the group. The first task of the new co-chairs was to publish their vision for Momentum in the post-Lansman era. Their Tribune article outlines some of the group’s priorities moving forward: “delivering a unified left for the national executive committee elections”, “leading criticisms of Keir Starmer” and “developing transformational socialist policy”.
In the middle of the article, there was also a broadside against a group of Labour officials who have managed to maintain power in many areas of the country over the last decade: Labour councils. Scattergood and Sriskanthan write that “there have been few things more detrimental to Labour’s national electoral success than Labour councils delivering austerity without so much as an inch of resistance”.
There are a number of things that are grossly inaccurate, unfair and ill-informed within this statement. Firstly, Labour-controlled councils have been the party’s vanguard over the last decade of national electoral defeats. In particular, the Local Government Association has been active in highlighting the impact of austerity, with councils losing 60p of every £1 of central government funding between 2010 and 2020.
The Labour group within the LGA has been at the forefront of action against austerity, chiefly the ‘breaking point’ and ‘pounds not plasters’ campaigns. In response to the Tribune article, LGA Labour’s deputy chair Michael Payne – a councillor in Gedling – stated: “There’s nothing left-wing or socialist about undermining Labour councils, the only ones to benefit from that will be the Tories.”
Secondly, the article takes aim at precisely the wrong group. Within the Tribune piece, there is no mention of the words Conservative, Tory or central government, and the key actors in the nation’s austerity drive – David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson – are not criticised once. Instead, the article opens fire on Momentum’s Labour colleagues in Town Halls across the country.
Thirdly, the article puts forward that one of the main reasons for the party’s recent lack of national success has been the implementation of cuts at a local level by Labour councils. However, in a YouGov poll taken the day after the December 2019 general election, austerity from Labour councils did not feature as one of the key reasons that led former Labour voters to back other parties. The main reasons in this poll were Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership (35%), Brexit (19%), and policy/economic Incompetence (16%). These figures broadly correlate with a similar poll conducted by Lord Ashcroft, with the most popular reason record for defection being unhappiness with Corbyn’s leadership. Again, Labour councils did not feature in the results.
Finally, and perhaps most damningly, Scattergood and Sriskanthan’s article completely overlooks the fact that Labour councils were following the policies of Labour’s left-wing leader throughout these years. Corbyn, John McDonnell and Jon Trickett all explicitly wrote to Labour councils in 2015 demanding that they set legal budgets, mindful to avoid a 1980s Militant in Liverpool scenario. McDonnell, quoted in the December 2015 letter, explicitly stated: “the situation councils are now in is if they don’t set a budget, a council officer will do it for them. There is no choice for them anymore.”
Labour-led councils did their part during Corbyn’s leadership, following party policy, mitigating the impacts of the cuts, and protecting key services where possible. Indeed, local government was one area where the party achieved some successes under Corbyn, particularly with the elections of Labour mayors in London, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool and Sheffield. The new Momentum leadership, far from building a consensus for a future Labour government, has used one of its first media releases to attack Labour-led councils that have spent the last ten years fighting to protect services, save jobs and see Labour returned to power at a national, as well as local, level.


labourlist--2020-07-07--Coronavirus has highlighted that sport is a Labour issue

Faced with tens of thousands of deaths and the trauma inflicted on our health and care workers , like many of us I have found it hard to care about sport .
So when Dominic Rabb said he wanted to “ lift the spirits of the nation ” with the return of Premier League football , it felt like distraction tactics from the Tories .
You can not just go home , put the football on and forget about what our country has been through .
These things are too big .
Too important .
That said , watching sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s engrossing and emotional .
The most dramatic moments of the sports we follow are not just about what happened in the match but about who we ’ re with and who we hugged .
It ’ s part of our families , our communities and our identity .
Sports clubs have shown just that by providing food , protective equipment and supporting their fans throughout the past few months .
Jurgen Klopp says sport may be the most important of all unimportant things .
