labourlist--2020-10-19--Defy Boris Johnson over free school meals, Labour tells Tory backbenchers

The Labour Party has called on backbench Conservative MPs to defy Boris Johnson ’ s government and vote with Labour to support the extension of free school meals over the holidays including the October half-term break just days away .
In a letter sent to Tory MPs ahead of a vote on Wednesday , Labour ’ s Tulip Siddiq has called for their support on a proposal that would provide meals to over 1.4 million children in every school holiday until Easter 2021 .
The shadow minister for children and early years described the measure as an “ important means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and warned that in a vote “ you and your colleagues will have to take a clear stance on this issue ” .
Commenting today , Siddiq said : “ Families across the country are worrying about how to make ends meet , but the Prime Minister is ruling out giving over a million children food support over the holidays .
“ Every Conservative MP now has an opportunity to make it clear that they will support the families in their constituency who are worrying about how they will put food on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The call from the shadow minister comes after the Welsh Labour government announced that it would spend £11m to make sure free school meals are provided during every school holidays up to and including the Easter break in 2021 .
The UK government is under pressure to extend the same support to children in England , but the spokesperson for the Prime Minister has rejected the idea and said it is not the role of schools to provide food to children outside of term .
Footballer Marcus Rashford , whose campaign forced Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the summer , has welcomed the announcement by the Welsh government to protect “ the most vulnerable children across the country ” .
More than 200,000 children in England had to skip meals because their family could not access sufficient food during the coronavirus lockdown , and 2.4 million children are living in food insecure households .
The Trussell Trust has forecast that there will be a 61 % increase in food parcels needed between October and December , and warned that extreme poverty England could double by Christmas .
Below is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Siddiq .
Children across your constituency are eligible for free school meals , and this number will increase as unemployment rises .
Many of these children are growing up in very difficult circumstances – in families with low incomes at a time when jobs across the country are at risk .
Parents were more likely than other working people to be furloughed , and as the Job Retention Scheme ends this month ahead and is replaced by the inadequate job support scheme , many more families could see their incomes fall sharply .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we must do everything we can to support children growing with these unprecedented challenges .
That is why Labour have called for all children who are eligible for free school meals to receive them in every school holiday until next Easter , starting with the October half term , which is now just days away .
This would provide additional support to families on low incomes and help to ensure that all parents can put food on the table for their children , whatever their circumstances .
This policy would support the many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make ends meet .
I was deeply disappointed that the Prime Minister ’ s spokesperson rejected this proposal out of hand last week , saying that it is not the role of schools to provide food in the holidays .
This shows a shocking ignorance about the role schools have always played in supporting pupils and their families , and it is not a good excuse for failing to provide any free school meals support over the holidays .
It is absurd for a government that rightly extended free school meals over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be supported to do this just because the Prime Minister and Chancellor no longer want to foot the bill .
I believe that it is essential that the government changes course as a matter of urgency so that children do not have to go without food over the holidays .
I am sure you recognise that free school meals are an important means of support for families across your constituency , many of whom will be worrying about how they put food on the table over the half-term and Christmas holidays .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not urgently U-turn , we will force a vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday – this will mean that you and your colleagues will have to take a clear stance on this issue .
I hope that you will join me in calling for the extension of free school meals during the holidays , and that you will vote for it this week if that proves to be necessary .
I look forward to your urgent reply , which I ’ m sure will be of interest to your constituents @

Labour has called on backbench Tory MPs to defy Boris Johnson’s government and vote with Labour to support the extension of free school meals over the holidays including the October half-term break just days away.
The opposition party has tabled a motion on this issue and it has now been confirmed that on Wednesday there will be a vote in the House of Commons, with Angela Rayner leading the debate for Labour.
In a letter sent to Tory MPs ahead of the vote, shadow minister Tulip Siddiq has called for their support on a proposal that would provide meals to over 1.4 million children in every school holiday until Easter 2021.
The shadow minister for children and early years described the measure as an “important means of support for families across your constituency” and warned that in a vote “you and your colleagues will have to take a clear stance on this issue”.
Commenting today, Siddiq said: “Families across the country are worrying about how to make ends meet, but the Prime Minister is ruling out giving over a million children food support over the holidays.
“Every Conservative MP now has an opportunity to make it clear that they will support the families in their constituency who are worrying about how they will put food on the table in the weeks ahead.”
The call from the shadow minister comes after the Welsh Labour government announced that it would spend £11m to make sure free school meals are provided during every school holidays up to and including the Easter break in 2021.
The UK government is under pressure to extend the same support to children in England, but the spokesperson for the Prime Minister has rejected the idea and said it is not the role of schools to provide food to children outside of term.
Footballer Marcus Rashford, whose campaign forced Johnson into a U-turn on school meals over the summer, has welcomed the announcement by the Welsh government to protect “the most vulnerable children across the country”.
More than 200,000 children in England had to skip meals because their family could not access sufficient food during the coronavirus lockdown, and 2.4 million children are living in food insecure households.
The Trussell Trust has forecast that there will be a 61% increase in food parcels needed between October and December, and warned that extreme poverty England could double by Christmas.
Below is the full text of the letter sent by Siddiq.
Children across your constituency are eligible for free school meals, and this number will increase as unemployment rises. Many of these children are growing up in very difficult circumstances – in families with low incomes at a time when jobs across the country are at risk.
Parents were more likely than other working people to be furloughed, and as the Job Retention Scheme ends this month ahead and is replaced by the inadequate job support scheme, many more families could see their incomes fall sharply. I am sure you would agree that we must do everything we can to support children growing with these unprecedented challenges.
That is why Labour have called for all children who are eligible for free school meals to receive them in every school holiday until next Easter, starting with the October half term, which is now just days away. This would provide additional support to families on low incomes and help to ensure that all parents can put food on the table for their children, whatever their circumstances. This policy would support the many families in your constituency who are struggling to make ends meet.
I was deeply disappointed that the Prime Minister’s spokesperson rejected this proposal out of hand last week, saying that it is not the role of schools to provide food in the holidays. This shows a shocking ignorance about the role schools have always played in supporting pupils and their families, and it is not a good excuse for failing to provide any free school meals support over the holidays. It is absurd for a government that rightly extended free school meals over the summer to argue that schools should not be supported to do this just because the Prime Minister and Chancellor no longer want to foot the bill.
I believe that it is essential that the government changes course as a matter of urgency so that children do not have to go without food over the holidays. I am sure you recognise that free school meals are an important means of support for families across your constituency, many of whom will be worrying about how they put food on the table over the half-term and Christmas holidays.
Labour have said that if the government does not urgently U-turn, we will force a vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday – this will mean that you and your colleagues will have to take a clear stance on this issue. I hope that you will join me in calling for the extension of free school meals during the holidays, and that you will vote for it this week if that proves to be necessary.
I look forward to your urgent reply, which I’m sure will be of interest to your constituents.
Best wishes,
Tulip Siddiq MP
Shadow minister for children and early years


labourlist--2020-10-19--Here’s the state of play as voting opens in Labour’s NEC elections

Since I last wrote an explainer on Labour ’ s 2020 national executive committee elections back in July , three of the 18 seats up for grabs have been taken : incumbents George Howarth , Margaret Beckett and Shabana Mahmood were chosen again by Labour MPs as parliamentary representatives .
This leaves 15 seats still in play .
42 of 66 candidates seeking to represent members on the ruling body secured enough local party nominations between July and September to appear on the ballot paper .
23 belong to one of the factional slates , while 19 are standing as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left slate , Grassroots Voice , did best in the nominations stage of the race , with its six candidates winning 42 % of local party nominations compared to a combined 24 % for the six on the Labour to Win slate made up of strong Keir Starmer supporters .
But there are nine places and no slate has put forward nine candidates due to the move from first-past-the-post to single transferable vote for this section , which calls upon factions to maximise first preference votes for their favoured candidates .
The final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
LabourList analysis by James McAsh estimated , based on nominations , that Grassroots Voice would secure four CLP seats , Labour to Win three , Open Labour ’ s Ann Black would get one – and the ninth too close to call .
This is an entirely new post on Labour ’ s NEC .
11 candidates qualified for the ballot by getting five local party or two trade union nominations , but one has withdrawn from the race , leaving ten in the race .
Emily Brothers has earned a mention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union Community , but the race is primarily between the soft left ’ s George Lindars-Hammond and the Labour left ’ s Ellen Morrison .
An electoral college is used for this contest : 50 % unions , 50 % self-identified disabled Labour members .
With the backing of two big unions , UNISON and GMB , Lindars-Hammond has 60 % of the vote , while Unite-endorsed Morrison has 39 % .
This means Morrison would need 20 % more votes from members than Lindars-Hammond in order to win .
He has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is far from impossible for the tables to turn : he secured 64 local party nominations , whereas she secured an impressive 206 .
This NEC post is not new , but again an electoral college – 50 % unions , 50 % young members – is used for the final vote .
Only two people are on the ballot , as candidates needed to clear a high bar ( 50 young members and two affiliate groups ) to get through the nominations stage .
With the union votes cast , incumbent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lindars-Hammond ) to get two of the three big affiliate unions on board .
Unite and GMB support effectively gives her 60 % of the votes already cast .
Kira Lewis would need at least 61 % of the membership vote to win – otherwise , the current youth rep retains her seat .
Lewis got 573 young member nominations and Neill got 582 , which means the situation is more positive for the union frontrunner in this race than in the disabled rep contest , but again it is close .
Again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions , 50 % members ( of no particular kind ) .
But we pretty much know the outcome of this one : with 100 % of the union vote , incumbent Diana Holland only needs 1 % of members ’ votes to win – and she is set to outdo this after securing 242 local party nominations .
There is no college involved her , this is a one-member-one-vote ballot of Labour councillors , directly-elected mayors , police and crime commissioners .
Four have made the ballot , but incumbents Alice Perry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of Labour group nominations .
This is not a new post , but it is being elected by one-member-one-vote for the first time this year – of Welsh Labour party and affiliate members .
It is between incumbent Mick Antoniw and former First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones .
Antoniw has a head start with stronger affiliate backing – he secured Unite and UNISON , while Jones got GMB ’ s support – and Antoniw was nominated by 19 local parties in Wales compared to 11 picking Jones .

