labourlist--2020-05-02--Brexit does not belong to one party, and Labour must play its part

The UK formally left the EU in January , belatedly implementing the result of the 2016 referendum .
But clearly this is far from being the end of the road .
The UK is bound throughout the transition period by all the obligations of a full member state .
There is a great deal of disentangling to be done , and evidently a wide gap between the UK ’ s stated intentions and what the EU appears to have in mind .
The Foundation for Independence , a fully cross-party organisation , has been established to monitor these developments and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition – to account .
Brexit does not belong to one party , and Labour must now fully engage in delivering on the decision of the British people to leave the EU .
The UK government ’ s view , as set out in a recent speech by David Frost – the UK ’ s chief negotiator – is that the UK should become fully independent of the EU , except in so far as we reach agreements with the EU on an intergovernmental rather than an integrated political basis , covering all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a common interest .
The EU ’ s view , on the other hand , is that in return for access to the EU market the UK should have to comply with large sections of the single market and customs union obligations to provide a ‘ level-playing field ’ for UK-EU trade .
This would entail the UK being obliged to follow EU precepts on issues varying from state aid to environmental standards , and from employment conditions to regulation on financial services .
It is the foundation ’ s view that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as is the position for many other countries – including such varied economies as those of South Korea , Japan , Israel and Mexico – with which the EU has negotiated trade deals .
All such deals entail some degree of compromise on total sovereignty but none of them involve anything like the detailed interference and control that the EU is proposing in the UK ’ s case .
The EU ’ s main argument for its stance is that the UK is a large economy very close to Europe , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU than other countries .
The foundation ’ s view is that this is not a relevant consideration provided that there is agreement on ‘ equivalence ’ .
This means that the UK and the EU both accept that trade has to be conducted to agreed standards and outcomes – but that how these are reached should be up to each of the contracting parties to determine and not laid down by one side , giving the other no option other but to comply .
Labour lost many of its ‘ Red Wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because we lost a lot of Leave voters .
If Labour is to win back the trust of these voters , it must work to hold the government to account on delivering upon the commitments made in the 2016 referendum – namely that Brexit would ensure that we fully take back control of our laws , borders , money and trade .
It is in this context that the ‘ independence ’ approach is surely the fairest way to interpret the outcome of the 2016 EU referendum .
This was not a vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but name , by formally leaving but staying within the single market and the customs union as some people have proposed .
That would leave us with the worst of all worlds : with all the obligations of EU membership that the UK electorate voted against , but without us having a vote on the future direction which the EU may decide to take .
The UK voted to have sovereignty over our affairs , and this is what the current negotiations ought to try to achieve .
Success will depend on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the support that they have , which is partly where the foundation comes into play .
Labour also has a key role to play here , and we have some strong cards in our hands .
One is the huge balance of payments deficit we run with the EU – about £110bn in 2018 .
The EU sells far more to us than we do to them , putting them in a position where they have much more to lose than we do by the imposition of tariffs .
Our huge payments deficit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the surplus – £26bn in 2018 – that we have with the rest of the world .
We also pay into the EU budget some £11bn more than we get out of it every year .
The EU badly needs us to continue to pay something towards the provision of common shared services , albeit much less than we pay now .
The danger is that we get pushed into making concessions – on fishing , as a prime example – in order to secure any kind of deal because of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edge .
This is the scenario that we must avoid .
The foundation believes that a reasonable deal is in our own , as well as the EU ’ s , interest – but not if it is one-sided , in favour of the European bloc .
To get there , we may have to be willing to walk away from a bad deal , and Labour should be prepared to support this .
There are high stakes , and we will need strong nerves and determination to emerge with a deal that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared to accept .

The UK formally left the EU in January, belatedly implementing the result of the 2016 referendum. But clearly this is far from being the end of the road. The UK is bound throughout the transition period by all the obligations of a full member state. There is a great deal of disentangling to be done, and evidently a wide gap between the UK’s stated intentions and what the EU appears to have in mind.
The Foundation for Independence, a fully cross-party organisation, has been established to monitor these developments and to hold the government – and the opposition – to account. Brexit does not belong to one party, and Labour must now fully engage in delivering on the decision of the British people to leave the EU.
The UK government’s view, as set out in a recent speech by David Frost – the UK’s chief negotiator – is that the UK should become fully independent of the EU, except in so far as we reach agreements with the EU on an intergovernmental rather than an integrated political basis, covering all the many matters on which we have a common interest.
The EU’s view, on the other hand, is that in return for access to the EU market the UK should have to comply with large sections of the single market and customs union obligations to provide a ‘level-playing field’ for UK-EU trade. This would entail the UK being obliged to follow EU precepts on issues varying from state aid to environmental standards, and from employment conditions to regulation on financial services.
It is the foundation’s view that it is right to aim for full independence, as is the position for many other countries – including such varied economies as those of South Korea, Japan, Israel and Mexico – with which the EU has negotiated trade deals. All such deals entail some degree of compromise on total sovereignty but none of them involve anything like the detailed interference and control that the EU is proposing in the UK’s case.
The EU’s main argument for its stance is that the UK is a large economy very close to Europe, and therefore in a different relationship to the EU than other countries. The foundation’s view is that this is not a relevant consideration provided that there is agreement on ‘equivalence’. This means that the UK and the EU both accept that trade has to be conducted to agreed standards and outcomes – but that how these are reached should be up to each of the contracting parties to determine and not laid down by one side, giving the other no option other but to comply.
Labour lost many of its ‘Red Wall’ seats in December last year precisely because we lost a lot of Leave voters. If Labour is to win back the trust of these voters, it must work to hold the government to account on delivering upon the commitments made in the 2016 referendum – namely that Brexit would ensure that we fully take back control of our laws, borders, money and trade.
It is in this context that the ‘independence’ approach is surely the fairest way to interpret the outcome of the 2016 EU referendum. This was not a vote to remain in the EU in all but name, by formally leaving but staying within the single market and the customs union as some people have proposed. That would leave us with the worst of all worlds: with all the obligations of EU membership that the UK electorate voted against, but without us having a vote on the future direction which the EU may decide to take. The UK voted to have sovereignty over our affairs, and this is what the current negotiations ought to try to achieve.
Success will depend on the resolve of the UK negotiators and on the support that they have, which is partly where the foundation comes into play. Labour also has a key role to play here, and we have some strong cards in our hands. One is the huge balance of payments deficit we run with the EU – about £110bn in 2018. The EU sells far more to us than we do to them, putting them in a position where they have much more to lose than we do by the imposition of tariffs. Our huge payments deficit with the EU, incidentally, contrasts with the surplus – £26bn in 2018 – that we have with the rest of the world. We also pay into the EU budget some £11bn more than we get out of it every year.
The EU badly needs us to continue to pay something towards the provision of common shared services, albeit much less than we pay now. The danger is that we get pushed into making concessions – on fishing, as a prime example – in order to secure any kind of deal because of a fear that the alternative is another cliff edge. This is the scenario that we must avoid.
The foundation believes that a reasonable deal is in our own, as well as the EU’s, interest – but not if it is one-sided, in favour of the European bloc. To get there, we may have to be willing to walk away from a bad deal, and Labour should be prepared to support this. There are high stakes, and we will need strong nerves and determination to emerge with a deal that both the UK and the EU are prepared to accept.


labourlist--2020-05-03--Sunday shows: Labour demands “roadmap” for reopening schools

Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds discussed the expected publication of a Covid-19 lockdown exit strategy .
He called for a “ roadmap ” for the reopening of schools , but declared that it is “ for the government to come up with the ideas ” .
• Asked about the progress made by the government : “ I ’ m pleased the testing has been ramped up… but that in itself is not a strategy.
” • On testing specifically : “ The testing has to be increased further… We were talking about a quarter of a million tests a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ It [ testing ] has to be linked , as you indicated in your question Sophy , to tracing… It is that testing and tracing that is going to be so important now in terms of easing the measures of the lockdown.
” • On publishing an exit strategy : “ It ’ s going to be important both to be open to the public… but also for our frontline services so that they can plan for the various scenarios.
” • On the strategy : “ We ’ ve been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks… We ’ ve also been arguing for looking at the different sectors of our economy , which could see restrictions more likely to be lifted than others , and of course the testing and tracing strategy.
” • On reopening schools : “ We ’ re not asking for at the moment a precise date – what we ’ re simply asking for is a roadmap… It is for the government to come up with the ideas – we will then of course discuss them and hopefully find a consensus on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government should enforce use of a tracing app : “ We ’ re willing to discuss different options for it… I think there are other matters we need to take into account here as well – not everybody has a smart phone… Secondly there are also issues around privacy and security.
” • Asked if the Crown Prosecution Service is right to review all charges brought under the Covid-19 emergency legislation : “ I think the CPS is sensible to do that because we are asking the police to police something that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We must back our frontline police here – they ’ ve been asked to do this by us… By-and-large they have done an excellent job.
” • Asked if free movement should continue after Brexit : “ We will set out that detail in due course… We will always make the positive case for immigration.
” • On concerns raised about Trevor Phillips ’ involvement in the government ’ s BAME Covid-19 inquiry : “ Keir Starmer is quite right to say that we should be engaging with those concerns.
” Transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show and denied that the government had “ failed by its own metric ” when shown the government ’ s graph that suggests deaths in the UK are set to overtake Italy .
On the exit plan , he warned that it would be “ over-egging ” it to say that there is a date and a plan in place .
He added that temperature checks on public transport is a “ moot point ” as people should not be going out if they feel unwell .
Labour ’ s Mark Drakeford , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the Welsh government plans for lifting restriction measures and its handling of testing .
• On lifting lockdown measures : “ My strong preference is that we agree a common set of measures , right across the UK , and we adopt a common timetable – so just as we went into lockdown on the same day and on the same terms , we ’ ll come out of it in the same way… I want to do it on a UK basis , and I still think that ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools in Wales can reopen : “ Our advice from the trade unions and local authorities is that it will need three weeks as a minimum from the point that we decide to do that… So we are talking about the beginning of June there.
” He said they were thinking about bringing back earlier children with special educational needs , particular year groups and those learning in Welsh who do not have Welsh spoken at home .
• On public confidence : “ You can open anything you like but if people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe to go then there they ’ ll vote with their feet… [ It is important that ] as we begin to open up parts of the economy and society again , we have a new set of rules in place that demonstrates to the population that we ’ ve thought carefully about it… and that it is safe for them.
” • On opening of schools : “ I think of this in a phased way .
We ’ re not going to have all the children in all the schools back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care homes : “ We are testing all care home staff and all care home residents where there is any coronavirus in that home.
” He explained that the medical advice received by the Welsh government is being followed , and it does not recommend testing in care homes where there is no Covid-19 .
• On coronavirus entering care homes : “ We test everybody who leaves hospital , and if you are tested as positive you don ’ t go to a care home in Wales.
” • On abandoning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day : “ It wasn ’ t a mistake .
The feeling I had and the feeling reported to people on the frontline was that the number itself was a distraction .
We have been focussed on the purpose and the point of a test.
” • On face masks : “ People are doing it , whatever our view is .
Our advice is that it is of marginal utility , clinically , but in confidence terms people may well feel more confident to go out and do things if they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask that ends up competing with the NHS for masks , but simply covering your face .
”

Ridge on Sunday
Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds discussed the expected publication of a Covid-19 lockdown exit strategy. He called for a “roadmap” for the reopening of schools, but declared that it is “for the government to come up with the ideas”.
Asked about the progress made by the government: “I’m pleased the testing has been ramped up… but that in itself is not a strategy.”
On testing specifically: “The testing has to be increased further… We were talking about a quarter of a million tests a day sometime ago.”
On tracing: “It [testing] has to be linked, as you indicated in your question Sophy, to tracing… It is that testing and tracing that is going to be so important now in terms of easing the measures of the lockdown.”
On publishing an exit strategy: “It’s going to be important both to be open to the public… but also for our frontline services so that they can plan for the various scenarios.”
On the strategy: “We’ve been arguing for reopening of schools for some weeks… We’ve also been arguing for looking at the different sectors of our economy, which could see restrictions more likely to be lifted than others, and of course the testing and tracing strategy.”
On reopening schools: “We’re not asking for at the moment a precise date – what we’re simply asking for is a roadmap… It is for the government to come up with the ideas – we will then of course discuss them and hopefully find a consensus on what they are.”
Asked if the government should enforce use of a tracing app: “We’re willing to discuss different options for it… I think there are other matters we need to take into account here as well – not everybody has a smart phone… Secondly there are also issues around privacy and security.”
Asked if the Crown Prosecution Service is right to review all charges brought under the Covid-19 emergency legislation: “I think the CPS is sensible to do that because we are asking the police to police something that was completely new.”
On policing: “We must back our frontline police here – they’ve been asked to do this by us… By-and-large they have done an excellent job.”
Asked if free movement should continue after Brexit: “We will set out that detail in due course… We will always make the positive case for immigration.”
On concerns raised about Trevor Phillips’ involvement in the government’s BAME Covid-19 inquiry: “Keir Starmer is quite right to say that we should be engaging with those concerns.”
"The UK government shouldn't be pulling some kind of rabbit out of a hat."@NickTorfaen is pushed on what Labour wants the "roadmap" to be on schools returning if lockdown is eased – but insists it's the government's job to put forward the ideas.#Ridge: https://t.co/HhpKU0HuuA pic.twitter.com/mSiNinzRkp — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) May 3, 2020
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also appeared on the show and denied that the government had “failed by its own metric” when shown the government’s graph that suggests deaths in the UK are set to overtake Italy.
On the exit plan, he warned that it would be “over-egging” it to say that there is a date and a plan in place. He added that temperature checks on public transport is a “moot point” as people should not be going out if they feel unwell.
The Andrew Marr Show
Labour’s Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, talked about the Welsh government plans for lifting restriction measures and its handling of testing.
On lifting lockdown measures: “My strong preference is that we agree a common set of measures, right across the UK, and we adopt a common timetable – so just as we went into lockdown on the same day and on the same terms, we’ll come out of it in the same way… I want to do it on a UK basis, and I still think that’s what we can achieve.”
On when schools in Wales can reopen: “Our advice from the trade unions and local authorities is that it will need three weeks as a minimum from the point that we decide to do that… So we are talking about the beginning of June there.” He said they were thinking about bringing back earlier children with special educational needs, particular year groups and those learning in Welsh who do not have Welsh spoken at home.
On public confidence: “You can open anything you like but if people don’t think it’s safe to go then there they’ll vote with their feet… [It is important that] as we begin to open up parts of the economy and society again, we have a new set of rules in place that demonstrates to the population that we’ve thought carefully about it… and that it is safe for them.”
On opening of schools: “I think of this in a phased way. We’re not going to have all the children in all the schools back on the same day.”
On care homes: “We are testing all care home staff and all care home residents where there is any coronavirus in that home.” He explained that the medical advice received by the Welsh government is being followed, and it does not recommend testing in care homes where there is no Covid-19.
On coronavirus entering care homes: “We test everybody who leaves hospital, and if you are tested as positive you don’t go to a care home in Wales.”
On abandoning the Welsh testing target of 5,000 tests a day: “It wasn’t a mistake. The feeling I had and the feeling reported to people on the frontline was that the number itself was a distraction. We have been focussed on the purpose and the point of a test.”
On face masks: “People are doing it, whatever our view is. Our advice is that it is of marginal utility, clinically, but in confidence terms people may well feel more confident to go out and do things if they are wearing a non-medical face covering. Not a mask that ends up competing with the NHS for masks, but simply covering your face.”


labourlist--2020-05-03--This is not the time to run more trains, say rail unions

Britain ’ s three rail unions – ASLEF , RMT and TSSA – have warned the government that this is not the right time to lift coronavirus restriction measures and run more trains .
In a joint letter to Boris Johnson , Nicola Sturgeon , Mark Drakeford and Sadiq Khan , the trade union leaders said that it would be “ completely unacceptable ” to risk the lives of passengers and rail staff .
Mick Whelan and Manuel Cortes of Labour-affiliated unions ASLEF and TSSA , plus the RMT ’ s Mick Cash , expressed their “ deep concerns ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels .
Noting that rail service use has “ fallen dramatically ” since the lockdown began , which “ has undoubtedly helped the UK to contain the pandemic ” , they pointed out that “ there is no agreement ” on how to safely expand services .
“ We have helped ensure that key workers and goods are able to be moved where they are needed .
But we have a duty of care to our members , and to those who rely on our industry , ” the letter reads .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that put the lives of railway workers and passengers at risk .
To be clear – we are not convinced that there is any basis at this time for a safe escalation of services.
” The rail unions have urged the government and train operators to work with them to identify where there is real demand for services and to establish how more services can be delivered safely .
The general secretaries conclude : “ Seeking a blanket increase in services as part of a symbolic and premature drive to apparent normality , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is completely unacceptable to us.
” The RMT last week said there was “ zero chance ” of agreeing to an increase in services in mid-May , as Cash vowed not to accept “ unsafe directives being handed down on high from the boardroom or the cabinet room ” .
Overall passenger numbers are currently at 3 % of pre-coronavirus crisis levels , while one in five staff members at train companies are reportedly off work due to the virus .

