labourlist--2020-05-15--Bail out aviation sector – but make it conditional on climate plan, says Labour

Labour has called on the government to put in place support packages for the aviation sector – but make any bailouts conditional on environmental commitments and the protection of jobs .
The party has said that the UK must learn from international examples to stimulate the transition to a green economy , and make clear that support will only be given to companies with a climate plan consistent with the Paris agreement .
Labour highlighted that 1.6 million jobs in the country depend on the aviation sector , and said that the government must take action now to “ protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demanded the following conditions : • “ Jobs are protected .
Staff salaries are protected with a clear commitment to workers ’ rights ; • “ There is a clear commitment to tackling climate change and for the industry to use cleaner fuels and other cutting-edge low or zero emission technologies ; • “ Any company in receipt of money must ensure their tax base is in the UK ; • “ No dividends should be paid until the company is proven to be commercially viable , as we have seen in other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay UK based suppliers as a priority ; and • “ All operators fully comply , without delay , with all consumer right regulations – particularly with regards to giving full refunds and that they offer customers the opportunity choose the greenest flight option.
” Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon said : “ The aviation industry is critical to the UK and we must ensure it has the best possible chance to survive and contribute towards our economic recovery .
“ We must transform our economy to tackle the climate emergency , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be re-skilled in the future .
“ At such a critical time for the country , businesses should be doing all they can to protect jobs , as well as protecting the environment as we plan for the future.
” Ryanair recently announced a 15 % cut to its 20,000 strong workforce at the start of this month , while Virgin Atlantic has revealed planned redundancies for a third of its workforce .
McMahon added : “ The government must act now to ensure a robust plan is in place to protect jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help tackle the climate emergency.
” The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has not been restricted to airlines in the sector , with the power systems manufacturer Rolls-Royce said to be considering as many as 8,000 redundancies .
GMB national officer Nadine Houghton said the trade union “ wholeheartedly supports Labour ’ s aviation strategy ” , adding that airlines are behaving “ in a deeply opportunistic and cynical way by using the current crisis to rip up pay and conditions ” .
Commenting on Labour ’ s announcement , Unite national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcome the proposals which are very much in line with those put forward by Unite , and endorsed by our aviation representatives and members .
“ Most importantly the package of support outlined is both socially responsible and for the whole sector .
It also ensures that not only will the UK remain at the forefront of global aviation , but that it will become a leader in tackling climate change in the industry.
” Unite set out a four-point plan for the government to ensure that the aviation industry “ survives ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the UK risked losing tens of thousands of jobs .
Various governments across Europe have agreed more than €11bn in financial aid for airlines so far , including a £600m loan from the UK Treasury to support EasyJet .
Air France recently received €7bn in support from the French government , conditional on a 50 % reduction in carbon emissions on domestic flights by 2024 and investment in more fuel-efficient planes .
The Austrian Prime Minister and vice-chancellor have said that one of their airlines , Lufthansa ’ s Austrian Airways , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protections and green commitments .

Labour has called on the government to put in place support packages for the aviation sector – but make any bailouts conditional on environmental commitments and the protection of jobs.
The party has said that the UK must learn from international examples to stimulate the transition to a green economy, and make clear that support will only be given to companies with a climate plan consistent with the Paris agreement.
Labour highlighted that 1.6 million jobs in the country depend on the aviation sector, and said that the government must take action now to “protect against short-term unemployment”. It has demanded the following conditions:
“Jobs are protected. Staff salaries are protected with a clear commitment to workers’ rights; “There is a clear commitment to tackling climate change and for the industry to use cleaner fuels and other cutting-edge low or zero emission technologies; “Any company in receipt of money must ensure their tax base is in the UK; “No dividends should be paid until the company is proven to be commercially viable, as we have seen in other countries; “A commitment to pay UK based suppliers as a priority; and “All operators fully comply, without delay, with all consumer right regulations – particularly with regards to giving full refunds and that they offer customers the opportunity choose the greenest flight option.”
Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon said: “The aviation industry is critical to the UK and we must ensure it has the best possible chance to survive and contribute towards our economic recovery.
“We must transform our economy to tackle the climate emergency, that includes protecting jobs now so they can be re-skilled in the future.
“At such a critical time for the country, businesses should be doing all they can to protect jobs, as well as protecting the environment as we plan for the future.”
Ryanair recently announced a 15% cut to its 20,000 strong workforce at the start of this month, while Virgin Atlantic has revealed planned redundancies for a third of its workforce.
McMahon added: “The government must act now to ensure a robust plan is in place to protect jobs in the sector and set clear commitments to help tackle the climate emergency.”
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has not been restricted to airlines in the sector, with the power systems manufacturer Rolls-Royce said to be considering as many as 8,000 redundancies.
GMB national officer Nadine Houghton said the trade union “wholeheartedly supports Labour’s aviation strategy”, adding that airlines are behaving “in a deeply opportunistic and cynical way by using the current crisis to rip up pay and conditions”.
Commenting on Labour’s announcement, Unite national officer Oliver Richardson said: “We welcome the proposals which are very much in line with those put forward by Unite, and endorsed by our aviation representatives and members.
“Most importantly the package of support outlined is both socially responsible and for the whole sector. It also ensures that not only will the UK remain at the forefront of global aviation, but that it will become a leader in tackling climate change in the industry.”
Unite set out a four-point plan for the government to ensure that the aviation industry “survives” the Covid-19 pandemic in March, warning that the UK risked losing tens of thousands of jobs.
Various governments across Europe have agreed more than €11bn in financial aid for airlines so far, including a £600m loan from the UK Treasury to support EasyJet.
Air France recently received €7bn in support from the French government, conditional on a 50% reduction in carbon emissions on domestic flights by 2024 and investment in more fuel-efficient planes.
The Austrian Prime Minister and vice-chancellor have said that one of their airlines, Lufthansa’s Austrian Airways, will not receive any support without job protections and green commitments.


labourlist--2020-05-15--How local government has responded to Covid-19 – and what it means financially

Each day this week I ’ ve written about a different element of the local government response to Covid-19 .
Whilst I ’ ve been able to cover some areas in detail , there are dozens more that I could have focused on reflecting the diverse nature of the work undertaken by the local government family .
Not one area of our service has been untouched by the crisis .
And whilst the various aspects of our work are very different , they all have one thing in common : they cost money to deliver , and are needed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Much has been written about the financial impact of Covid-19 on local authority budgets .
There is a funding gap running into the billions facing all councils .
Despite broken promises from the Communities and Local Government Secretary that we would receive “ everything we need ” to counter the impact of the outbreak , so far councils have received about 30 % of the money we require to make us whole .
For Trafford , the in-year funding gap we are currently looking at due to Covid-19 is £37m , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To date , the government has provided around £12m and in recent weeks has shifted its tone to suggest that our costs will not be met in full .
This is a scandal : for Trafford , that means a £25m black hole , whilst across Greater Manchester the total in-year impact of Covid-19 is estimated at over half a billion pounds .
As with so many of our peers , Trafford simply can not fill a funding gap such as this .
Austerity has ravaged our budget for more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that there is nothing left to cut .
We want to respond effectively to Covid-19 but our capacity to do so is becoming increasingly limited .
In the current climate our residents need us to do more , not less .
Yet without further funding we will have to look at in-year funding cuts .
Cuts on this scale can ’ t be plugged easily .
It would mean tens of thousands of local government workers across the country – who have been on the frontline of this crisis – losing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even then , our statutory services would likely be unsustainable .
The government just doesn ’ t seem to understand this .
It ’ s as though they simply can not comprehend the scale of the cuts that we have faced already , or the innovative ways in which councils have adapted to the challenge rather than simply hacking away at frontline services .
One particularly interesting intervention from the Secretary of State seemed to question the figures submitted by councils for income generation – the principle way that services have been sustained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the form of the Revenue Support Grant .
Councils are bringing in millions of pounds in income from a range of sources to close the gap left by austerity , yet the Tories appear clueless as to the reality on the ground .
It ’ s not rocket science to see why Covid-19 would have had such an impact .
Councils have increased costs across social care , enforcement , advice and support and in a number of other areas .
We ’ ve also been asked to lead on the distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community crisis support – work we weren ’ t having to do three months ago .
At the same time many council investments are struggling as the economy contracts , some authorities have lost parking income and other revenue streams entirely , whilst leisure centres , libraries and other community facilities are closed .
The precarious funding position we find ourselves in has been ten years in the making and Covid-19 has brought it to a head .
We need that in-year funding gap plugged as we were promised it would be , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not councils will have to consider stepping back from Covid-19 related activities and other essential work just to avoid running out of money altogether as well as making a raft of in-year service cuts .
It ’ s not hyperbole to suggest that some councils are already considering issuing statutory section 114 notices : the formal warning to councillors that the council is entering the last chance saloon in terms of expenditure .
All of this makes for an incredibly worrying time for local authorities and the people that we serve .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t yet really attracted much coverage as we focus on in-year crisis response – is the impact all of this will have on our longer-term futures .
The absolute minimum the government must do is reimburse us for the full immediate financial impact of Covid-19 , as promised .
But in addition to that further £25m needed in Trafford , we must open a dialogue about the 2021/22 financial year .
This was always going to be a difficult year for Trafford ’ s budget .
Various tweaks to government policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand pressures of an ageing population had combined to mean we should be working now to close next year ’ s £19m funding challenge .
We had recognised this was coming – pulling together an action plan that would have started at the end of February , just after publishing the current year ’ s budget .
Covid-19 has sent all of this out of the window – delaying our modernisation strategy , drawing officers who would be supporting the budget work onto response activity , placing savings programmes at risk , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There ’ s no doubt that all of this means we are now facing an even more significant financial challenge than had been anticipated , with our staff rightly focused not on this but on Covid-19 .
It is clear then that the impact the current crisis is having on our budget will be felt for many years , yet there is no sign of ministers acknowledging this basic fact .
The government needs to get its act together , and fast .
Councils have been leading – along with our brilliant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Covid-19 and we must be financed properly to do so .
Urgent action is needed now to ensure our future sustainability .
Without it , the amazing response work I ’ ve written about all week will simply not be deliverable whilst the fantastic work that our brilliant council staff do day-in , day-out in more usual times stands on the edge of a precipice .