Since I last wrote an explainer on Labour’s 2020 national executive committee elections back in July, three of the 18 seats up for grabs have been taken: incumbents George Howarth, Margaret Beckett and Shabana Mahmood were chosen again by Labour MPs as parliamentary representatives. This leaves 15 seats still in play.
CLP reps x9
42 of 66 candidates seeking to represent members on the ruling body secured enough local party nominations between July and September to appear on the ballot paper. 23 belong to one of the factional slates, while 19 are standing as independents.
Those on the main Labour left slate, Grassroots Voice, did best in the nominations stage of the race, with its six candidates winning 42% of local party nominations compared to a combined 24% for the six on the Labour to Win slate made up of strong Keir Starmer supporters.
But there are nine places and no slate has put forward nine candidates due to the move from first-past-the-post to single transferable vote for this section, which calls upon factions to maximise first preference votes for their favoured candidates. The final outcome will inevitably be a factional mix.
LabourList analysis by James McAsh estimated, based on nominations, that Grassroots Voice would secure four CLP seats, Labour to Win three, Open Labour’s Ann Black would get one – and the ninth too close to call.
Disabled members rep x1
This is an entirely new post on Labour’s NEC. 11 candidates qualified for the ballot by getting five local party or two trade union nominations, but one has withdrawn from the race, leaving ten in the race.
Emily Brothers has earned a mention after getting the support of affiliated trade union Community, but the race is primarily between the soft left’s George Lindars-Hammond and the Labour left’s Ellen Morrison.
An electoral college is used for this contest: 50% unions, 50% self-identified disabled Labour members. With the backing of two big unions, UNISON and GMB, Lindars-Hammond has 60% of the vote, while Unite-endorsed Morrison has 39%.
This means Morrison would need 20% more votes from members than Lindars-Hammond in order to win. He has the advantage going into the election, but it is far from impossible for the tables to turn: he secured 64 local party nominations, whereas she secured an impressive 206.
Youth rep x1
This NEC post is not new, but again an electoral college – 50% unions, 50% young members – is used for the final vote. Only two people are on the ballot, as candidates needed to clear a high bar (50 young members and two affiliate groups) to get through the nominations stage.
With the union votes cast, incumbent Lara McNeill has managed (like George Lindars-Hammond) to get two of the three big affiliate unions on board. Unite and GMB support effectively gives her 60% of the votes already cast.
Kira Lewis would need at least 61% of the membership vote to win – otherwise, the current youth rep retains her seat. Lewis got 573 young member nominations and Neill got 582, which means the situation is more positive for the union frontrunner in this race than in the disabled rep contest, but again it is close.
Treasurer x1
Again, an electoral college: 50% unions, 50% members (of no particular kind). But we pretty much know the outcome of this one: with 100% of the union vote, incumbent Diana Holland only needs 1% of members’ votes to win – and she is set to outdo this after securing 242 local party nominations.
Councillors x2
There is no college involved her, this is a one-member-one-vote ballot of Labour councillors, directly-elected mayors, police and crime commissioners. Four have made the ballot, but incumbents Alice Perry and Nick Forbes were significantly ahead in terms of Labour group nominations.
Wales rep x1
This is not a new post, but it is being elected by one-member-one-vote for the first time this year – of Welsh Labour party and affiliate members. It is between incumbent Mick Antoniw and former First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones.
Antoniw has a head start with stronger affiliate backing – he secured Unite and UNISON, while Jones got GMB’s support – and Antoniw was nominated by 19 local parties in Wales compared to 11 picking Jones.


labourlist--2020-10-19--Government is giving up on British industry with no deal, says Rachel Reeves

Labour ’ s Rachel Reeves has accused the Conservatives of giving up on British industry after the government missed its own deadline to strike a trade deal with the EU last week and escalated its no-deal rhetoric .
Reacting to a Commons statement from Michael Gove today , the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said Downing Street was offering “ more excuses than explanations ” and called on the government to urgently secure an EU trade deal .
The Prime Minister had initially set himself a deadline of October 15th for making sure an agreement with the EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target , Boris Johnson announced that the UK should be ready for no deal .
In a statement last week , Johnson claimed that the government had “ wanted nothing more complicated than a Canada-style relationship ” with the EU but that recent talks had suggested “ that won ’ t work for our EU partners ” .
Michael Gove initially reiterated the point and told the House today that negotiations with the EU had become untenable .
Later , however , he said there had been progress with EU negotiators during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Brexit strategy and the risk of no deal in the Commons today , Reeves said : “ At the last general election , the Prime Minister said he had an oven-ready deal ready to go .
“ The withdrawal agreement was the starter course but we ’ re still waiting for the main meal : a trade agreement with the European Union… Even at this late stage Labour expects the government to reach an agreement with the European Union that honours that agreement.
” The Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three days , we ’ ve heard more posturing than solutions .
More excuses than explanations .
It ’ s time for the government to take responsibility .
“ Now , of course , everyone needs to prepare as best they can .
However , it is a bit rich for the government to lecture businesses on getting ready when the government can ’ t even tell them what they ’ re getting ready for .
“ So , let ’ s be clear .
If the talks have run out of road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tariffs , from 10 % for exporting cars to at least 40 % on exporting lamb to Britain ’ s biggest market , in just ten weeks ’ time.
” Labour ’ s Brexit spokesperson also criticised the government for refusing to meet with trade unions and representatives of the UK ’ s automotive industry about Brexit – despite having previously promised to do so .
The Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster asked the minister : “ At what point did the British government give up on British industry , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those businesses ?
“ Because it ’ s all well and good to say prepare , but if you can ’ t even be bothered to get around a table with them , I ask again what are they supposed to be preparing for and what support is the government giving them ?
” Gove did not respond to the question , which prompted Unite the Union to tweet : “ He responds as though that offer never happened .
Is that your answer to our letter then @ MichaelGove ?
” Gove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May on security .
He claimed that the UK could cooperate “ more effectively ” with European security forces outside the EU , which led the former Prime Minister to react with astonishment .
Government ministers have repeatedly told the public that they are planning to pursue an “ Australia-style ” deal .
When pressed on what this meant , Business Secretary Alok Sharma admitted it was code for no deal .
After Sharma told LBC listeners that it was a matter of “ semantics ” , his opposite number Ed Miliband accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wool over people ’ s eyes to pretend no deal doesn ’ t mean no deal ” .

Labour’s Rachel Reeves has accused the Conservatives of giving up on British industry after the government missed its own deadline to strike a trade deal with the EU last week and escalated its no-deal rhetoric.
Reacting to a Commons statement from Michael Gove today, the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said Downing Street was offering “more excuses than explanations” and called on the government to urgently secure an EU trade deal.
The Prime Minister had initially set himself a deadline of October 15th for making sure an agreement with the EU was in place. After missing this target, Boris Johnson announced that the UK should be ready for no deal.
In a statement last week, Johnson claimed that the government had “wanted nothing more complicated than a Canada-style relationship” with the EU but that recent talks had suggested “that won’t work for our EU partners”.
Michael Gove initially reiterated the point and told the House today that negotiations with the EU had become untenable. Later, however, he said there had been progress with EU negotiators during the parliamentary debate.
Commenting on the government’s Brexit strategy and the risk of no deal in the Commons today, Reeves said: “At the last general election, the Prime Minister said he had an oven-ready deal ready to go.
“The withdrawal agreement was the starter course but we’re still waiting for the main meal: a trade agreement with the European Union… Even at this late stage Labour expects the government to reach an agreement with the European Union that honours that agreement.”
The Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster added: “Over the last three days, we’ve heard more posturing than solutions. More excuses than explanations. It’s time for the government to take responsibility.
“Now, of course, everyone needs to prepare as best they can. However, it is a bit rich for the government to lecture businesses on getting ready when the government can’t even tell them what they’re getting ready for.
“So, let’s be clear. If the talks have run out of road, then many industries will face prohibitive tariffs, from 10% for exporting cars to at least 40% on exporting lamb to Britain’s biggest market, in just ten weeks’ time.”
Labour’s Brexit spokesperson also criticised the government for refusing to meet with trade unions and representatives of the UK’s automotive industry about Brexit – despite having previously promised to do so.
The Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster asked the minister: “At what point did the British government give up on British industry, and when will the minister be meeting with those businesses?
“Because it’s all well and good to say prepare, but if you can’t even be bothered to get around a table with them, I ask again what are they supposed to be preparing for and what support is the government giving them?”
Gove did not respond to the question, which prompted Unite the Union to tweet: “He responds as though that offer never happened. Is that your answer to our letter then @MichaelGove?”
Gove did respond to a question by Theresa May on security. He claimed that the UK could cooperate “more effectively” with European security forces outside the EU, which led the former Prime Minister to react with astonishment.
Government ministers have repeatedly told the public that they are planning to pursue an “Australia-style” deal. When pressed on what this meant, Business Secretary Alok Sharma admitted it was code for no deal.
After Sharma told LBC listeners that it was a matter of “semantics”, his opposite number Ed Miliband accused the government of “trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes to pretend no deal doesn’t mean no deal”.


