labourlist--2020-02-20--English Labour Network asks leadership candidates to sign five pledges

The English Labour Network has written to Labour ’ s leadership and deputy candidates urging them to support its five pledges .
Citing the fact that Labour last won the popular vote in England back in 2001 , the organisation asked contenders to set out their views on how to improve the party ’ s standing .
The network said that the party “ lost support particularly among those who identify as being more English than British ” and said it is “ essential ” to reverse that trend .
The five pledges are : • Rebuild Labour ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must seek and value support across England equally amongst former Leavers and Remainers , older people and younger , voters from villages and towns as well as cities , graduates and young workers ; • Instigate democratic reform : Support a constitutional convention , including a deliberative citizen ’ s assembly , to decide where and how English laws should be made and how power and resources can be devolved within England ; • Change the way we govern : Break with Labour ’ s tradition of centralism , to put support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre of our strategy for renewal , and make the diffusion of power across England the way we will govern in the future ; • Support inclusive Englishness : Encourage central government , local government and civic organisations to play an active role in supporting the development of an inclusive English identity open to all living in England ; and • Call it England : Ensure that all policy , applying only to England names England in all our campaigning material and campaign messages .
Correspondence sent to each of those standing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not won the popular vote in England since 2001 .
Boris Johnson ’ s majority was won in constituencies where voters were more likely to see themselves as English than British .
“ The same voters were the core of the vote to Leave the EU and too often feel they have no political power .
England is the most centralised nation in Europe and , London aside , England was ignored in the constitutional changes of the last Labour government.
” Labour ’ s general election defeat in December saw the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the capital .
The letter from the organisation stated : “ There is no Labour route back to power without winning support amongst English voters .
This must include a commitment to irreversible and democratic decentralisation within England , a willingness to speak to and about England as a nation , and taking practical steps to encourage the progressive , inclusive English identity that is already developing.
” The English Labour Network was launched in 2017 following the general election .
Its stated aim is to be “ for Labour in England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
The group supports the party in power in local authorities and campaigns for an English Labour manifesto , bringing together all policy specifically for England .
Founding supporters include the MPs Jon Cruddas , Sam Tarry , Liam Byrne , Shabana Mahmood and former secretary of state John Denham .

The English Labour Network has written to every one of Labour’s leadership candidates urging them to support its five pledges.
Citing the fact that Labour last won the popular vote in England back in 2001, the organisation asked contenders to set out their views on how to improve the party’s standing.
The network said that the party “lost support particularly among those who identify as being more English than British” and said it is “essential” to reverse that trend.
The five pledges are:
Rebuild Labour’s coalition: Show the party that we must seek and value support across England equally amongst former Leavers and Remainers, older people and younger, voters from villages and towns as well as cities, graduates and young workers; Instigate democratic reform: Support a constitutional convention, including a deliberative citizen’s assembly, to decide where and how English laws should be made and how power and resources can be devolved within England; Change the way we govern: Break with Labour’s tradition of centralism, to put support for Labour’s local councillors at the centre of our strategy for renewal, and make the diffusion of power across England the way we will govern in the future; Support inclusive Englishness: Encourage central government, local government and civic organisations to play an active role in supporting the development of an inclusive English identity open to all living in England; and Call it England: Ensure that all policy, applying only to England names England in all our campaigning material and campaign messages.
Correspondence sent to each of those standing for leadership roles said: “Labour has not won the popular vote in England since 2001. Boris Johnson’s majority was won in constituencies where voters were more likely to see themselves as English than British.
“The same voters were the core of the vote to Leave the EU and too often feel they have no political power. England is the most centralised nation in Europe and, London aside, England was ignored in the constitutional changes of the last Labour government.”
Labour’s general election defeat in December saw the party lose seats in every English region outside of the capital.
The letter from the organisation stated: “There is no Labour route back to power without winning support amongst English voters. This must include a commitment to irreversible and democratic decentralisation within England, a willingness to speak to and about England as a nation, and taking practical steps to encourage the progressive, inclusive English identity that is already developing.”
The English Labour Network was launched in 2017 following the general election. Its stated aim is to be “for Labour in England” and “for England in Labour”.
The group supports the party in power in local authorities and campaigns for an English Labour manifesto, bringing together all policy specifically for England.
Founding supporters include the MPs Jon Cruddas, Sam Tarry, Liam Byrne, Shabana Mahmood and former secretary of state John Denham.


labourlist--2020-02-20--Cecile Wright: Why I’m standing to be a member of Labour’s NEC

The future of the party ’ s policies will , of course , depend on who is the new leader .
Once elected the first clues as to the future will be in the shadow cabinet appointments , and then it is a case of time will tell .
There are many labels used by the media with respect to the Labour Party .
We have all heard ‘ Blairite ’ , ‘ Brownism ’ , ‘ Corbynism ’ , ‘ moderates ’ , ‘ left ’ , ‘ centrists ’ and so forth .
The use of such terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – division .
Such terms are rarely applied to the Tories .
Yes , we may have heard of ‘ Thatcherism ’ , but that ’ s about it .
Does this mean that they are , and have been , united ?
It was in the 1980s that the Tories were divided – along the lines of whether they should continue with the postwar social democracy consensus or abandon it .
The Conservatives demolished much of what social democracy achieved .
Their divisions were about whether British capitalism could be best served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We all know the outcome .
What of the Labour Party ?
We , too , turned away from social democracy and accepted much of what the Tories did from 1979 to 1997 .
The party accepted it because it did not seek to reverse it .
That is the key point .
Labour won three general elections but lost five million voters .
This sowed the seeds for the 2019 defeat .
By returning to some of the policies of social democracy in 2017 , the party regained many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 .
So , friends which way do we now travel ?
The choices are stark : • Keep the thrust of the policies of the last two elections .
These are class based – i.e they are aimed at benefitting the ‘ many ’ not the ‘ few ’ .
• Ditch the policies of the two manifestos and return to the neoliberal policies of 1997 to 2015 .
In detail , we could ask ourselves : • Do we believe that local councils should run their services or be handed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
• Do we believe that NHS services should be handed over to the private sector ?
• Do we believe our schools should be accountable to local councils or run by ‘ trusts ’ paying their headteachers vast sums whilst their budge are cuts ?
• Do we believe that council houses should no longer be built ?
• Do we believe that our children should pay to go to university ?
• Do we believe that our public utilities should be owned by private companies or the nation ?
• Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should have their living standards cut since 2008 to pay off the reckless behaviour of the few ?
The Tories believe in all of these .
I believe that we should not believe in any of them and seek to reverse them .
Communities have ben devastated by the belief in the above policies .
That is why , I believe , we lost millions of votes prior to 2017 .
I believe that if we are again to appeal to the many , then we should be markedly different from the Tory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I have been doing this as a party member , activist , trade unionist and public/voluntary sector worker for 30 years .
I want to be more than a local voice and be a national voice on the Labour Party ’ s national executive committee , to which I am standing for election .
If we can not reconnect with the lives of the many , we can not win elections .
Myself and the good comrade , Lauren Townsend , are being supported by the campaign for Labour Party democracy ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for influence for the party ’ s grassroots for 47 years .
I am also supported by Momentum black caucus .

The future of the party’s policies will, of course, depend on who is the new leader. Once elected, the first clues as to the future will be in the shadow cabinet appointments, and then it is a case of time will tell.
There are many labels used by the media with respect to the Labour Party. We have all heard ‘Blairite’, ‘Brownism’, ‘Corbynism’, ‘moderates’, ‘left’, ‘centrists’ and so forth. The use of such terms suggests – and is intended to suggest – division. Such terms are rarely applied to the Tories.
Yes, we may have heard of ‘Thatcherism’, but that’s about it. Does this mean that they are, and have been, united? It was in the 1980s that the Tories were divided – along the lines of whether they should continue with the post-war social democracy consensus or abandon it.
The Conservatives demolished much of what social democracy achieved. Their divisions were about whether British capitalism could be best served inside or outside of the European Union. We all know the outcome.
What of the Labour Party? We, too, turned away from social democracy and accepted much of what the Tories did from 1979 to 1997. The party accepted it because it did not seek to reverse it. That is the key point. Labour won three general elections but lost five million voters. This sowed the seeds for the 2019 defeat.
By returning to some of the policies of social democracy in 2017, the party regained many of the lost votes – then lost them again in 2019. So, friends which way do we now travel? The choices are stark:
Keep the thrust of the policies of the last two elections. These are class based – i.e. they are aimed at benefitting the ‘many’, not the ‘few’. Ditch the policies of the two manifestos and return to the neoliberal policies of 1997 to 2015.
In detail, we could ask ourselves:
Do we believe that local councils should run their services or be handed over to the private sector for profit?
Do we believe that NHS services should be handed over to the private sector?
Do we believe our schools should be accountable to local councils or run by ‘trusts’ paying their headteachers vast sums whilst their budge are cuts?
Do we believe that council houses should no longer be built?
Do we believe that our children should pay to go to university?
Do we believe that our public utilities should be owned by private companies or the nation?
Do we believe that most of our people should have their living standards cut since 2008 to pay off the reckless behaviour of the few?
The Tories believe in all of these. I believe that we should not believe in any of them, and seek to reverse them. Communities have ben devastated by the belief in the above policies. That is why, I believe, we lost millions of votes prior to 2017. If we are again to appeal to the many, we should be markedly different from the Tories and really oppose their policies.
Personally, I have been doing this as a party member, activist, trade unionist and public/voluntary sector worker for 30 years. I want to be more than a local voice and be a national voice on the Labour Party’s national executive committee, to which I am standing for election.
If we cannot reconnect with the lives of the many, we cannot win elections. Myself and good comrade Lauren Townsend are being supported by the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy (CLPD), which has been fighting for influence for the party’s grassroots for 47 years. I am also supported by Momentum Black Caucus.


