labourlist--2020-03-10--“Stop the scandal”: Labour First complains of missing ballot papers in party contests

‘ Old Labour right ’ group Labour First has declared a “ scandal ” in the ongoing Labour leadership , deputy and national executive committee elections as people eligible to vote are reporting that they have not been sent ballots .
An email sent by the organisation ’ s secretary Luke Akehurst this afternoon said some members had not received their email or postal ballot , and claimed that others had been ruled out of the process on “ spurious ” grounds .
“ The anecdotal evidence we are hearing from members is that something is going very badly wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leadership ballot , ” the email from Akehurst stated .
“ Many members haven ’ t received a ballot paper at all , some new joiners have been ruled out on spurious grounds ( notably their name on their membership application being slightly different to that on the electoral register e.g .
Bill vs William ) .
“ And many long-standing members only receiving the leadership ballot paper and not the NEC one ( which you are entitled to if you joined before 12 November 2019 ) .
” Labour First has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete a survey to let them know if they were missing their ballot entirely or had been sent one that didn ’ t included the option to vote for NEC candidates despite joining before November 12th , 2019 .
The email also urged people to vote for Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy “ in the order you prefer ” for leader , while encouraging them to opt for Ian Murray , Rosena Allin-Khan and Angela Rayner – in that order – for deputy .
In the national executive committee by-election , the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Josan for the constituency representative vacancies and Carol Sewell for the BAME rep position .
Voting in all of the above internal Labour selection processes is currently ongoing and those eligible have until April 2nd to complete and return their ballot .
The result will be announced on April 4th at special conference .
Starmer is the current frontrunner in the leadership contest , according to recent polling .
He is predicted to win on the second round of counting , securing 45 % of first preferences with Rebecca Long-Bailey second on 34 @ @

‘Old Labour right’ group Labour First has declared a “scandal” in the ongoing Labour leadership, deputy and national executive committee elections as people eligible to vote are reporting that they have not been sent ballots.
An email sent by the organisation’s secretary Luke Akehurst this afternoon said some members had not received their email or postal ballot, and claimed that others had been ruled out of the process on “spurious” grounds.
“The anecdotal evidence we are hearing from members is that something is going very badly wrong with the administration by the party of the leadership ballot,” the email from Akehurst stated.
“Many members haven’t received a ballot paper at all, some new joiners have been ruled out on spurious grounds (notably their name on their membership application being slightly different to that on the electoral register e.g. Bill vs William).
“And many long-standing members only receiving the leadership ballot paper and not the NEC one (which you are entitled to if you joined before 12 November 2019).”
Labour First has asked those on its mailing list to complete a survey to let them know if they were missing their ballot entirely or had been sent one that didn’t included the option to vote for NEC candidates despite joining before November 12th, 2019.
The email also urged people to vote for Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy “in the order you prefer” for leader, while encouraging them to opt for Ian Murray, Rosena Allin-Khan and Angela Rayner – in that order – for deputy.
In the national executive committee by-election, the group is backing Johanna Baxter and Gurinder Singh Josan for the constituency representative vacancies and Carol Sewell for the BAME rep position.
Voting in all of the above internal Labour selection processes is currently ongoing and those eligible have until April 2nd to complete and return their ballot. The result will be announced on April 4th at special conference.
Starmer is the current frontrunner in the leadership contest, according to recent polling. He is predicted to win on the second round of counting, securing 45% of first preferences with Rebecca Long-Bailey second on 34%.


labourlist--2020-03-10--Here we are, after a decade of austerity, and what have we got to show for it?

Tomorrow ’ s Budget will take place in extraordinary circumstances – with the world ’ s first pandemic in over a century looming and all the signs pointing towards a major global economic downturn .
Coronavirus is going to need urgent action , fast .
That means pumping funds into the NHS to help it cope – but that alone will not be enough .
We need a serious fiscal stimulus package .
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak needs to consider all the people who will suffer if the economy takes a hit .
Our economy has become increasingly reliant over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , including in vital sectors like social care which will be particularly impacted by the virus .
They do not have the guarantee of sick pay , and are liable to struggle if they have to take time off work if they are ill or have to self-isolate .
The Chancellor needs to come up with a plan for how to support them .
We can not leave people to face the choice of self-isolating or putting food on the table .
Small businesses will also feel the strain if people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pubs .
Ministers should consider offering support to small businesses struggling to pay their VAT bills , which are paid quarterly and can therefore place particular pressure on businesses suffering from a short-term loss of income .
In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis , the last Labour government made arrangements for struggling businesses to defer tax payments .
A similar scheme would be very valuable now .
But the Chancellor should not use coronavirus to distract from the long-term structural weaknesses in our economy .
He must not let the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the urgent investment our communities need .
I remember one of the Chancellor ’ s predecessors used to accuse Labour of failing to fix the roof while the sun was shining .
But here we are , after a decade of austerity , and what have we got to show for it but run-down infrastructure , weak growth and stagnant wages ?
The government has been talking about ‘ levelling up ’ the UK ’ s regions outside of London and the South East .
But all the signs suggest they do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand or how to address the problems .
It is worth putting in perspective the scale of the challenge .
For over a decade now , wages have stagnated and Britain has grown ever more unequal .
For large parts of the country , there has been no recovery at all since the 2008 crisis .
As the office for national statistics revealed , the worst-off 20 % of Britons are no better off than they were in 2004 .
The weakest recovery in terms of growth and employment has been in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Humber , where I am an MP .
Meanwhile , three of the four regions most affected by austerity are in the North .
So , let ’ s be clear : the Tories face an uphill challenge to undo the decade of damage caused by austerity .
Already , a little over three months on , the government has broken a series of pledges it made about investment in the North .
The poor state of infrastructure is perhaps the biggest single factor driving the economic underdevelopment of parts of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IPPR research showed that planned infrastructure spending would see London receive almost three times more per person than the North and seven times more per person than in Yorkshire and the Humber or the North East .
And yet , the Prime Minister has already broken his pledge to get rid of Pacer trains – a daily reminder of our second-rate train services in the North – by the end of February .
Even more vividly , the government has still not got to grips with flooding .
Flood defences are the kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a government : shovel-ready projects which will pay for themselves many times over by avoiding the costs that come with the damage done by flooding across the UK .
For over a decade , experts have been warning of the need to substantially increase spending on flood defences in anticipation of increasingly severe climate events .
While there was an increase in the last year of the last Labour government , the Tories have spent most of the past decade cutting back on flood defences .
We have all seen the consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay the cost for the Conservatives ’ failure to act on this .
My own constituency , Leeds West , experienced severe flooding in 2015 .
More than four years later , we are still waiting for £23m of funding need to complete the work .
Similarly , our energy infrastructure and housing stock desperately need investment .
Yet the government has already pushed back the unveiling of its national infrastructure strategy , which had been expected to involve £100bn of investment to boost the economy and tackle the climate crisis .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the government have not given us any confidence it will happen .
So , we wait to find out if the Chancellor can deliver the bold break with economic orthodoxy that the country needs .
With record low interest rates , we should be investing now .
It makes economic sense and can help tackle low productivity crisis , regional imbalances and get our whole country the changes we need .