Each day this week I’ve written about a different element of the local government response to Covid-19. Whilst I’ve been able to cover some areas in detail, there are dozens more that I could have focused on reflecting the diverse nature of the work undertaken by the local government family. Not one area of our service has been untouched by the crisis. And whilst the various aspects of our work are very different, they all have one thing in common: they cost money to deliver, and are needed more than ever in responding to Covid-19.
Much has been written about the financial impact of Covid-19 on local authority budgets. There is a funding gap running into the billions facing all councils. Despite broken promises from the Communities and Local Government Secretary that we would receive “everything we need” to counter the impact of the outbreak, so far councils have received about 30% of the money we require to make us whole. For Trafford, the in-year funding gap we are currently looking at due to Covid-19 is £37m, more than 20% of our annual revenue budget. To date, the government has provided around £12m and in recent weeks has shifted its tone to suggest that our costs will not be met in full. This is a scandal: for Trafford, that means a £25m black hole, whilst across Greater Manchester the total in-year impact of Covid-19 is estimated at over half a billion pounds.
As with so many of our peers, Trafford simply cannot fill a funding gap such as this. Austerity has ravaged our budget for more than a decade and it is no exaggeration to say that there is nothing left to cut. We want to respond effectively to Covid-19 but our capacity to do so is becoming increasingly limited. In the current climate our residents need us to do more, not less. Yet without further funding we will have to look at in-year funding cuts. Cuts on this scale can’t be plugged easily. It would mean tens of thousands of local government workers across the country – who have been on the frontline of this crisis – losing their jobs and entire service areas disappearing.
Even then, our statutory services would likely be unsustainable. The government just doesn’t seem to understand this. It’s as though they simply cannot comprehend the scale of the cuts that we have faced already, or the innovative ways in which councils have adapted to the challenge rather than simply hacking away at frontline services. One particularly interesting intervention from the Secretary of State seemed to question the figures submitted by councils for income generation – the principle way that services have been sustained in the absence of proper national funding in the form of the Revenue Support Grant. Councils are bringing in millions of pounds in income from a range of sources to close the gap left by austerity, yet the Tories appear clueless as to the reality on the ground.
It’s not rocket science to see why Covid-19 would have had such an impact. Councils have increased costs across social care, enforcement, advice and support and in a number of other areas. We’ve also been asked to lead on the distribution of business grants and the coordination of community crisis support – work we weren’t having to do three months ago. At the same time many council investments are struggling as the economy contracts, some authorities have lost parking income and other revenue streams entirely, whilst leisure centres, libraries and other community facilities are closed. The precarious funding position we find ourselves in has been ten years in the making and Covid-19 has brought it to a head.
We need that in-year funding gap plugged as we were promised it would be, and we need it now. If not councils will have to consider stepping back from Covid-19 related activities and other essential work just to avoid running out of money altogether as well as making a raft of in-year service cuts. It’s not hyperbole to suggest that some councils are already considering issuing statutory section 114 notices: the formal warning to councillors that the council is entering the last chance saloon in terms of expenditure.
All of this makes for an incredibly worrying time for local authorities and the people that we serve. What concerns me further, however – and hasn’t yet really attracted much coverage as we focus on in-year crisis response – is the impact all of this will have on our longer-term futures. The absolute minimum the government must do is reimburse us for the full immediate financial impact of Covid-19, as promised. But in addition to that further £25m needed in Trafford, we must open a dialogue about the 2021/22 financial year. This was always going to be a difficult year for Trafford’s budget. Various tweaks to government policy, ongoing austerity, and the unfunded demand pressures of an ageing population had combined to mean we should be working now to close next year’s £19m funding challenge.
We had recognised this was coming – pulling together an action plan that would have started at the end of February, just after publishing the current year’s budget. Covid-19 has sent all of this out of the window – delaying our modernisation strategy, drawing officers who would be supporting the budget work onto response activity, placing savings programmes at risk, and reducing the potential for us to invest. There’s no doubt that all of this means we are now facing an even more significant financial challenge than had been anticipated, with our staff rightly focused not on this but on Covid-19. It is clear then that the impact the current crisis is having on our budget will be felt for many years, yet there is no sign of ministers acknowledging this basic fact.
The government needs to get its act together, and fast. Councils have been leading – along with our brilliant NHS colleagues – on the practical response to Covid-19 and we must be financed properly to do so. Urgent action is needed now to ensure our future sustainability. Without it, the amazing response work I’ve written about all week will simply not be deliverable whilst the fantastic work that our brilliant council staff do day-in, day-out in more usual times stands on the edge of a precipice.


labourlist--2020-05-15--An email to members isn’t enough. Labour must urge all workers to join a union

Checking their inboxes earlier this week , Labour members might have been surprised to find an email from deputy leader Angela Rayner urging them to join a trade union .
High-level Labour politicians should have been encouraging this way before now but , amid the economic uncertainty of the coronavirus , the unions are an indispensable bulwark for workers who would otherwise be at the mercy of exploitative employers and Conservative economic policy .
As much as the deputy leader ’ s appeal is welcome , an email to members is simply not enough .
Despite its half-a-million strong membership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to the millions of wage workers who are both the backbone of the economy and the ones whose health and livelihoods are most at risk during this pandemic .
Now more than ever , Labour has a responsibility to urge every single worker in Britain to join a trade union .
In recent decades , the dominant narrative surrounding the unions has been one of decline .
In 1979 , more than half the British workforce were union members – today that figure is just 23.4 % .
And as union density @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union wage premium .
In 1995 , the 32.4 % of UK workers who were union members enjoyed a wage premium of 25.9 % .
That premium has fallen to just 7.9 % today .
A union ’ s strength is in numbers , and to protect and fight for better conditions for workers , those numbers must go up .
That said , trade unions in Britain are still front and centre in the fight to protect vulnerable workers during the coronavirus pandemic .
When reports emerged that Chancellor Rishi Sunak was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 80 % of a workers ’ wage to 60 % , the unions stepped in – incensed over the fact that such a move would risk pushing workers into poverty , with serious levels of debt and rent arrears .
This week , the Chancellor appeared to backtrack and announced that the scheme would be extended to October with employees continuing to receive 80 % .
And that is not all the unions are doing during the health crisis , either .
In response to government plans to reopen schools from June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the government to step back .
They ’ ve pointed out that social distancing measures will be impossible to observe in a school setting .
Just as well , after Boris Johnson urged all workers who could not work from home to return to the workplace – a move that inarguably puts many lives at risk and will cause an uptick in infections .
Union reps sounded the alarm in the media , highlighting that employees have the right to refuse to work in unsafe conditions , without loss of pay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act .
Even after the worst of the pandemic is over , the lasting economic crisis will leave workers vulnerable to job losses , wage cuts and precarious circumstances .
However , the evidence shows that union members are significantly better protected than non-union members during economic crises .
In the three years following the 2008 financial crisis , the union wage premium in the UK increased from 12.5 % to 18.3 % , suggesting that while non-union members suffered falling wages , union members were comparatively better shielded .
And it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to worry about in the coming recession .
Already reports are beginning to emerge about the government ’ s economic strategy after the pandemic has subsided .
Amid warnings over how the government ’ s emergency Covid-19 spending will increase the deficit , the Treasury is said to be looking into public sector wage freezes and cuts to public spending .
After ten years of brutal austerity measures and public sector pay that has barely risen above inflation , such measures would be an insult .
An organised labour movement will be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offensively punitive policies , should they come to pass .
Of course , the Labour Party has a vital role to play in advocating for members and the broader working class on an electoral level .
But the real power of the working class comes from the ability to withdraw its labour when its working conditions , pay and living standards are threatened .
Already coronavirus has reaffirmed the grotesque inequalities in British society .
From the inability to work from home , to carers working in life-threatening conditions for poverty wages with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown once again that when the chips are down , it ’ s the lowest-paid and most vulnerable who bear the brunt .
Once the pandemic subsides , we must make sure that this doesn ’ t continue .
We have already seen what happens when the poor are left to suffer the consequences of the actions of the wealthy : a decade of swingeing spending cuts left our public services decimated , millions of working families pushed into poverty and saw the biggest squeeze in living standards since the Napoleonic era .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ working people in parliament , but against an unrestrained Conservative Party with an 80-seat majority , workers must be ready to take direct action when their material conditions are inevitably threatened .
For that reason , Labour also has a responsibility to workers across the country to encourage them to join a union .
Not just today , but for the future as well .