labourlist--2020-10-19--Michael Payne: Why I’m standing to represent local parties on Labour’s NEC

People can not afford to wait for us any longer .
The cost paid for the last decade is already beyond measure .
Over four million children living in poverty , hate crime rates doubled , the environment slipping down the agenda , the gap between rich and poor widening , public services destroyed or sold off .
A decade of failure , capped with the tragic and bungled response to Covid-19 .
Crashing out of the European Union without a deal might be the final postscript to the tragic farce that is Tory government .
Our country stands poised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divided within itself , more uncertain of the future than perhaps in any other period in our history .
We know as a party what we have to do : win power for the many whilst keeping true to our radical values .
I was proud to support Keir for leader because he understood just that .
Week in , week out , he has been forensically pulling apart flimsy Tory excuses to reveal almost criminal incompetence during a period of national emergency .
At the same time , he is right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to both reflect our principles and be grounded in the reality of people ’ s lives .
As the deputy leader of Labour in local government in England and Wales – representing over 6,000 councillors nationally – I know the reality of fighting for those principles on the frontline across our country .
I ’ ve known what it ’ s like to be in the glare of national media when with the support of the FBU , GMB , UNISON and Usdaw , I fought the 2014 Newark by-election .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all my adult life .
How could I not ?
Coming from a working-class family in Nottinghamshire , Labour ’ s values have always been my values .
Often that has meant battling for them within our own party , campaigning relentlessly for more representation of BAME , LGBT+ , disabled and women members at all levels of our organisation and in wider public life .
The hardest thing can be to call out abuse , hatred and discrimination in our own ranks – but we can , we must and I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to the values we stand for .
But we need action , not just words , which is why I worked with LGBT+ Labour to establish the LGBT+ Labour Councillors Network , of which I am the inaugural chair – proudly organising the first ever ‘ be a councillor ’ training session specifically for the trans and non-binary community .
I want to bring that same commitment and passion to being your representative on Labour ’ s national executive committee ( NEC ) .
Helping to keep us true to our principles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what really matters : electing a radical Labour government to transform this country for the better , and more Labour councillors in every corner of the country .
I will stand up for the rights of members and workers , hold national officers to account , visit Constituency Labour Parties ( CLPs ) nationwide and report back after every NEC meeting .
I will give all members from all traditions a voice in how we put Labour back on a winning path towards government and Keir in No 10 .
And as your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the role to continue campaigning for greater representation for women , BAME , disabled and LGBT+ members at all levels in our party .
75 years ago , Clement Attlee led Labour to a watershed victory .
He had warned of the calamity of a Tory government , and was clear that Labour needed “ political power to enable us to give practical effect in parliament to our great forward-looking policies ” .
By winning power for a purpose Attlee ’ s radically transformative 1945 Labour government created our NHS – a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labour movement is the single most effective vehicle for social progress our country has ever seen .
There are no bounds to what we can achieve for this country when we turn our minds to it .
But people can not afford to wait for us any longer .
If you put your faith in me , I pledge to serve you and the party we love , to do everything I can to help put Keir Starmer in Downing Street and deliver the radically transformative Labour government that our country so desperately @ @

People cannot afford to wait for us any longer. The cost paid for the last decade is already beyond measure. Over four million children living in poverty, hate crime rates doubled, the environment slipping down the agenda, the gap between rich and poor widening, public services destroyed or sold off. A decade of failure, capped with the tragic and bungled response to Covid-19. Crashing out of the European Union without a deal might be the final postscript to the tragic farce that is Tory government. Our country stands poised on the threshold of a decade more divided within itself, more uncertain of the future than perhaps in any other period in our history.
We know as a party what we have to do: win power for the many whilst keeping true to our radical values. I was proud to support Keir for leader because he understood just that. Week in, week out, he has been forensically pulling apart flimsy Tory excuses to reveal almost criminal incompetence during a period of national emergency. At the same time, he is right to say that our prospectus for the country needs to both reflect our principles and be grounded in the reality of people’s lives. As the deputy leader of Labour in local government in England and Wales – representing over 6,000 councillors nationally – I know the reality of fighting for those principles on the frontline across our country. I’ve known what it’s like to be in the glare of national media when with the support of the FBU, GMB, UNISON and Usdaw, I fought the 2014 Newark by-election.
I’ve been fighting for our values all my adult life. How could I not? Coming from a working-class family in Nottinghamshire, Labour’s values have always been my values. Often that has meant battling for them within our own party, campaigning relentlessly for more representation of BAME, LGBT+, disabled and women members at all levels of our organisation and in wider public life. The hardest thing can be to call out abuse, hatred and discrimination in our own ranks – but we can, we must and I will, to ensure that our party lives up to the values we stand for. But we need action, not just words, which is why I worked with LGBT+ Labour to establish the LGBT+ Labour Councillors Network, of which I am the inaugural chair – proudly organising the first ever ‘be a councillor’ training session specifically for the trans and non-binary community.
I want to bring that same commitment and passion to being your representative on Labour’s national executive committee (NEC). Helping to keep us true to our principles, whilst supporting our tireless pursuit of what really matters: electing a radical Labour government to transform this country for the better, and more Labour councillors in every corner of the country. I will stand up for the rights of members and workers, hold national officers to account, visit Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) nationwide and report back after every NEC meeting. I will give all members from all traditions a voice in how we put Labour back on a winning path towards government and Keir in No 10. And as your voice in the NEC, I will use the role to continue campaigning for greater representation for women, BAME, disabled and LGBT+ members at all levels in our party.
75 years ago, Clement Attlee led Labour to a watershed victory. He had warned of the calamity of a Tory government, and was clear that Labour needed “political power to enable us to give practical effect in parliament to our great forward-looking policies”. By winning power for a purpose Attlee’s radically transformative 1945 Labour government created our NHS – a powerful reminder to this day that the labour movement is the single most effective vehicle for social progress our country has ever seen. There are no bounds to what we can achieve for this country when we turn our minds to it. But people cannot afford to wait for us any longer. If you put your faith in me, I pledge to serve you and the party we love, to do everything I can to help put Keir Starmer in Downing Street and deliver the radically transformative Labour government that our country so desperately needs.


labourlist--2020-10-19--Susan Hinchcliffe: Why I want to be Labour’s candidate for West Yorkshire mayor

I ’ m the leader of Bradford Council and chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority .
I led the negotiations with the Tory government to secure our £1.8bn devolution deal , the biggest of its kind .
It presents West Yorkshire with tremendous opportunities , and I am running to be the Labour mayoral candidate to make sure these opportunities quickly turn into reality for our region .
There is opposition to this deal across the county .
Some oppose it because they voted against city mayors when it was asked in a referendum and do not want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to see a ‘ One Yorkshire ’ deal that reunites the whole county , while others are worried the deal will be dominated by the big cities of Leeds and Bradford .
I have some sympathy for all these concerns .
The democratic deficit caused by ignoring the 2012 mayoral referendum is only partially offset by the fact this is a different deal over a wider area than the originally proposed model of city mayors .
I am part of the cross-party team that backed a One Yorkshire approach and will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tories were too frightened of the prospect of a mighty unified Yorkshire to support our proposals .
A devolution deal was made a prerequisite for transformative regional investment .
Effectively , the government punished us for not having one .
And after ten years of crippling austerity , no deal was an option Labour could not support .
The Tories probably think they have a chance of winning West Yorkshire .
I aim to prove them wrong .
Whatever members ’ misgivings , West Yorkshire will have an elected mayor come May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am proud of the deal we negotiated .
We have the chance to make the radical improvements in Yorkshire that our communities have been crying out for at a time when we will need that investment more than ever .
The final objection to a metro mayor relates to a fear that smaller towns might lose out .
As mayor , I would address these straight away .
Fairness is key .
West Yorkshire is diverse , with big cities and towns as well as smaller settlements and rural villages .
If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these communities need to see the improvements that devolution will deliver .
For too long , structural inequalities have blighted our communities , and they have been further exacerbated by Covid .
That ’ s why my plans are underpinned by an absolute commitment to equalities .
My main priorities are : • Equality .
Black Lives Matter has reminded us all of the deeply ingrained inequalities that exist across the board .
Fighting for justice and equality will be at the centre of everything I will do .
• Fairness .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be looked after .
• A greener , cleaner economy .
Recent flooding is a reminder that tackling global warming is the most important job we have .
• Prosperity through better skills and jobs .
Of course , our plans are worth nothing if we do not win .
I have no doubt the Tories think they can sneak into power here , especially as we have a number of so-called ‘ Red Wall ’ seats .
We can not be complacent .
I promise that if I am chosen as Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign possible across all of West Yorkshire .
My campaigning credentials are well-known .
I ’ m a straight-talking Yorkshire woman who ’ s a leader during the time of Covid .
I don ’ t do frills and won ’ t give false promises .
When done properly , campaigning is about listening and learning as well as selling the dream .
If Covid stops this aspect of campaigning , it will not get in the way of us engaging with voters through innovative and exciting campaigns using modern technologies , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right approach , we will not only win this mayoral election , but we will also support our councillor colleagues to win in their important local elections and start to re-cement the ‘ Red Wall ’ for any future elections .
And when we do win , we ’ ll build a more equal economy where people can have a fair chance of having a better life .