labourlist--2020-02-20--The new Tory immigration proposals spell disaster for social care

We ’ ve been waiting for years for a social care green paper .
But what we ’ ve been thrown instead is a grenade : the government ’ s proposed immigration changes .
There is a crisis brewing in social care .
This is a fact that few would deny .
It is highly skilled work , but low-paid .
As a result , it falls foul of the government ’ s arbitrary immigration salary threshold announced this week .
But neither the Home Secretary nor the Prime Minister seem bothered .
The social care sector doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – and that ’ s even when those it has managed to recruit from overseas are taken into account .
But with too few staff , some 1.5m elderly and vulnerable people who currently need care are simply going without support .
Left without help to stay in their own homes , the elderly often go to A & E when they don ’ t really need to , and then stay in hospital far longer than they should because there ’ s no support for them to return home .
None of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When asked , care workers say they love their jobs but are less keen on the conditions in which they work .
Many also say , unsurprisingly , that they want to leave their jobs .
When a new supermarket opens in town , the local care firm often faces an exodus of staff attracted by better hourly rates and much less stressful jobs .
There are currently 122,000 vacancies in England alone .
Pay is incredibly low , in many cases illegally so – and the status is poor .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % in some areas – and this affects the continuity of care so important to the elderly person who may not see another soul all day .
A government response on social care is long overdue .
But rather than coming up with solutions to resolve a deepening problem , these new proposals to end so-called ‘ low-skilled ’ immigration spell disaster for the UK and social care .
Demand for services is rising , not falling , and that will continue to be the case .
As our population ages , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care workers by 2025 .
Creating barriers to recruitment will lead to real and damaging consequences for everyone in the sector .
That ’ s a high price to pay for talking tough on immigration and ‘ taking back control ’ .
But underneath a dehumanising debate about numbers and points are real people – whether it is migrant workers or the vulnerable who depend on social care .
Poor pay , zero-hour contracts , long hours , a lack of training and unrelenting pressures mean working conditions in care are not for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of UNISON care workers , 49 % said they were thinking of leaving their job .
Over half ( 53 % ) said they weren ’ t given enough time to deliver care properly and nearly half ( 44 % ) said they could earn more elsewhere .
The government has told businesses to ‘ adjust ’ .
But the financial problems facing the social care sector were made in Downing Street .
The government should take responsibility for the consequences of its inaction and start to fund social care to the levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay care workers more and provide better training .
If that happened , care might start to be the attractive care option it isn ’ t currently .
But first and foremost , ministers must ditch these devastating proposals .
UNISON has long been fighting in the courts and in the sector to tackle illegal pay .
All eyes will now be on the budget next month to see whether the government is prepared to live up to its responsibilities to the elderly , the vulnerable and the workers who care for them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a resounding silence .

We’ve been waiting for years for a social care green paper. But what we’ve been thrown instead is a grenade: the government’s proposed immigration changes. There is a crisis brewing in social care. This is a fact that few would deny. It is highly skilled work, but low-paid. As a result, it falls foul of the government’s arbitrary immigration salary threshold announced this week. But neither the Home Secretary nor the Prime Minister seem bothered.
The social care sector doesn’t have enough care workers to meet demand – and that’s even when those it has managed to recruit from overseas are taken into account. But with too few staff, some 1.5m elderly and vulnerable people who currently need care are simply going without support.
Left without help to stay in their own homes, the elderly often go to A&E when they don’t really need to, and then stay in hospital far longer than they should because there’s no support for them to return home. None of this helps an already under-pressure NHS.
When asked, care workers say they love their jobs but are less keen on the conditions in which they work. Many also say, unsurprisingly, that they want to leave their jobs. When a new supermarket opens in town, the local care firm often faces an exodus of staff attracted by better hourly rates and much less stressful jobs.
There are currently 122,000 vacancies in England alone. Pay is incredibly low, in many cases illegally so – and the status is poor. There is a huge turnover of staff – 40% in some areas – and this affects the continuity of care so important to the elderly person who may not see another soul all day.
A government response on social care is long overdue. But rather than coming up with solutions to resolve a deepening problem, these new proposals to end so-called ‘low-skilled’ immigration spell disaster for the UK and social care.
Demand for services is rising, not falling, and that will continue to be the case. As our population ages, the UK will require an estimated one million care workers by 2025. Creating barriers to recruitment will lead to real and damaging consequences for everyone in the sector. That’s a high price to pay for talking tough on immigration and ‘taking back control’.
But underneath a dehumanising debate about numbers and points are real people – whether it is migrant workers or the vulnerable who depend on social care. Poor pay, zero-hour contracts, long hours, a lack of training and unrelenting pressures mean working conditions in care are not for the faint-hearted.
In a recent survey of UNISON care workers, 49% said they were thinking of leaving their job. Over half (53%) said they weren’t given enough time to deliver care properly and nearly half (44%) said they could earn more elsewhere. The government has told businesses to ‘adjust’. But the financial problems facing the social care sector were made in Downing Street.
The government should take responsibility for the consequences of its inaction and start to fund social care to the levels needed. Then it could afford to pay care workers more and provide better training. If that happened, care might start to be the attractive care option it isn’t currently. But first and foremost, ministers must ditch these devastating proposals.
UNISON has long been fighting in the courts and in the sector to tackle illegal pay. All eyes will now be on the budget next month to see whether the government is prepared to live up to its responsibilities to the elderly, the vulnerable and the workers who care for them. So far, there has been a resounding silence.


labourlist--2020-02-20--When you wish upon a Starmer

When you wish upon a Starmer

Keir Starmer received another big boost to his leadership bid when Laura Parker wrote a piece for LabourList yesterday about why she was endorsing him .
Why is this significant ?
Parker was national coordinator of Momentum until just two months ago , and previously worked as Jeremy Corbyn ’ s private secretary .
As you will know , Momentum is backing Rebecca Long-Bailey for the leadership and its chair , Jon Lansman , is director of her campaign .
This news is also remarkable when you think that Parker was working in the Labour leader ’ s office at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resignation and subsequent leadership challenge took place in 2016 .
These factors make Parker ’ s support the clearest realisation so far of Starmer ’ s broad appeal within the party – and it offers another example of the recent fragmentation of the Labour left .
Of course , it would be remiss not to note that Brexit – with Parker and Starmer being on the same side – continues to play a huge role in this shake-up of factional allegiances .
Parker ’ s piece is well worth a read : unlike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genuinely felt and well-considered arguments .
The key one is around party unity , which happens to be Starmer ’ s core message in this contest .
The theory is that while having politics of at least the soft left constitutes a basic requirement , the focus of members now is on the adoption of a pluralist approach to internal Labour politics that will improve party culture .
Parker takes that conclusion further by making the case that under first-past-the-post coalitions are not supposed to be produced but they are instead anticipated – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build Labour ’ s membership to “ a force of one million plus ” .
And then win .
Corbynsceptics have particularly picked up on the following excerpt of Parker ’ s piece : “ I trust that Keir means what he has written in his ten pledges to us .
It would be self-defeating for him to say one thing then act otherwise.
” For some on the Momentum-repulsed wing of the party , those pledges went a bit too far in their appeal to the Labour left .
All eyes will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected , can negotiate those tensions within the broad coalition of support that he would have built .
Will Laura Parker be disappointed , or will Labour First be disappointed ?
If he can win a general election , there is a lot of compromise that members on all sides will be willing to suck up – but before that , there are four years of careful party management to get through .
Whether his pick for Shadow Chancellor is left rival Long-Bailey , Corbynsceptic favourite Rachel Reeves , or a unity figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first test if a Starmer win is announced on April 4th .