Britain’s three rail unions – ASLEF, RMT and TSSA – have warned the government that this is not the right time to lift coronavirus restriction measures and run more trains.
In a joint letter to Boris Johnson, Nicola Sturgeon, Mark Drakeford and Sadiq Khan, the trade union leaders said that it would be “completely unacceptable” to risk the lives of passengers and rail staff.
Mick Whelan and Manuel Cortes of Labour-affiliated unions ASLEF and TSSA, plus the RMT’s Mick Cash, expressed their “deep concerns” over reported plans to increase rail service levels.
Noting that rail service use has “fallen dramatically” since the lockdown began, which “has undoubtedly helped the UK to contain the pandemic”, they pointed out that “there is no agreement” on how to safely expand services.
“We have helped ensure that key workers and goods are able to be moved where they are needed. But we have a duty of care to our members, and to those who rely on our industry,” the letter reads.
“We will not accept new working patterns that put the lives of railway workers and passengers at risk. To be clear – we are not convinced that there is any basis at this time for a safe escalation of services.”
The rail unions have urged the government and train operators to work with them to identify where there is real demand for services and to establish how more services can be delivered safely.
The general secretaries conclude: “Seeking a blanket increase in services as part of a symbolic and premature drive to apparent normality, at the potential risk of countless lives, is completely unacceptable to us.”
The RMT last week said there was “zero chance” of agreeing to an increase in services in mid-May, as Cash vowed not to accept “unsafe directives being handed down on high from the boardroom or the cabinet room”.
Overall passenger numbers are currently at 3% of pre-coronavirus crisis levels, while one in five staff members at train companies are reportedly off work due to the virus.


labourlist--2020-05-03--WATCH: Gove questioned by LabourList on early release scheme failures

LabourList editor Sienna Rodgers used a question at the daily coronavirus press conference today to press the government on the failures of its early release scheme .
We asked : “ One month ago , the government announced a scheme to release low-risk prisoners and it was expected that up to 4,000 would be released .
But after mistakes were made , the scheme was paused .
“ Mr Gove , can you tell us how many risk-assessed prisoners in total , and how many pregnant prisoners , have now been released ?
“ Professor Powis , rates of self-harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 % last year .
With visits cancelled at the moment , are you concerned about the wellbeing of people in cells 23 hours a day ?
” Michael Gove , the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office , replied : “ I know that there were at least 33 people who had been released .
“ I think the number is higher than that now .
But after this press conference , I ’ ll of course talk to the Ministry of Justice and make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Powis said : “ I absolutely believe that we should be doing as much as we can to support prison health… Clearly at a time of crisis , it ’ s really important that we place an additional focus on ensuring that prison health is responding.
” LabourList followed up to ask : “ What are you doing right now to prepare for the spike in prison population that is expected when restrictions are lifted and normal court activities get going again ?
” Gove replied : “ You are right that at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into our prisons has been lower , and that ’ s helped to us to manage the situation in prison .
“ During the course of this week , we ’ ll be looking in the ministerial implementation group which I chair at both how we can make sure there are more criminal cases that are appropriately heard and also how we can ensure that the prison estate can manage .
“ One part of that is making sure that we have access to additional facilities , and I think it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre for young offenders in Medway has been made available to the prison estate .
“ But it ’ s also the case that the prison estate is working with the MoD and others to make sure there are sufficient spaces as and when , as you quite rightly point out , more criminal cases are heard.
” LabourList published a comment piece last week on the failures of the early release scheme , which was supposed to see 4,000 prisoners released but had only led to the release of 30 at that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary told Labour ’ s David Lammy that a total of 33 , including pregnant women , had been released .
This was the figure offered by Gove today .
The scheme was suspended due to an error in releasing six individuals .
Earlier in the crisis , Public Health England had recommended that 15,000 inmates should be released .

LabourList editor Sienna Rodgers used a question at the daily coronavirus press conference today to press the government on the failures of its early release scheme.
We asked: “One month ago, the government announced a scheme to release low-risk prisoners and it was expected that up to 4,000 would be released. But after mistakes were made, the scheme was paused.
“Mr Gove, can you tell us how many risk-assessed prisoners in total, and how many pregnant prisoners, have now been released?
“Professor Powis, rates of self-harm in English and Welsh prisons were up 14% last year. With visits cancelled at the moment, are you concerned about the wellbeing of people in cells 23 hours a day?”
Michael Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, replied: “I know that there were at least 33 people who had been released.
“I think the number is higher than that now. But after this press conference, I’ll of course talk to the Ministry of Justice and make sure that you have the accurate figures.”
Powis said: “I absolutely believe that we should be doing as much as we can to support prison health… Clearly at a time of crisis, it’s really important that we place an additional focus on ensuring that prison health is responding.”
LabourList followed up to ask: “What are you doing right now to prepare for the spike in prison population that is expected when restrictions are lifted and normal court activities get going again?”
Gove replied: “You are right that at the moment the throughput from our courts into our prisons has been lower, and that’s helped to us to manage the situation in prison.
“During the course of this week, we’ll be looking in the ministerial implementation group which I chair at both how we can make sure there are more criminal cases that are appropriately heard and also how we can ensure that the prison estate can manage.
“One part of that is making sure that we have access to additional facilities, and I think it’s the case that a former secure training centre for young offenders in Medway has been made available to the prison estate.
“But it’s also the case that the prison estate is working with the MoD and others to make sure there are sufficient spaces as and when, as you quite rightly point out, more criminal cases are heard.”
LabourList published a comment piece last week on the failures of the early release scheme, which was supposed to see 4,000 prisoners released but had only led to the release of 30 at that point.
On Monday, the Justice Secretary told Labour’s David Lammy that a total of 33, including pregnant women, had been released. This was the figure offered by Gove today.
The scheme was suspended due to an error in releasing six individuals. Earlier in the crisis, Public Health England had recommended that 15,000 inmates should be released.


labourlist--2020-05-04--Labour general secretary Jennie Formby announces resignation

Labour ’ s current general secretary Jennie Formby has announced that she is standing down after holding the most senior party post for just over two years .
Commenting on her resignation , Formby said : “ When I applied for the role of general secretary in 2018 it was because I wanted to support Jeremy Corbyn , who inspired so many people to get involved in politics with his message of hope , equality and peace .
“ It has been a huge privilege to be general secretary of the largest political party in Europe for the last two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new leadership team it is the right time to step down .
“ I would like to thank Jeremy , our members and my staff colleagues who have given me so much support during what has been a very challenging period , in particular when I was suffering from ill health .
“ I wish Keir and Angela the very best of luck in taking the party forward and leading Labour to victory at the next general election.
” Responding to the move , new leader Keir Starmer said : “ I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and for the personal and professional efforts she has made in advancing the cause she has fought all her life for .
“ Jennie has led our party ’ s organisation with commitment and energy through a period of political upheaval , including a snap general election last year .
I wish her the very best for the future.
” Labour ’ s deputy leader Angela Rayner added : “ As a trade unionist and party activist as well as general secretary , Jennie has been a great servant of our movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as one of our highest achieving women .
“ She goes with our thanks and gratitude , and I ’ ve no doubt she will stand squarely behind us as we continue to fight for social justice and the Labour government our country so desperately needs.
” Considered to be aligned with the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn , talk of Formby resigning in light of Starmer ’ s election had increased particularly over the last week .
LabourList understands that a meeting of the national executive committee ( NEC ) officers will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election of a new general secretary .
Until the new general secretary is in place , the responsibilities of the role will be delegated to senior staff who will work with party chair Rayner to carry them out .
Commenting on Formby ’ s resignation , a Momentum spokesperson said : “ As the leaked Labour report shows , Jenny became general secretary at an incredibly difficult time .
“ She inherited a party bureaucracy that was often hostile to Jeremy ’ s leadership , with senior staff members allegedly misusing members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s general election campaign in 2017 .
“ Struggling against this while undergoing chemotherapy must have taken a herculean effort .
We thank her for everything and wish her well for the future.
” Rumoured potential candidates to succeed Formby include Unite political director Anneliese Midgley , former Scottish Labour general secretary Brian Roy , and GMB ’ s director of external relations Lisa Johnson .

Labour’s current general secretary Jennie Formby has announced that she is standing down after holding the most senior party post for just over two years.
Commenting on her resignation, Formby said: “When I applied for the role of general secretary in 2018 it was because I wanted to support Jeremy Corbyn, who inspired so many people to get involved in politics with his message of hope, equality and peace.
“It has been a huge privilege to be general secretary of the largest political party in Europe for the last two years, but now we have a new leadership team it is the right time to step down.
“I would like to thank Jeremy, our members and my staff colleagues who have given me so much support during what has been a very challenging period, in particular when I was suffering from ill health.
“I wish Keir and Angela the very best of luck in taking the party forward and leading Labour to victory at the next general election.”
Responding to the move, new leader Keir Starmer said: “I would like to thank Jennie for her service, and for the personal and professional efforts she has made in advancing the cause she has fought all her life for.
“Jennie has led our party’s organisation with commitment and energy through a period of political upheaval, including a snap general election last year. I wish her the very best for the future.”
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner added: “As a trade unionist and party activist as well as general secretary, Jennie has been a great servant of our movement for many years and blazed a trail as one of our highest achieving women.
“She goes with our thanks and gratitude, and I’ve no doubt she will stand squarely behind us as we continue to fight for social justice and the Labour government our country so desperately needs.”
Considered to be aligned with the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, talk of Formby resigning in light of Starmer’s election had increased particularly over the last week.
Former Unite political director Formby succeeded Iain McNicol, who resigned in February 2018 after the Corbynite left won firm control of Labour’s national executive committee.
Formby was shortlisted along with former NUT general secretary Christine Blower who had only joined the Labour Party as a member two years prior. Other candidates included Crowdpac co-founder Paul Hilder.
LabourList understands that a meeting of NEC officers will be arranged soon to discuss a timetable for the election of a new general secretary.
Until the new general secretary is in place, the responsibilities of the role will be delegated to senior staff who will work with party chair Rayner to carry them out.
Commenting on Formby’s resignation, a Momentum spokesperson said: “As the leaked Labour report shows, Jenny became general secretary at an incredibly difficult time.
“ She inherited a party bureaucracy that was often hostile to Jeremy’s leadership, with senior staff members allegedly misusing members funds and attempting to sabotage Labour’s general election campaign in 2017.
“Struggling against this while undergoing chemotherapy must have taken a herculean effort. We thank her for everything and wish her well for the future.”
A Jewish Labour Movement spokesperson said: “The Jewish Labour Movement has consistently taken the view that the governance and leadership of the Labour Party is fundamentally broken and no longer fit for purpose in its handling of antisemitism.
“It was on this basis that we asked the EHRC to launch an investigation into the Labour Party in September 2018 and we anticipate their final report in the coming months.
“We wish Jennie Formby well in her continued recovery from ill health and for the future. We hope that her successor as general secretary will be in post in good time to implement the recommendations of the EHRC report.
“JLM will be prepared to reengage with Party HQ once new management is in place and it has demonstrated the necessary contrition and willingness to change.”
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey thanked Formby for her service and said she had “shown true and strong leadership in the face of many challenges”.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said Formby “brought together a high level of professionalism with an unwavering commitment to the values of the labour movement”.
Rumoured potential candidates to succeed Formby include Unite political director Anneliese Midgley, former Scottish Labour general secretary Brian Roy, and GMB’s director of external relations Lisa Johnson.


