labourlist--2020-06-07--Sunday shows: Nandy and McMahon on racism, Trump, EHRC and unlocking

Lisa Nandy , Shadow Foreign Secretary , made clear that Labour wants to support the unlocking ( “ but it has to be safe ” ) and said she was no longer calling for an extension to the Brexit transition period .
• On the safety of Black Lives Matter protests : “ It must be safe .
People should socially distance .
Please take precautions .
But I ’ m very proud of the people coming out and speaking up .
I ’ m someone who has lived in racism through my life… and it requires you to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On racism in the UK : “ Look at what ’ s happened in the last 30 years and tell me that enough has changed… Those words “ I can ’ t breathe ” really matter to people .
And it ’ s why the silence from the Prime Minister , the refusal of our Foreign Secretary to comment on those matters , have really upset people.
” • Asked about protesters who were violent towards the police according to Marr : “ I would say to them , it ’ s wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that… It also has the effect of dampening the voices of those who are calling for change.
” • On Trump : “ This is a deliberate election strategy .
I have no idea whether Donald Trump is a racist or not a racist .
What I do know is that in the run-up to the American elections , this is one of the ways that politicians try to activate their base .
They divide people to try to advance their own cause.
” • On whether Labour supports the unlocking : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions but it has to be safe .
We want the government to take a cautious approach… The test , track and trace system needs to improve.
” • Pressed on whether it is safe to unlock at this rate : “ We haven ’ t seen all of the science because the government won ’ t release it .
But we do want to see lockdown easing : there ’ s a huge impact on people of being in lockdown.
” • On whether Labour backs relaxing Sunday trading laws , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I think this is the wrong thing to do .
I ’ m not at all convinced that this will actually help to get the economy back on track.
” • On extending the Brexit transition period : “ When I said there had to be an extension , the talks were stalled and it didn ’ t look like there was any prospect of there being a deal .
Since then , the talks have got back up and running… What I ’ d really like the government to do is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Edmunds , a member of the scientific advisory group SAGE , told Marr : “ I wish we had gone into lockdown earlier .
It cost a lot of lives.
” Matt Hancock represented the government on Marr .
Asked whether he agreed with Edmunds ’ view , he said : “ No , I think we took the right decisions at the right time.
” • On starting lockdown : “ I ’ m sure that taking into account everything we knew at that moment , my view is that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time.
” • On the current R rate : “ It is We don ’ t want R to go above 1.
” • Asked whether ‘ if there is an increase in infections , the government will impose a national lockdown ’ : “ We ’ ve always said that.
” • Asked how many people have been contacted through NHS Test and Trace : “ Sadly , I ’ m not going to tell you that.
” He said he wanted the statistics authorities to be happy with the data first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed the Black Lives Matter protests in London and the implications for the transmission of Covid-19 .
• Asked if the UK is racist : “ I think there are definitely pockets of very deep-rooted racism in this country – I wouldn ’ t say it ’ s the majority but where it exists it ’ s very deep… It ’ s unavoidable to say that racism exists.
” • On the impact of protests on the spread of Covid-19 : “ I think first of all we need to dispel some idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bubble and all of a sudden these group of people who are demonstrating have come out of that.
” • He added : “ I ’ ve got to tell you from my own casework here in Oldham , there are thousands of people – there ’ ll be hundreds of thousands of people around the country – who have been going to work.
” • Asked if he thought people were right to protest : “ We are really fearful that we ’ re going to get a second spike in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are people who are forced to break social distancing every day going to work.
” • On the introduction of the 14-day quarantine for people coming to the UK : “ Our real concern is that the government just haven ’ t got a plan – they seem to go from one extreme to the other.
” • Asked whether MPs should wear face coverings : “ I ’ m going to do what I believe is the right thing , which is to wear a face mask on public transport.
” • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EHRC and its investigation of Labour antisemitism : “ Of course it ’ s related to government , but my view is that it will act with integrity – it will look at the evidence base and it will provide practical solutions.
” • He added : “ It ’ s only when you face up to these issues , you can address them .
Burying your head in the sand , ignoring them , pretending that they ’ re not there – even though we wish they weren ’ t there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t deal with it.
” Margaret Hodge , Labour MP for Barking , discussed the scrapping of remote participation for MPs .
She said that the changes had been introduced as a political move to get “ the crowds behind Boris ” and claimed that she has been “ disenfranchised and discriminated against ” .
• On voting : “ We ’ ve won a bit of a victory in that the government decided at the end of last week that those of us who can ’ t go in… we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ I can ’ t take part in debates around legislation .
So tomorrow there is a debate on virtual access , and I would like to virtually take part in that debate .
I ’ ve been told I can ’ t do that.
” • She added : “ I am being disenfranchised and discriminated against on a debate that is discussing my disenfranchisement and discrimination .
It ’ s just a nonsense.
” • On the virtual parliament : “ Just because it ’ s a bit clunky – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excluding so many MPs like myself who want to take part ?
” • On holding the government to account : “ I ’ ve been prevented from doing so by rules that have been brought in not to make parliament more accountable and better but actually for political – not public good – reasons.
” • On the political nature of the changes : “ I think this is about getting the crowds behind Boris at PMQs rather than good governance.
” • On the legislation : “ Isn ’ t it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the House then takes it upon itself to ignore , or find a loophole , so that it acts against the legislation ?
” Matt Hancock said that the Black Lives Matter protests are “ undoubtedly a risk ” for increasing the rate of transmission of Covid-19 and that “ gathering in large groups is temporarily against the rules ” .
The Health Secretary insisted that the UK is not racist .
Asked how many black people there are in the cabinet , he replied that there are a “ whole series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and named Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel .
On the possibility travel abroad this summer , Hancock said : “ I really hope that people are going to be able to fly to go on summer holiday.
” But he added that “ we ’ ve got to take an approach that starts with caution ” .

