labourlist--2020-03-06--“The climate crisis is a capitalist crisis” – Zarah Sultana’s full maiden speech

Thank you , Mr Deputy Speaker , for giving me the opportunity to make my maiden speech today .
Let me start by giving my heartfelt thanks to the people of Coventry South for putting their faith in me : I am truly honoured and humbled to be their representative .
Let me also thank my predecessor , Jim Cunningham , for his service to the constituency .
He served Coventry for 27 years , which means that he was an MP before I was even born .
He has been a champion for the city , fighting for Coventry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment , defending our industries , and speaking up for causes from the WASPI women to Rowan ’ s law .
I know that Jim was renowned in the House for the frequency of his interventions .
As the new member for Coventry South , I aim to continue that tradition , and I wish him well in his retirement .
As for Coventry , Mr Deputy Speaker , did you know that on several occasions the city has been the capital of England ?
As far back as 1404 , Henry IV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we will have to move out of this place for renovations , may I suggest that we take parliament back to Coventry to put power back in the midlands ?
It is a city fit for the prestige .
From the beautiful cathedral to the 49 hectares of the beautiful war memorial park , Coventry South is a constituency of scenic beauty .
Coventry is a city of rich culture too , and I look forward to its hosting UK City of Culture 2021 .
It is a city with a history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and of solidarity .
From being home to two universities , as well as two-tone music—bands such as ‘ The Selecter ’ and ‘ The Specials ’ — to the founding of one of the first Indian workers ’ association branches , it has been at the forefront of the arts , anti-racist organising and industrial militancy .
From welcoming the Irish migrants in the 1950s and 1960s who built the city ’ s booming car industry to housing the largest population of Syrian refugees in recent years , Coventry proudly continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a place to call home .
I was just 14 when the global financial crisis struck and reckless bankers sent the economy into free fall .
I was still a teenager when David Cameron and George Osborne began to implement their austerity agenda .
Now , I know that the convention for maiden speeches is to avoid saying anything that members opposite will find very disagreeable , but I can not do that , because my generation has only ever faced a future of rising rents , frozen wages and diminishing opportunities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have only known Tory governments who wage war on working-class communities like mine , cutting our services , underfunding our schools and hospitals , and saddling me and my generation with tens of thousands of pounds of student debt .
The manufacturing jobs which were the backbone of Coventry , and which brought my family from Kashmir to the region , are now few and far between .
The public libraries that allowed me to study and go to university are closed .
The council houses that gave working- class families like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been sold off .
While the vast majority have seen services cut and wages stagnate over the past decade , the super-rich have had their taxes cut and seen their incomes soar .
The gap between the ruling class and the working class has widened and is widening still , and the response from members opposite is , as it always has been , to divide and rule .
That is what is happening when they compare Muslim women to bank robbers , when they call gay men “ tank-topped bum boys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as the Hillsborough disaster on drunken fans .
They are pitting our communities against each other .
They are diverting attention away from the billionaires who fund their party , dodge their taxes and rig the economy .
I am a working-class Muslim woman and know that the Bullingdon boys will never be on my side or on the side of the shop stewards in Coventry , the cleaners in Carlisle , the migrant workers in Manchester or the teachers in Tottenham .
My Muslim brothers and sisters , my Jewish comrades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Traveller and Roma communities , and people of all faiths and none , are safer when we unite to defeat the far right , even as this government have given it new-found confidence .
And I know that a government who abandon refugee children abroad will just as quickly abandon working class children in Britain , where one in three of them already live in poverty .
This is a government of the few ; it will never be for the many .
The prospect of five more years of this government is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but my generation and I can not afford to despair .
If we do , by the time I reach middle age it will be too late , and the climate emergency will have become the climate catastrophe .
I come here with a message from my generation and my constituents : we have no intention of letting that happen .
We have seen Australia burn and Indonesia drown .
We have seen our Earth teeter on the brink of ruin .
We have heard the warnings of scientists .
We know where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 100 companies that are responsible for 70 % of global pollution .
It is with the billionaires who got rich polluting our rivers and pumping out carbon .
It is with an economic system that puts the profits of the rich above the needs of the people. Make no mistake : the climate crisis is a capitalist crisis , and the climate struggle is a class struggle across borders .
Whether you are in Coventry or Canberra , Doncaster or Delhi , if you are working class you will suffer the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and devastation while the rich build ever-higher walls to protect themselves .
That is what is coming unless we take bold action .
That is what will happen unless we unite working people across borders to say that our lives are more important than anyone ’ s profits .
It is what will happen unless we put the power in the hands of the working class to put people and planet first .
This is the urgent call of our times : an international green new deal to transition from disaster capitalism to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of equality , freedom and justice , building green industries providing good unionised jobs , democratising our economy and eradicating poverty .
That new society has an old name .
It is a name that inspired past generations in the fight against mass unemployment , war and fascism .
It is the name that people gave to a decent , liveable , healthy future on this planet .
That name is socialism .
Ten years ago , I was sitting my GCSEs at school .
I was a teenager , and I never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In ten years ’ time , at the start of the next decade , I want to look teenagers in the eye and say with pride : “ My generation faced 40 years of Thatcherism and we ended it .
We faced rising racism and we defeated it .
We faced a planet in peril and we saved it.
” We have our work cut out , but together we can do it .

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to make my maiden speech today. Let me start by giving my heartfelt thanks to the people of Coventry South for putting their faith in me: I am truly honoured and humbled to be their representative.
Let me also thank my predecessor, Jim Cunningham, for his service to the constituency. He served Coventry for 27 years, which means that he was an MP before I was even born. He has been a champion for the city, fighting for Coventry to get its fair share of regional investment, defending our industries, and speaking up for causes from the WASPI women to Rowan’s law. I know that Jim was renowned in the House for the frequency of his interventions. As the new member for Coventry South, I aim to continue that tradition, and I wish him well in his retirement.
As for Coventry, Mr Deputy Speaker, did you know that on several occasions the city has been the capital of England? As far back as 1404, Henry IV summoned a parliament in Coventry. Given that we will have to move out of this place for renovations, may I suggest that we take parliament back to Coventry to put power back in the midlands? It is a city fit for the prestige. From the beautiful cathedral to the 49 hectares of the beautiful war memorial park, Coventry South is a constituency of scenic beauty.
Coventry is a city of rich culture too, and I look forward to its hosting UK City of Culture 2021. It is a city with a history of challenging convention, of struggle, and of solidarity. From being home to two universities, as well as two-tone music—bands such as ‘The Selecter’ and ‘The Specials’ — to the founding of one of the first Indian workers’ association branches, it has been at the forefront of the arts, anti-racist organising and industrial militancy. From welcoming the Irish migrants in the 1950s and 1960s who built the city’s booming car industry to housing the largest population of Syrian refugees in recent years, Coventry proudly continues to be a sanctuary for people in need of a place to call home.
I was just 14 when the global financial crisis struck and reckless bankers sent the economy into free fall. I was still a teenager when David Cameron and George Osborne began to implement their austerity agenda. Now, I know that the convention for maiden speeches is to avoid saying anything that members opposite will find very disagreeable, but I cannot do that, because my generation has only ever faced a future of rising rents, frozen wages and diminishing opportunities. For my whole adult life, I have only known Tory governments who wage war on working-class communities like mine, cutting our services, underfunding our schools and hospitals, and saddling me and my generation with tens of thousands of pounds of student debt.
The manufacturing jobs which were the backbone of Coventry, and which brought my family from Kashmir to the region, are now few and far between. The public libraries that allowed me to study and go to university are closed. The council houses that gave working- class families like mine access to safe, affordable homes have been sold off. While the vast majority have seen services cut and wages stagnate over the past decade, the super-rich have had their taxes cut and seen their incomes soar.
The gap between the ruling class and the working class has widened and is widening still, and the response from members opposite is, as it always has been, to divide and rule. That is what is happening when they compare Muslim women to bank robbers, when they call gay men “tank-topped bum boys”, and when they blame events such as the Hillsborough disaster on drunken fans. They are pitting our communities against each other. They are diverting attention away from the billionaires who fund their party, dodge their taxes and rig the economy.
I am a working-class Muslim woman and know that the Bullingdon boys will never be on my side or on the side of the shop stewards in Coventry, the cleaners in Carlisle, the migrant workers in Manchester or the teachers in Tottenham. My Muslim brothers and sisters, my Jewish comrades, my friends in the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities, and people of all faiths and none, are safer when we unite to defeat the far right, even as this government have given it new-found confidence. And I know that a government who abandon refugee children abroad will just as quickly abandon working class children in Britain, where one in three of them already live in poverty. This is a government of the few; it will never be for the many.
The prospect of five more years of this government is almost enough to make me despair, but my generation and I cannot afford to despair. If we do, by the time I reach middle age it will be too late, and the climate emergency will have become the climate catastrophe. I come here with a message from my generation and my constituents: we have no intention of letting that happen. We have seen Australia burn and Indonesia drown. We have seen our Earth teeter on the brink of ruin. We have heard the warnings of scientists. We know where the blame lies: it is with the 100 companies that are responsible for 70% of global pollution. It is with the billionaires who got rich polluting our rivers and pumping out carbon. It is with an economic system that puts the profits of the rich above the needs of the people.
Make no mistake: the climate crisis is a capitalist crisis, and the climate struggle is a class struggle across borders. Whether you are in Coventry or Canberra, Doncaster or Delhi, if you are working class you will suffer the worst effects of floods, fires, droughts and devastation while the rich build ever-higher walls to protect themselves. That is what is coming unless we take bold action. That is what will happen unless we unite working people across borders to say that our lives are more important than anyone’s profits. It is what will happen unless we put the power in the hands of the working class to put people and planet first.
This is the urgent call of our times: an international green new deal to transition from disaster capitalism to a new society created on the principles of equality, freedom and justice, building green industries providing good unionised jobs, democratising our economy and eradicating poverty. That new society has an old name. It is a name that inspired past generations in the fight against mass unemployment, war and fascism. It is the name that people gave to a decent, liveable, healthy future on this planet. That name is socialism.
Ten years ago, I was sitting my GCSEs at school. I was a teenager, and I never dreamed that I would be here today. In ten years’ time, at the start of the next decade, I want to look teenagers in the eye and say with pride: “My generation faced 40 years of Thatcherism and we ended it. We faced rising racism and we defeated it. We faced a planet in peril and we saved it.” We have our work cut out, but together we can do it.


