labourlist--2020-09-17--Labour tells Rees-Mogg to apologise for “carping” accusation on Covid tests

Labour has called on government frontbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg to apologise for telling people that they should stop their “ endless carping ” about the lack of coronavirus tests available across the country .
Addressing MPs earlier today , the House of Commons leader said : “ The issue of testing is one where we have gone from a disease that nobody knew about a few months ago to one where nearly a quarter of a million people a day can be tested… “ Instead of this endless carping saying it ’ s difficult to get them , we should actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation in getting up to a quarter of a million tests of a disease that nobody knew about until earlier in the year.
” Rees-Mogg added : “ Yes , there is demand for more , yes demand exceeds supply but it is growing , the supply is increasing .
And what has been done is really rather remarkable and something we should be proud of.
” Responding to the comments , Labour ’ s shadow minister for public health and patient safety Alex Norris shot back : “ For weeks , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get coronavirus tests .
“ But rather than fixing problems , the government have instead resorted to a blizzard of blame shifting and excuses .
Now , out-of-touch ministers have got a new message to those who can ’ t get tests : ‘ stop complaining and praise us ’ .
“ Jacob Rees-Mogg should immediately apologise .
Whining about the public not being grateful enough won ’ t sort anything – only his government can fix the testing shambles they are presiding over.
” As the unavailability of Covid tests has seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of miles away from their homes to be tested , the NHS Test and Trace system has been described as “ on the verge of collapse ” .
In the House of Commons today , Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the system had become “ not so much test and trace , more like trace a test ” and warned that the UK faces a “ very bleak winter ” .
Asked whether Boris Johnson agreed with Rees-Mogg ’ s comments today , the Prime Minister ’ s spokesperson pointed out that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to increase capacity , adding : “ We will continue to increase capacity.
” The Prime Minister admitted on Wednesday that there is not enough UK testing capacity to meet demand , telling the liaison committee : “ We don ’ t have the testing capacity .
We would like to test everyone who wants a test.
” Government ministers have sought to blame the British public for coronavirus test shortages , despite Matt Hancock telling people in June : “ If you have symptoms of coronavirus , or if you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Rees-Mogg was forced to self-isolate last week after one of his six children showed possible symptoms of coronavirus .
He was tested for the virus , and returned to parliament when the result was negative .

Labour has called on government frontbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg to apologise for telling people that they should stop their “endless carping” about the lack of coronavirus tests available across the country.
Addressing MPs earlier today, the House of Commons leader said: “The issue of testing is one where we have gone from a disease that nobody knew about a few months ago to one where nearly a quarter of a million people a day can be tested…
“Instead of this endless carping saying it’s difficult to get them, we should actually celebrate this phenomenal success of the British nation in getting up to a quarter of a million tests of a disease that nobody knew about until earlier in the year.”
Rees-Mogg added: “Yes, there is demand for more, yes demand exceeds supply but it is growing, the supply is increasing. And what has been done is really rather remarkable and something we should be proud of.”
Responding to the comments, Labour’s shadow minister for public health and patient safety Alex Norris shot back: “For weeks, people across the country have been struggling to get coronavirus tests.
“But rather than fixing problems, the government have instead resorted to a blizzard of blame shifting and excuses. Now, out-of-touch ministers have got a new message to those who can’t get tests: ‘stop complaining and praise us’.
“Jacob Rees-Mogg should immediately apologise. Whining about the public not being grateful enough won’t sort anything – only his government can fix the testing shambles they are presiding over.”
As the unavailability of Covid tests has seen many symptomatic people told to travel hundreds of miles away from their homes to be tested, the NHS Test and Trace system has been described as “on the verge of collapse”.
In the House of Commons today, Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the system had become “not so much test and trace, more like trace a test” and warned that the UK faces a “very bleak winter”.
Asked whether Boris Johnson agreed with Rees-Mogg’s comments today, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson pointed out that only yesterday did Johnson talk about the need to increase capacity, adding: “We will continue to increase capacity.”
The Prime Minister admitted on Wednesday that there is not enough UK testing capacity to meet demand, telling the liaison committee: “We don’t have the testing capacity. We would like to test everyone who wants a test.”
Government ministers have sought to blame the British public for coronavirus test shortages, despite Matt Hancock telling people in June: “If you have symptoms of coronavirus, or if you have any doubt, get a coronavirus test.”
Rees-Mogg was forced to self-isolate last week after one of his six children showed possible symptoms of coronavirus. He was tested for the virus, and returned to parliament when the result was negative.


labourlist--2020-09-17--TSSA slams government after £100m payout to rail shareholders

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes has accused the government of causing a “ national scandal ” after £100m of taxpayer money was paid to shareholders in privatised railway franchises .
Responding to comments in parliament today from Labour ’ s Jim McMahon , in which he described how £100m had been given to shareholders , Cortes said the Tories should recognise that the “ era of privatisation is well and truly over ” .
As part of its Covid emergency measures agreements ( EMAs ) , the government bailed out all of England ’ s private rail operators to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the services running during the pandemic .
But Labour ’ s Shadow Transport Secretary revealed to the Commons this morning that £100m of the bailout money was “ paid out to shareholders , many of which are foreign governments ” .
On the issue raised by McMahon at transport questions in parliament , Cortes said : “ Yet again this shambolic government is failing the people of our country and putting profit before the national interest .
“ It ’ s a national scandal that £100m of taxpayer ’ s money has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a time when the state was required to step in to keep our railways running so that NHS and other key workers could get to their jobs and save lives .
“ Grant Shapps must account for this extraordinary figure which once again exposes the stark failure of privatised railways .
There must be no more dither and delay – it ’ s vital our railways are kept running as we continue to the fight against this deadly virus .
Ministers must be clear about future plans now .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the fact that the era of privatisation is well and truly over .
Our railways are not a play thing for profiteers but vital to the lives of millions day in , day out and must be placed fully in public hands.
” The EMAs due to end on September 20th were introduced in March to subsidise franchises to account for revenues lost as a result of the pandemic .
It was estimated in June that each passenger journey had cost the taxpayer £100 .
Jim McMahon also asked the Transport Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were to support the rail industry once the funding agreements come to an end .
He told the Commons : “ With 72 hours to go before the current rail franchise emergency measures agreements are due to expire , I expected the Transport Secretary to update the House .
I am afraid my sheet is blank because no such statement , comment or indication followed.
” The number of rail passengers drastically fell as a result of coronavirus as the country entered into lockdown in March this year , with only 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travelling by train .
McMahon ’ s comments today on the shareholder payout come after new analysis last year showed that 61 % of rail journeys are taken with franchises owned by overseas companies or governments .

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes has accused the government of causing a “national scandal” after £100m of taxpayer money was paid to shareholders in privatised railway franchises.
Responding to comments in parliament today from Labour’s Jim McMahon, in which he described how £100m had been given to shareholders, Cortes said the Tories should recognise that the “era of privatisation is well and truly over”.
As part of its Covid emergency measures agreements (EMAs), the government bailed out all of England’s private rail operators to the sum of at least £3.5bn to keep the services running during the pandemic.
But Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary revealed to the Commons this morning that £100m of the bailout money was “paid out to shareholders, many of which are foreign governments”.
On the issue raised by McMahon at transport questions in parliament, Cortes said: “Yet again this shambolic government is failing the people of our country and putting profit before the national interest.
“It’s a national scandal that £100m of taxpayer’s money has been stuffed into the mouths of rail shareholders at a time when the state was required to step in to keep our railways running so that NHS and other key workers could get to their jobs and save lives.
“Grant Shapps must account for this extraordinary figure which once again exposes the stark failure of privatised railways. There must be no more dither and delay – it’s vital our railways are kept running as we continue to the fight against this deadly virus. Ministers must be clear about future plans now.
“It’s time this Tory government woke up to the fact that the era of privatisation is well and truly over. Our railways are not a play thing for profiteers but vital to the lives of millions day in, day out and must be placed fully in public hands.”
The EMAs due to end on September 20th were introduced in March to subsidise franchises to account for revenues lost as a result of the pandemic. It was estimated in June that each passenger journey had cost the taxpayer £100.
Jim McMahon also asked the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to clarify what future plans there were to support the rail industry once the funding agreements come to an end.
He told the Commons: “With 72 hours to go before the current rail franchise emergency measures agreements are due to expire, I expected the Transport Secretary to update the House. I am afraid my sheet is blank because no such statement, comment or indication followed.”
The number of rail passengers drastically fell as a result of coronavirus as the country entered into lockdown in March this year, with only 4% of the usual amount of passengers travelling by train.
McMahon’s comments today on the shareholder payout come after new analysis last year showed that 61% of rail journeys are taken with franchises owned by overseas companies or governments.


labourlist--2020-09-17--“Not so much test and trace, more like trace a test” – Ashworth’s full Covid-19 speech