It has certainly felt very important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won the Premier League .
But the government ’ s focus on getting elite football on the telly whilst being slow to help people play it themselves show they haven ’ t got a strategy for the wider health impacts of lockdown – both mental and physical .
The government gave the green light to pubs and theme parks to reopen but had nothing to say about getting grassroots sports clubs up and running .
Badminton , swimming and cricket clubs have been left waiting unable to plan how to get physical activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built trust or confidence in the decisions they are taking .
So bad is the cock-up , Boris Johnson ’ s own Telegraph newspaper has had to campaign to save club cricket in light of the Prime Minister ’ s remarks that a cricket ball is a “ natural vector of disease ” .
Without being open about the choices the government is making and the science behind them , it ’ s hard to understand why today I can play darts at my local , but my five-aside football league can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health impacts of the past few months .
But people have enjoyed their hour ’ s exercise a day during lockdown .
We must build on this momentum , especially as we know the risk is lower for outside activity .
This is a Labour issue .
The sports participation gap between those at the wealthier end of society and those with least is 20 percentage points , and it is growing as a result of Covid-19 .
Behind the frustration expressed , even from the Tories ’ natural supporters , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public health cause in need of champions .
Sport can bring healthier outcomes and assist the NHS in keeping people well .
It ’ s part of our life that brings happiness , a sense of identity and who we are .
Labour can beat a new path for sport .
And we must not be afraid to say : being a part of something matters .
Most people want that feeling of togetherness – be that a team , a squad , a club or a country .

Faced with tens of thousands of deaths and the trauma inflicted on our health and care workers, like many of us I have found it hard to care about sport. So when Dominic Rabb said he wanted to “lift the spirits of the nation” with the return of Premier League football, it felt like distraction tactics from the Tories. You cannot just go home, put the football on and forget about what our country has been through. These things are too big. Too important.
That said, watching sport is much more than a distraction. It’s engrossing and emotional. The most dramatic moments of the sports we follow are not just about what happened in the match but about who we’re with and who we hugged. It’s part of our families, our communities and our identity. Sports clubs have shown just that by providing food, protective equipment and supporting their fans throughout the past few months.
Jurgen Klopp says sport may be the most important of all unimportant things. It has certainly felt very important on Merseyside in recent weeks as Liverpool won the Premier League. But the government’s focus on getting elite football on the telly whilst being slow to help people play it themselves show they haven’t got a strategy for the wider health impacts of lockdown – both mental and physical.
The government gave the green light to pubs and theme parks to reopen but had nothing to say about getting grassroots sports clubs up and running. Badminton, swimming and cricket clubs have been left waiting unable to plan how to get physical activity underway safely. The government has not built trust or confidence in the decisions they are taking. So bad is the cock-up, Boris Johnson’s own Telegraph newspaper has had to campaign to save club cricket in light of the Prime Minister’s remarks that a cricket ball is a “natural vector of disease”.
Without being open about the choices the government is making and the science behind them, it’s hard to understand why today I can play darts at my local, but my five-aside football league can’t reconvene.
There will be broader health impacts of the past few months. But people have enjoyed their hour’s exercise a day during lockdown. We must build on this momentum, especially as we know the risk is lower for outside activity. This is a Labour issue. The sports participation gap between those at the wealthier end of society and those with least is 20 percentage points, and it is growing as a result of Covid-19.
Behind the frustration expressed, even from the Tories’ natural supporters, and the mistakes the government have made, is a public health cause in need of champions. Sport can bring healthier outcomes and assist the NHS in keeping people well. It’s part of our life that brings happiness, a sense of identity and who we are. Labour can beat a new path for sport. And we must not be afraid to say: being a part of something matters. Most people want that feeling of togetherness – be that a team, a squad, a club or a country.


labourlist--2020-07-07--PM claims “too many care homes didn’t follow procedures”

You know that whole thing where tens of thousands have been dying in care homes due to coronavirus outbreaks ?