labourlist--2020-05-04--Labour can shape the coronavirus debate, not just anticipate its direction

On the UK coronavirus lockdown , are you a hawk or a dove ?
Rishi Sunak , primarily concerned with the economy and “ getting Britain back to work ” , is considered a hawk .
Boris Johnson , in cabinet terms at least , is more thought of as a dove .
Worried about a second peak , the Prime Minister urges caution on the easing of restrictions .
To the surprise of many Tory MPs , the British public can overwhelmingly be found on one side of the argument , with a clear majority opposed to the imminent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 30 % worried about going to work or socialising .
Commentators increasingly like to say that the government message on staying at home has ‘ worked too well ’ , but it is reasonable to conclude that people are simply looking at the UK death toll and noting the shortages of protective equipment .
And they are scary .
The increasingly controversial question within the Labour Party is whether it should be more hawkish or more dovish .
The debate is not over the purely economic effects of the current restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is about the rise in domestic abuse , the spike in child abuse , the gap between students from disadvantaged pupils and those more able to adapt to home-schooling .
Shadow ministers have all pressed their opposites on these issues and brought them to the fore via media appearances , but the main intervention of Keir Starmer himself in this crisis was to demand that the government set out a lockdown exit strategy .
Labour ’ s focus over the weekend was on the reopening of schools , and today it is on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are all advised to wear them in public soon .
Labour wants to be seen as forward-thinking , which means highlighting concerns that may not currently be at the forefront of the minds of the public or ministers .
The idea is that this allows the opposition to come across as constructive in its criticisms .
But there are urgent failures happening right now that deserve the same level of attention as those future concerns .
One of those is the coronavirus early release scheme of pregnant and low-risk prisoners , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – after being paused due to mistakes made – has seen a total of just 33 released .
As these shocking failures have gained little attention and not been raised at the daily coronavirus press conference before , I used a question to do just that on Sunday .
Michael Gove did not have a more up-to-date figure than 33 , and neither did the press office afterwards .
Even more disappointing is that there were few details offered by either Gove or the NHS England director on preparations for the expected spike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume or prison health more generally .
Labour must not forget that its voice can help shape debate , not just anticipate its direction .
The party should identify the nature of the many crises being exposed by Covid-19 – and only then can it say with authority that another future is possible .

On the UK coronavirus lockdown, are you a hawk or a dove? Rishi Sunak, primarily concerned with the economy and “getting Britain back to work”, is considered a hawk. Boris Johnson, in cabinet terms at least, is more thought of as a dove. Worried about a second peak, the Prime Minister urges caution on the easing of restrictions.
To the surprise of many Tory MPs, the British public can overwhelmingly be found on one side of the argument, with a clear majority opposed to the imminent reopening of schools and restaurants, and more than 30% worried about going to work or socialising. Commentators increasingly like to say that the government message on staying at home has ‘worked too well’, but it is reasonable to conclude that people are simply looking at the UK death toll and noting the shortages of protective equipment. And they are scary.
The increasingly controversial question within the Labour Party is whether it should be more hawkish or more dovish. The debate is not over the purely economic effects of the current restrictions, but its unintended consequences. This is about the rise in domestic abuse, the spike in child abuse, the gap between students from disadvantaged pupils and those more able to adapt to home-schooling. Shadow ministers have all pressed their opposites on these issues and brought them to the fore via media appearances, but the main intervention of Keir Starmer himself in this crisis was to demand that the government set out a lockdown exit strategy. Labour’s focus over the weekend was on the reopening of schools, and today it is on demanding that facemasks are stockpiled in case we are all advised to wear them in public soon.
Labour wants to be seen as forward-thinking, which means highlighting concerns that may not currently be at the forefront of the minds of the public or ministers. The idea is that this allows the opposition to come across as constructive in its criticisms. But there are urgent failures happening right now that deserve the same level of attention as those future concerns. One of those is the coronavirus early release scheme of pregnant and low-risk prisoners, which was expected to see 4,000 released but – after being paused due to mistakes made – has seen a total of just 33 released.
As these shocking failures have gained little attention and not been raised at the daily coronavirus press conference before, I used a question to do just that on Sunday. Michael Gove did not have a more up-to-date figure than 33, and neither did the press office afterwards. Even more disappointing is that there were few details offered by either Gove or the NHS England director on preparations for the expected spike in prison population once normal court activities resume or prison health more generally.
Labour must not forget that its voice can help shape debate, not just anticipate its direction. The party should identify the nature of the many crises being exposed by Covid-19 – and only then can it say with authority that another future is possible.


labourlist--2020-05-04--Care homes still failing residents and workers on PPE guidance, says UNISON

UNISON has declared that some care companies are still failing to give care home staff accurate guidance on the use of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) , putting workers and vulnerable residents at risk .
The union has revealed reports from care staff that they are being denied access to PPE , and that some have been told by employers that they do not need equipment because there are no confirmed case of Covid-19 in the home .
The trade union has also said that the guidance issued by Public Health England is “ not sufficiently clear or comprehensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told that they don ’ t need equipment by “ unscrupulous employers.
” Commenting on the situation , general secretary Christina McAnea said : “ Care workers simply don ’ t feel safe , either for themselves , their families or the vulnerable people relying on them every day .
“ Covid-19 is rife in care homes across the UK with thousands dying before their time when we ’ ve known of the risks for weeks .
But staff are still not being given the PPE they need to cut the risks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing the right thing , but many care workers are being put in danger because what they ’ re being told is plain wrong .
They feel helpless because they ’ re often on low pay and are left to choose between risking their health or paying their bills.
” UNISON claims that it has received many accounts from many workers detailing how their employer has not issued them with the correct equipment , such as a mask , apron , gloves or a gown .
McAnea added : “ We need clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff know exactly what kit they ’ re entitled to and feel more confident to challenge employers refusing to provide it.
” The guidance on masks from Public Health England currently states that they should be worn when providing personal care “ which requires them to be in direct contact with the residents or within two metres of a resident who is coughing ” .
The union has written to the organisation requesting that detailed advice on PPE , such as whether a new mask should be used each time personal care is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector workers .
UNISON has also launched a petition demanding that the government deliver on its promises on protective equipment and do more to protect care staff and elderly people during the coronavirus crisis .
The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK stands at 186,599 , but with low levels of testing the true figure is thought to be much higher .
There have been 28,446 recorded deaths related to the virus .

UNISON has declared that some care companies are still failing to give care home staff accurate guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), putting workers and vulnerable residents at risk.
The union has revealed reports from care staff that they are being denied access to PPE, and that some have been told by employers that they do not need equipment because there are no confirmed case of Covid-19 in the home.
The trade union has also said that the guidance issued by Public Health England is “not sufficiently clear or comprehensive” and that workers are consequently being told that they don’t need equipment by “unscrupulous employers.”
Commenting on the situation, general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Care workers simply don’t feel safe, either for themselves, their families or the vulnerable people relying on them every day.
“Covid-19 is rife in care homes across the UK with thousands dying before their time when we’ve known of the risks for weeks. But staff are still not being given the PPE they need to cut the risks.
“Some tell us their employers are doing the right thing, but many care workers are being put in danger because what they’re being told is plain wrong. They feel helpless because they’re often on low pay and are left to choose between risking their health or paying their bills.”
UNISON claims that it has received many accounts from many workers detailing how their employer has not issued them with the correct equipment, such as a mask, apron, gloves or a gown.
McAnea added: “We need clear, simple and easily accessible guidance so staff know exactly what kit they’re entitled to and feel more confident to challenge employers refusing to provide it.”
The guidance on masks from Public Health England currently states that they should be worn when providing personal care “which requires them to be in direct contact with the residents or within two metres of a resident who is coughing”.
The union has written to the organisation requesting that detailed advice on PPE, such as whether a new mask should be used each time personal care is provided, be issued to help care sector workers.
UNISON has also launched a petition demanding that the government deliver on its promises on protective equipment and do more to protect care staff and elderly people during the coronavirus crisis.
The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK stands at 186,599, but with low levels of testing the true figure is thought to be much higher. There have been 28,446 recorded deaths related to the virus.


labourlist--2020-05-04--WATCH: Labour calls for plan to distribute masks to public

