labourlist--2020-09-22--“Take another look at Labour. We’re under new leadership” – Starmer’s full Connected speech

Below is the full text of Labour leader Keir Starmer ’ s speech at Labour Connected from Doncaster .
Thank you Ruth for that incredibly powerful introduction and for paying me the huge honour of introducing me today .
I know how hard the last few years have been for you .
You exemplify the values I want the Labour Party to stand for .
Thank you for everything you ’ ve done – and will continue to do – for this party .
I ’ m delighted that we ’ re here in Doncaster .
My wife ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – just next to the racecourse .
We ’ re regulars here .
Visiting family friends but also to go to the Ledger .
Though of course sadly not this year .
I ’ m also told that this is the first Labour leader ’ s speech in Yorkshire since Harold Wilson in 1967 .
The circumstances were a bit different then .
For one thing , Wilson was able to update conference about Labour ’ s achievements after three years in government .
So I look forward to coming back one day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here !
I want to say a heartfelt thanks to the Labour Party staff and volunteers who have moved a virtual heaven and earth this week .
To all the speakers , the panellists and the thousands of members who ’ ve taken part .
I also want to say thank you to the Labour Party members , supporters and affiliates for putting your faith in me to be your new Leader .
When you grow up in a small town in Surrey , you rarely thank your parents for naming you “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a teenager , I became the fourth member of the East Surrey Young Socialists , it didn ’ t seem likely that one day I would stand before you as the second Keir to be Labour leader .
But I am , and it ’ s the honour of my lifetime to lead this great movement .
These are extraordinary circumstances .
The warnings yesterday from the Government ’ s advisors were stark .
They can ’ t be ignored .
Labour will act in the national interest .
We will be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasonable steps are necessary to save lives and protect our NHS .
But I also want to say this : There should be nothing inevitable about a second lockdown .
It would be a sign of government failure , not an act of God .
It would take an immense toll on people ’ s physical and mental health and on the economy .
We need a national effort to prevent a national lockdown .
But instead of getting a grip , the government has lost control .
Our testing system collapsed just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British people want the government to succeed in fighting this virus .
We all need the government to succeed .
This is the time for leadership .
Today I want to set out how my leadership of this party and , in time I hope , my leadership of this country , will be defined by the values I ’ ve held dear all my life .
By the instincts and beliefs that inspired me to become a lawyer fighting for justice , to become the Director of Public Prosecutions and into Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my life and the belief that will inspire my leadership of this Party is the desire to change lives for the better .
The desire to make a difference to my country .
This is a country that has given me so much .
I am thankful to the National Health Service that cared for my mum for much of her life .
For the chance to be the first in my family to go to university .
To go on , to practice the law and to have the privilege of leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to give my parents what they said was one of the proudest moments of their lives : to be there , with me , at Buckingham Palace as I was awarded a knighthood for services to criminal justice .
Family values mean the world to me .
I was lucky enough to grow up in a loving family and I have the great joy now of a family of my own .
The mission of the Labour party I lead is to extend that same opportunity to everyone .
And my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want this to be the best country to grow up in and the best country to grow old in .
A country in which we put family first .
A country that embodies the values I hold dear .
Decency , fairness , opportunity , compassion and security .
Security for our nation , our families and for all of our communities .
Sadly , we don ’ t have a government that has such high standards .
I ’ m hugely ambitious for this country .
I think Britain has so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me that this government is holding us back .
I ’ ve tried to be constructive .
I appreciate that these are unprecedented times and that governing is difficult .
I ’ ve tried to be fair , to give the government the benefit of the doubt .
But now , with one of the highest death rates in the world , and on the threshold of one of the deepest recessions anywhere , I ’ m afraid there is no doubt .
This government ’ s incompetence is holding Britain back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into school in June .
They couldn ’ t work out a fair system to get exams marked .
They couldn ’ t get protective equipment to care workers and they wasted millions of your money in the process .
Their failure to protect care homes is a national scandal .
They still can ’ t organise a testing regime that ’ s even serviceable , let alone world-beating .
The reason this incompetence angers me is that I think of the sacrifices people have made .
I think of the dedication of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep us safe .
The families that had to stay apart .
The grandparents unable to hold grandchildren for the first time .
Partners denied the chance to be present at scans and births .
And in the most tragic circumstances people robbed of the opportunity to say goodbye to those taken before their time .
Covid has made us appreciate what we value : that family really does come first .
Always .
And that the greatest contribution we can make is to care for one another .
To be good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those in need and build strong communities .
So , to all the care workers , the van drivers , the cleaners , the shop workers and the life-savers in the NHS , I just want to say : thank you .
You changed lives for the better .
You made a difference .
And it makes me angry that , just when the country needs leadership , we get serial incompetence .
Six months in , a Cabinet chosen on loyalty alone shows no sign of having learnt any lessons from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve learnt .
First , if you neglect your public services , you won ’ t be ready when a crisis hits .
Nobody blames the government for the existence of the virus .
But the under-funding of the NHS , the abandonment of social care and the lack of investment in prevention , that ’ s all on their watch .
That ’ s all down to them .
And it always ends this way with Tory governments : Public services are neglected , cut-back , and left to decline .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they don ’ t seem to conserve very much .
The second thing I ’ ve learnt is that a crisis reveals character like nothing else .
And I think we ’ ve learnt a lot about this Prime Minister .
Tory backbenchers know it .
His Cabinet knows it .
We all know it .
He ’ s just not serious .
He ’ s just not up to the job .
Whenever he encounters a problem , Johnson responds either by wishing it away or by lashing out .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pretending they didn ’ t exist .
He wished away the problems with the Irish border .
Then , when he finally realised what he ’ d signed up to , he lashed out and decided to break international law .
We ’ re all doing our bit to combat the virus by obeying the rule of six .
Meanwhile the government won ’ t even obey the rule of law .
And this is the big difference between the Prime Minister and me : While Boris Johnson was writing flippant columns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims and prosecuting terrorists .
While he was being sacked by a newspaper for making up quotes , I was fighting for justice and the rule of law .
The grown-up way to deal with Brexit is to negotiate properly and get a deal .
And on Brexit , let me be absolutely clear .
The debate between Leave and Remain is over .
We ’ re not going to be a party that keeps banging on about Europe .
The Prime Minister has repeatedly promised that he will get a deal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ British business needs a deal .
Working people need a deal .
Our country needs a deal .
And if the Prime Minister fails to get one , he will be failing Britain .
If that happens , he ’ ll have nobody to blame but himself .
And he will have to own that failure .
It will be on him .
We want to get this deal done , and like everybody else , we ’ re growing tired of the Prime Minister ’ s bluster .
The arrogance of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government minister telling parents to “ stop carping ” when they can ’ t get a test for their sick child angers us all .
But as well as anger , I feel frustration .
Frustration that every Labour Party spokesperson is a shadow .
Shadow Education .
Shadow Health .
Shadow Chancellor .
Shadow Foreign .
Until we come out of the shadows , this party can ’ t change anything .
The promise that brought us all into politics – to change the country for the better – is pointless if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endless Tory governments .
So let ’ s be blunt .
Let ’ s be brutally honest with ourselves .
When you lose an election in a democracy , you deserve to .