Checking their inboxes earlier this week, Labour members might have been surprised to find an email from deputy leader Angela Rayner urging them to join a trade union. High-level Labour politicians should have been encouraging this way before now but, amid the economic uncertainty of the coronavirus, the unions are an indispensable bulwark for workers who would otherwise be at the mercy of exploitative employers and Conservative economic policy.
As much as the deputy leader’s appeal is welcome, an email to members is simply not enough. Despite its half-a-million strong membership, the Labour Party is trivially insignificant compared to the millions of wage workers who are both the backbone of the economy and the ones whose health and livelihoods are most at risk during this pandemic. Now more than ever, Labour has a responsibility to urge every single worker in Britain to join a trade union.
In recent decades, the dominant narrative surrounding the unions has been one of decline. In 1979, more than half the British workforce were union members – today that figure is just 23.4%. And as union density has declined, so too has the union wage premium. In 1995, the 32.4% of UK workers who were union members enjoyed a wage premium of 25.9%. That premium has fallen to just 7.9% today. A union’s strength is in numbers, and to protect and fight for better conditions for workers, those numbers must go up.
That said, trade unions in Britain are still front and centre in the fight to protect vulnerable workers during the coronavirus pandemic. When reports emerged that Chancellor Rishi Sunak was preparing to slash the job retention scheme from 80% of a workers’ wage to 60%, the unions stepped in – incensed over the fact that such a move would risk pushing workers into poverty, with serious levels of debt and rent arrears. This week, the Chancellor appeared to backtrack and announced that the scheme would be extended to October with employees continuing to receive 80%.
And that is not all the unions are doing during the health crisis, either. In response to government plans to reopen schools from June 1st, teachers’ unions have called on the government to step back. They’ve pointed out that social distancing measures will be impossible to observe in a school setting. Just as well, after Boris Johnson urged all workers who could not work from home to return to the workplace – a move that inarguably puts many lives at risk and will cause an uptick in infections. Union reps sounded the alarm in the media, highlighting that employees have the right to refuse to work in unsafe conditions, without loss of pay, under Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act.
Even after the worst of the pandemic is over, the lasting economic crisis will leave workers vulnerable to job losses, wage cuts and precarious circumstances. However, the evidence shows that union members are significantly better protected than non-union members during economic crises. In the three years following the 2008 financial crisis, the union wage premium in the UK increased from 12.5% to 18.3%, suggesting that while non-union members suffered falling wages, union members were comparatively better shielded.
And it is not just employers that workers will need to worry about in the coming recession. Already reports are beginning to emerge about the government’s economic strategy after the pandemic has subsided. Amid warnings over how the government’s emergency Covid-19 spending will increase the deficit, the Treasury is said to be looking into public sector wage freezes and cuts to public spending. After ten years of brutal austerity measures and public sector pay that has barely risen above inflation, such measures would be an insult. An organised labour movement will be in a much better position to resist these offensively punitive policies, should they come to pass.
Of course, the Labour Party has a vital role to play in advocating for members and the broader working class on an electoral level. But the real power of the working class comes from the ability to withdraw its labour when its working conditions, pay and living standards are threatened. Already coronavirus has reaffirmed the grotesque inequalities in British society. From the inability to work from home, to carers working in life-threatening conditions for poverty wages with no protective equipment, the crisis has shown once again that when the chips are down, it’s the lowest-paid and most vulnerable who bear the brunt.
Once the pandemic subsides, we must make sure that this doesn’t continue. We have already seen what happens when the poor are left to suffer the consequences of the actions of the wealthy: a decade of swingeing spending cuts left our public services decimated, millions of working families pushed into poverty and saw the biggest squeeze in living standards since the Napoleonic era.
Labour has a responsibility to fight for working people in parliament, but against an unrestrained Conservative Party with an 80-seat majority, workers must be ready to take direct action when their material conditions are inevitably threatened. For that reason, Labour also has a responsibility to workers across the country to encourage them to join a union. Not just today, but for the future as well.


labourlist--2020-05-15--Getting parliament ‘back to normal’ is a terrible idea

There is strong pressure being applied to bring a non-virtual parliament back as soon as possible , within days even .
This was certainly the position of the leader of the Commons , Jacob Rees-Mogg .
But this move should be opposed , and if necessary obstructed .
The pretence is that this shows the way in getting ‘ back to normal ’ , and highlights the need to return to work .
But the guidance tells everyone to work from home wherever possible , and find new ways to work unless there is a good reason not to .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do we need 70-year-old backbenchers to travel miles just to be physically seated on a lonely bench in parliament to ask a pre-notified question , which won ’ t actually be answered , rather than stay at home and use Zoom ?
This move back to a flawed normal should be fiercely resisted .
If ever there was a golden opportunity to bring parliament into the modern age , it is now .
New ways of working , brought in with commendable speed during the crisis , are showing how a move can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inefficient fancy-dress pantomime of parliament .
And this could also greatly reduce the absurd costs of refurbishing the ancient buildings whilst preserving all the perks and privileges of a small number of MPs and Peers .
It is time to decentralise and end the London-centric attitude – and all which that brings .
Maybe the need for a modern chamber points to a virtual one , not one that will be refurbished at a cost of billions of pounds and delivered years after it was planned !
The argument for keeping parliament firmly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the civil servants and the offices of state are – should be stood on its head with a genuine move to put important government offices outside the capital .
And this should be joined up not by first class train travel or chauffeur driven road use , but by secure modern communications technology .
How much better could scrutiny be if experts were able to give evidence to ministers or committees without being dragged to some stage set in Portcullis House , or into the more crumbling bits of the palace ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to travel quite so much , so often ?
Why not give more thought to how best to facilitate the vital work of hundreds of MPs ’ staff , who are also subject to the ridiculous working times and arcane working practices imposed by the present system of mandatory attendance in London ?
A weak and incompetent government does not want its flaws exposed .
It would prefer to go back to the reliance on a Commons hidebound by procedural nonsense , where its large majority allows it far more control – both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how it is conducted .
The government can pack the chamber and use party loyalties to feed helpful questions and interventions .
The aggressive and confrontational bear pit is not a good example and many MPs find it unpleasant .
Labour should lead the opposition to a hasty return .
The best emerging example of how the government is worried enough to force this return is how Keir Starmer has been able to more effectively ask the PM questions – without the barracking baying and other idiotic behaviour from ranks of supportive Tories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially those less disposed to the oratorical style of speaking egged on by supportive mates , are making cogent arguments without constant interruptions and grandstanding .
This can only be an improvement .
Despite the grudging minor changes in the last decade , parliament is still laughably poor at being a modern place of work – instead , it favours being a set for a historical drama .
The traditionalists want to get back into their comfort zone .
And comfortable it certainly is .
They argue that an example should be set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a terrible example , and the experiment with modernisation already forced on parliament has shown that real alternatives are possible .
Even voting can be achieved remotely .
The pageantry of events , like the opening of a parliamentary session with a Queen ’ s Speech , can perhaps be preserved as some kind of tourist attraction , and to satisfy those who are addicted to dressing up in strange attire .
The fantastic historical palace can be fully exploited as a world heritage site instead of tearing bits of it apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to normal is a terrible idea .

