labourlist--2020-02-23--Preet Gill: Why I’m backing Keir Starmer for Labour leader

The morning of the 13th of December was an incredibly low moment for me .
Although I had been strongly endorsed by my constituents to continue representing them , many of my colleagues – who had consistently fought for their constituencies and held the government to account on a wide range of issues – had lost their seats .
An outpouring of critical , and some less critical , analysis of the reasons that the Conservatives won a resounding landslide has followed .
The truth is probably an amalgamation of everything that has been said , and a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ are not a homogenous group and the reasons for voting a certain way are often complex and deeply personal .
It would be a mistake to think that building a winning electoral coalition for Labour will be an easy task – we know , for instance , that people are not as politically tribal as they once were .
People have been willing to share their views with me , not only while I was out campaigning during the election , but also at my drop-in surgeries and at community events prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vast and varied , and the majority of conversations were respectful even when there was a disagreement .
But what those conversations tell me is that people are not disengaged from politics .
They really do care , they want the country to be better , and they do want change .
After a decade of Conservative rule , Labour remaining in opposition is devastating not only for those of us who care about the party but also for all of the hard-working people around the country who are already suffering , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a result of Tory policies .
The hard truth is that Labour has failed these people by failing to win .
Labour has failed the millions of children in this country growing up in poverty , the patients and their families facing ever-increasing waiting times for treatment through our National Health Service , and we have failed the working families already struggling to make ends meet who are facing job losses because of Boris Johnson ’ s pursuit of a hard Brexit .
While we can not know whether the Remain and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next election , we can be sure that intergenerational inequality will , we know that the climate crisis will have worsened and we know that Britain ’ s place in the world will have been eroded .
The Labour Party needs to listen to all voices .
We want to represent the people of the UK , not just Labour Party members , and the only way to do this is to get out and talk to people .
Our democracy demands a credible opposition , and that is exactly what Labour needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We must use this time effectively to expose the government ’ s many failings and hold them to account for their policy decisions that negatively affect the most vulnerable in our society .
That is why we must work with other elected representatives to show the best of Labour in power ; from Metro-Mayors to Police and Crime Commissioners .
We need to build on the work that they are doing to tackle austerity day in and day out .
We also need to learn from the positive messages that they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised issues , come up with innovative and ambitious policies and have delivered for their residents but the Labour party has not listened or learnt from them .
These are our colleagues who evidence what devolving power can do .
How can we , as a party , take on that challenge and where do we start ?
Alongside my good friend Jo Platt , we set up Labour Friends of Local Government because we believe that the party needs to listen more to those embedded in their communities around the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and officers but also civil society and the volunteers who work with local government on a daily basis .
I am urging whoever has the privilege of becoming the next Labour leader to build that trust not only of the party but of the public too .
We can not allow ourselves to become mired in internal discussions , and that is why I am pleased that Keir Starmer , my choice for Labour leader , has already written to local councillors .
He has made it clear that listening to and working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the other end of the spectrum , the next Labour leader also needs to think about our place in the world .
I am proud of the work I do as shadow minister in the Department for International Development .
The policies which our team advocate for would see the UK adopt an explicitly feminist international development policy , maintain the strong role the department plays internationally in setting the tone when responding to humanitarian crises , promoting human rights , and leading in global efforts to tackle extreme poverty and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has what it takes to win for the people who need a Labour government most .
He has spent his life fighting against injustice ; as a human rights lawyer – winning an award in recognition of his unpaid work challenging the death penalty around the world .
And in his work taking on powerful vested interests during his time as director of public prosecutions – taking the last Labour government to court for refusing to provide benefits for asylum seekers and acting to prosecute Murdoch journalists involved in the phone-hacking scandal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ party must be someone who can look to the future not just their navel .
For Labour to win at the next election , we must not only look to the future of the Labour Party but to the future of the country and its place in the world as well .

The morning of the 13th of December was an incredibly low moment for me. Although I had been strongly endorsed by my constituents to continue representing them, many of my colleagues – who had consistently fought for their constituencies and held the government to account on a wide range of issues – had lost their seats.
An outpouring of critical, and some less critical, analysis of the reasons that the Conservatives won a resounding landslide has followed. The truth is probably an amalgamation of everything that has been said, and a lot of what has not. The ‘public’ are not a homogenous group and the reasons for voting a certain way are often complex and deeply personal. It would be a mistake to think that building a winning electoral coalition for Labour will be an easy task – we know, for instance, that people are not as politically tribal as they once were.
People have been willing to share their views with me, not only while I was out campaigning during the election, but also at my drop-in surgeries and at community events prior to the election. The views were vast and varied, and the majority of conversations were respectful even when there was a disagreement. But what those conversations tell me is that people are not disengaged from politics. They really do care, they want the country to be better, and they do want change.
After a decade of Conservative rule, Labour remaining in opposition is devastating not only for those of us who care about the party but also for all of the hard-working people around the country who are already suffering, and who will now continue to suffer, as a result of Tory policies. The hard truth is that Labour has failed these people by failing to win. Labour has failed the millions of children in this country growing up in poverty, the patients and their families facing ever-increasing waiting times for treatment through our National Health Service, and we have failed the working families already struggling to make ends meet who are facing job losses because of Boris Johnson’s pursuit of a hard Brexit.
While we cannot know whether the Remain and Leave divisions will still exist at the next election, we can be sure that intergenerational inequality will, we know that the climate crisis will have worsened and we know that Britain’s place in the world will have been eroded.
The Labour Party needs to listen to all voices. We want to represent the people of the UK, not just Labour Party members, and the only way to do this is to get out and talk to people. Our democracy demands a credible opposition, and that is exactly what Labour needs to be over the next four years. We must use this time effectively to expose the government’s many failings and hold them to account for their policy decisions that negatively affect the most vulnerable in our society.
That is why we must work with other elected representatives to show the best of Labour in power; from Metro-Mayors to Police and Crime Commissioners. We need to build on the work that they are doing to tackle austerity day in and day out. We also need to learn from the positive messages that they are putting forward. Labour councillors have consistently raised issues, come up with innovative and ambitious policies and have delivered for their residents but the Labour party has not listened or learnt from them. These are our colleagues who evidence what devolving power can do.
How can we, as a party, take on that challenge and where do we start? Alongside my good friend Jo Platt, we set up Labour Friends of Local Government because we believe that the party needs to listen more to those embedded in their communities around the country. That means not only listening to councillors and officers but also civil society and the volunteers who work with local government on a daily basis. I am urging whoever has the privilege of becoming the next Labour leader to build that trust not only of the party but of the public too.
We cannot allow ourselves to become mired in internal discussions, and that is why I am pleased that Keir Starmer, my choice for Labour leader, has already written to local councillors. He has made it clear that listening to and working with councillors is a priority for him.
At the other end of the spectrum, the next Labour leader also needs to think about our place in the world. I am proud of the work I do as shadow minister in the Department for International Development. The policies which our team advocate for would see the UK adopt an explicitly feminist international development policy, maintain the strong role the department plays internationally in setting the tone when responding to humanitarian crises, promoting human rights, and leading in global efforts to tackle extreme poverty and climate change.
I believe that Keir has what it takes to win for the people who need a Labour government most. He has spent his life fighting against injustice; as a human rights lawyer – winning an award in recognition of his unpaid work challenging the death penalty around the world. And in his work taking on powerful vested interests during his time as director of public prosecutions – taking the last Labour government to court for refusing to provide benefits for asylum seekers and acting to prosecute Murdoch journalists involved in the phone-hacking scandal.
Whoever has the honour of leading our party must be someone who can look to the future not just their navel. For Labour to win at the next election, we must not only look to the future of the Labour Party but to the future of the country and its place in the world as well.


labourlist--2020-02-23--FBU set to release videos criticising Long-Bailey’s leadership rivals

The Fire Brigades Union is set to release a series of videos criticising Rebecca Long-Bailey ’ s Labour leadership rivals – starting with one that highlights the participation of Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy in the 2016 ‘ coup ’ .
LabourList can reveal that the party-affiliated , left-wing FBU , which nominated Long-Bailey for the leadership and Richard Burgon for the vacant deputy post , has made three ads in support of their favoured contender .
The first , set to be released tonight , will focus on the leadership challenge against Jeremy Corbyn in 2016 that was precipitated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to become a shadow cabinet member at the time .
“ We ’ ve got a carefully coordinated coup planned to create the most damage .
What an utter disgrace these people are , ” general secretary Matt Wrack is heard saying in the FBU video , which shows a speech of his at a 2016 pro-Corbyn rally .
Displaying the resignation letters of Starmer and Nandy , Wrack asserts : “ There are questions that both Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy have to answer .
They both participated in that attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermine the decision that Labour Party members took.
” The FBU leader has been critical of Starmer over recent days .
He wrote an article for Tribune on Sunday that accused the frontrunner of being “ prepared to row back ” on Labour ’ s pledge to repeal all anti-trade union laws .
Describing Starmer ’ s apparent position as “ alarming ” in contrast to that of Long-Bailey – who has vowed to repeal laws untouched by New Labour as well as the Trade Union Act 2016 – Wrack wrote that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back from , a worker-led agenda ” .
The two videos set to follow will focus on the green industrial revolution and open selections .
Both the FBU and Long-Bailey have been strong proponents of the two policies , which are central to the Salford MP ’ s leadership campaign .
In January , the executive council of the FBU “ resoundingly ” voted in favour of endorsing Long-Bailey for the leadership .
Wrack ’ s statement cited her work on Labour ’ s 2030 decarbonisation target in particular .
On Sunday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop , Starmer released a video focussed on party unity and Labour ’ s past achievements in government , from the Equality Act and Sure Start centres to the Good Friday Agreement .
Earlier in the day , Nandy appeared on Sophy Ridge ’ s Sky News programme , where she talked about the media , shared ideas about the future of the BBC , and disagreed with parts of the trans rights pledge card .