Keir Starmer received another big boost to his leadership bid when Laura Parker wrote a piece for LabourList yesterday about why she was endorsing him. Why is this significant? Parker was national coordinator of Momentum until just two months ago, and previously worked as Jeremy Corbyn’s private secretary. As you will know, Momentum is backing Rebecca Long-Bailey for the leadership and its chair, Jon Lansman, is director of her campaign.
This news is also remarkable when you think that Parker was working in the Labour leader’s office at the time that the mass shadow cabinet resignation and subsequent leadership challenge took place in 2016. These factors make Parker’s support the clearest realisation so far of Starmer’s broad appeal within the party – and it offers another example of the recent fragmentation of the Labour left. Of course, it would be remiss not to note that Brexit – with Parker and Starmer being on the same side – continues to play a huge role in this shake-up of factional allegiances.
Parker’s piece is well worth a read: unlike other endorsement pieces, it puts across genuinely felt and well-considered arguments. The key one is around party unity, which happens to be Starmer’s core message in this contest. The theory is that while having politics of at least the soft left constitutes a basic requirement, the focus of members now is on the adoption of a pluralist approach to internal Labour politics that will improve party culture. Parker takes that conclusion further by making the case that under first-past-the-post coalitions are not supposed to be produced but they are instead anticipated – and that party unity is needed to build Labour’s membership to “a force of one million plus”. And then win.
Corbynsceptics have particularly picked up on the following excerpt of Parker’s piece: “I trust that Keir means what he has written in his ten pledges to us. It would be self-defeating for him to say one thing then act otherwise.” For some on the Momentum-repulsed wing of the party, those pledges went a bit too far in their appeal to the Labour left. All eyes will be on how well Starmer, if elected, can negotiate those tensions within the broad coalition of support that he would have built.
Will Laura Parker be disappointed, or will Labour First be disappointed? If he can win a general election, there is a lot of compromise that members on all sides will be willing to suck up – but before that, there are four years of careful party management to get through. Whether his pick for Shadow Chancellor is left rival Long-Bailey, Corbynsceptic favourite Rachel Reeves, or a unity figure such as Anneliese Dodds will be the first test if a Starmer win is announced on April 4th.


labourlist--2020-02-20--Over 1m homes with planning permission not built in past decade

Over one million homes granted planning permission in the past decade have not been built , new research shows – disproving the claim that local planning departments are at fault , Labour says .
The Local Government Association has examined government data disclosing the number of permissions granted for new homes and completions since 2009/10 .
The research revealed that 2,564,600 units have been granted planning permission – but only 1,530,680 have been completed in the same period .
Commenting on the figures , LGA housing spokesperson David Renard said : “ The planning system is not a barrier to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granted planning permission has far outpaced the number of homes being built.
” The data shows that planning permissions granted for new homes has doubled since 2012/13 , with councils approving nine out of ten applications .
Renard added : “ No-one can live in a planning permission , or a half-built house where work on a site has begun but not been completed .
Councils need powers to tackle our housing backlog and step in where a site with planning permission lies dormant and house building has stalled .
“ If we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ councils need to be able to get building again and resume their role as major builders of affordable homes .
“ It is also vital that the planning process is protected , so that councils and communities can ensure we realise the government ’ s ambition of building beautiful homes , which includes the necessary infrastructure and affordable housing.
” Labour ’ s housing spokesperson John Healey commented on the latest release from the government , saying : “ These figures give lie to the government ’ s claim that council planning departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes built .
“ Since 2010 , Conservative ministers have loosened planning rules to give big developers a freer hand but they ’ re still not building the homes the country needs.
” At the last election , Labour pledged to build 100,000 council homes and 50,000 housing association properties each year for the next five years .
Healey said : “ After ten years of Tory failure on housing , the case for change is clear and the government should give councils tough ‘ use-it-or-lose-it ’ controls over land with planning permission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet local housing needs .
“ Labour would also back councils to build at scale again , as part of a plan to build a million genuinely affordable homes.
” The LGA is calling for the reform of Right to Buy ahead of the upcoming Tory budget , asking that councils be allowed to keep the receipts to build new social homes .
The local government membership body will also ask that local authorities be granted the power to set discounts for the scheme locally .
A freedom of information request last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes sold in London under Right to Buy are now being rented out by private landlords .
In the past year , taking into consideration demolitions , Right to Buy sales and conversions , there was a net loss of 17,000 homes in the country .
There are 1.15 million households on council housing waiting lists and the number of families in insecure private rented accommodation increased by 7 % last year alone .

Over one million homes granted planning permission in the past decade have not been built, new research shows – disproving the claim that local planning departments are at fault, Labour says.
The Local Government Association has examined government data disclosing the number of permissions granted for new homes and completions since 2009/10.
The research revealed that 2,564,600 units have been granted planning permission – but only 1,530,680 have been completed in the same period.
Commenting on the figures, LGA housing spokesperson David Renard said: “The planning system is not a barrier to house building. The number of homes granted planning permission has far outpaced the number of homes being built.”
The data shows that planning permissions granted for new homes has doubled since 2012/13, with councils approving nine out of ten applications.
Renard added: “No-one can live in a planning permission, or a half-built house where work on a site has begun but not been completed. Councils need powers to tackle our housing backlog and step in where a site with planning permission lies dormant and house building has stalled.
“If we are to solve our housing shortage, councils need to be able to get building again and resume their role as major builders of affordable homes.
“It is also vital that the planning process is protected, so that councils and communities can ensure we realise the government’s ambition of building beautiful homes, which includes the necessary infrastructure and affordable housing.”
Labour’s housing spokesperson John Healey commented on the latest release from the government, saying: “These figures give lie to the government’s claim that council planning departments are the problem in getting more new homes built.
“Since 2010, Conservative ministers have loosened planning rules to give big developers a freer hand but they’re still not building the homes the country needs.”
At the last election, Labour pledged to build 100,000 council homes and 50,000 housing association properties each year for the next five years.
Healey said: “After ten years of Tory failure on housing, the case for change is clear and the government should give councils tough ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ controls over land with planning permission and stronger powers to require mixed developments to meet local housing needs.
“Labour would also back councils to build at scale again, as part of a plan to build a million genuinely affordable homes.”
The LGA is calling for the reform of Right to Buy ahead of the upcoming Tory budget, asking that councils be allowed to keep the receipts to build new social homes.
The local government membership body will also ask that local authorities be granted the power to set discounts for the scheme locally.
A freedom of information request last year found that 40% of council homes sold in London under Right to Buy are now being rented out by private landlords.
In the past year, taking into consideration demolitions, Right to Buy sales and conversions, there was a net loss of 17,000 homes in the country.
There are 1.15 million households on council housing waiting lists and the number of families in insecure private rented accommodation increased by 7% last year alone.


labourlist--2020-02-19--Corbyn: PM doesn’t care about flood-hit communities now election is over

Jeremy Corbyn has said that Boris Johnson ’ s inaction in response to recent flooding shows that he “ does not care about helping communities ” following the general election .
The outgoing Labour leader criticised the Prime Minister over his handling of the damage and disruption caused by Storm Dennis ahead of a visit to south Wales on Thursday .
He said that the failure to convene COBRA or visit the affected areas demonstrates that Johnson does not care about them when he is “ not campaigning for votes ” .
Commenting ahead of his visit to Wales , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit flood-hit communities , nowhere-to-be-seen Boris Johnson is showing his true colours by his absence .
“ Failing to convene COBRA to support flood-hit communities sends a very clear message : if the Prime Minister is not campaigning for votes in a general election , he simply does not care about helping communities affected by flooding.
” During his visit , the Labour leader will meet with residents affected by the bad weather , and volunteers coordinated by the Welsh Labour government and local councils .
Corbyn said : “ I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour government , local authorities and volunteers who have come together and worked around the clock to protect homes and businesses from flooding.
” Warning that the climate crisis will worsen , the Labour leader accused the government of a “ wholly inadequate ” response and for failing to “ grasp the scale of this crisis ” .
He added : “ The government has failed to protect the most vulnerable communities who have been so badly let down time and time again , and ministers have failed to put in place longer-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the consequences of extreme weather conditions.
” Representatives from local councils , the emergency services , businesses and voluntary groups met on Wednesday at a Welsh government summit .
According to the Environment Agency , around 1,400 homes and businesses across the UK have been hit by flooding following Storm Dennis .
As Labour ’ s First Minister of Wales , Mark Drakeford has promised up to £10m for the homes and businesses that have been affected in Wales .
Both the rivers Wye and Severn have risen to their highest levels ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas have been evacuated .
Across England and Wales , 140 flood warnings remain in place and the Met Office has warned that there will be further rain over the next few days .

Jeremy Corbyn has said that Boris Johnson’s inaction in response to recent flooding shows that he “does not care about helping communities” following the general election.
The outgoing Labour leader criticised the Prime Minister over his handling of the damage and disruption caused by Storm Dennis ahead of a visit to south Wales on Thursday.
He said that the failure to convene COBRA or visit the affected areas demonstrates that Johnson does not care about them when he is “not campaigning for votes”.
Commenting ahead of his visit to Wales, Corbyn said: “In refusing to visit flood-hit communities, nowhere-to-be-seen Boris Johnson is showing his true colours by his absence.
“Failing to convene COBRA to support flood-hit communities sends a very clear message: if the Prime Minister is not campaigning for votes in a general election, he simply does not care about helping communities affected by flooding.”
During his visit, the Labour leader will meet with residents affected by the bad weather, and volunteers coordinated by the Welsh Labour government and local councils.
Corbyn said: “I want to thank our emergency services, the Welsh Labour government, local authorities and volunteers who have come together and worked around the clock to protect homes and businesses from flooding.”
Warning that the climate crisis will worsen, the Labour leader accused the government of a “wholly inadequate” response and for failing to “grasp the scale of this crisis”.
He added: “The government has failed to protect the most vulnerable communities who have been so badly let down time and time again, and ministers have failed to put in place longer-term flood prevention strategies to protect communities from the consequences of extreme weather conditions.”
Representatives from local councils, the emergency services, businesses and voluntary groups met on Wednesday at a Welsh government summit.
According to the Environment Agency, around 1,400 homes and businesses across the UK have been hit by flooding following Storm Dennis.
As Labour’s First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford has promised up to £10m for the homes and businesses that have been affected in Wales.
Both the rivers Wye and Severn have risen to their highest levels ever and lots of people living in surrounding areas have been evacuated.
Across England and Wales, 140 flood warnings remain in place and the Met Office has warned that there will be further rain over the next few days.