You don ’ t look at the electorate and ask them : “ what were you thinking ?
” You look at yourself and ask : “ what were we doing ?
” The Labour Party has lost four general elections in a row .
We ’ ve granted the Tories a decade of power .
The Tories have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we ’ ve had in 75 .
It ’ s a betrayal of what we believe in to let this go on .
It ’ s time to get serious about winning .
That means we have to change , and that ’ s what we ’ re doing .
This is a party under new leadership .
As I promised on my first day as leader , we will root out the antisemitism that has infected our party .
We ’ re making progress – and we will root it out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re becoming a competent , credible opposition .
But that ’ s not enough .
I didn ’ t come into politics to be in opposition , and neither did you .
I came into politics to change lives .
But you don ’ t get the permission to act unless the public trusts you .
And we still have a lot to do .
I don ’ t underestimate the work that will be needed .
But I can make this promise : Never again will Labour go into an election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with your job , with your community and with your money .
That ’ s what being under new leadership means .
And the best incentive for being deadly serious about victory is to remember why we want to win .
I don ’ t want to win power just to be Prime Minister .
I want to win because of the country I love and because of the values I hold dear .
When you win , you come out of the shadows .
You change lives .
You make a difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we must once again be the party of the whole United Kingdom .
The party of England , Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland .
We must make the case much more persuasively that we achieve more together than we do alone .
To stop the Nationalists ripping our country apart by design and to stop the Tories dismantling it by neglect .
I ’ m not the sort of Leader who wants to turn the clock back .
Times change – and so do political priorities .
But let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieve at its best .
This is the party that created the National Health Service and founded NATO .
This is the party of the Equal Pay Act and this is the Party of the Open University .
This is the Party of the National Minimum Wage and this is Party of the Good Friday Agreement .
These achievements show that we inherit a task and a purpose .
All three of the post-war Labour winners – Attlee , Wilson and Blair – saw it as their task to modernise Britain .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society fit to reward the sacrifices of the war .
In 1964 , Wilson had to make the “ white heat of technology ” work for working people .
In 1997 , Blair wanted to extend the new era of opportunity to everyone .
In the 75 years since the historic victory of 1945 there have only been three Labour winners .
I want to be the fourth .
And when you look back to 1945 , 1964 and 1997 you learn an important lesson .
The lesson is don ’ t look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need to be thinking about the questions of 2024 and the 2030s , not the questions of the past .
If anything , Covid has quickened the pace .
The challenges we now face mean that even the questions of 2019 already seem like ancient history .
What we say at the next general election isn ’ t written yet .
But it will be rooted in Labour values .
It won ’ t sound like anything you ’ ve heard before .
It will sound like the future arriving .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be won by a party : that can provide security and opportunity at work , that ends the structural flaws in our economy that mean that working people have barely had a pay rise in a decade , that fixes the housing crisis so that young people finally have the prospect of owning their own home , that understands the need for an economy that ’ s healing the climate crisis , not contributing to it , that guarantees the security and integrity of this nation , that gives our young people the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives our older people the dignity that they ’ ve earned and that cherishes our diversity and takes pride in a society where everyone belongs .
We know that Covid affects our black , Asian and minority ethnic communities disproportionately .
But the government still hasn ’ t done anything about it .
That ’ s why I ’ ve asked Doreen Lawrence to lead an inquiry .
I worked with Doreen to prosecute her son ’ s killers .
Racial inequality is one of the causes that brought me into politics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a defining cause for the next Labour government .
Covid-19 thrives on inequalities : structural inequalities that we must defeat .
I think you can measure a country by how good it is to grow up in .
And it ’ s a test of our compassion , how good it is to grow old in .
The young and the old have been badly let down by this government .
Our children and young people have been an afterthought .
And the gap between the best and worst-off families threatens to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life chances : and I fear it will leave a lasting legacy for a generation of children .
The government promised catch-up support , but it ’ s failed to materialise .
And now the failure to get tests for children and teachers who need them means kids are missing out this term as well .
Opportunity for the young should go way beyond party politics .
It has to be a national mission to end the deep injustice that a child ’ s future is determined by their postcode , not by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a national strategy with clear targets to close the education gap at every stage in a child ’ s development .
A strategy enforced through an independent body , such as the Children ’ s Commissioner , and embedded in everything that we do .
If the Prime Minister won ’ t act , we ’ ll set up our own taskforce and get on with it .
Because if levelling up is to mean anything , it must mean closing the education gap and making sure no child is held back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ need a government that cares enough to act .
Coronavirus has also revealed the perilous state of social care in this country .
Families have come under great stress caring for their loved ones .
It ’ s hard enough to see your family in pain without financial ruin too .
If we didn ’ t realise it already we ’ ve learnt that care workers do some of the most vital work in society .
Yet they ’ re under-paid , under-recognised , and under-appreciated .
Our care workers are heroes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a disgrace to a rich nation .
The Tories have had a decade to sort it out , but they ’ ve done nothing .
David Cameron promised he would fix it .
Theresa May promised she would fix it .
A year ago Boris Johnson promised he would fix it .
Let ’ s hold them to that promise .
This is a matter of basic fairness and human compassion .
The government needs to act and to act now .
It must ensure that the mistakes made in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And it must bring forward comprehensive social care reforms that guarantee all care workers at least the real living wage .
After a decade of drift , this government must finally fix our social care system .
So that it treats those who have given so much with the respect , love and dignity that they deserve .
I can see in my mind ’ s eye the country I want us to be .
Properly funded universal public services .
World-class education which unleashes everyone ’ s potential .
A huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working hand-in-hand with businesses and trade unions , to create high quality jobs .
An economy that doesn ’ t force people to move hundreds of miles just to find a decent job .
One that truly works for all regions and nations of this United Kingdom .
With opportunity and security in every part of the country and at every stage of our lives .
A country committed to a greener , cleaner and fairer society .
Where every policy is judged not just by how much it costs today but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tomorrow .
A country which would be an active force for good in the world , once again admired and respected .
Leading the world – and leading by example – in tackling the climate emergency .
It would be a country which is the best place to grow up in and the best place to grow old in .
I can see it .
I can describe it .
But it ’ s all just a dream unless we win back the trust of the people .
And we ’ ve got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re not going to win back those we ’ ve lost with a single speech or a clever policy offer .
Trust takes time .
It starts with being a credible opposition .
With taking the job seriously .
That ’ s what we will do .
So to those people in Doncaster and Deeside , in Glasgow and Grimsby , in Stoke and in Stevenage , to those who have turned away from Labour , I say this : we hear you .
Never again will Labour take you or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I ask you : Take another look at Labour .
We ’ re under new leadership .
We love this country as you do .
This is the country I grew up in and this is the country I will grow old in .
And I want it to be the country I know it can be .
That , in the end , is why I do this .
To change lives for the better .
To make a difference to my country .
I know the good a Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m already looking forward to it .
Thank you .