Below is the full text of the speech delivered by Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth this morning in response to Matt Hancock ’ s Covid-19 statement : Capital investment for 25 A & Es will be welcome .
On the piloting of 111 to triage ahead of A & E , given inequalities in accessing healthcare for the poorest and disadvantaged , how will he ensure this doesn ’ t worsen inequalities ?
If this leads to greater demands on primary care , will GPs be given extra resources as a consequence ?
The NHS is facing a likely second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monumental backlog in non-Covid care .
We have four million people on the waiting list and 83,000 people waiting beyond 12 months for treatment .
Last month 2,535 people were waiting over two months to start cancer treatment .
The Chancellor promised to give the NHS “ whatever it needs ” .
Does that promise still stand ?
Will the NHS get the funding it now needs to tackle the growing backlog in non-Covid care ?
On social care : Can he guarantee care homes won ’ t face the same shortage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced at the start of the pandemic ?
Does he accept that restrictions on family visits causes huge harm to residents ?
Does he rule out re-imposing nationwide restrictions on family visits ?
Back in May he stood at that despatch box and told this house : “ That everyone aged five and over with symptoms is now eligible for a test… Anyone with a new continuous cough , a high temperature or a loss of , or change in , their sense of taste or smell can book a test… We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four months later , for the British people it has become not so much test and trace , more like trace a test .
At just the point when many fear we are on the cusp of a deadly second spike , the Prime Minister admits we don ’ t have enough capacity .
And rather than fixing testing , the Secretary of State is restricting testing .
In the exchanges on Tuesday , 33 members from all sides put to him examples of testing failures .
He responded with local constituency figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debating trick and well done to the special advisor who produced the briefing .
But that ’ s little comfort to the 25,000 teaching staff isolating many of whom need testing , to the NHS staff off work , to the ill people now presenting at A & Es because they can ’ t get a test or to the parents with poorly children off school and themselves sick with worry because there is no testing available .
He was warned that infections would rise if tracing wasn ’ t effective and people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And here we are with almost 4,000 new cases , the highest since May .
Who will be the priority for a test under his rationing plans ?
Care England say weekly testing of all care home staff is still not happening , when will he guarantee it ?
What about people living in areas of restriction ?
Will testing be available ?
What is his plan for universities returning over the next fortnight ?
In July he pledged 150,000 asymptomatic tests per day by September .
Has that commitment now been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in this mess .
Rather than increase testing over the summer , pillar 1 and 2 lab capacity remained broadly flat .
He ’ s now setting up more commercial lighthouse labs , but why not instead invest in the 44 NHS labs and make better use of university labs ?
We know there are staff shortages across these labs because the Prime Minister wrote to university vice chancellors begging for staff to return .
There are huge numbers of voided tests across these commercial labs including 35,000 voids at the Randox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing stats show turn around times for testing in these labs is getting longer again .
Serco is failing to trace 80 % of contacts .
At what point will he strip poor-performing outsourcing firms of their lucrative public sector contracts ?
When testing breaks down , case finding breaks down , isolation breaks down and we lose control of the virus .
The British people made great sacrifices , they missed family celebrations , many couldn ’ t say their final goodbye to loved ones at funerals .
People honoured their side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government was supposed to deliver testing to drive the virus down .
Ministers failed .
And now we have vast swathes of the country , millions of people under restrictions .
The Prime Minister yesterday said a second lockdown would be disastrous .
Obviously , we all want to avoid lockdown .
Is he completely ruling out a second short national lockdown in all circumstances ?
The British public simply deserves clarity .
But with infections rising at this pace , it ’ s not clear what the actual strategy of the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very well talking about camel humps and moon shots .
We need a plan to fully suppress this virus .
Its urgent ministers now fix testing , tracing and isolation to avoid further restrictions , otherwise , we face a very bleak winter indeed .

Below is the full text of the speech delivered by Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth this morning in response to Matt Hancock’s Covid-19 statement:
Capital investment for 25 A&Es will be welcome. On the piloting of 111 to triage ahead of A&E, given inequalities in accessing healthcare for the poorest and disadvantaged, how will he ensure this doesn’t worsen inequalities? If this leads to greater demands on primary care, will GPs be given extra resources as a consequence?
The NHS is facing a likely second spike, winter pressures, and a monumental backlog in non-Covid care. We have four million people on the waiting list and 83,000 people waiting beyond 12 months for treatment. Last month 2,535 people were waiting over two months to start cancer treatment.
The Chancellor promised to give the NHS “whatever it needs”. Does that promise still stand? Will the NHS get the funding it now needs to tackle the growing backlog in non-Covid care? On social care: Can he guarantee care homes won’t face the same shortage of PPE (personal protective equipment) they faced at the start of the pandemic? Does he accept that restrictions on family visits causes huge harm to residents? Does he rule out re-imposing nationwide restrictions on family visits?
Back in May he stood at that despatch box and told this house: “That everyone aged five and over with symptoms is now eligible for a test… Anyone with a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of, or change in, their sense of taste or smell can book a test… We have now got testing for all” Yet four months later, for the British people it has become not so much test and trace, more like trace a test.
At just the point when many fear we are on the cusp of a deadly second spike, the Prime Minister admits we don’t have enough capacity. And rather than fixing testing, the Secretary of State is restricting testing. In the exchanges on Tuesday, 33 members from all sides put to him examples of testing failures. He responded with local constituency figures, it’s a neat Commons debating trick and well done to the special advisor who produced the briefing.
But that’s little comfort to the 25,000 teaching staff isolating many of whom need testing, to the NHS staff off work, to the ill people now presenting at A&Es because they can’t get a test or to the parents with poorly children off school and themselves sick with worry because there is no testing available.
He was warned that infections would rise if tracing wasn’t effective and people were not given adequate support to isolate. And here we are with almost 4,000 new cases, the highest since May. Who will be the priority for a test under his rationing plans? Care England say weekly testing of all care home staff is still not happening, when will he guarantee it? What about people living in areas of restriction? Will testing be available? What is his plan for universities returning over the next fortnight? In July he pledged 150,000 asymptomatic tests per day by September. Has that commitment now been abandoned?
But we shouldn’t be in this mess. Rather than increase testing over the summer, pillar 1 and 2 lab capacity remained broadly flat. He’s now setting up more commercial lighthouse labs, but why not instead invest in the 44 NHS labs and make better use of university labs? We know there are staff shortages across these labs because the Prime Minister wrote to university vice chancellors begging for staff to return.
There are huge numbers of voided tests across these commercial labs including 35,000 voids at the Randox lab through August. Today’s testing stats show turn around times for testing in these labs is getting longer again. Serco is failing to trace 80% of contacts. At what point will he strip poor-performing outsourcing firms of their lucrative public sector contracts? When testing breaks down, case finding breaks down, isolation breaks down and we lose control of the virus.
The British people made great sacrifices, they missed family celebrations, many couldn’t say their final goodbye to loved ones at funerals. People honoured their side of the bargain. In return, government was supposed to deliver testing to drive the virus down. Ministers failed. And now we have vast swathes of the country, millions of people under restrictions. The Prime Minister yesterday said a second lockdown would be disastrous. Obviously, we all want to avoid lockdown. Is he completely ruling out a second short national lockdown in all circumstances?
The British public simply deserves clarity. But with infections rising at this pace, it’s not clear what the actual strategy of the government now is. It’s all very well talking about camel humps and moon shots. We need a plan to fully suppress this virus. Its urgent ministers now fix testing, tracing and isolation to avoid further restrictions, otherwise, we face a very bleak winter indeed.


labourlist--2020-09-18--McDonnell advises Labour left not to be seen as “shouting from the sidelines”

John McDonnell has urged Labour left members not to let themselves be “ portrayed as oppositionists , shouting from the sidelines ” and instead “ make sure that we win every political debate around the policy issues that we now confront ” .
In an interview with Antonello Guerrera of Italian newspaper La Repubblica , the former Shadow Chancellor warned the party ’ s left flank against allowing itself to become isolated , saying : “ We mustn ’ t alienate people within the party.
” He reminded members that Keir Starmer won the Labour leadership election earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ template policy programme which was drawn from the last two Labour manifestos ” in the 2017 and 2019 general elections .
McDonnell said : “ The most important thing for the left now is not to allow itself to be portrayed as oppositionists , shouting from the sidelines , shouting through the letterbox , that sort of thing .
“ We mustn ’ t allow ourselves to be isolated or in any way , and we mustn ’ t alienate people within the party of the majority of the Labour Party members.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ willing to give Keir Starmer a chance to see how we can really keep the party together and develop it ” , the majority “ don ’ t want any retreat from the radicalism of Jeremy Corbyn ” .
McDonnell also said that some members within the party had been alienated by the leadership ’ s statements on certain issues that have “ not been carefully worded or well chosen ” , but said people were not leaving Labour “ on any mass scale ” .
Starmer faced a backlash earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matter as a “ moment ” in a BBC News interview .
He later said he regretted doing so , and had meant that it was a “ defining moment ” in race relations .
Commenting on the 2019 general election defeat , the former Shadow Chancellor and Corbyn ally described it as an “ electoral setback ” but insisted that there had been “ significant electoral support for the radical forces ” .
The former Shadow Chancellor also commented on the recently published Left Out : The Inside Story of Labour under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued with the former leader as “ rubbish ” .
He slammed the authors as “ gossip columnists ” .
Asked why he had not engaged with the writers , he said : “ I just ignored them completely because why would I cooperate with the Murdoch press who have been trying to assassinate Jeremy ’ s character for five solid years ?
I refused completely !
” McDonnell said it was right that Starmer had visited Jewish community groups after being elected as in April , but added that “ Jeremy did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Labour leader had an “ open door ” .
The left figurehead told La Repubblica : “ Of course , Keir was right to visit the Jewish organisations !
But Jeremy had an open door policy to Jewish organisations and was willing to meet them on whatever basis as well.
” He described Starmer ’ s side-stepping of the Brexit issue in recent debates as a “ good choice ” and said the main opposition party should not let the Prime Minister use Brexit as a “ smokescreen for his failures on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson to Donald Trump and said that Johnson ’ s politics was “ proto-fascism ” .
He added that the world is “ in quite a dangerous moment when it comes to the development of the forms of the right ” .
The MP for Hayes and Harlington last month praised the new Labour leader ’ s approach to opposition during the coronavirus pandemic as “ exactly right ” during a Times Radio interview .
He said : “ He ’ s approached the government in a constructive way – and we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together – but he can ’ t help but point out failure after failure .
And people are getting pretty angry.
” But the Labour left figure added : “ Sometimes I ’ ll want the party to be a bit more vociferous on some of these things , but that ’ s a matter of style .
As long as we get the point across .
”

