labourlist--2020-09-09--Labour frontbench MPs join Labour Friends of Israel as new vice-chairs

Several of Keir Starmer ’ s Labour frontbench MPs have joined Labour Friends of Israel as newly appointed vice-chairs of the organisation that now includes a third of shadow cabinet members .
LFI has announced six new vice-chairs as follows : • Rosie Cooper – MP for West Lancashire , elected in 2005. Cooper is a member of the health and social care select committee .
• Chris Evans – MP for Islwyn , elected in 2010 .
Evans is parliamentary private secretary to Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey .
• Diana Johnson – MP for Kingston upon Hull North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former shadow Middle East minister , and a current member of both the home affairs select committee and the intelligence and security committee .
• Peter Kyle – MP for Hove , elected in 2015 .
Kyle is currently shadow victims and youth justice minister .
• Conor McGinn – MP for St Helens North , elected in 2015 .
McGinn is a shadow security minister .
• Catherine McKinnell – MP for Newcastle Upon Tyne North , elected in 2010 .
McKinnell is co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group against antisemitism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s current parliamentary vice-chairs – shadow cabinet members Rachel Reeves and Jonathan Reynolds , frontbenchers Pat McFadden and Sharon Hodgson , plus backbencher John Spellar .
They make up LFI ’ s officers group , along with chair in the House of Commons Steve McCabe and chair in the Lords Labour peer Meta Ramsay .
McCabe replaced Dame Louise Ellman in February this year .
Commenting on the new appointments , LFI chair Steve McCabe said : “ I ’ m delighted to welcome my colleagues as new LFI vice-chairs .
Together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they demonstrate the widespread support for LFI that exists across the Labour party .
“ The LFI officers group represents a wide range of parliamentarians , united by our support for Israel and a two-state solution .
I look forward to working with our new vice-chairs – and all our supporters in parliament – to continue to oppose antisemitism and stand up for Israel.
” Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy recently announced that Labour would support a ban on imports of West Bank goods if Israel pursues its controversial annexation plans in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the policy , LFI said it “ totally opposes imposing sanctions on Israel ” on the basis that the move would “ serve only to weaken those in Israel fighting annexation ” and embolden the Israeli right ’ s “ bunker mentality ” .
As of July 2020 , around a quarter of the Parliamentary Labour Party and a third of the shadow cabinet were members of the group , including Shadow Justice Secretary David Lammy and Shadow International Trade Secretary Emily Thornberry .
In July , LFI director Jennifer Gerber stood down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying it had been a “ huge honour ” to lead the group .
She was replaced by Michael Rubin , previously political director of the organisation .

Several of Keir Starmer’s Labour frontbench MPs have joined Labour Friends of Israel as newly appointed vice-chairs of the organisation that now includes a third of shadow cabinet members.
LFI has announced six new vice-chairs as follows:
Rosie Cooper – MP for West Lancashire, elected in 2005. Cooper is a member of the health and social care select committee.
– MP for West Lancashire, elected in 2005. Cooper is a member of the health and social care select committee. Chris Evans – MP for Islwyn, elected in 2010. Evans is parliamentary private secretary to Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey.
– MP for Islwyn, elected in 2010. Evans is parliamentary private secretary to Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey. Diana Johnson – MP for Kingston upon Hull North, elected in 2005. Johnson is a former shadow Middle East minister, and a current member of both the home affairs select committee and the intelligence and security committee.
– MP for Kingston upon Hull North, elected in 2005. Johnson is a former shadow Middle East minister, and a current member of both the home affairs select committee and the intelligence and security committee. Peter Kyle – MP for Hove, elected in 2015. Kyle is currently shadow victims and youth justice minister.
– MP for Hove, elected in 2015. Kyle is currently shadow victims and youth justice minister. Conor McGinn – MP for St Helens North, elected in 2015. McGinn is a shadow security minister.
– MP for St Helens North, elected in 2015. McGinn is a shadow security minister. Catherine McKinnell – MP for Newcastle Upon Tyne North, elected in 2010. McKinnell is co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group against antisemitism.
The new intake will join LFI’s current parliamentary vice-chairs – shadow cabinet members Rachel Reeves and Jonathan Reynolds, frontbenchers Pat McFadden and Sharon Hodgson, plus backbencher John Spellar.
They make up LFI’s officers group, along with chair in the House of Commons Steve McCabe and chair in the Lords Labour peer Meta Ramsay. McCabe replaced Dame Louise Ellman in February this year.
Commenting on the new appointments, LFI chair Steve McCabe said: “I’m delighted to welcome my colleagues as new LFI vice-chairs. Together with our existing group of LFI officers, they demonstrate the widespread support for LFI that exists across the Labour party.
“The LFI officers group represents a wide range of parliamentarians, united by our support for Israel and a two-state solution. I look forward to working with our new vice-chairs – and all our supporters in parliament – to continue to oppose antisemitism and stand up for Israel.”
Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy recently announced that Labour would support a ban on imports of West Bank goods if Israel pursues its controversial annexation plans in the disputed region.
In response to the policy, LFI said it “totally opposes imposing sanctions on Israel” on the basis that the move would “serve only to weaken those in Israel fighting annexation” and embolden the Israeli right’s “bunker mentality”.
As of July 2020, around a quarter of the Parliamentary Labour Party and a third of the shadow cabinet were members of the group, including Shadow Justice Secretary David Lammy and Shadow International Trade Secretary Emily Thornberry.
In July, LFI director Jennifer Gerber stood down after a decade in the role, saying it had been a “huge honour” to lead the group. She was replaced by Michael Rubin, previously political director of the organisation.


labourlist--2020-09-09--WATCH: Test and trace system “on verge of collapse”, says Labour

Rachel Reeves has described the test , trace and isolate programme as “ on the verge of collapse ” and said that “ people are being sent on wild goose chases around the country for tests ” .
In an interview with Sky News this morning , the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster highlighted the discrepancy between the level of capacity described by the government and the number of tests being carried out .
Reeves commented on claims by the Health Secretary that people are unable to book a test because the proportion of those asking for them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She said : “ If the testing capacity is limited , of course that needs to be focused on those who have symptoms .
But the Health Secretary said earlier this week that he wants to get to a system of mass testing where we ’ re testing 10,000 people a week .
“ At the moment , the government are failing to get even the basics right .
This is a government who promised a world-beating system .
Frankly , at the moment , we would just like one that works and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The test and trace system is frankly on the verge of collapse .
People are being sent on wild goose chases around the country for tests – and these are people who have symptoms.
” She added : “ It ’ s all well and good for the country to say we have a record level of capacity , but we ’ re not using all that capacity because the number of tests conducted every day does not meet the capacity.
” The comments from Reeves follow a spike in Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have “ relaxed too much ” and the introduction of restrictions limiting the maximum number of people you can socialise with to six in England .
Members of the public attempting to get a coronavirus test have reported being unable to get one , with the error message “ system is currently unavailable ” being displayed for several days .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News this morning : “ We have seen an increase in demand including from people who are not eligible for tests , people who don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You are eligible for a test if you have symptoms of coronavirus or if you have a very specific reason otherwise .
We have seen an increase , and about 25 % of people who are coming forward don ’ t have symptoms and aren ’ t eligible .
”

Rachel Reeves has described the test, trace and isolate programme as “on the verge of collapse” and said that “people are being sent on wild goose chases around the country for tests”.
In an interview with Sky News this morning, the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster highlighted the discrepancy between the level of capacity described by the government and the number of tests being carried out.
Reeves commented on claims by the Health Secretary that people are unable to book a test because the proportion of those asking for them who have no symptoms has risen.
She said: “If the testing capacity is limited, of course that needs to be focused on those who have symptoms. But the Health Secretary said earlier this week that he wants to get to a system of mass testing where we’re testing 10,000 people a week.
“At the moment, the government are failing to get even the basics right. This is a government who promised a world-beating system. Frankly, at the moment, we would just like one that works and we don’t even have that.
“The test and trace system is frankly on the verge of collapse. People are being sent on wild goose chases around the country for tests – and these are people who have symptoms.”
She added: “It’s all well and good for the country to say we have a record level of capacity, but we’re not using all that capacity because the number of tests conducted every day does not meet the capacity.”
'We just want a system that works' Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Rachel Reeves says the government's test and trace system is "on the verge of collapse" as 'people are being sent on a wild goose chase around the country' for a #COVID19 test.#KayBurleyhttps://t.co/QUwShq5oTX pic.twitter.com/O1T4nhlYSj — SkyNews (@SkyNews) September 9, 2020
The comments from Reeves follow a spike in Covid-19 cases, which has prompted warnings that people have “relaxed too much” and the introduction of restrictions limiting the maximum number of people you can socialise with to six in England.
Members of the public attempting to get a coronavirus test have reported being unable to get one, with the error message “system is currently unavailable” being displayed for several days.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News this morning: “We have seen an increase in demand including from people who are not eligible for tests, people who don’t have symptoms.”
He added: “You are eligible for a test if you have symptoms of coronavirus or if you have a very specific reason otherwise. We have seen an increase, and about 25% of people who are coming forward don’t have symptoms and aren’t eligible.”


labourlist--2020-09-09--Don’t abandon us. We’re issuing an urgent #SOS4JOBS – Build Back Better