Below is the full text of Labour leader Keir Starmer’s speech at Labour Connected from Doncaster.
Thank you Ruth for that incredibly powerful introduction and for paying me the huge honour of introducing me today. I know how hard the last few years have been for you. You exemplify the values I want the Labour Party to stand for. Thank you for everything you’ve done – and will continue to do – for this party.
I’m delighted that we’re here in Doncaster. My wife’s mum was born and grew up here – just next to the racecourse. We’re regulars here. Visiting family friends but also to go to the Ledger. Though of course sadly not this year.
I’m also told that this is the first Labour leader’s speech in Yorkshire since Harold Wilson in 1967. The circumstances were a bit different then.
For one thing, Wilson was able to update conference about Labour’s achievements after three years in government. So I look forward to coming back one day in the same circumstances that brought Wilson here!
I want to say a heartfelt thanks to the Labour Party staff and volunteers who have moved a virtual heaven and earth this week. To all the speakers, the panellists and the thousands of members who’ve taken part.
I also want to say thank you to the Labour Party members, supporters and affiliates for putting your faith in me to be your new Leader.
When you grow up in a small town in Surrey, you rarely thank your parents for naming you “Keir”. And when, as a teenager, I became the fourth member of the East Surrey Young Socialists, it didn’t seem likely that one day I would stand before you as the second Keir to be Labour leader. But I am, and it’s the honour of my lifetime to lead this great movement.
These are extraordinary circumstances. The warnings yesterday from the government’s advisors were stark. They can’t be ignored.
Labour will act in the national interest. We will be a constructive opposition. We will support whatever reasonable steps are necessary to save lives and protect our NHS. But I also want to say this: There should be nothing inevitable about a second lockdown.
It would be a sign of government failure, not an act of God. It would take an immense toll on people’s physical and mental health and on the economy. We need a national effort to prevent a national lockdown.
But instead of getting a grip, the government has lost control. Our testing system collapsed just when we needed it most. The British people want the government to succeed in fighting this virus. We all need the government to succeed.
This is the time for leadership. Today I want to set out how my leadership of this party and, in time I hope, my leadership of this country, will be defined by the values I’ve held dear all my life.
By the instincts and beliefs that inspired me to become a lawyer fighting for justice, to become the Director of Public Prosecutions and into Labour politics.
The thread that runs through my life and the belief that will inspire my leadership of this Party is the desire to change lives for the better. The desire to make a difference to my country.
This is a country that has given me so much. I am thankful to the National Health Service that cared for my mum for much of her life. For the chance to be the first in my family to go to university. To go on, to practice the law and to have the privilege of leading the Crown Prosecution Service.
And to be able to give my parents what they said was one of the proudest moments of their lives: to be there, with me, at Buckingham Palace as I was awarded a knighthood for services to criminal justice.
Family values mean the world to me. I was lucky enough to grow up in a loving family and I have the great joy now of a family of my own. The mission of the Labour party I lead is to extend that same opportunity to everyone.
And my vision for Britain is simple: I want this to be the best country to grow up in and the best country to grow old in.
A country in which we put family first. A country that embodies the values I hold dear. Decency, fairness, opportunity, compassion and security. Security for our nation, our families and for all of our communities.
Sadly, we don’t have a government that has such high standards. I’m hugely ambitious for this country. I think Britain has so much yet to achieve. And it angers me that this government is holding us back.
I’ve tried to be constructive. I appreciate that these are unprecedented times and that governing is difficult. I’ve tried to be fair, to give the government the benefit of the doubt.
But now, with one of the highest death rates in the world, and on the threshold of one of the deepest recessions anywhere, I’m afraid there is no doubt.
This government’s incompetence is holding Britain back. They couldn’t get kids back into school in June. They couldn’t work out a fair system to get exams marked. They couldn’t get protective equipment to care workers and they wasted millions of your money in the process.
Their failure to protect care homes is a national scandal. They still can’t organise a testing regime that’s even serviceable, let alone world-beating. The reason this incompetence angers me is that I think of the sacrifices people have made.
I think of the dedication of all those who have worked so hard to keep us safe. The families that had to stay apart. The grandparents unable to hold grandchildren for the first time. Partners denied the chance to be present at scans and births.
And in the most tragic circumstances people robbed of the opportunity to say goodbye to those taken before their time. Covid has made us appreciate what we value: that family really does come first. Always.
And that the greatest contribution we can make is to care for one another. To be good neighbours. Good citizens. To protect those in need and build strong communities.
So, to all the care workers, the van drivers, the cleaners, the shop workers and the life-savers in the NHS, I just want to say: thank you.
You changed lives for the better. You made a difference.
And it makes me angry that, just when the country needs leadership, we get serial incompetence. Six months in, a Cabinet chosen on loyalty alone shows no sign of having learnt any lessons from the crisis.
Here are two things I’ve learnt. First, if you neglect your public services, you won’t be ready when a crisis hits. Nobody blames the government for the existence of the virus.
But the under-funding of the NHS, the abandonment of social care and the lack of investment in prevention, that’s all on their watch. That’s all down to them.
And it always ends this way with Tory governments: Public services are neglected, cut-back, and left to decline. For a party called the Conservative Party, they don’t seem to conserve very much.
The second thing I’ve learnt is that a crisis reveals character like nothing else. And I think we’ve learnt a lot about this Prime Minister. Tory backbenchers know it. His Cabinet knows it. We all know it.
He’s just not serious. He’s just not up to the job. Whenever he encounters a problem, Johnson responds either by wishing it away or by lashing out.
He kept wishing away the problems with testing, pretending they didn’t exist. He wished away the problems with the Irish border. Then, when he finally realised what he’d signed up to, he lashed out and decided to break international law.
We’re all doing our bit to combat the virus by obeying the rule of six. Meanwhile the government won’t even obey the rule of law.
And this is the big difference between the Prime Minister and me: While Boris Johnson was writing flippant columns about bendy bananas, I was defending victims and prosecuting terrorists. While he was being sacked by a newspaper for making up quotes, I was fighting for justice and the rule of law.
The grown-up way to deal with Brexit is to negotiate properly and get a deal. And on Brexit, let me be absolutely clear. The debate between Leave and Remain is over. We’re not going to be a party that keeps banging on about Europe. The Prime Minister has repeatedly promised that he will get a deal.
So go on and get one. British business needs a deal. Working people need a deal. Our country needs a deal. And if the Prime Minister fails to get one, he will be failing Britain. If that happens, he’ll have nobody to blame but himself. And he will have to own that failure. It will be on him.
We want to get this deal done, and like everybody else, we’re growing tired of the Prime Minister’s bluster. The arrogance of this government makes me so angry. A government minister telling parents to “stop carping” when they can’t get a test for their sick child angers us all.
But as well as anger, I feel frustration. Frustration that every Labour Party spokesperson is a shadow. Shadow Education. Shadow Health. Shadow Chancellor. Shadow Foreign. Until we come out of the shadows, this party can’t change anything.
The promise that brought us all into politics – to change the country for the better – is pointless if all we can do is object to endless Tory governments.
So let’s be blunt. Let’s be brutally honest with ourselves. When you lose an election in a democracy, you deserve to. You don’t look at the electorate and ask them: “what were you thinking?” You look at yourself and ask: “what were we doing?”
The Labour Party has lost four general elections in a row. We’ve granted the Tories a decade of power. The Tories have had as many election winners in five years as we’ve had in 75. It’s a betrayal of what we believe in to let this go on.
It’s time to get serious about winning. That means we have to change, and that’s what we’re doing. This is a party under new leadership. As I promised on my first day as leader, we will root out the antisemitism that has infected our party. We’re making progress – and we will root it out, once and for all.
We’re becoming a competent, credible opposition. But that’s not enough. I didn’t come into politics to be in opposition, and neither did you. I came into politics to change lives. But you don’t get the permission to act unless the public trusts you. And we still have a lot to do.
I don’t underestimate the work that will be needed. But I can make this promise: Never again will Labour go into an election not being trusted on national security, with your job, with your community and with your money.
That’s what being under new leadership means. And the best incentive for being deadly serious about victory is to remember why we want to win. I don’t want to win power just to be Prime Minister. I want to win because of the country I love and because of the values I hold dear.
When you win, you come out of the shadows. You change lives. You make a difference to your country. To do that, we must once again be the party of the whole United Kingdom. The party of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
We must make the case much more persuasively that we achieve more together than we do alone. To stop the Nationalists ripping our country apart by design and to stop the Tories dismantling it by neglect.
I’m not the sort of Leader who wants to turn the clock back. Times change – and so do political priorities. But let’s remind ourselves of what this party can achieve at its best.
This is the party that created the National Health Service and founded NATO. This is the party of the Equal Pay Act and this is the Party of the Open University. This is the Party of the National Minimum Wage and this is Party of the Good Friday Agreement.
These achievements show that we inherit a task and a purpose. All three of the post-war Labour winners – Attlee, Wilson and Blair – saw it as their task to modernise Britain.
In 1945, Attlee had to build a society fit to reward the sacrifices of the war. In 1964, Wilson had to make the “white heat of technology” work for working people. In 1997, Blair wanted to extend the new era of opportunity to everyone.
In the 75 years since the historic victory of 1945 there have only been three Labour winners. I want to be the fourth. And when you look back to 1945, 1964 and 1997 you learn an important lesson. The lesson is don’t look back, look to the future.
We need to be thinking about the questions of 2024 and the 2030s, not the questions of the past. If anything, Covid has quickened the pace. The challenges we now face mean that even the questions of 2019 already seem like ancient history.
What we say at the next general election isn’t written yet. But it will be rooted in Labour values. It won’t sound like anything you’ve heard before. It will sound like the future arriving.
The trust of the British people will only be won by a party: that can provide security and opportunity at work, that ends the structural flaws in our economy that mean that working people have barely had a pay rise in a decade, that fixes the housing crisis so that young people finally have the prospect of owning their own home, that understands the need for an economy that’s healing the climate crisis, not contributing to it, that guarantees the security and integrity of this nation, that gives our young people the start in life they deserve, that gives our older people the dignity that they’ve earned and that cherishes our diversity and takes pride in a society where everyone belongs.
We know that Covid affects our black, Asian and minority ethnic communities disproportionately. But the government still hasn’t done anything about it.
That’s why I’ve asked Doreen Lawrence to lead an inquiry. I worked with Doreen to prosecute her son’s killers. Racial inequality is one of the causes that brought me into politics. And the eradication of structural racism will be a defining cause for the next Labour government.
Covid-19 thrives on inequalities: structural inequalities that we must defeat. I think you can measure a country by how good it is to grow up in. And it’s a test of our compassion, how good it is to grow old in.
The young and the old have been badly let down by this government. Our children and young people have been an afterthought. And the gap between the best and worst-off families threatens to get even wider. This inequality scars life chances: and I fear it will leave a lasting legacy for a generation of children.
The government promised catch-up support, but it’s failed to materialise. And now the failure to get tests for children and teachers who need them means kids are missing out this term as well. Opportunity for the young should go way beyond party politics. It has to be a national mission to end the deep injustice that a child’s future is determined by their postcode, not by their potential.
What we need is a national strategy with clear targets to close the education gap at every stage in a child’s development. A strategy enforced through an independent body, such as the Children’s Commissioner, and embedded in everything that we do.
If the Prime Minister won’t act, we’ll set up our own taskforce and get on with it. Because if levelling up is to mean anything, it must mean closing the education gap and making sure no child is held back.
But, above all else, we need a government that cares enough to act. Coronavirus has also revealed the perilous state of social care in this country. Families have come under great stress caring for their loved ones. It’s hard enough to see your family in pain without financial ruin too.
If we didn’t realise it already we’ve learnt that care workers do some of the most vital work in society. Yet they’re under-paid, under-recognised, and under-appreciated. Our care workers are heroes. But the social care system in Britain is a disgrace to a rich nation.
The Tories have had a decade to sort it out, but they’ve done nothing. David Cameron promised he would fix it. Theresa May promised she would fix it. A year ago Boris Johnson promised he would fix it.
Let’s hold them to that promise. This is a matter of basic fairness and human compassion. The government needs to act and to act now.
It must ensure that the mistakes made in the first spike cannot happen again this winter. And it must bring forward comprehensive social care reforms that guarantee all care workers at least the real living wage.
After a decade of drift, this government must finally fix our social care system. So that it treats those who have given so much with the respect, love and dignity that they deserve.
I can see in my mind’s eye the country I want us to be. Properly funded universal public services. World-class education which unleashes everyone’s potential. A huge investment in skills and a plan, working hand-in-hand with businesses and trade unions, to create high quality jobs.
An economy that doesn’t force people to move hundreds of miles just to find a decent job. One that truly works for all regions and nations of this United Kingdom. With opportunity and security in every part of the country and at every stage of our lives.
A country committed to a greener, cleaner and fairer society. Where every policy is judged not just by how much it costs today but also by what it does for the planet tomorrow.
A country which would be an active force for good in the world, once again admired and respected. Leading the world – and leading by example – in tackling the climate emergency. It would be a country which is the best place to grow up in and the best place to grow old in.
I can see it. I can describe it. But it’s all just a dream unless we win back the trust of the people. And we’ve got a long road ahead of us. We’re not going to win back those we’ve lost with a single speech or a clever policy offer. Trust takes time.
It starts with being a credible opposition. With taking the job seriously. That’s what we will do. So to those people in Doncaster and Deeside, in Glasgow and Grimsby, in Stoke and in Stevenage, to those who have turned away from Labour, I say this: we hear you.
Never again will Labour take you or the things you care about for granted. And I ask you: Take another look at Labour. We’re under new leadership.
We love this country as you do. This is the country I grew up in and this is the country I will grow old in. And I want it to be the country I know it can be. That, in the end, is why I do this. To change lives for the better. To make a difference to my country.
I know the good a Labour government can do. And I’m already looking forward to it. Thank you.