I’m the leader of Bradford Council and chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. I led the negotiations with the Tory government to secure our £1.8bn devolution deal, the biggest of its kind. It presents West Yorkshire with tremendous opportunities, and I am running to be the Labour mayoral candidate to make sure these opportunities quickly turn into reality for our region.
There is opposition to this deal across the county. Some oppose it because they voted against city mayors when it was asked in a referendum and do not want to see another layer of government. Others want to see a ‘One Yorkshire’ deal that reunites the whole county, while others are worried the deal will be dominated by the big cities of Leeds and Bradford. I have some sympathy for all these concerns.
The democratic deficit caused by ignoring the 2012 mayoral referendum is only partially offset by the fact this is a different deal over a wider area than the originally proposed model of city mayors. I am part of the cross-party team that backed a One Yorkshire approach and will continue to do so, but I think the Tories were too frightened of the prospect of a mighty unified Yorkshire to support our proposals.
A devolution deal was made a prerequisite for transformative regional investment. Effectively, the government punished us for not having one. And after ten years of crippling austerity, no deal was an option Labour could not support. The Tories probably think they have a chance of winning West Yorkshire. I aim to prove them wrong.
Whatever members’ misgivings, West Yorkshire will have an elected mayor come May and, despite Tory shenanigans, I am proud of the deal we negotiated. We have the chance to make the radical improvements in Yorkshire that our communities have been crying out for at a time when we will need that investment more than ever.
The final objection to a metro mayor relates to a fear that smaller towns might lose out. As mayor, I would address these straight away. Fairness is key. West Yorkshire is diverse, with big cities and towns as well as smaller settlements and rural villages. If the region is to be successful, all these communities need to see the improvements that devolution will deliver.
For too long, structural inequalities have blighted our communities, and they have been further exacerbated by Covid. That’s why my plans are underpinned by an absolute commitment to equalities. My main priorities are:
Equality . Black Lives Matter has reminded us all of the deeply ingrained inequalities that exist across the board. Fighting for justice and equality will be at the centre of everything I will do.
. Black Lives Matter has reminded us all of the deeply ingrained inequalities that exist across the board. Fighting for justice and equality will be at the centre of everything I will do. Fairness . All communities, large or small, must be looked after.
. All communities, large or small, must be looked after. A greener, cleaner economy . Recent flooding is a reminder that tackling global warming is the most important job we have.
. Recent flooding is a reminder that tackling global warming is the most important job we have. Prosperity through better skills and jobs.
through better skills and jobs. Better, cleaner and cheaper integrated transport.
Decent housing that fulfils our social purpose.
Of course, our plans are worth nothing if we do not win. I have no doubt the Tories think they can sneak into power here, especially as we have a number of so-called ‘Red Wall’ seats. We cannot be complacent. I promise that if I am chosen as Labour candidate, we will launch the biggest campaign possible across all of West Yorkshire.
My campaigning credentials are well-known. I’m a straight-talking Yorkshire woman who’s a leader during the time of Covid. I don’t do frills and won’t give false promises. When done properly, campaigning is about listening and learning as well as selling the dream. If Covid stops this aspect of campaigning, it will not get in the way of us engaging with voters through innovative and exciting campaigns using modern technologies, as well as direct mail.
With the right approach, we will not only win this mayoral election, but we will also support our councillor colleagues to win in their important local elections and start to re-cement the ‘Red Wall’ for any future elections. And when we do win, we’ll build a more equal economy where people can have a fair chance of having a better life.


labourlist--2020-10-20--Why I’m withdrawing my amendments to the overseas operations bill

This week I have withdrawn my amendments from the committee stage of the overseas operations bill , the government-proposed legislation that puts time limits on the criminal responsibility of British service persons .
At the start of this month , I laid down four amendments that would have removed any time limit for war crimes , crimes against humanity ( which includes torture ) and genocide , as a vital step towards stopping the worst parts of this bill .
I did this because I understood the need to give our service personnel security – which this bill fails to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this loophole could end up seeing service personnel indicted at The Hague , which can only act if there is no process in the home country .
I have withdrawn my amendments not because these are not important issues , but because our frontbench team led by John Healey and in the committee led by Stephen Morgan have laid amendments that would produce the same effects .
I therefore want to throw my weight behind them .
There are some , including in right-wing papers , who have tried to make out that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , myself and other members on the left of the party .
They could not be further from the truth .
I have had differences of strategy with all leaders since I joined Labour in 2005 , but I have never doubted the commitment of this leadership to doing the right thing .
Despite diverging at the second reading , the Labour frontbench and I remain united in opposing this bill , which will restrict former service personnel suing the Ministry of Defence after six years and will prevent the most serious crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was meant to stop the merry-go-round of investigations against former soldiers but has become a protection for the Ministry of Defence and not service personnel .
John Healey has written well about this in a piece for The Mirror .
We must not allow people of bad faith to make out that there is a lack of unity when we agree with each other .
Therefore , in withdrawing my amendments , I am fully backing those of Stephen Morgan , the frontbench shadow minister leading on this area .
When this bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reassurances that Labour will strongly back amendments to protect our service personnel , and ensure that International Criminal Court crimes like torture are never brushed under the carpet , and vote against any unamended bill .
These amendments will not actually solve the problem of vexatious investigation , but they will make the overseas operations bill bearable .
If these areas – civil actions against the Ministry of Defence and international crimes – and the presumptions against prosecution are not removed , Labour will vote against the whole bill and this is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to announce our opposition last week , and I applaud him and the Shadow Defence Secretary for their leadership on making this clear .
There are times to stand up and speak out individually , and there are times to get behind our leadership to ensure that we are of one voice and speaking without deviation .
When it comes to the protections that our current and former armed forces deserve , we must speak loudly with one voice on the side of the British Legion , Amnesty and the many constituents who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle of a crisis , we need to be clear to the British people that it is Tory infighting harming the UK , and that it is Labour that wants to support and defend our country .

This week I have withdrawn my amendments from the committee stage of the overseas operations bill, the government-proposed legislation that puts time limits on the criminal responsibility of British service persons. At the start of this month, I laid down four amendments that would have removed any time limit for war crimes, crimes against humanity (which includes torture) and genocide, as a vital step towards stopping the worst parts of this bill. I did this because I understood the need to give our service personnel security – which this bill fails to do – and I was worried that this loophole could end up seeing service personnel indicted at The Hague, which can only act if there is no process in the home country.
I have withdrawn my amendments not because these are not important issues, but because our frontbench team led by John Healey and in the committee led by Stephen Morgan have laid amendments that would produce the same effects. I therefore want to throw my weight behind them. There are some, including in right-wing papers, who have tried to make out that there is some schism between the frontbench, myself and other members on the left of the party. They could not be further from the truth.
I have had differences of strategy with all leaders since I joined Labour in 2005, but I have never doubted the commitment of this leadership to doing the right thing. Despite diverging at the second reading, the Labour frontbench and I remain united in opposing this bill, which will restrict former service personnel suing the Ministry of Defence after six years and will prevent the most serious crimes being prosecuted five years.
The bill was meant to stop the merry-go-round of investigations against former soldiers but has become a protection for the Ministry of Defence and not service personnel. John Healey has written well about this in a piece for The Mirror. We must not allow people of bad faith to make out that there is a lack of unity when we agree with each other. Therefore, in withdrawing my amendments, I am fully backing those of Stephen Morgan, the frontbench shadow minister leading on this area.
When this bill leaves committee, we have been giving reassurances that Labour will strongly back amendments to protect our service personnel, and ensure that International Criminal Court crimes like torture are never brushed under the carpet, and vote against any unamended bill. These amendments will not actually solve the problem of vexatious investigation, but they will make the overseas operations bill bearable.
If these areas – civil actions against the Ministry of Defence and international crimes – and the presumptions against prosecution are not removed, Labour will vote against the whole bill and this is the right track. Keir Starmer was right to announce our opposition last week, and I applaud him and the Shadow Defence Secretary for their leadership on making this clear.
There are times to stand up and speak out individually, and there are times to get behind our leadership to ensure that we are of one voice and speaking without deviation. When it comes to the protections that our current and former armed forces deserve, we must speak loudly with one voice on the side of the British Legion, Amnesty and the many constituents who have written to me. In the middle of a crisis, we need to be clear to the British people that it is Tory infighting harming the UK, and that it is Labour that wants to support and defend our country.