The Fire Brigades Union is set to release a series of videos criticising Rebecca Long-Bailey’s Labour leadership rivals – starting with one that highlights the participation of Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy in the 2016 ‘coup’.
LabourList can reveal that the party-affiliated, left-wing FBU, which nominated Long-Bailey for the leadership and Richard Burgon for the vacant deputy post, has made three ads in support of their favoured contender.
The first, set to be released tonight, will focus on the leadership challenge against Jeremy Corbyn in 2016 that was precipitated by mass frontbench resignations. Long-Bailey stepped up to become a shadow cabinet member at the time.
“We’ve got a carefully coordinated coup planned to create the most damage. What an utter disgrace these people are,” general secretary Matt Wrack is heard saying in the FBU video, which shows a speech of his at a 2016 pro-Corbyn rally.
Displaying the resignation letters of Starmer and Nandy, Wrack asserts: “There are questions that both Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy have to answer. They both participated in that attempt to force Corbyn from office and thereby undermine the decision that Labour Party members took.”
The FBU leader has been critical of Starmer over recent days. He wrote an article for Tribune on Sunday that accused the frontrunner of being “prepared to row back” on Labour’s pledge to repeal all anti-trade union laws.
Describing Starmer’s apparent position as “alarming” in contrast to that of Long-Bailey – who has vowed to repeal laws untouched by New Labour as well as the Trade Union Act 2016 – Wrack wrote that “Labour must build on, not step back from, a worker-led agenda”.
The two videos set to follow will focus on the green industrial revolution and open selections. Both the FBU and Long-Bailey have been strong proponents of the two policies, which are central to the Salford MP’s leadership campaign.
In January, the executive council of the FBU “resoundingly” voted in favour of endorsing Long-Bailey for the leadership. Wrack’s statement cited her work on Labour’s 2030 decarbonisation target in particular.
On Sunday night, the eve of ballots starting to drop, Starmer released a video focussed on party unity and Labour’s past achievements in government, from the Equality Act and Sure Start centres to the Good Friday Agreement.
Earlier in the day, Nandy appeared on Sophy Ridge’s Sky News programme, where she talked about the media, shared ideas about the future of the BBC, and disagreed with parts of the trans rights pledge card.
Update – FBU’s first video on the 2016 leadership challenge has been released:


labourlist--2020-02-23--BAME rep frontrunner among further suspensions of NEC by-election candidates

The frontrunner in the race to be the next BAME rep on Labour ’ s ruling body has become the latest candidate to be ousted from the NEC by-elections amid a further spate of suspensions .
Mehmood Mirza – a West Ham member who received 75 local party nominations for the BAME post , more than any other candidate – has now been suspended from the party , which makes him ineligible to stand .
Mirza had been nominated by left-wing trade union TSSA , and backed by the Labour Left Alliance group – though not by Momentum , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member Navendu Mishra , also nominated by Unite , CWU , BFAWU and FBU .
The disciplinary decision follows a report by the Telegraph that revealed Mirza had been the subject of a complaint , which related to a post on his Facebook page of a cartoon that depicted a “ free Palestine ” campaigner being silenced and accused of antisemitism .
Mirza has now been removed from the Labour Party ’ s official list of BAME rep candidates , as has Keith Hussein , who received the backing of 12 local parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by-elections .
A total of five candidates – Jo Bird , Mohammed Azam , Graham Durham , Mehmood Mirza and Keith Hussein – have now been suspended during the course of the internal by-elections that started in January .
Bird has since been reinstated as a member , which means her 117 local party nominations are now valid , while the others remain under administrative suspension pending the resolution of complaints made against them .
It is understood that all of the candidate suspensions by the Labour Party are related to allegations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis of social media posts .
Ballots are set to go out from tomorrow – Monday , February 24th – which makes it unlikely that any of the other four candidates will be eligible to stand as candidates in the contests despite initially receiving enough nominations to qualify .

The frontrunner in the race to be the next BAME rep on Labour’s ruling body has become the latest candidate to be ousted from the NEC by-elections amid a further spate of suspensions.
Mehmood Mirza – a West Ham member who received 75 local party nominations for the BAME post, more than any other candidate – has now been suspended from the party, which makes him ineligible to stand.
Mirza had been nominated by left-wing trade union TSSA, and backed by the Labour Left Alliance group – though not by Momentum, which has endorsed new MP and former NEC member Navendu Mishra, also nominated by Unite, CWU, BFAWU and FBU.
The disciplinary decision follows a report by the Telegraph that revealed Mirza had been the subject of a complaint, which related to a post on his Facebook page of a cartoon that depicted a “free Palestine” campaigner being silenced and accused of antisemitism.
Mirza has now been removed from the Labour Party’s official list of BAME rep candidates, as has Keith Hussein, who received the backing of 12 local parties during the nomination period in the NEC by-elections.
A total of five candidates – Jo Bird, Mohammed Azam, Graham Durham, Mehmood Mirza and Keith Hussein – have now been suspended during the course of the internal by-elections that started in January.
Bird has since been reinstated as a member, which means her 117 local party nominations are now valid, while the others remain under administrative suspension pending the resolution of complaints made against them.
It is understood that all of the candidate suspensions by the Labour Party are related to allegations of antisemitism, and mostly made on the basis of social media posts.
Ballots are set to go out from tomorrow – Monday, February 24th – which makes it unlikely that any of the other four candidates will be eligible to stand as candidates in the contests despite initially receiving enough nominations to qualify.


labourlist--2020-02-23--Keir Starmer pledges to offer leadership rivals “top jobs” if he wins contest

Labour leadership frontrunner candidate Keir Starmer has pledged to offer his two rivals in the contest , Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy , “ top jobs ” in the shadow cabinet if he wins the contest in April .
Asked at the official party hustings today whether fellow contenders would have a place in their frontbench teams , Starmer replied : “ I would happily offer both of these brilliant candidates a top job in the shadow cabinet ” .
The Holborn MP added that he would “ happily serve them ” in their shadow cabinets “ if they wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a comment for which he received much applause at the Durham event .
At an official hustings held in Glasgow last weekend , Starmer was asked the same question and refused to guarantee Long-Bailey or Nandy jobs , instead saying : “ I don ’ t think any of us are going to get into jostling for positions on this.
” Long-Bailey said : “ I feel a bit sad that Keir doesn ’ t want us in his shadow cabinet .
I know we don ’ t agree all the time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we meet on areas of common ground , and that ’ s what would make us a strong shadow cabinet and I would have Keir and Lisa in my shadow cabinet.
” But the frontrunner , who gained during more than 58 % of local party nominations cast in the leadership race , decided today to confirm – as Long-Bailey and Nandy have done – that he would give top posts to his remaining rivals .
During the latest hustings , Starmer said : “ I really want to pay tribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , I think , are excellent candidates , sincerely and genuinely putting forward very powerful cases they think are right for our party , our movement and the country.
” In response , Lisa Nandy joked that Starmer ’ s comments were so kind “ I ’ m starting to think he might give me his first preference ” .
She also said Long-Bailey had suggested that the candidates have “ one drink for every hustings we ’ ve done ” together once the race ends .
Labour ’ s leadership and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropping from Monday , February 24th , and the results of the contests are set to be announced at a special party conference on April 4th .