Tomorrow’s Budget will take place in extraordinary circumstances – with the world’s first pandemic in over a century looming and all the signs pointing towards a major global economic downturn. Coronavirus is going to need urgent action, fast. That means pumping funds into the NHS to help it cope – but that alone will not be enough. We need a serious fiscal stimulus package. The Chancellor Rishi Sunak needs to consider all the people who will suffer if the economy takes a hit.
Our economy has become increasingly reliant over the last decade on insecure and self-employed workers, including in vital sectors like social care which will be particularly impacted by the virus. They do not have the guarantee of sick pay, and are liable to struggle if they have to take time off work if they are ill or have to self-isolate. The Chancellor needs to come up with a plan for how to support them. We cannot leave people to face the choice of self-isolating or putting food on the table.
Small businesses will also feel the strain if people are spending less in shops, restaurants and pubs. Ministers should consider offering support to small businesses struggling to pay their VAT bills, which are paid quarterly and can therefore place particular pressure on businesses suffering from a short-term loss of income. In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the last Labour government made arrangements for struggling businesses to defer tax payments. A similar scheme would be very valuable now.
But the Chancellor should not use coronavirus to distract from the long-term structural weaknesses in our economy. He must not let the opportunity represented by this Budget pass without providing the urgent investment our communities need. I remember one of the Chancellor’s predecessors used to accuse Labour of failing to fix the roof while the sun was shining. But here we are, after a decade of austerity, and what have we got to show for it but run-down infrastructure, weak growth and stagnant wages?
The government has been talking about ‘levelling up’ the UK’s regions outside of London and the South East. But all the signs suggest they do not appreciate the scale of the task at hand or how to address the problems. It is worth putting in perspective the scale of the challenge. For over a decade now, wages have stagnated and Britain has grown ever more unequal. For large parts of the country, there has been no recovery at all since the 2008 crisis.
As the office for national statistics revealed, the worst-off 20% of Britons are no better off than they were in 2004. The weakest recovery in terms of growth and employment has been in the North East and in Yorkshire and the Humber, where I am an MP. Meanwhile, three of the four regions most affected by austerity are in the North.
So, let’s be clear: the Tories face an uphill challenge to undo the decade of damage caused by austerity. Already, a little over three months on, the government has broken a series of pledges it made about investment in the North. The poor state of infrastructure is perhaps the biggest single factor driving the economic underdevelopment of parts of the country.
And despite the pre-existing gap, IPPR research showed that planned infrastructure spending would see London receive almost three times more per person than the North and seven times more per person than in Yorkshire and the Humber or the North East. And yet, the Prime Minister has already broken his pledge to get rid of Pacer trains – a daily reminder of our second-rate train services in the North – by the end of February.
Even more vividly, the government has still not got to grips with flooding. Flood defences are the kind of investment that are an absolute no-brainer for a government: shovel-ready projects which will pay for themselves many times over by avoiding the costs that come with the damage done by flooding across the UK. For over a decade, experts have been warning of the need to substantially increase spending on flood defences in anticipation of increasingly severe climate events.
While there was an increase in the last year of the last Labour government, the Tories have spent most of the past decade cutting back on flood defences. We have all seen the consequences. Year after year, our constituents pay the cost for the Conservatives’ failure to act on this. My own constituency, Leeds West, experienced severe flooding in 2015. More than four years later, we are still waiting for £23m of funding need to complete the work. Similarly, our energy infrastructure and housing stock desperately need investment.
Yet the government has already pushed back the unveiling of its national infrastructure strategy, which had been expected to involve £100bn of investment to boost the economy and tackle the climate crisis. This kind of serious investment is vital, but the government have not given us any confidence it will happen. So, we wait to find out if the Chancellor can deliver the bold break with economic orthodoxy that the country needs. With record low interest rates, we should be investing now. It makes economic sense and can help tackle low productivity crisis, regional imbalances and get our whole country the changes we need.


labourlist--2020-03-10--“My socialism is aspirational” – Paula Barker’s full maiden speech

I want to take a brief moment , at the beginning of this speech , to pay tribute to my predecessor , Luciana Berger , who served my constituency for nine years .
In particular , her commitment to raising the profile of mental health issues was very encouraging .
Although it is an issue more widely talked about than ever in society , it sits far too low down on the political agenda .
I wish Luciana and her young family the very best for the future .
My wedding day was the best day of my life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in life , but it is the greatest honour of my life – and a most humbling one — to sit in this Chamber as the Labour member of parliament for Liverpool , Wavertree .
I represent a wonderfully diverse constituency in south Liverpool .
It has a number of communities – from Childwall to Church , from Kensington to Old Swan , from Picton to Wavertree itself – unique with their own characteristics , rich in their own history and proud of their contribution to our city ’ s story .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all their diversity , not least for some of the longest-established minority communities in our nation .
Our Yemeni community , our Jewish and Hindu communities , and our Afro-Caribbean and African communities .
I can not go on without mentioning how much it means to our city to finally have a black MP from Liverpool sitting on these benches — my good friend , my hon .
friend the member for Liverpool , Riverside .
My constituency is economically diverse , too , and that is something I am less inclined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story of two constituencies .
The economic disparity between the wealthiest and poorest parts of my constituency is far too great .
My socialism is aspirational : it is not about levelling down , but rather levelling up communities that for far too long have suffered at the hands of crushing Tory austerity .
I was born in the constituency at Sefton general hospital .
My mother and father both worked at the sweet factory , Barker and Dobson – the name a mere coincidence .
Both were workers on the shop floor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Workers Union .
When my dad tragically died two weeks before my second birthday , my mum raised me as a single mother .
According to the Prime Minister , in his own words , that makes me “ ill-raised , ignorant ” and “ aggressive ” .
In all honesty , I may well be the latter .
It comes with the territory of being a woman with an opinion , and a Scouse one at that .
I joined my trade union , Unison – or NALGO , as it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Liverpool City Council , so it is apt that we are discussing a statutory instrument on local government finance today .
Liverpool City Council is a council that has had its funding reduced by 64 % since 2010 , equating to £640m ; a council that is the backbone of our communities , providing services from cradle to grave ; and a council that , along with so many others , needs to be funded properly and equitably .
I did not find politics ; politics found me .
I owe most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apology for this — to the trade union movement .
It was that movement that gave me security at work .
It was that movement that made me understand the power of solidarity .
And it was the working-class movement that made me realise that we , the collective , are the tide that lifts all boats .
All these principles were reaffirmed – and thank you to Conservative members — by the Conservative party , which waged an unrelenting assault on my city , attempting to put us into a state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-reliant , hard-working and independently minded people .
There is no such inclination towards ‘ welfarism ’ or a prevailing sense of ‘ victimhood ’ , as The Spectator once asserted while the Prime Minister was undertaking tough , arduous graft doing real work in that infamous sweatshop that was its editorial room .
Like my party , we are a city of work and workers—human beings with long memories , united in our ideals and fundamentally optimistic about our collective future .
I will always champion my constituency , my city , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so long as the good people of Wavertree continue to put their faith in me .
I want to give a warning to Conservative members using a contemporary example , but before I do , I must say that the Secretary of State for Housing , Communities and Local Government is not better qualified to understand the problems that our city faces than the actual people who represent it .
The point is this : if devolution is to mean anything whatsoever , it is Liverpool City Council and the city mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether to continue the successful landlord licensing scheme .
I know that my constituents will suffer on the back of the decision to withdraw the scheme , and we will not take it lying down .
We seldom take anything lying down in my part of the world .
Bill Shankly had it right when he said : “ The socialism I believe in is everyone working for each other , everyone having a share of the rewards.
” It is the way he saw football and life .
I and my fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party has a long road back to power .
United in our common aims and values , we can and will overcome the odds to achieve power , because it is only through power that my constituents will be able to realise their hopes , dreams and aspirations .