The Andrew Marr Show
Lisa Nandy, Shadow Foreign Secretary, made clear that Labour wants to support the unlocking (“but it has to be safe”) and said she was no longer calling for an extension to the Brexit transition period.
On the safety of Black Lives Matter protests: “It must be safe. People should socially distance. Please take precautions. But I’m very proud of the people coming out and speaking up. I’m someone who has lived in racism through my life… and it requires you to take an active stance against it.”
On racism in the UK: “Look at what’s happened in the last 30 years and tell me that enough has changed… Those words “I can’t breathe” really matter to people. And it’s why the silence from the Prime Minister, the refusal of our Foreign Secretary to comment on those matters, have really upset people.”
Asked about protesters who were violent towards the police according to Marr: “I would say to them, it’s wrong, stop it, and more than that… It also has the effect of dampening the voices of those who are calling for change.”
On Trump: “This is a deliberate election strategy. I have no idea whether Donald Trump is a racist or not a racist. What I do know is that in the run-up to the American elections, this is one of the ways that politicians try to activate their base. They divide people to try to advance their own cause.”
On whether Labour supports the unlocking: “We support the easing of the lockdown restrictions but it has to be safe. We want the government to take a cautious approach… The test, track and trace system needs to improve.”
Pressed on whether it is safe to unlock at this rate: “We haven’t seen all of the science because the government won’t release it. But we do want to see lockdown easing: there’s a huge impact on people of being in lockdown.”
On whether Labour backs relaxing Sunday trading laws, as planned by the government: “No. I think this is the wrong thing to do. I’m not at all convinced that this will actually help to get the economy back on track.”
On extending the Brexit transition period: “When I said there had to be an extension, the talks were stalled and it didn’t look like there was any prospect of there being a deal. Since then, the talks have got back up and running… What I’d really like the government to do is get us a good deal.”
Professor John Edmunds, a member of the scientific advisory group SAGE, told Marr: “I wish we had gone into lockdown earlier. It cost a lot of lives.”
Matt Hancock represented the government on Marr. Asked whether he agreed with Edmunds’ view, he said: “No, I think we took the right decisions at the right time.”
On starting lockdown: “I’m sure that taking into account everything we knew at that moment, my view is that we made the right decisions at the right time.”
On the current R rate: “It is between 0.7 and 0.9… We don’t want R to go above 1.”
Asked whether ‘if there is an increase in infections, the government will impose a national lockdown’: “We’ve always said that.”
Asked how many people have been contacted through NHS Test and Trace: “Sadly, I’m not going to tell you that.” He said he wanted the statistics authorities to be happy with the data first.
“I’m sure… that we made the right decisions at the right time” Health Secretary Matt Hancock tells #Marr he disagrees with SAGE member Professor John Edmunds that not going into lockdown earlier had cost lives#Covid_19 https://t.co/Uug1h8EmWX pic.twitter.com/TSyOeajdsy — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) June 7, 2020
Ridge on Sunday
The Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon discussed the Black Lives Matter protests in London and the implications for the transmission of Covid-19.
Asked if the UK is racist: “I think there are definitely pockets of very deep-rooted racism in this country – I wouldn’t say it’s the majority but where it exists it’s very deep… It’s unavoidable to say that racism exists.”
On the impact of protests on the spread of Covid-19: “I think first of all we need to dispel some idea that the UK has been in a bubble and all of a sudden these group of people who are demonstrating have come out of that.”
He added: “I’ve got to tell you from my own casework here in Oldham, there are thousands of people – there’ll be hundreds of thousands of people around the country – who have been going to work.”
Asked if he thought people were right to protest: “We are really fearful that we’re going to get a second spike in the virus… My point was more that there are people who are forced to break social distancing every day going to work.”
On the introduction of the 14-day quarantine for people coming to the UK: “Our real concern is that the government just haven’t got a plan – they seem to go from one extreme to the other.”
Asked whether MPs should wear face coverings: “I’m going to do what I believe is the right thing, which is to wear a face mask on public transport.”
On Jeremy Corbyn’s comments about the EHRC and its investigation of Labour antisemitism: “Of course it’s related to government, but my view is that it will act with integrity – it will look at the evidence base and it will provide practical solutions.”
He added: “It’s only when you face up to these issues, you can address them. Burying your head in the sand, ignoring them, pretending that they’re not there – even though we wish they weren’t there – I’m afraid just doesn’t deal with it.”
"Peaceful assembly is also a very important part of our democratic process as well." Shadow transport secretary John McMahon compares protests to MPs returning to parliament. #Ridge Follow live analysis: https://t.co/acafWfVYun pic.twitter.com/hU5XWrid0a — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) June 7, 2020
Margaret Hodge, Labour MP for Barking, discussed the scrapping of remote participation for MPs. She said that the changes had been introduced as a political move to get “the crowds behind Boris” and claimed that she has been “disenfranchised and discriminated against”.
On voting: “We’ve won a bit of a victory in that the government decided at the end of last week that those of us who can’t go in… we can vote by proxy.”
On debates: “I can’t take part in debates around legislation. So tomorrow there is a debate on virtual access, and I would like to virtually take part in that debate. I’ve been told I can’t do that.”
She added: “I am being disenfranchised and discriminated against on a debate that is discussing my disenfranchisement and discrimination. It’s just a nonsense.”
On the virtual parliament: “Just because it’s a bit clunky – is that a good enough reason for excluding so many MPs like myself who want to take part?”
On holding the government to account: “I’ve been prevented from doing so by rules that have been brought in not to make parliament more accountable and better but actually for political – not public good – reasons.”
On the political nature of the changes: “I think this is about getting the crowds behind Boris at PMQs rather than good governance.”
On the legislation: “Isn’t it outrageous that a government that introduces legislation through the House then takes it upon itself to ignore, or find a loophole, so that it acts against the legislation?”
Matt Hancock said that the Black Lives Matter protests are “undoubtedly a risk” for increasing the rate of transmission of Covid-19 and that “gathering in large groups is temporarily against the rules”.
The Health Secretary insisted that the UK is not racist. Asked how many black people there are in the cabinet, he replied that there are a “whole series of people from a BAME background” and named Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel.
On the possibility travel abroad this summer, Hancock said: “I really hope that people are going to be able to fly to go on summer holiday.” But he added that “we’ve got to take an approach that starts with caution”.


labourlist--2020-06-07--Momentum Renewal: We need a united socialist movement to rebuild Labour’s fortunes

When I was elected chair of Leeds Momentum in 2018 , myself and others on the new committee inherited nothing but a moribund structure that had fallen into inactivity and had organised very little in a very long time .
In the years since , we turned this around .
The new committee I was elected alongside made Leeds Momentum a thriving hub of socialist activity .
We led regional campaigning during the 2019 general election , organised for picket lines , policy , and political education , and hugely increased our presence across the local party .
Out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with people across the wider movement .
In helping swell the picket lines for striking RMT and Unite members , building grassroots anti-fascist politics , and throwing our lot in with Leeds ’ burgeoning tenants ’ movement , we found many friends the Labour left didn ’ t previously know we had .
As a proud Leeds man , it stings me to say this , but a lot of our work was inspired by Momentum in Manchester .
Their situation was initially similar to ours : a very small group that hadn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new membership , but happened to be good at holding on to control of things .
This changed when a new committee was elected in 2016 .
Since then , Manchester Momentum grew by about seven times its previous strength .
Its political education seminars , canvassing sessions , gigs , Tribune reading groups , Northern Soul and Italo Disco nights have become nationally known .
Manchester Momentum have shown that an inviting , interesting left is possible .
And nearly none of it was reinventing the wheel : it was merely renewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustained our movement in working-class communities for over a century , but diminished as we suffered defeat after defeat .
Despite being used as a talking point , however , the poor treatment that Manchester Momentum received from Momentum ’ s London office was an open secret .
“ With honourable exceptions , ” one former leader of the group told me , “ staff in London were often unresponsive to our requests.
” This is an all too familiar story for us in Leeds .
In Manchester , activists have reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) for graphics and branding packs to arrive – but they never did .
Momentum merchandise for mass rallies repeatedly failed to materialise – to the point where they started making their own .
Events were organised in Manchester by the London office without local members knowing about them , and one member even claimed they were misled by a senior office figure over local funding .
Another Manchester Momentum member tells me how “ shocked ” they were that despite northern Momentum members going hard at organising a Liverpool edition of The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately arrived to assume control and lock local activists out of the activity .
Though the daytime events were excellent , social events were incredibly exclusive , and a private party at the TWT venue contained almost entirely London-based staff and volunteers from the Jeremy campaign , operating a door policy in which people ‘ they didn ’ t recognise ’ found it hard to get in .
This sort of nepotism is rife in Momentum .
It creates unhealthy , unnecessary divides , where local knowledge is not utilised .
It breeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unappreciated , and it creates bad blood .
It creates bad politics , too .
I can ’ t have been the only Momentum member annoyed at the group ’ s social media presence , where socialism seems to be whatever the government does , and the police , the motorways and everything else the state has touched is socialist .
Why did we have to accept that sort of ‘ politics ’ coming out from our national platform , when we knew how to build real , popular socialist politics in Leeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meme or Jason Manford status that Momentum releases , why couldn ’ t it have been hammering home praise for my fellow Renewal candidate Matt Brown ’ s work on Preston Council ?
Or mayor Paul Dennett ’ s pioneering work building council houses in Salford for the first time in four decades ?
Or the Socialist Clothing and Food Banks operating out of the former Durham coalfield ?
The truth is that Momentum has , just like any other political grouping , relied far too long on London-centric political circles .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I would immediately start fighting so that Momentum ’ s entire office would be brought to the North .
This isn ’ t an attack on Londoners .
No honest socialist could look at the poverty and inequality that exists in London ’ s vast working-class districts and say that “ the South ” is the problem .
But the problem is sociological .
By and large , it isn ’ t working-class Londoners who could afford to do unpaid work , in central London , for months at a time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently argued : “ If we ’ re honest , these are people who got into their positions only because they had the financial means that afforded them the opportunity to devote endless unpaid hours to a project based in central London.
” This can not be the way to build a socialist project .
It also won ’ t be the way to rebuild trust in Labour in post-industrial areas where people feel that our politics is very , very far away from their lives .
As the December election showed us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across broad swathes of the North .
In this moment , we socialists in the party have an opportunity and a duty to rebuild and renew the socialist culture that meant that people gave their life ’ s loyalty to our party .
If we are to rebuild Labour ’ s fortunes – let alone gain a socialist government – we need a united socialist movement that will renew and rebuild that cultural and political faith in Labour .
Change won ’ t come from condescending saviours or well-meaning liberals .
Change will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term work .
If we , as socialists , are serious about this work rebuilding our ‘ Red Wall ’ , then what better reason for Momentum – the largest socialist bloc in Labour – to set the example ?