Labour leadership frontrunner candidate Keir Starmer has pledged to offer his two rivals in the contest, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy, “top jobs” in the shadow cabinet if he wins the contest in April.
Asked at the official party hustings today whether fellow contenders would have a place in their frontbench teams, Starmer replied: “I would happily offer both of these brilliant candidates a top job in the shadow cabinet”.
The Holborn MP added that he would “happily serve them” in their shadow cabinets “if they wanted me to do the same” – a comment for which he received much applause at the Durham event.
At an official hustings held in Glasgow last weekend, Starmer was asked the same question and refused to guarantee Long-Bailey or Nandy jobs, instead saying: “I don’t think any of us are going to get into jostling for positions on this.”
Long-Bailey said: “I feel a bit sad that Keir doesn’t want us in his shadow cabinet. I know we don’t agree all the time, and our visions are probably very different, but we meet on areas of common ground, and that’s what would make us a strong shadow cabinet and I would have Keir and Lisa in my shadow cabinet.”
But the frontrunner, who gained during more than 58% of local party nominations cast in the leadership race, decided today to confirm – as Long-Bailey and Nandy have done – that he would give top posts to his remaining rivals.
During the latest hustings, Starmer said: “I really want to pay tribute to Lisa and Becky because both of them, I think, are excellent candidates, sincerely and genuinely putting forward very powerful cases they think are right for our party, our movement and the country.”
In response, Lisa Nandy joked that Starmer’s comments were so kind “I’m starting to think he might give me his first preference”. She also said Long-Bailey had suggested that the candidates have “one drink for every hustings we’ve done” together once the race ends.
Labour’s leadership and deputy leadership elections will see ballots start dropping from Monday, February 24th, and the results of the contests are set to be announced at a special party conference on April 4th.


labourlist--2020-02-24--Gurinder Singh Josan: Why I’m standing to be a member of Labour’s NEC

Having lost our fourth general election , Labour needs to urgently do away with the naked factionalism that allowed the party to become characterised by constant calls for deselections , central control of candidate selections , antisemitism and intolerance of debate .
The experiment of the last few years has clearly failed and the custodians of that experiment , those who led it , need to accept their role in that failure .
They failed all those in our communities who desperately need a Labour government ; they failed our supporters on Brexit whether they were Remain or Leave ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing robustly with antisemitism and leading us into an Equalities and Human Rights Commission investigation ; they failed all those excellent members , councillors and activists who were excluded from being considered in selections in favour of tawdry stitch-ups ; they failed all those who make up the ‘ broad-church ’ that wins elections in favour of ‘ factional purity ’ leaving some of our best talents on the back-benches ; they failed on providing a progressive , internationalist and patriotic outlook that people across all our nations could embrace , as is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most importantly , the result of that failure was gifting the Conservatives with a majority .
One that allows them to dismantle the protections that exist to support the most vulnerable in society and to put at risk the progressive , forward thinking , internationalist and inclusive society in which all our communities and citizens can thrive .
Enough is enough !
The Labour Party is thankfully now electing a new leader and a new leadership can be expected to bring changes in the team at the top , in priorities and direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scale of the challenge of winning the next general election means a new Labour leader alone is not enough – more fundamental change is needed .
To rebuild our election-winning , party we also need significant change in strategy , organisation , the relationship with power between members and the party , and a reassessment of accountability in the party .
We need to ensure our head office and regional offices are staffed with the best talents in our movement appointed for their knowledge , expertise , experience , dynamism and commitment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those appointed because of their loyalty to the leader .
We need an independent complaints process that has clear expectations regarding behaviour and is robust , prompt and fair in its operation .
I ’ m a lifelong anti-racist and if that means anything , at the very minimum it has to be ensuring zero tolerance of any form of racism within our party – not just attending anti-racism demos .
We need a culture of openness and transparency .
Conflicts of interests for those making decisions need to be managed .
Candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most , and the final , say .
Trade unions should publish data of the candidates that they support , their diversity traits including gender , ethnicity , sexuality and disability and the amount of resources put behind each candidate .
‘ Losing the Red Wall ’ is a great metaphor but what does it actually mean ?
Clearly , we have lost the trust of former Labour supporters in many of our heartlands .
There is also a complacent assumption amongst many that we can continue to rely on our BAME communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent elections show significant shifts away from the Labour Party in the Jewish , Hindu and Sikh communities – much of this self-inflicted , but also in response to a concerted effort to appeal to these communities by the Tories on issues such as aspiration and representation .
With the diversity of our traditional heartlands seats this trust isn ’ t going to be rebuilt by having a bumper manifesto that tries to be all things to all people .
But we can start rebuilding by having meaningful conversations about the issues that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as immigration .
Honest conversations will not necessarily yield a policy solution for every voter but it will demonstrate that we are listening , interested and understanding their concerns – the foundations of rebuilding trust .
This national executive committee by-election gives members the chance to improve the diversity and representation of member reps on Labour ’ s most important decision-making body , and to return to the ‘ broad-church ’ party that wins elections .
We have to renew , reconnect and rebuild trust with voters who left us and this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to represent all traditions of the Labour Party to start that process .
I ’ ll work with the new leader to face the many challenges of winning the next general election .
I will bring with me the background of a long-standing and dedicated party activist , a passionate equalities campaigner and my independent-minded commitment to a member-led , democratic Labour Party .

Having lost our fourth general election, Labour needs to urgently do away with the naked factionalism that allowed the party to become characterised by constant calls for deselections, central control of candidate selections, antisemitism and intolerance of debate. The experiment of the last few years has clearly failed and the custodians of that experiment, those who led it, need to accept their role in that failure.
They failed all those in our communities who desperately need a Labour government; they failed our supporters on Brexit whether they were Remain or Leave; they failed on tackling racism by not dealing robustly with antisemitism and leading us into an Equalities and Human Rights Commission investigation; they failed all those excellent members, councillors and activists who were excluded from being considered in selections in favour of tawdry stitch-ups; they failed all those who make up the ‘broad-church’ that wins elections in favour of ‘factional purity’ leaving some of our best talents on the back-benches; they failed on providing a progressive, internationalist and patriotic outlook that people across all our nations could embrace, as is the Labour Party tradition.
But perhaps most importantly, the result of that failure was gifting the Conservatives with a majority. One that allows them to dismantle the protections that exist to support the most vulnerable in society and to put at risk the progressive, forward thinking, internationalist and inclusive society in which all our communities and citizens can thrive. Enough is enough!
The Labour Party is thankfully now electing a new leader and a new leadership can be expected to bring changes in the team at the top, in priorities and direction. But four general election defeats and the scale of the challenge of winning the next general election means a new Labour leader alone is not enough – more fundamental change is needed. To rebuild our election-winning, party we also need significant change in strategy, organisation, the relationship with power between members and the party, and a reassessment of accountability in the party.
We need to ensure our head office and regional offices are staffed with the best talents in our movement appointed for their knowledge, expertise, experience, dynamism and commitment to helping our candidates win. Not those appointed because of their loyalty to the leader. We need an independent complaints process that has clear expectations regarding behaviour and is robust, prompt and fair in its operation. I’m a lifelong anti-racist and if that means anything, at the very minimum it has to be ensuring zero tolerance of any form of racism within our party – not just attending anti-racism demos.
We need a culture of openness and transparency. Conflicts of interests for those making decisions need to be managed. Candidate selections should default to members having the most, and the final, say. Trade unions should publish data of the candidates that they support, their diversity traits including gender, ethnicity, sexuality and disability and the amount of resources put behind each candidate.
‘Losing the Red Wall’ is a great metaphor but what does it actually mean? Clearly, we have lost the trust of former Labour supporters in many of our heartlands. There is also a complacent assumption amongst many that we can continue to rely on our BAME communities to blindly always vote Labour. Yet recent elections show significant shifts away from the Labour Party in the Jewish, Hindu and Sikh communities – much of this self-inflicted, but also in response to a concerted effort to appeal to these communities by the Tories on issues such as aspiration and representation.
With the diversity of our traditional heartlands seats this trust isn’t going to be rebuilt by having a bumper manifesto that tries to be all things to all people. But we can start rebuilding by having meaningful conversations about the issues that matter to people in these communities, such as immigration. Honest conversations will not necessarily yield a policy solution for every voter but it will demonstrate that we are listening, interested and understanding their concerns – the foundations of rebuilding trust.
This national executive committee by-election gives members the chance to improve the diversity and representation of member reps on Labour’s most important decision-making body, and to return to the ‘broad-church’ party that wins elections. We have to renew, reconnect and rebuild trust with voters who left us and this is an opportunity to broaden the NEC to represent all traditions of the Labour Party to start that process. I’ll work with the new leader to face the many challenges of winning the next general election. I will bring with me the background of a long-standing and dedicated party activist, a passionate equalities campaigner and my independent-minded commitment to a member-led, democratic Labour Party.


labourlist--2020-02-24--The state of the Labour leadership race as ballots begin to drop

Ballots start dropping today .
Party members , affiliate members and registered supporters will have a number of contests to consider .
First up , the Labour leadership contests : a choice of three for the top job ; a selection of five for deputy .
With a preferential voting system , the selectorate will be ranking candidates – and that is crucial to the chances of Lisa Nandy .
Her hopes rest on coming second to Keir Starmer in first preferences , then picking up enough second preferences from Rebecca Long-Bailey backers to sweep to victory .
But Long-Bailey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in on Starmer for first place , and they say the next few days will be crucial .
The majority are expected to cast their ballots at the beginning of this six-week voting period .
The party-affiliated FBU is releasing a trio of videos in support of her – the first of which , put out last night , highlights the loyalty of Long-Bailey and the participation of her rivals in the 2016 ‘ coup ’ sparked by mass shadow cabinet resignations .
Although Starmer is widely thought to be the clear frontrunner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning over 58 % of local party nominations – he has not been slacking .
Not taking anything for granted , the Holborn MP continued a mass phonebanking operation over the weekend , did an interview with the Observer , and released two videos – one focussing on party unity , the other attacking the Tories .
Putting the future of Labour and the country at the centre of his messaging now seems like a wise move at a time when members appear tired of in-fighting .
There are other internal contests that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of who sits on Labour ’ s national executive committee is an important one , as evidenced by the Momentum email to its members last night that placed a reminder of their NEC slate above a call for Long-Bailey votes .
There have been further suspensions of candidates in the three NEC by-elections , actioned on the basis of antisemitism allegations , which has cleared the path for a more obvious Labour left slate .
This is a noteworthy development , as the left majority on the ruling body is soft and narrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see whether the factional alignments of the leadership and NEC results in April match up .
If not , the leader may want to work the full summer NEC elections hard to change that situation .
As we enter the final phase of the leadership race , it is worth congratulating each of the candidates already .
The number of hustings has been staggering , exhausting for the LabourList team let alone the leadership hopefuls themselves , and they have all had to sacrifice time with their families to engage with members and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are still almost six weeks to go !
So , thanks for all their hard work so far and for the efforts ahead .
• Today : Ballots for leadership contests and NEC by-elections start dropping ; parliament returns from recess ( 2.30pm ) • Wednesday : PMQs ( 12pm ) ; Arise rally with Richard Burgon and others in London ( 7pm ) ; Beer and Brexit with John McDonnell ( 7pm )