Spain has become the latest country to extend its pay protection scheme “ for as long as it takes ” , following Germany , the Netherlands and France .
But the UK government continues to look on aimlessly as jobs , families and communities are thrown under the bus .
“ An ounce of confidence is worth a ton of government money , ” the Prime Minister declared last week during an extraordinary PMQs , at which Boris Johnson ’ s willingness to insult people on the brink of hardship was utterly breathtaking .
In refusing to revise and maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme ends on November 1st , he described workers as “ languishing out of work ” .
As millions of people face the growing prospect of unemployment , many for the first time in their working lives and at levels not seen since the 1930s , far from wrapping his arms around the well-worn mantra “ whatever it takes ” to support jobs and industry , the PM simply doesn ’ t care .
Indeed business minister Nadhim Zahawi described the new ‘ kickstart ’ scheme to create work placements for unemployed young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creating the jobs that we want ” .
But what about saving the jobs that we ’ ve got , the jobs on which this nation and our economy was built , as well as the funding of our public services ?
The truth is that while Angela Merkel takes every available opportunity to shout about the centrality of manufacturing to the success of the German economy , Emmanuel Macron pledges a £100bn stimulus package to prop up the French economy , and even Donald Trump pumps billions into US industries , nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to champion our production lines .
For generations of workers who have dedicated their lives to building Britain , delivering world-class products to a global market , and with the potential to lead the world in the development of greener , cleaner technologies , why should they have even a gram of confidence in a Prime Minister who appears to think that experiencing the poverty of unemployment is some sort of lifestyle choice ?
Thousands of well-paid , highly-skilled jobs at Rolls Royce in the East Midlands and elsewhere are being tossed away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s failure to deliver on his promise to provide targeted support for an aviation and aerospace industry in a tailspin .
But hey , no matter , let ’ s herald instead the creation of hundreds of new £10-an-hour jobs in the region by Amazon , fuelling a modern , consumer-led economy that relies on… Oh yes , those very , highly-skilled jobs at Rolls Royce , Airbus , Cummins , ADL and JLR , not to mention millions in hospitality , aviation and retail currently being tossed away in a frenzy fuelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard Johnson described as behaving less like a Prime Minister and more like the CEO of the British Sandwich Marketing Corporation in his drive to get office workers back to the office to save that sector .
Perhaps we are , after all , not just a nation of consumers but of makers – sandwich makers .
And so Unite this morning takes its fight for jobs directly to parliament .
I ’ ll be joined on College Green from 10.45am by Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds and Unite members from across our manufacturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the UK and ask MPs of all parties to sign our pledge to protect their constituents and workers from an unemployment tsunami .
It ’ s a heartfelt plea from the people who ’ ve given their lives to ensure that the UK remains a great manufacturing nation .
They have a clear and urgent message to the Prime Minister : “ do not abandon us at our time of need ” .
We ’ re not asking for bailouts but the support of the government while we work night and day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bring new orders to the books .
It ’ s an appeal to MPs in our industrial heartlands to help us get the penny to drop with ministers .
Don ’ t let the good work of recent months , of which we can all be proud , go to waste .
Keep people in work , not idle and impoverished , when there is an economy to recover and country to rebuild .
UK manufacturing is vital to our economic recovery .
It will power the jobs of tomorrow and keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country that the PM has pledged to “ level up ” .
But without urgent action , these communities will suffer a terrible levelling down as the gates close on the businesses that sit at their heart .
The PM and his government can not abandon these workers to this fate .
We are the men and women who built Britain , and we are the workers who will rebuild and reshape it to meet the challenges of the future .
Right now , we simply need the support to do that until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can once again open their gates in the latest episode in our history .
We reach out into an uncertain world as a maker of not just our own destiny but of the products that will save our economy and planet .

Spain has become the latest country to extend its pay protection scheme “for as long as it takes”, following Germany, the Netherlands and France. But the UK government continues to look on aimlessly as jobs, families and communities are thrown under the bus.
“An ounce of confidence is worth a ton of government money,” the Prime Minister declared last week during an extraordinary PMQs, at which Boris Johnson’s willingness to insult people on the brink of hardship was utterly breathtaking. In refusing to revise and maintain a job retention scheme when the current scheme ends on November 1st, he described workers as “languishing out of work”. As millions of people face the growing prospect of unemployment, many for the first time in their working lives and at levels not seen since the 1930s, far from wrapping his arms around the well-worn mantra “whatever it takes” to support jobs and industry, the PM simply doesn’t care.
Indeed business minister Nadhim Zahawi described the new ‘kickstart’ scheme to create work placements for unemployed young people as growing the economy by “creating the jobs that we want”. But what about saving the jobs that we’ve got, the jobs on which this nation and our economy was built, as well as the funding of our public services? The truth is that while Angela Merkel takes every available opportunity to shout about the centrality of manufacturing to the success of the German economy, Emmanuel Macron pledges a £100bn stimulus package to prop up the French economy, and even Donald Trump pumps billions into US industries, nobody in the UK government feels it necessary to champion our production lines.
For generations of workers who have dedicated their lives to building Britain, delivering world-class products to a global market, and with the potential to lead the world in the development of greener, cleaner technologies, why should they have even a gram of confidence in a Prime Minister who appears to think that experiencing the poverty of unemployment is some sort of lifestyle choice?
Thousands of well-paid, highly-skilled jobs at Rolls Royce in the East Midlands and elsewhere are being tossed away as a result of Rishi Sunak’s failure to deliver on his promise to provide targeted support for an aviation and aerospace industry in a tailspin. But hey, no matter, let’s herald instead the creation of hundreds of new £10-an-hour jobs in the region by Amazon, fuelling a modern, consumer-led economy that relies on… Oh yes, those very, highly-skilled jobs at Rolls Royce, Airbus, Cummins, ADL and JLR, not to mention millions in hospitality, aviation and retail currently being tossed away in a frenzy fuelled by government inaction.
I’ve heard Johnson described as behaving less like a Prime Minister and more like the CEO of the British Sandwich Marketing Corporation in his drive to get office workers back to the office to save that sector. Perhaps we are, after all, not just a nation of consumers but of makers – sandwich makers.
And so Unite this morning takes its fight for jobs directly to parliament. I’ll be joined on College Green from 10.45am by Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds and Unite members from across our manufacturing sectors to issue an urgent #SOS4JOBS across the UK and ask MPs of all parties to sign our pledge to protect their constituents and workers from an unemployment tsunami.
It’s a heartfelt plea from the people who’ve given their lives to ensure that the UK remains a great manufacturing nation. They have a clear and urgent message to the Prime Minister: “do not abandon us at our time of need”.
We’re not asking for bailouts but the support of the government while we work night and day to get viable businesses through this crisis and bring new orders to the books. It’s an appeal to MPs in our industrial heartlands to help us get the penny to drop with ministers. Don’t let the good work of recent months, of which we can all be proud, go to waste. Keep people in work, not idle and impoverished, when there is an economy to recover and country to rebuild.
UK manufacturing is vital to our economic recovery. It will power the jobs of tomorrow and keep communities strong in those parts of the country that the PM has pledged to “level up”. But without urgent action, these communities will suffer a terrible levelling down as the gates close on the businesses that sit at their heart.
The PM and his government cannot abandon these workers to this fate. We are the men and women who built Britain, and we are the workers who will rebuild and reshape it to meet the challenges of the future. Right now, we simply need the support to do that until confidence and demand returns and world-class businesses can once again open their gates in the latest episode in our history. We reach out into an uncertain world as a maker of not just our own destiny but of the products that will save our economy and planet.


labourlist--2020-09-08--GMB: Government ignored BAME parent concerns over June schools reopening

Information obtained by trade union GMB has found that the government ignored BAME parents ’ concerns when it pushed ahead with plans for a ‘ phased reopening ’ of schools in June .
Following a freedom of information request to the Cabinet Office , the union uncovered previously unpublished research carried out in April by YouGov on whether parents would be prepared to send their children back into schools .
The government-commissioned study showed that 42 % of BAME parents had said they would not send their child back .
Parents on lower incomes were also much less likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
GMB secretary for public services Rehana Azam described it as “ outrageous ” that ministers had continued with their “ flawed ” reopening plans after research had shown the “ fear and anxiety ” felt by communities worst hit by Covid-19 .
She said : “ They say that the virus does not discriminate , but it is clear that society does – and once again , BAME voices have been marginalised .
It should not have taken a freedom of information request to bring this evidence into the public domain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully engage with the unions , monitor the return to school carefully , fix the failing track and trace system , and be clear with the public about any new concerns that arise in the days and weeks ahead.
” At the time of the poll , the scientific advisory group for emergencies reported that 45 % of parents “ definitely would ” or “ probably would ” send children back if social distancing guidelines were back .
The British Polling Council , of which YouGov is a member sets out in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have “ entered the public domain ” , the full results must be published within two working days .
The Cabinet Office instead refused to publish the full survey on the grounds that “ disclosure would weaken ministers ’ ability to discuss controversial and sensitive topics free from premature public scrutiny ” .
The government had to abandon its June 1st deadline for partial reopening of schools after government figures showed that just 52 % of schools opened with only 25 % of children eligible returning .
Azam said : “ Education unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not ready to return , and that important issues including provision of personal protective equipment had not been resolved .
“ Dozens of school support staff workers have lost their lives , and it is crucial as schools return that their voices are listened to.
” Schools reopened earlier this month , after the government reversed its position on the use of face masks in the educational settings .
Children above the age of seven are now advised to wear a covering in school corridors .
A number of Covid outbreaks have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to class last week , including at a school in Castle Rock that was visited by the Prime Minister just two weeks ago .
GMB will give evidence to the all-party parliamentary group on coronavirus later today , which has recently put out a call for evidence to hear from those affected by the pandemic and make recommendations to the government .