labourlist--2020-03-07--Michael Payne: Why I’m backing Keir Starmer to be the next Labour leader

72 years ago , the Labour Party gave birth to the NHS .
The radical dream of universal healthcare free at the point of use became a reality because Clement Attlee ’ s Labour won power for a purpose : to transform our country after the ravages of war , rationing and social austerity .
Attlee and Nye Bevan understood that progress in the advance of socialism and social justice can not just be measured by the passion with which we hold our ideals , the number of resolutions we pass , or by how many meetings we attend to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can only be measured by the real nation-changing and sustainable difference we make to the majority of people ’ s lives .
And I ’ m proud to be one of nearly 7,000 Labour councillors who make a real difference to people ’ s lives day in , day out .
Across the country , Labour councillors are putting socialist principles into practice by harnessing the power of the community to advance the cause of the individual .
That vital task of advancing the cause of social justice and building more equal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult as a direct result of a decade of Tory austerity .
Every day , we live with the dire consequences of a ruthless Tory government that has closed Sure Start centres , slashed school budgets , created a national housing crisis and decimated funding for local public services by stripping 60p in every £1 from our budgets .
And every day that Labour spends in opposition nationally is yet another day for privilege to use democracy to entrench poverty .
The communities we serve desperately and urgently need a Labour government that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwind unfair privilege .
To achieve that , we need a Labour leader who shares Nye Bevan ’ s belief : “ The language of priorities is the religion of socialism… the argument is about power… because only by the possession of power can you get the priorities correct.
” The leader we must elect is Keir Starmer .
I ’ m backing Keir Starmer because he has a track record of giving a voice to the voiceless , power to the powerless , and because he ’ s got the vision , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a purpose .
For decades , Keir has fought to overturn injustice .
As a lawyer , he gave free advice to those on the receiving end of Margaret Thatcher ’ s pernicious Poll Tax .
As MP for Holborn and St Pancras , he ’ s been a strong advocate for Labour in local government .
As Shadow Brexit Secretary , he demonstrated formidable skill at holding the Tory government to account .
As Labour leader , he will end divisiveness and unite our movement .
And as Labour ’ s next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a purpose by uniting this country and leading a government for the many , not the few .
At the beginning of the 1945 general election campaign , Bevan said : “ We have been the dreamers , we have been the sufferers , now we are the builders.
” Only by electing Keir as our next Labour leader can we rebuild our party and elect a radical socialist Labour government as transformative as Attlee ’ s – for it is only by winning power for a purpose that when we see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when we observe an injustice we can halt it and when we witness pain and suffering we can relieve it and heal it .
Another future really is possible , if we have the courage to seize it .

72 years ago, the Labour Party gave birth to the NHS. The radical dream of universal healthcare free at the point of use became a reality because Clement Attlee’s Labour won power for a purpose: to transform our country after the ravages of war, rationing and social austerity. Attlee and Nye Bevan understood that progress in the advance of socialism and social justice cannot just be measured by the passion with which we hold our ideals, the number of resolutions we pass, or by how many meetings we attend to achieve them.
They understood that it can only be measured by the real nation-changing and sustainable difference we make to the majority of people’s lives. And I’m proud to be one of nearly 7,000 Labour councillors who make a real difference to people’s lives day in, day out. Across the country, Labour councillors are putting socialist principles into practice by harnessing the power of the community to advance the cause of the individual. That vital task of advancing the cause of social justice and building more equal and fair communities has been made even more difficult as a direct result of a decade of Tory austerity.
Every day, we live with the dire consequences of a ruthless Tory government that has closed Sure Start centres, slashed school budgets, created a national housing crisis and decimated funding for local public services by stripping 60p in every £1 from our budgets. And every day that Labour spends in opposition nationally is yet another day for privilege to use democracy to entrench poverty. The communities we serve desperately and urgently need a Labour government that understands how poverty can use democracy to unwind unfair privilege.
To achieve that, we need a Labour leader who shares Nye Bevan’s belief: “The language of priorities is the religion of socialism… the argument is about power… because only by the possession of power can you get the priorities correct.” The leader we must elect is Keir Starmer. I’m backing Keir Starmer because he has a track record of giving a voice to the voiceless, power to the powerless, and because he’s got the vision, values and integrity to win power for a purpose.
For decades, Keir has fought to overturn injustice. As a lawyer, he gave free advice to those on the receiving end of Margaret Thatcher’s pernicious Poll Tax. As MP for Holborn and St Pancras, he’s been a strong advocate for Labour in local government. As Shadow Brexit Secretary, he demonstrated formidable skill at holding the Tory government to account. As Labour leader, he will end divisiveness and unite our movement. And as Labour’s next Prime Minister, he will use power for a purpose by uniting this country and leading a government for the many, not the few.
At the beginning of the 1945 general election campaign, Bevan said: “We have been the dreamers, we have been the sufferers, now we are the builders.” Only by electing Keir as our next Labour leader can we rebuild our party and elect a radical socialist Labour government as transformative as Attlee’s – for it is only by winning power for a purpose that when we see a wrong we can right it, when we observe an injustice we can halt it and when we witness pain and suffering we can relieve it and heal it. Another future really is possible, if we have the courage to seize it.


labourlist--2020-03-08--Sunday shows: Rosie Duffield, Dawn Butler and John McDonnell

Rosie Duffield spoke about the domestic abuse bill and the personal experience that motivated her emotional speech to parliament in October last year .
• Asked what the legislation would do : “ It protect women in the most vulnerable situations and strengthens the protections around them.
” • Asked what she would like to see added to the bill : “ We ’ re very keen on my side to make sure that women are protected when they go to refuges , from them being closed down because there ’ s not enough money.
” • On misconceptions around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a particular class , or a particular kind of person that ’ s vulnerable to domestic violence or domestic abuse.
” • On her speech last year : “ In parliament we talk about statistics , we ’ re kind of removed from the things we talk about .
Debates like this give us an opportunity to say that we ’ re ordinary women as well.
” • On her experience of abuse : “ I was more scared of going home than I was staying in the library until one , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to go home.
” • She added : “ It took a few weeks… I thought I can ’ t take this anymore .
You just feel like you ’ re on the verge of tears all the time.
” • Asked how she feels now : “ Relieved .
But still kind of not entirely over it , to be honest.
” • On whether she feels that domestic abuse has been taken seriously in the past : “ I think it was seen as a kind of fringe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re telling men : just stop it .
And it is mostly men .
I know men are also victims of this but just everyone – there is no excuse .
We ’ re going to make it the law that you have no hiding place.
” '' It 's not a particular class , or a particular kind of person that 's vulnerable to domestic violence or domestic abuse '' Labour MP @ RosieDuffield1 says there are misconceptions about domestic abuse which can leave the victim more isolated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the show .
She spoke about the election result for her party and said that she will be standing to be the next leader .
She said : “ I believe it ’ s time that we move on as a party and offer a positive vision for the country , and I ’ m the right person to lead that change.
” John McDonnell responded to recent comments from Lisa Nandy that the Labour leadership under Jeremy Corbyn had been determined to “ wage factional war ” and gave his take on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour leadership elections : “ If there ’ s a lesson for the future – let ’ s have shorter leadership elections… this is quite interminable.
” • Shown the clip of Nandy and asked whether the leadership did want to “ crush ” dissenting people : “ Of course not… That is not my view of what was happening.
” • He added : “ There ’ s always a bit of a tussle .
But actually the one thing that we ’ re trying to do now is learn all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s just move forward.
” • On the government increasing spending in the budget : “ It ’ s nowhere near the scale we need… We ’ re facing an existential threat in climate change .
This budget has got to be the most important budget since the second world war.
” • Asked whether the government is right to scrap the freeze on fuel duty : “ Of course – but alongside that , you have to give people the alternative… You can ’ t just do short-term gimmicks like this.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ There are long term issues that need to be addressed .
And this crisis is made worse by not addressing those issues… We need funding for the NHS .
Full funding .
Not just to cope with this virus.
” • On polling modelled on the 2019 result and predicting a poor outcome for Labour in the upcoming local elections : “ Local elections are completely different… I think we ’ ll have a lot better results.
” • On his legacy as shadow chancellor : “ I have taken our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage on the debate about the future of our economy… Even the Tories now are having to invest on a scale that they never wanted to.
” `` That ’ s not my view of what was happening , '' says Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell , responding to Lisa Nandy ’ s comments on Labour ’ s `` factional war '' # Marr https : //t.co/AChIczx1nE pic.twitter.com/tbfeaN18aw Dawn Butler talked about her bid to be the next deputy leader of the Labour Party , spending in the leadership elections and allegations of bullying @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Ridge on Sunday
Rosie Duffield spoke about the domestic abuse bill and the personal experience that motivated her emotional speech to parliament in October last year.
Asked what the legislation would do: “It protect women in the most vulnerable situations and strengthens the protections around them.”
Asked what she would like to see added to the bill: “We’re very keen on my side to make sure that women are protected when they go to refuges, from them being closed down because there’s not enough money.”
On misconceptions around the issue: “It’s not a particular class, or a particular kind of person that’s vulnerable to domestic violence or domestic abuse.”
On her speech last year: “In parliament we talk about statistics, we’re kind of removed from the things we talk about. Debates like this give us an opportunity to say that we’re ordinary women as well.”
On her experience of abuse: “I was more scared of going home than I was staying in the library until one, two in the morning. I didn’t want to go home.”
She added: “It took a few weeks… I thought I can’t take this anymore. You just feel like you’re on the verge of tears all the time.”
Asked how she feels now: “Relieved. But still kind of not entirely over it, to be honest.”
On whether she feels that domestic abuse has been taken seriously in the past: “I think it was seen as a kind of fringe thing.”
On the bill: “We’re telling men: just stop it. And it is mostly men. I know men are also victims of this but just everyone – there is no excuse. We’re going to make it the law that you have no hiding place.”
"It's not a particular class, or a particular kind of person that's vulnerable to domestic violence or domestic abuse" Labour MP @RosieDuffield1 says there are misconceptions about domestic abuse which can leave the victim more isolated. Follow #Ridge: https://t.co/gnpWIHv76W pic.twitter.com/kSuOGspI1z — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) March 8, 2020
Lib Dem Layla Moran also appeared on the show. She spoke about the election result for her party and said that she will be standing to be the next leader, saying: “I believe it’s time that we move on as a party and offer a positive vision for the country, and I’m the right person to lead that change.”
The Andrew Marr Show
John McDonnell responded to recent comments from Lisa Nandy that the Labour leadership under Jeremy Corbyn had been determined to “wage factional war”, and gave his take on the upcoming budget.
On the Labour leadership elections: “If there’s a lesson for the future – let’s have shorter leadership elections… this is quite interminable.” Shown the clip of Nandy and asked whether the leadership did want to “crush” dissenting people: “Of course not… That is not my view of what was happening.” He added: “There’s always a bit of a tussle. But actually the one thing that we’re trying to do now is learn all of those lessons and unite. Let’s just move forward.” On the government increasing spending in the budget: “It’s nowhere near the scale we need… We’re facing an existential threat in climate change. This budget has got to be the most important budget since the second world war.” Asked whether the government would be right to scrap the freeze on fuel duty: “Of course – but alongside that, you have to give people the alternative… You can’t just do short-term gimmicks like this.” On the NHS in the budget: “There are long term issues that need to be addressed. And this crisis is made worse by not addressing those issues… We need funding for the NHS. Full funding. Not just to cope with this virus.” On polling modelled on the 2019 result and predicting a poor outcome for Labour in the upcoming local elections: “Local elections are completely different… I think we’ll have a lot better results.” On his legacy as shadow chancellor: “I have taken our party and the country to a certain stage on the debate about the future of our economy… Even the Tories now are having to invest on a scale that they never wanted to.”
"That’s not my view of what was happening," says Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, responding to Lisa Nandy’s comments on Labour’s "factional war"#Marr https://t.co/AChIczx1nE pic.twitter.com/tbfeaN18aw — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 8, 2020
5 Live Politics
Dawn Butler talked about her bid to be the next deputy leader of the Labour Party, spending in the leadership elections and allegations of bullying by the Home Secretary Priti Patel.