Ballots start dropping today. Party members, affiliate members and registered supporters will have a number of contests to consider. First up, the Labour leadership contests: a choice of three for the top job; a selection of five for deputy. With a preferential voting system, the selectorate will be ranking candidates – and that is crucial to the chances of Lisa Nandy. Her hopes rest on coming second to Keir Starmer in first preferences, then picking up enough second preferences from Rebecca Long-Bailey backers to sweep to victory.
But Long-Bailey’s camp reckon they are closing in on Starmer for first place, and they say the next few days will be crucial. The majority are expected to cast their ballots at the beginning of this six-week voting period. The party-affiliated FBU is releasing a trio of videos in support of her – the first of which, put out last night, highlights the loyalty of Long-Bailey and the participation of her rivals in the 2016 ‘coup’ sparked by mass shadow cabinet resignations.
Although Starmer is widely thought to be the clear frontrunner – based on polling, but also winning over 58% of local party nominations – he has not been slacking. Not taking anything for granted, the Holborn MP continued a mass phonebanking operation over the weekend, did an interview with the Observer, and released two videos – one focussing on party unity, the other attacking the Tories. Putting the future of Labour and the country at the centre of his messaging now seems like a wise move at a time when members appear tired of in-fighting.
There are other internal contests that should not be overlooked. The question of who sits on Labour’s national executive committee is an important one, as evidenced by the Momentum email to its members last night that placed a reminder of their NEC slate above a call for Long-Bailey votes. There have been further suspensions of candidates in the three NEC by-elections, actioned on the basis of antisemitism allegations, which has cleared the path for a more obvious Labour left slate. This is a noteworthy development, as the left majority on the ruling body is soft and narrow. It will be very interesting to see whether the factional alignments of the leadership and NEC results in April match up. If not, the leader may want to work the full summer NEC elections hard to change that situation.
As we enter the final phase of the leadership race, it is worth congratulating each of the candidates already. The number of hustings has been staggering, exhausting for the LabourList team let alone the leadership hopefuls themselves, and they have all had to sacrifice time with their families to engage with members and communicate their ideas every day. And there are still almost six weeks to go! So, thanks for all their hard work so far and for the efforts ahead.


labourlist--2020-02-24--McDonnell sets three tests for Tory budget on austerity, poverty and climate

John McDonnell is planning to set out three tests against which Labour will judge the first budget of this Conservative government .
The Shadow Chancellor will comment on how the opposition will assess the statement , due to be delivered by Rishi Sunak in parliament on March 11th , during a debate on Tuesday .
The three tests will relate to whether the budget firstly ends and reverses austerity , secondly lifts people out of poverty , and thirdly adequately responds to the threat of climate change .
McDonnell is expected to say that over the next few days Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government needs to address to tackle “ the social and climate emergencies ” .
The Shadow Chancellor will say : “ At present , we have a government that has proved to be incapable of caring for our people , housing our people , feeding them or providing the work that will lift them and their families out of poverty .
“ These will be the key tests of the forthcoming budget : Will it really end and reverse the decade of austerity cuts imposed upon our communities by the Tories ?
Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cared for , housed , fed and have secure employment that will help lift them out of poverty ?
“ And yes , of course alongside all this , in a week where we have again seen the Prime Minister ’ s failure to respond to flooding that has damaged so many of our people ’ s lives , the overriding test is : will it tackle the existential threat of climate change ?
” Last week , Jeremy Corbyn criticised Boris Johnson over his response to flooding caused by Storm Dennis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected communities .
McDonnell will add : “ The forthcoming budget will be a test of whether the Tory Party has turned a page .
From the evidence so far it is looking like more Johnsonian bluster .
“ Nothing on the scale needed to even address in any serious way the damage Conservative governments over the last decade have inflicted on our communities .
And certainly nothing on the scale needed to tackle the climate crisis .
“ We await to see whether in this budget the government will at long last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and evasion .
I am not holding my breath.
” The 2019 Tory manifesto pledge of an increase in the threshold at which people pay national insurance contributions is expected to be included in the budget .
The government also committed to tackling the crisis in social care by promising an additional £1bn of funding for local authorities in the Queen ’ s speech .
Pre-budget analysis from the Resolution Foundation has suggested that the government could increase spending to allow it to rise above £1tn by 2024 .
However the think tank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional tax increases , unless the budget rules drawn up by Sajid Javid are to be broken .
Javid was replaced by Rishi Sunak during the last cabinet reshuffle .
He resigned as Chancellor when told to sack all of his advisors by the Prime Minister .
The comments from McDonnell about the budget are expected to be made during a debate in the House of Commons on tax avoidance and evasion .

John McDonnell is planning to set out three tests against which Labour will judge the first budget of this Conservative government.
The Shadow Chancellor will comment on how the opposition will assess the statement, due to be delivered by Rishi Sunak in parliament on March 11th, during a debate on Tuesday.
The three tests will relate to whether the budget firstly ends and reverses austerity, secondly lifts people out of poverty, and thirdly adequately responds to the threat of climate change.
McDonnell is expected to say that over the next few days Labour will set out the issues that the government needs to address to tackle “the social and climate emergencies”.
The Shadow Chancellor will say: “At present, we have a government that has proved to be incapable of caring for our people, housing our people, feeding them or providing the work that will lift them and their families out of poverty.
“These will be the key tests of the forthcoming budget: Will it really end and reverse the decade of austerity cuts imposed upon our communities by the Tories? Will it ensure that our people are properly cared for, housed, fed and have secure employment that will help lift them out of poverty?
“And yes, of course alongside all this, in a week where we have again seen the Prime Minister’s failure to respond to flooding that has damaged so many of our people’s lives, the overriding test is: will it tackle the existential threat of climate change?”
Last week, Jeremy Corbyn criticised Boris Johnson over his response to flooding caused by Storm Dennis, and in particular his failure to visit affected communities.
McDonnell will add: “The forthcoming budget will be a test of whether the Tory Party has turned a page. From the evidence so far it is looking like more Johnsonian bluster.
“Nothing on the scale needed to even address in any serious way the damage Conservative governments over the last decade have inflicted on our communities. And certainly nothing on the scale needed to tackle the climate crisis.
“We await to see whether in this budget the government will at long last confront effectively the scandal of tax avoidance and evasion. I am not holding my breath.”
The 2019 Tory manifesto pledge of an increase in the threshold at which people pay national insurance contributions is expected to be included in the budget.
The government also committed to tackling the crisis in social care by promising an additional £1bn of funding for local authorities in the Queen’s speech.
Pre-budget analysis from the Resolution Foundation has suggested that the government could increase spending to allow it to rise above £1tn by 2024.
However the think tank has said that this would likely require additional tax increases, unless the budget rules drawn up by Sajid Javid are to be broken.
Javid was replaced by Rishi Sunak during the last cabinet reshuffle. He resigned as Chancellor when told to sack all of his advisors by the Prime Minister.
The comments from McDonnell about the budget are expected to be made during a debate in the House of Commons on tax avoidance and evasion.


labourlist--2020-02-24--Liz McInnes: Why I’m backing Rosena Allin-Khan for deputy leader

When I first met Rosena , she was Labour ’ s candidate in the 2016 Tooting by-election .
As a by-election candidate myself in Heywood and Middleton in 2014 , I know how difficult and uniquely pressured by-elections can be and I wanted to help Rosena win the seat after the amazing Sadiq Khan left to become London mayor .
As soon as I met Rosena , I knew that Tooting would soon have another fantastic Labour MP .
Her boundless energy and enthusiasm inspired her whole team .
I also knew that Rosena wouldn ’ t be just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her skills and experience to the parliamentary Labour party and she ’ s certainly done that in her role as shadow sports minister and with her background as a practising A & E doctor in our NHS .
The choice of who to support in the deputy leadership contest has been a difficult one for me .
I know all the candidates and they ’ re all people I am proud to call friends .
But it ’ s Rosena who has most impressed me in this campaign and I think she has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new deputy leader .
After the disastrous election result in December 2019 , where I lost my seat to the Tories – the first time that they have ever taken Heywood & Middleton – Rosena was one of the first people to contact me , to commiserate but also to talk about what went wrong and how we rebuild from here .
She came up to my constituency to talk with key activists about the campaign and we explored every aspect , from Brexit through to our manifesto and the Labour leadership .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 62 % Leave voting constituency and how I had tried to represent the views of all my constituents in trying to get a deal that worked for 100 % .
Rosena understands the issues that we face here in the North and I know that she is going to be a great campaigning deputy leader who will reach out across the country to win back those lost Labour seats in the North , the Midlands , Scotland and Wales .
I see the role of deputy leader as being a campaigner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a critical friend .
I think that Rosena is more than capable of doing this job , and doing it extremely well .
I am wary of any offer of leader/deputy leader ‘ dream tickets ’ suggesting a cosy , already formed relationship .
The deputy leader has to be able to stand back and assess situations critically and I know that Rosena has the independence and strength of character to do this .
I know how hard Rosena has worked to become a qualified doctor , and she ’ s not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Hospital , keeping her grounded and in touch with our NHS but she ’ s also done great humanitarian work reaching out internationally .
I ’ ll never forget her impassioned speech in parliament when she returned from the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh where she ’ d been providing medical care to people who have nothing – no citizenship , no home , in many cases no family and no prospect of their situation improving .
Rosena has the strength , knowledge , intelligence and empathy needed to unite our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to the wider public .
And whoever becomes leader , she will be a unique complement to them .
I ’ m proud to call Rosena a friend , and I ’ m proud to support her to be the next deputy leader of the Labour Party .