labourlist--2020-09-22--How Starmer’s conference speech aims to bridge the ‘cultural values gap’

New polling has found high levels of consensus among the British public on the economy .
Clear majorities were identified in support of a targeted extension of the furlough scheme ( 66 % ) , job guarantees for under-25s ( 64 % ) and benefits covering the entire housing costs of unemployed people during coronavirus ( 64 % ) .
But independent think tank the Royal Society for Arts , Manufactures and Commerce ( RSA ) , which commissioned the research , warns that this new ‘ social contract ’ could be undermined by the apparent culture war between ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of those who say they “ have a lot of respect for traditional British values ” , 39 % also say the Tories best align with their values , with only 22 % opting for Labour .
Of those who say it is “ a good thing that Britain is getting more diverse ” , 43 % pick Labour as the party closest to their views , compared to 15 % choosing the Tories .
These kinds of results are the ones that the new Labour leadership has its eye on .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy versus deep divides over culture came through in the Labour Together election review , and came through in the work of David Evans years before he was appointed as the party ’ s general secretary .
And it will shape this morning ’ s keynote speech , as outlined by the RSA ’ s Anthony Painter on LabourList today .
Keir Starmer will use his first party conference address since becoming leader to vow that the Labour he leads will be one of “ opportunity , family and security ” .
Asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour ” , he will share details of his own personal background , showing that Angela Rayner isn ’ t the only top figure with an emotive story that gives an insight into the origins of their politics .
And he will tell this story while talking about the opportunities afforded to him in Britain .
Setting out his vision for how this country can be the “ best place to grow up in and the best place to grow old in ” , the world “ values ” will appear and be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , opportunity , compassion and security.
” This is how Starmer intends to bridge the ‘ cultural values gap ’ and build a broad coalition of voters to win the next general election .
Party members might think it all sounds quite Blue Labour , or ‘ travaille , famille , patrie ’ .
But this messaging around security , patriotism and family has been running through Starmer ’ s interventions since he became leader and they are central to his electoral strategy .
They explain his appointments , too .
Evans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as I mentioned yesterday , advocates the ‘ values model ’ of understanding political behaviour .
As I wrote back in May , policy chief Claire Ainsley would promote use of the word “ family ” by the leader ’ s office , based on her theory of ‘ the new working class ’ .
There is a danger that talking about ‘ family ’ can leave some people feeling that they are not being spoken to .
As an only child with a single parent , ‘ family ’ in a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not apply to me , thanks to the stigma associated with single mothers particularly when I grew up in the ‘ 90s – stigma that New Labour reinforced .
( My first political act was protesting in parliament , as a three-year-old , against Tony Blair ’ s lone parent benefit cut . )
With coronavirus news dominating the news agenda , Starmer can not afford to be subtle .
For cut-through , his message needs to be bold and clear .
But he must ensure that the language he uses does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he risks leaving parts of the all-important voter coalition behind .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

New polling has found high levels of consensus among the British public on the economy. Clear majorities were identified in support of a targeted extension of the furlough scheme (66%), job guarantees for under-25s (64%) and benefits covering the entire housing costs of unemployed people during coronavirus (64%). But independent think tank the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), which commissioned the research, warns that this new ‘social contract’ could be undermined by the apparent culture war between ‘cosmopolitans’ and ‘traditionalists’.
Of those who say they “have a lot of respect for traditional British values”, 39% also say the Tories best align with their values, with only 22% opting for Labour. Of those who say it is “a good thing that Britain is getting more diverse”, 43% pick Labour as the party closest to their views, compared to 15% choosing the Tories. These kinds of results are the ones that the new Labour leadership has its eye on. This line of thinking about consensus on the economy versus deep divides over culture came through in the Labour Together election review, and came through in the work of David Evans years before he was appointed as the party’s general secretary. And it will shape this morning’s keynote speech, as outlined by the RSA’s Anthony Painter on LabourList today.
Keir Starmer will use his first party conference address since becoming leader to vow that the Labour he leads will be one of “opportunity, family and security”. Asking voters to “take another look at Labour”, he will share details of his own personal background, showing that Angela Rayner isn’t the only top figure with an emotive story that gives an insight into the origins of their politics. And he will tell this story while talking about the opportunities afforded to him in Britain. Setting out his vision for how this country can be the “best place to grow up in and the best place to grow old in”, the world “values” will appear and be defined as: “Decency, fairness, opportunity, compassion and security.” This is how Starmer intends to bridge the ‘cultural values gap’ and build a broad coalition of voters to win the next general election.
Party members might think it all sounds quite Blue Labour, or ‘travaille, famille, patrie’. But this messaging around security, patriotism and family has been running through Starmer’s interventions since he became leader and they are central to his electoral strategy. They explain his appointments, too. Evans, who wrote for LabourList back in 2017 as I mentioned yesterday, advocates the ‘values model’ of understanding political behaviour. As I wrote back in May, policy chief Claire Ainsley would promote use of the word “family” by the leader’s office, based on her theory of ‘the new working class’.
There is a danger that talking about ‘family’ can leave some people feeling that they are not being spoken to. As an only child with a single parent, ‘family’ in a political context sounds like a concept that does not apply to me, thanks to the stigma associated with single mothers particularly when I grew up in the ‘90s – stigma that New Labour reinforced. (My first political act was protesting in parliament, as a three-year-old, against Tony Blair’s lone parent benefit cut.) With coronavirus news dominating the news agenda, Starmer cannot afford to be subtle. For cut-through, his message needs to be bold and clear. But he must ensure that the language he uses does not only appeal to social conservatism, or he risks leaving parts of the all-important voter coalition behind. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-09-22--What Labour can learn from new RSA polling on values, welfare and UBI