labourlist--2020-10-20--A short, sharp, shock to turn back the clock on the Covid crisis

“ A short , sharp , shock to turn back the clock , slow down the virus and buy us more time.
” The Welsh government has announced a ‘ firebreak ’ lockdown starting at 6pm on Friday .
It will look pretty similar to the UK-wide restrictions seen at the height of the pandemic in March , with the key exception that primary schools – and secondary schools for years seven and eight – will reopen in the second week of the lockdown when the half term ends .
Mark Drakeford has announced economic support of almost £300m alongside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Rishi Sunak that more support for workers is needed in the Covid crisis .
He warned : “ Only the UK government has the financial firepower to guarantee the levels of income support workers need.
” Meanwhile in England , we are just hours away from 2.8 million people being forced into Tier 3 restrictions without adequate economic support , with the government on track to reject the concerns voiced by their local leaders .
Mayor Andy Burnham has accused the government of “ trying to respond to a pandemic on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face a midday deadline to agree to enter the most severe measures .
A late-night ultimatum was delivered by Housing , Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick via the media last night , saying that restrictions will be brought in unilaterally if no deal is agreed .
The offer on the table , outlined in a letter to council leaders yesterday , is £22m for enforcement and support for vulnerable people , while ministers have said that there will be “ additional support commensurate with what we have done in Liverpool City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received a financial settlement of £44m , while the government gave Lancashire £42m .
But , as Burnham has pointed out this morning , Greater Manchester leaders have never been told how much that support will be .
He has said they will write to the PM with what they think is a “ fair figure ” today , but the mayor has also acknowledged that he will ultimately have to accept the decision of the government .
In other news , ballots have started to drop into members ’ inboxes for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of the end of the ( very long ) process of electing new reps to the party ’ s governing body , and LabourList has put together a handy explainer on the state of play as voting opens .
And make sure you also check out our exclusive interview with UNISON general secretary candidate Christina McAnea on compromise , Communists and Red Clydeside as she discussed her working-class roots and plans for the future .
The LabourList team sends its best wishes to Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi , who is currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

“A short, sharp, shock to turn back the clock, slow down the virus and buy us more time.” The Welsh government has announced a ‘firebreak’ lockdown starting at 6pm on Friday. It will look pretty similar to the UK-wide restrictions seen at the height of the pandemic in March, with the key exception that primary schools – and secondary schools for years seven and eight – will reopen in the second week of the lockdown when the half term ends. Mark Drakeford has announced economic support of almost £300m alongside the measure, but the First Minister told Rishi Sunak that more support for workers is needed in the Covid crisis. He warned: “Only the UK government has the financial firepower to guarantee the levels of income support workers need.”
Meanwhile in England, we are just hours away from 2.8 million people being forced into Tier 3 restrictions without adequate economic support, with the government on track to reject the concerns voiced by their local leaders. Mayor Andy Burnham has accused the government of “trying to respond to a pandemic on the cheap” as Greater Manchester local leaders face a midday deadline to agree to enter the most severe measures. A late-night ultimatum was delivered by Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick via the media last night, saying that restrictions will be brought in unilaterally if no deal is agreed.
The offer on the table, outlined in a letter to council leaders yesterday, is £22m for enforcement and support for vulnerable people, while ministers have said that there will be “additional support commensurate with what we have done in Liverpool City Region and in Lancashire”. Merseyside received a financial settlement of £44m, while the government gave Lancashire £42m. But, as Burnham has pointed out this morning, Greater Manchester leaders have never been told how much that support will be. He has said they will write to the PM with what they think is a “fair figure” today, but the mayor has also acknowledged that he will ultimately have to accept the decision of the government.
In other news, ballots have started to drop into members’ inboxes for the national executive committee elections. This marks the beginning of the end of the (very long) process of electing new reps to the party’s governing body, and LabourList has put together a handy explainer on the state of play as voting opens. And make sure you also check out our exclusive interview with UNISON general secretary candidate Christina McAnea on compromise, Communists and Red Clydeside as she discussed her working-class roots and plans for the future.
The LabourList team sends its best wishes to Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi, who is currently in hospital being treated for Covid. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-10-20--Why the Tories won’t let you keep your extra £20 in Universal Credit

When asked how people can be expected to get by on a local furlough scheme that covers only 67 % of their wage , or the job support scheme which covers 77 % , government ministers will say – as the Work and Pensions Secretary did on Monday afternoon – that “ if people do come under a certain threshold , they may well be eligible for Universal Credit to help them with a top-up ” .
Boris Johnson himself ( wrongly ) told people in a Covid press conference last week that workers in a business forced to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ whatever happens ” , through combined support from UC and the local furlough scheme recently announced .
The constant mentions of UC by ministers shows how much they want the public to see it as a viable alternative stream of support in the pandemic .
The numerous flaws with the benefit , such as the five-week wait and the benefit cap , mean it isn ’ t – but UC has frequently formed part of the response when the Conservatives are challenged on the level of Covid support available .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the uplift ?
Governments elsewhere are planning their Covid support for the long term .
Recognising that Covid could be around for a while , many are committed to providing state support for the next two years .
Meanwhile , the UK government is preparing to take away its limited uplift in benefits .
The government decided at the height of the pandemic in March to raise the standard allowance for UC and the basic element in Working Tax Credit by £20 a week for a year .
This resulted in an income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the rate for a single claimant over the age of 25 up from £317.82 to £409.89 per month .
It was a limited increase – not available to those still on legacy benefits : child tax credit ; housing benefit ; income-related employment and support allowance ; income-based jobseeker ’ s allowance ; and income support – but it is a change described by a group of charities recently as a “ lifeline ” for many in the pandemic .
The Tories are now getting ready to withdraw that lifeline .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought together over 50 organisations and wrote to Rishi Sunak calling for the increase to UC to remain past April next year .
The group of charities , food bank providers , disability groups , trade unions and others described how the increase has helped families “ keep their heads above water ” during the Covid crisis , and warned that removing it means “ this good work risks being undermined ” .
The demand has been echoed today in a report published by a parliamentary committee , which said the government should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in standard allowance for UC and Working Tax Credit ” .
But the government has so far rejected these calls and refused .
The rolling back of UC , at the earliest opportunity , is underlined by a deep ideological aversion to state intervention .
With this one policy , the Tories are going to bring crushing insecurity to millions of families .
People living in 16 million households across the country will see their income slashed by £1,040 in the middle of the worst recession in 300 years .
Half a million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while 700,000 more people will be pushed below the poverty line .
That ’ s 700,000 more people unable to pay their rent , buy food , heat their homes or buy essentials for their children .
Only in the face of an unprecedented number of applicants did the government concede that the support for people who lose their jobs is not enough .
And they don ’ t want us getting used to the idea that you should be able to survive even when your income is dramatically reduced ; that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to be able to live , when not being actively exploited by the market .

When asked how people can be expected to get by on a local furlough scheme that covers only 67% of their wage, or the job support scheme which covers 77%, government ministers will say – as the Work and Pensions Secretary did on Monday afternoon – that “if people do come under a certain threshold, they may well be eligible for Universal Credit to help them with a top-up”. Boris Johnson himself (wrongly) told people in a Covid press conference last week that workers in a business forced to close will get 93% of their wages, “whatever happens”, through combined support from UC and the local furlough scheme recently announced.
The constant mentions of UC by ministers shows how much they want the public to see it as a viable alternative stream of support in the pandemic. The numerous flaws with the benefit, such as the five-week wait and the benefit cap, mean it isn’t – but UC has frequently formed part of the response when the Conservatives are challenged on the level of Covid support available. And this begs the question: why scrap the uplift? Governments elsewhere are planning their Covid support for the long term. Recognising that Covid could be around for a while, many are committed to providing state support for the next two years. Meanwhile, the UK government is preparing to take away its limited uplift in benefits.
The government decided at the height of the pandemic in March to raise the standard allowance for UC and the basic element in Working Tax Credit by £20 a week for a year. This resulted in an income rise of just over £1,000 per year, with the rate for a single claimant over the age of 25 up from £317.82 to £409.89 per month. It was a limited increase – not available to those still on legacy benefits: child tax credit; housing benefit; income-related employment and support allowance; income-based jobseeker’s allowance; and income support – but it is a change described by a group of charities recently as a “lifeline” for many in the pandemic. The Tories are now getting ready to withdraw that lifeline.
Labour last month backed a campaign that brought together over 50 organisations and wrote to Rishi Sunak calling for the increase to UC to remain past April next year. The group of charities, food bank providers, disability groups, trade unions and others described how the increase has helped families “keep their heads above water” during the Covid crisis, and warned that removing it means “this good work risks being undermined”. The demand has been echoed today in a report published by a parliamentary committee, which said the government should “maintain the £20 a week increase in standard allowance for UC and Working Tax Credit”. But the government has so far rejected these calls and refused.
The rolling back of UC, at the earliest opportunity, is underlined by a deep ideological aversion to state intervention. With this one policy, the Tories are going to bring crushing insecurity to millions of families. People living in 16 million households across the country will see their income slashed by £1,040 in the middle of the worst recession in 300 years. Half a million people will be pushed deeper into poverty, while 700,000 more people will be pushed below the poverty line. That’s 700,000 more people unable to pay their rent, buy food, heat their homes or buy essentials for their children.
Only in the face of an unprecedented number of applicants did the government concede that the support for people who lose their jobs is not enough. And they don’t want us getting used to the idea that you should be able to survive even when your income is dramatically reduced; that workers might be able to support themselves, to be able to live, when not being actively exploited by the market.