When I was elected chair of Leeds Momentum in 2018, myself and others on the new committee inherited nothing but a moribund structure that had fallen into inactivity and had organised very little in a very long time. In the years since, we turned this around. The new committee I was elected alongside made Leeds Momentum a thriving hub of socialist activity.
We led regional campaigning during the 2019 general election, organised for picket lines, policy, and political education, and hugely increased our presence across the local party. Out of this work, meaningful links were forged with people across the wider movement. In helping swell the picket lines for striking RMT and Unite members, building grassroots anti-fascist politics, and throwing our lot in with Leeds’ burgeoning tenants’ movement, we found many friends the Labour left didn’t previously know we had.
As a proud Leeds man, it stings me to say this, but a lot of our work was inspired by Momentum in Manchester. Their situation was initially similar to ours: a very small group that hadn’t captured the enthusiasm of the new membership, but happened to be good at holding on to control of things. This changed when a new committee was elected in 2016. Since then, Manchester Momentum grew by about seven times its previous strength. Its political education seminars, canvassing sessions, gigs, Tribune reading groups, Northern Soul and Italo Disco nights have become nationally known.
Manchester Momentum have shown that an inviting, interesting left is possible. And nearly none of it was reinventing the wheel: it was merely renewing the northern socialist counterculture that built and sustained our movement in working-class communities for over a century, but diminished as we suffered defeat after defeat. Despite being used as a talking point, however, the poor treatment that Manchester Momentum received from Momentum’s London office was an open secret. “With honourable exceptions,” one former leader of the group told me, “staff in London were often unresponsive to our requests.” This is an all too familiar story for us in Leeds.
In Manchester, activists have reported that they waited for several years (!) for graphics and branding packs to arrive – but they never did. Momentum merchandise for mass rallies repeatedly failed to materialise – to the point where they started making their own. Events were organised in Manchester by the London office without local members knowing about them, and one member even claimed they were misled by a senior office figure over local funding. Another Manchester Momentum member tells me how “shocked” they were that despite northern Momentum members going hard at organising a Liverpool edition of The World Transformed, the London office staff immediately arrived to assume control and lock local activists out of the activity.
Though the daytime events were excellent, social events were incredibly exclusive, and a private party at the TWT venue contained almost entirely London-based staff and volunteers from the Jeremy campaign, operating a door policy in which people ‘they didn’t recognise’ found it hard to get in. This sort of nepotism is rife in Momentum. It creates unhealthy, unnecessary divides, where local knowledge is not utilised. It breeds cliqueyness, it makes hard-working people feel unappreciated, and it creates bad blood.
It creates bad politics, too. I can’t have been the only Momentum member annoyed at the group’s social media presence, where socialism seems to be whatever the government does, and the police, the motorways and everything else the state has touched is socialist. Why did we have to accept that sort of ‘politics’ coming out from our national platform, when we knew how to build real, popular socialist politics in Leeds and Manchester? And for every off-beat meme or Jason Manford status that Momentum releases, why couldn’t it have been hammering home praise for my fellow Renewal candidate Matt Brown’s work on Preston Council? Or mayor Paul Dennett’s pioneering work building council houses in Salford for the first time in four decades? Or the Socialist Clothing and Food Banks operating out of the former Durham coalfield?
The truth is that Momentum has, just like any other political grouping, relied far too long on London-centric political circles. And if elected to the national coordinating group, I would immediately start fighting so that Momentum’s entire office would be brought to the North. This isn’t an attack on Londoners. No honest socialist could look at the poverty and inequality that exists in London’s vast working-class districts and say that “the South” is the problem. But the problem is sociological. By and large, it isn’t working-class Londoners who could afford to do unpaid work, in central London, for months at a time. As my fellow Renewal candidate Max Shanly recently argued: “If we’re honest, these are people who got into their positions only because they had the financial means that afforded them the opportunity to devote endless unpaid hours to a project based in central London.”
This cannot be the way to build a socialist project. It also won’t be the way to rebuild trust in Labour in post-industrial areas where people feel that our politics is very, very far away from their lives. As the December election showed us, we are now in this situation across broad swathes of the North. In this moment, we socialists in the party have an opportunity and a duty to rebuild and renew the socialist culture that meant that people gave their life’s loyalty to our party. If we are to rebuild Labour’s fortunes – let alone gain a socialist government – we need a united socialist movement that will renew and rebuild that cultural and political faith in Labour. Change won’t come from condescending saviours or well-meaning liberals. Change will come from a movement of people doing long-term work. If we, as socialists, are serious about this work rebuilding our ‘Red Wall’, then what better reason for Momentum – the largest socialist bloc in Labour – to set the example?


labourlist--2020-06-08--This is a watershed moment in the fight against racism

The murder of George Floyd was truly shocking .
Watching footage of his arrest and death has left many feeling hurt , scared , and angry – feelings I share .
My thoughts are with all those protestors across America who , in the midst of their grief , are fighting for a better world .
For many , this now feels like a watershed moment in the fight against racism .
We have seen too many other watershed moments come and go with little tangible change , so it is now up to all of us to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this moment already feels different .
In the last few days , I have received hundreds upon hundreds of emails from my constituents who are outraged at the events unfolding in the US .
But this outrage is also accompanied by a fierce desire to address institutional racism here in the UK .
It is all too easy to assume Britain is immune to the insidious , structural racism that we see in America .
Too often , anti-blackness is seen as an ‘ American problem ’ .
But to dismiss it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is dangerous .
The British history of anti-blackness is different to that of America , but it is no less lethal or corrosive .
We have our own shameful list of men and women of colour who have died in police custody : Mark Duggan , Rashan Charles , and Sean Rigg , to name just a few .
We are no strangers to police violence against people of colour in Manchester .
In recent weeks , I have written to Greater Manchester Police following several alarming incidents .
In one case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was handcuffed simply for moving a tree for his mother .
GMP have since apologised , saying the matter “ wasn ’ t dealt with in the professional way we would expect ” .
As a former police officer myself , I know how difficult working on the frontline protecting our communities can be .
But incidents like this go to show how much work there is still to be done to weed out the pervasive , institutionalised racism in our own policing and criminal justice system .
However , the injustices suffered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far beyond policing .
We already know that Britons of colour are at a significantly increased risk of contracting and dying of Covid-19 compared to their white counterparts .
This was confirmed again by a report published by Public Health England last week .
However , this report does little more than tell us what we already knew .
We have always known there is a social gradient in health .
The poorest and most deprived have unequal access to health and significant inequality in health outcomes .
Covid-19 thrives on these entrenched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report is not good enough .
Black and Asian communities do not need to be told that we are suffering disproportionately – we already know that .
What we need is a clear plan , a set of concrete and practical steps that the government is taking right now to ensure our families and our communities are properly protected .
As the Black Lives Matter protests enter their second week , the silence of our government is deafening .
President Trump ’ s actions over the last few days have been those of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has attacked his own citizens and ridden rough shod over the fundamental democratic right to peaceful protest .
Our government must denounce this behaviour .
The UK has a moral obligation to speak in defence of human rights , no matter where in the world they are challenged .
As a British Asian man , I have confronted racism my whole life .
It ’ s hard not to feel hopeless in the face of all we are up against .
But seeing people across the world standing in solidarity with protestors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough gives me hope that real change is possible .
If not now , when ?

The murder of George Floyd was truly shocking. Watching footage of his arrest and death has left many feeling hurt, scared, and angry – feelings I share. My thoughts are with all those protestors across America who, in the midst of their grief, are fighting for a better world. For many, this now feels like a watershed moment in the fight against racism. We have seen too many other watershed moments come and go with little tangible change, so it is now up to all of us to make sure this time is different.
For me, this moment already feels different. In the last few days, I have received hundreds upon hundreds of emails from my constituents who are outraged at the events unfolding in the US. But this outrage is also accompanied by a fierce desire to address institutional racism here in the UK.
It is all too easy to assume Britain is immune to the insidious, structural racism that we see in America. Too often, anti-blackness is seen as an ‘American problem’. But to dismiss it as such is not only ignorant, it is dangerous. The British history of anti-blackness is different to that of America, but it is no less lethal or corrosive. We have our own shameful list of men and women of colour who have died in police custody: Mark Duggan, Rashan Charles, and Sean Rigg, to name just a few.
We are no strangers to police violence against people of colour in Manchester. In recent weeks, I have written to Greater Manchester Police following several alarming incidents. In one case in my constituency, a black man was handcuffed simply for moving a tree for his mother. GMP have since apologised, saying the matter “wasn’t dealt with in the professional way we would expect”.
As a former police officer myself, I know how difficult working on the frontline protecting our communities can be. But incidents like this go to show how much work there is still to be done to weed out the pervasive, institutionalised racism in our own policing and criminal justice system.
However, the injustices suffered by BAME communities in the UK extend far beyond policing. We already know that Britons of colour are at a significantly increased risk of contracting and dying of Covid-19 compared to their white counterparts. This was confirmed again by a report published by Public Health England last week. However, this report does little more than tell us what we already knew.
We have always known there is a social gradient in health. The poorest and most deprived have unequal access to health and significant inequality in health outcomes. Covid-19 thrives on these entrenched inequalities. Public Health England’s report is not good enough. Black and Asian communities do not need to be told that we are suffering disproportionately – we already know that. What we need is a clear plan, a set of concrete and practical steps that the government is taking right now to ensure our families and our communities are properly protected.
As the Black Lives Matter protests enter their second week, the silence of our government is deafening. President Trump’s actions over the last few days have been those of an agitator rather than a leader. He has attacked his own citizens and ridden rough shod over the fundamental democratic right to peaceful protest. Our government must denounce this behaviour. The UK has a moral obligation to speak in defence of human rights, no matter where in the world they are challenged.
As a British Asian man, I have confronted racism my whole life. It’s hard not to feel hopeless in the face of all we are up against. But seeing people across the world standing in solidarity with protestors in the US and saying enough is enough gives me hope that real change is possible. If not now, when?