I want to take a brief moment, at the beginning of this speech, to pay tribute to my predecessor, Luciana Berger, who served my constituency for nine years. In particular, her commitment to raising the profile of mental health issues was very encouraging. Although it is an issue more widely talked about than ever in society, it sits far too low down on the political agenda. I wish Luciana and her young family the very best for the future.
My wedding day was the best day of my life and my two sons are my proudest achievement in life, but it is the greatest honour of my life – and a most humbling one — to sit in this Chamber as the Labour member of parliament for Liverpool, Wavertree. I represent a wonderfully diverse constituency in south Liverpool. It has a number of communities – from Childwall to Church, from Kensington to Old Swan, from Picton to Wavertree itself – unique with their own characteristics, rich in their own history and proud of their contribution to our city’s story.
I will speak for all our people in all their diversity, not least for some of the longest-established minority communities in our nation. Our Yemeni community, our Jewish and Hindu communities, and our Afro-Caribbean and African communities. I cannot go on without mentioning how much it means to our city to finally have a black MP from Liverpool sitting on these benches — my good friend, my hon. friend the member for Liverpool, Riverside.
My constituency is economically diverse, too, and that is something I am less inclined to celebrate. Liverpool, Wavertree is the story of two constituencies. The economic disparity between the wealthiest and poorest parts of my constituency is far too great. My socialism is aspirational: it is not about levelling down, but rather levelling up communities that for far too long have suffered at the hands of crushing Tory austerity.
I was born in the constituency at Sefton general hospital. My mother and father both worked at the sweet factory, Barker and Dobson – the name a mere coincidence. Both were workers on the shop floor and members of the Transport and General Workers Union.
When my dad tragically died two weeks before my second birthday, my mum raised me as a single mother. According to the Prime Minister, in his own words, that makes me “ill-raised, ignorant” and “aggressive”. In all honesty, I may well be the latter. It comes with the territory of being a woman with an opinion, and a Scouse one at that.
I joined my trade union, Unison – or NALGO, as it was then — on my first day working for Liverpool City Council, so it is apt that we are discussing a statutory instrument on local government finance today. Liverpool City Council is a council that has had its funding reduced by 64% since 2010, equating to £640m; a council that is the backbone of our communities, providing services from cradle to grave; and a council that, along with so many others, needs to be funded properly and equitably.
I did not find politics; politics found me. I owe most things in life — I make no apology for this — to the trade union movement. It was that movement that gave me security at work. It was that movement that made me understand the power of solidarity. And it was the working-class movement that made me realise that we, the collective, are the tide that lifts all boats. All these principles were reaffirmed – and thank you to Conservative members — by the Conservative party, which waged an unrelenting assault on my city, attempting to put us into a state of ‘managed decline’.
We are self-reliant, hard-working and independently minded people. There is no such inclination towards ‘welfarism’ or a prevailing sense of ‘victimhood’, as The Spectator once asserted while the Prime Minister was undertaking tough, arduous graft doing real work in that infamous sweatshop that was its editorial room.
Like my party, we are a city of work and workers—human beings with long memories, united in our ideals and fundamentally optimistic about our collective future. I will always champion my constituency, my city, wider Merseyside and our beloved north-west region, so long as the good people of Wavertree continue to put their faith in me.
I want to give a warning to Conservative members using a contemporary example, but before I do, I must say that the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government is not better qualified to understand the problems that our city faces than the actual people who represent it.
The point is this: if devolution is to mean anything whatsoever, it is Liverpool City Council and the city mayor who should have the power to decide whether to continue the successful landlord licensing scheme. I know that my constituents will suffer on the back of the decision to withdraw the scheme, and we will not take it lying down. We seldom take anything lying down in my part of the world.
Bill Shankly had it right when he said: “The socialism I believe in is everyone working for each other, everyone having a share of the rewards.” It is the way he saw football and life. I and my fellow Scousers are not much different. My party has a long road back to power. United in our common aims and values, we can and will overcome the odds to achieve power, because it is only through power that my constituents will be able to realise their hopes, dreams and aspirations.


labourlist--2020-03-10--Labour can tackle both the gender pay gap and the gender power gap