labourlist--2020-03-08--The scandal of statutory sick pay – and the women tacking action

GMB Union broke the scandal of statutory sick pay amid the Covid-19 outbreak this week .
We were able to make the link between ‘ self-isolation ’ and sick pay because we are organised .
We got out before anyone else did because our members – outsourced cleaners , porters and catering staff – were already running campaigns on this issue .
‘ Strong women ’ is an overused term , and we need something better .
I prefer ‘ badass women ’ – a descriptor that certainly applies to the members I ’ ve had the pleasure of unionising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been a cracking week .
After months of organising , we forced the Prime Minister to improve statutory sick pay and won millions of pounds worth of additional pay from global service providers .
We dominated the national agenda by exposing the impossible choice our members face .
These stories only get a hearing when workers are organised , unionised and taking action .
Statutory sick pay is £94.25 a week .
It ’ s paid by minimum wage employers , and to be entitled to this miserly amount you currently need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forfeiting three full days ’ pay .
Obviously , people can ’ t afford to do this , so instead they come into work ill.
They ’ re forced to choose between paying the rent or coming into work sick .
It is simply common sense that if you ’ ve got responsibilities you can ’ t lose three days of pay .
This International Women ’ s Day , I want to celebrate the thousands of badass women across the country who were brave and angry enough to get organised and take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the majority of workers in 80 % of the lowest jobs in the UK .
These jobs are physically exhausting , pay badly and don ’ t offer proper sick pay .
This week , these women were heard by everyone .
Their everyday struggles became a public health issue .
They won big for themselves and for so many others who aren ’ t unionised across the country .
They are – and forever have been – fighting , organising and winning without pomp or ceremony .
They ’ re resilient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you want to make change as they have , join a union , find your badass women and get in formation .

GMB Union broke the scandal of statutory sick pay amid the Covid-19 outbreak this week. We were able to make the link between ‘self-isolation’ and sick pay because we are organised. We got out before anyone else did because our members – outsourced cleaners, porters and catering staff – were already running campaigns on this issue.
‘Strong women’ is an overused term, and we need something better. I prefer ‘badass women’ – a descriptor that certainly applies to the members I’ve had the pleasure of unionising on sick pay campaigns.
It’s been a cracking week. After months of organising, we forced the Prime Minister to improve statutory sick pay and won millions of pounds worth of additional pay from global service providers. We dominated the national agenda by exposing the impossible choice our members face. These stories only get a hearing when workers are organised, unionised and taking action.
Statutory sick pay is £94.25 a week. It’s paid by minimum wage employers, and to be entitled to this miserly amount you currently need to prove you are really sick by forfeiting three full days’ pay. Obviously, people can’t afford to do this, so instead they come into work ill. They’re forced to choose between paying the rent or coming into work sick. It is simply common sense that if you’ve got responsibilities you can’t lose three days of pay.
This International Women’s Day, I want to celebrate the thousands of badass women across the country who were brave and angry enough to get organised and take action on this issue. Women make up the majority of workers in 80% of the lowest jobs in the UK. These jobs are physically exhausting, pay badly and don’t offer proper sick pay. This week, these women were heard by everyone. Their everyday struggles became a public health issue.
They won big for themselves and for so many others who aren’t unionised across the country. They are – and forever have been – fighting, organising and winning without pomp or ceremony. They’re resilient, brilliant and exist everywhere. If you want to make change as they have, join a union, find your badass women and get in formation.


labourlist--2020-03-08--Why I’m feeling optimistic about women’s empowerment across the globe

As the women ’ s suffrage movement grew on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1900s , a popular expression took root to describe those of the other sex apparently bewildered by this turn of events .
The deprecatingly-described “ mere man ” – happy with his lot , his family and his quiet life – could apparently not understand this obsession with rights , equality and empowerment , and wondered where it would end .
110 years ago , Kansas newspaper The Meade County News warned him : “ Mere Man faces danger of a Woman President.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ terrible picture ” of a “ disgusting loud-voiced woman , in trousers , her hair cut short , sitting in the White House ” .
The New York Times warned : “ All our big battleships will be turned into floating department stores.
” Reading these stereotypical predictions now with a mix of outrage and amusement , it ’ s hard not to feel a pang of disappointment that what commentators once regarded as inevitable female advancement can sometimes feel as if it is in reverse .
For those of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have certainly felt that way , with Hilary Clinton ’ s defeat , Angela Merkel ’ s impending retirement , Aung San Suu Kyi ’ s shame , and the embarrassment of Theresa May ’ s premiership .
Where there was once a sense of inexorable history that the US would finally elect its first female President , and the Labour Party its first female leader this year , neither notion secured lasting momentum once the respective contests began .
Meanwhile , in Latin America , we have recently gone from four female @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talent such as Dilma Rousseff and Michelle Bachelet in the process .
And 14 years after the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia , we are back down to one female African leader , albeit one – in Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde – who is taking great strides alongside PM Abiy Ahmed .
Zewde ’ s success is one of the clear current reasons to be cheerful , along with Jacinda Ardern ’ s confident and progressive start to her premiership in New Zealand , Sanna Marin ’ s leadership of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them led by women , and Penny Wong ’ s tireless work to lift a demoralised Labor opposition in Australia .
Together with the hugely-extensive numbers and inspirational nature of women coming through at every level of American politics to challenge Donald Trump , and the fact that women now form a clear majority of the UK Parliamentary Labour Party and represent every ethnicity , religion and background in the process , these are all greatly positive signs for the future .
I sympathise with those women who are tired of seeing future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I share their frustration at seeing another International Women ’ s Day go by without enough clear political ‘ wins ’ to offset ‘ defeats ’ ranging from the Democratic nomination to the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh .
However , as one of life ’ s optimists , I have seen a breakthrough in recent years in the nature of female leadership , which , for me , bodes very well for the future .
One of my great bugbears in the treatment of female politicians is the way that we divide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when female politicians pigeon-hole themselves into those roles to convey a certain impression of who they are .
We have the ‘ outspoken ’ , ‘ opinionated ’ , ‘ feisty ’ types – more offensively known as ‘ battle-axes ’ – descriptions commonly attached to the likes of Barbara Castle , Gwyneth Dunwoody , Mo Mowlam , or Clare Short , but never to male counterparts such as Nye Bevan , David Blunkett or John Reid .
We have the ‘ ambitious ’ , ‘ opportunistic ’ , ‘ pushy ’ types @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US political scene like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand , but obviously not to Beto O ’ Rourke , Cory Booker or Pete Buttigeig .
Conversely , we see male politicians on both sides of the Atlantic widely respected as ‘ safe pairs of hands ’ – from John Kerry and Tim Kaine to Philip Hammond and Jeremy Hunt – while their female counterparts are dismissed as ‘ mousy types ’ , ‘ speak-your-weight machines ’ or ‘ Stepford Wives ’ .
Finally , and most perniciously , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First , and encapsulated in Margaret Thatcher , the ‘ exceptional women ’ whose physical form belies a male strength and temperament , a comparison Theresa May deliberately reached for with her stomach-churning “ Remind him of anybody ?
” jibe at Jeremy Corbyn at their first Prime Minister ’ s Questions .
These female leader stereotypes have become so ingrained in our political culture that we barely know what to do with someone who does not fit one .
But where does Jacinda Ardern fit ?
What of Sahle-Work Zewde ?
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdrawal from the Democratic Primary this week means that ‘ Mere Man ’ from Meade County can rest easy for another four years ?
Erudite but passionate ; thoughtful but inspirational ; experienced but full of fresh ideas ; Warren is not a certain type of female politician .
She is just a certain type of politician – and one unlucky to stand in a cycle when Democratic voters are playing safe .
But what she and many others are showing is that they need not be judged by , or conform to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the misogynistic predictions we saw in US newspapers a century ago .
And it is breaking those stereotypes that is central to breaking the political glass ceiling .
That is why – despite everything – this past year has left me feeling optimistic .
It offers hope of a time when people look at the catchphrase associated with Warren , courtesy of Mitch McConnell , “ Nevertheless , she persisted ” , and do not think ‘ she persisted ’ because she is a stereotypical woman , but persisted because she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ path to true empowerment across the globe .