labourlist--2020-06-08--Yes, there is still a place for contribution-based social security

For two elections in a row , the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn failed on social security : independent think tanks found that neither the 2017 nor 2019 manifestos would have reduced child poverty .
On benefits reform , people from across the Labour family therefore need to come together in a spirit of humility and openness to listen , learn , analyse and discuss .
Nobody has all the answers .
Instead , last week cheerleaders from the Corbyn era turned on the party ’ s new Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and denounced his ideas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thoughtful interview with The House magazine .
Reynolds ’ crime was to suggest that there is still a place for contribution-based social security and that sometimes people should get more out when they put more in .
Both these arguments deserve a serious hearing , not knee-jerk condemnation .
In a 2019 Fabian report on social security reform I showed that contribution-based benefits today account for less than 10 % of spending on social security for working-age adults and children , compared to 40 % in the late 1970s .
It is hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today as a result .
By contrast 80 % of older people ’ s social security is based on contribution even though we provide a far higher means-tested safety net to pensioners than to everyone else .
The truth is that a generous safety-net and good contribution-based entitlements often go hand in hand .
A single pensioner retiring today without a private income can avoid poverty because we have a strong contribution-based state pension ; but single pensioners without sufficient contributions still escape poverty through means-tested pension credit .
It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ households in large parts of Europe .
There are contribution-based schemes that replace people ’ s earnings but also decent means-tested safety-nets for people who aren ’ t eligible .
Countries with such robust social security were far better prepared than Britain to support people when the covid-19 emergency arrived .
The 2020 crisis has exposed why contribution-based social security matters .
Millions of people in the UK are set to lose their livelihoods and not all of them can get the help they need from means-tested universal credit .
Many have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modest second income .
It is right that the benefits system provides for them , to protect people from a huge drop in income , even though they may not face destitution .
But as things stand , contribution-based Jobseeker ’ s Allowance provides only £74 per week , enough to replace just 14 % of the average wage .
That ’ s now lower than the basic rate of Universal Credit ( temporally raised to £95 per week ) .
And there is absolutely no point claiming JSA if you need Universal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all clawed back through a pound-for-pound deduction in your UC payment .
It is little wonder that just 4 % of unemployed people were claiming contribution-based JSA before coronavirus , compared to 45 % in the recession of the early 1980s ; or that so far during the crisis , only around one in ten of extra unemployed benefit claimants have applied for JSA .
As we enter the new recession , contribution-based Jobseeker ’ s Allowance should be made much higher .
After all , the National Insurance system pays £151 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £175 to people when they reach the pension age .
Shouldn ’ t social insurance protect against unemployment in a similar way ?
Likewise , there is a case for people who need to claim Universal Credit alongside JSA receiving a little more than if they were just claiming UC , to recognise their earned entitlement .
Plans along these lines do not require a zero-sum trade-off against means-tested support for people with high needs .
We should have a far better safety-net for everyone , with Universal Credit ( or a Labour-designed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But social security has never been just about alleviating poverty , it is there to insure us all .
And by insuring everyone , it can earn strong support as a universal public service .
This will be essential if we are to secure the resources needed to properly protect those in greatest need : people with very limited earning power such as those with severe disabilities will be the ultimate beneficiaries .
Paying benefits on a personal basis to replace individuals ’ lost income matters for gender equality too .
There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rely either on the wages of someone else in the household or on a single monthly Universal Credit payment paid into a partner ’ s bank account .
Traditional contributory systems have failed the feminist test because they were predicated on a single full-time breadwinner .
But National Insurance rules have been reformed before , and they can be reformed again .
Labour should demand that social insurance for unemployment is available for people on low wages , the self-employed and those caring full-time .
The party needs to start afresh on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respectful and nuanced debate .
This is not an area of public policy where there is a single silver bullet .
There will be lots of answers and Labour will need to develop plans for a complex , multi-layered system .
Social security should be based on universalism , means-testing and contribution .
We do not need to choose between them .

For two elections in a row, the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn failed on social security: independent think tanks found that neither the 2017 nor 2019 manifestos would have reduced child poverty. On benefits reform, people from across the Labour family therefore need to come together in a spirit of humility and openness to listen, learn, analyse and discuss. Nobody has all the answers.
Instead, last week cheerleaders from the Corbyn era turned on the party’s new Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and denounced his ideas, which he presented in a long and thoughtful interview with The House magazine. Reynolds’ crime was to suggest that there is still a place for contribution-based social security and that sometimes people should get more out when they put more in. Both these arguments deserve a serious hearing, not knee-jerk condemnation.
In a 2019 Fabian report on social security reform I showed that contribution-based benefits today account for less than 10% of spending on social security for working-age adults and children, compared to 40% in the late 1970s. It is hard to argue we have a better system today as a result. By contrast 80% of older people’s social security is based on contribution even though we provide a far higher means-tested safety net to pensioners than to everyone else.
The truth is that a generous safety-net and good contribution-based entitlements often go hand in hand. A single pensioner retiring today without a private income can avoid poverty because we have a strong contribution-based state pension; but single pensioners without sufficient contributions still escape poverty through means-tested pension credit.
It’s a similar story when it comes to working-age households in large parts of Europe. There are contribution-based schemes that replace people’s earnings but also decent means-tested safety-nets for people who aren’t eligible. Countries with such robust social security were far better prepared than Britain to support people when the covid-19 emergency arrived.
The 2020 crisis has exposed why contribution-based social security matters. Millions of people in the UK are set to lose their livelihoods and not all of them can get the help they need from means-tested universal credit. Many have a working partner, some savings or a modest second income. It is right that the benefits system provides for them, to protect people from a huge drop in income, even though they may not face destitution.
But as things stand, contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance provides only £74 per week, enough to replace just 14% of the average wage. That’s now lower than the basic rate of Universal Credit (temporally raised to £95 per week). And there is absolutely no point claiming JSA if you need Universal Credit too, because the JSA is all clawed back through a pound-for-pound deduction in your UC payment.
It is little wonder that just 4% of unemployed people were claiming contribution-based JSA before coronavirus, compared to 45% in the recession of the early 1980s; or that so far during the crisis, only around one in ten of extra unemployed benefit claimants have applied for JSA.
As we enter the new recession, contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance should be made much higher. After all, the National Insurance system pays £151 per week to mothers on maternity leave and £175 to people when they reach the pension age. Shouldn’t social insurance protect against unemployment in a similar way? Likewise, there is a case for people who need to claim Universal Credit alongside JSA receiving a little more than if they were just claiming UC, to recognise their earned entitlement.
Plans along these lines do not require a zero-sum trade-off against means-tested support for people with high needs. We should have a far better safety-net for everyone, with Universal Credit (or a Labour-designed successor) becoming much more generous. But social security has never been just about alleviating poverty, it is there to insure us all. And by insuring everyone, it can earn strong support as a universal public service. This will be essential if we are to secure the resources needed to properly protect those in greatest need: people with very limited earning power such as those with severe disabilities will be the ultimate beneficiaries.
Paying benefits on a personal basis to replace individuals’ lost income matters for gender equality too. There are real risks in expecting women without earnings to rely either on the wages of someone else in the household or on a single monthly Universal Credit payment paid into a partner’s bank account.
Traditional contributory systems have failed the feminist test because they were predicated on a single full-time breadwinner. But National Insurance rules have been reformed before, and they can be reformed again. Labour should demand that social insurance for unemployment is available for people on low wages, the self-employed and those caring full-time.
The party needs to start afresh on social security, with a thoughtful, respectful and nuanced debate. This is not an area of public policy where there is a single silver bullet. There will be lots of answers and Labour will need to develop plans for a complex, multi-layered system. Social security should be based on universalism, means-testing and contribution. We do not need to choose between them.


labourlist--2020-06-08--Tens of thousands join Black Lives Matter protests across the UK