Information obtained by trade union GMB has found that the government ignored BAME parents’ concerns when it pushed ahead with plans for a ‘phased reopening’ of schools in June.
Following a freedom of information request to the Cabinet Office, the union uncovered previously unpublished research carried out in April by YouGov on whether parents would be prepared to send their children back into schools.
The government-commissioned study showed that 42% of BAME parents had said they would not send their child back. Parents on lower incomes were also much less likely to do so than others at 40%.
GMB secretary for public services Rehana Azam described it as “outrageous” that ministers had continued with their “flawed” reopening plans after research had shown the “fear and anxiety” felt by communities worst hit by Covid-19.
She said: “They say that the virus does not discriminate, but it is clear that society does – and once again, BAME voices have been marginalised. It should not have taken a freedom of information request to bring this evidence into the public domain.
“GMB calls on the government to fully engage with the unions, monitor the return to school carefully, fix the failing track and trace system, and be clear with the public about any new concerns that arise in the days and weeks ahead.”
At the time of the poll, the scientific advisory group for emergencies reported that 45% of parents “definitely would” or “probably would” send children back if social distancing guidelines were back.
The British Polling Council, of which YouGov is a member sets out in its rules that once findings from a survey have “entered the public domain”, the full results must be published within two working days.
The Cabinet Office instead refused to publish the full survey on the grounds that “disclosure would weaken ministers’ ability to discuss controversial and sensitive topics free from premature public scrutiny”.
The government had to abandon its June 1st deadline for partial reopening of schools after government figures showed that just 52% of schools opened with only 25% of children eligible returning.
Azam said: “Education unions including GMB warned repeatedly that schools were not ready to return, and that important issues including provision of personal protective equipment had not been resolved.
“Dozens of school support staff workers have lost their lives, and it is crucial as schools return that their voices are listened to.”
Schools reopened earlier this month, after the government reversed its position on the use of face masks in the educational settings. Children above the age of seven are now advised to wear a covering in school corridors.
A number of Covid outbreaks have been reported in schools since young people returned to class last week, including at a school in Castle Rock that was visited by the Prime Minister just two weeks ago.
GMB will give evidence to the all-party parliamentary group on coronavirus later today, which has recently put out a call for evidence to hear from those affected by the pandemic and make recommendations to the government.


labourlist--2020-09-09--Labour representatives form ‘Alliance for Full Employment’ backed by Gordon Brown

Labour representatives from across the regions and nations of the United Kingdom have come together and formed a new ‘ Alliance for Full Employment ’ backed by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown .
The Alliance includes Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford , Greater Manchester ’ s Andy Burnham , Liverpool City Region ’ s Steve Rotheram , Newcastle ’ s James Driscoll , South Yorkshire ’ s Dan Jarvis and Bristol ’ s Marvin Rees .
With many expecting a major jobs crisis as the government ’ s furlough scheme ends in October , the Labour politicians are promoting economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Chancellor has unveiled a job retention bonus , which will see employers receive £1,000 for every furloughed employee brought back to work , and a ‘ kickstart ’ scheme to encourage new jobs for 16- to 24-year-olds .
But the Alliance will urge Rishi Sunak to go further by setting up a fully-funded youth guarantee of jobs training or employment .
This would extend beyond the provisions of the six-month ‘ kickstart ’ programme .
In a joint statement announcing the new project , Drakeford and the five Labour metro mayors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our times is high levels of unemployment .
“ Recognising the need for working together – locally , regionally and nationally – to deal with the current jobs emergency and the need for good employment that is well-paid and fulfilling , we want to work with colleagues in every region and nation of the UK .
“ We want to support an Alliance for Full Employment to mobilise all the resources of the United Kingdom to end the recession and create good , quality jobs.
” Gordon Brown is working with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national institutions – including the Bank of England , which became independent in 1998 when he was Chancellor – to focus on job creation .
The Bank is responsible for setting monetary policy , and accordingly sets interest rates to meet an inflation target currently of 2 % .
It can also consider the need to support economic growth and jobs .
Brown said : “ The democratic part of our constitution is no longer just MPs and local councillors but directly-elected regional mayors and elected decision-making bodies in Scotland , Wales and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming together and linking up the power of the regions around Newcastle , Sheffield , Bristol , Manchester , Liverpool , Edinburgh , Cardiff , and London to create an Alliance for Full Employment – they can force the Prime Minister to listen .
“ A strong , broad-based UK-wide Alliance for Full Employment , encompassing trades unions and businesses , can not only press him on the economy but also revive the solidarity and spirit of co-operation and unity our country desperately needs .
“ Instead of the stand-off between Scotland and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-operation , shared values and common ground that exists between the nations and regions.
” On his specific request for institutions to adopt a stronger focus on employment , the former Labour Prime Minister added : “ All UK institutions have to make high levels of employment a greater priority .
“ Having been the Chancellor responsible for the Bank of England Act 22 years ago , I am disappointed that while obligations for employment are included in its statutory objectives , the Bank of England does not place greater emphasis on maximising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an operational target that interest rates will not rise or stimulus end until employment returns to its pre-crisis levels .
And we should agree a new constitution for the Bank imposing a dual mandate : to take unemployment as seriously as inflation .
“ In truth , austerity – which was always the wrong policy – now makes even less economic sense in 2020 .
When interest rates have seen record inflation and interest rate falls , our first priority can not be fiscal retrenchment when the needs in our communities are so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for investment in our long-term future is so low.
” Brown has unveiled criticisms of the economic measures taken so far by the UK government during the pandemic , and urged the Chancellor – as Labour has done – to “ reintroduce the more generous Future Jobs programme of 2009″ .
He said : “ Young people are now facing the worst of times , yet the government ’ s kickstart youth employment programme will assist only 250,000 of 3.5million under-25s not in full-time education and only for six months .
“ Preventing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to a stronger and more lasting recovery later .
I would maintain furlough payments in key sectors vital to our economy , if necessary supporting part-time work.
” Demanding more financial support for workers , Brown said : “ Where a local lockdown occurs and workers are forced to stay at home , I would offer a wage subsidy and not the current £13-a-day token payment.
” The TUC has criticised the government ’ s scheme to pay low-paid workers in England up to £13 a day to self-isolate , with Frances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paltry payments will not make the difference needed.
” Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth this week accused the government of not doing enough to stop Covid-19 outbreaks in poorer areas , and stressed the need to help the poorest self-isolate .

Labour representatives from across the regions and nations of the United Kingdom have come together and formed a new ‘Alliance for Full Employment’ backed by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The Alliance includes Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, Greater Manchester’s Andy Burnham, Liverpool City Region’s Steve Rotheram, North of Tyne’s Jamie Driscoll, South Yorkshire’s Dan Jarvis and Bristol’s Marvin Rees.
With many expecting a major jobs crisis as the government’s furlough scheme ends in October, the Labour politicians are promoting economic recovery policies to prevent redundancies and unemployment.
The Chancellor has unveiled a job retention bonus, which will see employers receive £1,000 for every furloughed employee brought back to work, and a ‘kickstart’ scheme to encourage new jobs for 16- to 24-year-olds.
But the Alliance will urge Rishi Sunak to go further by setting up a fully-funded youth guarantee of jobs training or employment. This would extend beyond the provisions of the six-month ‘kickstart’ programme.
In a joint statement announcing the new project, Drakeford and the five Labour metro mayors said: “The biggest economic issue of our times is high levels of unemployment.
“Recognising the need for working together – locally, regionally and nationally – to deal with the current jobs emergency and the need for good employment that is well-paid and fulfilling, we want to work with colleagues in every region and nation of the UK.
“We want to support an Alliance for Full Employment to mobilise all the resources of the United Kingdom to end the recession and create good, quality jobs.”
Gordon Brown is working with the Labour representatives, and calling for all national institutions – including the Bank of England, which became independent in 1998 when he was Chancellor – to focus on job creation.
The Bank is responsible for setting monetary policy, and accordingly sets interest rates to meet an inflation target currently of 2%. It can also consider the need to support economic growth and jobs.
Brown said: “The democratic part of our constitution is no longer just MPs and local councillors but directly-elected regional mayors and elected decision-making bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“And – by coming together and linking up the power of the regions around Newcastle, Sheffield, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and London to create an Alliance for Full Employment – they can force the Prime Minister to listen.
“A strong, broad-based UK-wide Alliance for Full Employment, encompassing trades unions and businesses, can not only press him on the economy but also revive the solidarity and spirit of co-operation and unity our country desperately needs.
“Instead of the stand-off between Scotland and the UK, I want to emphasise co-operation, shared values and common ground that exists between the nations and regions.”
On his specific request for institutions to adopt a stronger focus on employment, the former Labour Prime Minister added: “All UK institutions have to make high levels of employment a greater priority.
“Having been the Chancellor responsible for the Bank of England Act 22 years ago, I am disappointed that while obligations for employment are included in its statutory objectives, the Bank of England does not place greater emphasis on maximising employment.
“The Bank should announce an operational target that interest rates will not rise or stimulus end until employment returns to its pre-crisis levels. And we should agree a new constitution for the Bank imposing a dual mandate: to take unemployment as seriously as inflation.
“In truth, austerity – which was always the wrong policy – now makes even less economic sense in 2020. When interest rates have seen record inflation and interest rate falls, our first priority cannot be fiscal retrenchment when the needs in our communities are so great and when the cost of borrowing for investment in our long-term future is so low.”
Brown has unveiled criticisms of the economic measures taken so far by the UK government during the pandemic, and urged the Chancellor – as Labour has done – to “reintroduce the more generous Future Jobs programme of 2009″.
He said: “Young people are now facing the worst of times, yet the government’s kickstart youth employment programme will assist only 250,000 of 3.5million under-25s not in full-time education and only for six months.
“Preventing unnecessary bankruptcies and unemployment this winter will lead to a stronger and more lasting recovery later. I would maintain furlough payments in key sectors vital to our economy, if necessary supporting part-time work.”
Demanding more financial support for workers, Brown said: “Where a local lockdown occurs and workers are forced to stay at home, I would offer a wage subsidy and not the current £13-a-day token payment.”
The TUC has criticised the government’s scheme to pay low-paid workers in England up to £13 a day to self-isolate, with Frances O’Grady saying: “These paltry payments will not make the difference needed.”
Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth this week accused the government of not doing enough to stop Covid-19 outbreaks in poorer areas, and stressed the need to help the poorest self-isolate.