Rachel Reeves has called on the government to “ work now ” to ensure that there is a plan in place to manufacture and distribute “ approved masks ” in anticipation of a change to guidance on face coverings in the Covid-19 crisis .
In an interview with Sky News this morning , the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster described how she had purchased a mask herself and would be wearing it when going outside in public .
Reeves emphasised that although masks are not currently required by UK Covid-19 guidance , they are in many other countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely ” that our own advice will change .
The comments from Reeves follow a letter to her counterpart Michael Gove , in which she asked how the government will manage the distribution and supply of sufficient numbers of masks if the guidance changes .
In the correspondence , she asked the minister to outline how government will work with businesses , trade unions and international supply networks to avoid shortages should the public be advised to wear masks .
Commenting on the action required , Reeves said : “ The government was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too slow to get vital protective equipment to NHS , social care and other key workers , and too slow on testing and tracing to help stop the spread of the coronavirus .
“ We need to know what the plans are to stockpile face masks in readiness for any change in the scientific advice .
This is an opportunity for ministers to get ahead of the game and demonstrate they have learned from their mistakes , and we stand ready to help them to achieve that .
“ Labour is supporting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting things right , and challenging it when things are going wrong .
This is in all our interests to protect public health.
” Several other countries around the world are now advising that their citizens use face coverings when in public .
The Japanese government has sent free masks to 50 million households , for example .
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK stands at 186,599 , but with low levels of testing the true figure is thought to be much higher .
There have been 28,446 recorded @ @ @ @ @ @

Rachel Reeves has called on the government to “work now” to ensure that there is a plan in place to manufacture and distribute “approved masks” in anticipation of a change to guidance on face coverings in the Covid-19 crisis.
In an interview with Sky News this morning, the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster described how she had purchased a mask herself and would be wearing it when going outside in public.
Reeves emphasised that although masks are not currently required by UK Covid-19 guidance, they are in many other countries and said that it is “increasingly likely” that our own advice will change.
Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Rachel Reeves says she will be wearing a mask in public and if the advice on face coverings change, the government 'need to be working now to get them made and distributed'.#KayBurley Get the latest on #coronavirus: https://t.co/JXMyP5Ihiv pic.twitter.com/iOFw0GQlWc — SkyNews (@SkyNews) May 4, 2020
The comments from Reeves follow a letter to her counterpart Michael Gove, in which she asked how the government will manage the distribution and supply of sufficient numbers of masks if the guidance changes.
In the correspondence, she asked the minister to outline how government will work with businesses, trade unions and international supply networks to avoid shortages should the public be advised to wear masks.
Commenting on the action required, Reeves said: “The government was too slow to enter the lockdown, too slow to get vital protective equipment to NHS, social care and other key workers, and too slow on testing and tracing to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
“We need to know what the plans are to stockpile face masks in readiness for any change in the scientific advice. This is an opportunity for ministers to get ahead of the game and demonstrate they have learned from their mistakes, and we stand ready to help them to achieve that.
“Labour is supporting the government through this crisis when it is getting things right, and challenging it when things are going wrong. This is in all our interests to protect public health.”
Several other countries around the world are now advising that their citizens use face coverings when in public. The Japanese government has sent free masks to 50 million households, for example.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK stands at 186,599, but with low levels of testing the true figure is thought to be much higher. There have been 28,446 recorded deaths related to the virus.


labourlist--2020-05-04--Labour’s next general secretary – runners and riders

Who could replace Jennie Formby as Labour ’ s general secretary ?
She has only just resigned , but already the Labour Party is buzzing with rumours of who her successor might be .
The appointee must have a thorough understanding of the party to do the job , and probably need to match the key principles espoused by new leader Keir Starmer , with ‘ unity ’ being the watchword .
Subject to the approval of conference , general secretary appointments are made by Labour ’ s national executive committee ( NEC ) .
That is pretty good news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one vote so far , and that was a minor error apparently caused by Zoom-fuelled confusion .
The political director at Unite the Union has emerged as a unity candidate .
She has a track record that pleases the party ’ s left , having worked for Ken Livingstone ( he would need to be publicly disowned ) and as Jeremy Corbyn ’ s deputy chief of staff .
But the party ’ s right also favours her – and if that comes as a surprise , remember never to underestimate the complexity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The director of external relations at GMB is widely tipped for the role , and she has been for quite some time .
She is also regarded as one of the more left-wing potential candidates .
Some cast doubt over her chances last week after she was mentioned in the letter that made allegations against Tim Roache , but others reckon NEC members know her well enough not to be swayed by that .
The assistant general secretary UNISON was thought to be in the running for some years , like Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s executive director of governance , membership and party services .
This should be a plus , but it is no longer due to the recently leaked report on Labour ’ s handling of antisemitism complaints .
Other UNISON names have not yet been floated .
The former Scottish Labour general secretary has plenty of relevant experience , and he backed Starmer ’ s leadership bid .
He has not made many enemies in the party , and Starmer might like the optics of a Scottish appointment .
But it is difficult for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a base of support on the NEC as the others do .
Another Scottish name circulating is Baxter .
She is highly respected by many who backed Starmer for the leadership .
But she has just been elected once again as a local party representative on the NEC , which means her appointment would make crucial NEC votes tougher for Starmer .
Unlikely names being promoted include Laura Parker , former national coordinator of Momentum and previously a private secretary to Corbyn , and Alicia Kennedy , who was Tom Watson ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source pointed out , the latter is already a Labour peer , which means there would be no obvious appointment with which to barter when the time came for a change .
The new leader could try to bring in an outsider , perhaps a barrister .
But that probably wouldn ’ t fly with trade union reps. Alternatively , Morgan McSweeney , Starmer ’ s chief of staff , could pick a name out of left field – someone from local government or a third sector organisation .
They would have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the level of experience and depth of knowledge required , however .
This article may be updated as further tips come in…

Who could replace Jennie Formby as Labour’s general secretary? She has only just resigned, but already the Labour Party is buzzing with rumours of who her successor might be.
The appointee must have a thorough understanding of the party to do the job, and probably need to match the key principles espoused by new leader Keir Starmer, with ‘unity’ being the watchword.
Subject to the approval of conference, general secretary appointments are made by Labour’s national executive committee (NEC). That is pretty good news for Starmer: he has only lost one vote so far, and that was a minor error apparently caused by Zoom-fuelled confusion.
Anneliese Midgley
The political director at Unite the Union has emerged as a unity candidate. She has a track record that pleases the party’s left, having worked for Ken Livingstone (he would need to be publicly disowned) and as Jeremy Corbyn’s deputy chief of staff. But many of the party’s right also favour her – and if that comes as a surprise, remember never to underestimate the complexity of Labour Party and labour movement politics.
Lisa Johnson
The director of external relations at GMB is widely tipped for the role, and she has been for quite some time. She is also regarded as one of the more left-wing potential candidates. Some cast doubt over her chances last week after she was mentioned in the letter that made allegations against Tim Roache, but others reckon NEC members know her well enough not to be swayed by that.
Emilie Oldknow
The assistant general secretary UNISON was thought to be in the running for some years, like Johnson. She used to be Labour’s executive director of governance, membership and party services. This should be a plus, but it is no longer due to the recently leaked report on Labour’s handling of antisemitism complaints. Other UNISON names have not yet been floated.
Brian Roy
The former Scottish Labour general secretary has plenty of relevant experience, and he backed Starmer’s leadership bid. He has not made many enemies in the party, and Starmer might like the optics of a Scottish appointment. But it is difficult for non-trade unionists: he wouldn’t have a base of support on the NEC as the others do.
Johanna Baxter
Another Scottish name circulating is Baxter. She is highly respected by many who backed Starmer for the leadership. But she has just been elected once again as a local party representative on the NEC, which means her appointment would make crucial NEC votes tougher for Starmer.
Other?
Unlikely names being promoted include Laura Parker, former national coordinator of Momentum and previously a private secretary to Corbyn, and Alicia Kennedy, who was Tom Watson’s chief of staff. As one source pointed out, the latter is already a Labour peer, which means there would be no obvious appointment with which to barter when the time came for a change.
The new leader could try to bring in an outsider, perhaps a barrister. But that probably wouldn’t fly with trade union reps. Alternatively, Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s chief of staff, could pick a name out of left field – someone from local government or a third sector organisation. They would have a tough job convincing the NEC that they have the level of experience and depth of knowledge required, however.
This article may be updated as further tips come in…


labourlist--2020-05-04--Keir Starmer calls for “national consensus” on coronavirus next steps