Government ministers including Matt Hancock spent much of the weekend telling us the country isn ’ t racist while Tory backbenchers called for the government to crack down with “ zero tolerance ” on the Black Lives Matter demonstrations .
Tens of thousands of people poured onto the streets across the UK in protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd .
Boris Johnson finally broke his silence on the matter last night .
However , he did so only to say that people “ have no right to attack the police ” and to say the protests have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an iconic moment , the statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston was toppled and thrown into the harbour in Bristol – leaving reasonable people to wonder why it wasn ’ t done sooner , and why it took these demonstrations to get it done .
Meanwhile , as other countries across Europe begin to ease their Covid-19 travel restrictions , the UK has finally introduced some – as of today , new arrivals will need to self-isolate for two weeks or they could face a fine of £1,000 .
As Shadow Transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend , the government has swung from one extreme to the other .
After months as one of a few countries without any travel restrictions throughout this global crisis , the government has now introduced what Labour has dubbed another “ blunt tool ” .
The party has called on ministers to bring forward a plan to ease the 14-day quarantine measures .
Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to the government , urging it to “ get to grips with the quarantine confusion ” and provide an exit strategy from quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a testing process for travellers , with results provided within 48-hours , for people to avoid isolation .
The Shadow Home Secretary also called for the publication of the scientific evidence behind decision to introduce the quarantine period , a sector-specific support package to save jobs and industry and a timeline for the introduction of the government ’ s ‘ air bridges ’ .
We heard from Keir Starmer this morning as he launched his ‘ Call Keir ’ session on LBC .
He said that it was “ completely wrong ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though it “ should have been taken down a long , long time ago ” .
For more words from the Labour frontbench , stay tuned with LabourList over the coming weeks for some interesting policy discussions with shadow cabinet members .
The first is tomorrow at 6 pm with Shadow Environment , Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Luke Pollard .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

Government ministers including Matt Hancock spent much of the weekend telling us the country isn’t racist while Tory backbenchers called for the government to crack down with “zero tolerance” on the Black Lives Matter demonstrations. Tens of thousands of people poured onto the streets across the UK in protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd. Boris Johnson finally broke his silence on the matter last night. However, he did so only to say that people “have no right to attack the police” and to say the protests have been “subverted by thuggery”. In an iconic moment, the statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston was toppled and thrown into the harbour in Bristol – leaving reasonable people to wonder why it wasn’t done sooner, and why it took these demonstrations to get it done.
Meanwhile, as other countries across Europe begin to ease their Covid-19 travel restrictions, the UK has finally introduced some – as of today, new arrivals will need to self-isolate for two weeks or they could face a fine of £1,000. As Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon pointed out over the weekend, the government has swung from one extreme to the other. After months as one of a few countries without any travel restrictions throughout this global crisis, the government has now introduced what Labour has dubbed another “blunt tool”.
The party has called on ministers to bring forward a plan to ease the 14-day quarantine measures. Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to the government, urging it to “get to grips with the quarantine confusion” and provide an exit strategy from quarantine. Specifically, the party is calling for a testing process for travellers, with results provided within 48-hours, for people to avoid isolation. The Shadow Home Secretary also called for the publication of the scientific evidence behind decision to introduce the quarantine period, a sector-specific support package to save jobs and industry and a timeline for the introduction of the government’s ‘air bridges’.
We heard from Keir Starmer this morning as he launched his ‘Call Keir’ session on LBC. He said that it was “completely wrong” to pull down the statue of Colston, though it “should have been taken down a long, long time ago”. For more words from the Labour frontbench, stay tuned with LabourList over the coming weeks for some interesting policy discussions with shadow cabinet members. The first is tomorrow at 6 pm with Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Luke Pollard. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-06-08--It was “completely wrong” for protesters to pull down Colston statue, says Starmer

Keir Starmer has said that it was “ completely wrong ” for protesters to pull down the statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston , though it “ should have been taken down a long , long time ago ” .
During an LBC phone-in session this morning , the Labour leader discussed the Black Lives Matter protests over the weekend , which saw protesters throw the statue in the harbour in Bristol .
Referring to the actions of protesters , he said that “ nobody should condone lawlessness ” and that the statue should have been removed “ properly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ museum .
Activists have argued that removal of the statue – and the idea of adding a plaque to note his involvement in the slave trade – had been the subject of debate in the city for years , but they took action because it had stalled .
Commenting on Colston , Starmer said : “ This was a man who was responsible for 100,000 people being moved from Africa to the Caribbean as slaves… who were branded on their chests with the name of the company he ran .
“ 20,000 died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sea .
He should not be a statue in Bristol or anywhere else.
” The party leader also condemned the actions of Labour MP Barry Gardiner in breaking social distancing rules to join the protests last week .
He said : “ He shouldn ’ t have done it , it was wrong to do it.
” During the session , Starmer was asked whether he had concerns over the impartiality of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission as suggested by his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn .
The new leader replied : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not in the slightest.
” He stressed that he would be implementing the EHRC recommendations once the equalities watchdog had concluded its investigation into Labour antisemitism .
One LBC caller asked Starmer where the promised “ constructive opposition ” from Labour had gone , after Tory MPs and political commentators had said that Starmer ’ s approach had toughened up over recent weeks .
“ We have voted with the government and not caused divisions in parliament , ” Starmer said .
But he added that it is the job of opposition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response .
Starmer set out criticism of the government ’ s 14-day quarantine plans for new arrivals to the UK , suggesting instead that travellers should be tested for Covid-19 upon arrival and not leave the airport until receiving their results .
The opposition leader also said he wanted the furlough scheme to be extended for those who fall into the “ shielding ” category during the coronavirus crisis .
The job retention scheme is due to end in October .

Keir Starmer has said that it was “completely wrong” for protesters to pull down the statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston, though it “should have been taken down a long, long time ago”.
During an LBC phone-in session this morning, the Labour leader discussed the Black Lives Matter protests over the weekend, which saw protesters throw the statue in the harbour in Bristol.
Referring to the actions of protesters, he said that “nobody should condone lawlessness” and that the statue should have been removed “properly with consent” and placed in a museum.
Activists have argued that removal of the statue – and the idea of adding a plaque to note his involvement in the slave trade – had been the subject of debate in the city for years, but they took action because it had stalled.
Commenting on Colston, Starmer said: “This was a man who was responsible for 100,000 people being moved from Africa to the Caribbean as slaves… who were branded on their chests with the name of the company he ran.
“20,000 died on route and they were chucked in the sea. He should not be a statue in Bristol or anywhere else.”
The party leader also condemned the actions of Labour MP Barry Gardiner in breaking social distancing rules to join the protests last week. He said: “He shouldn’t have done it, it was wrong to do it.”
During the session, Starmer was asked whether he had concerns over the impartiality of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission as suggested by his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn.
The new leader replied: “No, I don’t. Not in the slightest.” He stressed that he would be implementing the EHRC recommendations once the equalities watchdog had concluded its investigation into Labour antisemitism.
One LBC caller asked Starmer where the promised “constructive opposition” from Labour had gone, after Tory MPs and political commentators had said that Starmer’s approach had toughened up over recent weeks.
“We have voted with the government and not caused divisions in parliament,” Starmer said. But he added that it is the job of opposition to point out flaws in the government coronavirus response.
Starmer set out criticism of the government’s 14-day quarantine plans for new arrivals to the UK, suggesting instead that travellers should be tested for Covid-19 upon arrival and not leave the airport until receiving their results.
The opposition leader also said he wanted the furlough scheme to be extended for those who fall into the “shielding” category during the coronavirus crisis. The job retention scheme is due to end in October.


labourlist--2020-06-08--WATCH: PM’s lack of empathy over statue is “breathtaking”, says Khan

Sadiq Khan has said that the lack of empathy shown by the Prime Minister over the toppling of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston is “ breathtaking ” , and suggested that he “ try and walk in the shoes of a black person in Bristol ” .
In a Sky News interview this afternoon , the Labour mayor of London discussed the Black Lives Matter protests that took place over the weekend and saw tens of thousands of people take to the streets .
He said that the demonstrations have been caused by “ legitimate issues we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , and said that it is “ unhelpful when the Prime Minister leads with language like ‘ thuggery ' ” .
When asked about violence during the protests , he said : “ I think we ’ re in danger of conflating two issues – one is the general concerns that the public have around racism , discrimination and inequality .
Two , is our police being able to police a peaceful , lawful , safe protest.
” He added that a “ small minority of people acting badly are detracting from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , and declared that he “ unequivocally ” condemns any violence against the police .
The Prime Minister had remained silent on the demonstrations throughout the weekend until Sunday evening , when he tweeted that people “ have no right to attack the police ” and said that the protests had been “ subverted by thuggery ” .
Home Secretary Priti Patel said that the bringing down of the statue was “ utterly unacceptable ” and claimed that it “ speaks to the acts of public disorder that have become a distraction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Asked about the statue during an LBC phone-in session this morning , Labour leader Keir Starmer said that “ nobody should condone lawlessness ” but also that it “ should have been taken down a long , long time ago ” .
Colston was a member of the Royal African Company , which transported around 80,000 men , women and children as slaves from Africa to the Americas .