There is strong pressure being applied to bring a non-virtual parliament back as soon as possible, within days even. This was certainly the position of the leader of the Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg. But this move should be opposed, and if necessary obstructed.
The pretence is that this shows the way in getting ‘back to normal’, and highlights the need to return to work. But the guidance tells everyone to work from home wherever possible, and find new ways to work unless there is a good reason not to. So, why go back? Why do we need 70-year-old backbenchers to travel miles just to be physically seated on a lonely bench in parliament to ask a pre-notified question, which won’t actually be answered, rather than stay at home and use Zoom?
This move back to a flawed normal should be fiercely resisted. If ever there was a golden opportunity to bring parliament into the modern age, it is now. New ways of working, brought in with commendable speed during the crisis, are showing how a move can be made away from the ineffective and inefficient fancy-dress pantomime of parliament. And this could also greatly reduce the absurd costs of refurbishing the ancient buildings whilst preserving all the perks and privileges of a small number of MPs and Peers.
It is time to decentralise and end the London-centric attitude – and all which that brings. Maybe the need for a modern chamber points to a virtual one, not one that will be refurbished at a cost of billions of pounds and delivered years after it was planned! The argument for keeping parliament firmly rooted in London – because that is where the civil servants and the offices of state are – should be stood on its head with a genuine move to put important government offices outside the capital. And this should be joined up not by first class train travel or chauffeur driven road use, but by secure modern communications technology.
How much better could scrutiny be if experts were able to give evidence to ministers or committees without being dragged to some stage set in Portcullis House, or into the more crumbling bits of the palace? Why force those who represent distant constituencies to travel quite so much, so often? Why not give more thought to how best to facilitate the vital work of hundreds of MPs’ staff, who are also subject to the ridiculous working times and arcane working practices imposed by the present system of mandatory attendance in London?
A weak and incompetent government does not want its flaws exposed. It would prefer to go back to the reliance on a Commons hidebound by procedural nonsense, where its large majority allows it far more control – both of what business is conducted and then how it is conducted. The government can pack the chamber and use party loyalties to feed helpful questions and interventions. The aggressive and confrontational bear pit is not a good example and many MPs find it unpleasant.
Labour should lead the opposition to a hasty return. The best emerging example of how the government is worried enough to force this return is how Keir Starmer has been able to more effectively ask the PM questions – without the barracking baying and other idiotic behaviour from ranks of supportive Tories bolstering Boris’ bluster. MPs, especially those less disposed to the oratorical style of speaking egged on by supportive mates, are making cogent arguments without constant interruptions and grandstanding. This can only be an improvement.
Despite the grudging minor changes in the last decade, parliament is still laughably poor at being a modern place of work – instead, it favours being a set for a historical drama. The traditionalists want to get back into their comfort zone. And comfortable it certainly is. They argue that an example should be set by returning to work – but it is a terrible example, and the experiment with modernisation already forced on parliament has shown that real alternatives are possible. Even voting can be achieved remotely.
The pageantry of events, like the opening of a parliamentary session with a Queen’s Speech, can perhaps be preserved as some kind of tourist attraction, and to satisfy those who are addicted to dressing up in strange attire. The fantastic historical palace can be fully exploited as a world heritage site instead of tearing bits of it apart to lay down ethernet cables. Back to normal is a terrible idea.


labourlist--2020-05-16--We cannot let the Tories force a no-deal Brexit amid a pandemic

While we are all focused on the pandemic and its consequences , Boris Johnson ’ s government is busy trying to rip up all the promises it made to get Brexit done .
The Tories hope to get away with making far-reaching choices that will have huge consequences for every family in Britain .
Like Theresa May ’ s deal , Johnson ’ s withdrawal agreement was a ‘ blindfold Brexit ’ : leaving without detailing what would replace the myriad arrangements , laws and programmes that we were hitherto part of .
Sorting that out was left for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which we are now in , the status quo applies .
Britain is still subject to EU rights and obligations .
But if there is no agreement by the end of the transition period , currently set at the end of the year , we will have the notorious no-deal Brexit .
As was well rehearsed last year , no deal means the sudden ending – without replacement – of all existing arrangements .
For trade , no deal means falling out of the customs union and implementing , overnight , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organisation rules with our main trading partners .
We would be penalising our exports and disrupting our supply chains , putting countless jobs in jeopardy .
It would also mean dropping out of all the trade deals between the EU and the rest of the world before we secure our own separate deals to replace them .
And for security , it would mean ending the shared databases that enables us to better police our borders and to cooperate in fighting cross-border criminal gangs and traffickers .
At a purely practical level , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of things we take for granted – from the validity of car insurance when travelling abroad to roaming charges , free hospitalisation when ill on holiday , cross-border child custody judgements and much else .
To avoid this situation , we need an agreement .
But the talks are not going well .
Indeed , according to some of those involved , they are at crisis point .
Two key sticking points are : • The UK is demanding full access to the EU market without committing to a level playing field in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment , climate change , fair competition and relevant tax matters ; and • It wants access to the police databases and European Arrest Warrant , without guaranteeing to uphold the safeguards and protections laid down in the European Convention on Human Rights .
In taking this position , the government is reneging on its previous commitments .
The political declaration that accompanied the withdrawal agreement , approved by both parliaments , set out what both sides agreed to negotiate for their future relationship .
Without that , the withdrawal agreement would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government is virtually tearing up those commitments .
It is also failing to implement the provisions of the already ratified legally binding protocol on Northern Ireland customs checks .
This is urgent because the transition period ends in seven months ’ time .
Few people believe it is possible to agree – and get approval from all parliaments involved – such a comprehensive deal by then , even without the delays caused by the Covid-19 crisis .
And as a safety mechanism , the withdrawal agreement provides for the possibility of extending the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years , through a single joint decision taken no later than June 30th – six months before the cliff edge , so that everyone can prepare .
To everyone ’ s astonishment , Johnson has ruled out making such an extension under any circumstances , even after several negotiating sessions were cancelled due to key negotiators contracting Covid-19 .
This is despite the fact that a no-deal situation in December would amplify the economic damage already being inflicted by lockdown .
Many are concluding that Johnson actually doesn ’ t want a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU trade commissioner , said : “ There is no real sign that Britain is approaching trade talks with the EU with a plan to succeed , and it appears set to blame any post-Brexit fallout on the economic shock from Covid-19.
” The neoliberal right of the Tory party was always opposed to any deal with the EU that keeps Britain aligned with EU standards .
The very reason that they wanted Brexit in the first place was because the single market has rules to protect consumers , workers and the environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from to have a Donald Trump-style , corporate free-for-all deregulated economy .
They also want Britain to align economically and strategically with the USA rather than with our European neighbours .
The one thing that previously held them back was the fear that they would be blamed for the economic fallout of a disorderly no-deal Brexit .
Now , they reckon that their big chance to get away with it is by hiding the costs – the job losses and the fall in living standards – among the affects of the coronavirus lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away with that .

While we are all focused on the pandemic and its consequences, Boris Johnson’s government is busy trying to rip up all the promises it made to get Brexit done. The Tories hope to get away with making far-reaching choices that will have huge consequences for every family in Britain.
Like Theresa May’s deal, Johnson’s withdrawal agreement was a ‘blindfold Brexit’: leaving without detailing what would replace the myriad arrangements, laws and programmes that we were hitherto part of. Sorting that out was left for the post-Brexit transition period.
During this period, which we are now in, the status quo applies. Britain is still subject to EU rights and obligations. But if there is no agreement by the end of the transition period, currently set at the end of the year, we will have the notorious no-deal Brexit. As was well rehearsed last year, no deal means the sudden ending – without replacement – of all existing arrangements.
For trade, no deal means falling out of the customs union and implementing, overnight, a customs border and tariffs under World Trade Organisation rules with our main trading partners. We would be penalising our exports and disrupting our supply chains, putting countless jobs in jeopardy.
It would also mean dropping out of all the trade deals between the EU and the rest of the world before we secure our own separate deals to replace them. And for security, it would mean ending the shared databases that enables us to better police our borders and to cooperate in fighting cross-border criminal gangs and traffickers.
At a purely practical level, it would cause havoc for a host of things we take for granted – from the validity of car insurance when travelling abroad to roaming charges, free hospitalisation when ill on holiday, cross-border child custody judgements and much else. To avoid this situation, we need an agreement. But the talks are not going well. Indeed, according to some of those involved, they are at crisis point. Two key sticking points are:
The UK is demanding full access to the EU market without committing to a level playing field in terms of social and employment standards, environment, climate change, fair competition and relevant tax matters; and It wants access to the police databases and European Arrest Warrant, without guaranteeing to uphold the safeguards and protections laid down in the European Convention on Human Rights.
In taking this position, the government is reneging on its previous commitments. The political declaration that accompanied the withdrawal agreement, approved by both parliaments, set out what both sides agreed to negotiate for their future relationship. Without that, the withdrawal agreement would not have been ratified. But now the government is virtually tearing up those commitments. It is also failing to implement the provisions of the already ratified legally binding protocol on Northern Ireland customs checks.
This is urgent because the transition period ends in seven months’ time. Few people believe it is possible to agree – and get approval from all parliaments involved – such a comprehensive deal by then, even without the delays caused by the Covid-19 crisis. And as a safety mechanism, the withdrawal agreement provides for the possibility of extending the transition period, by either one or two years, through a single joint decision taken no later than June 30th – six months before the cliff edge, so that everyone can prepare.
To everyone’s astonishment, Johnson has ruled out making such an extension under any circumstances, even after several negotiating sessions were cancelled due to key negotiators contracting Covid-19. This is despite the fact that a no-deal situation in December would amplify the economic damage already being inflicted by lockdown. Many are concluding that Johnson actually doesn’t want a deal. Phil Hogan, the Irish EU trade commissioner, said: “There is no real sign that Britain is approaching trade talks with the EU with a plan to succeed, and it appears set to blame any post-Brexit fallout on the economic shock from Covid-19.”
The neoliberal right of the Tory party was always opposed to any deal with the EU that keeps Britain aligned with EU standards. The very reason that they wanted Brexit in the first place was because the single market has rules to protect consumers, workers and the environment – protections that they want to escape from to have a Donald Trump-style, corporate free-for-all deregulated economy. They also want Britain to align economically and strategically with the USA rather than with our European neighbours.
The one thing that previously held them back was the fear that they would be blamed for the economic fallout of a disorderly no-deal Brexit. Now, they reckon that their big chance to get away with it is by hiding the costs – the job losses and the fall in living standards – among the affects of the coronavirus lockdown. We must not let them get away with that.