When I first met Rosena, she was Labour’s candidate in the 2016 Tooting by-election. As a by-election candidate myself in Heywood and Middleton in 2014, I know how difficult and uniquely pressured by-elections can be and I wanted to help Rosena win the seat after the amazing Sadiq Khan left to become London mayor.
As soon as I met Rosena, I knew that Tooting would soon have another fantastic Labour MP. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm inspired her whole team. I also knew that Rosena wouldn’t be just a backbench MP but that she would bring her skills and experience to the parliamentary Labour party and she’s certainly done that in her role as shadow sports minister and with her background as a practising A&E doctor in our NHS.
The choice of who to support in the deputy leadership contest has been a difficult one for me. I know all the candidates and they’re all people I am proud to call friends. But it’s Rosena who has most impressed me in this campaign and I think she has the qualities that we need in our new deputy leader.
After the disastrous election result in December 2019, where I lost my seat to the Tories – the first time that they have ever taken Heywood & Middleton – Rosena was one of the first people to contact me, to commiserate but also to talk about what went wrong and how we rebuild from here.
She came up to my constituency to talk with key activists about the campaign and we explored every aspect, from Brexit through to our manifesto and the Labour leadership. We talked about Heywood and Middleton being a 62% Leave voting constituency and how I had tried to represent the views of all my constituents in trying to get a deal that worked for 100%.
Rosena understands the issues that we face here in the North and I know that she is going to be a great campaigning deputy leader who will reach out across the country to win back those lost Labour seats in the North, the Midlands, Scotland and Wales.
I see the role of deputy leader as being a campaigner, an organiser, an advisor and also a critical friend. I think that Rosena is more than capable of doing this job, and doing it extremely well. I am wary of any offer of leader/deputy leader ‘dream tickets’ suggesting a cosy, already formed relationship. The deputy leader has to be able to stand back and assess situations critically and I know that Rosena has the independence and strength of character to do this.
I know how hard Rosena has worked to become a qualified doctor, and she’s not only continued to work shifts at St George’s Hospital, keeping her grounded and in touch with our NHS but she’s also done great humanitarian work reaching out internationally.
I’ll never forget her impassioned speech in parliament when she returned from the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh where she’d been providing medical care to people who have nothing – no citizenship, no home, in many cases no family and no prospect of their situation improving.
Rosena has the strength, knowledge, intelligence and empathy needed to unite our party and also to take our message out to the wider public. And whoever becomes leader, she will be a unique complement to them. I’m proud to call Rosena a friend, and I’m proud to support her to be the next deputy leader of the Labour Party.


labourlist--2020-02-24--Chris Webb: Why I’m standing to be a member of Labour’s NEC

The Labour Party is in my blood .
It ’ s in my DNA .
From a childhood spent alongside my dad on various picket lines , protests , Liverpool dockers ’ marches and rallies .
It ’ s a childhood full of memories of trade union events , leaflet deliveries and fundraisers right across the country .
At 16 I joined the Labour Party , with John Prescott handing me my membership card on stage at my first regional conference in 2003 .
My family had already handed me the Labour ideals and values which still stick with me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice .
These values have served me as a local councillor , constituency Labour Party ( CLP ) secretary and youth officer .
They were at the heart of me creating Blackpool , Fylde and Wyre Young Labour , and when I became Labour campaigns forum campaign chair for Manchester during my time living there in my 20s .
They were also fundamental to me standing as a parliamentary candidate in the last two elections in my home town of Blackpool .
Make no bones about it , the election result in December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we felt it locally and I felt it as a candidate as the results came in .
It is heart-breaking to watch the votes pile up for the Tories , in what often feels like slow motion .
A feeling that we had let down those hit hardest by the damage the Tory austerity agenda has committed against our communities .
I was upset personally , but also heartbroken for my home town and so many like it across the country .
They need our help now every bit as much as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t have time to wallow or hang our heads .
The fight back must start now .
That starts at branch level within our CLPs , where we ’ ve seen an influx of new members that we need to convert to regular activists .
They are a massive part of our future – helping to spread our message via leaflets , street stalls , social media and door knocking .
The days of boring branch and CLP meetings have to come to an end , because people no longer just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an agenda .
I know I don ’ t .
They want to commit , to take part , to engage .
We need to modernise our grassroots levels and organise in our communities so Labour is always there to help .
If elected to the NEC I want to use this position to seek out best practice and share it amongst all CLPs , to help rejuvenate our local parties and make them friendly and enticing again to all .
I will tour CLPs up and down the country listening to local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a weekly basis , so that I can express your views at every NEC meeting .
Let ’ s make our meeting vibrant again , with debates and discussion on both local and national topics .
Let ’ s make them a place for members to access training and real political educations , learning the values I did as a child .
Let ’ s interact with trade unions and support local workers when they need our support during industrial action , because these simple things are at the core of Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grassroots activism right , we win local council seats , then parliamentary seats and from there we can achieve a Labour government again .
That ’ s the road we must follow , and if we do the fight back will be victorious .

The Labour Party is in my blood. It’s in my DNA. From a childhood spent alongside my dad on various picket lines, protests, Liverpool dockers’ marches and rallies. It’s a childhood full of memories of trade union events, leaflet deliveries and fundraisers right across the country.
At 16 I joined the Labour Party, with John Prescott handing me my membership card on stage at my first regional conference in 2003. My family had already handed me the Labour ideals and values which still stick with me today of compassion, equality and social justice.
These values have served me as a local councillor, constituency Labour Party (CLP) secretary and youth officer. They were at the heart of me creating Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Young Labour, and when I became Labour campaigns forum campaign chair for Manchester during my time living there in my 20s. They were also fundamental to me standing as a parliamentary candidate in the last two elections in my home town of Blackpool.
Make no bones about it, the election result in December was awful. We felt it nationally, we felt it locally and I felt it as a candidate as the results came in. It is heart-breaking to watch the votes pile up for the Tories, in what often feels like slow motion. A feeling that we had let down those hit hardest by the damage the Tory austerity agenda has committed against our communities.
I was upset personally, but also heartbroken for my home town and so many like it across the country. They need our help now every bit as much as they did on December 12th. We don’t have time to wallow or hang our heads. The fight back must start now.
That starts at branch level within our CLPs, where we’ve seen an influx of new members that we need to convert to regular activists. They are a massive part of our future – helping to spread our message via leaflets, street stalls, social media and door knocking.
The days of boring branch and CLP meetings have to come to an end, because people no longer just want to listen to us work through an agenda. I know I don’t. They want to commit, to take part, to engage. We need to modernise our grassroots levels and organise in our communities so Labour is always there to help.
If elected to the NEC I want to use this position to seek out best practice and share it amongst all CLPs, to help rejuvenate our local parties and make them friendly and enticing again to all. I will tour CLPs up and down the country listening to local members and use new technologies to engage on a weekly basis, so that I can express your views at every NEC meeting.
Let’s make our meeting vibrant again, with debates and discussion on both local and national topics. Let’s make them a place for members to access training and real political educations, learning the values I did as a child. Let’s interact with trade unions and support local workers when they need our support during industrial action, because these simple things are at the core of Labour as a party.
When we get grassroots activism right, we win local council seats, then parliamentary seats and from there we can achieve a Labour government again. That’s the road we must follow, and if we do the fight back will be victorious.


labourlist--2020-02-24--Our guide to the policies of each Labour leadership candidate