Sadiq Khan has said that the lack of empathy shown by the Prime Minister over the toppling of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston is “breathtaking”, and suggested that he “try and walk in the shoes of a black person in Bristol”.
In a Sky News interview this afternoon, the Labour mayor of London discussed the Black Lives Matter protests that took place over the weekend and saw tens of thousands of people take to the streets.
He said that the demonstrations have been caused by “legitimate issues we’ve got to address as a country”, and said that it is “unhelpful when the Prime Minister leads with language like ‘thuggery'”.
"I think our Home Secretary and our Prime Minister should try and walk in the shoes of a black person in Bristol."
@SadiqKhan says the lack of empathy shown by Priti Patel and Boris Johnson over the Bristol state is "breathtaking". More on this: https://t.co/auhdNZWQjU pic.twitter.com/zbZQ9q7RpC — SkyNews (@SkyNews) June 8, 2020
When asked about violence during the protests, he said: “I think we’re in danger of conflating two issues – one is the general concerns that the public have around racism, discrimination and inequality. Two, is our police being able to police a peaceful, lawful, safe protest.”
He added that a “small minority of people acting badly are detracting from what is a really important issue here”, and declared that he “unequivocally” condemns any violence against the police.
The Prime Minister had remained silent on the demonstrations throughout the weekend until Sunday evening, when he tweeted that people “have no right to attack the police” and said that the protests had been “subverted by thuggery”.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said that the bringing down of the statue was “utterly unacceptable” and claimed that it “speaks to the acts of public disorder that have become a distraction from the cause people are protesting about”.
Asked about the statue during an LBC phone-in session this morning, Labour leader Keir Starmer said that “nobody should condone lawlessness” but also that it “should have been taken down a long, long time ago”.
Colston was a member of the Royal African Company, which transported around 80,000 men, women and children as slaves from Africa to the Americas.


labourlist--2020-06-08--Covid shows how we can make politics accessible to all with online meetings

Labour ’ s national executive committee ( NEC ) often talks about how to increase diversity in local and national government .
We talk about barriers that prevent more women , BAME , disabled and working class candidates from getting more involved in politics .
One barrier can be Labour Party meetings themselves .
Meetings can take place at inconvenient times , in inaccessible or inconvenient locations and with formats that can be confusing and off-putting .
It has been interesting to observe that since some meetings have moved online , attendance and participation has dramatically increased .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many people as usual attended our Local Government Association Labour group meeting – meaning we could hear from a broader and more diverse range of voices .
I chaired a national policy forum ( NPF ) policy commission meeting that had four or five times as many people attending as compared to our London based meetings – which also tend to take place mid-week in the middle of the day .
I was also surprised to see our borough ’ s new online planning committee meeting being attended by over 70 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the public are able to input into discussions that will shape their communities .
It is refreshing and important that meetings have suddenly become more accessible .
In recent years , Labour groups across the county have been championing parental leave policies .
When I had a baby a few years ago , I was so grateful for the support of our group and our maternity leave policy .
It was a shame , though , that during that period I was not able to fully participate in meetings and discussions as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bit isolated – feeding a baby for hours on end .
No one should lose their political voice when they have a child and if I ’ d been able to attend meetings remotely it would have transformed the experience .
Labour ’ s democracy review included a recommendation for group meetings to offer provisions for councillors to attend remotely to ensure that everyone is able to participate .
This would support people taking parental leave , as well as those with caring responsibilities or shift workers .
For a long time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make meetings more accessible .
In the last few months we ’ ve all become adept at video calling and online meetings .
The NEC will shortly be giving local parties guidance on how branch and Constituency Labour Party meetings can restart online .
Arrangements are in place for online selection meetings if necessary .
It is really important that when the pandemic is over , which may not be for some time , we keep provisions for online meeting attendance and make local democracy more accessible to everyone .

Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) often talks about how to increase diversity in local and national government. We talk about barriers that prevent more women, BAME, disabled and working class candidates from getting more involved in politics. One barrier can be Labour Party meetings themselves. Meetings can take place at inconvenient times, in inaccessible or inconvenient locations and with formats that can be confusing and off-putting.
It has been interesting to observe that since some meetings have moved online, attendance and participation has dramatically increased. In the last week, two or three times as many people as usual attended our Local Government Association Labour group meeting – meaning we could hear from a broader and more diverse range of voices. I chaired a national policy forum (NPF) policy commission meeting that had four or five times as many people attending as compared to our London based meetings – which also tend to take place mid-week in the middle of the day.
I was also surprised to see our borough’s new online planning committee meeting being attended by over 70 people. It is great that more members of the public are able to input into discussions that will shape their communities. It is refreshing and important that meetings have suddenly become more accessible.
In recent years, Labour groups across the county have been championing parental leave policies. When I had a baby a few years ago, I was so grateful for the support of our group and our maternity leave policy. It was a shame, though, that during that period I was not able to fully participate in meetings and discussions as I spent months at home – feeling a bit isolated – feeding a baby for hours on end. No one should lose their political voice when they have a child and if I’d been able to attend meetings remotely it would have transformed the experience.
Labour’s democracy review included a recommendation for group meetings to offer provisions for councillors to attend remotely to ensure that everyone is able to participate. This would support people taking parental leave, as well as those with caring responsibilities or shift workers.
For a long time we’ve talked about using technology to make meetings more accessible. In the last few months we’ve all become adept at video calling and online meetings. The NEC will shortly be giving local parties guidance on how branch and Constituency Labour Party meetings can restart online. Arrangements are in place for online selection meetings if necessary. It is really important that when the pandemic is over, which may not be for some time, we keep provisions for online meeting attendance and make local democracy more accessible to everyone.


labourlist--2020-06-09--No more delay on increasing prison sentences for animal cruelty, Labour demands

Labour has demanded that there be no more “ dither and delay ” on the move to increase prison sentences for animal cruelty , amid reports that there has been a spike during the coronavirus lockdown .
In a letter to the Environment Secretary , Luke Pollard has stressed the importance of Tory MP Chris Loder ’ s proposal that would see sentences for the most serious perpetrators of animal cruelty increased from six months to up to five years .
Since the government announced Covid-19 restrictions on March 23rd , the RSPCA has reported that animal rescuers dealt with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals in need of help .
Labour has expressed concern that the coronavirus-related limitations on the activities of parliament would see the ‘ Loder ’ s Law ’ bill fall for a third time as there are not enough sitting days for private member ’ s bills .
Given cross-party support , the Shadow Environment Secretary has asked minister George Eustice to consider taking over the bill as a government bill and to ensure that time is provided for passing the proposed legislation .
Commenting on the demands , Pollard said : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong cross-party support but this bill has been delayed and delayed again .
“ With the lockdown making this measure urgent , we are calling on the government to ensure this measure becomes law urgently .
“ We can not have more dither and delay – it is our duty to make sure all pets are protected and the government must act now or more animals will suffer.
” Luke Pollard will be in conversation with LabourList from 6pm this evening , which readers can watch on the website live or after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Luke Pollard ’ s letter .
I am writing to make the offer of cross-party working to ensure that increases in animal sentencing can be on the statute book by the autumn .
Given the increase in animal cruelty in the lockdown I believe there is an immediate and urgent need to accelerate the introduction of increased sentences for animal cruelty .
I am concerned that with the loss of parliamentary time because of the lockdown it has not been possible to make progress on Chris Loder MP ’ s Private Member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six months to five years .
On the current timetable Chris Loder ’ s Bill is not scheduled for Second Reading until September and I fear that it may in consequence run out of time before the next Queen ’ s Speech .
By September we will have already waited three years since the government first committed to increase maximum sentences to five years for the worst offences .
If this Bill falls , it will be the third time in a row and would be likely to mean another 12 month delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the current penalties available for cruelty offences .
This seems unnecessary given it enjoys cross party support and has also previously twice been a government bill .
Just to recap , the first bill was passed unamended in committee in July 2019 and was scheduled for report stage in the Commons on 4 September 2019 , but then fell at the end of the 2017-2019 parliamentary session .
Following the Queen ’ s Speech , the second Animal Welfare ( Sentencing ) Bill was scheduled for second reading on 29 October 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am therefore writing to ask you to consider taking over the bill as a government bill , or approaching the business managers about providing government time to allow it to be passed before it falls .
Little time should be needed given the strong cross party support .
Given the public interest in this matter I am making this letter available to the media .
I look forward to working with you to get this bill passed swiftly .
Luke Pollard Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment , Food and Rural Affairs