labourlist--2020-05-16--Exclusive: Lansman reveals why he won’t stand in upcoming Momentum elections

Jon Lansman , the current chair of Momentum , will not stand in the upcoming internal elections of the Corbynite organisation that he founded , LabourList has exclusively revealed .
In a comment piece for LabourList , Lansman said he had made the decision “ not to contest the forthcoming elections within Momentum ” and vowed instead to “ hand over to a new leadership ” .
On the network founded in 2015 , he wrote : “ We are now a mass of dedicated activists fighting for a better world .
And in this new era , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put their ideas into practice.
” Lansman explained that he would continue as Momentum chair until new members of the new national coordinating group ( NCG ) are elected in contests set to conclude on June 30th .
“ Thereafter , I shall stay around to support my successors in Momentum .
I shall continue to speak out , even when some would rather I didn ’ t , ” he pledged .
Hinting that he would like to keep his seat on Labour ’ s ruling body , Lansman added : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my attentions on Labour ’ s national executive committee.
” The supporter of Jeremy Corbyn ’ s leadership and former campaigner for Tony Benn concluded that he would spend more time with his family “ after working seven days a week for the better part of five years ” .
Commenting on the news of Lansman ’ s decision , a Momentum spokesperson said : “ We thank Jon for his years of dedication to Momentum and the Labour Party .
“ From running Tony Benn ’ s leadership campaign to founding Momentum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left and has done an incredible amount to transform the politics of this country .
“ He has played a key role in building Labour into a half a million member party and strengthening the movement for socialism in Britain .
We look forward to working with him as he continues to lead from the left on the NEC and across the movement.
” Labour ’ s deputy leader Angela Rayner tweeted “ there is no doubt that Jon has made a big impact in politics and is a true Socialist [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his best for people ” .
Shadow cabinet member Rebecca Long-Bailey , whose Labour leadership campaign was run by Lansman , wished him “ all the very best for future ” and described him as a “ tireless voice for Labour Party democracy for over 50 years ” .
The development on Saturday evening comes just ahead of internal campaigns within Momentum – such as Forward Momentum , which has been backed by John McDonnell – releasing slates of candidates .
Forward Momentum has said it wants to “ refound ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for being “ too London-centric ” and “ not sufficiently member-led ” .
It is calling for a more “ inclusive ” culture .
Reacting to the news of Lansman stepping aside , the campaign released a statement that thanked him , and said : “ We are pleased that he recognises it is time for a new generation to take Momentum forward ” .
LabourList understands that an alternative slate , regarded as ‘ pro-Lansman ’ , is being put together by ‘ Momentum Renewal ’ – a platform for the NCG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a membership organisation .
Momentum ’ s NCG officers group recently declared that the organisation “ can not continue as it has been ” .
In a statement , they called for “ unity , reflection and comradely debate on the way forward ” .
The 2020 Momentum elections will be the first since 2018 , after last year ’ s were postponed to avoid clashing with local elections , then delayed further by the general election and Labour leadership elections .
Nominations for those wanting to stand for Momentum ’ s NCG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and close on June 11th , followed by a one-member-one-vote ballot held from June 16th to June 30th .

Jon Lansman, the current chair of Momentum, will not stand in the upcoming internal elections of the Corbynite organisation that he founded, LabourList has exclusively revealed.
In a comment piece for LabourList, Lansman said he had made the decision “not to contest the forthcoming elections within Momentum” and vowed instead to “hand over to a new leadership”.
On the network founded in 2015, he wrote: “We are now a mass of dedicated activists fighting for a better world. And in this new era, it is time that a new generation of leaders put their ideas into practice.”
Lansman explained that he would continue as Momentum chair until new members of the new national coordinating group (NCG) are elected in contests set to conclude on June 30th.
“Thereafter, I shall stay around to support my successors in Momentum. I shall continue to speak out, even when some would rather I didn’t,” he pledged.
Hinting that he would like to keep his seat on Labour’s ruling body, Lansman added: “I shall return to blogging and focusing my attentions on Labour’s national executive committee.”
The supporter of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership and former campaigner for Tony Benn concluded that he would spend more time with his family “after working seven days a week for the better part of five years”.
Commenting on the news of Lansman’s decision, a Momentum spokesperson said: “We thank Jon for his years of dedication to Momentum and the Labour Party.
“From running Tony Benn’s leadership campaign to founding Momentum, he continues to fight tirelessly for the left and has done an incredible amount to transform the politics of this country.
“He has played a key role in building Labour into a half a million member party and strengthening the movement for socialism in Britain. We look forward to working with him as he continues to lead from the left on the NEC and across the movement.”
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner tweeted “there is no doubt that Jon has made a big impact in politics and is a true Socialist [who] has always wanted to do his best for people”.
Shadow cabinet member Rebecca Long-Bailey, whose Labour leadership campaign was run by Lansman, wished him “all the very best for future” and described him as a “tireless voice for Labour Party democracy for over 50 years”.
The development on Saturday evening comes just ahead of internal campaigns within Momentum – such as Forward Momentum, which has been backed by John McDonnell – releasing slates of candidates.
Forward Momentum has said it wants to “refound” and “democratise” Momentum, which it criticises for being “too London-centric” and “not sufficiently member-led”. It is calling for a more “inclusive” culture.
Reacting to the news of Lansman stepping aside, the campaign released a statement that thanked him, and said: “We are pleased that he recognises it is time for a new generation to take Momentum forward”.
LabourList understands that an alternative slate, regarded as ‘pro-Lansman’, is being put together by ‘Momentum Renewal’ – a platform for the NCG elections, not a broader campaign nor a membership organisation.
Momentum’s NCG officers group recently declared that the organisation “cannot continue as it has been”. In a statement, they called for “unity, reflection and comradely debate on the way forward”.
The 2020 Momentum elections will be the first since 2018, after last year’s were postponed to avoid clashing with local elections, then delayed further by the general election and Labour leadership elections.
Nominations for those wanting to stand for Momentum’s NCG will open at midday on May 28th and close on June 11th, followed by a one-member-one-vote ballot held from June 16th to June 30th.


labourlist--2020-05-16--It’s time for a new generation. Why I’m not standing in Momentum’s elections