As the women’s suffrage movement grew on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1900s, a popular expression took root to describe those of the other sex apparently bewildered by this turn of events. The deprecatingly-described “mere man” – happy with his lot, his family and his quiet life – could apparently not understand this obsession with rights, equality and empowerment, and wondered where it would end.
110 years ago, Kansas newspaper The Meade County News warned him: “Mere Man faces danger of a Woman President.” In 1916, The Washington Times described the “terrible picture” of a “disgusting loud-voiced woman, in trousers, her hair cut short, sitting in the White House”. The New York Times warned: “All our big battleships will be turned into floating department stores.”
Reading these stereotypical predictions now with a mix of outrage and amusement, it’s hard not to feel a pang of disappointment that what commentators once regarded as inevitable female advancement can sometimes feel as if it is in reverse. For those of a pessimistic outlook, the last few years have certainly felt that way, with Hilary Clinton’s defeat, Angela Merkel’s impending retirement, Aung San Suu Kyi’s shame, and the embarrassment of Theresa May’s premiership.
Where there was once a sense of inexorable history that the US would finally elect its first female President, and the Labour Party its first female leader this year, neither notion secured lasting momentum once the respective contests began. Meanwhile, in Latin America, we have recently gone from four female heads of state to none, losing talent such as Dilma Rousseff and Michelle Bachelet in the process.
And 14 years after the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia, we are back down to one female African leader, albeit one – in Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde – who is taking great strides alongside PM Abiy Ahmed.
Zewde’s success is one of the clear current reasons to be cheerful, along with Jacinda Ardern’s confident and progressive start to her premiership in New Zealand, Sanna Marin’s leadership of a five-party coalition in Finland, all of them led by women, and Penny Wong’s tireless work to lift a demoralised Labor opposition in Australia.
Together with the hugely-extensive numbers and inspirational nature of women coming through at every level of American politics to challenge Donald Trump, and the fact that women now form a clear majority of the UK Parliamentary Labour Party and represent every ethnicity, religion and background in the process, these are all greatly positive signs for the future.
I sympathise with those women who are tired of seeing future signs, instead of concrete progress now. I share their frustration at seeing another International Women’s Day go by without enough clear political ‘wins’ to offset ‘defeats’ ranging from the Democratic nomination to the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh.
However, as one of life’s optimists, I have seen a breakthrough in recent years in the nature of female leadership, which, for me, bodes very well for the future. One of my great bugbears in the treatment of female politicians is the way that we divide them into particular stereotypes, or worse when female politicians pigeon-hole themselves into those roles to convey a certain impression of who they are.
We have the ‘outspoken’, ‘opinionated’, ‘feisty’ types – more offensively known as ‘battle-axes’ – descriptions commonly attached to the likes of Barbara Castle, Gwyneth Dunwoody, Mo Mowlam, or Clare Short, but never to male counterparts such as Nye Bevan, David Blunkett or John Reid.
We have the ‘ambitious’, ‘opportunistic’, ‘pushy’ types – labels fixed to rising stars of the US political scene like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand, but obviously not to Beto O’Rourke, Cory Booker or Pete Buttigeig.
Conversely, we see male politicians on both sides of the Atlantic widely respected as ‘safe pairs of hands’ – from John Kerry and Tim Kaine to Philip Hammond and Jeremy Hunt – while their female counterparts are dismissed as ‘mousy types’, ‘speak-your-weight machines’ or ‘Stepford Wives’.
Finally, and most perniciously, we see female leaders modelled on Elizabeth the First, and encapsulated in Margaret Thatcher, the ‘exceptional women’ whose physical form belies a male strength and temperament, a comparison Theresa May deliberately reached for with her stomach-churning “Remind him of anybody?” jibe at Jeremy Corbyn at their first Prime Minister’s Questions.
These female leader stereotypes have become so ingrained in our political culture that we barely know what to do with someone who does not fit one. But where does Jacinda Ardern fit? What of Sahle-Work Zewde? And what indeed of Elizabeth Warren, whose withdrawal from the Democratic Primary this week means that ‘Mere Man’ from Meade County can rest easy for another four years?
Erudite but passionate; thoughtful but inspirational; experienced but full of fresh ideas; Warren is not a certain type of female politician. She is just a certain type of politician – and one unlucky to stand in a cycle when Democratic voters are playing safe.
But what she and many others are showing is that they need not be judged by, or conform to, today’s stereotypes any more than the misogynistic predictions we saw in US newspapers a century ago. And it is breaking those stereotypes that is central to breaking the political glass ceiling.
That is why – despite everything – this past year has left me feeling optimistic. It offers hope of a time when people look at the catchphrase associated with Warren, courtesy of Mitch McConnell, “Nevertheless, she persisted”, and do not think ‘she persisted’ because she is a stereotypical woman, but persisted because she is a strong leader. That is our path to true empowerment across the globe.


labourlist--2020-03-08--On International Women’s Day, let’s choose a different kind of leader

“ Lisa Nandy flashing her legs tonight .
Anything to get attention ” This is just a taste of some of the messages my campaign team received in response to a text asking Labour members whether they would support me in this leadership contest .
After a decade in parliament , the tone and content has become all too familiar .
But this kind of misogyny – particularly in political life – often comes in a much quieter , more subtle form .
When I took the decision to stand as a candidate in the Labour leadership election , questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ do you think you have the experience ” became commonplace .
Many felt it appropriate to question whether I “ looked Prime Ministerial enough ” or “ lacked the authority ” to lead .
From the outset , several colleagues asked why I wasn ’ t standing to be deputy – or whether I thought it would be best to stand aside to back another candidate .
As a woman in public life , you are forced to defend the clothes you wear , your choice of footwear and even your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – from those within our own party .
But this isn ’ t the Labour Party I believe in .
We are the party of Margaret Bondfield , who was told she couldn ’ t join a trade union , so set one up herself .
Bondfield went on to break the glass ceiling as the first cabinet minister for Labour in 1929 .
It is simply not good enough that , in the 90 years since her appointment , there have only been 45 women who followed her into the cabinet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 % of Labour council leaders .
Our country has twice elected a women into Number 10 .
But Labour – still without a woman leader in our 120-year history – lags shamefully behind .
On International Women ’ s Day , we have an opportunity to celebrate the women who have created and shaped our movement , and reflect on how much further we still have to go .
Because it has been women who have fought and won many of the battles in our history .
Women who advanced the battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ champions like Barbara Castle and the Ford machinists .
It was Tessa Jowell who delivered the transformative Sure Start programme .
And in 1936 , in the face of rising unemployment and devastating poverty , it was Jarrow ’ s MP Ellen Wilkinson who organised the march that would awake a nation .
In these moments , women have shown leadership because they knew that more of the same simply would not do .
When an Indian woman , Jayaben Desai , led the Grunwick workers out on strike just before I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like me were seen in our movement and in our country .
She showed a nation in despair that through the strength of our common endeavour , a better society can be built .
She told her managers , we are the lions .
In this moment , this is the spirit the country needs .
To rediscover the ambition of those who came before us , celebrate the contribution of their generations and commit ourselves to carrying the torch forward .
I am asking Labour members to join me on this journey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith in the Labour Party that we have the courage to choose a different kind of leader , and with it a different kind of leadership .
This is our moment to roar .