labourlist--2020-09-09--43% of UK workers can’t afford to self-isolate, warns TUC

The TUC has said that the government must increase sick pay rates or risk worsening the spread of coronavirus after data revealed that 43 % of workers can not afford to self-isolate .
A survey commissioned by the body found that over two-fifths of workers would be unable survive for two weeks on the current weekly sick pay allowance .
For low-income workers earning less than £15,000 a year , the figure rises to 50 % .
Responding to the findings of the online poll carried out between July 31st and August 5th , the TUC has called on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay to the real living wage of £320 per week , and to extend the benefit to cover all workers .
Commenting today , TUC general secretary Frances O ’ Grady said : “ The lack of decent sick pay puts everything at risk .
Asking workers to self-isolate on £96 a week is not viable – especially when many don ’ t have savings to fall back on .
“ We can ’ t have a situation where people are forced to choose between their health and paying their bills .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sick pay and raise the basic rate to at least the real living wage of £320 a week.
” The research , which polled over 2,000 workers , also found that many people had been struggling financially as a result of the pandemic , with 33 % being forced to cut back spending and 22 % being plunged into debt in the last three months .
Alongside improving sick pay , the TUC has demanded that the government overhaul Universal Credit , increase local authority hardship funds , and provide monetary support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or rent .
O ’ Grady added : “ Employers must do their civic duty and make sure workers can self-isolate on full pay .
But where bosses can ’ t or won ’ t the government must step in .
“ Unless ministers fix this gaping hole in our safety net , Britain will be ill-prepared for a second wave of infections or further local lockdowns.
” The UK currently has one of the lowest sick pay rates in Europe , with workers only receiving £95.85 a week .
Nearly two million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support because they earn less than the ‘ lower earnings limit ’ of £120 a week .
Labour warned earlier in the year that leaving so many workers in the country ineligible for statutory sick pay would undermine the UK government ’ s test and trace programme and the efforts to prevent a second wave of the virus .
Head of the government ’ s test and trace system Dido Harding also raised concerns earlier in the year regarding the absence of support for people facing the need to take time off work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a press briefing in July : “ It ’ s particularly challenging for that workforce… I continue to make the case that we need to think about how we support people in those lowest paid roles and the self employed.
” The government announced in August that those who contract the virus and need to self-isolate would receive £132 for a 10-day self-isolation period , while others who have come into contact with them will receive £182 for 14 days of isolation .
The benefit is only payable to those already on Universal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credits .
Critics have pointed out that there are lots of low earners in low-income households not on UC – large numbers of young , single people for example .
O ’ Grady slammed the new benefit as “ paltry ” , declaring that it would not make the difference needed .
She added : “ The sooner government gets on with delivering fair sick pay for everyone , the quicker we will beat this pandemic.
” The payment is lower than the level of statutory sick pay , which is an income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted in March that he could not live on .

The TUC has warned that the government must increase sick pay rates – or risk worsening the spread of coronavirus after data revealed that 43% of workers cannot afford to self-isolate.
A survey commissioned by the body found that over two-fifths of workers would be unable survive for two weeks on the current weekly sick pay allowance. For low-income workers earning less than £15,000 a year, the figure rises to 50%.
Responding to the findings of the online poll carried out between July 31st and August 5th, the TUC has called on the government to raise the rate of sick pay to the real living wage of £320 per week, and to extend the benefit to cover all workers.
Commenting today, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The lack of decent sick pay puts everything at risk. Asking workers to self-isolate on £96 a week is not viable – especially when many don’t have savings to fall back on.
“We can’t have a situation where people are forced to choose between their health and paying their bills. The government must ensure that everyone has access to sick pay and raise the basic rate to at least the real living wage of £320 a week.”
The research, which polled over 2,000 workers, also found that many people had been struggling financially as a result of the pandemic, with 33% being forced to cut back spending and 22% being plunged into debt in the last three months.
Alongside improving sick pay, the TUC has demanded that the government overhaul Universal Credit, increase local authority hardship funds, and provide monetary support for those struggling to pay council tax or rent.
O’Grady added: “Employers must do their civic duty and make sure workers can self-isolate on full pay. But where bosses can’t or won’t the government must step in.
“Unless ministers fix this gaping hole in our safety net, Britain will be ill-prepared for a second wave of infections or further local lockdowns.”
The UK currently has one of the lowest sick pay rates in Europe, with workers only receiving £95.85 a week. Nearly two million people also miss out on sick pay support because they earn less than the ‘lower earnings limit’ of £120 a week.
Labour warned earlier in the year that leaving so many workers in the country ineligible for statutory sick pay would undermine the UK government’s test and trace programme and the efforts to prevent a second wave of the virus.
Head of the government’s test and trace system Dido Harding also raised concerns earlier in the year regarding the absence of support for people facing the need to take time off work but unable to claim.
She told a press briefing in July: “It’s particularly challenging for that workforce… I continue to make the case that we need to think about how we support people in those lowest paid roles and the self employed.”
The government announced in August that those who contract the virus and need to self-isolate would receive £132 for a 10-day self-isolation period, while others who have come into contact with them will receive £182 for 14 days of isolation.
The benefit is only payable to those already on Universal Credit or in receipt of working tax credits. Critics have pointed out that there are lots of low earners in low-income households not on UC – large numbers of young, single people for example.
O’Grady slammed the new benefit as “paltry”, declaring that it would not make the difference needed. She added: “The sooner government gets on with delivering fair sick pay for everyone, the quicker we will beat this pandemic.”
The payment is lower than the level of statutory sick pay, which is an income that the Health Secretary Matt Hancock himself admitted in March that he could not live on.


labourlist--2020-09-09--Three Haringey Labour councillors suspended as AGM delayed