Keir Starmer has called for a “ national consensus ” to be built around the next steps of the UK ’ s coronavirus response based on seven core principles set out by Labour .
The Labour leader has confirmed , ahead of talks with the Prime Minister , that his party will back a further extension of coronavirus restrictions – just as it supported the lockdown .
He has vowed to “ act in the national interest ” by continuing to “ work constructively ” with Boris Johnson ’ s government on the next phase of its Covid-19 response .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ principles ” , as well as specific ways of fulfilling them : • Keeping people safe , through the introduction of a “ national safety standard ” and addressing the TUC ’ s concerns over draft back-to-work guidelines • Mass expansion of community testing and tracing – setting target dates for 250,000 daily tests and 50,000 contact tracers , and a target for tracing • Protect key and essential workers , with a national plan to guarantee supply of personal protective equipment and facial coverings • Support people ’ s livelihoods , jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst-affected people and industries , plus making the furlough scheme more flexible • Structured approach to easing and tightening restrictions , with advance warning to enable planning • National vaccines plan , covering the manufacture and distribution of any vaccine that emerges • Preparations for winter flu – and the “ urgent publication ” of a national plan for the winter flu season In a statement released ahead of talks with the Prime Minister , Starmer said : “ We want to support the government to get this right and that is why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happens next .
“ Our priority is protecting the public ’ s health and saving lives .
That is why we supported the lockdown and again support the restrictions staying in place at this time .
However , we need to be honest with the public about the challenges ahead .
“ We are in this for the long haul .
It is imperative that the government is properly planning for what happens next and properly supporting our NHS and social care services .
“ Mistakes were made at the beginning of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implement the lockdown , slow on testing and slow to get PPE to frontline workers .
We need to learn from those mistakes .
“ Labour is setting out seven core principles that need to be considered by the government to ensure public services , businesses and people are supported and kept safe .
People rightly need confidence it ’ s safe before they go back out to work , travel or use public services .
“ When I was elected leader , I promised to act in the national interest and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and weeks , I will work constructively with the government on these proposals to ensure we have the best possible response to this crisis.
” Starmer used an Evening Standard interview last week to tell the government to increase its daily testing target to 250,000 , up its contract tracers target to 50,000 and harness the volunteer NHS responders .
The GMB trade union has warned that the latest back-to-work guidance produced by the government was “ thrown together in a hurry ” and would not protect workers from Covid-19 .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say it ’ s safe to work within two metres of other people without PPE and expect them to head merrily off to work , ” acting general secretary John Phillips said .
Johnson is expected to reveal the full details of how people are expected to return to work on Sunday evening .
It has been reported that the ‘ first day back ’ could be on May 26th .

Keir Starmer has called for a “national consensus” to be built around the next steps of the UK’s coronavirus response based on seven core principles set out by Labour.
The Labour leader has confirmed, ahead of talks with the Prime Minister, that his party will back a further extension of coronavirus restrictions – just as it supported the lockdown.
He has vowed to “act in the national interest” by continuing to “work constructively” with Boris Johnson’s government on the next phase of its Covid-19 response.
Labour has set out seven “core principles”, as well as specific ways of fulfilling them:
Keeping people safe , through the introduction of a “national safety standard” and addressing the TUC’s concerns over draft back-to-work guidelines
, through the introduction of a “national safety standard” and addressing the TUC’s concerns over draft back-to-work guidelines Mass expansion of community testing and tracing – setting target dates for 250,000 daily tests and 50,000 contact tracers, and a target for tracing
– setting target dates for 250,000 daily tests and 50,000 contact tracers, and a target for tracing Protect key and essential workers , with a national plan to guarantee supply of personal protective equipment and facial coverings
, with a national plan to guarantee supply of personal protective equipment and facial coverings Support people’s livelihoods, jobs and businesses , including bespoke support for worst-affected people and industries, plus making the furlough scheme more flexible
, including bespoke support for worst-affected people and industries, plus making the furlough scheme more flexible Structured approach to easing and tightening restrictions , with advance warning to enable planning
, with advance warning to enable planning National vaccines plan , covering the manufacture and distribution of any vaccine that emerges
, covering the manufacture and distribution of any vaccine that emerges Preparations for winter flu – and the “urgent publication” of a national plan for the winter flu season
In a statement released ahead of talks with the Prime Minister, Starmer said: “We want to support the government to get this right and that is why we need a national consensus on what happens next.
“Our priority is protecting the public’s health and saving lives. That is why we supported the lockdown and again support the restrictions staying in place at this time. However, we need to be honest with the public about the challenges ahead.
“We are in this for the long haul. It is imperative that the government is properly planning for what happens next and properly supporting our NHS and social care services.
“Mistakes were made at the beginning of this crisis. The government was slow to implement the lockdown, slow on testing and slow to get PPE to frontline workers. We need to learn from those mistakes.
“Labour is setting out seven core principles that need to be considered by the government to ensure public services, businesses and people are supported and kept safe. People rightly need confidence it’s safe before they go back out to work, travel or use public services.
“When I was elected leader, I promised to act in the national interest and I meant it. Over the coming days and weeks, I will work constructively with the government on these proposals to ensure we have the best possible response to this crisis.”
Starmer used an Evening Standard interview last week to tell the government to increase its daily testing target to 250,000, up its contract tracers target to 50,000 and harness the volunteer NHS responders.
The GMB trade union has warned that the latest back-to-work guidance produced by the government was “thrown together in a hurry” and would not protect workers from Covid-19.
“They cannot just flick a switch, say it’s safe to work within two metres of other people without PPE and expect them to head merrily off to work,” acting general secretary John Phillips said.
Johnson is expected to reveal the full details of how people are expected to return to work on Sunday evening. It has been reported that the ‘first day back’ could be on May 26th.


labourlist--2020-05-04--Where the Socialist Campaign Group should go next for a unified left

For two years , I ’ ve co-chaired the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs after re-forming it with Richard Burgon in May 2018 .
This week I stand down as co-chair , but I ’ m proud of the group that we rebuilt together .
When Tony Blair resigned in 2007 , I supported John McDonnell for leader and helped organise a rally for him with my local trades council .
Hundreds turned out to see John and Tony Benn but we failed to get the MP nominations required to get him on the ballot .
All those years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a radical Labour Party within our grassroots membership .
When I first stood for parliament in 2015 , my literature read : “ Elect a Labour and Co-operative MP and I pledge to join the Socialist Campaign Group.
” When I did get elected to parliament in 2017 , there was no Socialist Campaign Group to join .
The organisation had become defunct due to a rule that excluded frontbench members from joining .
In 2017 , the Campaign Group had effectively become the shadow cabinet .
I became Richard ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months later was invited to join what was called the Core Group – a group of MPs that had remained loyal to Jeremy Corbyn .
Meetings were convened from time to time to coordinate how to support the then leader of our party .
Determined to keep a strong socialist voice in parliament , Richard and I would regularly talk about re-forming the Campaign Group to allow a public voice for socialist MPs .
We both agreed we needed to support Jeremy , but we also needed to support wider trade union and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we needed a group that was linked to Momentum , the Labour Representation Committee ( LRC ) , the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy ( CLPD ) and trade unions , but that was was independent of them .
That group was the re-formed Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs .
With a rule change to allow frontbenchers to join and become officers , Richard became the secretary , Laura Pidcock became my co-chair , and Laura Smith the treasurer .
The group grew to 23 members by the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December saw us lose Laura Smith , Laura Pidcock , Danielle Rowley , Karen Lee , Emma Dent Coad , David Drew and the legendary Dennis Skinner .
A silver lining , however , was that with so many socialists selected in the lead up to the 2019 election the size of the Campaign Group has now grown to 34 members .
Our membership is now 16 % of the Parliamentary Labour Party but the last leader/deputy election showed that Campaign Group candidates got between 21 % and 28 % of the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have at least those numbers in the PLP .
Before Jeremy ’ s leadership , the Campaign Group meetings were advertised to the whole Parliamentary Labour Party .
Those who turned up and paid their subs were members .
Under Blair and Brown , membership was a career ender , not starter , so there was little problem with people joining for ulterior motives .
After the 2016 leadership coup , and Jeremy ’ s 2017 general election gains , there was some nervousness about having membership continue to be open to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to new MPs and frontbenchers who had not taken part in the failed coup .
Now the situation has changed again .
Jeremy is no longer leader and being a member of the Socialist Campaign Group doesn ’ t confer career advantage .
That doesn ’ t mean , however , that membership should be for everyone .
I don ’ t support inviting soft left , Open Labour MPs into the Campaign Group .
I do , however , think it ’ s vital that we work with them inside and outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly with the upcoming national executive committee ( NEC ) elections .
Not having Jeremy as leader has , for some , removed our common cause .
We are seeing a splintering on the left : Momentum , Forward Momentum , Momentum Internationalists , CLPD , LRC , Red Labour , Don ’ t Leave Organise , as well as the union factions , and allied groups like the People ’ s Assembly .
It feels more and more like a Monty Python sketch .
Some claim it ’ s a split @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left ; others that it ’ s participatory left vs the disciplined left .
Sometimes it just seems to be personality-based , schoolyard politics .
What the Campaign Group must not become is a group that represents only one of these strands – or worse , is controlled by only one of them .
We must be bigger , stronger and show leadership that frankly the left is currently collectively lacking .
That ’ s why I ’ m supporting the call that membership should be based on a set of principles that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
This is the right criteria going forward , and I hope that it means we continue to expand our membership in parliament .
In Richard ’ s deputy leadership campaign , he held the torch for a part of the left and I believe he must be one of the leaders in rebuilding it .
I had indicated to him that I would stand down as co-chair this year and that he should think about the more public facing role of chair .
I expressed a desire to support him behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however Richard understandably wanted to remain as secretary , and it ’ s right that he is able to do so .
I know Richard as secretary , Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Ian Mearns as co-chairs and John McDonnell as treasurer will continue to strengthen and grow the group Tony Benn and other left-wing MPs first founded in 1982 .
I now have a frontbench role as shadow minister for natural environment and air quality , and it seems right to me that the convention is restored that only backbenchers take the officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In my standing down as an officer , it remains important that the officer team ( which I hope will be expanded to include others ) represents new members , members from different regions , as well as members from different historic backgrounds , trade unions and campaigns .
The Campaign Group must not try to replicate one of our existing grassroots organisations but remain a coordination of Labour Left MPs in parliament .
It should not be based on who you supported in the last leadership election – members have always supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position .
It should be based on an overarching set of principles .
In parliament , I will remain active in the Socialist Campaign Group .
And when I go back to the electorate in 2024 , I hope to be able to modify that 2015 pledge to say nine years later : “ In re-electing me , you are not only voting for a Labour and Co-operative MP but a proud member of the Socialist Campaign Group .
”