John McDonnell has urged Labour left members not to let themselves be “portrayed as oppositionists, shouting from the sidelines” and instead “make sure that we win every political debate around the policy issues that we now confront”.
In an interview with Antonello Guerrera of Italian newspaper La Repubblica, the former Shadow Chancellor warned the party’s left flank against allowing itself to become isolated, saying: “We mustn’t alienate people within the party.”
He reminded members that Keir Starmer won the Labour leadership election earlier this year “on the basis of adopting a template policy programme which was drawn from the last two Labour manifestos” in the 2017 and 2019 general elections.
McDonnell said: “The most important thing for the left now is not to allow itself to be portrayed as oppositionists, shouting from the sidelines, shouting through the letterbox, that sort of thing.
“We mustn’t allow ourselves to be isolated or in any way, and we mustn’t alienate people within the party of the majority of the Labour Party members.”
He argued that while most members are “willing to give Keir Starmer a chance to see how we can really keep the party together and develop it”, the majority “don’t want any retreat from the radicalism of Jeremy Corbyn”.
McDonnell also said that some members within the party had been alienated by the leadership’s statements on certain issues that have “not been carefully worded or well chosen”, but said people were not leaving Labour “on any mass scale”.
Starmer faced a backlash earlier this year when he referred to Black Lives Matter as a “moment” in a BBC News interview. He later said he regretted doing so, and had meant that it was a “defining moment” in race relations.
Commenting on the 2019 general election defeat, the former Shadow Chancellor and Corbyn ally described it as an “electoral setback” but insisted that there had been “significant electoral support for the radical forces”.
The former Shadow Chancellor also commented on the recently published Left Out: The Inside Story of Labour under Corbyn, describing its claims that he argued with the former leader as “rubbish”. He slammed the authors as “gossip columnists”.
Asked why he had not engaged with the writers, he said: “I just ignored them completely because why would I cooperate with the Murdoch press who have been trying to assassinate Jeremy’s character for five solid years? I refused completely!”
McDonnell said it was right that Starmer had visited Jewish community groups after being elected as in April, but added that “Jeremy did the same thing” and said the former Labour leader had an “open door”.
The left figurehead told La Repubblica: “Of course, Keir was right to visit the Jewish organisations! But Jeremy had an open door policy to Jewish organisations and was willing to meet them on whatever basis as well.”
He described Starmer’s side-stepping of the Brexit issue in recent debates as a “good choice” and said the main opposition party should not let the Prime Minister use Brexit as a “smokescreen for his failures on Covid”.
McDonnell also compared Boris Johnson to Donald Trump and said that Johnson’s politics was “proto-fascism”. He added that the world is “in quite a dangerous moment when it comes to the development of the forms of the right”.
The MP for Hayes and Harlington last month praised the new Labour leader’s approach to opposition during the coronavirus pandemic as “exactly right” during a Times Radio interview.
He said: “He’s approached the government in a constructive way – and we’ve got to get through this crisis together – but he can’t help but point out failure after failure. And people are getting pretty angry.”
But the Labour left figure added: “Sometimes I’ll want the party to be a bit more vociferous on some of these things, but that’s a matter of style. As long as we get the point across.”


labourlist--2020-09-18--We can only solve homelessness by actively preventing it

When the Covid-19 lockdown came into force , a huge cross-sector effort virtually ended rough sleeping overnight .
It became clear that with determination and enough funding , the seemingly impossible task of housing the country ’ s rough sleepers is possible .
Unfortunately these efforts have not been sustained , and rough sleepers find themselves back on the streets .
Worse still , when the ban on evictions ends this Sunday , many more people will be put at risk of homelessness .
Rough sleeping in England has increased by between 140 % and 250 % in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there is also a growing crisis of hidden homelessness – those sofa surfing , living in temporary accommodation or sleeping in night shelters and refuges .
In December 2019 , Prime Minister Boris Johnson committed to ending rough sleeping by 2024 .
Far from bringing an end to this crisis , the lack of prevention we have seen over the past decade is pushing another generation towards an increased risk of homelessness .
Homelessness is caused by wealth inequality : as the cost of living rises , more people are pushed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequality gap , a lack of prevention in mental illness , drug and alcohol dependency and domestic abuse is also contributing to this rising crisis .
As a country , we are facing a pandemic-induced economic and employment crisis .
In my constituency alone , over 3,000 people have applied for Universal Credit since March this year .
Young people are one of the groups facing an increased risk of homelessness in the future if the government fails to invest in prevention now .
Hundreds of thousands of young people have graduated university @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left schools or sixth forms .
These young people are entering the toughest jobs market we have seen in decades .
As rent prices and the cost of living continues to rise , the opportunities for young people continue to decrease .
The Children ’ s Society ’ s Good Childhood report this year found that an alarming one in five young people report low wellbeing , and that 15-year-olds in the UK are among the saddest and least satisfied with their lives in Europe .
Investment in youth services and mental health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade .
Paired with a lack of opportunities in the jobs market and the failure to help secure young people ’ s academic futures following the recent exams fiasco , young people are heading towards a future of economic and personal insecurity .
The importance of prevention in all areas must not be undermined , and this must be available to everyone throughout their lives .
A good standard of education , access to mental health services , volunteering opportunities , skills-based training , investment in higher education are all needed to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , as the number of problems facing young people continues to grow and the threat of homelessness becomes increasingly imminent , there is one area in which the government can immediately invest in to provide security and prevent homelessness : housing .
Social housing continues to be one of the biggest needs for people young and old in all areas of the UK .
Research this week by the National Housing Federation shows there are now 3.8 million people in need of a social home .
Access to social housing means that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of job opportunities or dependencies , people can at least have a roof over their heads and a place to call home .
Backed by over 60 organisations including charities , banks and think tanks , the Homes at the Heart campaign is calling for the government to make a “ once-in-a-generation ” investment in social housing as part of their plan to help the country recover from coronavirus .
Not only will this provide safe and affordable homes to those most in need of them – funding new social homes will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and develop thriving local communities in places that have previously been neglected .
Social housing is the main preventative measure that needs to be put in place because access to housing means no person is ever forced to sleep on the streets .
This must become and remain a main priority for the government in charge .

When the Covid-19 lockdown came into force, a huge cross-sector effort virtually ended rough sleeping overnight. It became clear that with determination and enough funding, the seemingly impossible task of housing the country’s rough sleepers is possible.
Unfortunately these efforts have not been sustained, and rough sleepers find themselves back on the streets. Worse still, when the ban on evictions ends this Sunday, many more people will be put at risk of homelessness.
Rough sleeping in England has increased by between 140% and 250% in the past decade. As well as rough sleepers, there is also a growing crisis of hidden homelessness – those sofa surfing, living in temporary accommodation or sleeping in night shelters and refuges.
In December 2019, Prime Minister Boris Johnson committed to ending rough sleeping by 2024. Far from bringing an end to this crisis, the lack of prevention we have seen over the past decade is pushing another generation towards an increased risk of homelessness.
Homelessness is caused by wealth inequality: as the cost of living rises, more people are pushed into precarious living situations. Alongside a widening inequality gap, a lack of prevention in mental illness, drug and alcohol dependency and domestic abuse is also contributing to this rising crisis.
As a country, we are facing a pandemic-induced economic and employment crisis. In my constituency alone, over 3,000 people have applied for Universal Credit since March this year. Young people are one of the groups facing an increased risk of homelessness in the future if the government fails to invest in prevention now.
Hundreds of thousands of young people have graduated university this year, and millions more have left schools or sixth forms. These young people are entering the toughest jobs market we have seen in decades. As rent prices and the cost of living continues to rise, the opportunities for young people continue to decrease.
The Children’s Society’s Good Childhood report this year found that an alarming one in five young people report low wellbeing, and that 15-year-olds in the UK are among the saddest and least satisfied with their lives in Europe.
Investment in youth services and mental health services has decreased drastically over the past decade. Paired with a lack of opportunities in the jobs market and the failure to help secure young people’s academic futures following the recent exams fiasco, young people are heading towards a future of economic and personal insecurity.
The importance of prevention in all areas must not be undermined, and this must be available to everyone throughout their lives. A good standard of education, access to mental health services, volunteering opportunities, skills-based training, investment in higher education are all needed to ensure young people can form stable futures.
However, as the number of problems facing young people continues to grow and the threat of homelessness becomes increasingly imminent, there is one area in which the government can immediately invest in to provide security and prevent homelessness: housing.
Social housing continues to be one of the biggest needs for people young and old in all areas of the UK. Research this week by the National Housing Federation shows there are now 3.8 million people in need of a social home. Access to social housing means that whilst tackling mental health issues, a lack of job opportunities or dependencies, people can at least have a roof over their heads and a place to call home.
Backed by over 60 organisations including charities, banks and think tanks, the Homes at the Heart campaign is calling for the government to make a “once-in-a-generation” investment in social housing as part of their plan to help the country recover from coronavirus. Not only will this provide safe and affordable homes to those most in need of them – funding new social homes will also create jobs, kickstart the economy and develop thriving local communities in places that have previously been neglected.
Social housing is the main preventative measure that needs to be put in place because access to housing means no person is ever forced to sleep on the streets. This must become and remain a main priority for the government in charge.