“Send nudes”
“F*** off c***”
“Lisa Nandy flashing her legs tonight. Anything to get attention”
This is just a taste of some of the messages my campaign team received in response to a text asking Labour members whether they would support me in this leadership contest. After a decade in parliament, the tone and content has become all too familiar. But this kind of misogyny – particularly in political life – often comes in a much quieter, more subtle form.
When I took the decision to stand as a candidate in the Labour leadership election, questions like “are you tough enough” and “do you think you have the experience” became commonplace. Many felt it appropriate to question whether I “looked Prime Ministerial enough” or “lacked the authority” to lead.
From the outset, several colleagues asked why I wasn’t standing to be deputy – or whether I thought it would be best to stand aside to back another candidate. As a woman in public life, you are forced to defend the clothes you wear, your choice of footwear and even your right to take maternity leave. This – from those within our own party.
But this isn’t the Labour Party I believe in. We are the party of Margaret Bondfield, who was told she couldn’t join a trade union, so set one up herself. Bondfield went on to break the glass ceiling as the first cabinet minister for Labour in 1929. It is simply not good enough that, in the 90 years since her appointment, there have only been 45 women who followed her into the cabinet. Just three female directly-elected mayors. Only 20% of Labour council leaders.
Our country has twice elected a women into Number 10. But Labour – still without a woman leader in our 120-year history – lags shamefully behind. On International Women’s Day, we have an opportunity to celebrate the women who have created and shaped our movement, and reflect on how much further we still have to go.
Because it has been women who have fought and won many of the battles in our history. Women who advanced the battle for equal pay, thanks to fearless champions like Barbara Castle and the Ford machinists. It was Tessa Jowell who delivered the transformative Sure Start programme. And in 1936, in the face of rising unemployment and devastating poverty, it was Jarrow’s MP Ellen Wilkinson who organised the march that would awake a nation. In these moments, women have shown leadership because they knew that more of the same simply would not do.
When an Indian woman, Jayaben Desai, led the Grunwick workers out on strike just before I was born, she changed the way women like me were seen in our movement and in our country. She showed a nation in despair that through the strength of our common endeavour, a better society can be built. She told her managers, we are the lions.
In this moment, this is the spirit the country needs. To rediscover the ambition of those who came before us, celebrate the contribution of their generations and commit ourselves to carrying the torch forward.
I am asking Labour members to join me on this journey. To show those who have lost faith in the Labour Party that we have the courage to choose a different kind of leader, and with it a different kind of leadership. This is our moment to roar.


labourlist--2020-03-09--Row erupts over Trevor Phillips suspension from Labour on Islamophobia charges

Labour has suspended broadcaster and former politician Trevor Phillips from the party pending investigation of Islamophobia claims made against him , provoking a row over the disciplinary action .
The former head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission received an 11-page letter from the party informing him of his suspension and an investigation , The Times exclusively revealed .
In the party ’ s letter to Phillips , items of evidence are listed , including a transcript of his comments at a Policy Exchange event at Tory conference where The Mirror reported he asked : “ To what extent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effect in silencing those who report our world ?
” .
Phillips also reportedly raised the possibility that Muslims “ see the world differently to the rest of us ” , and said people should not be “ continuously pretending that a group is somehow eventually going to become like the rest of us ” .
Commenting on the allegations on BBC Radio 4 ’ s Today Programme , Phillips said : “ I am kind of surprised that what is , and always has been , an open and democratic party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthy debate about how we address differences of values and outlooks.
” Phillips stuck by past remarks that Muslims were “ different ” , adding : “ The point is Muslims are different and , in many ways , I think that is admirable.
” He described Labour ’ s decision to adopt the definition of Islamophobia agreed by the all-party parliamentary group on British Muslims as “ nonsense ” .
He told the BBC : “ My personal hero was Muhammad Ali , before that Malcolm X .
They became Muslims largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is not a racial grouping , so describing hostility to them as racial is nonsense.
” Policy Exchange , the right-wing think tank that hosted the Conservative Party conference event in 2019 , has now released a report entitled ‘ The Trial : the strange case of Trevor Phillips – How the accusation of Islamophobia is used to stifle free speech ‘ .
In the report , Trevor Phillips claims his free speech is being stifled by the accusation of Islamophobia .
He argues that he has not “ transgressed the arcane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s rules ” , and claims to be the victim of a “ witch-hunt ” .
The 39-page document published this morning also includes a foreword by frontbench Labour MP Khalid Mahmood , who describes the charges against Phillips as “ outlandish ” and says they “ bring disrepute on all involved in making them ” .
The paper contains Labour ’ s letter to Phillips informing him of the suspension , the reply to Labour from Phillips , as well as comments on the definition of Islamophobia by Mahmood , Dr Martyn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McNicol , former general secretary of the Labour Party , has retweeted a post that says the original Twitter user is “ horrified ” by the suspension of Phillips as “ one of the bravest and most principled people I know ” .
Labour MP Ben Bradshaw tweeted : “ This swift action against Trevor Phillips is in stark contrast to the complete lack of action against anti-semites I & many other Labour MPs have reported repeatedly to @ JennieGenSec & who remain Labour members.
” The Labour Party adopted the definition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 2019 , in the wake of the attack on a mosque in Christchurch , New Zealand .
Also speaking to the Today programme this morning , the Muslim Council of Britain ’ s Miqdaad Versi said of Phillips : “ The statements that he has made on a number of different things would not be statements he would make against other communities.
” The MCB assistant secretary , explained : “ He says Muslims don ’ t report terrorism as much as anyone else .
Another false statement .
He says Muslims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proven to be incorrect.
” Phillips founded the Equalities and Human Rights Commission , which is now investigating Labour over claims of institutional antisemitism , and was the chairman of the race equality think tank the Runnymede Trust .
A spokesperson for the Labour Party has said that it “ takes all complaints about Islamophobia extremely seriously ” and they are “ fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures , and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken ” .

Labour has suspended broadcaster and former politician Trevor Phillips from the party pending investigation of Islamophobia claims made against him, provoking a row over the disciplinary action.
The former head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission received an 11-page letter from the party informing him of his suspension and an investigation, The Times exclusively revealed.
In the party’s letter to Phillips, items of evidence are listed, including a transcript of his comments at a Policy Exchange event at Tory conference where The Mirror reported he asked: “To what extent is the argument around Islamophobia already having an effect in silencing those who report our world?”.
Phillips also reportedly raised the possibility that Muslims “see the world differently to the rest of us”, and said people should not be “continuously pretending that a group is somehow eventually going to become like the rest of us”.
Commenting on the allegations on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, Phillips said: “I am kind of surprised that what is, and always has been, an open and democratic party decides that its members cannot have healthy debate about how we address differences of values and outlooks.”
Phillips stuck by past remarks that Muslims were “different”, adding: “The point is Muslims are different and, in many ways, I think that is admirable.” He described Labour’s decision to adopt the definition of Islamophobia agreed by the all-party parliamentary group on British Muslims as “nonsense”.
He told the BBC: “My personal hero was Muhammad Ali, before that Malcolm X. They became Muslims largely because it is a pan-racial faith. This is not a racial grouping, so describing hostility to them as racial is nonsense.”
Policy Exchange, the right-wing think tank that hosted the Conservative Party conference event in 2019, has now released a report entitled ‘The Trial: the strange case of Trevor Phillips – How the accusation of Islamophobia is used to stifle free speech‘.
In the report, Trevor Phillips claims his free speech is being stifled by the accusation of Islamophobia. He argues that he has not “transgressed the arcane codes laid out in the party’s rules”, and claims to be the victim of a “witch-hunt”.
The 39-page document published this morning also includes a foreword by frontbench Labour MP Khalid Mahmood, who describes the charges against Phillips as “outlandish” and says they “bring disrepute on all involved in making them”.
The paper contains Labour’s letter to Phillips informing him of the suspension, the reply to Labour from Phillips, as well as comments on the definition of Islamophobia by Mahmood, Dr Martyn Frampton and Sir John Jenkins.
Iain McNicol, former general secretary of the Labour Party, has retweeted a post that says the original Twitter user is “horrified” by the suspension of Phillips as “one of the bravest and most principled people I know”.
Labour MP Ben Bradshaw tweeted: “This swift action against Trevor Phillips is in stark contrast to the complete lack of action against anti-semites I & many other Labour MPs have reported repeatedly to @JennieGenSec & who remain Labour members.”
The Labour Party adopted the definition of Islamophobia put forward by the APPG in March 2019, in the wake of the attack on a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Also speaking to the Today programme this morning, the Muslim Council of Britain’s Miqdaad Versi said of Phillips: “The statements that he has made on a number of different things would not be statements he would make against other communities.”
The MCB assistant secretary, explained: “He says Muslims don’t report terrorism as much as anyone else. Another false statement. He says Muslims have sympathies with terrorist. Again, proven to be incorrect.”
Phillips founded the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, which is now investigating Labour over claims of institutional antisemitism, and was the chairman of the race equality think tank the Runnymede Trust.
A spokesperson for the Labour Party has said that it “takes all complaints about Islamophobia extremely seriously” and they are “fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken”.


labourlist--2020-03-09--Stella Creasy renews campaign to make misogyny a hate crime