labourlist--2020-02-19--Laura Parker: Why I’m backing Keir Starmer for Labour leader

The Labour Party can and must win the next election .
For that to happen , we need to recognise the inherent paradox of our first-past-the-post system .
In theory not producing coalitions , in practice it just anticipates them .
In many other countries , Labour would be two , three , four separate parties , coming together to form electoral coalitions .
We form our coalition in advance .
Do we want now to become a unified , strong internal coalition that can go out with confidence to the country and create the other alliances necessary to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political differences between so many of us are so great as to be unsustainable ?
If it is the latter , we will consign our party to permanent internal strife and could break under the pressure , destroying the chances of a progressive government in the next decade .
We can not let that happen .
Our task is to elect a leader with whom we can build upon our 580,000 membership .
We must become a force of one million plus – in order to then reach out far beyond the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little presence .
There is no other path to power .
Our purpose once in power is to empower others and transform the country .
There has been a shift in the political centre of gravity of our party : Labour is no longer intensely relaxed about the filthy rich .
The fight against inequality and for economic , social and climate justice are not our nice-to-have but our must-have reasons for being in the Labour Party .
All of the leadership candidates have recognised that it was the ‘ how and when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ of our manifesto that did not persuade the public .
When Labour ’ s individual policies – on taxation , the minimum wage , public ownership , free personal care , the green new deal – are polled , they have significant support from the public .
Our challenge is to build a cohesive party that finds compelling ways of engaging with people across the country .
I am backing Keir Starmer because he has placed unifying the party at the heart of his mission and made an unequivocal commitment to preserving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transformative economic agenda upon which he stood as a shadow cabinet member in 2019 , I trust that Keir means what he has written in his ten pledges to us .
It would be self-defeating for him to say one thing then act otherwise .
One of the lessons we all – leadership candidates , MPs and members – have just learnt the hardest way is that a perceived lack of authenticity is fatal .
I am confident that under his leadership , we can build an enduring coalition .
Keir has made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fundamental redistribution of power as well as wealth .
This must include restoring dignity to local government and addressing the inequities of our voting system , to both of which he has committed .
It further means , as Keir has set out , a commitment to creating a federal UK .
That is not simply to give Labour a hope of winning in Scotland .
It is critical to help stem the tide of nationalism whose north-of-the-border manifestation may not alarm many but whose English version is underpinned by xenophobia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every turn .
These same forces of xenophobia and racism now propel the deportation from the UK of people for whom this country has been their only home .
Labour needs a leadership that will put the defence of human rights not only at the heart of its foreign policy but at the core of its opposition to the rights-trashing government of Boris Johnson .
From consistently championing the rights of EU citizens to defending people facing the death penalty and activists taking on a planet-destroying multinational , Keir will bring a lifetime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despatch box .
With a drive to unify our party around a radical programme , the experience to oversee the rebuilding and management of our complex party machine and the skills and determination to take on the Tories , Keir Starmer can become a great party leader .
If we – over half a million members – accept and rise to the challenge of supporting him in this endeavour , then we will become more than the sum of our individual parts and also a great party .

The Labour Party can and must win the next election. For that to happen, we need to recognise the inherent paradox of our first-past-the-post system. In theory not producing coalitions, in practice it just anticipates them. In many other countries, Labour would be two, three, four separate parties, coming together to form electoral coalitions. We form our coalition in advance.
Do we want now to become a unified, strong internal coalition that can go out with confidence to the country and create the other alliances necessary to win? Or do we think that the political differences between so many of us are so great as to be unsustainable?
If it is the latter, we will consign our party to permanent internal strife and could break under the pressure, destroying the chances of a progressive government in the next decade. We cannot let that happen. Our task is to elect a leader with whom we can build upon our 580,000 membership. We must become a force of one million plus – in order to then reach out far beyond the party and into communities where Labour currently has little presence. There is no other path to power.
Our purpose once in power is to empower others and transform the country. There has been a shift in the political centre of gravity of our party: Labour is no longer intensely relaxed about the filthy rich. The fight against inequality and for economic, social and climate justice are not our nice-to-have but our must-have reasons for being in the Labour Party.
All of the leadership candidates have recognised that it was the ‘how and when’ as much as the ‘what’ of our manifesto that did not persuade the public. When Labour’s individual policies – on taxation, the minimum wage, public ownership, free personal care, the green new deal – are polled, they have significant support from the public. Our challenge is to build a cohesive party that finds compelling ways of engaging with people across the country.
I am backing Keir Starmer because he has placed unifying the party at the heart of his mission and made an unequivocal commitment to preserving our core policies. In defending the transformative economic agenda upon which he stood as a shadow cabinet member in 2019, I trust that Keir means what he has written in his ten pledges to us. It would be self-defeating for him to say one thing then act otherwise. One of the lessons we all – leadership candidates, MPs and members – have just learnt the hardest way is that a perceived lack of authenticity is fatal. I am confident that under his leadership, we can build an enduring coalition.
Keir has made clear that he understands the imperative for a fundamental redistribution of power as well as wealth. This must include restoring dignity to local government and addressing the inequities of our voting system, to both of which he has committed. It further means, as Keir has set out, a commitment to creating a federal UK. That is not simply to give Labour a hope of winning in Scotland. It is critical to help stem the tide of nationalism whose north-of-the-border manifestation may not alarm many but whose English version is underpinned by xenophobia and racism, which Labour must resist at every turn.
These same forces of xenophobia and racism now propel the deportation from the UK of people for whom this country has been their only home. Labour needs a leadership that will put the defence of human rights not only at the heart of its foreign policy but at the core of its opposition to the rights-trashing government of Boris Johnson. From consistently championing the rights of EU citizens to defending people facing the death penalty and activists taking on a planet-destroying multinational, Keir will bring a lifetime of experience defending human rights to the despatch box.
With a drive to unify our party around a radical programme, the experience to oversee the rebuilding and management of our complex party machine and the skills and determination to take on the Tories, Keir Starmer can become a great party leader. If we – over half a million members – accept and rise to the challenge of supporting him in this endeavour, then we will become more than the sum of our individual parts and also a great party.


labourlist--2020-02-19--Peter Apps: Why I’m standing to be a member of Labour’s NEC

With all the focus on the leader and deputy leadership elections , it ’ s easy to forget another series of votes have also taken place this month at constituency selection meetings .
Also being contested – if you can navigate a perhaps deliberately opaque process – were nominations for two constituency representative slots and one black and minority ethnic place on the national executive committee ( NEC ) .
That these NEC by-elections have attracted so little attention so far feels wrong – although it has not stopped some of the votes being a very close-run thing .
Yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to run again later in the summer when the whole NEC comes up for re-election .
Yes , successive Labour Party leaders and their factions have traditionally tied up NEC nominations by whipping supporters to back their ‘ slates ’ .
But that should remind us these positions bring with them real power – and if we want a truly democratic , accountable and functional party , they are critical .
That is why I ’ m running for the NEC .
Whoever wins the leadership , I believe we must do much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s inner structures and culture work .
It ’ s been clear from almost every discussion I ’ ve had , from the grassroots to Westminster , that frustrations are widespread .
Members , candidates and elected office holders are fed up of botched complaints processes , stitched up selections and other often toxic behaviours .
We want better .
We are still counting the electoral cost of our failure to swiftly and publicly tackle the antisemitism crisis .
In far too many other areas – including racial prejudice , sexual and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling .
A progressive party such as ourselves should be a beacon for best practice when it comes to safeguarding and tackling difficult issues , and we are nowhere close .
The NEC is central to tackling all of that , and so far it has just not delivered .
If elected , I ’ m pledging to fight to make the complaints system fit for purpose , deliver accountable , transparent elections and selections – including for the NEC this summer – and work for an internal culture we can all be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems that work is not a ‘ nice to have ’ – it ’ s a fundamental requirement for us to win in 2024 .
As a foreign correspondent and war reporter who has covered unravelling political systems my entire working life , I know how dangerous these trends can be .
“ If this party was a company , it would have gone out of business by now , ” one hard-working activist told me .
I ’ ve lost count of the number of members at all levels who have said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party so unpleasant that they have felt the need to take breaks for their mental health .
Neither those who have made complaints nor those on the receiving end have anything good to say about the process .
Candidates who were selected at the last election said they often felt profoundly unsupported , and the process for choosing potential MPs and others has been unaccountable in the extreme .
This isn ’ t a particularly factional point – many of these issues , including the party ’ s ongoing problem with bullying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Militant and beyond .
Nor is it intrinsically tied to any particular candidate or candidates in the current leadership race .
Most have in some way pledged to make structures more accessible , although all could take that further .
The most recent democracy review called for more democratically elected NEC positions , but that has simply not happened .
If anything , as with recent selections of shortlists to the London Assembly , things have become even less transparent .
In my home constituency of Vauxhall , we battled last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MP .
I ’ ve been helping local school pupils start a student newspaper , and I know how important it is to them to have a representative like Florence Eshalomi in a role they too can aspire to .
As one of the most physically disabled people involved in UK politics – I broke my neck as a young reporter in Sri Lanka ’ s civil war , leaving me largely paralysed from the shoulders down – I was hugely honoured my constituency Labour party ( CLP ) nominated me to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the roles , the NEC election process inherently favours those with factional backing or established political profile .
There is no centralised list of when constituencies will decide , nor easy way of getting details for CLP secretaries .
The only way to navigate it is to find places where you are trusted , or others who are will speak for you .
Given that , I ’ ve been astounded and hugely honoured to receive nominations from 17 CLPs from Edinburgh to Plymouth , to London and the South East – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the national ballot .
That enthusiasm for a more independent voice is , I believe , a sign that our supporters know things need to change .
Clearly , other factional candidates and slates are in the mix for the NEC slots once again , with varying degrees of openness and success .
At best , I believe our factional groupings provide much of the energy , new thought and scrutiny we badly need .
At worst , they have a tradition of papering over problems and ignoring dissenting voices in pursuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full NEC comes back up for selection this summer , I would rather see more independent-minded candidates committed to fixing particular issues , supporting the new leader while holding them accountable .
Only a party that the electorate views as competent and compassionate , including when it comes to handling its own , can win .
Enacting the radical policies we want – saving public services , a green new deal , fixing the housing and myriad other crises – means putting our own party in order first .
We are supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first word is as important as the second .