Though we are still recovering from a heart-breaking election defeat , adjusting to the new leadership , plus facing serious risks to our society from the Covid-19 crisis , we are nevertheless entering a new era for socialist politics and activism in Britain .
In 2015 , we were few in the Labour Party .
Today we are many .
We are all five years older .
We may be tired , with our spirits low in the face of defeat and lockdown , but there is real cause amongst us for hope and confidence .
Thanks to the hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a people-powered mass movement , the party was brought back to its roots .
In 2017 , with an incredibly popular socialist manifesto , we achieved the biggest swing to Labour since 1945 .
Promising to restore public ownership and end austerity , we came within just 2,500 votes across a handful of constituencies from forming a government .
Thanks to our movement , Labour can never again be the party of illegal invasions , anti-immigration mugs or support for Tory policies of austerity and privatisation .
The Labour Party is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than simply a party with socialists in it .
There is no doubt that it is the right place for all democratic socialists to be .
Labour is the only major party serious about ending all inequalities , including those based on class .
We knew when we embarked on Jeremy Corbyn ’ s campaign for the Labour leadership five years ago that there was no easy path to build both an economy in the interests of the many and a society that chooses its own future .
That is why , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned to harness the support shown for this vision to build what became Momentum – a lasting movement for socialism within the Labour Party , which could continue to grow and thrive as a campaign for socialist policies for generations to come .
The young people who were inspired to get involved brought a new culture , new ideas and new approaches .
I am grateful to have learnt much from them .
I hope I have helped build the confidence of many of them and am pleased to have provided new opportunities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass of dedicated activists fighting for a better world .
And in this new era , it is time that a new generation of leaders put their ideas into practice .
That is why I have decided not to contest the forthcoming elections within Momentum and instead will hand over to a new leadership .
I am enormously proud of what Momentum has achieved .
Some of our biggest achievements include : • None Our immediate mobilisation to oppose the coup against Jeremy Corbyn in 2016 .
• None The support we gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 130,000 party members from voting in the subsequent leadership election in the High Court .
• None The campaign we waged to win that leadership election by an even bigger margin than the one before .
• None Our digital tools directing tens of thousands to the key seats across the country that we needed to win ( and in many cases actually gained ) .
We did this , according to the leaked report , at the same time as the party ’ s most senior staff tried to mis-direct funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their favoured candidates in safe seats .
• None Our fantastic social media operation , working to produce persuasive , viral videos which reached many millions of voters in two general elections .
• None Our success in giving Labour members more say in party decisions than ever before in its history – stronger representation for CLPs on Labour ’ s national executive and greater accountability of elected representatives .
Whilst celebrating this , I am deeply sorry that we were prevented from making further progress with open selections and in democratising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting some fantastic new , socialist candidates selected and elected , tripling the size of the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs and reinvigorating many council Labour groups .
Until my successors are elected , I will continue all my duties as current chair with the same commitment that I have always shown .
Thereafter , I shall stay around to support my successors in Momentum .
I shall continue to speak out , even when some would rather I didn ’ t .
Freed from the responsibilities of the chair of Momentum , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my attentions on Labour ’ s national executive committee ( NEC ) .
We desperately need better governance in our party , as the leaked report has further demonstrated .
Members need justice for sabotage , misuse of funds , plus racist , sexist , ableist and frankly McCarthyite attitudes .
But we must also make sure that the party ’ s machinery never again returns to those days of anti-democratic stitch-ups , factional warfare , and toxic culture .
The NEC is not fit for purpose .
Well documented by Lewis Minkin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supremacy , the NEC was stripped of its powers under “ New Labour ” .
We need an NEC that can perform its constitutional duty to provide the scrutiny and oversight required in an organisation with over half a million members and an eight-figure turnover .
We didn ’ t succeed in democratising the party sufficiently while Jeremy was leader , but we must not give up now .
It ’ s now more important than ever that Labour becomes a grassroots member-led movement .
Despite huge achievements , the last five years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large organisation , navigating conflicting pressures from every side , is not easy .
Neither is operating against a backdrop of warring factions , abuse and hatred .
That has a cumulative and corrosive impact , and I won ’ t miss that .
Of course , I have made mistakes and I have some regrets .
But I am eternally grateful for the support of my comrades , family and friends ( many of whom are outside politics or do not even share my politics ) – they have sustained me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven days a week for the better part of five years , I will be spending more time with my family , who have also suffered from my role .
I ’ ve seen far too little of my three children and my four grandchildren , the youngest of whom is just three weeks old .
The struggle for an equal , environmentally sustainable world continues .
By keeping up the momentum , building on the great strides made in the last five years , I have every faith that the next generation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done so .

Though we are still recovering from a heart-breaking election defeat, adjusting to the new leadership, plus facing serious risks to our society from the Covid-19 crisis, we are nevertheless entering a new era for socialist politics and activism in Britain.
In 2015, we were few in the Labour Party. Today we are many. We are all five years older. We may be tired, with our spirits low in the face of defeat and lockdown, but there is real cause amongst us for hope and confidence.
Thanks to the hundreds of thousands of socialists who transformed Labour into a people-powered mass movement, the party was brought back to its roots. In 2017, with an incredibly popular socialist manifesto, we achieved the biggest swing to Labour since 1945. Promising to restore public ownership and end austerity, we came within just 2,500 votes across a handful of constituencies from forming a government.
Thanks to our movement, Labour can never again be the party of illegal invasions, anti-immigration mugs or support for Tory policies of austerity and privatisation. The Labour Party is now much closer to being a socialist party than simply a party with socialists in it. There is no doubt that it is the right place for all democratic socialists to be. Labour is the only major party serious about ending all inequalities, including those based on class.
We knew when we embarked on Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign for the Labour leadership five years ago that there was no easy path to build both an economy in the interests of the many and a society that chooses its own future.
That is why, from the beginning of that campaign, I planned to harness the support shown for this vision to build what became Momentum – a lasting movement for socialism within the Labour Party, which could continue to grow and thrive as a campaign for socialist policies for generations to come.
The young people who were inspired to get involved brought a new culture, new ideas and new approaches. I am grateful to have learnt much from them. I hope I have helped build the confidence of many of them and am pleased to have provided new opportunities through Momentum.
We are now a mass of dedicated activists fighting for a better world. And in this new era, it is time that a new generation of leaders put their ideas into practice. That is why I have decided not to contest the forthcoming elections within Momentum and instead will hand over to a new leadership.
I am enormously proud of what Momentum has achieved. Some of our biggest achievements include:
Our immediate mobilisation to oppose the coup against Jeremy Corbyn in 2016.
The support we gave to party activists who challenged the exclusion of 130,000 party members from voting in the subsequent leadership election in the High Court.
The campaign we waged to win that leadership election by an even bigger margin than the one before.
Our digital tools directing tens of thousands to the key seats across the country that we needed to win (and in many cases actually gained). We did this, according to the leaked report, at the same time as the party’s most senior staff tried to mis-direct funding and resources through a secret factional operation to their favoured candidates in safe seats.
Our fantastic social media operation, working to produce persuasive, viral videos which reached many millions of voters in two general elections.
Our success in giving Labour members more say in party decisions than ever before in its history – stronger representation for CLPs on Labour’s national executive and greater accountability of elected representatives. Whilst celebrating this, I am deeply sorry that we were prevented from making further progress with open selections and in democratising policy-making.
Our success in getting some fantastic new, socialist candidates selected and elected, tripling the size of the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs and reinvigorating many council Labour groups.
Until my successors are elected, I will continue all my duties as current chair with the same commitment that I have always shown. Thereafter, I shall stay around to support my successors in Momentum. I shall continue to speak out, even when some would rather I didn’t. Freed from the responsibilities of the chair of Momentum, I shall return to blogging and focusing my attentions on Labour’s national executive committee (NEC).
We desperately need better governance in our party, as the leaked report has further demonstrated. Members need justice for sabotage, misuse of funds, plus racist, sexist, ableist and frankly McCarthyite attitudes. But we must also make sure that the party’s machinery never again returns to those days of anti-democratic stitch-ups, factional warfare, and toxic culture.
The NEC is not fit for purpose. Well documented by Lewis Minkin in his detailed study of The Blair Supremacy, the NEC was stripped of its powers under “New Labour”. We need an NEC that can perform its constitutional duty to provide the scrutiny and oversight required in an organisation with over half a million members and an eight-figure turnover.
We didn’t succeed in democratising the party sufficiently while Jeremy was leader, but we must not give up now. It’s now more important than ever that Labour becomes a grassroots member-led movement.
Despite huge achievements, the last five years have been testing. Building and maintaining a large organisation, navigating conflicting pressures from every side, is not easy. Neither is operating against a backdrop of warring factions, abuse and hatred. That has a cumulative and corrosive impact, and I won’t miss that.
Of course, I have made mistakes and I have some regrets. But I am eternally grateful for the support of my comrades, family and friends (many of whom are outside politics or do not even share my politics) – they have sustained me.
So, finally, after working seven days a week for the better part of five years, I will be spending more time with my family, who have also suffered from my role. I’ve seen far too little of my three children and my four grandchildren, the youngest of whom is just three weeks old.
The struggle for an equal, environmentally sustainable world continues. By keeping up the momentum, building on the great strides made in the last five years, I have every faith that the next generation will succeed where we have not yet done so.


labourlist--2020-05-17--Exclusive: ‘Momentum Renewal’ launch backed by Labour MPs and high-profile activists