For a long time , I did not talk about my background .
And it was in no small part thanks to the support and encouragement of the labour movement that I came to talk of it – not as a sign of weakness but of strength .
Over the past few years , many women have told me their own stories of their hesitation in speaking up when they have something to say , or that voice in the back of their minds questioning whether they are good enough .
I tell my story because I want other women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t have two GCSEs to rub together can be on BBC Question Time , at the despatch box and stand to be deputy leader of the biggest political party in Europe .
Polling released by my campaign on International Women ’ s Day shows just how important that is .
Not only are women less likely to apply for a promotion at work , the number one reason women gave for not putting themselves forward was a lack of confidence .
The top reason for men , on the other hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their current job .
It is the same in our public life , with women half as likely as men to consider standing for office .
Education and class play a role , too .
Graduates are twice as likely to consider speaking in public , while only 17 % of people with no formal qualifications would consider standing for office .
There are similar divides by income and between profession or manual workers .
Having dropped out of school and worked as a home help on poverty pay , I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential .
As a UNISON shop steward , I negotiated a groundbreaking deal to get proper training for the care workers I represented .
I still remember the transformation in the women I worked alongside as they graduated with foundation degrees – for most , their first formal qualification – and the pride that many of their children felt too .
A cycle was broken .
Not only did they deliver a better service for better pay but education gave them confidence and power .
The positive news from our poll was that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candidate than other parties , with nearly 40 % prepared to consider it .
That is nothing short of amazing .
My ‘ Manifesto for a Movement ’ sets out plans to reconnect with our voters , empower our grassroots and become embedded in our communities .
And these figures show our potential .
There are women leaders in our communities and workplaces .
They may not see themselves as leaders – yet – but they are who people turn to for help , who collect for the local food bank or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one in five over 55s said that they would consider standing for office – and yet having worked with some amazing WASPI women in their fight , I can ’ t help but think I want them in our local parties , organising our campaigns and running our councils .
We need to extend positive action , improve our training and support networks , develop leaders , empower activists and make our structures more accessible .
But we can ’ t stop there .
Our purpose as a party must remain a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s why we must offer a right to lifelong learning , including paid time off for training and maintenance support in adult education , empowering people at all stages and ages in life .
Women will especially benefit , but so will we all – as it is , we are losing out on their lost potential .
An equal economy is more efficient , too .
We can champion an overhaul of work that not only tackles the gender pay gap but the gender power gap as well .
I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extend them too , with a right to time off for public duties so that today ’ s social carers or warehouse operatives are not denied access to democracy because they are on zero-hours contracts or shift work .
Even in opposition , we can lead .
Our poll found that , for 57 % of women , seeing someone of their background succeed would give them confidence to try themselves .
That is why I tell my story : precisely because I ’ m not special .
There are so many more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour can unlock their potential .

For a long time, I did not talk about my background. And it was in no small part thanks to the support and encouragement of the labour movement that I came to talk of it – not as a sign of weakness but of strength. Over the past few years, many women have told me their own stories of their hesitation in speaking up when they have something to say, or that voice in the back of their minds questioning whether they are good enough.
I tell my story because I want other women to see that a teenage mum who didn’t have two GCSEs to rub together can be on BBC Question Time, at the despatch box and stand to be deputy leader of the biggest political party in Europe.
Polling released by my campaign on International Women’s Day shows just how important that is. Not only are women less likely to apply for a promotion at work, the number one reason women gave for not putting themselves forward was a lack of confidence. The top reason for men, on the other hand, was that they were already happy in their current job.
It is the same in our public life, with women half as likely as men to consider standing for office. Education and class play a role, too. Graduates are twice as likely to consider speaking in public, while only 17% of people with no formal qualifications would consider standing for office. There are similar divides by income and between profession or manual workers.
Having dropped out of school and worked as a home help on poverty pay, I know we are missing out on so much potential. As a UNISON shop steward, I negotiated a groundbreaking deal to get proper training for the care workers I represented.
I still remember the transformation in the women I worked alongside as they graduated with foundation degrees – for most, their first formal qualification – and the pride that many of their children felt too. A cycle was broken. Not only did they deliver a better service for better pay but education gave them confidence and power.
The positive news from our poll was that Labour voters are more interested in being a candidate than other parties, with nearly 40% prepared to consider it. That is nothing short of amazing. My ‘Manifesto for a Movement’ sets out plans to reconnect with our voters, empower our grassroots and become embedded in our communities. And these figures show our potential.
There are women leaders in our communities and workplaces. They may not see themselves as leaders – yet – but they are who people turn to for help, who collect for the local food bank or run the charity shop. Fewer than one in five over 55s said that they would consider standing for office – and yet having worked with some amazing WASPI women in their fight, I can’t help but think I want them in our local parties, organising our campaigns and running our councils.
We need to extend positive action, improve our training and support networks, develop leaders, empower activists and make our structures more accessible. But we can’t stop there. Our purpose as a party must remain a more fundamental shift in society too.
That’s why we must offer a right to lifelong learning, including paid time off for training and maintenance support in adult education, empowering people at all stages and ages in life. Women will especially benefit, but so will we all – as it is, we are losing out on their lost potential. An equal economy is more efficient, too.
We can champion an overhaul of work that not only tackles the gender pay gap but the gender power gap as well. I would defend our policies to transform work but extend them too, with a right to time off for public duties so that today’s social carers or warehouse operatives are not denied access to democracy because they are on zero-hours contracts or shift work.
Even in opposition, we can lead. Our poll found that, for 57% of women, seeing someone of their background succeed would give them confidence to try themselves. That is why I tell my story: precisely because I’m not special. There are so many more women like me out there, and Labour can unlock their potential.


labourlist--2020-03-12--The 2020 Budget fell far short of the urgency required by our climate crisis

Early this year , the Treasury told us that this Budget would prioritise the environment .
But that ’ s definitely not what we got .
£1bn was pledged to encourage use of low carbon transport , but so was an additional £27bn to build new roads .
Relief on red diesel was abolished , but not for every sector .
Home insulation was conspicuously absent , and there was little mention of our railways .
The government is set to host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November .
But it ’ s hard to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yesterday demonstrates that the UK is adequately responding to the climate emergency declared by parliament last year , or even how the government will meet its own emissions targets .
While detailing that road transport is responsible for 91 % of domestic transport emissions , the 125-page document simultaneously announced a major roadbuilding scheme .
Proudly unveiling it as the “ biggest ever investment in strategic roads and motorways ” , Sunak described how the government will be spending a total of £27bn on building new roads and expanding others by 2025 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government has also decided to keep the freeze on fuel duty .
The freeze introduced in 2011 , in the midst of a government busily making ‘ difficult choices ’ as it instituted a decade of austerity , effectively deprives the exchequer of about £9bn a year .
Money that could be spent on reducing emissions and improving air quality .
And beyond that , it ’ s estimated that – all other things considered equal – CO2 emissions would be 5 % lower without the freeze .
On the flip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in green transport solutions , ” Sunak declared .
The Chancellor announced £500m to build a network of charging points for electric vehicles , and £400m to partially reverse the cuts to subsidies for plug-in electric cars .
The discrepancy in the numbers here betrays the government ’ s sense of priorities .
Transitioning people away from using petrol and diesel cars came nowhere near the top of the Chancellor ’ s list .
We didn ’ t hear much about the our railways either .
A sum of £20m to develop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some of the funds from a ‘ transforming cities ’ pot will go towards station improvements .
The Chancellor seemed most happy with the measures that would encourage road use and the 4,000 miles of tarmac the government would be laying down .
It ’ s clear that the emphasis for the government is not about making any real move away from cars in general .
The Chancellor abolished the relief for red diesel for most sectors , which is a welcome move .
He billed it as getting rid of a £2.4bn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts for about 15 % of all diesel consumed in the country , and costs just 11.14p per litre compared to 57.95p for regular diesel .
But the announcement is not all it seems – agriculture and railway , as well fishing and domestic heating , are exempt .
The fuel is heavily used in agriculture , and powers about 90 % of all rail freight in the UK .
Sunak also pledged £800m to create two carbon capture projects , and a plastic packaging tax as well .
But none of measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change to mirror the urgency of the language of a ‘ climate emergency ’ , as declared by parliament last year .
Just a brief glance at the content of the Budget , in terms of where the government is placing its money , demonstrates where its priorities lie .
The Conservatives have committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 – a target that is heavily criticised by many green groups for being too late .
And regardless of how you feel about the that , the government is way-off track in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much as 49 years making it a too little , too late change .
Recent analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research stated that additional funding of £33bn per year is required for the UK to reach its own 2050 target .
This Budget was far short of that .
And we ’ re at a critical point in time .
We are two years on from the moment at which the UN said we had 12 years to keep global warming below 1.5C and avert climate catastrophe .
Many experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose houses were flooded in the UK , or whose homes were destroyed by fire in Australia – would say that we ’ re past that .