Labour has demanded that there be no more “dither and delay” on the move to increase prison sentences for animal cruelty, amid reports that there has been a spike during the coronavirus lockdown.
In a letter to the Environment Secretary, Luke Pollard has stressed the importance of Tory MP Chris Loder’s proposal that would see sentences for the most serious perpetrators of animal cruelty increased from six months to up to five years.
Since the government announced Covid-19 restrictions on March 23rd, the RSPCA has reported that animal rescuers dealt with 21,137 incidents of animal cruelty and suffering animals in need of help.
Labour has expressed concern that the coronavirus-related limitations on the activities of parliament would see the ‘Loder’s Law’ bill fall for a third time as there are not enough sitting days for private member’s bills.
Given cross-party support, the Shadow Environment Secretary has asked minister George Eustice to consider taking over the bill as a government bill and to ensure that time is provided for passing the proposed legislation.
Commenting on the demands, Pollard said: “Increasing prison sentences for animal cruelty enjoys strong cross-party support but this bill has been delayed and delayed again.
“With the lockdown making this measure urgent, we are calling on the government to ensure this measure becomes law urgently.
“We cannot have more dither and delay – it is our duty to make sure all pets are protected and the government must act now or more animals will suffer.”
Luke Pollard will be in conversation with LabourList from 6pm this evening, which readers can watch on the website live or after the event.
Below is the full text of Luke Pollard’s letter.
Dear Secretary of State,
I am writing to make the offer of cross-party working to ensure that increases in animal sentencing can be on the statute book by the autumn. Given the increase in animal cruelty in the lockdown I believe there is an immediate and urgent need to accelerate the introduction of increased sentences for animal cruelty.
I am concerned that with the loss of parliamentary time because of the lockdown it has not been possible to make progress on Chris Loder MP’s Private Member’s Bill to increase sentences from six months to five years.
On the current timetable Chris Loder’s Bill is not scheduled for Second Reading until September and I fear that it may in consequence run out of time before the next Queen’s Speech. By September we will have already waited three years since the government first committed to increase maximum sentences to five years for the worst offences. If this Bill falls, it will be the third time in a row and would be likely to mean another 12 month delay to this important measure to address weaknesses in the current penalties available for cruelty offences. This seems unnecessary given it enjoys cross party support and has also previously twice been a government bill.
Just to recap, the first bill was passed unamended in committee in July 2019 and was scheduled for report stage in the Commons on 4 September 2019, but then fell at the end of the 2017-2019 parliamentary session. Following the Queen’s Speech, the second Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill was scheduled for second reading on 29 October 2019 until parliament was then dissolved.
I am therefore writing to ask you to consider taking over the bill as a government bill, or approaching the business managers about providing government time to allow it to be passed before it falls. Little time should be needed given the strong cross party support.
Given the public interest in this matter I am making this letter available to the media. I look forward to working with you to get this bill passed swiftly.
Best wishes,
Luke Pollard
Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs


labourlist--2020-06-09--Forward Momentum: Our movement must champion BAME communities

I am from a Bangladeshi family with deep roots in Walsall in the West Midlands .
My grandfather , a foundry worker and miner , moved to the town in 1960 .
He was followed by my parents in the 1970s , when I was born .
Workers in the Bangladeshi community in the ’ 70s and ’ 80s were largely employed in the Indian restaurant industry , working unsociable hours in the evenings and often having very little time to spend with family .
While many Bangladeshi people in this period were heavily involved in anti-racist organising and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have the time to engage in politics because of the demands of work and other social pressures .
Politics and community organising were seen as a privilege , often reserved for the educated within the community – students and graduates , and workers in specific sectors .
This typifies the experience of so many of our BAME communities , and is exactly why it is vitally important we deliver a radical change in the involvement of BAME people in the labour movement today .
The Bangladeshi community of Walsall has never held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was the first Labour candidate of Bangladeshi heritage to stand in the borough ’ s council elections .
But until I was encouraged to stand through the Bernie Grant Leadership Programme , which brought together some of the most talented BAME activists from across the country , I didn ’ t fully understand my potential .
Now , as a Forward Momentum candidate for Momentum ’ s national coordinating group ( NCG ) , I want to take the principles of the Bernie Grant Leadership Programme to the wider BAME activist base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our BAME communities in Momentum and Labour is my number one priority in the NCG campaign .
Momentum is the vehicle through which I have met like-minded comrades who share the same struggles as myself .
In my home town , it has provided a strong voice for our communities – a vehicle for us to organise against cuts , austerity and racism .
But it needs to do much better , and much more , at the national level .
Too often , Labour candidacies have been secured by clinging on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the movement , leading to many instances where those who seek to represent us end up compromising on everything they stood for in the first place .
Forward Momentum promises something different .
The first of its kind , Forward Momentum has built an open and transparent process without the backroom deals that have plagued our selection processes for too long in our party and on its left .
The outcome of this process is a diverse group of candidates , united around a bold vision for a democratic left .
If we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we must end the stitch-ups and backroom deals of recent years .
Those who represent it must be democratically chosen and accountable to the people they represent , rather than acting as gatekeepers .
That ’ s what our socialist ideals should point towards , and that is what our core principles as honest people of the left should revolve around .
Many BAME comrades from different backgrounds have experienced similar obstacles to the ones I ’ ve experienced at different levels – be it local , regional or national .
Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been dismissed in favour of hand-picked , established names .
These comrades need support to organise and stand , and building that support is a major priority of mine for Momentum .
We need to learn more fully what obstacles exist and resolve to remove them so that we can grow a more inclusive , democratic and participative movement .
We must welcome people of different heritages and communities and facilitate their development – not hinder their progress by leaving up barriers to inclusion .
The working class is not just white .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is Bangladeshi .
It is lesbian , it is gay and it is trans .
It is every part of our society , and we must endeavour to lift up the whole of the working class in all of its diversity .
But we should not just pause at representation .
As we have seen with the murder of George Floyd in the US and # ICantBreathe and # BlackLivesMatter , we have again been reminded that racism still is prevalent and systemic , and works across borders .
We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for anti-racist campaigning that works to tackle racism of every type in every community .
Momentum has a pivotal role to play here .
I am proud that Forward Momentum has committed to developing a democratically-run Momentum BAME members ’ network to support BAME self-organisation , build BAME power , and promote BAME leadership .
Momentum needs to be at the forefront of anti-racist community organising across the country , organising in solidarity with Black Lives Matter demonstrations and other campaigns .
We can not be silent , we can not stand still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We must organise against racism and oppression in our party too .
What we learned of in the recently leaked report can not be repeated , and those involved must be held to account .
Empty platitudes don ’ t heal wounds .
We need action .
And that includes instances where high-level party staff have denigrated black MPs .
If we are to end ‘ one rule for some , another rule for others ’ in our society , we must first end it in our party and in our movement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities for Momentum .
You can not ‘ renew ’ the left by standing still , or by tinkering with how we do things – we have to transform it by radically reaching out , especially to underrepresented groups , and by acting collectively to radically boost inclusion and reach justice .
If we can achieve that better left , we stand a greatly improved chance of transforming Labour and transforming the lives millions of working-class people across the country .
If you ’ re with me , join me .
You have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you want the opportunity to vote in the NCG elections .
If you ’ re a member in the Midlands and East region , I hope you ’ ll consider voting for me and my comrades on the Forward Momentum slate – Abbie , Solma and Andrew – for a truly member-led Momentum .