labourlist--2020-09-18--Welsh devolution is a journey – but it must not be one that only ends in Cardiff

We have had three devolution settlements for Wales , and we are no closer to a long-term settlement than we were before the first .
In the UK , we have seen different devolution settlements for Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland , as well as different areas devolved to London and the larger city regions of England .
We have what is meant to be a reserved powers model in Wales , following the most recent settlement , but the host of reservations within supposedly devolved areas makes a mockery of such a definition .
On leaving the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battle to get devolved to Wales those powers being repatriated to Britain in wholly devolved areas .
If the settlement had been a comprehensive reserved powers model , then this would not have arisen as nothing being repatriated would be on the current reserved list .
Surely , the question to be asked is what needs to be controlled by Westminster to benefit the whole of the UK , as opposed to what each ministerial department wants to keep under its control ?
There are the obvious areas that need to be held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affairs , national security , currency , interest rates , overseas aid , immigration , driver and car licensing , central bank and National Insurance numbers .
If most of those areas are devolved , it is called independence rather than devolution .
But there are those areas that are worthy of discussion over whether they should be devolved or set centrally , including : • State pension age and amount .
Should we have one for the UK or should each jurisdiction set its own ?
How would that work with movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Northern Ireland ?
• Should we have one unified social security system or should each jurisdiction be able to set their own contribution levels and payments ?
Same issues as above .
• Should alcohol and tobacco duty be the same to avoid cross-border movement ?
• Should there be UK taxes to pay for the centrally funded items , with all other taxes devolved and collected locally ?
How will financial support from the wealthier to the poorer regions be organised and maintained ?
Not everything needs to be devolved to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the English city regions at the same time .
What we should have , is a list of items that are available to be devolved with each parliament needing at least two thirds of members voting in favour before the area is devolved .
This is what happened in Northern Ireland when policing was devolved .
This approach avoids “ big bang ” devolution , where control of everything is passed on one day , while still allowing for matters to be devolved as the parliaments are ready for them and funding is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it sets an end point of the devolution journey outside of creating new countries , and allows each to move at a pace it is comfortable with but with a common endpoint .
Finally , devolution in Wales does not have to end in Cardiff .
Devolution within Wales is possible to the four regions of Wales .
Which powers would be better devolved to local authorities also needs to be discussed and decided .
The 20th century was almost a one-way movement of control away from local councils including water , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question surely should be where the best decisions will be taken for the local population .
Devolution in Wales is a journey , but it must not be a journey that only ends in Cardiff .
For true devolution , powers will also need to be devolved to the regions and councils of Wales .

We have had three devolution settlements for Wales, and we are no closer to a long-term settlement than we were before the first. In the UK, we have seen different devolution settlements for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as different areas devolved to London and the larger city regions of England. We have what is meant to be a reserved powers model in Wales, following the most recent settlement, but the host of reservations within supposedly devolved areas makes a mockery of such a definition.
On leaving the European Union, there is now a new battle to get devolved to Wales those powers being repatriated to Britain in wholly devolved areas. If the settlement had been a comprehensive reserved powers model, then this would not have arisen as nothing being repatriated would be on the current reserved list. Surely, the question to be asked is what needs to be controlled by Westminster to benefit the whole of the UK, as opposed to what each ministerial department wants to keep under its control?
There are the obvious areas that need to be held centrally – such as defence, foreign affairs, national security, currency, interest rates, overseas aid, immigration, driver and car licensing, central bank and National Insurance numbers. If most of those areas are devolved, it is called independence rather than devolution. But there are those areas that are worthy of discussion over whether they should be devolved or set centrally, including:
State pension age and amount. Should we have one for the UK or should each jurisdiction set its own? How would that work with movement between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland? Should we have one unified social security system or should each jurisdiction be able to set their own contribution levels and payments? Same issues as above. Should alcohol and tobacco duty be the same to avoid cross-border movement? Should there be UK taxes to pay for the centrally funded items, with all other taxes devolved and collected locally? How will financial support from the wealthier to the poorer regions be organised and maintained?
Not everything needs to be devolved to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland or the English city regions at the same time. What we should have, is a list of items that are available to be devolved with each parliament needing at least two thirds of members voting in favour before the area is devolved. This is what happened in Northern Ireland when policing was devolved.
This approach avoids “big bang” devolution, where control of everything is passed on one day, while still allowing for matters to be devolved as the parliaments are ready for them and funding is agreed. The advantage of this is that it sets an end point of the devolution journey outside of creating new countries, and allows each to move at a pace it is comfortable with but with a common endpoint.
Finally, devolution in Wales does not have to end in Cardiff. Devolution within Wales is possible to the four regions of Wales. Which powers would be better devolved to local authorities also needs to be discussed and decided. The 20th century was almost a one-way movement of control away from local councils including water, further education, and policing. The question surely should be where the best decisions will be taken for the local population. Devolution in Wales is a journey, but it must not be a journey that only ends in Cardiff. For true devolution, powers will also need to be devolved to the regions and councils of Wales.


labourlist--2020-09-18--Renters face a Covid cliff edge… again

Renters face a Covid cliff edge… again

It is hard to escape a feeling of déjà vu .
The R-rate is up and coronavirus cases are on the rise across the country .
The number of people being hospitalised with Covid is doubling every eight days .
And reports last night revealed worried care homes are being told to prepare to take Covid patients discharged from hospitals .
Over ten million people are now back under tougher Covid restrictions , and experts on the scientific advisory group for emergencies have proposed a two-week national lockdown for all of us ( being called a ‘ circuit break ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a full lockdown ) .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock refused to rule out the possibility of imposing the national measure this morning , saying only that “ we ’ ll do what is necessary to keep people safe ” .
He ’ s also been busy plugging his winter plan for care home today , and Labour has welcomed the extra support for the sector .
But shadow social care minister Liz Kendall has argued that the “ real test ” will be whether the Tories can deliver on their promise of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first promised by the government in July .
The Groundhog Day vibes are compounded by the crisis facing renters… again .
Four weeks after the government ’ s last-minute decision to extend the emergency evictions ban in August , the suspension is due to end on Sunday .
Households across the country will soon face homelessness , and there is no suggestion of a reprieve at this point .
Labour slammed the government early last week for failing to make time to consider protections for renters in parliament .
And what has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversial ( international law-breaking ) internal market bill .
Shadow Housing Secretary Thangam Debbonaire has accused the the Tories of “ prioritising reopening old wounds on Brexit above protecting renters ” and called on the government to extend the ban .
Today is International Equal Pay Day and Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary Marsha de Cordova has written an excellent piece for LabourList this morning , highlighting a UK gender pay gap of 17.3 % and an international one of 23 % .
Travel towards equal wages has been far too slow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she has explained – concluding : “ For all the talking and the nodding , we are nowhere near equal pay.
” De Cordova will kick-off Labour ’ s online conference replacement event on Saturday morning with ‘ Women Connected ’ alongside Labour leader Keir Starmer .
The weekend promises to be a busy one for the labour movement ; events at ‘ Connected ’ will run from September 19th to 22nd .
LabourList will be covering the shenanigans as we would in-person at the usual Labour conference , albeit possibly without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the programme of events here , watch out for regular updates on the website and check your inboxes for your conference morning briefings on Saturday and Sunday .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