Three councillors in the Haringey Council Labour group have been suspended from the Labour Party , forcing a week-long delay of its annual meeting and an expected challenge against the incumbent leader .
Following LabourList ‘ s report last week of complaints submitted by Labour colleagues alleging Islamophobia , it is understood that councillor Pat Berryman has now been suspended pending investigation .
Along with Berryman , who had been expected to stand against incumbent leader Joseph Ejiofor at the cancelled meeting earlier this week , LabourList understands that fellow councillors Noah Tucker and Dana Carlin have been suspended .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berryman appears to have accused a member of “ weaponising your religion ” when they asked for arrangements to be made in meetings for those fasting during Ramadan .
The complainant also alleged that Berryman accused them of “ playing the race card ” when raising concerns about racist social media posts targeting the current Labour local authority leader .
Commenting on the allegations last week , Berryman told LabourList : “ I am aware of a complaint , though I don ’ t know the full substance of it , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Until then , due process must be allowed to take place and it would be wrong for me to comment .
However , I am confident that once the complaints procedure examination runs its proper course it will find in my favour.
” Tucker has reportedly been suspended for allegedly sharing antisemitic content on social media , including an article that claimed US police responsible for the murder of George Floyd had received training by Israel law enforcement officers .
He told LabourList : “ I am an opponent of racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Social media posts have been collated , including selective editing , seemingly in a malicious attempt to falsely associate me with antisemitism .
“ States and organisations which engage politically are legitimately subjects of discussion and criticism .
I am confident that a fair process by the Labour Party will reinstate me soon to full membership.
” A senior source within the north-London Labour group has told LabourList that councillor and deputy mayor Carlin has been suspended following complaints from party members that she allegedly used the n-word in a meeting .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Haringey councillors Preston Tabois , understood to be for alleged antisemitism and Vincent Carroll for allegedly threatening behaviour towards a colleague .
This brings the total number of Haringey Labour councillors suspended from the party to five .
LabourList understands that the group ’ s annual general meeting is now set to go ahead next week regardless .
The latest disciplinary procedures for Carlin , Tucker and Berryman come after councillors hoping to oust the incumbent leader had reportedly managed to force an earlier leadership challenge .
Party guidance says that where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meetings , local Labour groups should also postpone their AGMs , in which the councillors vote for group officers including leader .
Ejiofor had made a decision , in consultation with mayor Sheila Peacock , to postpone the annual council meeting until next May due to Covid .
But councillors voted in July to hold the meeting this month instead .
Only 22 of the then 41 Labour Party councillors attended the meeting .
Ejiofor , the mayor and his cabinet were among the 19 councillors who did not attend to vote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual meeting .
A Labour Haringey spokesperson said : “ The Labour Party has a complaints and investigation procedure that does not just have to be fair , but seen to be fair to everyone involved , as well as retain the confidence of the wider community .
“ The confidentiality of these procedures is paramount , meaning it would be inappropriate for us to provide any further comment at this time.
” Councillors Dana Carlin and Pat Berryman have been contacted for comment .
Labour does not comment on individual disciplinary cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Three councillors in the Haringey Council Labour group have been suspended from the Labour Party, forcing a week-long delay of its annual meeting and an expected challenge against the incumbent leader.
Following LabourList‘s report last week of complaints submitted by Labour colleagues alleging Islamophobia, it is understood that councillor Pat Berryman has now been suspended pending investigation.
Along with Berryman, who had been expected to stand against incumbent leader Joseph Ejiofor at the cancelled meeting earlier this week, LabourList understands that fellow councillors Noah Tucker and Dana Carlin have been suspended.
In an email seen by LabourList, Berryman appears to have accused a member of “weaponising your religion” when they asked for arrangements to be made in meetings for those fasting during Ramadan.
The complainant also alleged that Berryman accused them of “playing the race card” when raising concerns about racist social media posts targeting the current Labour local authority leader.
Commenting on the allegations last week, Berryman told LabourList: “I am aware of a complaint, though I don’t know the full substance of it, and it will be handled by the Labour Party.
“Until then, due process must be allowed to take place and it would be wrong for me to comment. However, I am confident that once the complaints procedure examination runs its proper course it will find in my favour.”
Tucker has reportedly been suspended for allegedly sharing antisemitic content on social media. He told LabourList: “I am an opponent of racism in all its forms including antisemitism.
“Social media posts have been collated, including selective editing, seemingly in a malicious attempt to falsely associate me with antisemitism.
“States and organisations which engage politically are legitimately subjects of discussion and criticism. I am confident that a fair process by the Labour Party will reinstate me soon to full membership.”
A senior source within the north-London Labour group has told LabourList that councillor and deputy mayor Carlin has been suspended following complaints from party members that she allegedly used the n-word in a meeting.
These fresh suspensions follow those in recent months of Haringey councillors Preston Tabois, understood to be for alleged antisemitism and Vincent Carroll for allegedly threatening behaviour towards a colleague.
This brings the total number of Haringey Labour councillors suspended from the party to five. LabourList understands that the group’s annual general meeting is now set to go ahead next week regardless.
The latest disciplinary procedures for Carlin, Tucker and Berryman come after councillors hoping to oust the incumbent leader had reportedly managed to force an earlier leadership challenge.
Party guidance says that where councils have decided to delay their annual meetings, local Labour groups should also postpone their AGMs, in which the councillors vote for group officers including leader.
Ejiofor had made a decision, in consultation with mayor Sheila Peacock, to postpone the annual council meeting until next May due to Covid. But councillors voted in July to hold the meeting this month instead.
Only 22 of the then 41 Labour Party councillors attended the meeting. Ejiofor, the mayor and his cabinet were among the 19 councillors who did not attend to vote on when to hold the council’s annual meeting.
A Labour Haringey spokesperson said: “The Labour Party has a complaints and investigation procedure that does not just have to be fair, but seen to be fair to everyone involved, as well as retain the confidence of the wider community.
“The confidentiality of these procedures is paramount, meaning it would be inappropriate for us to provide any further comment at this time.”
Councillors Dana Carlin and Pat Berryman have been contacted for comment. Labour does not comment on individual disciplinary cases for confidentiality and data protection reasons.


labourlist--2020-09-09--Scottish Labour says new Tory Brexit bill “threatens very foundations of UK”

Scottish Labour has joined criticism of the UK government ’ s internal markets bill by describing the Prime Minister ’ s new Brexit policy as “ a farce that threatens the very foundations of the United Kingdom ” .
Richard Leonard ’ s party has said that the Tories are risking a break-up of the UK by completely bypassing devolved administrations in the process of proposing the controversial Brexit bill in the House of Commons .
Alex Rowley , Scottish Labour spokesperson for Brexit and the constitution , said : “ With the publication of its UK internal market bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bypass the devolution settlement .
“ The interests of Scotland and the other devolved administrations must be listened to , and failure to do so is the biggest threat to the future of the United Kingdom .
The Tories must stop playing fast and loose with devolution or pay the price .
“ There has been woefully poor communication with the devolved administrations , with the UK government seeming to push a ‘ take it or leave it ’ attitude on the internal market .
What they don ’ t realise is they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the UK through this heavy-handed approach.
” The government insists that the controversial internal markets bill , introduced to the UK parliament by the Prime Minister on Wednesday , will create an “ open , fair , and competitive market across the UK ” .
But Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has admitted to the Commons that the bill would “ break international law in a very specific and limited way ” , by going back on what the UK had previously agreed in the EU withdrawal agreement .
Commenting on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rowley added : “ This bill will also undermine the Brexit withdrawal agreement with huge concerns being raised over the border in Northern Ireland .
“ Indeed , the UK government admitted it breaks international law over the Northern Ireland protocol and the UK ’ s top legal civil servant has resigned .
It is a farce , but a farce that threatens the very foundations of the United Kingdom .
“ Given the threat to devolution from this bill the Scottish Parliament should not give legislative consent , it is time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the views of the devolved administrations.
” Mark Drakeford has said that the internal markets bill represents a “ smash and grab ” on the devolution settlement by taking back powers that have been devolved to Wales , Northern Ireland and Scotland for 20 years .
The Labour Welsh First Minister described the bill put forward by the UK government as an “ enormous power grab ” and warned that the measures included will “ put enormous strains into the union that is the UK ” .
Jonathan Jones , the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in protest over the bill on Tuesday .
Shadow Justice Secretary David Lammy has since called on his opposite Robert Buckland to “ stand by your oath to respect rule of law ” by opposing the bill .

Scottish Labour has joined criticism of the UK government’s internal markets bill by describing the Prime Minister’s new Brexit policy as “a farce that threatens the very foundations of the United Kingdom”.
Richard Leonard’s party has said that the Tories are risking a break-up of the UK by completely bypassing devolved administrations in the process of proposing the controversial Brexit bill in the House of Commons.
Alex Rowley, Scottish Labour spokesperson for Brexit and the constitution, said: “With the publication of its UK internal market bill, the UK government seems determined to bypass the devolution settlement.
“The interests of Scotland and the other devolved administrations must be listened to, and failure to do so is the biggest threat to the future of the United Kingdom. The Tories must stop playing fast and loose with devolution or pay the price.
“There has been woefully poor communication with the devolved administrations, with the UK government seeming to push a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude on the internal market. What they don’t realise is they are pushing increased support for a break-up of the UK through this heavy-handed approach.”
The government insists that the controversial internal markets bill, introduced to the UK parliament by the Prime Minister on Wednesday, will create an “open, fair, and competitive market across the UK”.
But Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has admitted to the Commons that the bill would “break international law in a very specific and limited way”, by going back on what the UK had previously agreed in the EU withdrawal agreement.
Commenting on the other central criticism of the proposed legislation, Rowley added: “This bill will also undermine the Brexit withdrawal agreement with huge concerns being raised over the border in Northern Ireland.
“Indeed, the UK government admitted it breaks international law over the Northern Ireland protocol and the UK’s top legal civil servant has resigned. It is a farce, but a farce that threatens the very foundations of the United Kingdom.
“Given the threat to devolution from this bill the Scottish Parliament should not give legislative consent, it is time for the UK government to properly listen to the views of the devolved administrations.”
Mark Drakeford has said that the internal markets bill represents a “smash and grab” on the devolution settlement by taking back powers that have been devolved to Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland for 20 years.
The Labour Welsh First Minister described the bill put forward by the UK government as an “enormous power grab” and warned that the measures included will “put enormous strains into the union that is the UK”.
Jonathan Jones, the government’s top legal official, resigned in protest over the bill on Tuesday. Shadow Justice Secretary David Lammy has since called on his opposite Robert Buckland to “stand by your oath to respect rule of law” by opposing the bill.


labourlist--2020-09-09--The GMB report offers an opportunity for change. The movement must take it