Well , according to the Prime Minister , “ too many care homes didn ’ t really follow the procedures ” .
Glad we got that one cleared up .
10 Downing Street has denied that Boris Johnson was blaming care homes since he made that comment , which is up there with the weakest of rebuttals they have had to issue .
Liz Kendall has pointed out : “ Care workers have gone above and beyond the call of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care homes have seen really traumatic things.
” The other crucial fact is that the “ procedures ” were often wrong : care homes were shutting doors to visitors before being told to do so , and they were being advised for too long that staff did not need to wear face masks .
The Tories like to talk a good game about ‘ coming together ’ and that sort of thing .
They are more than happy to do a bit of clapping for key workers .
But ultimately they will shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failures lead to many avoidable deaths .
Meanwhile , frontline workers are being forced to take matters into their own hands .
As Shelly explores in the return of her TU-esday round-up column today , postal workers have had to stage walkouts when colleagues test positive for Covid-19 , and there have been serious outbreaks in meat factories where safety assessments were not conducted .
And then there are those workers who are being laid off in huge numbers .
Labour ’ s Bridget Phillipson , Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for in Wednesday ’ s speech from the Chancellor on LabourList .
Her detailed list of priorities for the opposition party will no doubt be used by Labour MPs to assess the announcements made by Rishi Sunak tomorrow and develop their criticisms .
This is an important moment : both because the government plans must match up to the scale of the crisis and because the prospect of eminently popular Sunak taking over from Johnson before the next general election ( don ’ t you think he looks tired ? )
is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be holding our next LabourList ‘ in conversation ’ event with Jonathan Ashworth , just a couple of days after the 72nd anniversary of the NHS .
We will be talking about the Service , the coronavirus crisis and the future of social care , of course , but I ’ d like to hear your thoughts on what else I should be asking the Shadow Health Secretary .
Feel free to email with suggestions , and remember to join us from 6pm on this LabourList page where the event will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

You know that whole thing where tens of thousands have been dying in care homes due to coronavirus outbreaks? Well, according to the Prime Minister, “too many care homes didn’t really follow the procedures”. Glad we got that one cleared up. 10 Downing Street has denied that Boris Johnson was blaming care homes since he made that comment, which is up there with the weakest of rebuttals they have had to issue. Liz Kendall has pointed out: “Care workers have gone above and beyond the call of duty, and many of them in care homes have seen really traumatic things.” The other crucial fact is that the “procedures” were often wrong: care homes were shutting doors to visitors before being told to do so, and they were being advised for too long that staff did not need to wear face masks.
The Tories like to talk a good game about ‘coming together’ and that sort of thing. They are more than happy to do a bit of clapping for key workers. But ultimately they will shift the blame on to individuals when government failures lead to many avoidable deaths. Meanwhile, frontline workers are being forced to take matters into their own hands. As Shelly explores in the return of her TU-esday round-up column today, postal workers have had to stage walkouts when colleagues test positive for Covid-19, and there have been serious outbreaks in meat factories where safety assessments were not conducted. And then there are those workers who are being laid off in huge numbers.
Labour’s Bridget Phillipson, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, has set out ten things to look for in Wednesday’s speech from the Chancellor on LabourList. Her detailed list of priorities for the opposition party will no doubt be used by Labour MPs to assess the announcements made by Rishi Sunak tomorrow and develop their criticisms. This is an important moment: both because the government plans must match up to the scale of the crisis and because the prospect of eminently popular Sunak taking over from Johnson before the next general election (don’t you think he looks tired?) is a worrying one.
This evening, I will be holding our next LabourList ‘in conversation’ event with Jonathan Ashworth, just a couple of days after the 72nd anniversary of the NHS. We will be talking about the Service, the coronavirus crisis and the future of social care, of course, but I’d like to hear your thoughts on what else I should be asking the Shadow Health Secretary. Feel free to email with suggestions, and remember to join us from 6pm on this LabourList page where the event will be broadcast live. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-07-07--The challenges ahead for Momentum’s new leadership

Momentum ’ s new national coordinating group was announced last week .