I am from a Bangladeshi family with deep roots in Walsall in the West Midlands. My grandfather, a foundry worker and miner, moved to the town in 1960. He was followed by my parents in the 1970s, when I was born. Workers in the Bangladeshi community in the ’70s and ’80s were largely employed in the Indian restaurant industry, working unsociable hours in the evenings and often having very little time to spend with family.
While many Bangladeshi people in this period were heavily involved in anti-racist organising and in workplace struggles, many others simply did not have the time to engage in politics because of the demands of work and other social pressures. Politics and community organising were seen as a privilege, often reserved for the educated within the community – students and graduates, and workers in specific sectors.
This typifies the experience of so many of our BAME communities, and is exactly why it is vitally important we deliver a radical change in the involvement of BAME people in the labour movement today. The Bangladeshi community of Walsall has never held representation at any elected level, and I was the first Labour candidate of Bangladeshi heritage to stand in the borough’s council elections. But until I was encouraged to stand through the Bernie Grant Leadership Programme, which brought together some of the most talented BAME activists from across the country, I didn’t fully understand my potential.
Now, as a Forward Momentum candidate for Momentum’s national coordinating group (NCG), I want to take the principles of the Bernie Grant Leadership Programme to the wider BAME activist base. Ensuring much better inclusion and representation for our BAME communities in Momentum and Labour is my number one priority in the NCG campaign.
Momentum is the vehicle through which I have met like-minded comrades who share the same struggles as myself. In my home town, it has provided a strong voice for our communities – a vehicle for us to organise against cuts, austerity and racism. But it needs to do much better, and much more, at the national level.
Too often, Labour candidacies have been secured by clinging on to the coattails of influential people in the movement, leading to many instances where those who seek to represent us end up compromising on everything they stood for in the first place. Forward Momentum promises something different.
The first of its kind, Forward Momentum has built an open and transparent process without the backroom deals that have plagued our selection processes for too long in our party and on its left. The outcome of this process is a diverse group of candidates, united around a bold vision for a democratic left.
If we truly want to build a better movement, we must end the stitch-ups and backroom deals of recent years. Those who represent it must be democratically chosen and accountable to the people they represent, rather than acting as gatekeepers. That’s what our socialist ideals should point towards, and that is what our core principles as honest people of the left should revolve around.
Many BAME comrades from different backgrounds have experienced similar obstacles to the ones I’ve experienced at different levels – be it local, regional or national. Their experiences, commitment and track records have been dismissed in favour of hand-picked, established names. These comrades need support to organise and stand, and building that support is a major priority of mine for Momentum.
We need to learn more fully what obstacles exist and resolve to remove them so that we can grow a more inclusive, democratic and participative movement. We must welcome people of different heritages and communities and facilitate their development – not hinder their progress by leaving up barriers to inclusion. The working class is not just white. It is black, it is Chinese, it is Bangladeshi. It is lesbian, it is gay and it is trans. It is every part of our society, and we must endeavour to lift up the whole of the working class in all of its diversity.
But we should not just pause at representation. As we have seen with the murder of George Floyd in the US and #ICantBreathe and #BlackLivesMatter, we have again been reminded that racism still is prevalent and systemic, and works across borders. We need to respond to this with a vision for anti-racist campaigning that works to tackle racism of every type in every community.
Momentum has a pivotal role to play here. I am proud that Forward Momentum has committed to developing a democratically-run Momentum BAME members’ network to support BAME self-organisation, build BAME power, and promote BAME leadership. Momentum needs to be at the forefront of anti-racist community organising across the country, organising in solidarity with Black Lives Matter demonstrations and other campaigns. We cannot be silent, we cannot stand still, we must not be bystanders.
We must organise against racism and oppression in our party too. What we learned of in the recently leaked report cannot be repeated, and those involved must be held to account. Empty platitudes don’t heal wounds. We need action. And that includes instances where high-level party staff have denigrated black MPs. If we are to end ‘one rule for some, another rule for others’ in our society, we must first end it in our party and in our movement.
These issues form the basis of my priorities for Momentum. You cannot ‘renew’ the left by standing still, or by tinkering with how we do things – we have to transform it by radically reaching out, especially to underrepresented groups, and by acting collectively to radically boost inclusion and reach justice. If we can achieve that better left, we stand a greatly improved chance of transforming Labour and transforming the lives millions of working-class people across the country. If you’re with me, join me.
You have until June 11th to join Momentum if you want the opportunity to vote in the NCG elections. If you’re a member in the Midlands and East region, I hope you’ll consider voting for me and my comrades on the Forward Momentum slate – Abbie, Solma and Andrew – for a truly member-led Momentum.


labourlist--2020-06-09--On the debate over Labour’s response to the Colston statue removal

The Prime Minister has released a video to share his views on the Black Lives Matter protests , which in the UK saw the statue of slave trader Edward Colston torn down by protesters .
Boris Johnson acknowledges a “ depth of emotion ” and “ feeling of injustice ” , agrees that politicians “ can ’ t ignore ” certain realities and reassures activists that they are “ right to say Black Lives Matter ” .
But he goes on to condemn “ those who flout the rules on social distancing ” , preparing to blame activists for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as if he hasn ’ t just unlocked without first putting in place a properly functioning test , track and trace system .
And as if 10 Downing Street advisers are not held to different standards .
Labour ’ s response to the Colston statue being pulled down has been the subject of fierce debate within the party .
Nobody expected Keir Starmer to make a media appearance with ‘ ACAB ’ written across his forehead .
Nobody expected the leader to quote his younger self , who was interested in discussing “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should play , if any , in civil society ” .
What Starmer did do , of course , is tell LBC listeners that the statue should have been removed “ properly , with consent ” .
He argued that “ nobody should condone lawlessness ” , although it “ should have been taken down a long , long time ago ” .
He followed the mainstream line that appealing to authorities is preferable to direct action , as you would expect .
The substance of the comments were to be expected , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was communicated did fail to recognise that people had tried to get the statue removed or altered through conventional political means for many years without success .
It also may have been useful to note that “ consent ” was never obtained from the black community for the statue , and that much of this discussion assumes black people should “ live in spaces that reproduce trauma ” , as argued by Sabrina Huck in her latest column .
The comments make clear that the priority of this new weekly LBC slot is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but to present Keir Starmer as a Prime Minister-in-waiting .
This is entirely natural for a leader who wants to restore the image of Labour and present it as a party that is ready to win the next election .
And this example is representative of a dynamic that many Labour members will take time to get used to after Jeremy Corbyn ’ s leadership ( which did not question the role of the police either , but was more accepting of frontbenchers freestyling on controversial topics and would likely have struggled more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also quite right that remarks such as those on LBC are debated : the tensions between establishment and movement-building politics are entirely appropriate for a democratic socialist party such as Labour .
As a critical friend , LabourList exists to accommodate that whole spectrum of debate while supporting the leadership .
Luke Pollard , Shadow Environment Secretary , has today called on the government to take action on animal cruelty amid concerns that there has been a spike during lockdown .
This is a timely reminder that I will be in conversation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : just revisit this LabourList post at that time to join us for the online event .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

The Prime Minister has released a video to share his views on the Black Lives Matter protests, which in the UK saw the statue of slave trader Edward Colston torn down by protesters. Boris Johnson acknowledges a “depth of emotion” and “feeling of injustice”, agrees that politicians “can’t ignore” certain realities and reassures activists that they are “right to say Black Lives Matter”. But he goes on to condemn “those who flout the rules on social distancing”, preparing to blame activists for a rise in the coronavirus infection rate – as if he hasn’t just unlocked without first putting in place a properly functioning test, track and trace system. And as if 10 Downing Street advisers are not held to different standards.
Labour’s response to the Colston statue being pulled down has been the subject of fierce debate within the party. Nobody expected Keir Starmer to make a media appearance with ‘ACAB’ written across his forehead. Nobody expected the leader to quote his younger self, who was interested in discussing “the question of the role the police should play, if any, in civil society”. What Starmer did do, of course, is tell LBC listeners that the statue should have been removed “properly, with consent”. He argued that “nobody should condone lawlessness”, although it “should have been taken down a long, long time ago”. He followed the mainstream line that appealing to authorities is preferable to direct action, as you would expect.
The substance of the comments were to be expected, but the way in which the message was communicated did fail to recognise that people had tried to get the statue removed or altered through conventional political means for many years without success. It also may have been useful to note that “consent” was never obtained from the black community for the statue, and that much of this discussion assumes black people should “live in spaces that reproduce trauma”, as argued by Sabrina Huck in her latest column. The comments make clear that the priority of this new weekly LBC slot is not particularly to challenge mainstream narratives, but to present Keir Starmer as a Prime Minister-in-waiting.
This is entirely natural for a leader who wants to restore the image of Labour and present it as a party that is ready to win the next election. And this example is representative of a dynamic that many Labour members will take time to get used to after Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership (which did not question the role of the police either, but was more accepting of frontbenchers freestyling on controversial topics and would likely have struggled more with this debate). It is also quite right that remarks such as those on LBC are debated: the tensions between establishment and movement-building politics are entirely appropriate for a democratic socialist party such as Labour. As a critical friend, LabourList exists to accommodate that whole spectrum of debate while supporting the leadership.
Luke Pollard, Shadow Environment Secretary, has today called on the government to take action on animal cruelty amid concerns that there has been a spike during lockdown. This is a timely reminder that I will be in conversation with the shadow cabinet member at 6pm tonight: just revisit this LabourList post at that time to join us for the online event. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-06-09--WATCH: Minister agrees you can ‘stick care home deaths on scientists’

Government health minister Helen Whately agreed in an interview this morning that Covid-19 care home deaths can be ‘ stuck @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Kay Burley pointed out that discharging patients in hospital directly to care homes @ @ @ @ @ March , and said : “ You can ’ t stick this on the scientists.
@ @ @ @ @ Well , I can , because… I mean , I ’ m not , sorry… @ @ @ @ @ as Burley exclaimed , “ You can stick it on the scientists ?
” and @ @ @ @ @ “ To be clear , that is your words… What I mean to say is @ @ @ @ @ advice at every stage of this process , ” the health minister added .
Sky @ @ @ @ @ figure of how many arrival passengers to the UK were quarantined on Monday under the @ @ @ @ @ Whately was not able to provide it .

Government health minister Helen Whately agreed in an interview this morning that Covid-19 care home deaths can be ‘stuck on scientists’.
Sky’s Kay Burley pointed out that discharging patients in hospital directly to care homes without testing was policy in March, and said: “You can’t stick this on the scientists.”
Whately replied: “Well, I can, because… I mean, I’m not, sorry…” She then stopped herself as Burley exclaimed, “You can stick it on the scientists?” and Whately claimed she misspoke.
“To be clear, that is your words… What I mean to say is we have taken the scientific advice at every stage of this process,” the health minister added.
Sky News then asked for the figure of how many arrival passengers to the UK were quarantined on Monday under the new government rules, and Whately was not able to provide it.