It is hard to escape a feeling of déjà vu. The R-rate is up and coronavirus cases are on the rise across the country. The number of people being hospitalised with Covid is doubling every eight days. And reports last night revealed worried care homes are being told to prepare to take Covid patients discharged from hospitals. Over ten million people are now back under tougher Covid restrictions, and experts on the scientific advisory group for emergencies have proposed a two-week national lockdown for all of us (being called a ‘circuit break’ because it would not be as stringent as a full lockdown). Health Secretary Matt Hancock refused to rule out the possibility of imposing the national measure this morning, saying only that “we’ll do what is necessary to keep people safe”. He’s also been busy plugging his winter plan for care home today, and Labour has welcomed the extra support for the sector. But shadow social care minister Liz Kendall has argued that the “real test” will be whether the Tories can deliver on their promise of weekly Covid tests for care workers – first promised by the government in July.
The Groundhog Day vibes are compounded by the crisis facing renters… again. Four weeks after the government’s last-minute decision to extend the emergency evictions ban in August, the suspension is due to end on Sunday. Households across the country will soon face homelessness, and there is no suggestion of a reprieve at this point. Labour slammed the government early last week for failing to make time to consider protections for renters in parliament. And what has the government been doing instead? Pushing its controversial (international law-breaking) internal market bill. Shadow Housing Secretary Thangam Debbonaire has accused the the Tories of “prioritising reopening old wounds on Brexit above protecting renters” and called on the government to extend the ban.
Today is International Equal Pay Day and Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary Marsha de Cordova has written an excellent piece for LabourList this morning, highlighting a UK gender pay gap of 17.3% and an international one of 23%. Travel towards equal wages has been far too slow, and has slowed further under the Tories, she has explained – concluding: “For all the talking and the nodding, we are nowhere near equal pay.”
De Cordova will kick-off Labour’s online conference replacement event on Saturday morning with ‘Women Connected’ alongside Labour leader Keir Starmer. The weekend promises to be a busy one for the labour movement; events at ‘Connected’ will run from September 19th to 22nd. LabourList will be covering the shenanigans as we would in-person at the usual Labour conference, albeit possibly without the same hangovers. Have a look at the programme of events here, watch out for regular updates on the website and check your inboxes for your conference morning briefings on Saturday and Sunday. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-09-18--On International Equal Pay Day, we must keep fighting to close the gap

Today , countries across the world recognise International Equal Pay Day , which acknowledges the efforts to ensure equal pay for equal work across the globe .
Its encouragement of governments to set targets and outline strategies is welcome , but warm words will only get us so far : action is what is needed .
As a woman in parliament , I stand on the shoulders of giants .
It is 50 years since the passing of The Equal Pay Act , a watershed moment in our history implemented by a Labour government and led by Barbara Castle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Work and Employment .
She backed the 850 women sewing machinists who bravely withdrew their labour from the Ford factories in Liverpool and Dagenham after they were paid 15 % less than their male counterparts and decided enough was enough .
The principle of equal pay has been fought for and won .
But the struggle continues , not just in this country but also across the world .
The significant gender pay gap remains , currently standing at a staggering 17.3 % , with the U.N estimating that the gap is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For all the talking and the nodding , we are nowhere near equal pay .
The government ’ s feet must be held to the fire on this : the last Labour government reduced the gender pay gap by 7.7 % , whereas progress under the current Tory government has almost ground to a halt with a decrease in the pay gap of only 2.4 % since 2011 .
This makes the government ’ s suspension of mandatory gender pay gap reporting at the onset of the pandemic earlier this year even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there is a plethora of evidence that the pandemic is deepening pre-existing inequalities and exposing injustices in social , political and economic systems .
These in turn amplify the impact of the pandemic .
Nishi Mayor , of Business in the Community , has urged businesses to continue to submit the data .
This would be a positive step .
The pandemic has shown that women are more likely than men to take over caring duties , more likely to be made redundant and make up most of the workforce within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more important now than ever to remain focused on gender pay goals .
A UN brief in April of this year said : “ Across the globe , women earn less , save less , hold less secure jobs , are more likely to be employed in the informal sector .
They have less access to social protections and are the majority of single-parent households .
Their capacity to absorb economic shocks is therefore less than that of men.
” Research conducted by the House of Commons Library in 2017 showed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ austerity .
Given this was a choice made by the government , it is only right that the government reinstates mandatory gender pay reporting to ensure that action is taken and support provided if the gap continues to widen .
Labour launches Connected this weekend , after our conference was sadly postponed due to the pandemic .
It is an honour to be able to open Women Connected tomorrow alongside our leader , Keir Starmer .
Our movement has always been about women coming together and fighting for a fairer world .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this weekend as we discuss how Labour can ensure a just and more equal world for all workers .
It may be half a century since that ground breaking act , and things may have got slightly better , but as Michelle Obama once said : “ You can not take your freedoms for granted .
Just like generations who have come before you , you have to do your part to preserve and protect those freedoms .
”

Today, countries across the world recognise International Equal Pay Day, which acknowledges the efforts to ensure equal pay for equal work across the globe. Its encouragement of governments to set targets and outline strategies is welcome, but warm words will only get us so far: action is what is needed.
As a woman in parliament, I stand on the shoulders of giants. It is 50 years since the passing of The Equal Pay Act, a watershed moment in our history implemented by a Labour government and led by Barbara Castle, Labour’s then Secretary of State for Work and Employment. She backed the 850 women sewing machinists who bravely withdrew their labour from the Ford factories in Liverpool and Dagenham after they were paid 15% less than their male counterparts and decided enough was enough.
The principle of equal pay has been fought for and won. But the struggle continues, not just in this country but also across the world. The significant gender pay gap remains, currently standing at a staggering 17.3%, with the U.N estimating that the gap is estimated to be 23% globally. For all the talking and the nodding, we are nowhere near equal pay.
The government’s feet must be held to the fire on this: the last Labour government reduced the gender pay gap by 7.7%, whereas progress under the current Tory government has almost ground to a halt with a decrease in the pay gap of only 2.4% since 2011.
This makes the government’s suspension of mandatory gender pay gap reporting at the onset of the pandemic earlier this year even more negligent. Covid-19 thrives on inequality, and there is a plethora of evidence that the pandemic is deepening pre-existing inequalities and exposing injustices in social, political and economic systems. These in turn amplify the impact of the pandemic.
Nishi Mayor, of Business in the Community, has urged businesses to continue to submit the data. This would be a positive step. The pandemic has shown that women are more likely than men to take over caring duties, more likely to be made redundant and make up most of the workforce within the health and social care sector. It is more important now than ever to remain focused on gender pay goals.
A UN brief in April of this year said: “Across the globe, women earn less, save less, hold less secure jobs, are more likely to be employed in the informal sector. They have less access to social protections and are the majority of single-parent households. Their capacity to absorb economic shocks is therefore less than that of men.” Research conducted by the House of Commons Library in 2017 showed that women have already shouldered 86% of austerity. Given this was a choice made by the government, it is only right that the government reinstates mandatory gender pay reporting to ensure that action is taken and support provided if the gap continues to widen.
Labour launches Connected this weekend, after our conference was sadly postponed due to the pandemic. It is an honour to be able to open Women Connected tomorrow alongside our leader, Keir Starmer. Our movement has always been about women coming together and fighting for a fairer world. I am hoping you can all join us this weekend as we discuss how Labour can ensure a just and more equal world for all workers. It may be half a century since that ground breaking act, and things may have got slightly better, but as Michelle Obama once said: “You cannot take your freedoms for granted. Just like generations who have come before you, you have to do your part to preserve and protect those freedoms.”


labourlist--2020-09-17--Labour MPs support launch of Tessa Jowell Foundation

A group of Labour MPs including Keir Starmer and Jonathan Ashworth have joined with other politicians , campaigners and public health experts to back the launch of the Tessa Jowell Foundation .
The newly established organisation has been launched today on the anniversary of the day the late Labour peer announced that she had a brain tumour , and on what would have been her 73rd birthday .
Also backing the foundation are Labour ’ s Lisa Nandy , Helen Hayes and Sarah Jones , Tory MPs Jeremy Hunt and Health Secretary Matt Hancock , as well as Cancer Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The foundation will be led by Jowell ’ s daughter Jess Mills with support from other members of the former south London MP ’ s family , and will focus on delivering her “ public health legacies ” .
Commenting on the launch and Jowell ’ s legacy , Starmer said : “ Tessa was an inspiration .
A true public servant , she strived throughout her life to make this country a better place for all .
“ She is sorely missed but lives on in the memories she gave us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olympics and securing life-changing cancer research funding – her incredible legacy.
” Jowell was the first ever UK minister for public health and used the platform to develop and implement the Labour government ’ s flagship Sure Start policy , designed to help give disadvantaged children the best possible start in life .
More than 3,000 Sure Start centres were opened across the country during Labour ’ s 13 years in power , but many were subsequently closed when the coalition government took office in 2010 .
The Labour leader added : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Tessa and call her my friend .
It is fitting that her vision and immense dedication will live on in the Tessa Jowell Foundation .
“ Her final campaign to transform brain cancer treatment inspired us all and I wholeheartedly support the foundation in continuing to drive this crucial work , giving patients the hope that Tessa personified.
” Jowell was diagnosed with cancer in May 2017 and dedicated the remainder of her life to campaigning for change to brain tumour treatment funding and research .
She passed away at the age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a final parliamentary speech from Jowell in 2018 , the government committed to supporting the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission that brings together experts in research , science , trials , technology and patient charities .
The foundation has stated that its starting focus will be to “ secure the delivery of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission ” including the launch of the accreditation of ten Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence throughout the NHS in 2021 .
The body will take a leadership role in the mission , which is mainly made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as leading clinicians , forming its steering committee and four working groups .
It focuses on six key areas : • “ Patient-led advocacy to support the development of data sharing protocols and a registry ; • “ Collaboration with pharma in expediting drug repurposing and trial development ; • “ Implementation of new models of patient care , such as the Cambridge model and appropriate measurement of patient outcomes/satisfaction ; and • “ National roll out of the ‘ pink drink ’ and other proven tools.
” Professor Gilbertson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mission a “ more robust and stable level of support so that we can deliver our transformational national strategy for brain cancer treatment and care throughout the NHS ” .
Ashworth described Jowell as an “ inspiration ” , adding : “ We all miss her desperately and remain dedicated to truly honouring her memory by doing all we can to ensure the very best modern treatment possible for those with brain cancer.
” Other Labour MPs added their tributes to the former minister .
Nandy said Jowell was “ single minded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to live richer , larger lives full of opportunity , whatever their circumstances ” .
Hayes , who replaced Jowell as the Dulwich and West Norwood MP , said the foundation and the Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence will “ deliver the step-change that Tessa was so passionate to see , and which is so urgently needed ” .
Health Secretary Hancock said Jowell ’ s “ impact on others and the legacy she left was achieved always with kindness , compassion and with great integrity ” .
He added that her achievements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long time to come ” .
Jowell was first elected as an MP in 1992 and became the minister for public health in 1997 .
She was appointed as the Culture , Media and Sport Secretary in 2001 before serving as the Olympics minister between 2005 and 2010 .
She died aged 70 in May 2018 after being diagnosed with brain cancer the previous year .
Five months before her death , she delivered a moving speech in the House of Lords that received a rare and emotional standing ovation .