Labour members , affiliate members and registered supporters will begin voting in the leadership election today , and they will be choosing between Keir Starmer , Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy until ballots close on April 2nd .
The final result will be announced two days later at a special conference .
Throughout the contest , the three leadership hopefuls have made various policy announcements – from outward-looking ideas for the country to internal party reforms that could change the working of Labour in crucial ways .
This is our guide to the platforms of Starmer , Long-Bailey and Nandy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source .
• Resolve future and outstanding antisemitism cases swiftly and under a fixed timetable .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Scrap the national constitutional committee and create an independent disciplinary process .
( The Jewish Chronicle , LabourList ) • Prevent the readmittance of prominent antisemitism offenders .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Suspend any who have campaigned for or supported those expelled for antisemitism .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism without qualification .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Re-engage the Jewish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Engage with Jewish members through only its “ main representative groups ” .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Take personal responsibility for putting an end to antisemitism within Labour .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Create an assembly of trade unionists and members to look at how Labour develops policy .
( LabourList ) • Push for increased representation of councillors on the NEC .
( LabourList ) • Conduct a review into disabled access with the party .
( Starmer for leader website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top 5 % of earners .
( Starmer for leader website ) • Reverse the Conservative ’ s cuts to corporation tax .
( Starmer for leader website ) • Set a national goal for wellbeing on a par with GDP .
( Starmer for leader website ) • Introduce public ownership of rail , mail , water and energy .
( We Own It ) • Bring prisons and probation services wholly back in-house .
( We Own It ) • End NHS privatisation and reinstate the NHS on the basis of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ) • Roll out full-fibre broadband through a publicly owned infrastructure provider .
( We Own It ) • End the academies and free schools project and ensure schools are under local democratic control .
( We Own It ) • Put the green new deal “ at the heart of everything we do ” .
( Starmer for leader website ) • Reintroduce freedom of movement for EU nationals .
( Starmer for leader website ) • Close detention centres such as Yarl ’ s Wood .
( Starmer for leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to encourage party members to become active in their trade unions .
( LabourList ) • Abolish the House of Lords and replace it with an elected chamber of regions and nations .
( LabourList ) • Invite councillors to work with shadow cabinet members on campaigning and policy development .
( LabourList ) • Hold a constitutional convention on the settlement between national and local government .
( LabourList ) • Lift the ban on local councils to run their own bus services .
( We Own It ) • Make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-house .
( We Own It ) • Resolve future and outstanding antisemitism cases swiftly and under a fixed timetable .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Prevent the readmittance of prominent antisemitism offenders .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Suspend any who have campaigned for or supported those expelled for antisemitism .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism without qualification .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Re-engage the Jewish Labour Movement to lead on anti-racism training .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main representative groups ” .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Take personal responsibility for putting an end to antisemitism within Labour .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Hold an impartial review into the failings of the 2019 campaign .
( LabourList ) • Fight against “ transphobic organisations such as Woman ’ s Place UK and LGB Alliance ” .
( LabourList ) • Introduce public ownership of rail , mail , water and energy .
( We Own It ) • End NHS privatisation and reinstate the NHS on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We Own It ) • Bring prisons and probation services wholly back in-house .
( We Own It ) • Maintain 2019 manifesto commitments on tax , including increase for top 5 % of earners .
( Huffington Post ) • Introduce a legal right to not answer work emails and phone calls outside of working hours .
( The Guardian ) • Roll out full-fibre broadband through a publicly owned infrastructure provider .
( We Own It ) • Replace the House of Lords with an elected senate outside of London .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ further Labour nominations to the House of Lords .
( Huffington Post • Hold a constitutional convention on proportional representation and devolution .
( Rebecca for Leader website ) • Reach net-zero carbon emissions in the UK by 2030 .
( LabourList ) • Devolve powers to councils to deliver infrastructure and services .
( LabourList ) • Enable councils to support supply chains and work with local organisations to create jobs .
( LabourList ) • Lift the ban on local councils to run their own bus services .
( We Own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Yarl ’ s Wood and develop a humane alternative .
( The Independent ) • Repeal all anti-trade union legislation going back to Thatcher era .
( LabourList ) • Launch a national campaign on education while in opposition .
( Tes ) • Push for government to ensure class sizes of less than 30 and provide adequate funding for schools .
( Tes ) • Restore pay to teachers and school staff to pre-crisis levels .
( Tes ) • End the academies and free schools project and ensure schools are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Own It ) • Resolve future and outstanding antisemitism cases swiftly and under a fixed timetable .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Prevent the readmittance of prominent antisemitism offenders .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Suspend any who have campaigned for or supported those expelled for antisemitism .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism without qualification .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Re-engage the Jewish Labour Movement to lead on anti-racism training .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Engage with Jewish members through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Take personal responsibility for putting an end to antisemitism within Labour .
( The Jewish Chronicle ) • Introduce training for members and staff on antisemitism .
( The Guardian ) • Implement recommendations of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission on antisemitism .
( The Guardian ) • Lower the threshold for suspension where there are allegations of racism .
( TheGuardian ) • Fight against “ transphobic organisations such as Woman ’ s Place UK and LGB Alliance ” .
( LabourList ) • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , water and energy .
( We Own It ) • End NHS privatisation and reinstate the NHS on the basis of its founding principles .
( We Own It ) • Bring prisons and probation services wholly back in-house .
( We Own It ) • Increase capital gains and corporation tax to match taxation on earnings .
( The Independent ) • Roll out full-fibre broadband through a publicly owned infrastructure provider .
( We Own It ) • Aim for all new buses to be zero emissions by 2025 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign a trade deal with any country that has not signed up to the Paris agreement .
( The Mirror ) • Restore the EMA for 16- to 18-year-olds .
( LabourList ) • End the academies and free schools project and ensure schools are under local democratic control .
( We Own It ) • End the practice of Labour making nominations to the House of Lords .
( The Guardian ) • Renew Trident but with a commitment to multilateral disarmament .
( LabourList ) • Scrap Local Enterprise Partnerships and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead .
( LabourList ) • Lift the ban on local councils to run their own bus services .
( We Own It ) • Invite council leaders into the shadow cabinet .
( The Guardian ) • Let councillors nominate candidates in future Labour leadership contests .
( The Independent ) • Make it easier for councils to deliver services in-house .
( We Own It ) • Explore mutualisation of parts of the BBC .
( LabourList )

Labour members, affiliate members and registered supporters will begin voting in the leadership election today, and they will be choosing between Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy until ballots close on April 2nd. The final result will be announced two days later at a special conference.
Throughout the contest, the three leadership hopefuls have made various policy announcements – from outward-looking ideas for the country to internal party reforms that could change the working of Labour in crucial ways. This is our guide to the platforms of Starmer, Long-Bailey and Nandy, listing each proposal followed by a source.
Keir Starmer
Internal party reforms
Taxation, welfare and the economy
Education
Scrap university tuition fees. (Starmer for leader website)
Invest in lifelong learning. (Starmer for leader website)
End the academies and free schools project and ensure schools are under local democratic control. (We Own It)
Environment
Put the green new deal “at the heart of everything we do”. (Starmer for leader website)
Introduce a Clean Air Act to combat air pollution. (Starmer for leader website)
Defence
Introduce a Military Prevention Act to prevent illegal wars. (Starmer for leader website)
Review UK arms sales. (Starmer for leader website)
Immigration
Trade unions
Repeal the Trade Union Act 2012. (Starmer for leader website)
Hold a review into how to encourage party members to become active in their trade unions.(LabourList)
Devolution, electoral and constitutional reform
Introduce a federal system of government. (LabourList)
Introduce regional investment banks. (Starmer for leader website)
Abolish the House of Lords and replace it with an elected chamber of regions and nations. (LabourList)
Grant full voting rights to EU nationals. (Starmer for leader website)
Consult Labour Party members on electoral reform. (LabourList)
Local government
Invite councillors to work with shadow cabinet members on campaigning and policy development. (LabourList)
Hold a constitutional convention on the settlement between national and local government. (LabourList)
Lift the ban on local councils to run their own bus services. (We Own It)
Make it easier for councils to deliver services in-house. (We Own It)
Rebecca Long-Bailey
Internal party reforms
Equalities
Reform the Gender Recognition Act to improve transgender rights. (LabourList)
Fight against “transphobic organisations such as Woman’s Place UK and LGB Alliance”. (LabourList)
Introduce all-BAME shortlists. (The Guardian)
Taxation, welfare and the economy
Devolution, electoral and constitutional reform
Replace the House of Lords with an elected senate outside of London. (LabourList)
Make no further Labour nominations to the House of Lords. ( Huffington Post
Hold a constitutional convention on proportional representation and devolution. (Rebecca for Leader website)
Consult party members on introducing proportional representation. Huffington Post)
Environment
Implement a green industrial revolution. (LabourList)
Reach net-zero carbon emissions in the UK by 2030. (LabourList)
Local government
Devolve powers to councils to deliver infrastructure and services. (LabourList)
Provide resources for council to undertake large-scale council house building. (LabourList)
Help councils insource services (LabourList)
Enable councils to support supply chains and work with local organisations to create jobs. (LabourList)
Expand and integrate local public transport. (LabourList)
Lift the ban on local councils to run their own bus services. (We Own It)
Immigration
End indefinite detention. (The Independent)
Close detention centres such as Yarl’s Wood and develop a humane alternative. (The Independent)
Trade unions
Launch a trade union membership drive and create a targeted recruitment plan in Red Wall seats. (LabourList)
Repeal the Trade Union Act 2012. (LabourList)
Repeal all anti-trade union legislation going back to Thatcher era. (LabourList)
Education
Launch a national campaign on education while in opposition. (Tes)
Push for government to ensure class sizes of less than 30 and provide adequate funding for schools. (Tes)
Restore pay to teachers and school staff to pre-crisis levels. (Tes)
Restore the educational maintenance allowance (EMA). (Tes)
Introduce free school meals for all primary school children. (Tes)
Remove tax loopholes for private schools. (Tes)
Prioritise apprenticeships in new green industries. (Tes)
Introduce free adult education with the National Education Service. (Tes)
Abolish university tuition fees. (Tes)
End the academies and free schools project and ensure schools are under local democratic control. (We Own It)
Defence
Suspend UK arms sales. (Huffington Post)
Housing
Build 100,000 council homes for social rent per year. (Twitter)
Lisa Nandy
Internal party reforms
Equalities
Reform the Gender Recognition Act to strengthen transgender rights. (LabourList)
Fight against “transphobic organisations such as Woman’s Place UK and LGB Alliance”. (LabourList)
Introduce all-BAME shortlists. (The Guardian)
Taxation, welfare and the economy
Environment
Introduce a green new deal. (The Mirror)
Aim for all new buses to be zero emissions by 2025. (The Mirror)
Refuse to sign a trade deal with any country that has not signed up to the Paris agreement. (The Mirror)
Education
Abolish university tuition fees. (LabourList)
Restore the EMA for 16- to 18-year-olds. (LabourList)
Reintroduce grants for university students. (LabourList)
End the academies and free schools project and ensure schools are under local democratic control. (We Own It)
Devolution, electoral and constitutional reform
End the practice of Labour making nominations to the House of Lords. (The Guardian)
Defence
Renew Trident but with a commitment to multilateral disarmament. (LabourList)
Local government
Scrap Local Enterprise Partnerships and give the money directly to local authorities instead. (LabourList)
Lift the ban on local councils to run their own bus services. (We Own It)
Invite council leaders into the shadow cabinet. (The Guardian)
Let councillors nominate candidates in future Labour leadership contests. (The Independent)
Make it easier for councils to deliver services in-house. (We Own It)
Housing
Build 100,000 council homes for social rent per year. (Twitter)
Media