Candidates backed by Forward Momentum swept the board and won all seats except for those in the public office holders ’ category .
The organisation that was born at the peak of Corbynism now faces a time of crisis .
The Labour left was defeated at the ballot box in December , and then stripped of power internally as Rebecca Long-Bailey ’ s leadership campaign failed to build on the enthusiasm that Jeremy Corbyn sparked in the membership .
Following these setbacks , it is not surprising that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to radically change Momentum .
Candidates rightly highlighted the democratic deficits in the organisation .
Forward Momentum ’ s promise of more transparency and openness will hopefully lead us down a more dynamic path , engaging social movements inside and outside the party .
But as I ’ ve argued on LabourList before , reforms to organisational structures are not an end in themselves .
Momentum should be clear on a strategy that defines what it is for , and adopt structures appropriate to its objectives .
This must include the setting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last four years , Momentum and self-declared left-wing members of the Labour Party were able to ‘ pick and choose ’ their socialism .
The movement never established the political principles that define us .
If Momentum is to become a successful socialist organisation , its new leadership has to develop and set out these principles .
An example of what happens if we do not set clear political lines can be observed in the NCG elections with regards to the pledges put forward by the Labour Campaign for Trans Rights .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign – and even among those who did , some hinted at not fully supporting their implementation .
This leaves an ambiguity over whether staunch support for trans rights forms part of the core set of beliefs that should define the Labour left .
Bigotry against trans people is used by the far right as a radicalising conveyer belt for liberals .
JK Rowling ’ s Twitter presence is a good example of this .
As the author of the Harry Potter book series , she will be regarded by many of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her social media , these followers will now be introduced to extreme and hateful views on transgender people .
Most recently , Rowling compared hormone treatment for trans people with gay conversion therapy – an offensive and harmful comment .
Some of her followers will be unsure about their views on gender politics and might look elsewhere for guidance .
For these views not to take hold on society , we have to make sure we articulate clearly that they are not acceptable – and especially not acceptable for those looking to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we fail to draw this line , we risk legitimising bigotry dressed up as reasonable concerns or debate .
Therein lies the danger in our ambiguity .
Many of the new populist , far-right movements have made reactionary gender politics a key component of their political offering .
Part of this manifests itself as misogynistic and homophobic framings of ‘ traditional family values ’ .
The far right has also long weaponised sexual violence against women .
Most recently , racist tropes about Black and Muslim men being a danger to white women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) right across Europe to turn public opinion against refugees .
This same pattern can be observed in the ‘ debate ’ about women ’ s spaces now in the context of trans rights .
By framing trans women as a potential threat to cis women , a door is opened to make anti-trans politics acceptable to some parts of society that might not otherwise be reached by far-right activists .
This framing has already taken hold in mainstream policy-making .
Last month it was announced that the Tories will row back on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , the government is planning to bring in new legislation to ‘ safeguard ’ women ’ s spaces like refuges and public toilets .
A new white paper is rumoured to be published at the end of July .
It is safe to assume that bitter battles will be fought over the new white paper and the legislation that derives from it .
Keir Starmer has so far been ambiguous on trans politics too , so there is a worry that the party will not step in to speak up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular , it is important for the organised Labour left to campaign and apply pressure on the frontbench to make a stand .
Some Labour activists might feel a false sense of security that the government is too busy mitigating the impact of Covid-19 on the economy to turn their attention to other issues .
But we should make no mistake : even for a Conservative Party that wants to ‘ level up ’ through investment , socially reactionary politics is key to holding their electoral coalition in place .
The political battles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Labour left to reconstitute itself .