Backbench Labour MP Stella Creasy , who is currently on maternity leave , has renewed efforts in the campaign to make misogyny a hate crime by hosting an event in parliament this afternoon on that subject .
The policy was included in Labour ’ s 2019 manifesto , and the initiative received a boost ahead of International Women ’ s Day on Sunday when London mayor Sadiq Khan joined calls for misogyny to be recognised as a hate crime .
During the panel discussion in parliament , host Creasy expressed appreciation for the support of Khan – calling it “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she now expected the “ backlash against this change to be even stronger ” .
In September 2018 , the MP for Walthamstow put forward an amendment to the Upskirting Bill that would have added misogyny as an aggravating factor .
But she later withdrew the proposal in response to the government announcing a comprehensive review of hate crime legislation .
Nadia Whittome , the new 23-year-old MP for Nottingham East , also spoke at the event in parliament and talked about how Nottinghamshire Police in 2016 became the first police force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girls to report cases of abuse and harassment as misogyny .
The misogyny hate crime policy in Nottinghamshire “ happened not as a result of bureaucratic means ” , Whittome told attendees , but because women were “ coming together from all different backgrounds ” and “ sharing their experiences ” .
The Labour MP was critical of the initial response from the police , explaining : “ The police didn ’ t just come on board with this… whilst they ’ ve come a long way and they ’ ve had training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggle.
” She argued that BAME women are “ disproportionately impacted ” but also face particularly difficult decisions in terms of reporting such crimes when they are committed by members of their own community .
“ They know the police don ’ t treat our community well , ” Whittome said , “ so they have to weigh up – is it more important that I was assaulted , or is it more important that the perpetrator might be treated unfairly ?
” The Law Commission is currently undertaking a review of hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legislation should be extended to other characteristics and how this should be implemented if so .
Representing the Commission at the event , Penney Lewis said the consultation is scheduled to start in May and will take place over three months .
They are aiming to publish a report in 2021 including recommendations .
There is no guarantee that these recommendations would become law , Lewis acknowledged , but the commissioner added : “ But we don ’ t embark on a project unless the relevant government department has indicated a serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area.
” Reflecting on this comment , Creasy asked whether it would be best for campaigners and supportive MPs to wait until the outcome of the review was known or to table amendments to legislation earlier .
In response , Lewis warned : “ It might be that an attempt to simply add gender or women as a protected characteristic would have to be revisited if the government were minded to legislate on hate crime more broadly , which obviously is what we ’ re hoping because they commissioned a root-and-branch review from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking one ’ s opportunities where one sees them , but I think there ’ s an advantage here to waiting and trying to achieve something that is much greater than one protected characteristic being slotted into a framework that has other issues.
” Sam Smethers of the Fawcett Society , who was also a panellist , said there was a need to “ do both ” , while Creasy argued that while the commission was ongoing there should be a focus on “ changing the hearts and minds of our police force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gemma and Maya Tutton , from the campaign Our Streets Now to make street harassment illegal in the UK , contributed to the discussion .
They have started a petition and collected over 200,000 signatures so far .
They said that while those who experienced street harassment could technically report being intimidated in a public space under the Public Order Act , their team had not found a single case of the law being used to that effect .
Making the case that such harassment was therefore not in effect illegal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoken to police officers who have said to us , ‘ It doesn ’ t even occur to me to use the Public Order Act because that ’ s not what it is intended for ’ .
” Attendees also raised concerns about the potential for backlash against a misogyny law , which Creasy dubbed the “ Laurence Fox effect ” whereby “ the more you talk about being woke… it can make people double down ” .
Responding to a point about institutional misogyny in the police force , Creasy pointed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Metropolitan Police Service in London – had “ spoken out against ” making misogyny a hate crime .
Dick “ thinks it would be too much work ” , Creasy said , despite street harassment being “ in theory already a crime ” and “ the legislation that is supposed to deal with this… police like Cressida Dick are supposed to be implementing ” .
Creasy added : “ Nobody is talking about criminalising something that isn ’ t already in theory a criminal act .
It ’ s just that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it what it is..
It is partly about making a law that can ’ t be ignored.
” On the importance of lobbying Cressida Dick , the Labour MP for Walthamstow said : “ If a top female police officer is saying , ‘ We can ’ t be dealing with this ’ , that ’ s a very big barrier to get over .
”

Backbench Labour MP Stella Creasy, who is currently on maternity leave, has renewed efforts in the campaign to make misogyny a hate crime by hosting an event in parliament this afternoon on that subject.
The policy was included in Labour’s 2019 manifesto, and the initiative received a boost ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday when London mayor Sadiq Khan joined calls for misogyny to be recognised as a hate crime.
During the panel discussion in parliament, host Creasy expressed appreciation for the support of Khan – calling it “a really powerful thing” – but said she now expected the “backlash against this change to be even stronger”.
In September 2018, the MP for Walthamstow put forward an amendment to the Upskirting Bill that would have added misogyny as an aggravating factor. But she later withdrew the proposal in response to the government announcing a comprehensive review of hate crime legislation.
Nadia Whittome, the new 23-year-old MP for Nottingham East, also spoke at the event in parliament and talked about how Nottinghamshire Police in 2016 became the first police force in the country to allow women and girls to report cases of abuse and harassment as misogyny.
The misogyny hate crime policy in Nottinghamshire “happened not as a result of bureaucratic means”, Whittome told attendees, but because women were “coming together from all different backgrounds” and “sharing their experiences”.
The Labour MP was critical of the initial response from the police, explaining: “The police didn’t just come on board with this… whilst they’ve come a long way and they’ve had training, that’s been an uphill struggle.”
She argued that BAME women are “disproportionately impacted” but also face particularly difficult decisions in terms of reporting such crimes when they are committed by members of their own community.
“They know the police don’t treat our community well,” Whittome said, “so they have to weigh up – is it more important that I was assaulted, or is it more important that the perpetrator might be treated unfairly?”
The Law Commission is currently undertaking a review of hate crime legislation, which will assess whether the legislation should be extended to other characteristics and how this should be implemented if so.
Representing the Commission at the event, Penney Lewis said the consultation is scheduled to start in May and will take place over three months. They are aiming to publish a report in 2021 including recommendations.
There is no guarantee that these recommendations would become law, Lewis acknowledged, but the commissioner added: “But we don’t embark on a project unless the relevant government department has indicated a serious intention to take forward legislation in the area.”
Reflecting on this comment, Creasy asked whether it would be best for campaigners and supportive MPs to wait until the outcome of the review was known or to table amendments to legislation earlier.
In response, Lewis warned: “It might be that an attempt to simply add gender or women as a protected characteristic would have to be revisited if the government were minded to legislate on hate crime more broadly, which obviously is what we’re hoping because they commissioned a root-and-branch review from us.
“I can certainly understand taking one’s opportunities where one sees them, but I think there’s an advantage here to waiting and trying to achieve something that is much greater than one protected characteristic being slotted into a framework that has other issues.”
Sam Smethers of the Fawcett Society, who was also a panellist, said there was a need to “do both”, while Creasy argued that while the commission was ongoing there should be a focus on “changing the hearts and minds of our police force” and enacting “cultural change”.
Gemma and Maya Tutton, from the campaign Our Streets Now to make street harassment illegal in the UK, contributed to the discussion. They have started a petition and collected over 200,000 signatures so far.
They said that while those who experienced street harassment could technically report being intimidated in a public space under the Public Order Act, their team had not found a single case of the law being used to that effect.
Making the case that such harassment was therefore not in effect illegal, Tutton said: “We’ve spoken to police officers who have said to us, ‘It doesn’t even occur to me to use the Public Order Act because that’s not what it is intended for’.”
Attendees also raised concerns about the potential for backlash against a misogyny law, which Creasy dubbed the “Laurence Fox effect” whereby “the more you talk about being woke… it can make people double down”.
Responding to a point about institutional misogyny in the police force, Creasy pointed out that Cressida Dick – commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service in London – had “spoken out against” making misogyny a hate crime.
Dick “thinks it would be too much work”, Creasy said, despite street harassment being “in theory already a crime” and “the legislation that is supposed to deal with this… police like Cressida Dick are supposed to be implementing”.
Creasy added: “Nobody is talking about criminalising something that isn’t already in theory a criminal act. It’s just that we’re talking about calling the source of it what it is.. It is partly about making a law that can’t be ignored.”
On the importance of lobbying Cressida Dick, the Labour MP for Walthamstow said: “If a top female police officer is saying, ‘We can’t be dealing with this’, that’s a very big barrier to get over.”


labourlist--2020-03-09--Think carefully before dismissing Labour’s suspension of Trevor Phillips

If your response to the news that Trevor Phillips has been suspended from Labour is to immediately claim it must be a malicious act by the party , then you should think carefully about whether you are contributing to the real fears felt by Muslim people in this country .
I do not know the details of the case and therefore – unlike some – I am not going to speculate on what is a confidential disciplinary process .
But the rush from some quarters to dismiss it out of hand is all too familiar to Muslim people .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the burden of proof for discrimination and hurt somehow always seems to be set higher for us .
This morning on the radio for example a senior BBC journalist described the suspension as “ chilling ” – as if it could not possibly have any merit .
This is so often the first assumption with Islamophobia – backed up with the ludicrous complaint that it is a ‘ made up word ’ .
All words are made up , the point is in their meaning .
Islamophobia is a word to describe something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is everywhere in our society .
We should not have to keep debating this point and Muslim people should not have to keep justifying it .
To deny this , or seek to downplay it , fuels anti-Muslim hatred and emboldens the far right .
And we have witnessed in recent years the horrific consequences of far right hatred , in Finsbury Park , Christchurch and elsewhere .
It is devastating to me , but it is true , that the Labour Party and our movement are not immune to Islamophobia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ assured people that it is committed to treating all complaints about Islamophobia extremely seriously and fully investigating them .
We also apply the Macpherson principle , so when we get complaints about Islamophobia or any other form of racism or bigotry , they are logged and dealt with on that basis .
The same can not be said for the Tories – who face mounting evidence of Islamophobia in their ranks and still do nothing .
No surprise given that they are led by Boris Johnson , whose disgusting Islamophobic comments about Muslim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in anti-Muslim attacks and incidents of abuse .
The Tories are also refusing to adopt the all-party parliamentary group ’ s definition of Islamophobia , which Labour formally adopted last year .
This is a simple but necessary definition that explains Islamophobia as a type of racism that targets people for being Muslim .
It does not limit free speech and it does not prevent or close down any debate about religion .
What it does do is provide a basis on which to properly recognise the specific characteristics inherent in Islamophobia so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When Muslim people and our representatives speak out about Islamophobia and anti-Muslim prejudice , we are asking you to listen and stand with us in our fight to root them out .
And everyone in the Labour Party – an anti-racist party , with a commitment to solidarity and respect at its core – should be an unwavering ally in that fight .