Values matter : what we and those around us hold dear is one of the biggest predictors of political behaviour , especially as identities become more complex and more self-authored .
That is why Labour ’ s new general secretary David Evans has been a strong advocate for the ‘ values model ’ of understanding political behaviour .
This splits the public into three broad tribes : ‘ settlers ’ , social conservatives who are interested in economic and cultural security and the local ; ‘ prospectors ’ , concerned with appearances and social status ; and ‘ pioneers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal development and non-material goals such as learning and personal development .
To explore what this political focus on values means for the future of work and welfare , the Royal Society for Arts , Manufactures and Commerce ( RSA ) , which undertakes independent research to understand social , political and economic trends , commissioned a representative poll of 2,000 British adults .
As Keir Starmer ’ s trailed conference speech indicates , Labour is particularly keen to appeal to the ‘ settlers ’ cultural group .
Our polling shows why : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have “ a lot of respect for traditional British values ” , just 22 % think Labour best represents them , compared to 39 % for the Conservatives .
It is incredibly challenging to see how Labour – under new leadership or not – would construct an election-winning coalition that does not speak to patriotic sentiments .
Conversely , Labour leads the Conservatives by 28 points as the party for those who think Britain ’ s increasing diversity is a good thing .
Though this group is younger and leans more towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found everywhere – including in target seats Labour needs to win , like Pendle and Plymouth Moor View .
Diversity and British values are not in opposition , but the narrative needed to bridge the two will require creativity and leadership .
The ‘ Red Wall ’ may be blue , but 44 % of those who say they are “ more working class than middle class ” identify most strongly with Labour , compared to 32 % for the Conservatives .
Labour ’ s policy chief , Claire Ainsley , has argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely works in the service sector – call centres , not coal towns – and 20 % of this group is BME .
The point is that there is not a singular working-class and Labour will have to reach across values and economic divides as much within the working class and between working-class voters and others .
Economic security is the chief concern of ‘ settlers ’ .
The RSA backs exploring a basic income as a credible response to modern economic insecurity and as a complement , rather than a replacement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % would prefer universal basic services where the Government provides free additional services such as public transport or broadband rather than a cash payment , our poll found .
Meanwhile , the contributory principle where the benefits you receive are based on previous earnings , is more popular among Conservatives , but still relatively low with 33 % in favour .
By comparison , 46 % would back a local UBI pilot , with 16 % opposed .
Almost 50 % back a UBI , with around a quarter against .
Support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 39 % , but there is strong support for targeting sectors most at risk from the continuing impact of Covid .
The RSA suggests an ‘ initial ’ basic income of approximately £60 per adult , per week , which would be funded largely by turning all but the personal allowance into a cash payment and paid using the existing tax-benefit infrastructure .
This would be just one component of what we have termed a new ‘ social contract ’ with new supports for all , in and out of work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to major economic changes that are already upon us .
Other elements include greater support for carers , those who need to re-skill , and greater access to support in work – not least through stronger trade unions .
Our survey shows strong supports for unions , a job guarantee for the young and an RSA proposal to support incomes for six months while workers retrain .
Any basic income or other major policy change would have to be shown to support work ( and indeed UBI trials have shown that to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything that unites ‘ settlers ’ , ‘ prospectors ’ and ‘ pioneers ’ , as well as ‘ new ’ and ‘ old ’ working class , it is the belief that good work that supports economic security is central to a good society .

Values matter: what we and those around us hold dear is one of the biggest predictors of political behaviour, especially as identities become more complex and more self-authored. That is why Labour’s new general secretary David Evans has been a strong advocate for the ‘values model’ of understanding political behaviour. This splits the public into three broad tribes: ‘settlers’, social conservatives who are interested in economic and cultural security and the local; ‘prospectors’, concerned with appearances and social status; and ‘pioneers’, society’s innovators concerned with personal development and non-material goals such as learning and personal development.
To explore what this political focus on values means for the future of work and welfare, the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), which undertakes independent research to understand social, political and economic trends, commissioned a representative poll of 2,000 British adults.
As Keir Starmer’s trailed conference speech indicates, Labour is particularly keen to appeal to the ‘settlers’ cultural group. Our polling shows why: of the 48% of the public who have “a lot of respect for traditional British values”, just 22% think Labour best represents them, compared to 39% for the Conservatives. It is incredibly challenging to see how Labour – under new leadership or not – would construct an election-winning coalition that does not speak to patriotic sentiments.
Conversely, Labour leads the Conservatives by 28 points as the party for those who think Britain’s increasing diversity is a good thing. Though this group is younger and leans more towards urban areas, they are to be found everywhere – including in target seats Labour needs to win, like Pendle and Plymouth Moor View. Diversity and British values are not in opposition, but the narrative needed to bridge the two will require creativity and leadership.
The ‘Red Wall’ may be blue, but 44% of those who say they are “more working class than middle class” identify most strongly with Labour, compared to 32% for the Conservatives. Labour’s policy chief, Claire Ainsley, has argued that the ‘new working class’ largely works in the service sector – call centres, not coal towns – and 20% of this group is BME. The point is that there is not a singular working-class and Labour will have to reach across values and economic divides as much within the working class and between working-class voters and others.
Economic security is the chief concern of ‘settlers’. The RSA backs exploring a basic income as a credible response to modern economic insecurity and as a complement, rather than a replacement, for work and welfare. Just 24% would prefer universal basic services where the Government provides free additional services such as public transport or broadband rather than a cash payment, our poll found.
Meanwhile, the contributory principle where the benefits you receive are based on previous earnings, is more popular among Conservatives, but still relatively low with 33% in favour. By comparison, 46% would back a local UBI pilot, with 16% opposed. Almost 50% back a UBI, with around a quarter against. Support for a blanket furlough scheme is now at just 39%, but there is strong support for targeting sectors most at risk from the continuing impact of Covid.
The RSA suggests an ‘initial’ basic income of approximately £60 per adult, per week, which would be funded largely by turning all but the personal allowance into a cash payment and paid using the existing tax-benefit infrastructure.
This would be just one component of what we have termed a new ‘social contract’ with new supports for all, in and out of work, to underpin both economic security and adaptability to major economic changes that are already upon us. Other elements include greater support for carers, those who need to re-skill, and greater access to support in work – not least through stronger trade unions. Our survey shows strong supports for unions, a job guarantee for the young and an RSA proposal to support incomes for six months while workers retrain.
Any basic income or other major policy change would have to be shown to support work (and indeed UBI trials have shown that to be the case). If there is anything that unites ‘settlers’, ‘prospectors’ and ‘pioneers’, as well as ‘new’ and ‘old’ working class, it is the belief that good work that supports economic security is central to a good society.


labourlist--2020-09-22--Government must do more to keep schools safe and open, say unions

Unite the Union , GMB and UNISON have told the government that it must do more to ensure schools remain safe and open in the pandemic following reports of hundreds closing since the start of the academic year .
In a joint letter sent to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson , the trade unions have put forward eight proposals to keep staff safe and prevent the “ potential further loss of vital education for children and young people ” .
The three organisations , which represent support staff including teaching assistants , technicians , catering workers , cleaning staff , caretakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government to introduce additional measures to halt rising infections .
The letter emphasised that all school employees should have priority access to testing , not just teachers , and that full pay should be given to any worker who needs to isolate .
Below are the full set of proposals put forward by the unions : • Ensure school and college staff are given priority in accessing testing ; • Reduce the size ‘ bubbles ’ within which pupils mix ; • Tighten the rules on face coverings on school transport ; • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Provide clarity on symptoms for children and when parents should get a child tested ; • Share information on suspected and confirmed cases with parents and staff ; • Provide additional resources for teaching cover as well as extra cleaning ; and • Give full pay to staff in companies who usually provide services to schools that close .
Commenting on the challenge for schools , Unite national officer Ian Woodland said : “ As we enter the second wave of Covid , it is vital that everything is done to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the next generation of employees .
“ The key to this is a comprehensive ‘ test and trace ’ system for staff and schoolchildren – something , in the eight months of the pandemic , the government has conspicuously failed to provide.
” GMB national officer Karen Leonard argued : “ GMB and other unions have worked hard throughout the summer to ensure schools stayed safe for pupils , staff and parents – despite vilification from the Conservative establishment .
“ With Covid cases increasing throughout the whole of the UK , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out constructive suggestions for our schools – including full contractual sick pay for all those working in our schools.
” Head of education at UNISON Jon Richards said : “ It takes just one infection at a school to disrupt learning , potentially for dozens of children , as well as putting the health of staff and families in the community at risk.
” He added : “ The government ’ s lack of clarity means it ’ s not clear if teaching assistants are covered by the new testing rules .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools won ’ t open , and pupils and staff won ’ t be safe .
“ With the virus taking hold again , the government must use all options to reduce the spread .
School closures will create further childcare difficulties for key workers , who the country will be depending upon in the coming months.
” The call from the unions follows a press briefing on Monday , in which chief medical officer Chris Witty said the UK had “ turned a corner ” for the worse in its fight against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50,000 new daily cases by mid-October .
The Prime Minister subsequently delivered a statement in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon to announce the introduction of new coronavirus restrictions , including a 10pm curfew for pubs , restaurants and bars .
Below is the full text of the letter sent to Gavin Williamson this week .
We are writing out of concern over the current increase in positive cases of coronavirus , and the potential further loss of vital education for children and young people .
We understand that you have met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were not invited .
So we are writing to you to offer suggestions borne out of our collective experience of education , with the aim of helping you keep schools open .
Support staff unions worked tirelessly with the government over the summer to try to ensure that schools and colleges would be safe for pupils and staff when they opened in September .
We ignored the vilification of unions in some parts of the media and by some Conservative MPs , who tried to paint us as obstacles to full school/college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went further than the government ’ s .
Our guidance was aimed at making schools safe places and preventing a second wave .
One of our five key tests to ensure school safety was an effective ‘ test and trace ’ programme .
The government guidance accompanying the decision to fully reopen all schools and colleges was also based on an effective test and trace system .
We also questioned the wisdom of creating large bubbles and warned that increased cases in September could cause significant numbers of staff and pupils to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to protect their local communities where there are cases within a bubble .
In the absence of available tests , the rest of the bubble has to move to studying from home until the test result is confirmed .
The current situation underlines the need to keep bubbles as small as possible .
Sadly , the failure of the test and trace system , combined with large bubbles , has seen hundreds of schools sending staff and pupils home .
Until schools and colleges are supported by a swift and effective track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures are urgently needed where there is an outbreak , or where additional lockdown measures are in place .
Some of these might be reviewed if the test and trace system does eventually become reliable and effective : Ensuring school and college staff are given priority in accessing testing .
We understand the government ’ s desire to make heath and care staff a priority .
But school closures also affect the families of NHS and care staff , and undermine the new testing strategy .
To ensure schools remain open , school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reducing bubble sizes .
This would reduce the risks of whole school closures in areas with high rates or in local lockdown areas .
At a recent meeting of the schools minister ’ s stakeholder group , some organisations argued against reducing bubble size .
Others urged this should be kept under review .
The significant increase in the number of bubbles and schools closing in recent days means that this change now needs to be introduced in the form of clear revised guidance .
Bubbles should also include before and after-school provision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and after-school clubs .
Tightening the rules on face coverings on school transport .
In Scotland all pupils over the age of five have to wear face coverings on school transport .
At the very least , in England rules around school transport should be brought in line with public transport .
School buses allow for mixing between bubbles and between schools .
The increased demand for school buses has meant transport companies are struggling to mitigate risk .
Where necessary , clear masks will enable pupils with additional needs to communicate effectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees .
In areas covered by local restrictions/lockdown , home-working arrangements should now be introduced for all vulnerable school and college employees .
Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should already be working from home , whether or not their workplace is in an area covered by local restrictions .
Clarity about symptoms for children and the circumstances in which parents should obtain a test for their child .
We understand that the Prime Minister is concerned parents are seeking tests unnecessarily .
One way of helping address this would be to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to follow .
The current speculation about whether children exhibit different symptoms , for example suffering from stomach upsets , needs to be urgently addressed .
We appreciate it takes time for symptoms to become officially accepted , as was the case for loss of taste or smell earlier in the pandemic , but the current uncertainty will understandably lead many parents to seek tests that may not be necessary .
Parents and schools/colleges also need to know exactly what they should do in all the likely scenarios .
This Northern Ireland government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sharing of information about suspected and confirmed cases with staff and parents .
School and colleges need crystal-clear guidance about what information on suspected and confirmed cases among staff and pupils can , and should , be shared with staff and parents , taking into account data protection issues and the need to protect public health .
At present there are different practices amongst schools in the same local area , causing confusion and distrust .
Consideration should also be given to other staff including contractors , and those involved in before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff working for companies that provide services to schools .
Companies providing services to schools , such as cleaning or catering , must be required to pay their staff in full and ensure they suffer no detriment during all periods when schools are closed .
It ’ s imperative to remove all financial barriers to compliance with self-isolation guidance by ensuring all staff have access to their contractual wages and are paid as a minimum the real living wage , if they are not already .
Where staff are self-isolating , they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not off sick .
This period should not be calculated as sick pay nor count in any disciplinary process .
For reference , here are the current hourly rates for the real living wage .
The importance of these measures can not be overstated .
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that those care homes which offered full contractual sick pay to their staff carried a lower risk of infection to their residents .
In addition , where staff are off sick having contracted Covid-19 , too many low paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still having to decide whether to comply and suffer financial hardship or return to work when ill , and potentially contagious , to pay the bills .
This pandemic underlines how important access to full sick pay is in protecting the nation ’ s health .
Provision of additional resources for cover and cleaning .
We note that the Scottish government has said it will provide additional resources for teaching and support staff .
Additional long-term resources are also needed to cover the cost of enhanced cleaning , both for staff and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early response to these constructive proposals .