With all the focus on the leader and deputy leadership elections, it’s easy to forget another series of votes have also taken place this month at constituency selection meetings. Also being contested – if you can navigate a perhaps deliberately opaque process – were nominations for two constituency representative slots and one black and minority ethnic place on the national executive committee (NEC).
That these NEC by-elections have attracted so little attention so far feels wrong – although it has not stopped some of the votes being a very close-run thing. Yes, whoever gets those places will have to run again later in the summer when the whole NEC comes up for re-election. Yes, successive Labour Party leaders and their factions have traditionally tied up NEC nominations by whipping supporters to back their ‘slates’. But that should remind us these positions bring with them real power – and if we want a truly democratic, accountable and functional party, they are critical.
That is why I’m running for the NEC. Whoever wins the leadership, I believe we must do much more quickly to make our party’s inner structures and culture work. It’s been clear from almost every discussion I’ve had, from the grassroots to Westminster, that frustrations are widespread. Members, candidates and elected office holders are fed up of botched complaints processes, stitched up selections and other often toxic behaviours.
We want better. We are still counting the electoral cost of our failure to swiftly and publicly tackle the antisemitism crisis. In far too many other areas – including racial prejudice, sexual and other forms of harassment – we are also struggling. A progressive party such as ourselves should be a beacon for best practice when it comes to safeguarding and tackling difficult issues, and we are nowhere close. The NEC is central to tackling all of that, and so far it has just not delivered.
If elected, I’m pledging to fight to make the complaints system fit for purpose, deliver accountable, transparent elections and selections – including for the NEC this summer – and work for an internal culture we can all be truly proud of. Delivering effective party systems that work is not a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a fundamental requirement for us to win in 2024. As a foreign correspondent and war reporter who has covered unravelling political systems my entire working life, I know how dangerous these trends can be.
“If this party was a company, it would have gone out of business by now,” one hard-working activist told me. I’ve lost count of the number of members at all levels who have said they have found various parts of the party so unpleasant that they have felt the need to take breaks for their mental health. Neither those who have made complaints nor those on the receiving end have anything good to say about the process. Candidates who were selected at the last election said they often felt profoundly unsupported, and the process for choosing potential MPs and others has been unaccountable in the extreme.
This isn’t a particularly factional point – many of these issues, including the party’s ongoing problem with bullying, go back through the New Labour era to Militant and beyond. Nor is it intrinsically tied to any particular candidate or candidates in the current leadership race. Most have in some way pledged to make structures more accessible, although all could take that further. The most recent democracy review called for more democratically elected NEC positions, but that has simply not happened. If anything, as with recent selections of shortlists to the London Assembly, things have become even less transparent.
In my home constituency of Vauxhall, we battled last year for the right to select our own MP. I’ve been helping local school pupils start a student newspaper, and I know how important it is to them to have a representative like Florence Eshalomi in a role they too can aspire to. As one of the most physically disabled people involved in UK politics – I broke my neck as a young reporter in Sri Lanka’s civil war, leaving me largely paralysed from the shoulders down – I was hugely honoured my constituency Labour party (CLP) nominated me to the NEC.
Perhaps because of the power of the roles, the NEC election process inherently favours those with factional backing or established political profile. There is no centralised list of when constituencies will decide, nor easy way of getting details for CLP secretaries. The only way to navigate it is to find places where you are trusted, or others who are will speak for you.
Given that, I’ve been astounded and hugely honoured to receive nominations from 17 CLPs from Edinburgh to Plymouth, to London and the South East – more than three times that necessary to make the national ballot. That enthusiasm for a more independent voice is, I believe, a sign that our supporters know things need to change.
Clearly, other factional candidates and slates are in the mix for the NEC slots once again, with varying degrees of openness and success. At best, I believe our factional groupings provide much of the energy, new thought and scrutiny we badly need. At worst, they have a tradition of papering over problems and ignoring dissenting voices in pursuit of power. Frankly, when the full NEC comes back up for selection this summer, I would rather see more independent-minded candidates committed to fixing particular issues, supporting the new leader while holding them accountable.
Only a party that the electorate views as competent and compassionate, including when it comes to handling its own, can win. Enacting the radical policies we want – saving public services, a green new deal, fixing the housing and myriad other crises – means putting our own party in order first. We are supposed to be a democratic socialist party, and the first word is as important as the second.


labourlist--2020-02-21--Interview: Lisa Nandy “surprised” by “level of misogyny” in leadership race

Lisa Nandy has revealed , in an exclusive interview with LabourList , that she has been “ surprised ” at the “ level of misogyny ” faced by herself and rival candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey during the Labour leadership contest .
“ We ’ ve been asked a lot more about things like trans rights versus safe spaces for women , and decriminalisation of prostitution , than Keir , ” the MP for Wigan said , referring to frontrunner Keir Starmer .
“ And it ’ s been quite noticeable.
” Nandy told LabourList : “ When I first put my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly in the PLP [ Parliamentary Labour Party ] , I had a lot of men saying to me , ‘ you haven ’ t got the level of parliamentary experience that you might need , and when you ’ ve been in parliament for longer and you ’ ve served on the frontbench , perhaps then would be the time to think about putting your name forward ’ .
“ They then went on to nominate a man who had less than half the amount of parliamentary experience , and less frontbench @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to be called out for what it is .
Because it ’ s misogyny.
” In a wide-ranging interview with LabourList , Nandy also : • None Criticised the conversation about trans rights within the party , which she said should be “ much more respectful ” • None Talked about legislation relating to single-sex services and to the sex industry , but warned against “ making policy during leadership contests ” • None Argued that those looking at a federal model for the UK – which has been advocated by Starmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missed the point ” • None Confirmed she would serve in the shadow cabinets of her leadership contest rivals • None Admitted to taking “ quite a few ” illicit drugs in the past The internal leadership election – set to conclude when Jeremy Corbyn ’ s successor is announced on April 4th – has seen questions raised over where the contenders stand on trans rights and single-sex spaces .
Nandy and Long-Bailey have signed up to 12 pledges put forward by the Labour Campaign for Trans Rights , which described particular organisations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starmer has opted not to do so – instead supporting the LGBT+ Labour pledges .
Asked about the conversation currently being held around these issues , Nandy talked about the need to “ have a much , much more nuanced , much more considered , much more respectful debate within the party ” .
She added : “ What we ’ ve managed to do with this debate is what we ’ ve managed to do with nearly every important or contentious issue in recent years – whether it ’ s Brexit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ ve started the conversation with a view that you have to pick a side .
One side wins .
And we ’ re going to argue it out until that has happened.
” While the subject is “ worth discussing ” and “ worth standing up for ” , Nandy stressed , “ the dominance of this issue has become a real problem for the Labour Party as a whole , because out in the country it seems to a lot of people that we ’ re having a conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s important for Labour that we ’ re loud and clear about our support for trans men and women .
But to most people , this looks like a Labour Party that is not prepared to go out and grapple with the big issues that we face , ” the leadership hopeful concluded .
Noting that she had been asked about safe spaces for women and trans rights “ about 70 or 80 times ” , and Israel and Palestine “ about 50 times ” , Nandy said : “ I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bassetlaw .
That is a problem for the Labour Party.
” Asked whether she would go further than current party policy by amending the Equality Act as well as the Gender Recognition Act , the Wigan MP replied : “ The honest answer to that is that I don ’ t know .
I would have to look a lot more closely at the Equality Act.
” She added : “ I think making policy during leadership contests has been one of the problems that we ’ ve had over the last decade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of leadership contests at close quarters .
I think the right thing to do with a debate of this complexity is to go out , consult , listen .
“ I don ’ t want the women who are still very fearful about their safety because of domestic violence , or the women who are going through the transition process at the moment , I don ’ t want either of them to hear anything in this contest from me that gives them any sense other than that their safety and their welfare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the question of whether prostitution or sex work should be subject to ‘ full decriminalisation ’ or the ‘ sex buyer law ’ , which she said were based on her experiences of working with trafficked women and girls .
The leadership hopeful understands “ why a lot of women feel that it would be better to regulate the industry and provide rights for people who work in that industry ” , she told LabourList .
“ But I spent nearly ten years working with women for whom this wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the people who did that to them locked up and prosecuted .
And that tends to be my starting point for the discussion.
” Nandy criticised the idea of a new federal structure for the UK , which has been advocated by frontrunner Keir Starmer during the leadership election as a way of delivering a “ radical devolution of power ” .
She argued that while “ regions and nations in the UK need more flexibility over their own policies ” , such as immigration , “ if we ’ re looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve overwhelmingly missed the point ” .
The Wigan MP continued : “ Because for people in Aberdeenshire , Holyrood feels as remote as Westminster .
And for people in Leigh in Greater Manchester , Manchester and the mayoral model often feels as remote and unaccountable as Westminster.
” She concluded instead that “ our councils need far more control over what investment decisions are made , where that money goes , and how to work with businesses and others to make that happen ” .
Favourite Britney song ?
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s no getting around it .
It ’ s the most perfect piece of pop music ever written .
Have you ever taken illicit drugs ?
Yes .
Which ones ?
Quite a few .
Not for a long time , I hasten to add .
But , you know , you ’ ve got to be honest about this .
I think most people in this country have .
How do you relax when you get away from politics ?
At the moment , not .
But I go running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sorts me out .
I do like going for a pint , that ’ s one of my favourite things to do .
Who would you like to see in the US Democratic primary ?
Elizabeth Warren .
I know you ’ re not supposed to pick a side , but my god she ’ s inspirational .
And it ’ s about time , isn ’ t it ?
Would you serve in Keir Starmer ’ s or Rebecca Long-Bailey ’ s shadow cabinet ?
Yes , if they ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keir seemed to suggest that he might not .
Becky said it made her really sad !
But yes , if they wanted me to .
Do you have anyone in mind for Shadow Chancellor ?
God , no .
You get yourself into all sorts of trouble like this .
Not naming names , there have been leadership candidates in the past who ’ ve gone around promising that job to absolutely everybody .
And then you ’ ve got 14 would-be Shadow Chancellors walking around parliament going , ‘ sorry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job ?
’ .
Apart from the leader , what role would you be best-suited to in the shadow cabinet ?
I definitely think there could be a role for me around 1990s pop music .
But apart from that , obviously I ’ d serve in any way that I can .