If your response to the news that Trevor Phillips has been suspended from Labour is to immediately claim it must be a malicious act by the party, then you should think carefully about whether you are contributing to the real fears felt by Muslim people in this country.
I do not know the details of the case and therefore – unlike some – I am not going to speculate on what is a confidential disciplinary process. But the rush from some quarters to dismiss it out of hand is all too familiar to Muslim people. We are seen as fair game, and the burden of proof for discrimination and hurt somehow always seems to be set higher for us.
This morning on the radio for example a senior BBC journalist described the suspension as “chilling” – as if it could not possibly have any merit. This is so often the first assumption with Islamophobia – backed up with the ludicrous complaint that it is a ‘made up word’. All words are made up, the point is in their meaning.
Islamophobia is a word to describe something that is very real, and something that is everywhere in our society. We should not have to keep debating this point and Muslim people should not have to keep justifying it. To deny this, or seek to downplay it, fuels anti-Muslim hatred and emboldens the far right. And we have witnessed in recent years the horrific consequences of far right hatred, in Finsbury Park, Christchurch and elsewhere.
It is devastating to me, but it is true, that the Labour Party and our movement are not immune to Islamophobia. So I am pleased that Labour has assured people that it is committed to treating all complaints about Islamophobia extremely seriously and fully investigating them. We also apply the Macpherson principle, so when we get complaints about Islamophobia or any other form of racism or bigotry, they are logged and dealt with on that basis.
The same cannot be said for the Tories – who face mounting evidence of Islamophobia in their ranks and still do nothing. No surprise given that they are led by Boris Johnson, whose disgusting Islamophobic comments about Muslim women contributed to a 375% increase in anti-Muslim attacks and incidents of abuse.
The Tories are also refusing to adopt the all-party parliamentary group’s definition of Islamophobia, which Labour formally adopted last year. This is a simple but necessary definition that explains Islamophobia as a type of racism that targets people for being Muslim.
It does not limit free speech and it does not prevent or close down any debate about religion. What it does do is provide a basis on which to properly recognise the specific characteristics inherent in Islamophobia so that we can challenge and overcome them.
When Muslim people and our representatives speak out about Islamophobia and anti-Muslim prejudice, we are asking you to listen and stand with us in our fight to root them out. And everyone in the Labour Party – an anti-racist party, with a commitment to solidarity and respect at its core – should be an unwavering ally in that fight.


labourlist--2020-03-09--Campaign donors “always expect to be paid back in the end”, says Long-Bailey

Rebecca Long-Bailey has said that campaign donors “ always expect to be paid back in the end ” , and suggested that who funds your campaign gives an “ indication of what your politics are and who ’ s going to be influencing you ” .
In an interview with the Evening Standard , the Salford MP also spoke about the election defeat in December and said that it takes more than a “ couple of door-knocking sessions ” to understand the voters in Red Wall seats .
Long-Bailey went on to tease her rival leadership candidate Keir Starmer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all members of the Labour Party , which included a “ cheesy ” poster of his face .
When asked about campaign funding , she commented : “ People want to see who donates to your campaign because it often gives an indication of what your politics are and who ’ s going to be influencing you in the future .
Those donors always expect to be paid back in the end.
” She added : “ I ’ m proud that my donations have come from trade unions , Labour Party members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported me because we share the same political ideals.
” Long-Bailey has published her campaign funding on her website , as has her rival Lisa Nandy .
Starmer has faced calls to do the same but opted instead to follow the usual rules for MPs by relying on the register of members ’ financial interests .
His register of interests was updated last week .
In line with the rules of both the Labour Party and the parliamentary authority , more donations are expected to be made public as the register is further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Unite has contributed £215,000 to her campaign , the CWU over £52,000 and Momentum almost £120,000 .
It also reveals that staffing alone on her campaign amounts to over £115,000 .
The leadership candidate and Shadow Business Secretary maintained that Brexit and the way in which the party communicated its policies were to blame for the election defeat at the end of last year .
She stated that she did not blame any one individual for the party ’ s Brexit policy .
She said only that there was “ definitely a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening in many of our communities and understanding the strength of feeling ” .
When asked about Starmer ’ s visits to the North and whether he got it , she replied : “ I think to truly understand them , you probably have to live in them and speak to people on a daily basis and understand the strength of feeling .
A couple of door-knocking sessions isn ’ t really going to show you.
” Starmer has said repeatedly in leadership hustings and other speaking engagements that he has travelled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Labour members and have “ gritty ” conversations with the residents .
Commenting on the poster , she said : “ It is a bit cheesy , isn ’ t it ?
It ’ s just weird because I know Keir .
It ’ s kind of like somebody putting a picture of your brother on the wall.
” Voting in the leadership contest is ongoing , and those eligible have until April 2nd to cast their ballot – though it is thought that the majority of those who vote do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result will be announced on April 4th .
Starmer is the current frontrunner according to recent polling , which projects him taking 45 % of first preferences before winning in the second round .
Long-Bailey is predicted to come second with 34 % of first preferences , while Nandy places last on 21 % .

Rebecca Long-Bailey has said that campaign donors “always expect to be paid back in the end”, and suggested that who funds your campaign gives an “indication of what your politics are and who’s going to be influencing you”.
In an interview with the Evening Standard, the Salford MP also spoke about the election defeat in December and said that it takes more than a “couple of door-knocking sessions” to understand the voters in Red Wall seats.
Long-Bailey went on to tease her rival leadership candidate Keir Starmer for the direct mailing he sent individually to all members of the Labour Party, which included a “cheesy” poster of his face.
When asked about campaign funding, she commented: “People want to see who donates to your campaign because it often gives an indication of what your politics are and who’s going to be influencing you in the future. Those donors always expect to be paid back in the end.”
She added: “I’m proud that my donations have come from trade unions, Labour Party members, Momentum members who I know have supported me because we share the same political ideals.”
Long-Bailey has published her campaign funding on her website, as has her rival Lisa Nandy. Starmer has faced calls to do the same but opted instead to follow the usual rules for MPs by relying on the register of members’ financial interests.
His register of interests was updated last week. In line with the rules of both the Labour Party and the parliamentary authority, more donations are expected to be made public as the register is further updated.
Long-Bailey’s website shows that Unite has contributed £215,000 to her campaign, the CWU over £52,000 and Momentum almost £120,000. It also reveals that staffing alone on her campaign amounts to over £115,000.
The leadership candidate and Shadow Business Secretary maintained that Brexit and the way in which the party communicated its policies were to blame for the election defeat at the end of last year.
She stated that she did not blame any one individual for the party’s Brexit policy. She said only that there was “definitely a tendency to not really understand what was happening in many of our communities and understanding the strength of feeling”.
When asked about Starmer’s visits to the North and whether he got it, she replied: “I think to truly understand them, you probably have to live in them and speak to people on a daily basis and understand the strength of feeling. A couple of door-knocking sessions isn’t really going to show you.”
Starmer has said repeatedly in leadership hustings and other speaking engagements that he has travelled to the Red Wall seats, to campaign with Labour members and have “gritty” conversations with the residents.
Commenting on the poster, she said: “It is a bit cheesy, isn’t it? It’s just weird because I know Keir. It’s kind of like somebody putting a picture of your brother on the wall.”
Voting in the leadership contest is ongoing, and those eligible have until April 2nd to cast their ballot – though it is thought that the majority of those who vote do so shortly after the ballots open. The result will be announced on April 4th.
Starmer is the current frontrunner according to recent polling, which projects him taking 45% of first preferences before winning in the second round. Long-Bailey is predicted to come second with 34% of first preferences, while Nandy places last on 21%.


labourlist--2020-03-09--“Seven decades later, the people of Kashmir are still waiting” – Tahir Ali’s maiden speech