labourlist--2020-02-24--Mick Johnston: Why I’m standing to be a member of Labour’s NEC

What is the national executive committee ( NEC ) for ?
That might sound a strange question from someone who is seeking to become a member of that body .
But I believe that addressing the role of the NEC and its failure in recent years to live up to its responsibilities is a key part of the moves that we need to make if Labour is to be in a position to form a government after the next general election .
All the attention since the disaster that was the 2019 general election has been on the campaign for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by-elections have been seen as a side show .
But that ignores the crucial role that the NEC plays in the way the party operates .
Our rulebook ( clause VIII ) says that the primary purpose of the NEC is to provide strategic direction for the party as a whole and to work in partnership with the party ’ s representatives in parliament , the devolved administrations and local government to secure the party ’ s objectives .
The NEC must therefore bear its share of responsibility for a catalogue of disasters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Labour vote in Scotland ; • the lack of direction in the EU referendum campaign ; • failure to eliminate antisemitism in the party ; To these I would add the failure to establish any meaningful , dynamic relationship between the top and the bottom of the party , i.e .
between the NEC and the members .
The NEC is made up of representatives including eight MPs – two being the party leader and deputy leader – 13 for the trade unions , nine constituency Labour Party reps , two from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Scottish Parliament , Welsh Assembly , socialist societies , Young Labour and BAME Labour .
They are elected by their respective constituencies for two-years .
On paper , members should have a strong input to strategic decision-making by the NEC because they have nine representatives sitting around the table .
The reality is that for most members what happens at the NEC is concealed and beyond influence – and the outcomes are barely reported .
The NEC then expects members to implement decisions , to which they have had no opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to members wanting to make demands of the NEC , there is simply no channel .
Our reps are not available , we don ’ t even have their contact details , and emails to the secretariat are ignored or handed off .
A good , recent example was the refusal of the NEC to allow over 100 constituency parties in areas classed by them as ‘ unwinnable ’ – patronisingly called pioneer seats – to select parliamentary candidates .
Week after week , we heard the leader and shadow cabinet declare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a general election .
But on the ground we knew that was not the case .
Other parties had their candidates in place .
They were in the local papers .
They were on the doorsteps .
They were getting their campaign materials ready .
Meanwhile Labour members , often the largest party by membership even in these rural constituencies , were not allowed to select a candidate .
A motion to the 2019 conference submitted by a neighbouring constituency party , calling for early selections , was not debated because the conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than one of policy .
So it was referred to the NEC – and as far as I know they are still considering it .
When the election was called in November 2019 there was panic at region .
There was no time for member involvement in selections which instead were done by a panel of the regional board using telephone interviews .
As a result only the most rudimentary campaign was possible .
A bad decision by the NEC and refusal to listen to CLPs damaged the campaign , let down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electorate too .
Constituency secretaries are left in an invidious position .
We are the link between members and the NEC .
Party directives are sent to the constituency secretaries to pass on to members for implementation .
But constituency secretaries can not refer members ’ concerns back up the line – it is one-way traffic .
Regional offices could play a vital role .
We see enough of them to know they are worked off their feet .
But they are supposed to be the bridge between CLPs and the NEC .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ or , at best , an irrelevance .
This is no criticism of the dedicated staff but is a criticism of the role and resources that they are given by the NEC .
It ’ s a waste that something that could be a vibrant and dynamic focus for member engagement is largely sterile .
In constituencies like mine members feel taken for granted , ignored and marginalised .
I suspect this situation may exist beyond the ‘ unwinnable ’ , rural , coastal areas .
All members deserve to be respected and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s job to make sure that they are .
But it goes beyond people ’ s feelings : it affects how motivated they are to do the work that the NEC wants , and how likely they are to stand by the party when things get difficult .
There is another perhaps even more fundamental reason for getting the relationship between the NEC and membership right , one which strikes at the underlying reasons why we have lost so much support in Scotland and the northern and midland regions .
Left-behind members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads directly to left behind communities .
Why has the NEC done so badly with the big strategic issues ?
I ’ d suggest a few possible reasons : • It does not focus on the strategic – its business seems cluttered with non-strategic items , and there seems to be a lot of waffle .
• It does not seem able to be ruthless when it needs to be .
• Its failings are protected by the lack of transparency .
• There is no visible input from members – who collectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a failure to separate its strategic role from that of a policy forum – Labour has other places for debate on policy .
Spending NEC time on it is an indulgence .
It ’ s hard to resist the impression that some members of the NEC are unclear about its primary purpose .
The fact that some candidates in the NEC by-election focus on their favoured policies in their election statements suggests that they , too , are unclear .
My primary purpose in standing is to give a voice to members in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rural , coastal , ‘ un-winnables ’ – not to discuss the details of policy but to argue for their inclusion and an end to being undervalued .
I am demanding a tangible and transparent relationship between members and the NEC , and a radical shake up of regional organisation with transparency and a much bigger role for members .
This would benefit all members , all constituencies and the party as a whole .
If elected my promise to all members , in all constituencies , is to do my utmost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the NEC and kept fully informed of its proceedings .
I would seek to do this by working closely with constituency secretaries and other CLP reps on the NEC .