Early this year, the Treasury told us that this Budget would prioritise the environment. But that’s definitely not what we got. £1bn was pledged to encourage use of low carbon transport, but so was an additional £27bn to build new roads. Relief on red diesel was abolished, but not for every sector. Home insulation was conspicuously absent, and there was little mention of our railways.
The government is set to host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November. But it’s hard to see how the package outlined by Rishi Sunak yesterday demonstrates that the UK is adequately responding to the climate emergency declared by parliament last year, or even how the government will meet its own emissions targets.
While detailing that road transport is responsible for 91% of domestic transport emissions, the 125-page document simultaneously announced a major roadbuilding scheme. Proudly unveiling it as the “biggest ever investment in strategic roads and motorways”, Sunak described how the government will be spending a total of £27bn on building new roads and expanding others by 2025. Hardly a modal shift away from cars.
The government has also decided to keep the freeze on fuel duty. The freeze introduced in 2011, in the midst of a government busily making ‘difficult choices’ as it instituted a decade of austerity, effectively deprives the exchequer of about £9bn a year. Money that could be spent on reducing emissions and improving air quality. And beyond that, it’s estimated that – all other things considered equal – CO2 emissions would be 5% lower without the freeze.
On the flip side, “this Budget invests £1bn in green transport solutions,” Sunak declared. The Chancellor announced £500m to build a network of charging points for electric vehicles, and £400m to partially reverse the cuts to subsidies for plug-in electric cars. The discrepancy in the numbers here betrays the government’s sense of priorities. Transitioning people away from using petrol and diesel cars came nowhere near the top of the Chancellor’s list.
We didn’t hear much about the our railways either. A sum of £20m to develop the West Midlands Rail Hub was included. Some of the funds from a ‘transforming cities’ pot will go towards station improvements. The Chancellor seemed most happy with the measures that would encourage road use and the 4,000 miles of tarmac the government would be laying down. It’s clear that the emphasis for the government is not about making any real move away from cars in general.
The Chancellor abolished the relief for red diesel for most sectors, which is a welcome move. He billed it as getting rid of a £2.4bn tax break for pollution. Red diesel accounts for about 15% of all diesel consumed in the country, and costs just 11.14p per litre compared to 57.95p for regular diesel. But the announcement is not all it seems – agriculture and railway, as well fishing and domestic heating, are exempt. The fuel is heavily used in agriculture, and powers about 90% of all rail freight in the UK.
Sunak also pledged £800m to create two carbon capture projects, and a plastic packaging tax as well. But none of measures outlined yesterday bring the quick and transformative change to mirror the urgency of the language of a ‘climate emergency’, as declared by parliament last year. Just a brief glance at the content of the Budget, in terms of where the government is placing its money, demonstrates where its priorities lie.
The Conservatives have committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 – a target that is heavily criticised by many green groups for being too late. And regardless of how you feel about the that, the government is way-off track in reaching it – Jeremy Corbyn suggested by as much as 49 years making it a too little, too late change. Recent analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research stated that additional funding of £33bn per year is required for the UK to reach its own 2050 target. This Budget was far short of that.
And we’re at a critical point in time. We are two years on from the moment at which the UN said we had 12 years to keep global warming below 1.5C and avert climate catastrophe. Many experts – and probably a lot of people whose houses were flooded in the UK, or whose homes were destroyed by fire in Australia – would say that we’re past that.


labourlist--2020-03-12--Labour cancels leadership results conference due to coronavirus

The Labour Party has cancelled the special conference that was supposed to held on April 4th to announce the results of the party ’ s leadership and deputy leadership contests .
The decision was taken to cancel the conference , replacing it with a “ scaled back event ” on the same day , after it was confirmed that the UK had decided to move to the ‘ delay ’ stage of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic .
General secretary Jennie Formby contacted all Labour MPs this afternoon , saying : “ In the light of the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision to cancel the leadership elections special conference arranged for April 4 in order to safeguard our members and staff and to protect public health .
Welsh Labour Conference and Scottish Labour Women ’ s Conference will also be cancelled .
“ The results of the Labour leadership and deputy leadership elections will be announced at a scaled back event on the same date and we are now considering options for what form that event will take .
“ The Welsh Labour conference and Scottish Labour Women ’ s conference will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will also be cancelling further hustings for the leadership and deputy leadership elections .
“ We are still taking advice on whether upcoming CLP meetings should go ahead and will update once decisions have been taken.
” Earlier today , John McDonnell told an ITV journalist that the party event in April would likely be cancelled and the results would be announced instead “ through a TV event or social media ” .
The next official party hustings for leader and deputy leader candidates was the BAME event set to take place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It will not go ahead .
Welsh Labour conference , which was going to be held from March 27th to 29th in Llandudno , North Wales , is postponed .
Welsh Labour leader and First Minister Mark Drakeford has said it will be rescheduled .
The Lib Dems , Plaid Cymru and Scottish Greens have all called off their spring conferences in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Nicola Sturgeon , has announced a ban on gatherings of over 500 people in Scotland .
A total of 590 people have tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9am today , which is up from 456 on Wednesday morning .
The daily increase of 134 is the biggest so far .
Voting in Labour ’ s leadership and national executive committee elections will close on April 2nd .
Emails reminding party members , affiliates and supporters to vote are set to be sent out by the party on Monday .