For two years, I’ve co-chaired the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs after re-forming it with Richard Burgon in May 2018. This week I stand down as co-chair, but I’m proud of the group that we rebuilt together.
When Tony Blair resigned in 2007, I supported John McDonnell for leader and helped organise a rally for him with my local trades council. Hundreds turned out to see John and Tony Benn but we failed to get the MP nominations required to get him on the ballot. All those years ago, I could see the potential for a radical Labour Party within our grassroots membership. When I first stood for parliament in 2015, my literature read: “Elect a Labour and Co-operative MP and I pledge to join the Socialist Campaign Group.”
When I did get elected to parliament in 2017, there was no Socialist Campaign Group to join. The organisation had become defunct due to a rule that excluded frontbench members from joining. In 2017, the Campaign Group had effectively become the shadow cabinet.
I became Richard’s parliamentary private secretary, and a few months later was invited to join what was called the Core Group – a group of MPs that had remained loyal to Jeremy Corbyn. Meetings were convened from time to time to coordinate how to support the then leader of our party.
Determined to keep a strong socialist voice in parliament, Richard and I would regularly talk about re-forming the Campaign Group to allow a public voice for socialist MPs. We both agreed we needed to support Jeremy, but we also needed to support wider trade union and class struggles from parliament. We agreed that we needed a group that was linked to Momentum, the Labour Representation Committee (LRC), the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy (CLPD) and trade unions, but that was was independent of them. That group was the re-formed Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs.
With a rule change to allow frontbenchers to join and become officers, Richard became the secretary, Laura Pidcock became my co-chair, and Laura Smith the treasurer. The group grew to 23 members by the end of the 2017-19 parliament.
The general election in December saw us lose Laura Smith, Laura Pidcock, Danielle Rowley, Karen Lee, Emma Dent Coad, David Drew and the legendary Dennis Skinner. A silver lining, however, was that with so many socialists selected in the lead up to the 2019 election the size of the Campaign Group has now grown to 34 members. Our membership is now 16% of the Parliamentary Labour Party but the last leader/deputy election showed that Campaign Group candidates got between 21% and 28% of the vote share respectively. We should aim to have at least those numbers in the PLP.
Before Jeremy’s leadership, the Campaign Group meetings were advertised to the whole Parliamentary Labour Party. Those who turned up and paid their subs were members. Under Blair and Brown, membership was a career ender, not starter, so there was little problem with people joining for ulterior motives.
After the 2016 leadership coup, and Jeremy’s 2017 general election gains, there was some nervousness about having membership continue to be open to the entire PLP, so invites were offered to new MPs and frontbenchers who had not taken part in the failed coup.
Now the situation has changed again. Jeremy is no longer leader and being a member of the Socialist Campaign Group doesn’t confer career advantage. That doesn’t mean, however, that membership should be for everyone.
I don’t support inviting soft left, Open Labour MPs into the Campaign Group. I do, however, think it’s vital that we work with them inside and outside of parliament to achieve our shared aims, particularly with the upcoming national executive committee (NEC) elections.
Not having Jeremy as leader has, for some, removed our common cause. We are seeing a splintering on the left: Momentum, Forward Momentum, Momentum Internationalists, CLPD, LRC, Red Labour, Don’t Leave Organise, as well as the union factions, and allied groups like the People’s Assembly. It feels more and more like a Monty Python sketch. Some claim it’s a split with the orthodox left and the radical left; others that it’s participatory left vs the disciplined left. Sometimes it just seems to be personality-based, schoolyard politics.
What the Campaign Group must not become is a group that represents only one of these strands – or worse, is controlled by only one of them. We must be bigger, stronger and show leadership that frankly the left is currently collectively lacking.
That’s why I’m supporting the call that membership should be based on a set of principles that would be agreed at the AGM this week. This is the right criteria going forward, and I hope that it means we continue to expand our membership in parliament.
In Richard’s deputy leadership campaign, he held the torch for a part of the left and I believe he must be one of the leaders in rebuilding it. I had indicated to him that I would stand down as co-chair this year and that he should think about the more public facing role of chair. I expressed a desire to support him behind the scenes in the role of secretary, however Richard understandably wanted to remain as secretary, and it’s right that he is able to do so. I know Richard as secretary, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Ian Mearns as co-chairs and John McDonnell as treasurer will continue to strengthen and grow the group Tony Benn and other left-wing MPs first founded in 1982.
I now have a frontbench role as shadow minister for natural environment and air quality, and it seems right to me that the convention is restored that only backbenchers take the officer roles, but remain full members. In my standing down as an officer, it remains important that the officer team (which I hope will be expanded to include others) represents new members, members from different regions, as well as members from different historic backgrounds, trade unions and campaigns.
The Campaign Group must not try to replicate one of our existing grassroots organisations but remain a coordination of Labour Left MPs in parliament. It should not be based on who you supported in the last leadership election – members have always supported different candidates – nor any single policy position. It should be based on an overarching set of principles.
In parliament, I will remain active in the Socialist Campaign Group. And when I go back to the electorate in 2024, I hope to be able to modify that 2015 pledge to say nine years later: “In re-electing me, you are not only voting for a Labour and Co-operative MP but a proud member of the Socialist Campaign Group.”


labourlist--2020-05-04--Mo Mowlam has left an enduring legacy that still resonates today

23 years ago this week , the first female Northern Ireland Secretary was appointed to office by the first Labour Prime Minister in a generation .
Memorably , for a position known for its challenges , she was more worried that she may not get the job when the phone rang on 3rd May 1997 .
It was the only role she wanted .
The preceding decades had seen a bitter , intractable conflict descend to awful depths and then grind to a standstill .
Her inspired appointment was to help , along of course with the bravery of communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usher in a new dawn .
The same familiar criticisms that have followed most female politicians for a century were levelled at Mo .
It was claimed that she lacked gravitas and didn ’ t have the same grasp of the issues as her predecessors .
But she understood , almost instinctively , that people were “ ready for peace ” .
She brought , in her words , “ the nag factor ” .
It was typically self-deprecating for a woman whose popularity was rooted in her humility .
But her humility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early 1998 , only the most wildly optimistic observers felt that a peace was possible .
But politics – as the late Seamus Mallon said – is the art of making the impossible possible .
Mo brought her own distinctive personality to the bitter conflict – her courage , her inclusivity and her refusal to accept things just because they were – and in the process brought people together .
She showed over 11 short months , often through sheer force of will and stamina , that a fairer , shared future was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real division in Northern Ireland in the months leading up to the historic Good Friday Agreement wasn ’ t between communities , but between the many who wanted peace and the few who didn ’ t .
She expanded the former and shrunk the latter .
“ It takes courage to push things forward , ” she said , and her enormous bravery in visiting Maze Prison was an example of this approach .
As was the relationships she built with community groups and people on the ground .
She recognised that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would ultimately bring the peace ; it was inspired statesmanship .
Through this effort , she – more than any other politician – has defined Labour ’ s principled and enduring commitment to Good Friday and Northern Ireland .
Honest cooperation and relationships built on trust were the soul of that agreement , and Mo embodied them .
Labour ’ s unwavering support for the vision of a shared future , where each community have their rights upheld and their voice heard , was cast in her image .
But the political settlement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the effects of the last decade of Conservative Party policy have shaken trust more than many in Westminster realise .
Brexit struck at the heart of the sense , implicit in Good Friday , of a cooperative future ; the prolonged and deep effect of austerity held back social justice ; and the vacuum of leadership from the UK contributed to destabilising the political , economic and constitutional landscape in Northern Ireland .
Regrettably , the Conservative Party ’ s custody of the Good Friday Agreement has been marked by a draining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honest broker that can be depended upon in the constitutional landscape .
They seemed to forget the lessons that had been learnt – that Northern Ireland was a future to be cooperatively built , not a problem to be overlooked .
They forgot that trust , painstakingly built over many years , has to be respected and protected with all communities in Northern Ireland and with the Irish Government .
The Tories need to rebuild that trust , but on the implementation of the Brexit protocol , they are leaving communities , businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Northern Ireland once again .
The UK government would be unwise to repeat the same mistakes ; failing to bring Northern Ireland with them on the decisions made about them .
And Covid-19 will shine a bright light on the fragility of Northern Ireland ’ s economic position , one of the poorest part of the UK .
It is a problem that Westminster can not afford to ignore .
John Hulme ’ s hope in his Nobel Prize acceptance speech of “ a future as great as our vision allows ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of austerity .
The billions taken out of public services has left the highest waiting times for any health service in the UK and nurses , teachers and other healthcare workers have been chronically underpaid .
Out of Covid-19 , a new focus on solidarity and social justice will be needed for the whole UK , and rejuvenating Northern Ireland ’ s economy and restoring public services will warrant particular attention .
With political institutions fragile and huge challenges facing Northern Ireland , the value of an honest broker and a principled partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future is needed now more than ever .
Labour ’ s determination for Northern Ireland to flourish economically , socially , politically and culturally , and to address and redress the historical inequalities and disadvantages that communities have suffered , is steadfast .
It requires Northern Ireland to be treated as a priority in Westminster- something that Blair , more than any other Prime Minister , understood and acted upon in order to build the peace .
And some two decades on from Mo Mowlam ’ s appointment , our commitment to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unwavering .