labourlist--2020-10-20--Interview with Christina McAnea: Compromise, Communists and Red Clydeside

Christina McAnea is often accused of being the right-wing candidate in the race to be UNISON ’ s next general secretary .
“ I ’ m slightly bemused that I ’ ve been seen as that , ” the current frontrunner tells me , as we chat over Zoom .
“ I say to people who know me that it ’ s the first time I ’ ve been called right-wing in my life.
” McAnea grew up in poverty-ridden , 1970s Glasgow .
At the time , it was home to the three biggest council estates in Europe : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived in the latter , on the banks of the Clyde , just a few miles from the river ’ s famous shipyards .
Her mother worked as a school cleaner , then a school meals worker , while her father , who became an alcoholic after his experiences in the war , left when she was 11 .
Throughout most of her childhood , she was on free school meals and once her father died the family started claiming benefits .
“ We were definitely one of the poor families on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We lived in that hand-to-mouth existence where if anything goes wrong it ’ s a major catastrophe because you don ’ t have savings.
” Every time she needed school shoes or a school uniform , it would be a new crisis for the family .
From age 15 , she had to start working constantly to keep her three siblings and mother afloat .
“ Just seeing the unfairness that was around was something that has stuck with me , ” she says .
“ I think in some ways it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I think people ’ s opportunity to escape that and move on is even worse .
When I was young , education was free.
” She later adds : “ Now I almost never meet anyone younger than me who ’ s come from that kind of background.
” Despite their circumstances , her mother was an avid reader with a passion for left-wing politics : “ My mother always voted Communist if she could.
” It was partly from her that McAnea first got the idea to join the Communist Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in a Catholic school and I would always question some of the assumptions that were made about religion and women and things like that , ” she tells me .
“ I already had that rebellious streak , in that sense , but I always say I was a bit of a dull teenager .
I was the person going to the library every night.
” Her joining the Communists may not be a huge surprise : ‘ Red Clydeside ’ , as the area was once known , has a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McAnea ’ s childhood , it was the setting for the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders strike , where workers protested closures by continuing to work the shipyards after they were supposed to shut .
It was seeing one of the strike leaders , Jimmy Reid , speak of his ideals that caused her to sign up .
“ I ’ ve never forgotten it , ” she explains .
In a packed Glasgow city hall , Reed spoke notes-free for two hours about his vision for society .
“ Obviously they planned this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people walking up and down the aisle with boards and they were signing you up to the Communist Party , ” she chuckles .
“ I joined.
” She stayed with the Communists for the next decade , between working and eventually going to university .
Then she left .
“ It just felt to me if I wanted to achieve real change , I couldn ’ t do it through the Communist Party , ” she says .
“ Even if you don ’ t always achieve everything you want , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in power.
” This pragmatism continues to inform her work .
“ For me , being a trade union activist and official , it ’ s always been ‘ okay here ’ s the vision but how do you turn that vision into something that ’ s a reality ?
’ , ” McAnea says .
“ Having a great vision is fantastic and you need that , but then you have to also manage staff and resources to be able to put that vision into practice on the ground.
” This approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A 30-year party member , she tells me she now supports Keir Starmer as leader but has seen countless party leaders come and go , and has “ never been a big believer in the cult of leadership ” .
As a UNISON officer , her two priorities when it comes to Labour are : “ Is it still going in the direction we want it to go in and is it still making itself electable ?
” .
McAnea first started working for a trade union as a tribunals officer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ From there , she moved to their London office as a legal officer and to support the equalities team .
She helped draft some of the rule book changes for the union that last to this day .
“ It was a fantastic experience.
” From there it was on to the National and Local Government Officers ’ Association ( NALGO ) , one of the trade unions that would eventually merge to form UNISON .
Over the years , she has worked as head negotiator in UNISON ’ s education and healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before eventually becoming the union ’ s assistant general secretary in charge of negotiating .
What does she think of the accounts of trade union sexism , in light of the GMB report ?
“ I was genuinely shocked by that and surprised if I ’ m being honest , ” McAnea says , but adds that there was sexism when she worked at GMB and “ very few woman negotiators around ” .
She explains : “ When I started , I would turn up to a set of negotiations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only woman in the room… I think I held my own there .
I was not particularly intimidated by it.
” McAnea adds that she believes “ sexist attitudes have decreased ” and “ every year they ’ ve got better ” .
The general secretary candidate deftly sidesteps questions about Scottish independence and UNISON ’ s financial support for Labour , saying “ it ’ s a matter for the members ” on both counts .
She does tell me that she suspects UNISON ’ s Scottish committees will “ find it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second referendum , given all the public support for independence at the moment , but avoids sharing her personal view on the issue .
As she explains , it would be wrong to “ tell places like Scotland and Northern Ireland or indeed Wales , you have to do certain things ” .
Cynics might dismiss ‘ leaving it to the members ’ as an excuse , but McAnea presents it as part of a wider vision .
“ I think we have centralised too much in UNISON and we have to decentralise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s about saying to regions , you ’ re now having to deal with a whole range of political , organisational , industrial issues that happen in your area and you need the resources and the freedom to be able to do that without constantly having to come back and ask us things all the time.
” For all the talk about warring factions in this general secretary election , the response sounds similar to the radical devolution and member empowerment being championed by other candidates in the general secretary race .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trade union movement , McAnea raises her work organising for the 2014 NHS staff strike .
It was “ the first strike in the NHS in over 20 years ” , she proudly tells me .
“ That was a fantastic moment .
And I don ’ t mean this because strikes are a great achievement – you could argue that having ended up with a strike is not a great achievement – but it ’ s still exciting to be involved in a big national dispute.
” After months of sustained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came back to the table .
“ We didn ’ t get everything we wanted , but we certainly got an improvement.
” McAnea says the biggest threat to UNISON members going forward is Covid , and specifically the Tory austerity that will undoubtedly come in the years after the pandemic .
“ It ’ s now a question of , are we strong enough to fight back and resist that ?
” .
She says over the last few months she has “ put a challenge to all our bargaining groups in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you feel you are strike ready ?
’ .
” The assistant general secretary explains that her job is just as much about handling strike action as it is negotiating .
“ Negotiations and disputes are on the same scale , ” she says .
“ They ’ re opposite sides of the same coin.
” Why does McAnea believe she is being called the right-wing candidate ?
“ You ’ re always going to get people who think the answer to everything is a strike and that we should never compromise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know compromise is part of what you do up to a point , ” she explains .
“ But the other side of negotiating is you have to be ready and prepared to take strike action when it ’ s needed and I ’ ve always been up for that.
” The assistant general secretary tells me that a long career can make you an “ easy target ” for some .
“ If you ’ ve had to take tough decisions about pensions or pay disputes , there will always be people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She pauses before adding : “ I ’ ve had it for 25 years , I ’ m used to it .
”