The Labour Party has cancelled the special conference that was supposed to held on April 4th to announce the results of the party’s leadership and deputy leadership contests.
The decision was taken to cancel the conference, replacing it with a “scaled back event” on the same day, after it was confirmed that the UK had decided to move to the ‘delay’ stage of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
General secretary Jennie Formby contacted all Labour MPs this afternoon, saying:
“In the light of the spread of coronavirus, the Labour party has taken the decision to cancel the leadership elections special conference arranged for April 4 in order to safeguard our members and staff and to protect public health. Welsh Labour Conference and Scottish Labour Women’s Conference will also be cancelled. “The results of the Labour leadership and deputy leadership elections will be announced at a scaled back event on the same date and we are now considering options for what form that event will take. “The Welsh Labour conference and Scottish Labour Women’s conference will be reorganised for a later date. “We will also be cancelling further hustings for the leadership and deputy leadership elections. “We are still taking advice on whether upcoming CLP meetings should go ahead and will update once decisions have been taken.”
Earlier today, John McDonnell told an ITV journalist that the party event in April would likely be cancelled and the results would be announced instead “through a TV event or social media”.
The next official party hustings for leader and deputy leader candidates was the BAME event set to take place in London on Saturday, March 14th. It will not go ahead.
Welsh Labour conference, which was going to be held from March 27th to 29th in Llandudno, North Wales, is postponed. Welsh Labour leader and First Minister Mark Drakeford has said it will be rescheduled.
The Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and Scottish Greens have all called off their spring conferences in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Nicola Sturgeon, has announced a ban on gatherings of over 500 people in Scotland.
A total of 590 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am today, which is up from 456 on Wednesday morning. The daily increase of 134 is the biggest so far.
Voting in Labour’s leadership and national executive committee elections will close on April 2nd. Emails reminding party members, affiliates and supporters to vote are set to be sent out by the party on Monday.


labourlist--2020-03-12--Burgon sets out plan to launch official “green” section of Labour

Labour left candidate for the deputy leadership Richard Burgon has today set out a plan to launch an official “ green ” section of the party , which would be called the ‘ Labour Climate Justice Network ’ .
The network would be open to all Labour members at no cost , and the Burgon deputy leadership campaign estimates that it would likely attract more members than the Green Party , which currently has around 50,000 .
The aim would be for the body to “ help develop Labour thinking ” on the climate crisis and link the party to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the school strikers to Extinction Rebellion .
The Labour Climate Justice Network would push for every Labour constituency party to elect a climate justice officer as one of the posts on its executive committee .
They would be responsible for building grassroots connections and overseeing political education .
Announcing his fresh idea , which would be implemented if he is elected in April , Burgon said : “ Climate change is the greatest single threat facing humanity .
It is the worst ever market failure and is driven by capitalism ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cost for people or the planet .
“ We are the last generation that can prevent runaway climate breakdown .
So , as a society , we have to end the ‘ business as usual ’ approach .
Labour must lead the way to ensure we do .
“ Labour is already at the cutting edge of this debate with our innovative Green Industrial Revolution .
This official “ green ” section of the party will help to ensure that tackling climate catastrophe remains at the heart of everything we do.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already linked to the Labour Party , such as official affiliate SERA , as well as Labour for a Green New Deal , which would pushed for conference to approve a 2030 net-zero carbon target .
This ‘ green ’ section move follows a series of suggestions by Burgon during his campaign , from making conference sovereign and giving party members a vote on military action to setting up a Tony Benn University of Political Education .
Voting has started in Labour ’ s deputy leadership contest , which will end along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the results are announced by the party .

Labour left candidate for the deputy leadership Richard Burgon has today set out a plan to launch an official “green” section of the party, which would be called the ‘Labour Climate Justice Network’.
The network would be open to all Labour members at no cost, and the Burgon deputy leadership campaign estimates that it would likely attract more members than the Green Party, which currently has around 50,000.
The aim would be for the body to “help develop Labour thinking” on the climate crisis and link the party to climate justice movements outside of parliament – from the school strikers to Extinction Rebellion.
The Labour Climate Justice Network would push for every Labour constituency party to elect a climate justice officer as one of the posts on its executive committee. They would be responsible for building grassroots connections and overseeing political education.
Announcing his fresh idea, which would be implemented if he is elected in April, Burgon said: “Climate change is the greatest single threat facing humanity. It is the worst ever market failure and is driven by capitalism’s endless focus on making super-profits – whatever the cost for people or the planet.
“We are the last generation that can prevent runaway climate breakdown. So, as a society, we have to end the ‘business as usual’ approach. Labour must lead the way to ensure we do.
“Labour is already at the cutting edge of this debate with our innovative Green Industrial Revolution. This official “green” section of the party will help to ensure that tackling climate catastrophe remains at the heart of everything we do.”
The network would work with existing campaigns already linked to the Labour Party, such as official affiliate SERA, as well as Labour for a Green New Deal, which would pushed for conference to approve a 2030 net-zero carbon target.
This ‘green’ section move follows a series of suggestions by Burgon during his campaign, from making conference sovereign and giving party members a vote on military action to setting up a Tony Benn University of Political Education.
Voting has started in Labour’s deputy leadership contest, which will end along with the main leadership race on April 4th when the results are announced by the party.


labourlist--2020-03-12--“We are the city where the minorities make up the majority” – Claudia Webbe’s maiden speech