Lisa Nandy has revealed, in an exclusive interview with LabourList, that she has been “surprised” at the “level of misogyny” faced by herself and rival candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey during the Labour leadership contest.
“We’ve been asked a lot more about things like trans rights versus safe spaces for women, and decriminalisation of prostitution, than Keir,” the MP for Wigan said, referring to frontrunner Keir Starmer. “And it’s been quite noticeable.”
Nandy told LabourList: “When I first put my put my name forward to stand, particularly in the PLP [Parliamentary Labour Party], I had a lot of men saying to me, ‘you haven’t got the level of parliamentary experience that you might need, and when you’ve been in parliament for longer and you’ve served on the frontbench, perhaps then would be the time to think about putting your name forward’.
“They then went on to nominate a man who had less than half the amount of parliamentary experience, and less frontbench experience as well. I think that has to be called out for what it is. Because it’s misogyny.”
In a wide-ranging interview with LabourList, Nandy also:
Criticised the conversation about trans rights within the party, which she said should be “much more respectful”
Talked about legislation relating to single-sex services and to the sex industry, but warned against “making policy during leadership contests”
Argued that those looking at a federal model for the UK – which has been advocated by Starmer during the race – have “overwhelmingly missed the point”
Confirmed she would serve in the shadow cabinets of her leadership contest rivals
Admitted to taking “quite a few” illicit drugs in the past
The internal leadership election – set to conclude when Jeremy Corbyn’s successor is announced on April 4th – has seen questions raised over where the contenders stand on trans rights and single-sex spaces.
Nandy and Long-Bailey have signed up to 12 pledges put forward by the Labour Campaign for Trans Rights, which described particular organisations as “hate groups”, while Starmer has opted not to do so – instead supporting the LGBT+ Labour pledges.
Asked about the conversation currently being held around these issues, Nandy talked about the need to “have a much, much more nuanced, much more considered, much more respectful debate within the party”.
She added: “What we’ve managed to do with this debate is what we’ve managed to do with nearly every important or contentious issue in recent years – whether it’s Brexit, or Israel/Palestine, or trans rights.
“We’ve started the conversation with a view that you have to pick a side. One side wins. And we’re going to argue it out until that has happened.”
While the subject is “worth discussing” and “worth standing up for”, Nandy stressed, “the dominance of this issue has become a real problem for the Labour Party as a whole, because out in the country it seems to a lot of people that we’re having a conversation between ourselves”.
“It’s important for Labour that we’re loud and clear about our support for trans men and women. But to most people, this looks like a Labour Party that is not prepared to go out and grapple with the big issues that we face,” the leadership hopeful concluded.
Noting that she had been asked about safe spaces for women and trans rights “about 70 or 80 times”, and Israel and Palestine “about 50 times”, Nandy said: “I’ve been asked once how we win back Bassetlaw. That is a problem for the Labour Party.”
Asked whether she would go further than current party policy by amending the Equality Act as well as the Gender Recognition Act, the Wigan MP replied: “The honest answer to that is that I don’t know. I would have to look a lot more closely at the Equality Act.”
She added: “I think making policy during leadership contests has been one of the problems that we’ve had over the last decade. I’ve watched a lot of leadership contests at close quarters. I think the right thing to do with a debate of this complexity is to go out, consult, listen.
“I don’t want the women who are still very fearful about their safety because of domestic violence, or the women who are going through the transition process at the moment, I don’t want either of them to hear anything in this contest from me that gives them any sense other than that their safety and their welfare matters.”
Nandy also shared her views on the question of whether prostitution or sex work should be subject to ‘full decriminalisation’ or the ‘sex buyer law’, which she said were based on her experiences of working with trafficked women and girls.
The leadership hopeful understands “why a lot of women feel that it would be better to regulate the industry and provide rights for people who work in that industry”, she told LabourList.
“But I spent nearly ten years working with women for whom this wasn’t a choice. And I want to see the people who did that to them locked up and prosecuted. And that tends to be my starting point for the discussion.”
Nandy criticised the idea of a new federal structure for the UK, which has been advocated by frontrunner Keir Starmer during the leadership election as a way of delivering a “radical devolution of power”.
She argued that while “regions and nations in the UK need more flexibility over their own policies”, such as immigration, “if we’re looking at a federal model, I think we’ve overwhelmingly missed the point”.
The Wigan MP continued: “Because for people in Aberdeenshire, Holyrood feels as remote as Westminster. And for people in Leigh in Greater Manchester, Manchester and the mayoral model often feels as remote and unaccountable as Westminster.”
She concluded instead that “our councils need far more control over what investment decisions are made, where that money goes, and how to work with businesses and others to make that happen”.
Quick-fire round of questions…
Favourite Britney song? It’s gotta be Toxic. There’s no getting around it. It’s the most perfect piece of pop music ever written.
Have you ever taken illicit drugs? Yes. Which ones? Quite a few. Not for a long time, I hasten to add. But, you know, you’ve got to be honest about this. I think most people in this country have.
How do you relax when you get away from politics? At the moment, not. But I go running – slowly! That clears my head and sorts me out. I do like going for a pint, that’s one of my favourite things to do.
Who would you like to see in the US Democratic primary? Elizabeth Warren. I know you’re not supposed to pick a side, but my god she’s inspirational. And it’s about time, isn’t it?
Would you serve in Keir Starmer’s or Rebecca Long-Bailey’s shadow cabinet? Yes, if they’d have me, although the other day Keir seemed to suggest that he might not. Becky said it made her really sad! But yes, if they wanted me to.
Do you have anyone in mind for Shadow Chancellor? God, no. You get yourself into all sorts of trouble like this. Not naming names, there have been leadership candidates in the past who’ve gone around promising that job to absolutely everybody. And then you’ve got 14 would-be Shadow Chancellors walking around parliament going, ‘sorry, no, I thought that was my job?’.
Apart from the leader, what role would you be best-suited to in the shadow cabinet? I definitely think there could be a role for me around 1990s pop music. But apart from that, obviously I’d serve in any way that I can.


labourlist--2020-02-20--Corbynsceptics score victories in London Assembly candidate selections