I am truly honoured and privileged to be here representing the people of my constituency of Birmingham , Hall Green .
I am forever grateful to the constituents who have put their trust and confidence in me , with such a huge mandate. I have waited until today , February 5th , to make my maiden speech for two reasons .
Many members in the chamber may not be aware that today is Kashmir Solidarity Day .
Kashmir Solidarity Day is in observance of support for and to express unity and solidarity with the people of Indian-administered Kashmir , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of Kashmiris who have been martyred in the conflict by Indian armed forces .
On August 5th — exactly six months ago today — the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Indian government decided to strip the state of Jammu and Kashmir of autonomy after seven decades , characterising it as the correction of a historical blunder .
This act is illegal and the international community ’ s silence on the matter is worrying .
In south Asia , the long drawn-out dispute over the state of Jammu and Kashmir remains a hanging fireball between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pakistan .
It has been bringing human misery in the form of wars on the issue and it continues to threaten regional and global peace .
My role is not to take sides , such as to be pro-Pakistan or anti-India .
I believe , as a Kashmiri , that it is my duty to highlight the abuses and human rights violations to this House .
Even after seven decades , the people of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir are waiting for their right of self-determination , promised by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations resolutions calling for a solution to the dispute , India remains reluctant to grant the Kashmiris their right of self-determination .
The Scottish people were rightly afforded a referendum to express their desire for independence .
The UK had a referendum on remaining in or leaving the EU .
Seven decades later , the people of Kashmir are still waiting .
This is not , in my view , a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan — the international community needs to take responsibility .
More than 40 % of my constituents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so it is important to them to see the matter resolved , but that can happen only if the international community , through the United Nations , seeks a peaceful and lasting resolution .
By abrogation , the special status of Indian-administrated Jammu and Kashmir was violated on August 5th last year .
The Indian government has audaciously defied the basic norms and principles underpinning the concepts of democracy and human freedom .
India has deprived the Kashmiris of the right to express themselves peacefully .
Even elderly women who marked a silent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India-administered Kashmir , were not spared and have been detained .
The Indian army and paramilitary forces operating in Indian-held Kashmir have deliberately and methodically violated the fundamental norms of international human rights law , for which the Indian government are responsible , despite their being a signatory to these laws .
I demand an end to all elements of siege in the Kashmir valley and the full restoration of telephony and internet and of the democratic and basic human rights of the besieged Kashmiris .
I demand that they allow them and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and commit to providing a safe environment for human rights defenders and organisations so that they can conduct their work without fear .
We have an international obligation to support peace , equality and just treatment for all humans .
To quote Martin Luther King : “ Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
” It would be easy to make headline-grabbing jibes at Conservative members , but I will rise above that in my maiden speech and talk about the issues that need to be addressed in Birmingham , Hall Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make my maiden speech today is that this is national apprenticeship week .
In 1989 , at the age of 17 , I secured an engineering apprenticeship with Royal Mail .
Apprenticeships are an excellent way of providing secure jobs , a regular income and an early start into employment , and are an alternative to the academic route .
My apprenticeship provided me with an opportunity to go to university ; I was the first in my family to do so .
Much has been done in recent years on apprenticeships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being done by many councils across the country , but a lot more could be done .
The next step has to be Whitehall giving control to the regions and local authorities .
Many have benefited from apprenticeships , but many more could benefit , and not just the young either ; older people can benefit too .
The climate emergency needs to be taken seriously and can be avoided if bold and ambitious steps are taken .
Hundreds of properties have been flooded in Birmingham , Hall Green and remain at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Urgent and adequate funding and a programme are required to prevent such disasters from happening again .
Many schools in Birmingham , Hall Green do not open for the full five days a week owing to inadequate funding .
Immediate steps need to be taken as a matter of urgency so that all schools receive the adequate funding they need to open for the full five days .
Part-time schooling needs to end immediately .
It is also appalling that in this , the fifth-richest country in the world , children are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meal some of them have in the day is the one they have at school .
It is shameful that , while we enjoy the benefits of a subsidised canteen here in parliament , many children in our constituencies remain hungry and are resorting to food banks in record numbers .
We ought to be ashamed .
As long as I am in this House , I will continue to speak up for investment in services and the creation of opportunities for everyone in Birmingham , Hall Green .
I will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invest in public services that will have a positive and lasting impact for my constituents .
The people of Hall Green have placed their trust in me , and I pledge to represent their interests and concerns to the best of my ability for as long as I remain in this House .

I am truly honoured and privileged to be here representing the people of my constituency of Birmingham, Hall Green. I am forever grateful to the constituents who have put their trust and confidence in me, with such a huge mandate.
I have waited until today, February 5th, to make my maiden speech for two reasons.
Many members in the chamber may not be aware that today is Kashmir Solidarity Day. Kashmir Solidarity Day is in observance of support for and to express unity and solidarity with the people of Indian-administered Kashmir, and to pay homage to the tens of thousands of Kashmiris who have been martyred in the conflict by Indian armed forces.
On August 5th — exactly six months ago today — the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Indian government decided to strip the state of Jammu and Kashmir of autonomy after seven decades, characterising it as the correction of a historical blunder. This act is illegal and the international community’s silence on the matter is worrying.
In south Asia, the long drawn-out dispute over the state of Jammu and Kashmir remains a hanging fireball between two hostile nuclear neighbours, India and Pakistan. It has been bringing human misery in the form of wars on the issue and it continues to threaten regional and global peace. My role is not to take sides, such as to be pro-Pakistan or anti-India. I believe, as a Kashmiri, that it is my duty to highlight the abuses and human rights violations to this House.
Even after seven decades, the people of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir are waiting for their right of self-determination, promised by the United Nations. Notwithstanding over 25 United Nations resolutions calling for a solution to the dispute, India remains reluctant to grant the Kashmiris their right of self-determination.
The Scottish people were rightly afforded a referendum to express their desire for independence. The UK had a referendum on remaining in or leaving the EU. Seven decades later, the people of Kashmir are still waiting. This is not, in my view, a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan — the international community needs to take responsibility.
More than 40% of my constituents come from the region of Kashmir, so it is important to them to see the matter resolved, but that can happen only if the international community, through the United Nations, seeks a peaceful and lasting resolution. By abrogation, the special status of Indian-administrated Jammu and Kashmir was violated on August 5th last year.
The Indian government has audaciously defied the basic norms and principles underpinning the concepts of democracy and human freedom. India has deprived the Kashmiris of the right to express themselves peacefully. Even elderly women who marked a silent protest in Srinagar, the capital of India-administered Kashmir, were not spared and have been detained.
The Indian army and paramilitary forces operating in Indian-held Kashmir have deliberately and methodically violated the fundamental norms of international human rights law, for which the Indian government are responsible, despite their being a signatory to these laws. I demand an end to all elements of siege in the Kashmir valley and the full restoration of telephony and internet and of the democratic and basic human rights of the besieged Kashmiris. I demand that they allow them and foreign media to travel and report unhindered and commit to providing a safe environment for human rights defenders and organisations so that they can conduct their work without fear.
We have an international obligation to support peace, equality and just treatment for all humans. To quote Martin Luther King: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” It would be easy to make headline-grabbing jibes at Conservative members, but I will rise above that in my maiden speech and talk about the issues that need to be addressed in Birmingham, Hall Green.
The second reason I have chosen to make my maiden speech today is that this is national apprenticeship week. In 1989, at the age of 17, I secured an engineering apprenticeship with Royal Mail. Apprenticeships are an excellent way of providing secure jobs, a regular income and an early start into employment, and are an alternative to the academic route.
My apprenticeship provided me with an opportunity to go to university; I was the first in my family to do so. Much has been done in recent years on apprenticeships, as is acknowledged, and much is being done by many councils across the country, but a lot more could be done. The next step has to be Whitehall giving control to the regions and local authorities. Many have benefited from apprenticeships, but many more could benefit, and not just the young either; older people can benefit too.
The climate emergency needs to be taken seriously and can be avoided if bold and ambitious steps are taken. Hundreds of properties have been flooded in Birmingham, Hall Green and remain at risk of flooding from the river Cole. Urgent and adequate funding and a programme are required to prevent such disasters from happening again.
Many schools in Birmingham, Hall Green do not open for the full five days a week owing to inadequate funding. Immediate steps need to be taken as a matter of urgency so that all schools receive the adequate funding they need to open for the full five days. Part-time schooling needs to end immediately.
It is also appalling that in this, the fifth-richest country in the world, children are going to school hungry. The only meal some of them have in the day is the one they have at school. It is shameful that, while we enjoy the benefits of a subsidised canteen here in parliament, many children in our constituencies remain hungry and are resorting to food banks in record numbers. We ought to be ashamed.
As long as I am in this House, I will continue to speak up for investment in services and the creation of opportunities for everyone in Birmingham, Hall Green. I will continue to speak up and challenge the government to invest in public services that will have a positive and lasting impact for my constituents. The people of Hall Green have placed their trust in me, and I pledge to represent their interests and concerns to the best of my ability for as long as I remain in this House.


labourlist--2020-03-09--WATCH: Labour is a “total mess” on complaints, says Rachel Reeves

Rachel Reeves , Labour MP for Leeds West , described Labour as a “ total mess ” on the BBC ’ s Politics Live today when asked about the suspension of broadcaster and former politician Trevor Phillips from the party .
She said : “ The Labour Party is a total mess when it comes to its complaints process , and it needs to set up an independent process so it can ’ t be at the whim of Jennie Formby or anyone else in the party to decide who is and isn ’ t suspended .
It needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has lost all credibility with Labour members .
Asked about the view expressed by Labour MP Khalid Mahmood that the claims of Islamophobia are “ outlandish ” , Reeves said : “ I don ’ t know the details of the complaint made against him… I feel uncomfortable with some of the things Trevor Phillips has said today and I think it should be investigated .
“ But it does seem that it is one rule for one group of people who are complaining and another for another group of people .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Labour Party and they haven ’ t been suspended when they ’ re clearly in breach of the party rules , so that also gives me huge cause for concern .
”

Rachel Reeves, Labour MP for Leeds West, described Labour as a “total mess” on the BBC’s Politics Live today when asked about the suspension of broadcaster and former politician Trevor Phillips from the party.
She said: “The Labour Party is a total mess when it comes to its complaints process, and it needs to set up an independent process so it can’t be at the whim of Jennie Formby or anyone else in the party to decide who is and isn’t suspended. It needs to be independent because at the moment it has lost all credibility with Labour members.
Asked about the view expressed by Labour MP Khalid Mahmood that the claims of Islamophobia are “outlandish”, Reeves said: “I don’t know the details of the complaint made against him… I feel uncomfortable with some of the things Trevor Phillips has said today and I think it should be investigated.
“But it does seem that it is one rule for one group of people who are complaining and another for another group of people. I’ve made complaints about people in the Labour Party and they haven’t been suspended when they’re clearly in breach of the party rules, so that also gives me huge cause for concern.”