Christina McAnea is often accused of being the right-wing candidate in the race to be UNISON’s next general secretary. “I’m slightly bemused that I’ve been seen as that,” the current frontrunner tells me, as we chat over Zoom. “I say to people who know me that it’s the first time I’ve been called right-wing in my life.”
McAnea grew up in poverty-ridden, 1970s Glasgow. At the time, it was home to the three biggest council estates in Europe: Easterhouse, Castlemilk and Drumchapel. She lived in the latter, on the banks of the Clyde, just a few miles from the river’s famous shipyards. Her mother worked as a school cleaner, then a school meals worker, while her father, who became an alcoholic after his experiences in the war, left when she was 11. Throughout most of her childhood, she was on free school meals and once her father died the family started claiming benefits.
“We were definitely one of the poor families on the street,” McAnea tells me. “We lived in that hand-to-mouth existence where if anything goes wrong it’s a major catastrophe because you don’t have savings.” Every time she needed school shoes or a school uniform, it would be a new crisis for the family. From age 15, she had to start working constantly to keep her three siblings and mother afloat. “Just seeing the unfairness that was around was something that has stuck with me,” she says. “I think in some ways it’s even worse than that now. I think people’s opportunity to escape that and move on is even worse. When I was young, education was free.” She later adds: “Now I almost never meet anyone younger than me who’s come from that kind of background.”
Despite their circumstances, her mother was an avid reader with a passion for left-wing politics: “My mother always voted Communist if she could.” It was partly from her that McAnea first got the idea to join the Communist Party herself aged 15. “I grew up in a Catholic school and I would always question some of the assumptions that were made about religion and women and things like that,” she tells me. “I already had that rebellious streak, in that sense, but I always say I was a bit of a dull teenager. I was the person going to the library every night.”
Her joining the Communists may not be a huge surprise: ‘Red Clydeside’, as the area was once known, has a long history of radical left-wing activism. During McAnea’s childhood, it was the setting for the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders strike, where workers protested closures by continuing to work the shipyards after they were supposed to shut. It was seeing one of the strike leaders, Jimmy Reid, speak of his ideals that caused her to sign up. “I’ve never forgotten it,” she explains. In a packed Glasgow city hall, Reed spoke notes-free for two hours about his vision for society.
“Obviously they planned this, I now realise, but there were people walking up and down the aisle with boards and they were signing you up to the Communist Party,” she chuckles. “I joined.” She stayed with the Communists for the next decade, between working and eventually going to university. Then she left. “It just felt to me if I wanted to achieve real change, I couldn’t do it through the Communist Party,” she says. “Even if you don’t always achieve everything you want, you achieve nothing if you’re not in power.”
This pragmatism continues to inform her work. “For me, being a trade union activist and official, it’s always been ‘okay here’s the vision but how do you turn that vision into something that’s a reality?’,” McAnea says. “Having a great vision is fantastic and you need that, but then you have to also manage staff and resources to be able to put that vision into practice on the ground.” This approach shapes her views of the Labour Party. A 30-year party member, she tells me she now supports Keir Starmer as leader but has seen countless party leaders come and go, and has “never been a big believer in the cult of leadership”. As a UNISON officer, her two priorities when it comes to Labour are: “Is it still going in the direction we want it to go in and is it still making itself electable?”.
McAnea first started working for a trade union as a tribunals officer for the GMB in her native Glasgow. From there, she moved to their London office as a legal officer and to support the equalities team. She helped draft some of the rule book changes for the union that last to this day. “It was a fantastic experience.” From there it was on to the National and Local Government Officers’ Association (NALGO), one of the trade unions that would eventually merge to form UNISON. Over the years, she has worked as head negotiator in UNISON’s education and healthcare teams, as well as equalities officer, before eventually becoming the union’s assistant general secretary in charge of negotiating.
What does she think of the accounts of trade union sexism, in light of the GMB report? “I was genuinely shocked by that and surprised if I’m being honest,” McAnea says, but adds that there was sexism when she worked at GMB and “very few woman negotiators around”. She explains: “When I started, I would turn up to a set of negotiations and it was very common to be the only woman in the room… I think I held my own there. I was not particularly intimidated by it.” McAnea adds that she believes “sexist attitudes have decreased” and “every year they’ve got better”.
The general secretary candidate deftly sidesteps questions about Scottish independence and UNISON’s financial support for Labour, saying “it’s a matter for the members” on both counts. She does tell me that she suspects UNISON’s Scottish committees will “find it difficult to remain neutral” on a second referendum, given all the public support for independence at the moment, but avoids sharing her personal view on the issue. As she explains, it would be wrong to “tell places like Scotland and Northern Ireland or indeed Wales, you have to do certain things”.
Cynics might dismiss ‘leaving it to the members’ as an excuse, but McAnea presents it as part of a wider vision. “I think we have centralised too much in UNISON and we have to decentralise,” she explains. “It’s about saying to regions, you’re now having to deal with a whole range of political, organisational, industrial issues that happen in your area and you need the resources and the freedom to be able to do that without constantly having to come back and ask us things all the time.” For all the talk about warring factions in this general secretary election, the response sounds similar to the radical devolution and member empowerment being championed by other candidates in the general secretary race.
Describing her best moments while working in the trade union movement, McAnea raises her work organising for the 2014 NHS staff strike. It was “the first strike in the NHS in over 20 years”, she proudly tells me. “That was a fantastic moment. And I don’t mean this because strikes are a great achievement – you could argue that having ended up with a strike is not a great achievement – but it’s still exciting to be involved in a big national dispute.” After months of sustained industrial action, eventually, the government came back to the table. “We didn’t get everything we wanted, but we certainly got an improvement.”
McAnea says the biggest threat to UNISON members going forward is Covid, and specifically the Tory austerity that will undoubtedly come in the years after the pandemic. “It’s now a question of, are we strong enough to fight back and resist that?”. She says over the last few months she has “put a challenge to all our bargaining groups in all our regions and said: ‘do you feel you are strike ready?’.” The assistant general secretary explains that her job is just as much about handling strike action as it is negotiating. “Negotiations and disputes are on the same scale,” she says. “They’re opposite sides of the same coin.”
Why does McAnea believe she is being called the right-wing candidate? “You’re always going to get people who think the answer to everything is a strike and that we should never compromise, but as a negotiator, you know compromise is part of what you do up to a point,” she explains. “But the other side of negotiating is you have to be ready and prepared to take strike action when it’s needed and I’ve always been up for that.” The assistant general secretary tells me that a long career can make you an “easy target” for some. “If you’ve had to take tough decisions about pensions or pay disputes, there will always be people who are unhappy with the outcome.” She pauses before adding: “I’ve had it for 25 years, I’m used to it.”


labourlist--2020-10-19--Defy Johnson over free school meals, Labour urges Tory backbenchers

Labour has called on backbench Tory MPs to defy Boris Johnson ’ s government and vote with Labour to support the extension of free school meals over the holidays including the October half-term break just days away .
The opposition party has tabled a motion on this issue and it has now been confirmed that on Wednesday there will be a vote in the House of Commons , with Angela Rayner leading the debate for Labour .
In a letter sent to Tory MPs ahead of the vote , shadow minister Tulip Siddiq has called for their support on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.4 million children in every school holiday until Easter 2021 .
The shadow minister for children and early years described the measure as an “ important means of support for families across your constituency ” and warned that in a vote “ you and your colleagues will have to take a clear stance on this issue ” .
Commenting today , Siddiq said : “ Families across the country are worrying about how to make ends meet , but the Prime Minister is ruling out giving over a million children food support over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now has an opportunity to make it clear that they will support the families in their constituency who are worrying about how they will put food on the table in the weeks ahead.
” The call from the shadow minister comes after the Welsh Labour government announced that it would spend £11m to make sure free school meals are provided during every school holidays up to and including the Easter break in 2021 .
The UK government is under pressure to extend the same support to children in England , but the spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea and said it is not the role of schools to provide food to children outside of term .
Footballer Marcus Rashford , whose campaign forced Johnson into a U-turn on school meals over the summer , has welcomed the announcement by the Welsh government to protect “ the most vulnerable children across the country ” .
More than 200,000 children in England had to skip meals because their family could not access sufficient food during the coronavirus lockdown , and 2.4 million children are living in food insecure households .
The Trussell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 61 % increase in food parcels needed between October and December , and warned that extreme poverty England could double by Christmas .
Below is the full text of the letter sent by Siddiq .
Children across your constituency are eligible for free school meals , and this number will increase as unemployment rises .
Many of these children are growing up in very difficult circumstances – in families with low incomes at a time when jobs across the country are at risk .
Parents were more likely than other working people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Job Retention Scheme ends this month ahead and is replaced by the inadequate job support scheme , many more families could see their incomes fall sharply .
I am sure you would agree that we must do everything we can to support children growing with these unprecedented challenges .
That is why Labour have called for all children who are eligible for free school meals to receive them in every school holiday until next Easter , starting with the October half term , which is now just days away .
This would provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and help to ensure that all parents can put food on the table for their children , whatever their circumstances .
This policy would support the many families in your constituency who are struggling to make ends meet .
I was deeply disappointed that the Prime Minister ’ s spokesperson rejected this proposal out of hand last week , saying that it is not the role of schools to provide food in the holidays .
This shows a shocking ignorance about the role schools have always played in supporting pupils and their families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excuse for failing to provide any free school meals support over the holidays .
It is absurd for a government that rightly extended free school meals over the summer to argue that schools should not be supported to do this just because the Prime Minister and Chancellor no longer want to foot the bill .
I believe that it is essential that the government changes course as a matter of urgency so that children do not have to go without food over the holidays .
I am sure you recognise that free school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for families across your constituency , many of whom will be worrying about how they put food on the table over the half-term and Christmas holidays .
Labour have said that if the government does not urgently U-turn , we will force a vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday – this will mean that you and your colleagues will have to take a clear stance on this issue .
I hope that you will join me in calling for the extension of free school meals during the holidays , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if that proves to be necessary .
I look forward to your urgent reply , which I ’ m sure will be of interest to your constituents .


labourlist--2020-10-20--900,000 children under lockdown will lose free school meals, warns Labour