A group of Labour MPs including Keir Starmer and Jonathan Ashworth have joined with other politicians, campaigners and public health experts to back the launch of the Tessa Jowell Foundation.
The newly established organisation has been launched today on the anniversary of the day the late Labour peer announced that she had a brain tumour, and on what would have been her 73rd birthday.
Also backing the foundation are Labour’s Lisa Nandy, Helen Hayes and Sarah Jones, Tory MPs Jeremy Hunt and Health Secretary Matt Hancock, as well as Cancer Research UK Cambridge centre director Professor Richard Gilbertson.
The foundation will be led by Jowell’s daughter Jess Mills with support from other members of the former south London MP’s family, and will focus on delivering her “public health legacies”.
Commenting on the launch and Jowell’s legacy, Starmer said: “Tessa was an inspiration. A true public servant, she strived throughout her life to make this country a better place for all.
“She is sorely missed but lives on in the memories she gave us and – from Sure Start to the Olympics and securing life-changing cancer research funding – her incredible legacy.”
Jowell was the first ever UK minister for public health and used the platform to develop and implement the Labour government’s flagship Sure Start policy, designed to help give disadvantaged children the best possible start in life.
More than 3,000 Sure Start centres were opened across the country during Labour’s 13 years in power, but many were subsequently closed when the coalition government took office in 2010.
The Labour leader added: “It was a personal privilege to work with Tessa and call her my friend. It is fitting that her vision and immense dedication will live on in the Tessa Jowell Foundation.
“Her final campaign to transform brain cancer treatment inspired us all and I wholeheartedly support the foundation in continuing to drive this crucial work, giving patients the hope that Tessa personified.”
Jowell was diagnosed with cancer in May 2017 and dedicated the remainder of her life to campaigning for change to brain tumour treatment funding and research. She passed away at the age of 70 a year later.
Following a final parliamentary speech from Jowell in 2018, the government committed to supporting the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission that brings together experts in research, science, trials, technology and patient charities.
The foundation has stated that its starting focus will be to “secure the delivery of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission” including the launch of the accreditation of ten Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence throughout the NHS in 2021.
The body will take a leadership role in the mission, which is mainly made up of those affected by the illness, as well as leading clinicians, forming its steering committee and four working groups. It focuses on six key areas:
“Patient-led advocacy to support the development of data sharing protocols and a registry;
“Improved access to experimental medicines;
“Collaboration with pharma in expediting drug repurposing and trial development;
“Development of a clear timeline to reduce diagnosis;
“Implementation of new models of patient care, such as the Cambridge model and appropriate measurement of patient outcomes/satisfaction; and
“National roll out of the ‘pink drink’ and other proven tools.”
Professor Gilbertson explained that the foundation will give the mission a “more robust and stable level of support so that we can deliver our transformational national strategy for brain cancer treatment and care throughout the NHS”.
Ashworth described Jowell as an “inspiration”, adding: “We all miss her desperately and remain dedicated to truly honouring her memory by doing all we can to ensure the very best modern treatment possible for those with brain cancer.”
Other Labour MPs added their tributes to the former minister. Nandy said Jowell was “single minded in her belief that people should be able to live richer, larger lives full of opportunity, whatever their circumstances”.
Hayes, who replaced Jowell as the Dulwich and West Norwood MP, said the foundation and the Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence will “deliver the step-change that Tessa was so passionate to see, and which is so urgently needed”.
Health Secretary Hancock said Jowell’s “impact on others and the legacy she left was achieved always with kindness, compassion and with great integrity”. He added that her achievements “will be with us for a long time to come”.
Jowell was first elected as an MP in 1992 and became the minister for public health in 1997. She was appointed as the Culture, Media and Sport Secretary in 2001 before serving as the Olympics minister between 2005 and 2010.
She died aged 70 in May 2018 after being diagnosed with brain cancer the previous year. Five months before her death, she delivered a moving speech in the House of Lords that received a rare and emotional standing ovation.


labourlist--2020-09-18--‘Labour for a New Democracy’ launches to push leadership on electoral reform

Labour MPs and pressure groups have joined forces to launch a new campaign that will build support for UK electoral reform in Labour with the aim of changing party policy by the time its next conference takes place .
The ‘ Labour for a New Democracy ’ project , which brings together MPs such as Clive Lewis and groups including Open Labour and the Electoral Reform Society , will be launched on Monday at an event at Labour ’ s ‘ Connected ‘ conference .
The group has said its aim is to turn “ overwhelming support among local Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy change ” by passing policy motions in favour of the move to proportional representation ( PR ) .
Three-quarters of Labour members have said they believe the party should commit to introducing a form of PR , a system that is designed to match the share of seats won by a party to its share of votes gained .
Labour for a New Democracy ( LfaND ) is backed by the Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform , Make Votes Matter , Compass , Electoral Reform Society , Unlock Democracy , Open Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Many and Labour for a European Future .
Clive Lewis , another supporter , will speak at the event on Monday .
The MP said : “ The UK is facing a public health crisis , a climate crisis , and a crisis of inequality .
At their hearts , each of these is really a crisis of democracy .
“ Electoral reform is not a panacea , but our current system has proved incapable of responding to the challenges of our time or the needs of the British people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a better politics , we must embrace PR.
” The group ’ s online event on Monday will also be attended by former Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark .
New Zealand made the move from first-past-the-post ( FPTP ) to a PR electoral system in 1996 .
The Electoral Reform Society ’ s Willie Sullivan commented : “ The UK remains the only democracy in Europe to use first-past-the-post .
Any Labour government serious about redistributing power must make tackling the democratic crisis a priority .
“ Only serious structural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of faith in our democracy .
A proportional voting system for the Commons and a fairly elected second chamber representing all nations and regions of the UK will give people a voice.
” Keir Starmer pledged during the leadership election to consult party members on electoral reform if elected , saying at the time : “ We ’ ve got to address the fact that millions of people vote in safe seats and they feel their voice doesn ’ t count.
” Labour ’ s normal conference was cancelled earlier this year due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connected as a virtual replacement .
It will not allow members to vote on policy , but will include speeches , training and panels .
Events will run from the 19th to 22nd September and will feature keynote speeches from Starmer Angela Rayner and Anneliese Dodds , as well as fringe events such as the Labour for a New Democracy launch .
Commenting on the campaign for PR , Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform chair and ex-MP Sandy Martin said : “ More Labour members than ever understand that the system we use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ With PR and a succession of progressive governments , we can tackle the climate emergency , austerity , and global insecurity .
Labour for a New Democracy puts that understanding into action.
” Going into the 2019 general election , Labour promised to hold a constitutional convention that would look at the UK ’ s voting system if it won power – but the party stopped short of backing PR as an alternative to FPTP .
Below is the full text of Labour for a New Democracy ’ s open letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keir Starmer said : “ We ’ ve got to address the fact that millions of people vote in safe seats and they feel their voice doesn ’ t count .
That ’ s got to be addressed by electoral reform.
” We agree , and it ’ s not just us .
Three-quarters of Labour members believe the party should commit to introducing a form of proportional representation for general elections .
Yet , the past suggests without action from the membership , electoral reform might never become party policy .
Within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to first-past-the-post dies hard .
That ’ s why , this Monday , we are launching a twelve-month project to convert the Labour movement ’ s overwhelming support for electoral reform into party policy .
It is called Labour for a New Democracy .
Embracing PR would signal that Labour is ready and willing to deal with the crisis of democracy within the Westminster system .
The first step is for Labour branches across the UK to come forward and put their support for PR on record .
A truly representative democracy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Portugal to Finland are showing how proportional democracies can rise to the challenges of our time with competence and compassion .
In 1996 , New Zealand replaced first-past-the-post with a form of PR .
Today , Jacinda Ardern leads one of the world ’ s most popular progressive governments .
At our launch event this Monday , former Prime Minister of New Zealand , Helen Clark , will explain how electoral reform has helped to build an inclusive politics fit for the 21st century .
We invite Labour members to join us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system .
Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform Make Votes Matter Open Labour Electoral Reform Society Another Europe Is Possible Compass Unlock Democracy Labour for a European Future Politics for the Many