“ The GMB is institutionally sexist.
” That is the first line of Karon Monaghan QC ’ s report into the internal culture of one of the UK ’ s biggest trade unions and its handling of sexual harassment complaints .
This truly damning indictment confirms what many of us already knew : the trade union movement has , to borrow a quote from the report , “ a woman problem ” .
Despite the many examples of fierce female trade unionists throughout history , the trade union movement has always looked and felt like a man ’ s world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of industrial action in male-dominated sectors .
The reality is that the average union member is now a woman .
Thanks to the high proportion of women joining unions in sectors like education , health and social care , union membership is recovering from its historic decline , increasing for the third consecutive year .
The face of trade unionism is changing , but the rest of the movement has failed to catch up .
It ’ s sometimes assumed that organisations on the left are morally above the issues described in Monaghan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of equality and fairness are sacred and very rarely contradicted .
This report , along with movements like LabourToo , have revealed just how blind and misguided that view is .
While instances of serious sexual assault and harassment are not rare in trade union settings , the issue extends far beyond the criminal alone .
Policies impacting women and their working lives are dismissed as fringe issues .
Women are sidelined at election season , told their time will come .
When women do reach positions of power , the rumours say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their way to the top ’ .
It ’ s not uncommon to go to a union branch meeting and be the only woman in the room .
I once worked on a zero-hour contract in a perfume shop and mentioned some problematic working practices in passing to a local union member .
He laughed and told me that the unions in our highly industrial area “ don ’ t have time to worry about girls selling beauty products to other girls ” .
On another occasion , I reported a physical assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be told to “ toughen up ” .
Sexism , assault , harassment and bullying sadly exist across society , in every workplace and sector .
But there is something particularly galling about the extent to which misogyny and discrimination exists and thrives in the very organisations that claim to protect us .
How can a union fight to defend women from harassment in the workplace when its own employees face it every day ?
Why would any woman choose to trust her union with experiences of trauma when she sees predators in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time again ?
GMB has promised “ real and lasting change ” following the report ’ s publication .
Monaghan makes 27 recommendations , from introducing regular awareness training to increasing the numbers of women in leadership roles across the union .
If GMB really wants to see lasting change , they must implement the report ’ s recommendations in full , as well as publicly declaring a timetable for implementation .
This action is non-negotiable , but it ’ s also only the first step .
The report is clear that sexism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that the GMB needs a complete cultural transformation .
I think the same applies to the trade union movement as a whole .
We need to start seeing trade unions as places where women belong .
I would like to challenge every union to open a consultation with its female members , collecting their experiences and analysing the extent of its own sexist cultures .
If , as I suspect , this is an issue that exists just as much outside of GMB as it does within , it can no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or dismiss it as a sad but immutable part of trade union politics .
Trade unions are desperately needed now more than ever , especially as we head into one of the toughest economic periods most of us can remember .
I want to be able to tell my female friends and family how important it is to join a union , how much more protection it can afford , and how comforting it feels to be part of something bigger than just yourself .
None of us can do this in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spaces that they should feel safest .
Monaghan ’ s report confirmed that trade unions have a problem with women , but it also offered an opportunity for change .
Let ’ s hope it isn ’ t wasted .

“The GMB is institutionally sexist.” That is the first line of Karon Monaghan QC’s report into the internal culture of one of the UK’s biggest trade unions and its handling of sexual harassment complaints. This truly damning indictment confirms what many of us already knew: the trade union movement has, to borrow a quote from the report, “a woman problem”.
Despite the many examples of fierce female trade unionists throughout history, the trade union movement has always looked and felt like a man’s world, thanks in part to a legacy of industrial action in male-dominated sectors. The reality is that the average union member is now a woman. Thanks to the high proportion of women joining unions in sectors like education, health and social care, union membership is recovering from its historic decline, increasing for the third consecutive year. The face of trade unionism is changing, but the rest of the movement has failed to catch up.
It’s sometimes assumed that organisations on the left are morally above the issues described in Monaghan’s report, that their values of equality and fairness are sacred and very rarely contradicted. This report, along with movements like LabourToo, have revealed just how blind and misguided that view is. While instances of serious sexual assault and harassment are not rare in trade union settings, the issue extends far beyond the criminal alone. Policies impacting women and their working lives are dismissed as fringe issues. Women are sidelined at election season, told their time will come. When women do reach positions of power, the rumours say it’s because they ‘slept their way to the top’. It’s not uncommon to go to a union branch meeting and be the only woman in the room.
I once worked on a zero-hour contract in a perfume shop and mentioned some problematic working practices in passing to a local union member. He laughed and told me that the unions in our highly industrial area “don’t have time to worry about girls selling beauty products to other girls”. On another occasion, I reported a physical assault at an election count, only to be told to “toughen up”.
Sexism, assault, harassment and bullying sadly exist across society, in every workplace and sector. But there is something particularly galling about the extent to which misogyny and discrimination exists and thrives in the very organisations that claim to protect us. How can a union fight to defend women from harassment in the workplace when its own employees face it every day? Why would any woman choose to trust her union with experiences of trauma when she sees predators in positions of leadership and power time and time again?
GMB has promised “real and lasting change” following the report’s publication. Monaghan makes 27 recommendations, from introducing regular awareness training to increasing the numbers of women in leadership roles across the union. If GMB really wants to see lasting change, they must implement the report’s recommendations in full, as well as publicly declaring a timetable for implementation. This action is non-negotiable, but it’s also only the first step. The report is clear that sexism in all its forms in deeply entrenched and that the GMB needs a complete cultural transformation. I think the same applies to the trade union movement as a whole.
We need to start seeing trade unions as places where women belong. I would like to challenge every union to open a consultation with its female members, collecting their experiences and analysing the extent of its own sexist cultures. If, as I suspect, this is an issue that exists just as much outside of GMB as it does within, it can no longer be acceptable to hide from the problem, or dismiss it as a sad but immutable part of trade union politics.
Trade unions are desperately needed now more than ever, especially as we head into one of the toughest economic periods most of us can remember. I want to be able to tell my female friends and family how important it is to join a union, how much more protection it can afford, and how comforting it feels to be part of something bigger than just yourself. None of us can do this in good conscience until women are protected in the spaces that they should feel safest. Monaghan’s report confirmed that trade unions have a problem with women, but it also offered an opportunity for change. Let’s hope it isn’t wasted.


labourlist--2020-09-09--Another memo to David Evans: my ideas to fix Labour’s governance deficit

I recently wrote a ‘ memo ’ to Labour ’ s new general secretary , David Evans , that coincided with his start in the role .
I detailed the importance of fixing the ‘ governance deficit ’ in the party starting with the party ’ s ruling national executive committee ( NEC ) .
I was pleased that David had read the memo published in LabourList and referred to it in his first NEC meeting .
I was also pleased that NEC members from across the left-right spectrum have spoken up in support of dealing with these issues at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received a letter from David sent to all NEC members acknowledging the concerns and requesting our ideas and suggestions for change , I was not just pleased but also relieved that we have a general secretary who understands the need for change and , even with an overflowing in-tray , is still willing to consider new ideas for improvement .
I wrote back to David with my suggestions , and my second memo to the general secretary said the following .
I believe that , as the administrative authority of the party , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject to high levels of transparency to our members and affiliates with appropriate mechanisms of accountability to all our stakeholders .
Transparency in the context of the NEC is about creating a state of openness in which there is a presumption that information will be made available to our members and affiliates rather than hidden .
It is the basis on which communications are likely to be most effective , and it is a fundamental requirement for effective accountability .
In a party divided by factionalism in recent years , it is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be built .
Below are my thoughts and ideas , in no particular order , on how we can improve how Labour ’ s NEC operates and how can support NEC members in their roles .
My proposals are put forward with transparency and accountability at their heart .
• None There are terms of reference for the NEC and all its committees and sub-committees .
These should be published , which would allow members to know the respective powers and responsibilities of the NEC and each of its committees and sub-committees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the NEC require the general secretary to annually propose a scheme of delegation , and for the NEC to approve it .
There is no scheme of delegation currently in place .
This should be produced as a matter of urgency – and published .
• None Agendas , minutes and papers of NEC meetings and meetings of its committees and sub-committees should be published .
Provision should be made for the non-publication of papers relating to items of a confidential nature .
• None Consideration should be given for NEC meetings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be live-streamed .
Those meetings discussing confidential items , or the parts of a meeting discussing items of a confidential nature , should remain private .
• None Preference should be for reports by senior staff and officials including by the leader , deputy leader and general secretary to be in writing .
This will aid publishing information , with provisions made for confidential aspects not to be published , and will assist in reducing the time often spent on reports being presented verbally .
• None The terms of reference for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NEC , including in relation to matters of a legal nature .
But the previous general secretary stated in writing that “ NEC members have no direct role in legal matters ” .
This needs clarifying .
We must all know where legal responsibilities rest and the respective roles in dealing with such matters .
• None I was pleased to hear of your intention to bring forward a code of conduct for NEC members .
A code of conduct would help set standards and expectations in respect of our communications and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintaining confidentiality , always acting in the best interests of the party and appropriate use of party resources including data amongst other matters .
• None Many of our members adhere to the Nolan Principles , which describe the behaviours expected of individuals in public life .
Party members who wish to become local councillors are required to demonstrate awareness of the Nolan Principles at an interview before even being accepted to the panel of candidates .
NEC members should be required to comply with the Nolan Principles .
• None A policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a minimum , it should require all NEC members to complete an annual register of interests and to declare any interest in any matter to be discussed .
Members would then recuse themselves from a discussion if necessary .
• None As a Labour NEC member elected by party members in the local party section , I am aware there is a great deal of interest amongst members of my activities .
One of the commitments I made when standing for election was to report back to members about my activities as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helpful for access to be provided to CLP secretaries and even directly of party members for sharing these reports .
• None We should have mechanisms for holding NEC members in the CLP section to account .
This could include electing NEC CLP section members on a regional basis , thus allowing closer links between NEC members and their electorate .
Provision should be made at regional and national conferences for party members to engage directly with NEC CLP section members .
• None There needs to be more transparency around party finances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and participation by NEC members .
Key aspects where more openness would be appreciated by members and affiliates is around our budget setting , including priorities for spending , level of membership fees , distribution of funding to CLPs and our fundraising .
• None The party needs to carry out regular diversity audits of party staff and advisors across all equality strands and produce an action plan to address any deficiencies in diversity .
These should be disclosed to the NEC and should be published .
• None The NEC regularly makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workload for our volunteer party officers , particularly CLP secretaries and chairs .
We should consider arranging online consultations on key issues before and after NEC meetings to consult and report back on key decisions .
This would take account of the expertise and experiences of those who will be subject to decisions or will be implementing them .
• None NEC members representing the CLP section receive many emails from individual party members regarding casework .
Protocols for dealing with casework should be established to define communication routes and timelines to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is widely accepted that current monitoring and data collection in respect of party membership is quite poor , particularly when it comes to equality strands .
Labour should be transparent about what data it currently monitors and holds , and should publish that data on a regular basis .
• None With a large volume of disputes cases being dealt with , and with many people involved in investigating and determining cases , it would be appropriate to have in place a quality assurance framework to review the party ’ s handling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider the application of our policies , timescales , quality of communications and consistency in the investigations and contents of reports , including recommendations as well as the deliberations of the NEC panels .
• None Data about the progression of disputes cases should be published on a regular basis .
The efficient functioning of the party ’ s disputes processes is a matter of great interest but is also important for ensuring a fair system .
I don ’ t expect all of these suggestions to be implemented immediately , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provoke further debate and discussion .
And it ’ s important that these discussions are themselves transparent and involve our diverse membership .
Getting our governance right is important – and I will continue working towards that aim .