Unite the Union, GMB and UNISON have told the government that it must do more to ensure schools remain safe and open in the pandemic following reports of hundreds closing since the start of the academic year.
In a joint letter sent to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, the trade unions have put forward eight proposals to keep staff safe and prevent the “potential further loss of vital education for children and young people”.
The three organisations, which represent support staff including teaching assistants, technicians, catering workers, cleaning staff, caretakers, and receptionists, have told the government to introduce additional measures to halt rising infections.
The letter emphasised that all school employees should have priority access to testing, not just teachers, and that full pay should be given to any worker who needs to isolate. Below are the full set of proposals put forward by the unions:
Ensure school and college staff are given priority in accessing testing;
Reduce the size ‘bubbles’ within which pupils mix;
Tighten the rules on face coverings on school transport;
Allow vulnerable staff to work from home
Provide clarity on symptoms for children and when parents should get a child tested;
Share information on suspected and confirmed cases with parents and staff;
Provide additional resources for teaching cover as well as extra cleaning; and
Give full pay to staff in companies who usually provide services to schools that close.
Commenting on the challenge for schools, Unite national officer Ian Woodland said: “As we enter the second wave of Covid, it is vital that everything is done to keep schools open to provide a solid education for the next generation of employees.
“The key to this is a comprehensive ‘test and trace’ system for staff and schoolchildren – something, in the eight months of the pandemic, the government has conspicuously failed to provide.”
GMB national officer Karen Leonard argued: “GMB and other unions have worked hard throughout the summer to ensure schools stayed safe for pupils, staff and parents – despite vilification from the Conservative establishment.
“With Covid cases increasing throughout the whole of the UK, we have written to the government setting out constructive suggestions for our schools – including full contractual sick pay for all those working in our schools.”
Head of education at UNISON Jon Richards said: “It takes just one infection at a school to disrupt learning, potentially for dozens of children, as well as putting the health of staff and families in the community at risk.”
He added: “The government’s lack of clarity means it’s not clear if teaching assistants are covered by the new testing rules. But without testing for caretakers and cleaners some schools won’t open, and pupils and staff won’t be safe.
“With the virus taking hold again, the government must use all options to reduce the spread. School closures will create further childcare difficulties for key workers, who the country will be depending upon in the coming months.”
The call from the unions follows a press briefing on Monday, in which chief medical officer Chris Witty said the UK had “turned a corner” for the worse in its fight against Covid and could be on course for 50,000 new daily cases by mid-October.
The Prime Minister subsequently delivered a statement in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon to announce the introduction of new coronavirus restrictions, including a 10pm curfew for pubs, restaurants and bars.
Below is the full text of the letter sent to Gavin Williamson this week.
Dear Secretary of State,
We are writing out of concern over the current increase in positive cases of coronavirus, and the potential further loss of vital education for children and young people. We understand that you have met with the school teacher unions, but we were not invited. So we are writing to you to offer suggestions borne out of our collective experience of education, with the aim of helping you keep schools open.
Support staff unions worked tirelessly with the government over the summer to try to ensure that schools and colleges would be safe for pupils and staff when they opened in September.
We ignored the vilification of unions in some parts of the media and by some Conservative MPs, who tried to paint us as obstacles to full school/college opening, because the guidance we produced went further than the government’s. Our guidance was aimed at making schools safe places and preventing a second wave.
One of our five key tests to ensure school safety was an effective ‘test and trace’ programme. The government guidance accompanying the decision to fully reopen all schools and colleges was also based on an effective test and trace system.
We also questioned the wisdom of creating large bubbles and warned that increased cases in September could cause significant numbers of staff and pupils to be sent home. Understandably schools and colleges want to protect their local communities where there are cases within a bubble. In the absence of available tests, the rest of the bubble has to move to studying from home until the test result is confirmed. The current situation underlines the need to keep bubbles as small as possible.
Sadly, the failure of the test and trace system, combined with large bubbles, has seen hundreds of schools sending staff and pupils home. Until schools and colleges are supported by a swift and effective track and trace system, the following additional measures are urgently needed where there is an outbreak, or where additional lockdown measures are in place. Some of these might be reviewed if the test and trace system does eventually become reliable and effective:
Ensuring school and college staff are given priority in accessing testing. We understand the government’s desire to make heath and care staff a priority. But school closures also affect the families of NHS and care staff, and undermine the new testing strategy. To ensure schools remain open, school and college staff need priority testing.
Reducing bubble sizes. This would reduce the risks of whole school closures in areas with high rates or in local lockdown areas. At a recent meeting of the schools minister’s stakeholder group, some organisations argued against reducing bubble size. Others urged this should be kept under review. The significant increase in the number of bubbles and schools closing in recent days means that this change now needs to be introduced in the form of clear revised guidance. Bubbles should also include before and after-school provision, such as transport, and breakfast and after-school clubs.
Tightening the rules on face coverings on school transport. In Scotland all pupils over the age of five have to wear face coverings on school transport. At the very least, in England rules around school transport should be brought in line with public transport. School buses allow for mixing between bubbles and between schools. The increased demand for school buses has meant transport companies are struggling to mitigate risk. Where necessary, clear masks will enable pupils with additional needs to communicate effectively with adults and their peers.
Vulnerable employees. In areas covered by local restrictions/lockdown, home-working arrangements should now be introduced for all vulnerable school and college employees. Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should already be working from home, whether or not their workplace is in an area covered by local restrictions.
Clarity about symptoms for children and the circumstances in which parents should obtain a test for their child. We understand that the Prime Minister is concerned parents are seeking tests unnecessarily. One way of helping address this would be to ensure clarity in messages about symptoms and procedures to follow. The current speculation about whether children exhibit different symptoms, for example suffering from stomach upsets, needs to be
urgently addressed.
We appreciate it takes time for symptoms to become officially accepted, as was the case for loss of taste or smell earlier in the pandemic, but the current uncertainty will understandably lead many parents to seek tests that may not be necessary. Parents and schools/colleges also need to know exactly what they should do in all the likely scenarios. This Northern Ireland government leaflet could serve as a helpful model.
Sharing of information about suspected and confirmed cases with staff and parents. School and colleges need crystal-clear guidance about what information on suspected and confirmed cases among staff and pupils can, and should, be shared with staff and parents, taking into account data protection issues and the need to protect public health. At present there are different practices amongst schools in the same local area, causing confusion and
distrust. Consideration should also be given to other staff including contractors, and those involved in before and after-school provision.
Full pay for staff working for companies that provide services to schools. Companies providing services to schools, such as cleaning or catering, must be required to pay their staff in full and ensure they suffer no detriment during all periods when schools are closed.
It’s imperative to remove all financial barriers to compliance with self-isolation guidance by ensuring all staff have access to their contractual wages and are paid as a minimum the real living wage, if they are not already. Where staff are self-isolating, they should be paid their normal wage because they are not off sick. This period should not be calculated as sick pay nor count in any disciplinary process. For reference, here are the current hourly rates for the real living wage. The importance of these measures cannot be overstated.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that those care homes which offered full contractual sick pay to their staff carried a lower risk of infection to their residents. In addition, where staff are off sick having contracted Covid-19, too many low paid workers on the statutory minimum sick pay are still having to decide whether to comply and suffer financial hardship or return to work when ill, and potentially contagious, to pay the bills. This pandemic underlines how important access to full sick pay is in protecting the nation’s health.
Provision of additional resources for cover and cleaning. We note that the Scottish government has said it will provide additional resources for teaching and support staff. Additional long-term resources are also needed to cover the cost of enhanced cleaning, both for staff and materials.
We look forward to your early response to these constructive proposals.
Yours sincerely,
Jon Richards
National Secretary
UNISON
Karen Leonard
National Officer National Officer
GMB
Caren Evans
National Officer
Unite