23 years ago this week, the first female Northern Ireland Secretary was appointed to office by the first Labour Prime Minister in a generation. Memorably, for a position known for its challenges, she was more worried that she may not get the job when the phone rang on 3rd May 1997. It was the only role she wanted.
The preceding decades had seen a bitter, intractable conflict descend to awful depths and then grind to a standstill. Her inspired appointment was to help, along of course with the bravery of communities and politicians in Northern Ireland, to usher in a new dawn.
The same familiar criticisms that have followed most female politicians for a century were levelled at Mo. It was claimed that she lacked gravitas and didn’t have the same grasp of the issues as her predecessors. But she understood, almost instinctively, that people were “ready for peace”. She brought, in her words, “the nag factor”. It was typically self-deprecating for a woman whose popularity was rooted in her humility. But her humility was matched by her vision.
In early 1998, only the most wildly optimistic observers felt that a peace was possible. But politics – as the late Seamus Mallon said – is the art of making the impossible possible. Mo brought her own distinctive personality to the bitter conflict – her courage, her inclusivity and her refusal to accept things just because they were – and in the process brought people together. She showed over 11 short months, often through sheer force of will and stamina, that a fairer, shared future was within reach.
Mo recognised that the real division in Northern Ireland in the months leading up to the historic Good Friday Agreement wasn’t between communities, but between the many who wanted peace and the few who didn’t. She expanded the former and shrunk the latter. “It takes courage to push things forward,” she said, and her enormous bravery in visiting Maze Prison was an example of this approach. As was the relationships she built with community groups and people on the ground. She recognised that it was people, not politicians, who would ultimately bring the peace; it was inspired statesmanship.
Through this effort, she – more than any other politician – has defined Labour’s principled and enduring commitment to Good Friday and Northern Ireland. Honest cooperation and relationships built on trust were the soul of that agreement, and Mo embodied them. Labour’s unwavering support for the vision of a shared future, where each community have their rights upheld and their voice heard, was cast in her image.
But the political settlement authored 22 years ago is fragile, and the effects of the last decade of Conservative Party policy have shaken trust more than many in Westminster realise. Brexit struck at the heart of the sense, implicit in Good Friday, of a cooperative future; the prolonged and deep effect of austerity held back social justice; and the vacuum of leadership from the UK contributed to destabilising the political, economic and constitutional landscape in Northern Ireland.
Regrettably, the Conservative Party’s custody of the Good Friday Agreement has been marked by a draining of trust in the UK as an honest broker that can be depended upon in the constitutional landscape. They seemed to forget the lessons that had been learnt – that Northern Ireland was a future to be cooperatively built, not a problem to be overlooked. They forgot that trust, painstakingly built over many years, has to be respected and protected with all communities in Northern Ireland and with the Irish Government.
The Tories need to rebuild that trust, but on the implementation of the Brexit protocol, they are leaving communities, businesses and politicians behind and in the dark in Northern Ireland once again. The UK government would be unwise to repeat the same mistakes; failing to bring Northern Ireland with them on the decisions made about them.
And Covid-19 will shine a bright light on the fragility of Northern Ireland’s economic position, one of the poorest part of the UK. It is a problem that Westminster cannot afford to ignore. John Hulme’s hope in his Nobel Prize acceptance speech of “a future as great as our vision allows” has been undermined by the grinding unfairness of austerity. The billions taken out of public services has left the highest waiting times for any health service in the UK and nurses, teachers and other healthcare workers have been chronically underpaid.
Out of Covid-19, a new focus on solidarity and social justice will be needed for the whole UK, and rejuvenating Northern Ireland’s economy and restoring public services will warrant particular attention.
With political institutions fragile and huge challenges facing Northern Ireland, the value of an honest broker and a principled partner helping to build a fairer, shared future is needed now more than ever. Labour’s determination for Northern Ireland to flourish economically, socially, politically and culturally, and to address and redress the historical inequalities and disadvantages that communities have suffered, is steadfast. It requires Northern Ireland to be treated as a priority in Westminster- something that Blair, more than any other Prime Minister, understood and acted upon in order to build the peace. And some two decades on from Mo Mowlam’s appointment, our commitment to the shared path she helped to mark out is unwavering.


labourlist--2020-05-04--Minute’s silence held for fallen colleagues on Firefighters’ Memorial Day

The Fire Brigades Union has released a video to honour the sacrifice made by fallen colleagues on Firefighters ’ Memorial Day , and a minute ’ s silence has been held outside fire stations across the UK and internationally .
The video message recognised that firefighters “ put themselves at risk for all of us ” , and also emphasised the duty when anyone dies from fire or disaster to “ learn the lessons from such tragedies ” .
The minute ’ s silence at midday , organised by the FBU and Firefighters Memorial Trust ( FMT ) , saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workplaces to commemorate some 2,300 colleagues who have died in the line of duty .
The pandemic meant that the public were not able to pay tribute , but FBU general secretary Matt Wrack was joined in a live-streamed wreath laying ceremony by Sarah Mullallay , Bishop of London and London Fire Brigade chaplain Mia Hilborn .
Commenting on the occasion , Wrack said : “ Firefighters come into work each day to save the lives of others but , tragically , it is their own lives that can be lost in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day to pay tribute , but there must also be lessons learnt from each fallen firefighter .
All too often , their deaths could and should have been prevented .
We reaffirm our commitment today to fight for the safety of all firefighters .
“ While many remain in their homes as we battle coronavirus , firefighters continue to show up to work each day , keeping their communities safe .
And , as with so many national emergencies , firefighters are on the frontline of this pandemic .
Early on in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBU and other stakeholders to allow firefighters to take on additional roles in the Covid-19 crisis , including driving ambulances and retrieving dead bodies .
He added : “ This year , we have lost three of our comrades whilst on-duty in the UK and countless others internationally .
And we have watched in pain as firefighters in Italy and the US have lost their lives to Covid-19 .
“ It is the sombre reality of our profession that , each day , the families of firefighters can never know for certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that night .
Today , we remember their bravery and sacrifice .
In their honour , we hold this minute ’ s silence.
” Memorial ceremonies are held throughout the year as part of the union ’ s Red Plaque scheme , funded by the Firefighters ’ 100 Lottery – a number of the Red Plaque events have been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis .

The Fire Brigades Union has released a video to honour the sacrifice made by fallen colleagues on Firefighters’ Memorial Day, and a minute’s silence has been held outside fire stations across the UK and internationally.
The video message recognised that firefighters “put themselves at risk for all of us”, and also emphasised the duty when anyone dies from fire or disaster to “learn the lessons from such tragedies”.
The minute’s silence at midday, organised by the FBU and Firefighters Memorial Trust (FMT), saw firefighters and other staff stand outside their workplaces to commemorate some 2,300 colleagues who have died in the line of duty.
The pandemic meant that the public were not able to pay tribute, but FBU general secretary Matt Wrack was joined in a live-streamed wreath laying ceremony by Sarah Mullallay, Bishop of London and London Fire Brigade chaplain Mia Hilborn.
Today, on Firefighters’ Memorial Day, #WeRemember the bravery and sacrifice of all the firefighters we have lost. Observe the minute’s silence at midday. Join the online memorial event at 14:00: https://t.co/hsLOLWS8kL#FMD2020 pic.twitter.com/3e2jLsExaR — Fire Brigades Union (@fbunational) May 4, 2020
Commenting on the occasion, Wrack said: “Firefighters come into work each day to save the lives of others but, tragically, it is their own lives that can be lost in the process.
“We remember them this day to pay tribute, but there must also be lessons learnt from each fallen firefighter. All too often, their deaths could and should have been prevented. We reaffirm our commitment today to fight for the safety of all firefighters.
“While many remain in their homes as we battle coronavirus, firefighters continue to show up to work each day, keeping their communities safe. And, as with so many national emergencies, firefighters are on the frontline of this pandemic.
Early on in the crisis, an agreement was reached between the FBU and other stakeholders to allow firefighters to take on additional roles in the Covid-19 crisis, including driving ambulances and retrieving dead bodies.
He added: “This year, we have lost three of our comrades whilst on-duty in the UK and countless others internationally. And we have watched in pain as firefighters in Italy and the US have lost their lives to Covid-19.
“It is the sombre reality of our profession that, each day, the families of firefighters can never know for certain that their loved ones will come home that night. Today, we remember their bravery and sacrifice. In their honour, we hold this minute’s silence.”
Memorial ceremonies are held throughout the year as part of the union’s Red Plaque scheme, funded by the Firefighters’ 100 Lottery – a number of the Red Plaque events have been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.