I recently wrote a ‘memo’ to Labour’s new general secretary, David Evans, that coincided with his start in the role. I detailed the importance of fixing the ‘governance deficit’ in the party starting with the party’s ruling national executive committee (NEC).
I was pleased that David had read the memo published in LabourList and referred to it in his first NEC meeting. I was also pleased that NEC members from across the left-right spectrum have spoken up in support of dealing with these issues at successive NEC meetings. And when I received a letter from David sent to all NEC members acknowledging the concerns and requesting our ideas and suggestions for change, I was not just pleased but also relieved that we have a general secretary who understands the need for change and, even with an overflowing in-tray, is still willing to consider new ideas for improvement.
I wrote back to David with my suggestions, and my second memo to the general secretary said the following.
I believe that, as the administrative authority of the party, the operation of the NEC should be subject to high levels of transparency to our members and affiliates with appropriate mechanisms of accountability to all our stakeholders.
Transparency in the context of the NEC is about creating a state of openness in which there is a presumption that information will be made available to our members and affiliates rather than hidden. It is the basis on which communications are likely to be most effective, and it is a fundamental requirement for effective accountability. In a party divided by factionalism in recent years, it is also the basis on which trust and unity will be built.
Below are my thoughts and ideas, in no particular order, on how we can improve how Labour’s NEC operates and how can support NEC members in their roles. My proposals are put forward with transparency and accountability at their heart.
There are terms of reference for the NEC and all its committees and sub-committees. These should be published, which would allow members to know the respective powers and responsibilities of the NEC and each of its committees and sub-committees. The terms of reference for the NEC require the general secretary to annually propose a scheme of delegation, and for the NEC to approve it. There is no scheme of delegation currently in place. This should be produced as a matter of urgency – and published. Agendas, minutes and papers of NEC meetings and meetings of its committees and sub-committees should be published. Provision should be made for the non-publication of papers relating to items of a confidential nature. Consideration should be given for NEC meetings and meetings of its committees and sub-committees to be live-streamed. Those meetings discussing confidential items, or the parts of a meeting discussing items of a confidential nature, should remain private. Preference should be for reports by senior staff and officials including by the leader, deputy leader and general secretary to be in writing. This will aid publishing information, with provisions made for confidential aspects not to be published, and will assist in reducing the time often spent on reports being presented verbally. The terms of reference for the NEC identify the key functions of the NEC, including in relation to matters of a legal nature. But the previous general secretary stated in writing that “NEC members have no direct role in legal matters”. This needs clarifying. We must all know where legal responsibilities rest and the respective roles in dealing with such matters. I was pleased to hear of your intention to bring forward a code of conduct for NEC members. A code of conduct would help set standards and expectations in respect of our communications and how we behave towards each other, maintaining confidentiality, always acting in the best interests of the party and appropriate use of party resources including data amongst other matters. Many of our members adhere to the Nolan Principles, which describe the behaviours expected of individuals in public life. Party members who wish to become local councillors are required to demonstrate awareness of the Nolan Principles at an interview before even being accepted to the panel of candidates. NEC members should be required to comply with the Nolan Principles. A policy on managing interests should be agreed. As a minimum, it should require all NEC members to complete an annual register of interests and to declare any interest in any matter to be discussed. Members would then recuse themselves from a discussion if necessary. As a Labour NEC member elected by party members in the local party section, I am aware there is a great deal of interest amongst members of my activities. One of the commitments I made when standing for election was to report back to members about my activities as a NEC member. It would be helpful for access to be provided to CLP secretaries and even directly of party members for sharing these reports. We should have mechanisms for holding NEC members in the CLP section to account. This could include electing NEC CLP section members on a regional basis, thus allowing closer links between NEC members and their electorate. Provision should be made at regional and national conferences for party members to engage directly with NEC CLP section members. There needs to be more transparency around party finances, in terms of both more openness and participation by NEC members. Key aspects where more openness would be appreciated by members and affiliates is around our budget setting, including priorities for spending, level of membership fees, distribution of funding to CLPs and our fundraising. The party needs to carry out regular diversity audits of party staff and advisors across all equality strands and produce an action plan to address any deficiencies in diversity. These should be disclosed to the NEC and should be published. The NEC regularly makes decisions that often result in an increased workload for our volunteer party officers, particularly CLP secretaries and chairs. We should consider arranging online consultations on key issues before and after NEC meetings to consult and report back on key decisions. This would take account of the expertise and experiences of those who will be subject to decisions or will be implementing them. NEC members representing the CLP section receive many emails from individual party members regarding casework. Protocols for dealing with casework should be established to define communication routes and timelines to ensure expectations are realistic. It is widely accepted that current monitoring and data collection in respect of party membership is quite poor, particularly when it comes to equality strands. Labour should be transparent about what data it currently monitors and holds, and should publish that data on a regular basis. With a large volume of disputes cases being dealt with, and with many people involved in investigating and determining cases, it would be appropriate to have in place a quality assurance framework to review the party’s handling of such cases. Such a framework could consider the application of our policies, timescales, quality of communications and consistency in the investigations and contents of reports, including recommendations as well as the deliberations of the NEC panels. Data about the progression of disputes cases should be published on a regular basis. The efficient functioning of the party’s disputes processes is a matter of great interest but is also important for ensuring a fair system.
I don’t expect all of these suggestions to be implemented immediately, but I certainly hope they will be useful to provoke further debate and discussion. And it’s important that these discussions are themselves transparent and involve our diverse membership. Getting our governance right is important – and I will continue working towards that aim.


labourlist--2020-09-09--Our special meeting on 2019 defeat and lessons for the future – Alice Perry’s NEC report

Shortly after the 2019 general election defeat , Labour ’ s national executive committee ( NEC ) asked to have a stand-alone meeting to discuss the defeat and learn lessons for the future .
2019 seems like a very long time ago , and when we agreed the meeting we had we had no idea of the challenges 2020 would bring .
The meeting took place later than intended but was an important step to understanding why we lost and what we need to rebuild and deliver for our communities and everyone who desperately needs a Labour government .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and evaluate the 2019 campaign , what went well , what didn ’ t , and how we can move forward to win in 2024 ( and in future local elections ) .
The meeting focused on topics such as voting trends and demographics , campaign strategy , the manifesto , campaign themes and messaging .
Keir Starmer introduced the meeting , highlighting the importance of reflecting on 2019 and ensuring we don ’ t make the same mistakes in future .
Keir noted that while the NEC may not agree on everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constructively and understand what we need to do to win future elections .
Keir told the NEC that if we don ’ t win the 2024 general election , we will have let down an entire generation who will have lived for 19 years under a Tory government .
Angela Rayner talked to the NEC about our strategic role in taking us forward and winning future elections .
She referred to the crucial elections taking place across the UK in 2021 , which is a massive test and opportunity for Labour .
Angela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aside any past differences to win together for our communities .
The NEC was reminded of the scale of the 2019 general election defeat , where we ended on 202 seats , recording the lowest number of seats since the 1930s and our fourth lowest vote share ever .
We lost votes to all parties and non-voters .
Boris Johnson gained a huge parliamentary majority .
The SNP significantly increased their vote share in Scotland .
We lost seats across the country that we have never lost before or hadn ’ t lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell everywhere .
The Lib Dems increased their vote share but this did not translate to winning seats .
It was reported that in the last general election Labour had 138 target seats .
The majority of these were seats we hoped to gain .
Universal national swing was used to inform seat targeting for early selections .
It was recognised that there were issues with our targeting and resource allocation .
Representatives from Labour Together presented the findings of their general election review .
The NEC was talked through the long-term trends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s challenges and the global trends effecting Western politics .
The presentation examined the challenges of Brexit and some of Labour ’ s strategic and organisational errors .
They also talked about some of things the Conservative Party did very well , like fundraising , targeting , digital campaigning and messaging .
The NEC broke into smaller groups for discussions on key areas and then regrouped to talk about future plans .
Areas for discussion included : • Use of CLP twinning for future elections and general resource and activist allocation .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and values that cut through with voters .
• What our strategy should be for engaging with the media and putting across our messages effectively .
• How to use social media and digital campaign to reach and persuade new audiences , avoiding operating in an eco-chamber .
• The future of community organising in the Labour Party .
• When and how to selection parliamentary candidates , and how to ensure these candidates reflect the communities they represent .
• The role of councillors in rebuilding the party , and how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ champions and organisers .
Labour ’ s general secretary will report back to the NEC on progress and bring further papers for discussion .
The next full NEC meeting is at the end of this month .