labourlist--2020-09-22--Labour slams government as report shows 36% of nurses want to quit

Labour has slammed the government as a “ devastating report ” into the NHS workforce has revealed that over a third of nurses are considering leaving the health service within the next year .
Reacting to the publication of research by the public accounts committee today , the party criticised the Tory administration for a “ lack of long-term thinking and strategy at the heart of the government ’ s approach ” to health workers .
The report from the parliamentary committee has highlighted that although the government committed at the last election to providing 50,000 more nurses by 2025 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post vacancies .
Commenting on the analysis today , shadow health minister Justin Madders said : “ It confirms what Labour have been saying for a long time , that the removal of the nurse bursary has been a disaster .
“ Nurses are the heart and soul of the NHS and it is absolutely damning that the government have little idea of what the future demand will be for nurses , let alone how they will meet it.
” The committee report emphasised a worsening problem with retaining staff as a survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 36 % of NHS nurses were considering leaving , compared to 28 % before the pandemic .
Many NHS trusts have relied on a substantial short-term increase in the number of nurses that they can recruit from abroad , but their ability to attract international staff is being heavily impeded by the government ’ s Covid travel restrictions .
The committee accused the government of not understanding the nursing needs of the NHS , as the Department for Health and Social Care officials were unable to record what type of nurses were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chair of the public accounts committee Labour MP Meg Hillier said : “ The picture from the frontline of nursing in the NHS and care homes is not good .
“ I fear with the strain of a huge shortage of nurses and the worrying reports of low morale and huge numbers considering leaving in the next year , we are facing an emerging crisis in nursing .
“ We fully recognise that the NHS is reeling under the strain of Covid-19 , with staff unsure how they will cope with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already upon us .
“ But it must not take its eye off the ball and allow a slide back into short-term , crisis mode .
It must press on with coherent plans to get the nursing workforce back to capacity , under the kind of working conditions that can encourage hard-won , hard-working nurses to stay in our NHS and care homes.
” Bursaries for student nurses were scrapped as part of the Conservatives ’ austerity measures in 2017 .
Trade union UNISON ’ s Christine McAnea warned at the time that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously short of nurses ” .
Labour previously accused Boris Johnson of “ deceit ” over the nursing recruitment pledge after it was revealed that the 50,000 figure included the retention of 18,500 nurses already working in the health service .

Labour has slammed the government as a “devastating report” into the NHS workforce has revealed that over a third of nurses are considering leaving the health service within the next year.
Reacting to the publication of research by the public accounts committee today, the party criticised the Tory administration for a “lack of long-term thinking and strategy at the heart of the government’s approach” to health workers.
The report from the parliamentary committee has highlighted that although the government committed at the last election to providing 50,000 more nurses by 2025, there are currently 40,000 unfilled nursing post vacancies.
Commenting on the analysis today, shadow health minister Justin Madders said: “It confirms what Labour have been saying for a long time, that the removal of the nurse bursary has been a disaster.
“Nurses are the heart and soul of the NHS and it is absolutely damning that the government have little idea of what the future demand will be for nurses, let alone how they will meet it.”
The committee report emphasised a worsening problem with retaining staff as a survey by the Royal College of Nursing indicated that 36% of NHS nurses were considering leaving, compared to 28% before the pandemic.
Many NHS trusts have relied on a substantial short-term increase in the number of nurses that they can recruit from abroad, but their ability to attract international staff is being heavily impeded by the government’s Covid travel restrictions.
The committee accused the government of not understanding the nursing needs of the NHS, as the Department for Health and Social Care officials were unable to record what type of nurses were needed or what regions were most understaffed.
Chair of the public accounts committee Labour MP Meg Hillier said: “The picture from the frontline of nursing in the NHS and care homes is not good.
“I fear with the strain of a huge shortage of nurses and the worrying reports of low morale and huge numbers considering leaving in the next year, we are facing an emerging crisis in nursing.
“We fully recognise that the NHS is reeling under the strain of Covid-19, with staff unsure how they will cope with the second wave that it seems clear is already upon us.
“But it must not take its eye off the ball and allow a slide back into short-term, crisis mode. It must press on with coherent plans to get the nursing workforce back to capacity, under the kind of working conditions that can encourage hard-won, hard-working nurses to stay in our NHS and care homes.”
Bursaries for student nurses were scrapped as part of the Conservatives’ austerity measures in 2017. Trade union UNISON’s Christine McAnea warned at the time that the move would leave the NHS “seriously short of nurses”.
Labour previously accused Boris Johnson of “deceit” over the nursing recruitment pledge after it was revealed that the 50,000 figure included the retention of 18,500 nurses already working in the health service.


labourlist--2020-09-22--WATCH: “We can force U-turns” on support for workers, says Brown

Gordon Brown has declared that the labour movement can “ force U-turns ” on issues including the furlough scheme , support for workers when isolating and other demands in the Covid crisis .
Appearing in a ‘ Claim the Future ’ event with John McDonnell today , the former Labour Prime Minister discussed the immediate jobs crisis facing workers across the country as well as the longer-term challenges for the UK economy .
Commenting on support for workers , including when self-isolating , Brown told viewers : “ I actually think this government has had so many U-turns that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the job retention scheme , he argued : “ We ’ ve got to extend – perhaps to sectors , perhaps to areas , certainly where there ’ s local lockdowns and… on a part-time basis – the furlough scheme .
It can not die on October 31st without mass casualties.
” On jobs and Brexit , he added : “ We should stay in some of these European programmes that are job creating… instead of leaving out of ideology .
For practical reasons , whether you ’ re for or against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Brown also warned of the difficulties facing the UK economy in relation to the 50,000 jobs that are estimated will soon be lost in the North Sea and related industries , but reminded viewers that “ there is a green sea ” .
He said : “ There is the possibility of renewable wave , wind , solar , hydrogen power and that ’ s where Britain could actually do very well.
” The event comes after Labour representatives from across the UK and Brown formed the new ‘ Alliance for Full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a major jobs crisis when the furlough scheme ends .
The Claim the Future project was launched by the former Shadow Chancellor earlier this year to discuss issues facing the country and develop an alternative , socialist vision for society in a post-coronavirus world .