Momentum ’ s new leadership has to quickly make these key principles the heart of our campaigning work .

Momentum’s new national coordinating group was announced last week. Candidates backed by Forward Momentum swept the board and won all seats except for those in the public office holders’ category. The organisation that was born at the peak of Corbynism now faces a time of crisis. The Labour left was defeated at the ballot box in December, and then stripped of power internally as Rebecca Long-Bailey’s leadership campaign failed to build on the enthusiasm that Jeremy Corbyn sparked in the membership. Following these setbacks, it is not surprising that Forward Momentum attracted significant support for their plans to radically change Momentum.
Candidates rightly highlighted the democratic deficits in the organisation. Forward Momentum’s promise of more transparency and openness will hopefully lead us down a more dynamic path, engaging social movements inside and outside the party. But as I’ve argued on LabourList before, reforms to organisational structures are not an end in themselves. Momentum should be clear on a strategy that defines what it is for, and adopt structures appropriate to its objectives. This must include the setting of clear political red lines.
Over the last four years, Momentum and self-declared left-wing members of the Labour Party were able to ‘pick and choose’ their socialism. The movement never established the political principles that define us. If Momentum is to become a successful socialist organisation, its new leadership has to develop and set out these principles. An example of what happens if we do not set clear political lines can be observed in the NCG elections with regards to the pledges put forward by the Labour Campaign for Trans Rights. Candidates from across the slates failed to sign – and even among those who did, some hinted at not fully supporting their implementation. This leaves an ambiguity over whether staunch support for trans rights forms part of the core set of beliefs that should define the Labour left.
Bigotry against trans people is used by the far right as a radicalising conveyer belt for liberals. JK Rowling’s Twitter presence is a good example of this. As the author of the Harry Potter book series, she will be regarded by many of her followers as a trusted figure. Through her social media, these followers will now be introduced to extreme and hateful views on transgender people. Most recently, Rowling compared hormone treatment for trans people with gay conversion therapy – an offensive and harmful comment. Some of her followers will be unsure about their views on gender politics and might look elsewhere for guidance. For these views not to take hold on society, we have to make sure we articulate clearly that they are not acceptable – and especially not acceptable for those looking to be active in a left-wing organisation. If we fail to draw this line, we risk legitimising bigotry dressed up as reasonable concerns or debate. Therein lies the danger in our ambiguity.
Many of the new populist, far-right movements have made reactionary gender politics a key component of their political offering. Part of this manifests itself as misogynistic and homophobic framings of ‘traditional family values’. The far right has also long weaponised sexual violence against women. Most recently, racist tropes about Black and Muslim men being a danger to white women have been deployed by the (far) right across Europe to turn public opinion against refugees. This same pattern can be observed in the ‘debate’ about women’s spaces now in the context of trans rights. By framing trans women as a potential threat to cis women, a door is opened to make anti-trans politics acceptable to some parts of society that might not otherwise be reached by far-right activists.
This framing has already taken hold in mainstream policy-making. Last month it was announced that the Tories will row back on plans to reform the Gender Recognition Act. Instead, the government is planning to bring in new legislation to ‘safeguard’ women’s spaces like refuges and public toilets. A new white paper is rumoured to be published at the end of July. It is safe to assume that bitter battles will be fought over the new white paper and the legislation that derives from it. Keir Starmer has so far been ambiguous on trans politics too, so there is a worry that the party will not step in to speak up on the issue. In this case in particular, it is important for the organised Labour left to campaign and apply pressure on the frontbench to make a stand.
Some Labour activists might feel a false sense of security that the government is too busy mitigating the impact of Covid-19 on the economy to turn their attention to other issues. But we should make no mistake: even for a Conservative Party that wants to ‘level up’ through investment, socially reactionary politics is key to holding their electoral coalition in place. The political battles we face will not pause and wait for the Labour left to reconstitute itself. Momentum’s new leadership has to quickly make these key principles the heart of our campaigning work.