Labour MPs and pressure groups have joined forces to launch a new campaign that will build support for UK electoral reform in Labour with the aim of changing party policy by the time its next conference takes place.
The ‘Labour for a New Democracy’ project, which brings together MPs such as Clive Lewis and groups including Open Labour and the Electoral Reform Society, will be launched on Monday at an event at Labour’s ‘Connected‘ conference.
The group has said its aim is to turn “overwhelming support among local Labour and trade union branches into demands for policy change” by passing policy motions in favour of the move to proportional representation (PR).
Three-quarters of Labour members have said they believe the party should commit to introducing a form of PR, a system that is designed to match the share of seats won by a party to its share of votes gained.
Labour for a New Democracy (LfaND) is backed by the Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform, Make Votes Matter, Compass, Electoral Reform Society, Unlock Democracy, Open Labour, Another Europe is Possible, Politics for the Many and Labour for a European Future.
Clive Lewis, another supporter, will speak at the event on Monday. The MP said: “The UK is facing a public health crisis, a climate crisis, and a crisis of inequality. At their hearts, each of these is really a crisis of democracy.
“Electoral reform is not a panacea, but our current system has proved incapable of responding to the challenges of our time or the needs of the British people. If Labour is to lead the way to a better politics, we must embrace PR.”
The group’s online event on Monday will also be attended by former Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark. New Zealand made the move from first-past-the-post (FPTP) to a PR electoral system in 1996.
The Electoral Reform Society’s Willie Sullivan commented: “The UK remains the only democracy in Europe to use first-past-the-post. Any Labour government serious about redistributing power must make tackling the democratic crisis a priority.
“Only serious structural reform can begin to repair this lack of faith in our democracy. A proportional voting system for the Commons and a fairly elected second chamber representing all nations and regions of the UK will give people a voice.”
Keir Starmer pledged during the leadership election to consult party members on electoral reform if elected, saying at the time: “We’ve got to address the fact that millions of people vote in safe seats and they feel their voice doesn’t count.”
Labour’s normal conference was cancelled earlier this year due to Covid, and the party unveiled Connected as a virtual replacement. It will not allow members to vote on policy, but will include speeches, training and panels.
Events will run from the 19th to 22nd September and will feature keynote speeches from Starmer Angela Rayner and Anneliese Dodds, as well as fringe events such as the Labour for a New Democracy launch.
Commenting on the campaign for PR, Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform chair and ex-MP Sandy Martin said: “More Labour members than ever understand that the system we use to vote determines the governments we get.
“With PR and a succession of progressive governments, we can tackle the climate emergency, austerity, and global insecurity. Labour for a New Democracy puts that understanding into action.”
Going into the 2019 general election, Labour promised to hold a constitutional convention that would look at the UK’s voting system if it won power – but the party stopped short of backing PR as an alternative to FPTP.
Below is the full text of Labour for a New Democracy’s open letter.
During the Labour leadership election, Keir Starmer said: “We’ve got to address the fact that millions of people vote in safe seats and they feel their voice doesn’t count. That’s got to be addressed by electoral reform.”
We agree, and it’s not just us. Three-quarters of Labour members believe the party should commit to introducing a form of proportional representation for general elections. Yet, the past suggests without action from the membership, electoral reform might never become party policy. Within important parts of Labour, traditional attachment to first-past-the-post dies hard.
That’s why, this Monday, we are launching a twelve-month project to convert the Labour movement’s overwhelming support for electoral reform into party policy. It is called Labour for a New Democracy. Embracing PR would signal that Labour is ready and willing to deal with the crisis of democracy within the Westminster system. The first step is for Labour branches across the UK to come forward and put their support for PR on record.
A truly representative democracy is a prize worth fighting for. Countries from Portugal to Finland are showing how proportional democracies can rise to the challenges of our time with competence and compassion. In 1996, New Zealand replaced first-past-the-post with a form of PR. Today, Jacinda Ardern leads one of the world’s most popular progressive governments.
At our launch event this Monday, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, will explain how electoral reform has helped to build an inclusive politics fit for the 21st century. We invite Labour members to join us and help fix Westminster’s warped system.
Signed by
Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform
Make Votes Matter
Open Labour
Electoral Reform Society
Another Europe Is Possible
Compass
Unlock Democracy
Labour for a European Future
Politics for the Many


labourlist--2020-09-18--Angela Rayner: “We are offering the country the leadership it needs”

Deputy leader Angela Rayner has declared that the Labour Party is “ offering the country the leadership it needs ” ahead of its annual conference replacement ‘ Connected ’ kicking off this weekend .
The party has now unveiled the full programme and timetable for Connected , which is being held from September 19th to 22nd as a substitute for the usual annual conference that was cancelled due to Covid .
Ahead of the event , Labour ’ s new deputy leader and party chair said : “ Over the next four days , the Labour Party will show what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our party and for our country .
“ At this time of national crisis , we are offering the country the leadership it needs .
We will act in the best interests of the British people , and in our shared mission to defeat this terrible virus .
“ And we will call this failing Conservative government out for its serial incompetence that is holding Britain back .
“ We know that we have a mountain to climb to win the next election , but we are determined to climb it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ restore the British people ’ s trust in Labour as a party of government.
” The deputy leader and Shadow First Secretary of State stood in for Keir Starmer at Prime Minister ’ s Questions this week as the leader was self-isolating while waiting for the results of a Covid test for a family member .
As a former care worker who was also a UNISON rep before being elected to parliament , Rayner used PMQs to highlight the low pay of care workers amid the coronavirus crisis that has seen many risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again in her comments about Labour ’ s key message during Connected , she said : “ This crisis showed us that the people our economy and our country can not survive without are our key workers .
“ The NHS and social care staff who have put their lives on the line to save others .
The posties , the bus drivers , the shop workers , the delivery drivers and so many others who have kept us all cared for , fed and connected .
“ Your service , your sacrifice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Our whole country owes you an enormous debt of gratitude .
After all the sacrifice and hardship , we can ’ t go back to business as usual.
” Rayner has recently used online training sessions to encourage key workers across the country to consider standing as local councillors ahead of the May 2021 elections and in the run-up to the next general election .
She has argued today that Labour values are key to the UK ’ s recovery from the pandemic , saying : “ The coronavirus crisis has changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country and for our party .
But our values haven ’ t changed .
“ And it is those values of fairness , compassion that are seeing our country through this crisis .
These are our values , Labour values , and they must be the foundation of our country ’ s recovery .
Out of this crisis , we can build a better , fairer , more equal society.
” Rayner will deliver her keynote Connected speech at 11am on Sunday .
Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds will address the conference on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Starmer will do so on Tuesday .
While Rayner and Dodds will be based in a studio at Labour HQ for their contributions , the party has planned for Starmer to deliver his speech from a venue that will be attended by journalists non-virtually .
Connected will not allow party members to vote on policy , but will include speeches , 24 training sessions , ten policy panels with breakout sessions , two rallies , member mobilisation events and a quiz .
The programme features over 100 speakers from the labour movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than twice as many people sign up than would normally be able to participate at Labour ’ s normal conference .
The replacement will start on Saturday with ‘ Women Connected ’ , a full day-long programme for women in the party .
Starmer and women and equalities frontbench spokesperson Marsha de Cordova will welcome attendees from 10am .