A new campaign called ‘ Momentum Renewal ’ has launched today with the backing of several Labour MPs , members of Labour ’ s ruling body and high-profile activists , LabourList can reveal .
Labour MPs including Ian Lavery , Jon Trickett , Kim Johnson , Paula Barker , Sam Tarry , Charlotte Nichols and Nav Mishra have all signed up to the initiative created ahead of internal Momentum elections .
The list of 80 signatories also includes members of Labour ’ s national executive committee ( NEC ) , Lara McNeill , Huda Elmi and Yasmine Dar , plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Media ‘ s Aaron Bastani .
The founding statement , published exclusively on LabourList , stresses the importance of “ left unity ” and the need for a “ single socialist slate ” in the next round of Labour ’ s NEC elections .
On its vision for Momentum , the group says it aims to “ reforge it into an organisation that can unite , defend and advance our cause within our party and our country ” and “ make it truly fit for purpose ” .
Momentum Renewal has pledged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is “ rooted in working-class communities ” as well as being “ member-led and -organised ” .
Momentum founder Jon Lansman used a LabourList comment piece on Saturday to announce that he would not be standing in the upcoming internal elections of the Corbynite organisation .
Another group launched last month ahead of contests for Momentum ’ s national coordinating group ( NCG ) .
‘ Forward Momentum ’ held open primaries to form a slate , due to be unveiled shortly .
The slate of candidates being put forward by Momentum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coming days .
The Momentum NCG contests , which will see a new chair elected , are set to conclude on June 30th .
Below is the full text of the statement from Momentum Renewal .
Momentum must be transformed for the many Momentum played a vital role in fighting for a radical , socialist Labour Party and in the last four years especially focused on supporting the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn .
In the wake of a brutal election defeat and the election of a new leader , there will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There will be an attempt to roll back on policies that defend the working class just at the moment this government prepares to unleash a new , harsher wave of austerity on our people following the current crisis .
And there will be calls to adopt a politics which divides the working class and takes the support of BAME and migrant communities for granted .
Momentum ’ s key tasks therefore need to change , and with it the way we organise ourselves .
Our movement needs to be bottom up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than ever , we need left unity .
If the Labour left splits and socialists leave , if those who have spent the last five years undermining our party inside and out seize it , then we will be in the wilderness for a generation .
We do not have the time to start all over again .
Momentum is the largest organisation on the Labour left .
We need to reforge it into an organisation that can unite , defend and advance our cause within our party and our country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics that is as clear and bold in its demands as our opponents have been .
This is why , as socialists in the Labour Party , we ’ re launching Momentum Renewal , our platform for transforming Momentum to make it truly fit for purpose .
Democratic , member-led and -organised , Momentum Renewal will be rooted in working-class communities , which founded our party and which must be its heartland .
Momentum needs to win back the trust of many elements of our movement who have felt side-lined and marginalised over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialists within the Labour Party who have made it clear they want a broad , socialist platform .
This requires looking outward , not retreating to a bunker .
It requires admitting where we went wrong , as well as defending the positive changes we made .
It requires breaking with a stifling , suffocating London bubble and ensuring that what you know is always more important than who you know .
Most importantly , it requires a truly radical politics rooted in the concerns of the working class of this country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be to win .
If we fail in this task – or worse still don ’ t even try – then we will never get a majority Labour government .
To this end , we fundamentally believe that the trade union movement is central , an anchor which keeps the Labour Party moored to serious working-class politics .
Workers , many of whom are politically and socially aware , but who found their voice through local issue-based campaigns , in anti-racist groups , the environmental movement or anti-war activism must be brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Momentum is in a unique position to craft that coalition .
This means strengthening political education and training , plus building organisational capacity years ahead of an election .
Young activists in particular have given so much over the last five years to Momentum , Labour and the wider movement .
It is younger people who disproportionately will bear the brunt of climate breakdown , job insecurity and the continued unravelling of social democracy .
They must be front and centre within our movement .
And this means building local institutions , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , genuine community organising campaign that begins with listening to what people want rather than telling them , and that meets differences of opinion with openness and compassion , not condemnation .
We desperately need a single socialist slate for the next set of NEC elections , and a meticulous plan to prevent the recapture of the institutions of the party by factional forces that seek more internal conflict , or to blunt the boldness of our movement .
We need the voice of the membership to be strong and united behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opportunity to renew itself , and in so doing play a key role in the rebuilding of our party and our movement as we resist this callous Tory government .
As the debate heats up in advance of the elections to Momentum ’ s national coordinating group , we want to work with anyone who shares our vision for change to ensure that candidates are elected who will drive through reform .
We believe that can be done , and will give it our support to meet the challenges of this new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , things can , and they will , change .
Read our proposals for putting Momentum back in the hands of its members , and join us by signing our statement .
Ian Lavery , MP for Wansbeck Kim Johnson , MP for Liverpool Riverside Paula Barker , MP for Liverpool Wavertree Jon Trickett , MP for Hemsworth Sam Tarry , MP for Ilford South Charlotte Nichols , MP for Warrington North Olivia Blake , MP for Sheffield Hallam Grahame Morris , MP for Easington Bell Ribeiro-Addy , MP for Streatham Mick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , MP for Stockport Lara McNeill , NEC Youth Rep Huda Elmi , Labour NEC Cllr Matt Kerr , Glasgow City Council Cllr Matt Brown , Leader , Preston Council Yasmine Dar , Labour NEC , Manchester Councillor Paul Dennett , Mayor of Salford Bob Jeffrey , Secretary , Sheffield Trades Council Max Shanly , Epsom CLP Dan Dobson , Crawley CLP , Unite ( Personal Capacity ) Jack Youd , Asst Secretary , Salford Trades Council , CLP Secretary Worsley and Eccles South Grace Blakeley , Economist , Writer , NPF rep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anna Phillips , Chair of Exeter Momentum Aaron Bastani , Novara Media Marcus Barnett , Tribune Michael Calderbank , Parliamentary Researcher for Trade Unions Rachel O ’ Brien , Chair , London Young Labour Rhys Harmer , RMT Young Members ’ Chair Ronan Burtenshaw , Editor of Tribune David Aldwinkle , Chair , Leeds Momentum Jabran Hussain , Labour National Constituional Committee Cllr Danny Myers , Leader , York Labour Tommy Kane , Former senior political advisor for Scotland to Jeremy Corbyn Cllr Joe Cullinane , Leader , North Ayrshire Council John Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East rep , Young Labour National Committee Cllr Michelle Dorrell , Mayor of Folkestone ( Personal Capacity ) George Ford , Campaigns Officer of Exeter Momentum Axel Landin , Secretary , Stretham CLP Jake Rubin , CLPD Youth , Brent Momentum Chris Peace , Former PPC , NE Derbyshire Cllr Aneesa Akbar , Hull City Council Joe Riches , Yorkshire & Humber Regional Board Gabi Obeng Nyarko , Women ’ s Officer Leeds Momentum Deanne Ferguson , Former PPC , Morley & Outwood Luke Mitchell , Treasurer , Leeds Momentum Nadia Jama , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ward , Former PPC , Mansfield Lotte Boumelha , Chair of North West Young Labour , Manchester Momentum Cllr Janet Mobbs , Stockport Council Dave Brennan , Wirral West CLP , North West Regional Board Sarah Cundy , South East Regional Board , Youth Rep Dan Parks , CLPD Youth , Dover and Deal CLP Connor McCann , CWU SE Young Workers Chair and National Young Workers Committee ( Personal Capacity ) Ben Hayes , Islington North CLP Youth Officer Bill Paterson , RMT Organiser Caoimhe Hale , London Young Labour LGBT Officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Westminster North CLP Faiza Mahmood , London Young Labour BAME Officer Rae Lewis , RMT Young Members ’ Vice-Chair Robert Maisey , RMT Rep Artin Giles , Former Chair , London Young Labour Torr Robinson , London Young Labour Trans Officer Will Sheret , London rep , Young Labour National Committee Annie Maloney , Ordinary rep , Young Labour national committee Cllr Jess Lennox , Leeds City Council , Yorkshire + Humber Regional Board Jawad Khan , Batley and Spen CLP , BAME Officer Cllr Lewis Dagnall , Sheffield City Council Frederick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leeds North West CLP Warren Smith , GMB shop steward Jess Barnard , Eastern rep , Young Labour National Committee Cllr Lizzy Kelly , Stevenage Borough Council Owen Dowling , Cambridge CLP Kate Dove , Northern rep , Young Labour National Committee Declan Mullholland , Youth Officer – North West Durham CLP Connor Slomski , Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central CLP Graham Copsey , Chair of Liverpool Local Campaign Forum Cllr Wilson Nkurunziza , Salford City Council Connor Naismith , Chair , Crewe & Nantwich CLP Sophia Taromsari , Worsley & Eccles South CLP Lawrence Dunne @ @ @ @ @ @