Shortly after the 2019 general election defeat, Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) asked to have a stand-alone meeting to discuss the defeat and learn lessons for the future. 2019 seems like a very long time ago, and when we agreed the meeting we had we had no idea of the challenges 2020 would bring. The meeting took place later than intended but was an important step to understanding why we lost and what we need to rebuild and deliver for our communities and everyone who desperately needs a Labour government.
The purpose of the meeting was to analyse and evaluate the 2019 campaign, what went well, what didn’t, and how we can move forward to win in 2024 (and in future local elections). The meeting focused on topics such as voting trends and demographics, campaign strategy, the manifesto, campaign themes and messaging.
Keir Starmer introduced the meeting, highlighting the importance of reflecting on 2019 and ensuring we don’t make the same mistakes in future. Keir noted that while the NEC may not agree on everything, it is important that we engage constructively and understand what we need to do to win future elections. Keir told the NEC that if we don’t win the 2024 general election, we will have let down an entire generation who will have lived for 19 years under a Tory government.
Angela Rayner talked to the NEC about our strategic role in taking us forward and winning future elections. She referred to the crucial elections taking place across the UK in 2021, which is a massive test and opportunity for Labour. Angela talked about how we all must put aside any past differences to win together for our communities.
The NEC was reminded of the scale of the 2019 general election defeat, where we ended on 202 seats, recording the lowest number of seats since the 1930s and our fourth lowest vote share ever. We lost votes to all parties and non-voters. Boris Johnson gained a huge parliamentary majority. The SNP significantly increased their vote share in Scotland. We lost seats across the country that we have never lost before or hadn’t lost since the 1930s. Our vote share fell everywhere. The Lib Dems increased their vote share but this did not translate to winning seats.
It was reported that in the last general election Labour had 138 target seats. The majority of these were seats we hoped to gain. Universal national swing was used to inform seat targeting for early selections. It was recognised that there were issues with our targeting and resource allocation.
Representatives from Labour Together presented the findings of their general election review. The NEC was talked through the long-term trends that contributed to some of Labour’s challenges and the global trends effecting Western politics. The presentation examined the challenges of Brexit and some of Labour’s strategic and organisational errors. They also talked about some of things the Conservative Party did very well, like fundraising, targeting, digital campaigning and messaging.
The NEC broke into smaller groups for discussions on key areas and then regrouped to talk about future plans. Areas for discussion included:
Use of CLP twinning for future elections and general resource and activist allocation.
The best way to deliver manifesto messages and values that cut through with voters.
What our strategy should be for engaging with the media and putting across our messages effectively.
How to use social media and digital campaign to reach and persuade new audiences, avoiding operating in an eco-chamber.
The future of community organising in the Labour Party.
Future fundraising strategy.
When and how to selection parliamentary candidates, and how to ensure these candidates reflect the communities they represent.
The role of councillors in rebuilding the party, and how to train and support them to be community champions and organisers.
Labour’s general secretary will report back to the NEC on progress and bring further papers for discussion. The next full NEC meeting is at the end of this month.


labourlist--2020-09-09--PMQs: Starmer sidesteps Brexit to attack Johnson on testing failures

Silence on Brexit .
That was the accusation thrown by Boris Johnson at Keir Starmer in today ’ s Prime Minister ’ s Questions .
Johnson has pledged to walk away from negotiations with Brussels if no deal is reached by October 15th , and the government yesterday said it would break international law – something the Prime Minister was happy to point out .
But the Labour leader wasn ’ t drawn , and chose to go with a different tack this afternoon .
Reverting to a Jeremy Corbyn-esque anecdotal style , he chose to focus on the abundant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trace programme .
The Labour leader asked : whose fault are the reported problems with test and trace ?
Is it , as the director of the programme said last night , a problem with capacity at laboratories ?
Or is it , as Matt Hancock argued , the fault of the public requesting tests when they don ’ t need them ?
The usual focus on detail surfaced as Starmer brought out the latest government figures , which “ show that on average 75,000 tests are not being used every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in London trying to get a test for her four-year-old child .
She was told to go to centres in Brighton , Telford , Inverness and finally Swansea .
Why are people being told to go hundreds of miles for a test and why are people being told there ’ s no capacity ?
All good questions .
And we got one notable answer from the PM when he sided with the Health Secretary to say it ’ s a problem of demand .
Johnson had one of his better ( or less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe that is only compared to his dire performance last week .
The PM shrugged off the jabs at his technical competence , accusing Starmer of ‘ talking down ’ the work of NHS staff : “ It ’ s hard work .
It ’ s a big job ” .
He said the Labour leader was simply trying to “ undermine confidence in test and trace ” and should keep shtum .
Starmer ’ s choice not to mention the breach of international law , or concerns cited by the Welsh and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to seize devolved powers , was not lost on the PM .
“ When it comes to sticking up for our UK internal market… he is totally silent on this bill that obsesses the rest of his backbenchers.
” This is a tricky area for the Labour leader .
Go too hard on the government ’ s shenanigans around Brexit , and risk being tarred with the brush of frustrating the ‘ will of the people ’ .
Starmer ’ s silence on the issue is symptomatic of the careful line he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to tell the PM to “ get on and negotiate ” the deal he promised , rather than be seen as a barrier to leaving the EU .
For now at least , he doesn ’ t want to weigh in on the debate unprompted .
There will certainly be plenty of opportunity to raise the issue as we go forward – not least when it comes to the crunch point the PM has himself set in October .
Some might see today as a missed opportunity , but Starmer is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fail on its own terms .

Silence on Brexit. That was the accusation thrown by Boris Johnson at Keir Starmer in today’s Prime Minister’s Questions. Johnson has pledged to walk away from negotiations with Brussels if no deal is reached by October 15th, and the government yesterday said it would break international law – something the Prime Minister was happy to point out. But the Labour leader wasn’t drawn, and chose to go with a different tack this afternoon. Reverting to a Jeremy Corbyn-esque anecdotal style, he chose to focus on the abundant problems with the government’s test and trace programme.
The Labour leader asked: whose fault are the reported problems with test and trace? Is it, as the director of the programme said last night, a problem with capacity at laboratories? Or is it, as Matt Hancock argued, the fault of the public requesting tests when they don’t need them? The usual focus on detail surfaced as Starmer brought out the latest government figures, which “show that on average 75,000 tests are not being used every day”. He spoke of a woman in London trying to get a test for her four-year-old child. She was told to go to centres in Brighton, Telford, Inverness and finally Swansea. Why are people being told to go hundreds of miles for a test and why are people being told there’s no capacity?
All good questions. And we got one notable answer from the PM when he sided with the Health Secretary to say it’s a problem of demand. Johnson had one of his better (or less terrible?) sessions today, though maybe that is only compared to his dire performance last week. The PM shrugged off the jabs at his technical competence, accusing Starmer of ‘talking down’ the work of NHS staff: “It’s hard work. It’s a big job.” He said the Labour leader was simply trying to “undermine confidence in test and trace” and should keep shtum. Starmer’s decision not to mention the planned breach of international law, or concerns cited by the Welsh and Scottish leaders about the government’s plans to seize devolved powers, was not lost on the PM. “When it comes to sticking up for our UK internal market… he is totally silent on this bill that obsesses the rest of his backbenchers.”
This is a tricky area for the Labour leader. Go too hard on the government’s shenanigans around Brexit, and risk being accused of frustrating the ‘will of the people’. Starmer’s silence on the issue is symptomatic of the careful line he is treading. When asked, he will continue to tell the PM to “get on and negotiate” the deal he promised, rather than be seen as a barrier to leaving the EU. For now at least, he doesn’t want to weigh in on the debate unprompted. There will certainly be plenty of opportunity to raise the issue as we go forward – not least when it comes to the crunch point the PM has himself set in October. Some might see today as a missed opportunity, but Starmer is maintaining the strategy of letting the government fail on its own terms.