The Corbynsceptic wing of the Labour Party has scored key victories in the London Assembly candidate selection contests that have concluded this week .
Although the party will not officially announce the selection results until Friday , a number of outcomes and vote breakdowns have been leaked early to LabourList and other media outlets .
Candidates endorsed by Corbynsceptic group Labour First have done particularly well in constituencies , almost sweeping the board in the selections for specific seats .
Out of the constituencies , only Patsy Cummings was selected from the Momentum slate in the selection race .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Cummings and rival Rowenna Davis .
Although Momentum-backed hopefuls did better in the London-wide list , this shortlist was criticised by Corbynsceptics who said only ‘ moderates ’ also in the running for constituencies had been included .
Two Labour left candidates , Elly Baker and Sakina Sheikh , topped the poll for the list , while Corbynsceptic-endorsed candidates came third and fourth but were withdrawn on the basis that they were also selected for seats .
This allowed two additional Corbynite contenders , Liam Young and Preston Tabois , to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of selected candidates .
LabourList understands that many of the results were on a knife-edge .
In Brent and Harrow , there were just five votes between the two candidates , who gained 624 and 619 respectively .
In Barnet and Camden , Momentum ’ s Faduma Hassan gained the most first preferences , but Anne Clarke won overall after other candidates were knocked out and second preferences were taken into account .
Those opposed to the current Labour leadership are particularly pleased with the London selection results after also winning the West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Byrne picked as Labour ’ s candidate .
It has also been pointed out that a very early freeze date was applied – September 26th , 2018 – which meant only members who joined before this date were eligible to vote in the London Assembly selections .
• Marina Ahmad – 8,480 – withdrawn from list due to being selected for a seat • Sem Moema – 8,170 – withdrawn from list due to being selected for a seat A single transferable vote system was used for the selections , in which voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receives 50 % of first preferences , preferences are redistributed .
The London Assembly elections will take place on May 7th , alongside the election of the London mayor .
Sadiq Khan is standing for re-election for Labour .
The Tory candidate is Shaun Bailey , while Siobhan Benita is standing for the Lib Dems and former Conservative MP Rory Stewart is running as an independent .
Khan recently made a key election pledge to introduce a green new deal for London and make the city carbon neutral by 2030 , if re-elected @ @ @

The Corbynsceptic wing of the Labour Party has scored key victories in the London Assembly candidate selection contests that have concluded this week.
Although the party will not officially announce the selection results until Friday, a number of outcomes and vote breakdowns have been leaked early to LabourList and other media outlets.
Candidates endorsed by Corbynsceptic group Labour First have done particularly well in constituencies, almost sweeping the board in the selections for specific seats.
Out of the constituencies, only Patsy Cummings was selected from the Momentum slate in the selection race. It was closely-fought, with just 25 votes between Cummings and rival Rowenna Davis.
Although Momentum-backed hopefuls did better in the London-wide list, this shortlist was criticised by Corbynsceptics who said only ‘moderates’ also in the running for constituencies had been included.
But it has been pointed out that the London-wide list comprised every one of the candidates who was eligible to be included, having won the nominations of five local parties or affiliated organisations.
Instead, Corbynites have suggested that it was a tactical error for the centre-left to have stood candidates running for both the wider list and specific seats.
Two Labour left candidates, Elly Baker and Sakina Sheikh, topped the poll for the list, while Corbynsceptic-endorsed candidates came third and fourth but were withdrawn on the basis that they were also selected for seats.
This allowed two additional Corbynite contenders, Liam Young and Preston Tabois, to be included on Labour’s London-wide list of selected candidates.
LabourList understands that many of the results were on a knife-edge. In Brent and Harrow, there were just five votes between the two candidates, who gained 624 and 619 respectively.
In Barnet and Camden, Momentum’s Faduma Hassan gained the most first preferences, but Anne Clarke won overall after other candidates were knocked out and second preferences were taken into account.
However, in Havering and Redbridge, Judith Garfield won decisively with 696 votes in the last round against another local councillor, Momentum-backed Bob Littlewood, who received 371.
Those opposed to the current Labour leadership are particularly pleased with the London selection results after also winning the West Midlands metro-mayoral selection contest that saw Liam Byrne picked as Labour’s candidate.
It has also been pointed out that a very early freeze date was applied – September 26th, 2018 – which meant only members who joined before this date were eligible to vote in the London Assembly selections.
Labour’s selected London Assembly candidates
Barnet and Camden
Sagal Abdi-Wali
Anne Clarke – selected
Faduma Hassan
Miriam Mirwitch
Bexley and Bromley
Stefano Borella – selected
Sunny Lambe
Brent and Harrow
Aghileh Djafari Marbini
Krupesh Hirani – selected
Croydon and Sutton
Patsy Cummings – selected
Rowenna Davis
Havering and Redbridge
Andrew Achilleos
Judith Garfield – selected
Angelina Leatherbarrow
Bob Littlewood
Vanisha Solanki
Lambeth and Southwark
Marina Ahmad – selected
Taranjit Chana
Shahina Jaffer
Maurice McLeod
North East (Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest)
Sara Hyde
Emine Ibrahim
Sem Moema – selected
South West (Hounslow, Kingston and Richmond)
Candice Atterton – selected
Sandra Keen
West Central (Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster)
Rita Begum – selected
Sophie Charman-Blower
London-wide list (four to select)
Elly Baker – 8,936 – first
Sakina Sheikh – 8,550 – second
Marina Ahmad – 8,480 – withdrawn from list due to being selected for a seat
Sem Moema – 8,170 – withdrawn from list due to being selected for a seat
Liam Young – 8,081 – third
Preston Tabois – 7,042 – fourth
Murad Qureshi – 6,679
A single transferable vote system was used for the selections, in which voters rank candidates and preferences are redistributed if no contender receives 50% of first preferences.
The London Assembly elections will take place on May 7th, alongside the election of the London mayor. Sadiq Khan is standing for re-election for Labour.
The Tory candidate is Shaun Bailey, while Siobhan Benita is standing for the Lib Dems and former Conservative MP Rory Stewart is running as an independent.
Khan recently made a key election pledge to introduce a green new deal for London and make the city carbon neutral by 2030, if re-elected in May.


labourlist--2020-02-20--WATCH: Jeremy Corbyn asked ‘would you serve in shadow cabinet?’

Jeremy Corbyn did not rule out serving in a future shadow cabinet when asked and said that he is “ @ @ @ @ @ in any capacity ” .
While visiting residents affected by Storm Dennis in Pontypridd in @ @ @ @ @ Labour leader fielded questions about his future role .
Asked if he would serve in @ @ @ @ @ said : “ I am happy to serve the party in any capacity because my @ @ @ @ @ making my contribution in parliament , holding the government to account and of course speaking @ @ @ @ @ The MP for Islington North said he has been “ proud to lead the party @ @ @ @ @ ” and of the growth in the membership over the period .
Pressed on whether @ @ @ @ @ role if offered , Corbyn stated that he would “ see what it is ” @ @ @ @ @ I didn ’ t know I was going to be offered anything .
You ’ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t know .
”

Jeremy Corbyn did not rule out serving in a future shadow cabinet when asked and said that he is “happy to serve the party in any capacity”.
While visiting residents affected by Storm Dennis in Pontypridd in Wales today, the outgoing Labour leader fielded questions about his future role.
Asked if he would serve in the shadow cabinet, he said: “I am happy to serve the party in any capacity because my whole life has been about making my contribution in parliament, holding the government to account and of course speaking out on policy areas.”
The MP for Islington North said he has been “proud to lead the party for the past five years” and of the growth in the membership over the period.
Pressed on whether he would take a cabinet role if offered, Corbyn stated that he would “see what it is”.
He added: “I didn’t know I was going to be offered anything. You’re telling me something I didn’t know.”


labourlist--2020-02-21--Trish Williams: Why I’m standing to be a member of Labour’s NEC

On reading the qualifications and experience of other candidates for national executive committee constituency Labour party positions , I note that my background is different from most .
Although a lifelong Labour supporter and a member since the 1970s – even a National and Local Government Officers ’ Association trade union steward in the ’ 80s and ’ 90s – I have never been one to go on marches , demonstrations or be a visible campaigner like so many others .
I do not apologise for that – like many people , I was busy with career and family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialist principles , however , developed from a young age .
As one of five children in a working-class family , I benefited from the NHS and the welfare state , from the availability of council housing , decent , well paid , unionised jobs for my parents , good local schools , and free further education .
Of course , things have changed , and I don ’ t expect I need to remind anyone reading this about the impact of austerity on ‘ ordinary ’ people .
Wherever your politics lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I do not believe any of us agree with working people – or indeed anyone – needing food banks to feed themselves and their families , or the levels of homelessness caused by welfare ‘ reform ’ and the lack of affordable housing , the crisis in the NHS and social care sector , or the increase in serious crime and reoffending .
I could go on but we know that these are all political choices , made by people with no concept of the effects of their actions on the working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Berwick-upon-Tweed at the last election because I believed we were the only party that could successfully address the most pressing issues , at home and abroad .
The events of December 12th indicated that the voting public did not share my beliefs , which truly hurt .
But we have no time to feel sorry for ourselves – we have up to five years to renew and reinvigorate our movement and this time we must not fail .
That is the only choice we have .
Beginning with the way the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changing how the NEC and the party is structured and operates .
As a volunteer local party officer for more than two years , I have worked to mitigate the effects on my members of fragmented IT systems , lack of guidance , poorly thought-through procedural instructions and timetables from the NEC , and a complaints process that is not fit for purpose .
I have personally engaged with many colleagues and senior officials to try to address the basic issue of communicating with members and ensuring that they can participate in internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledge and appear willing to tackle the problems – but there is a clear lack of capacity , and a systematic , organised approach to implementing the changes required to fix these issues .
The fact that I received 32 CLP nominations as an ‘ independent ’ candidate demonstrates support for my capabilities , what I stand for , and my understanding of what can be done to improve party processes .
I have gained the trust of many colleagues in CLPs all over the UK who have seen my organisational skills in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and persistence I apply to every task I undertake .
My colleagues also know and support me for not standing as an NEC CLP rep for any reason other than to make a positive change .
My aims are to ensure Labour members who have a justifiable complaint get a quick and effective resolution that they are satisfied with ; to offer support to CLP officers who struggle with NEC directives ; to eradicate the culture of bullying found in many local parties and which deters members from becoming active ; to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of date democratic processes and rules which prevent inclusive practices like remote access to meetings and online or postal votes for internal elections ; and to ensure that every member understands the role of the NEC and has a direct and active link to their governing body via their CLP representatives .
It is time for the party to welcome a fresh approach – one that trusts in the grassroots and is not afraid to harness the vast experience of its members , all as desperate as I am for a Labour government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of renewal by electing me , a different type of NEC rep , bringing professional organisation and management skills to the table – but never forgetting my working class roots , or my socialist ideals of support for one another , cooperation , solidarity and unity of purpose , for the betterment of everyone .
Thank you !