Gordon Brown has declared that the labour movement can “force U-turns” on issues including the furlough scheme, support for workers when isolating and other demands in the Covid crisis.
Appearing in a ‘Claim the Future’ event with John McDonnell today, the former Labour Prime Minister discussed the immediate jobs crisis facing workers across the country as well as the longer-term challenges for the UK economy.
Commenting on support for workers, including when self-isolating, Brown told viewers: “I actually think this government has had so many U-turns that we can force U-turns on these issues.”
On the job retention scheme, he argued: “We’ve got to extend – perhaps to sectors, perhaps to areas, certainly where there’s local lockdowns and… on a part-time basis – the furlough scheme. It cannot die on October 31st without mass casualties.”
On jobs and Brexit, he added: “We should stay in some of these European programmes that are job creating… instead of leaving out of ideology. For practical reasons, whether you’re for or against Brexit, you should be for jobs.”
Brown also warned of the difficulties facing the UK economy in relation to the 50,000 jobs that are estimated will soon be lost in the North Sea and related industries, but reminded viewers that “there is a green sea”.
He said: “There is the possibility of renewable wave, wind, solar, hydrogen power and that’s where Britain could actually do very well.”
The event comes after Labour representatives from across the UK and Brown formed the new ‘Alliance for Full Employment’ earlier this month in anticipation of a major jobs crisis when the furlough scheme ends.
The Claim the Future project was launched by the former Shadow Chancellor earlier this year to discuss issues facing the country and develop an alternative, socialist vision for society in a post-coronavirus world.


labourlist--2020-09-22--Ilhan Omar meets Diane Abbott. What the UK left can learn from the US left

It ’ s been a difficult year for the British left , and things aren ’ t looking better in the US either .
On both sides of the Atlantic , socialists are recovering from tough defeats : the Tory landslide in December putting an end to the optimism of the Jeremy Corbyn era , and Joe Biden ’ s victory in the Democratic primaries crushing the hopes of those who wanted to see a democratic socialist as president .
Meanwhile , both countries suffer from parallel crises : a government failing to deal with Covid-19 or the climate crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welfare state , and nationalist populists exploiting inequality and disillusionment to spread bigotry .
While it is tempting to respond with despair , or tear ourselves apart over who is to blame , we must instead look towards the future .
That ’ s why at this year ’ s digital edition of The World Transformed , we have invited a range of high-level and grassroots activists from the US to discuss the struggles they ’ re now throwing their energies into , from extra-parliamentary campaigning to supporting progressives in Democratic selections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ face a hostile , billionaire-run media and a political establishment antagonistic towards radical ideas .
That ’ s why any left strategy must include a focus on bottom-up organising , not only for elections but also through supporting movements like Black Lives Matter – which attempt to shift the national consensus , not constrained by the boundaries of what ’ s electorally convenient .
Starting in the US , the movement spread swiftly across the Atlantic , highlighting the systemic racism faced by Black British communities as well .
Inspiration from one nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , while both countries have seen trade union activity decline over decades , recent successful strikes like those by Philadelphia nurses or West Virginia teachers have injected some fresh energy into the labour movement .
Initiatives like the Jane McAlevey Organising for Power Strike School seek to learn and spread their lessons , not just across the US but around the world .
Much of the enthusiasm that the post-Sanders left has retained for electoral politics can be attributed to the US system of open primaries , allowing figures like Ilhan Omar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new leaders , challenging both Donald Trump and the Democratic establishment .
However , their successes can be attributed to much more than just the formal selection process .
The US left has a robust system of electoral support , bringing together thousands of activists to support progressive candidates , a system that was given new life in recent years by groups like Justice Democrats and the Democratic Socialists of America .
When our analysis is limited to headline news , we miss out what we can learn from the nuances of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built over decades that have laid the foundations for this recent surge .
There are undoubtedly differences between the US and the UK contexts , but the challenges and questions faced by the left are often similar .
Both our movements have developed a wealth of experiences , tactics and strategies that we can all benefit from sharing – and given the global scale of the crises we ’ re facing , from Covid-19 to the climate emergency , fostering international cooperation is more crucial than ever .
That ’ s why at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Transformed festival , we wanted to facilitate this dialogue .
On Friday , we are excited to welcome Ilhan Omar , congresswoman for Minnesota ’ s 5th Congressional District and a member of the famous “ squad ” of progressive Democrat women of colour .
She ’ ll be joining us for a conversation with Diane Abbott MP , where they will share their experiences of pushing a transformative agenda through traditional parties , and reflect on the way forward .
However , we are also seeking to foster links on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Jane McAlevey and other US trade unionists leading impressive struggles , hosted transatlantic discussions about Black Lives Matter and about the campaign for a Green New Deal , and we ’ ll also be bringing together US and UK activists to talk about the fight for public healthcare and building left power after Corbyn and Bernie .
While the pandemic has made most in-person events impossible , modern technology enables us to organise beyond national borders and across continents .
When our international interest extends only to newspaper headlines , rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miss out on opportunities we never even realised were there , and lessons we never knew we needed to learn .
This is why at TWT , we want to start establishing meaningful connections that would allow us to develop lasting partnerships and mutual political education .
By exchanging our skills , experiences and networks , we can strengthen our movements and work together towards a progressive future .

It’s been a difficult year for the British left, and things aren’t looking better in the US either. On both sides of the Atlantic, socialists are recovering from tough defeats: the Tory landslide in December putting an end to the optimism of the Jeremy Corbyn era, and Joe Biden’s victory in the Democratic primaries crushing the hopes of those who wanted to see a democratic socialist as president. Meanwhile, both countries suffer from parallel crises: a government failing to deal with Covid-19 or the climate crisis, rising unemployment combined with a decimated welfare state, and nationalist populists exploiting inequality and disillusionment to spread bigotry.
While it is tempting to respond with despair, or tear ourselves apart over who is to blame, we must instead look towards the future. That’s why at this year’s digital edition of The World Transformed, we have invited a range of high-level and grassroots activists from the US to discuss the struggles they’re now throwing their energies into, from extra-parliamentary campaigning to supporting progressives in Democratic selections.
In both countries, socialists and progressives face a hostile, billionaire-run media and a political establishment antagonistic towards radical ideas. That’s why any left strategy must include a focus on bottom-up organising, not only for elections but also through supporting movements like Black Lives Matter – which attempt to shift the national consensus, not constrained by the boundaries of what’s electorally convenient. Starting in the US, the movement spread swiftly across the Atlantic, highlighting the systemic racism faced by Black British communities as well. Inspiration from one nation pushed much-needed introspection in the other.
Meanwhile, while both countries have seen trade union activity decline over decades, recent successful strikes like those by Philadelphia nurses or West Virginia teachers have injected some fresh energy into the labour movement. Initiatives like the Jane McAlevey Organising for Power Strike School seek to learn and spread their lessons, not just across the US but around the world.
Much of the enthusiasm that the post-Sanders left has retained for electoral politics can be attributed to the US system of open primaries, allowing figures like Ilhan Omar and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez to emerge as inspiring new leaders, challenging both Donald Trump and the Democratic establishment. However, their successes can be attributed to much more than just the formal selection process. The US left has a robust system of electoral support, bringing together thousands of activists to support progressive candidates, a system that was given new life in recent years by groups like Justice Democrats and the Democratic Socialists of America. When our analysis is limited to headline news, we miss out what we can learn from the nuances of a developed activist strategy – the subtle tactics built over decades that have laid the foundations for this recent surge.
There are undoubtedly differences between the US and the UK contexts, but the challenges and questions faced by the left are often similar. Both our movements have developed a wealth of experiences, tactics and strategies that we can all benefit from sharing – and given the global scale of the crises we’re facing, from Covid-19 to the climate emergency, fostering international cooperation is more crucial than ever.
That’s why at this year’s edition of The World Transformed festival, we wanted to facilitate this dialogue. On Friday, we are excited to welcome Ilhan Omar, congresswoman for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District and a member of the famous “squad” of progressive Democrat women of colour. She’ll be joining us for a conversation with Diane Abbott MP, where they will share their experiences of pushing a transformative agenda through traditional parties, and reflect on the way forward. However, we are also seeking to foster links on a grassroots level: we’ve heard from Jane McAlevey and other US trade unionists leading impressive struggles, hosted transatlantic discussions about Black Lives Matter and about the campaign for a Green New Deal, and we’ll also be bringing together US and UK activists to talk about the fight for public healthcare and building left power after Corbyn and Bernie.
While the pandemic has made most in-person events impossible, modern technology enables us to organise beyond national borders and across continents. When our international interest extends only to newspaper headlines, rather than what happens at the grassroots, we miss out on opportunities we never even realised were there, and lessons we never knew we needed to learn. This is why at TWT, we want to start establishing meaningful connections that would allow us to develop lasting partnerships and mutual political education. By exchanging our skills, experiences and networks, we can strengthen our movements and work together towards a progressive future.