First , I want to express my deep gratitude to the people of Leicester East for electing me to this place .
It is truly an honour to represent the city where I was born and where I grew up — the city my parents made their home .
Leicester , of course , is full of surprises .
I mean , who would have imagined that it would become home to the most famous car park in the world , where the remains of King Richard III were found , and who would have imagined that Leicester City football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be crowned premier league champions in 2016 ?
Leicester is bursting with talent and inventiveness .
We have the National Space Centre on the edge of my constituency , vibrant theatres and concert halls , and our world-famous Diwali festival on the Golden Mile .
Leicester ’ s Attenborough arts centre is one of only five in the country to be purpose-built for disabled artists and audiences .
You know , in any fish and chip shop across the country , you will find no better pie than Leicester ’ s Pukka Pie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Red Leicester , no better packet of crisps than Walkers , and no better vegetarian curry house than in my constituency of Leicester East .
I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor , Keith Vaz , the longest-serving British Asian MP , who represented Leicester East for 32 years .
The 1987 election , when Keith Vaz was elected , was a watershed moment in the history of race relations in this country .
There had been no black MPs for over half a century .
Keith Vaz became only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament .
That election also brought to this House pioneering black MPs Paul Boateng , Bernie Grant and – my inspiration – my right hon .
friend the member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington , the first black woman ever elected to parliament .
I am proud to be part of the parliament with the highest number of African , Asian and minority ethnic MPs ever .
Over his long parliamentary career , Keith Vaz advanced the cause of representation and race equality while also holding major positions , including minister for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the home affairs committee .
Keith is of course a passionate campaigner on the issue of diabetes .
He also did truly important work in highlighting the UK ’ s involvement in what he rightly called the “ forgotten war ” in Yemen .
Madam deputy speaker , I am sure you will join me in wishing Keith Vaz and his family well in his retirement from this House. As a feminist , it is a privilege to be addressing this House as the first female MP for Leicester East .
I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of parliament of African descent from the beautiful Caribbean island of Nevis .
My parents came from Nevis to the UK and , remarkably , given a Nevisian population of just 11,000 , they met for the first time here .
They settled in Leicester , where I was born , so Leicester of course runs through my veins .
I am a daughter of the Windrush generation , and we must never forget the history of struggle of African , Caribbean and Asian people in this so-called United Kingdom , without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tears there simply would be no kingdom and no form of modern prosperity .
I have no doubt that my ancestors are here with me today .
And I share the pain of their suffering because of the historical injustice of slavery and colonialism , but I also share their joy at the liberation that brings me to this place today .
Throughout the centuries my foremothers argued for and suffered and died for the freedoms I enjoy here today in this place .
With my presence in this House , Commonwealth history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We can not talk about the present without recognition , apology , returning what was stolen and reparations for the past .
One fifth of the billionaires in Britain owe their wealth to the transportation of my ancestors , because they benefited from the compensation of the equivalent of £20bn in today ’ s value for the ‘ human property ’ they somehow lost at sea .
It is to our shame that members of this House during the mid to late 1700s represented slave plantations , and let us not forget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 % of the world economy to 4 % by the time the British left .
How many in this House know or care about the British torture camps in 1950s Kenya , where members of the Kikuyu tribe were systematically tortured , starved , beaten , mistreated and raped ?
How many in this House know or care about the massacre committed by British colonial groups in the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh , Amritsar massacre ?
And let us not forget that working people here from all over the Commonwealth died in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see their descendants shackled and deported in the continued shame that is the hostile environment .
My father , along with his his identical twin brother , worked as an engineer ’ s hand at the former Wadkin factory on Green Lane in what is now my constituency of Leicester East , but those unionised factories , jobs and industries of the past were destroyed , along with Leicester ’ s manufacturing base , by Thatcherism in the pursuit of free-market capitalism .
Leicester is considered the home to the garment industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skilled as a dressmaker , a seamstress and an overlocker .
But in Leicester ’ s garment industry today many workers , overwhelmingly women , earn well below the minimum wage — as little as £3 an hour in conditions that most people would find unthinkable in modern Britain .
That is the legacy of Tory deindustrialisation , yet Leicester is the place where working women fought back .
It was Asian women who went on strike for equal pay at Leicester ’ s Imperial Typewriter Company factory , and it was those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay , race equality , and employment .
I pay tribute to them. I am incredibly proud that Leicester is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse places in the UK .
Our city ’ s identity is forged from a proud history of immigration from the Commonwealth and beyond .
Over two thirds — 68 % — of my constituents are from an African , Asian or minority ethnic background , and nearly half of our residents were born outside the UK .
We are home to 240 faith groups across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 50 countries across the globe .
This is what makes Leicester East so special .
We are the city where the minorities make up the majority , and we are richer for this vibrant exchange of cultures .
But racism and the far right have left an indelible stain on the history of my constituency .
Enoch Powell ’ s racist “ rivers of blood ” speech in 1968 gave rise to the National Front and its message of hatred and intolerance across my constituency , but the history of Leicester ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who fought back against the rise of organised racism is a source of great pride and inspiration .
In April 1979 , when the National Front organised a 1,000-strong rally in Leicester starting at Welford Road recreation ground , they were confronted by 2,000 anti-racist protestors who withstood police violence to send the message out loud and clear that racism shall not pass through Leicester .
It was a turning point in the decline of the National Front .
We even renamed Welford Road recreation ground : fittingly , we renamed it Nelson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities and cultures , and for people of all faiths and none , to live side-by-side has been won through generations of struggle .
I do not take our unity and solidarity for granted .
This government , a government for the super-rich , the oligarchs the tax dodgers , are still trying to divide our communities based on the colour of our skin , our religion or where we come from .
I know only too well the hurt that my constituents feel when the government legitimise the dehumanisation and marginalisation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethnic communities by deporting our people and embracing institutionalised racism , as was revealed by the Windrush scandal and the hostile environment .
The continued detentions , deportations and charter flights are simply barbaric .
In communities like mine , this government have normalised hunger , poverty and hopelessness .
It should be a national disgrace in the sixth richest country in the world for a single person to be without food , and for just one parent to have to choose between heating their home and feeding their children .
Yet more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relying on food banks every year , and fuel poverty is growing .
Nearly 40 % of children in Leicester East are growing up in poverty .
As the 1 % increase their share of the national wealth , our regions are pulled further and further apart in terms of income inequality and life chances .
Leicester was recently shown to be one of the most polluted cities in the UK .
I vow to fight for clean air .
I vow to fight for clean energy and climate justice , so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly the global south , can have a liveable future .
It is vital that those responsible for climate chaos , the fossil fuel companies and big polluters , are not allowed to profit from climate breakdown , and instead pay their fair share so that future generations can inherit a habitable planet. I am proud of my party .
I am proud of the leadership of my right hon .
friend the member for Islington North in opposing austerity , opposing corporate power , tackling inequality and the climate emergency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political debate .
Madam deputy speaker , I stand before you today in the lineage of people who fought to keep our culture and traditions alive , and to keep the shackles off our feet .
I come from a people who survived : survived the evils of slavery .
Today , and every day , I am grateful that they never gave up .
I vow that as Leicester East ’ s new MP , I too will never give up .
I will work hard to protect all my constituents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our communities against each another .