On reading the qualifications and experience of other candidates for national executive committee constituency Labour party positions, I note that my background is different from most. Although a lifelong Labour supporter and a member since the 1970s – even a National and Local Government Officers’ Association trade union steward in the ’80s and ’90s – I have never been one to go on marches, demonstrations or be a visible campaigner like so many others. I do not apologise for that – like many people, I was busy with career and family and just getting on with life.
My socialist principles, however, developed from a young age. As one of five children in a working-class family, I benefited from the NHS and the welfare state, from the availability of council housing, decent, well paid, unionised jobs for my parents, good local schools, and free further education.
Of course, things have changed, and I don’t expect I need to remind anyone reading this about the impact of austerity on ‘ordinary’ people. Wherever your politics lie on the spectrum as a Labour supporter, I do not believe any of us agree with working people – or indeed anyone – needing food banks to feed themselves and their families, or the levels of homelessness caused by welfare ‘reform’ and the lack of affordable housing, the crisis in the NHS and social care sector, or the increase in serious crime and reoffending. I could go on but we know that these are all political choices, made by people with no concept of the effects of their actions on the working class.
I stood as Labour candidate for Berwick-upon-Tweed at the last election because I believed we were the only party that could successfully address the most pressing issues, at home and abroad. The events of December 12th indicated that the voting public did not share my beliefs, which truly hurt. But we have no time to feel sorry for ourselves – we have up to five years to renew and reinvigorate our movement and this time we must not fail. That is the only choice we have. Beginning with the way the party is organised and governs itself, by changing how the NEC and the party is structured and operates.
As a volunteer local party officer for more than two years, I have worked to mitigate the effects on my members of fragmented IT systems, lack of guidance, poorly thought-through procedural instructions and timetables from the NEC, and a complaints process that is not fit for purpose. I have personally engaged with many colleagues and senior officials to try to address the basic issue of communicating with members and ensuring that they can participate in internal party democracy and other activities. Officials acknowledge and appear willing to tackle the problems – but there is a clear lack of capacity, and a systematic, organised approach to implementing the changes required to fix these issues.
The fact that I received 32 CLP nominations as an ‘independent’ candidate demonstrates support for my capabilities, what I stand for, and my understanding of what can be done to improve party processes. I have gained the trust of many colleagues in CLPs all over the UK who have seen my organisational skills in action, and who appreciate the diligence and persistence I apply to every task I undertake. My colleagues also know and support me for not standing as an NEC CLP rep for any reason other than to make a positive change.
My aims are to ensure Labour members who have a justifiable complaint get a quick and effective resolution that they are satisfied with; to offer support to CLP officers who struggle with NEC directives; to eradicate the culture of bullying found in many local parties and which deters members from becoming active; to help members that have been disenfranchised by out of date democratic processes and rules which prevent inclusive practices like remote access to meetings and online or postal votes for internal elections; and to ensure that every member understands the role of the NEC and has a direct and active link to their governing body via their CLP representatives.
It is time for the party to welcome a fresh approach – one that trusts in the grassroots and is not afraid to harness the vast experience of its members, all as desperate as I am for a Labour government. Play your part in this period of renewal by electing me, a different type of NEC rep, bringing professional organisation and management skills to the table – but never forgetting my working class roots, or my socialist ideals of support for one another, cooperation, solidarity and unity of purpose, for the betterment of everyone. Thank you!


labourlist--2020-02-21--Reasons for Labour’s Corbynsceptics to be cheerful

We are coming to the end of a fairly quiet week , during which parliament was in recess and Labour ’ s leadership elections were in limbo between the close of nominations and ballots dropping .
Although votes were originally supposed to go out today , members and supporters are now set to receive ballots from Monday .
That is when we will be able to express preferences for candidates in the leadership and deputy leadership contests as well as the national executive committee by-elections .
The voting for those national elections may not have taken place yet , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London over the last week .
And the fresh results of Labour ’ s London Assembly candidate selections – due to be officially revealed today but leaked early last night – have delighted Corbynsceptics .
A few months ago , they were not expecting to do well at all : it was a Corbynite membership ; they felt the shortlist had been ‘ stitched up ’ ; and the freeze date applied was SeptemWber 2018 ( yes , 2018 , thanks to multiple delays mostly caused by the European elections and snap general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Labour First , rather than Momentum , have almost swept the board in selections for constituencies .
The results for the London-wide list were better for the Labour left .
But this is a highly encouraging outcome for Corbynsceptics – particularly following the selection of Liam Byrne over Pete Lowe and Salma Yaqoob in the West Midlands .
They believe the shock of the general election defeat has changed not only the make-up of the party membership , with the help of Jess Phillips ’ and Keir Starmer ’ s campaigns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least the enthusiasm ) of pre-existing members .
LGBT+ Labour held a hustings for leader and deputy leader candidates last night .
As you might expect , disagreements over the trans rights pledges arose including in the form of heckling , and candidates directly addressed the comments made by Tony Blair earlier in the day .
The former Prime Minister had warned leadership hopefuls against “ launching yourself politically into a kind of culture war ” , and said he would not have signed up to the 12 pledges .
Angela Rayner said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blair ’ s remarks .
Separately , Dawn Butler said she was “ sick and fucking tired ” about how the debate was being conducted , noting that she couldn ’ t go on her Twitter timeline as she was receiving huge criticism following her appearance on Good Morning Britain .
On a less serious note , Richard Burgon chose Madonna over Cher because “ I don ’ t like the auto-tuning from Cher ” .
On LabourList today , we have an exclusive interview with Lisa Nandy for you to read .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contest , particularly from Labour MPs , and argues that those recommending a federal model for the UK – as Starmer has done – have “ overwhelmingly missed the point ” .
We also talked contentious issues within feminism , specifically legislation relating to single-sex spaces and the sex industry , but also about her favourite Britney song , taking “ quite a few ” illicit drugs , the US Democratic primary and more .
Read it here , then keep checking LabourList for coverage of all things Labour throughout the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Danny Boyle goes live ( 6pm ) ; Rebecca Long-Bailey rally in Peterborough ( 6.30pm )

We are coming to the end of a fairly quiet week, during which parliament was in recess and Labour’s leadership elections were in limbo between the close of nominations and ballots dropping. Although votes were originally supposed to go out today, members and supporters are now set to receive ballots from Monday. That is when we will be able to express preferences for candidates in the leadership and deputy leadership contests as well as the national executive committee by-elections.
The voting for those national elections may not have taken place yet, but other internal votes have been held in London over the last week. And the fresh results of Labour’s London Assembly candidate selections – due to be officially revealed today but leaked early last night – have delighted Corbynsceptics. A few months ago, they were not expecting to do well at all: it was a Corbynite membership; they felt the shortlist had been ‘stitched up’; and the freeze date applied was SeptemWber 2018 (yes, 2018, thanks to multiple delays mostly caused by the European elections and snap general).
Yet those selection candidates endorsed by Labour First, rather than Momentum, have almost swept the board in selections for constituencies. The results for the London-wide list were better for the Labour left. But this is a highly encouraging outcome for Corbynsceptics – particularly following the selection of Liam Byrne over Pete Lowe and Salma Yaqoob in the West Midlands. They believe the shock of the general election defeat has changed not only the make-up of the party membership, with the help of Jess Phillips’ and Keir Starmer’s campaigns, but even the minds (or at least the enthusiasm) of pre-existing members.
LGBT+ Labour held a hustings for leader and deputy leader candidates last night. As you might expect, disagreements over the trans rights pledges arose including in the form of heckling, and candidates directly addressed the comments made by Tony Blair earlier in the day. The former Prime Minister had warned leadership hopefuls against “launching yourself politically into a kind of culture war”, and said he would not have signed up to the 12 pledges.
Angela Rayner said she was “pretty upset” by Blair’s remarks. Separately, Dawn Butler said she was “sick and fucking tired” about how the debate was being conducted, noting that she couldn’t go on her Twitter timeline as she was receiving huge criticism following her appearance on Good Morning Britain. On a less serious note, Richard Burgon chose Madonna over Cher because “I don’t like the auto-tuning from Cher”.
On LabourList today, we have an exclusive interview with Lisa Nandy for you to read. The leadership candidate talks about misogyny during the contest, particularly from Labour MPs, and argues that those recommending a federal model for the UK – as Starmer has done – have “overwhelmingly missed the point”. We also talked contentious issues within feminism, specifically legislation relating to single-sex spaces and the sex industry, but also about her favourite Britney song, taking “quite a few” illicit drugs, the US Democratic primary and more. Read it here, then keep checking LabourList for coverage of all things Labour throughout the weekend.