A new campaign called ‘Momentum Renewal’ has launched today with the backing of several Labour MPs, members of Labour’s ruling body and high-profile activists, LabourList can reveal.
Labour MPs including Ian Lavery, Jon Trickett, Kim Johnson, Paula Barker, Sam Tarry, Charlotte Nichols and Nav Mishra have all signed up to the initiative created ahead of internal Momentum elections.
The list of 83 signatories also includes members of Labour’s national executive committee (NEC), Lara McNeill, Huda Elmi and Yasmine Dar, plus Tribune‘s Ronan Burtenshaw and Novara Media‘s Aaron Bastani.
The founding statement, published exclusively on LabourList, stresses the importance of “left unity” and the need for a “single socialist slate” in the next round of Labour’s NEC elections.
On its vision for Momentum, the group says it aims to “reforge it into an organisation that can unite, defend and advance our cause within our party and our country” and “make it truly fit for purpose”.
Momentum Renewal has pledged to focus on community organising and ensure that it is “rooted in working-class communities” as well as being “member-led and -organised”.
Momentum founder Jon Lansman used a LabourList comment piece on Saturday to announce that he would not be standing in the upcoming internal elections of the Corbynite organisation.
Another group launched last month ahead of contests for Momentum’s national coordinating group (NCG). ‘Forward Momentum’ held open primaries to form a slate, due to be unveiled shortly.
The slate of candidates being put forward by Momentum Renewal is expected to be revealed in the coming days. The Momentum NCG contests, which will see a new chair elected, are set to conclude on June 30th.
Below is the full text of the statement from Momentum Renewal.
Momentum must be transformed for the many
Momentum played a vital role in fighting for a radical, socialist Labour Party and in the last four years especially focused on supporting the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn. In the wake of a brutal election defeat and the election of a new leader, there will be an attempt to water down our politics. There will be an attempt to roll back on policies that defend the working class just at the moment this government prepares to unleash a new, harsher wave of austerity on our people following the current crisis. And there will be calls to adopt a politics which divides the working class and takes the support of BAME and migrant communities for granted.
Momentum’s key tasks therefore need to change, and with it the way we organise ourselves. Our movement needs to be bottom up and not simply top down.
Now, more than ever, we need left unity. If the Labour left splits and socialists leave, if those who have spent the last five years undermining our party inside and out seize it, then we will be in the wilderness for a generation. We do not have the time to start all over again.
Momentum is the largest organisation on the Labour left. We need to reforge it into an organisation that can unite, defend and advance our cause within our party and our country. This means new leadership and a new politics that is as clear and bold in its demands as our opponents have been.
This is why, as socialists in the Labour Party, we’re launching Momentum Renewal, our platform for transforming Momentum to make it truly fit for purpose. Democratic, member-led and -organised, Momentum Renewal will be rooted in working-class communities, which founded our party and which must be its heartland.
Momentum needs to win back the trust of many elements of our movement who have felt side-lined and marginalised over the past few years, and unite socialists within the Labour Party who have made it clear they want a broad, socialist platform. This requires looking outward, not retreating to a bunker. It requires admitting where we went wrong, as well as defending the positive changes we made.
It requires breaking with a stifling, suffocating London bubble and ensuring that what you know is always more important than who you know. Most importantly, it requires a truly radical politics rooted in the concerns of the working class of this country, because that’s where socialists have to be to win. If we fail in this task – or worse still don’t even try – then we will never get a majority Labour government.
To this end, we fundamentally believe that the trade union movement is central, an anchor which keeps the Labour Party moored to serious working-class politics. Workers, many of whom are politically and socially aware, but who found their voice through local issue-based campaigns, in anti-racist groups, the environmental movement or anti-war activism must be brought together with the organised labour movement. Momentum is in a unique position to craft that coalition.
This means strengthening political education and training, plus building organisational capacity years ahead of an election. Young activists in particular have given so much over the last five years to Momentum, Labour and the wider movement. It is younger people who disproportionately will bear the brunt of climate breakdown, job insecurity and the continued unravelling of social democracy. They must be front and centre within our movement.
And this means building local institutions, not just running national campaigns. A real, genuine community organising campaign that begins with listening to what people want rather than telling them, and that meets differences of opinion with openness and compassion, not condemnation.
We desperately need a single socialist slate for the next set of NEC elections, and a meticulous plan to prevent the recapture of the institutions of the party by factional forces that seek more internal conflict, or to blunt the boldness of our movement. We need the voice of the membership to be strong and united behind the socialist vision we share.
Momentum has the opportunity to renew itself, and in so doing play a key role in the rebuilding of our party and our movement as we resist this callous Tory government. As the debate heats up in advance of the elections to Momentum’s national coordinating group, we want to work with anyone who shares our vision for change to ensure that candidates are elected who will drive through reform. We believe that can be done, and will give it our support to meet the challenges of this new era. As a wise person once said, things can, and they will, change.
Read our proposals for putting Momentum back in the hands of its members, and join us by signing our statement.
facebook.com/MomentumRenewal | @Mom_Renewal
Signatories
Ian Lavery, MP for Wansbeck
Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside
Paula Barker, MP for Liverpool Wavertree
Jon Trickett, MP for Hemsworth
Sam Tarry, MP for Ilford South
Charlotte Nichols, MP for Warrington North
Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam
Grahame Morris, MP for Easington
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Streatham
Mick Whitley, MP for Birkenhead
Nav Mishra, MP for Stockport
Lara McNeill, NEC Youth Rep
Huda Elmi, Labour NEC
Cllr Matt Kerr, Glasgow City Council
Cllr Matt Brown, Leader, Preston Council
Yasmine Dar, Labour NEC, Manchester Councillor
Paul Dennett, Mayor of Salford
Bob Jeffrey, Secretary, Sheffield Trades Council
Max Shanly, Epsom CLP
Dan Dobson, Crawley CLP, Unite (Personal Capacity)
Jack Youd, Asst Secretary, Salford Trades Council, CLP Secretary Worsley and Eccles South
Grace Blakeley, Economist, Writer, NPF rep
Cllr Lauren Townsend, Milton Keynes Councillor
Anna Phillips, Chair of Exeter Momentum
Aaron Bastani, Novara Media
Marcus Barnett, Tribune
Michael Calderbank, Parliamentary Researcher for Trade Unions
Rachel O’Brien, Chair, London Young Labour
Rhys Harmer, RMT Young Members’ Chair
Ronan Burtenshaw, Editor of Tribune
David Aldwinkle, Chair, Leeds Momentum
Jabran Hussain, Labour National Constituional Committee
Cllr Danny Myers, Leader, York Labour
Tommy Kane, Former senior political advisor for Scotland to Jeremy Corbyn
Cllr Joe Cullinane, Leader, North Ayrshire Council
John Taylor, Redcar CLP
Charlie Mower, South East rep, Young Labour National Committee
Cllr Michelle Dorrell, Mayor of Folkestone (Personal Capacity)
George Ford, Campaigns Officer of Exeter Momentum
Axel Landin, Secretary, Stretham CLP
Jake Rubin, CLPD Youth, Brent Momentum
Chris Peace, Former PPC, NE Derbyshire
Cllr Aneesa Akbar, Hull City Council
Joe Riches, Yorkshire & Humber Regional Board
Gabi Obeng Nyarko, Women’s Officer Leeds Momentum
Deanne Ferguson, Former PPC, Morley & Outwood
Luke Mitchell, Treasurer, Leeds Momentum
Nadia Jama, BAME officer, Sheffield Central CLP
Sonya Ward, Former PPC, Mansfield
Lotte Boumelha, Chair of North West Young Labour, Manchester Momentum
Cllr Janet Mobbs, Stockport Council
Dave Brennan, Wirral West CLP, North West Regional Board
Sarah Cundy, South East Regional Board, Youth Rep
Dan Parks, CLPD Youth, Dover and Deal CLP
Connor McCann, CWU SE Young Workers Chair and National Young Workers Committee (Personal Capacity)
Ben Hayes, Islington North CLP Youth Officer
Bill Paterson, RMT Organiser
Caoimhe Hale, London Young Labour LGBT Officer
Daniel Stone, Haringey Councillor
Freddie Seale, Westminster North CLP
Faiza Mahmood, London Young Labour BAME Officer
Rae Lewis, RMT Young Members’ Vice-Chair
Robert Maisey, RMT Rep
Artin Giles, Former Chair, London Young Labour
Torr Robinson, London Young Labour Trans Officer
Will Sheret, London rep, Young Labour National Committee
Annie Maloney, Ordinary rep, Young Labour national committee
Cllr Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council, Yorkshire + Humber Regional Board
Jawad Khan, Batley and Spen CLP, BAME Officer
Cllr Lewis Dagnall, Sheffield City Council
Frederick Galluci, GMB X20 Political Officer, Leeds North West CLP
Warren Smith, GMB shop steward
Jess Barnard, Eastern rep, Young Labour National Committee
Cllr Lizzy Kelly, Stevenage Borough Council
Owen Dowling, Cambridge CLP
Kate Dove, Northern rep, Young Labour National Committee
Declan Mullholland, Youth Officer – North West Durham CLP
Connor Slomski, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central CLP
Graham Copsey, Chair of Liverpool Local Campaign Forum
Cllr Wilson Nkurunziza, Salford City Council
Connor Naismith, Chair, Crewe & Nantwich CLP
Sophia Taromsari, Worsley & Eccles South CLP
Lawrence Dunne, Secretary of Knowsley for Socialism