Nearly one million children in areas under Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions are set to lose access to free school meals over the holidays unless the government changes course , the Labour Party has highlighted .
According to new analysis by the House of Commons Library for the opposition party , around 900,000 children who claim free school meals live in areas – such as London , Liverpool and Manchester – under tougher restrictions .
Pupils in Tier 2 and 3 alert level regions who use the free school meals programme make up 61 % of the over 1.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of losing their free meals over the school holidays .
Labour ’ s intervention comes ahead of a House of Commons vote on Wednesday that will likely see Tory MPs vote against ensuring pupils have access to meals during every holiday between now and Easter 2021 .
Deputy leader Angela Rayner is set to lead the debate for Labour on the opposition motion .
She said : “ This vote is about our values as a country and whether the government , in the middle of this crisis , is happy to let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of families up and down the country are facing a bleak winter of real hardship as the furlough scheme is withdrawn and further restrictions are put in place without proper support for businesses , jobs and livelihoods .
“ It is a moral outrage that the government will happily spend over £6,000 a day on consultants and line the pockets of Serco shareholders in return for a Test and Trace system that has collapsed whilst leaving almost a million children in areas subject to Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions to go hungry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be waking up hungry and having to face the day worrying where food might be coming from .
But if Tory MPs don ’ t do the right thing today , this vital support will be withdrawn next week and over 1.4 million children across our country will go hungry.
” The new Labour-commissioned analysis has found that in areas under the highest government lockdown level of Tier 3 , 99,071 out of a total of 472,614 pupils – more than one in five – are eligible for free school meals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ found to have some of the highest free school meal usage .
In Liverpool , just over one in four pupils are eligible .
In Birmingham , the figure is closer to one in three .
More than 200,000 children in England have had to skip meals because their family could not access sufficient food during the coronavirus lockdown , and 2.4 million children are living in food-insecure households .
The Commons debate was proposed by Labour after a fresh campaign by Premier League footballer Marcus Rashford , who helped to force a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pupils outside of term time in July .
But Boris Johnson rejected Rashford ’ s new plea , saying : “ It ’ s not for schools to regularly provide food to pupils during the school holidays.
” The Prime Minister recommended that struggling families apply for Universal Credit .
Shadow early years minister Tulip Siddiq wrote to Conservative MPs on Monday urging them to rebel during the vote and described the programme as an “ important means of support for families across your constituency ” .
The Welsh Labour government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure that free school meals are provided during every school holiday from now up to and including the Easter break in 2021 as incomes take a hit during the Covid crisis .

Nearly one million children in areas under Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions are set to lose access to free school meals over the holidays unless the government changes course, the Labour Party has highlighted.
According to new analysis by the House of Commons Library for the opposition party, around 900,000 children who claim free school meals live in areas – such as London, Liverpool and Manchester – under tougher restrictions.
Pupils in Tier 2 and 3 alert level regions who use the free school meals programme make up 61% of the over 1.4 million children across the country at risk of losing their free meals over the school holidays.
Labour’s intervention comes ahead of a House of Commons vote on Wednesday that will likely see Tory MPs vote against ensuring pupils have access to meals during every holiday between now and Easter 2021.
Deputy leader Angela Rayner is set to lead the debate for Labour on the opposition motion. She said: “This vote is about our values as a country and whether the government, in the middle of this crisis, is happy to let our children go hungry.
“Millions of families up and down the country are facing a bleak winter of real hardship as the furlough scheme is withdrawn and further restrictions are put in place without proper support for businesses, jobs and livelihoods.
“It is a moral outrage that the government will happily spend over £6,000 a day on consultants and line the pockets of Serco shareholders in return for a Test and Trace system that has collapsed whilst leaving almost a million children in areas subject to Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions to go hungry.
“No child in our country should be waking up hungry and having to face the day worrying where food might be coming from. But if Tory MPs don’t do the right thing today, this vital support will be withdrawn next week and over 1.4 million children across our country will go hungry.”
The new Labour-commissioned analysis has found that in areas under the highest government lockdown level of Tier 3, 99,071 out of a total of 472,614 pupils – more than one in five – are eligible for free school meals.
Cities such as Liverpool and Birmingham were found to have some of the highest free school meal usage. In Liverpool, just over one in four pupils are eligible. In Birmingham, the figure is closer to one in three.
More than 200,000 children in England have had to skip meals because their family could not access sufficient food during the coronavirus lockdown, and 2.4 million children are living in food-insecure households.
The Commons debate was proposed by Labour after a fresh campaign by Premier League footballer Marcus Rashford, who helped to force a government U-turn on offering free school meals to pupils outside of term time in July.
But Boris Johnson rejected Rashford’s new plea, saying: “It’s not for schools to regularly provide food to pupils during the school holidays.” The Prime Minister recommended that struggling families apply for Universal Credit.
Shadow early years minister Tulip Siddiq wrote to Conservative MPs on Monday urging them to rebel during the vote and described the programme as an “important means of support for families across your constituency”.
The Welsh Labour government has announced that it will spend £11m to make sure that free school meals are provided during every school holiday from now up to and including the Easter break in 2021 as incomes take a hit during the Covid crisis.


labourlist--2020-10-20--“This isn’t a game. This is about people’s lives” – Ashworth’s response to Hancock

Below is the full speech delivered by Jonathan Ashworth tonight in response to Matt Hancock ’ s House of Commons statement .
Tonight , people across Manchester , Bury , Bolton , Leigh , Stockport , Trafford will be watching the news worried asking why if it was right to cover 80 % of wages in March , then why now – in the run up to Christmas – is the government covering just two thirds of their wages in October ?
What happened to that Chancellor who plastered social media with soft focus selfies boasting he would support jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it takes ” ?
Instead tonight we have a Chancellor forcing people on the national minimum wage to live on just £5.76 an hour .
From whatever it takes to taking from the lowest paid .
How does he expect families to the pay the bills , to pay the rent , to put food on the table and pay for school lunches , when a third of their income has been snatched away literally over night ?
And where is the Chancellor ?
He should be here to defend the consequences of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardship across the North .
I grew up in Greater Manchester , my dad worked in casinos , my mum worked in bars .
I know people will want to do the right thing but they can ’ t have their income stripped away .
The leaders of Greater Manchester were prepared to compromise .
They offered to settle for £65m to support jobs and livelihoods .
The government insisted on £60m .
But rather than finding £5m extra , this Prime Minister pulled the plug on negotiations and then took £38m off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vindictive , callous response in a national crisis .
The Prime Minister may think he ’ s punishing the politicians .
In fact , he ’ s punishing the people of Greater Manchester .
And yet this is a Prime Minister who has blown ; £150m on facemasks that weren ’ t suitable for frontline NHS staff , £130m on testing kits that turned out to be unsafe , and is spending £7,000 a day on consultants as part of the failing £12bn Test and Trace .
Given Test and Trace is broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I accept that greater containment measures are needed .
But for measures to be effective they need the consent of the people impacted .
Yet this is a set of restrictions that the Chief Medical Officer has told us won ’ t be enough .
A set of restrictions , the Prime Minister admitted last week gives us only “ a chance ” to bring the R down .
How will the sacrifices the Prime Minister is forcing upon people in the North bring down infection rates in the South ?
Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 , further measures will be needed .
He knows more areas are likely to go into Tier 3 .
This is about so much more than Greater Manchester , because if a government is prepared to inflict this level of harm on its own people in the middle of a pandemic in one part of the country , then it will be prepared to do it to people in all parts of the country as well .
The result will be hardship for millions of people this winter .
This isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people ’ s lives .
People need financial support .
This is a national crisis .
And we won ’ t defeat this virus on the cheap .

Below is the full speech delivered by Jonathan Ashworth tonight in response to Matt Hancock’s House of Commons statement.
Tonight, people across Manchester, Bury, Bolton, Leigh, Stockport, Trafford will be watching the news worried asking why if it was right to cover 80% of wages in March, then why now – in the run up to Christmas – is the government covering just two thirds of their wages in October?
What happened to that Chancellor who plastered social media with soft focus selfies boasting he would support jobs and support incomes and “do whatever it takes”?
Instead tonight we have a Chancellor forcing people on the national minimum wage to live on just £5.76 an hour. From whatever it takes to taking from the lowest paid.
How does he expect families to the pay the bills, to pay the rent, to put food on the table and pay for school lunches, when a third of their income has been snatched away literally over night?
And where is the Chancellor? He should be here to defend the consequences of decisions that will mean a winter of hardship across the North.
I grew up in Greater Manchester, my dad worked in casinos, my mum worked in bars. I know people will want to do the right thing but they can’t have their income stripped away.
The leaders of Greater Manchester were prepared to compromise. They offered to settle for £65m to support jobs and livelihoods.
The government insisted on £60m. But rather than finding £5m extra, this Prime Minister pulled the plug on negotiations and then took £38m off the table. What a petty, vindictive, callous response in a national crisis.
The Prime Minister may think he’s punishing the politicians. In fact, he’s punishing the people of Greater Manchester.
And yet this is a Prime Minister who has blown; £150m on facemasks that weren’t suitable for frontline NHS staff, £130m on testing kits that turned out to be unsafe, and is spending £7,000 a day on consultants as part of the failing £12bn Test and Trace.
Given Test and Trace is broken and the virus is out of control, I accept that greater containment measures are needed. But for measures to be effective they need the consent of the people impacted.
Yet this is a set of restrictions that the Chief Medical Officer has told us won’t be enough. A set of restrictions, the Prime Minister admitted last week gives us only “a chance” to bring the R down.
How will the sacrifices the Prime Minister is forcing upon people in the North bring down infection rates in the South? Because he knows that to bring R below 1, further measures will be needed. He knows more areas are likely to go into Tier 3.
This is about so much more than Greater Manchester, because if a government is prepared to inflict this level of harm on its own people in the middle of a pandemic in one part of the country, then it will be prepared to do it to people in all parts of the country as well. The result will be hardship for millions of people this winter.
This isn’t a game. This is about people’s lives. People need financial support. This is a national crisis. And we won’t defeat this virus on the cheap.