What is the national executive committee (NEC) for? That might sound a strange question from someone who is seeking to become a member of that body. But I believe that addressing the role of the NEC and its failure in recent years to live up to its responsibilities is a key part of the moves that we need to make if Labour is to be in a position to form a government after the next general election.
All the attention since the disaster that was the 2019 general election has been on the campaign for leader and deputy leader. The NEC by-elections have been seen as a side show. But that ignores the crucial role that the NEC plays in the way the party operates.
Our rulebook (clause VIII) says that the primary purpose of the NEC is to provide strategic direction for the party as a whole and to work in partnership with the party’s representatives in parliament, the devolved administrations and local government to secure the party’s objectives. The NEC must therefore bear its share of responsibility for a catalogue of disasters that includes:
the collapse of the Labour vote in Scotland;
the lack of direction in the EU referendum campaign;
failure to eliminate antisemitism in the party;
failure to deal with internal splits;
ineffective national campaigns;
mismanagement of the 2019 general election.
To these I would add the failure to establish any meaningful, dynamic relationship between the top and the bottom of the party, i.e. between the NEC and the members. The NEC is made up of representatives including eight MPs – two being the party leader and deputy leader – 13 for the trade unions, nine constituency Labour Party reps, two from local government and one rep each from the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, socialist societies, Young Labour and BAME Labour. They are elected by their respective constituencies for two-years.
On paper, members should have a strong input to strategic decision-making by the NEC because they have nine representatives sitting around the table. The reality is that for most members what happens at the NEC is concealed and beyond influence – and the outcomes are barely reported. The NEC then expects members to implement decisions, to which they have had no opportunity to make an input.
And when it comes to members wanting to make demands of the NEC, there is simply no channel. Our reps are not available, we don’t even have their contact details, and emails to the secretariat are ignored or handed off. A good, recent example was the refusal of the NEC to allow over 100 constituency parties in areas classed by them as ‘unwinnable’ – patronisingly called pioneer seats – to select parliamentary candidates.
Week after week, we heard the leader and shadow cabinet declare that Labour was ready and eager for a general election. But on the ground we knew that was not the case. Other parties had their candidates in place. They were in the local papers. They were on the doorsteps. They were getting their campaign materials ready. Meanwhile Labour members, often the largest party by membership even in these rural constituencies, were not allowed to select a candidate.
A motion to the 2019 conference submitted by a neighbouring constituency party, calling for early selections, was not debated because the conference arrangements committee deemed it an administrative matter rather than one of policy. So it was referred to the NEC – and as far as I know they are still considering it.
When the election was called in November 2019 there was panic at region. There was no time for member involvement in selections which instead were done by a panel of the regional board using telephone interviews. As a result only the most rudimentary campaign was possible. A bad decision by the NEC and refusal to listen to CLPs damaged the campaign, let down the membership and ultimately let down the electorate too.
Constituency secretaries are left in an invidious position. We are the link between members and the NEC. Party directives are sent to the constituency secretaries to pass on to members for implementation. But constituency secretaries cannot refer members’ concerns back up the line – it is one-way traffic.
Regional offices could play a vital role. We see enough of them to know they are worked off their feet. But they are supposed to be the bridge between CLPs and the NEC. They often feel more like an obstacle or, at best, an irrelevance. This is no criticism of the dedicated staff but is a criticism of the role and resources that they are given by the NEC. It’s a waste that something that could be a vibrant and dynamic focus for member engagement is largely sterile.
In constituencies like mine members feel taken for granted, ignored and marginalised. I suspect this situation may exist beyond the ‘unwinnable’, rural, coastal areas. All members deserve to be respected and valued and it’s the NEC’s job to make sure that they are. But it goes beyond people’s feelings: it affects how motivated they are to do the work that the NEC wants, and how likely they are to stand by the party when things get difficult.
There is another perhaps even more fundamental reason for getting the relationship between the NEC and membership right, one which strikes at the underlying reasons why we have lost so much support in Scotland and the northern and midland regions. Left-behind members, ignored and taken for granted, leads directly to left behind communities. Why has the NEC done so badly with the big strategic issues? I’d suggest a few possible reasons:
It does not focus on the strategic – its business seems cluttered with non-strategic items, and there seems to be a lot of waffle.
It does not seem able to be ruthless when it needs to be.
Its failings are protected by the lack of transparency.
There is no visible input from members – who collectively have vast experience.
There is a failure to separate its strategic role from that of a policy forum – Labour has other places for debate on policy. Spending NEC time on it is an indulgence.
It’s hard to resist the impression that some members of the NEC are unclear about its primary purpose. The fact that some candidates in the NEC by-election focus on their favoured policies in their election statements suggests that they, too, are unclear. My primary purpose in standing is to give a voice to members in constituencies like mine – i.e the marginalised, rural, coastal, ‘un-winnables’ – not to discuss the details of policy but to argue for their inclusion and an end to being undervalued.
I am demanding a tangible and transparent relationship between members and the NEC, and a radical shake up of regional organisation with transparency and a much bigger role for members. This would benefit all members, all constituencies and the party as a whole. If elected my promise to all members, in all constituencies, is to do my utmost to ensure that they are effectively represented at the NEC and kept fully informed of its proceedings. I would seek to do this by working closely with constituency secretaries and other CLP reps on the NEC.


labourlist--2020-02-24--Rick Middleton: Why I’m standing to be a member of Labour’s NEC

As the Labour candidate for the strong Tory seat of Bosworth at the last election , I witnessed first-hand the scale of our historic defeat .
As our Conservative Party majority increased from 18,000 to 26,000 , it broke my heart to hear so many working class voters tell me on the doorstep that they could not bring themselves to vote Labour this time .
Constituencies like Bosworth are not considered a priority for Labour , but that doesn ’ t make the selection of a credible candidate any less of a priority for Labour members in those areas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes much further than just being a Labour name on the ballot paper , or being on standby in the event of a Labour landslide .
They have a duty to be a voice in their local community , to stand up against injustices and to hold their Tory MP to account .
Whilst in opposition , Labour councillors are our last line of defence against devastating Tory cuts .
If a parliamentary candidate has been selected well in advance of a general election they will have ample time to build up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local stakeholders which can continue on through to local elections .
Ruth George ’ s recent victory in Whaley Bridge shows us how voters value the contribution that Labour make to their local communities – even after our defeat in a general election .
When unveiled as the candidate only six weeks before polling day , I made a promise to members that I would do what I could to address the undemocratic national executive committee ( NEC ) impositions across the country .
I decided that the best way to achieve that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the NEC .
Whilst I consider myself to be on the left of the party , I question the achievements of the left slate over the past few years .
Open selection has been a priority for factions on the left in recent times but has yet to be implemented , probably because of the unpopular truth that the practically of organising 650 selection meetings across the country ahead of a general election is questionable .
I aim to introduce a more robust candidate selection process that is both pragmatic and democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( CLPs ) by allowing them to make the decision on whether they hold an open selection , rather than enforcing open selection on CLPs that are content with their incumbent and would rather use their time to campaign alongside them .
As a member of the NEC I would bring a good mix of knowledge and experience to the table through different forms of organisation and decision making .
I am an experienced grassroots campaigner , I have stood for parliament , attended conference as a delegate and have served two terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work life , running my own web consultancy business means I ’ m well placed to make recommendations on how to best utilise technology within in our party .
There is more we can do to democratise our party outside of candidate selection .
Many are excluded from our democracy by not being able to attend CLP meetings on a fixed date ; this disproportionately affects disabled members and those with parental responsibilities .
Introducing new technology to enable proxy and online voting at CLP level would open up democracy to our wider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all internal elections would ensure that NEC elections are more focused on the credentials of the candidates rather than factionalism and division .
Our NEC could be more accountable to party members .
There are currently nine CLP reps from different parts of the country on the party ’ s ruling body , and the truth is that most members don ’ t know who their CLP reps are .
It ’ s time to introduce regional representation that will bring members closer to their representatives and make it easier for CLP reps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are in the midst of a leadership contest and when this draws to an end I will be fully committed to supporting whichever candidate is democratically elected by our membership , because we will only win the next election by being united and working together .
Please use one of your two votes to vote for an independent mind that will encourage unity and make rational decisions in the best interests of our entire membership , rather than being led by any single faction or pressure group .

As the Labour candidate for the strong Tory seat of Bosworth at the last election, I witnessed first-hand the scale of our historic defeat. As our Conservative Party majority increased from 18,000 to 26,000, it broke my heart to hear so many working class voters tell me on the doorstep that they could not bring themselves to vote Labour this time.
Constituencies like Bosworth are not considered a priority for Labour, but that doesn’t make the selection of a credible candidate any less of a priority for Labour members in those areas. Candidates have a role to play that goes much further than just being a Labour name on the ballot paper, or being on standby in the event of a Labour landslide. They have a duty to be a voice in their local community, to stand up against injustices and to hold their Tory MP to account.
Whilst in opposition, Labour councillors are our last line of defence against devastating Tory cuts. If a parliamentary candidate has been selected well in advance of a general election they will have ample time to build up a relationship with voters, community groups and local stakeholders which can continue on through to local elections. Ruth George’s recent victory in Whaley Bridge shows us how voters value the contribution that Labour make to their local communities – even after our defeat in a general election.
When unveiled as the candidate only six weeks before polling day, I made a promise to members that I would do what I could to address the undemocratic national executive committee (NEC) impositions across the country. I decided that the best way to achieve that was to stand to be a member of the NEC.
Whilst I consider myself to be on the left of the party, I question the achievements of the left slate over the past few years. Open selection has been a priority for factions on the left in recent times but has yet to be implemented, probably because of the unpopular truth that the practically of organising 650 selection meetings across the country ahead of a general election is questionable.
I aim to introduce a more robust candidate selection process that is both pragmatic and democratic. We should empower constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) by allowing them to make the decision on whether they hold an open selection, rather than enforcing open selection on CLPs that are content with their incumbent and would rather use their time to campaign alongside them.
As a member of the NEC I would bring a good mix of knowledge and experience to the table through different forms of organisation and decision making. I am an experienced grassroots campaigner, I have stood for parliament, attended conference as a delegate and have served two terms as CLP chair. Whilst in my work life, running my own web consultancy business means I’m well placed to make recommendations on how to best utilise technology within in our party.
There is more we can do to democratise our party outside of candidate selection. Many are excluded from our democracy by not being able to attend CLP meetings on a fixed date; this disproportionately affects disabled members and those with parental responsibilities. Introducing new technology to enable proxy and online voting at CLP level would open up democracy to our wider membership.
Using single transferable vote for all internal elections would ensure that NEC elections are more focused on the credentials of the candidates rather than factionalism and division. Our NEC could be more accountable to party members. There are currently nine CLP reps from different parts of the country on the party’s ruling body, and the truth is that most members don’t know who their CLP reps are. It’s time to introduce regional representation that will bring members closer to their representatives and make it easier for CLP reps to attend party meetings in their area.
We are in the midst of a leadership contest and when this draws to an end I will be fully committed to supporting whichever candidate is democratically elected by our membership, because we will only win the next election by being united and working together. Please use one of your two votes to vote for an independent mind that will encourage unity and make rational decisions in the best interests of our entire membership, rather than being led by any single faction or pressure group.