Deputy leader Angela Rayner has declared that the Labour Party is “offering the country the leadership it needs” ahead of its annual conference replacement ‘Connected’ kicking off this weekend.
The party has now unveiled the full programme and timetable for Connected, which is being held from September 19th to 22nd as a substitute for the usual annual conference that was cancelled due to Covid.
Ahead of the event, Labour’s new deputy leader and party chair said: “Over the next four days, the Labour Party will show what we can achieve with a new leadership for our party and for our country.
“At this time of national crisis, we are offering the country the leadership it needs. We will act in the best interests of the British people, and in our shared mission to defeat this terrible virus.
“And we will call this failing Conservative government out for its serial incompetence that is holding Britain back.
“We know that we have a mountain to climb to win the next election, but we are determined to climb it. We must – and we will – restore the British people’s trust in Labour as a party of government.”
The deputy leader and Shadow First Secretary of State stood in for Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions this week as the leader was self-isolating while waiting for the results of a Covid test for a family member.
As a former care worker who was also a UNISON rep before being elected to parliament, Rayner used PMQs to highlight the low pay of care workers amid the coronavirus crisis that has seen many risk their lives.
Touching on this theme again in her comments about Labour’s key message during Connected, she said: “This crisis showed us that the people our economy and our country cannot survive without are our key workers.
“The NHS and social care staff who have put their lives on the line to save others. The posties, the bus drivers, the shop workers, the delivery drivers and so many others who have kept us all cared for, fed and connected.
“Your service, your sacrifice and your bravery will never be forgotten. Our whole country owes you an enormous debt of gratitude. After all the sacrifice and hardship, we can’t go back to business as usual.”
Rayner has recently used online training sessions to encourage key workers across the country to consider standing as local councillors ahead of the May 2021 elections and in the run-up to the next general election.
She has argued today that Labour values are key to the UK’s recovery from the pandemic, saying: “The coronavirus crisis has changed everything for all of us, for our country and for our party. But our values haven’t changed.
“And it is those values of fairness, compassion that are seeing our country through this crisis. These are our values, Labour values, and they must be the foundation of our country’s recovery. Out of this crisis, we can build a better, fairer, more equal society.”
Rayner will deliver her keynote Connected speech at 11am on Sunday. Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds will address the conference on Monday morning at the same time, and Starmer will do so on Tuesday.
While Rayner and Dodds will be based in a studio at Labour HQ for their contributions, the party has planned for Starmer to deliver his speech from a venue that will be attended by journalists non-virtually.
Connected will not allow party members to vote on policy, but will include speeches, 24 training sessions, ten policy panels with breakout sessions, two rallies, member mobilisation events and a quiz.
The programme features over 100 speakers from the labour movement, and the event has seen more than twice as many people sign up than would normally be able to participate at Labour’s normal conference.
The replacement will start on Saturday with ‘Women Connected’, a full day-long programme for women in the party. Starmer and women and equalities frontbench spokesperson Marsha de Cordova will welcome attendees from 10am.


labourlist--2020-09-18--There has been no climbdown on the internal market bill – only a doubling down

The internal market bill is a depressing picture of the next four years .
Tory rebellions collapse like a pack of cards , ensuring there is no Commons check on the excesses of the government .
And the law is blithely and openly treated with contempt .
Labour wants to get Brexit done .
We want the government to succeed in securing a deal in the national interest and to protect the Good Friday Agreement .
Like the rest of the country , we want to move on from Brexit and see the UK making future trade deals across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with having to deal with a government whose priorities are a combination of unpicking their own “ oven-ready ” deal , undermining the word and integrity of the UK on the world stage , and breaking the law .
All of this government time would be better spent focusing on achieving future trade deals and our pandemic response .
With the honourable exception of Lord Keen , the lawyers in the government stay nailed to their red boxes mouthing empty platitudes about what breach of the law ( in the future , obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal community , which includes the last Lord Chief Justice , the Law Society , the Bar Council and the last three Attorney Generals , look on appalled at this dereliction of duty .
Dominic Cummings no doubt congratulates himself on thinking that his contempt for the lawyers in government turned out to be justified .
The government have now published their amendments to the internal market bill , to give effect to the Neill amendment .
It is crystal clear that the rebels have got next to nothing .
It may salve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solve the illegality .
This is no climbdown – it ’ s a doubling down .
With the rebels ’ specific agreement , the government have produced a further amendment restricting people ’ s right to mount any court challenge against an exercise of the powers given by the bill .
No 10 has issued a written statement saying that unless the EU agree to each one of the UK ’ s demands in the discussions in the joint committee , the UK will breach the withdrawal agreement .
And it gets worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are wider breaches of the withdrawal agreement yet to come in the finance bill .
No wonder No 10 officials are briefing now that the agreement “ strengthens ” the controversial provisions in the bill .
The withdrawal agreement contains provisions that the UK will implement it in good faith and do nothing to jeopardise the attainment of its objectives .
This is an inevitable part of an international agreement like this one .
If a country seeks to pass , and then does pass legislation empowering it to break an international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its negotiators should be able to threaten the other party that if they do not agree to a new demand they will act in breach of the agreement , it is hardly surprising that giving yourself those powers is itself a breach of international law .
Neither the government nor expert lawyers dispute this .
And that is precisely what the government is now doing .
It may be that the EU and the UK reach both a trade deal and an agreement on how the Northern Ireland protocol should work .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they do .
Those agreements were patently available to the UK without this reckless breach of international law .
Let us be clear that whatever the outcome , we will pay a reputational price , a price in our moral standing and in our ability to promote our values internationally , but also an economic price .
Behaving like this takes huge risks for our economy , as future partners doubt whether we will really keep our word .
As Paul Johnson of the Institute of Fiscal Studies wrote in The Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been one of the long-term foundations of the growth of our economy .
The pound dipping when the law breaches were announced proved that .
And it promotes our trade abroad .
Other countries do business with us , enter trade deals with us and allow our business to access their markets because they trust our government to stand by its words .
How could we be as stupid as this government is being to endanger that ?
The leader of the majority party in the US House of Representatives has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK if we break the NIP .
Ultimately , what we are facing is a world where the Conservative Party has ceased to be the party that seeks to conserve the basic foundational values of our country , such as the rule of law .
Whether the government gets its way or not , we can not ignore the profound implications for our country and its governance .
Lord Keen could not stay in the government because he knew this would mean crossing a Rubicon .
Those who do not follow his example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight for law , or ministers who are also lawyers – should be under no illusions that they are conspiring in the breach of the fundamental principles on which our country was built .
Their betrayal of those principles will not be forgotten or forgiven .

The internal market bill is a depressing picture of the next four years. Tory rebellions collapse like a pack of cards, ensuring there is no Commons check on the excesses of the government. And the law is blithely and openly treated with contempt.
Labour wants to get Brexit done. We want the government to succeed in securing a deal in the national interest and to protect the Good Friday Agreement. Like the rest of the country, we want to move on from Brexit and see the UK making future trade deals across the world.
Instead, we are faced with having to deal with a government whose priorities are a combination of unpicking their own “oven-ready” deal, undermining the word and integrity of the UK on the world stage, and breaking the law. All of this government time would be better spent focusing on achieving future trade deals and our pandemic response.
With the honourable exception of Lord Keen, the lawyers in the government stay nailed to their red boxes mouthing empty platitudes about what breach of the law (in the future, obviously) would make them resign. The legal community, which includes the last Lord Chief Justice, the Law Society, the Bar Council and the last three Attorney Generals, look on appalled at this dereliction of duty. Dominic Cummings no doubt congratulates himself on thinking that his contempt for the lawyers in government turned out to be justified.
The government have now published their amendments to the internal market bill, to give effect to the Neill amendment. It is crystal clear that the rebels have got next to nothing. It may salve their consciences but it does not remotely solve the illegality. This is no climbdown – it’s a doubling down. With the rebels’ specific agreement, the government have produced a further amendment restricting people’s right to mount any court challenge against an exercise of the powers given by the bill.
No 10 has issued a written statement saying that unless the EU agree to each one of the UK’s demands in the discussions in the joint committee, the UK will breach the withdrawal agreement. And it gets worse. The written statement makes it clear there are wider breaches of the withdrawal agreement yet to come in the finance bill. No wonder No 10 officials are briefing now that the agreement “strengthens” the controversial provisions in the bill.
The withdrawal agreement contains provisions that the UK will implement it in good faith and do nothing to jeopardise the attainment of its objectives. This is an inevitable part of an international agreement like this one. If a country seeks to pass, and then does pass, legislation empowering it to break an international agreement, with the obvious intention that its negotiators should be able to threaten the other party that if they do not agree to a new demand they will act in breach of the agreement, it is hardly surprising that giving yourself those powers is itself a breach of international law. Neither the government nor expert lawyers dispute this. And that is precisely what the government is now doing.
It may be that the EU and the UK reach both a trade deal and an agreement on how the Northern Ireland protocol should work. It’s in both parties’ interests that they do. Those agreements were patently available to the UK without this reckless breach of international law. Let us be clear that whatever the outcome, we will pay a reputational price, a price in our moral standing and in our ability to promote our values internationally, but also an economic price.
Behaving like this takes huge risks for our economy, as future partners doubt whether we will really keep our word. As Paul Johnson of the Institute of Fiscal Studies wrote in The Times on Monday, the rule of law has been one of the long-term foundations of the growth of our economy. The pound dipping when the law breaches were announced proved that.
And it promotes our trade abroad. Other countries do business with us, enter trade deals with us and allow our business to access their markets because they trust our government to stand by its words. How could we be as stupid as this government is being to endanger that? The leader of the majority party in the US House of Representatives has said they would block any deal with the UK if we break the NIP.
Ultimately, what we are facing is a world where the Conservative Party has ceased to be the party that seeks to conserve the basic foundational values of our country, such as the rule of law. Whether the government gets its way or not, we cannot ignore the profound implications for our country and its governance.
Lord Keen could not stay in the government because he knew this would mean crossing a Rubicon. Those who do not follow his example – particularly those with responsibilities in government to fight for law, or ministers who are also lawyers – should be under no illusions that they are conspiring in the breach of the fundamental principles on which our country was built. Their betrayal of those principles will not be forgotten or forgiven.