First, I want to express my deep gratitude to the people of Leicester East for electing me to this place. It is truly an honour to represent the city where I was born and where I grew up — the city my parents made their home. Leicester, of course, is full of surprises. I mean, who would have imagined that it would become home to the most famous car park in the world, where the remains of King Richard III were found, and who would have imagined that Leicester City football club, ranked 5,000-1 outsiders, would be crowned premier league champions in 2016?
Leicester is bursting with talent and inventiveness. We have the National Space Centre on the edge of my constituency, vibrant theatres and concert halls, and our world-famous Diwali festival on the Golden Mile. Leicester’s Attenborough arts centre is one of only five in the country to be purpose-built for disabled artists and audiences. You know, in any fish and chip shop across the country, you will find no better pie than Leicester’s Pukka Pie. There is no better cheese than Red Leicester, no better packet of crisps than Walkers, and no better vegetarian curry house than in my constituency of Leicester East.
I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Keith Vaz, the longest-serving British Asian MP, who represented Leicester East for 32 years. The 1987 election, when Keith Vaz was elected, was a watershed moment in the history of race relations in this country. There had been no black MPs for over half a century. Keith Vaz became only the third British Asian ever elected to this parliament. That election also brought to this House pioneering black MPs Paul Boateng, Bernie Grant and – my inspiration – my right hon. friend the member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, the first black woman ever elected to parliament.
I am proud to be part of the parliament with the highest number of African, Asian and minority ethnic MPs ever. Over his long parliamentary career, Keith Vaz advanced the cause of representation and race equality while also holding major positions, including minister for Europe and, famously, chair of the home affairs committee. Keith is of course a passionate campaigner on the issue of diabetes. He also did truly important work in highlighting the UK’s involvement in what he rightly called the “forgotten war” in Yemen. Madam deputy speaker, I am sure you will join me in wishing Keith Vaz and his family well in his retirement from this House.
As a feminist, it is a privilege to be addressing this House as the first female MP for Leicester East. I am also proud to be the first British-born member of parliament of African descent from the beautiful Caribbean island of Nevis. My parents came from Nevis to the UK and, remarkably, given a Nevisian population of just 11,000, they met for the first time here. They settled in Leicester, where I was born, so Leicester of course runs through my veins.
I am a daughter of the Windrush generation, and we must never forget the history of struggle of African, Caribbean and Asian people in this so-called United Kingdom, without whose blood, sweat, toil and tears there simply would be no kingdom and no form of modern prosperity. I have no doubt that my ancestors are here with me today. And I share the pain of their suffering because of the historical injustice of slavery and colonialism, but I also share their joy at the liberation that brings me to this place today. Throughout the centuries my foremothers argued for and suffered and died for the freedoms I enjoy here today in this place. With my presence in this House, Commonwealth history and the British empire cannot hide.
We cannot talk about the present without recognition, apology, returning what was stolen and reparations for the past. One fifth of the billionaires in Britain owe their wealth to the transportation of my ancestors, because they benefited from the compensation of the equivalent of £20bn in today’s value for the ‘human property’ they somehow lost at sea. It is to our shame that members of this House during the mid to late 1700s represented slave plantations, and let us not forget that British colonialism reduced India from holding 23% of the world economy to 4% by the time the British left.
How many in this House know or care about the British torture camps in 1950s Kenya, where members of the Kikuyu tribe were systematically tortured, starved, beaten, mistreated and raped? How many in this House know or care about the massacre committed by British colonial groups in the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar massacre? And let us not forget that working people here from all over the Commonwealth died in their thousands in both world wars, only to see their descendants shackled and deported in the continued shame that is the hostile environment.
My father, along with his his identical twin brother, worked as an engineer’s hand at the former Wadkin factory on Green Lane in what is now my constituency of Leicester East, but those unionised factories, jobs and industries of the past were destroyed, along with Leicester’s manufacturing base, by Thatcherism in the pursuit of free-market capitalism.
Leicester is considered the home to the garment industry. My mother was a home-worker, skilled as a dressmaker, a seamstress and an overlocker. But in Leicester’s garment industry today many workers, overwhelmingly women, earn well below the minimum wage — as little as £3 an hour in conditions that most people would find unthinkable in modern Britain. That is the legacy of Tory deindustrialisation, yet Leicester is the place where working women fought back. It was Asian women who went on strike for equal pay at Leicester’s Imperial Typewriter Company factory, and it was those women who led the way in equal pay, race equality, and employment. I pay tribute to them.
I am incredibly proud that Leicester is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse places in the UK. Our city’s identity is forged from a proud history of immigration from the Commonwealth and beyond. Over two thirds — 68% — of my constituents are from an African, Asian or minority ethnic background, and nearly half of our residents were born outside the UK. We are home to 240 faith groups across 14 different faiths and our residents hail from 50 countries across the globe.
This is what makes Leicester East so special. We are the city where the minorities make up the majority, and we are richer for this vibrant exchange of cultures. But racism and the far right have left an indelible stain on the history of my constituency. Enoch Powell’s racist “rivers of blood” speech in 1968 gave rise to the National Front and its message of hatred and intolerance across my constituency, but the history of Leicester’s anti-racist activists, campaigners and organisers who fought back against the rise of organised racism is a source of great pride and inspiration.
In April 1979, when the National Front organised a 1,000-strong rally in Leicester starting at Welford Road recreation ground, they were confronted by 2,000 anti-racist protestors who withstood police violence to send the message out loud and clear that racism shall not pass through Leicester. It was a turning point in the decline of the National Front. We even renamed Welford Road recreation ground: fittingly, we renamed it Nelson Mandela Park.
The right for different communities and cultures, and for people of all faiths and none, to live side-by-side has been won through generations of struggle. I do not take our unity and solidarity for granted. This government, a government for the super-rich, the oligarchs the tax dodgers, are still trying to divide our communities based on the colour of our skin, our religion or where we come from. I know only too well the hurt that my constituents feel when the government legitimise the dehumanisation and marginalisation of African, Caribbean, Asian and minority ethnic communities by deporting our people and embracing institutionalised racism, as was revealed by the Windrush scandal and the hostile environment. The continued detentions, deportations and charter flights are simply barbaric.
In communities like mine, this government have normalised hunger, poverty and hopelessness. It should be a national disgrace in the sixth richest country in the world for a single person to be without food, and for just one parent to have to choose between heating their home and feeding their children. Yet more and more families in my constituency are relying on food banks every year, and fuel poverty is growing. Nearly 40% of children in Leicester East are growing up in poverty. As the 1% increase their share of the national wealth, our regions are pulled further and further apart in terms of income inequality and life chances.
Leicester was recently shown to be one of the most polluted cities in the UK. I vow to fight for clean air. I vow to fight for clean energy and climate justice, so that my constituents and people across the world, particularly the global south, can have a liveable future. It is vital that those responsible for climate chaos, the fossil fuel companies and big polluters, are not allowed to profit from climate breakdown, and instead pay their fair share so that future generations can inherit a habitable planet.
I am proud of my party. I am proud of the leadership of my right hon. friend the member for Islington North in opposing austerity, opposing corporate power, tackling inequality and the climate emergency, and for having rewritten the terms of political debate. Madam deputy speaker, I stand before you today in the lineage of people who fought to keep our culture and traditions alive, and to keep the shackles off our feet. I come from a people who survived: survived the evils of slavery. Today, and every day, I am grateful that they never gave up. I vow that as Leicester East’s new MP, I too will never give up. I will work hard to protect all my constituents and fight against those who wish to pit our communities against each another.