labourlist--2020-01-21--What could a winning coalition for Labour look like?

Over the last few years , Brexit has amplified and brought to the forefront some of the most pressing issues we are faced with : a lack of trust in the institutions of liberal democracy , a feeling of disenfranchisement from the political realm , rising inequality and a deep social divide between different groups in the country .
For example , young people are generally socially liberal , support progressive causes and the Labour Party , whilst elderly , property-owning voters rejected Labour overwhelmingly at the ballot box and voted for Brexit .
But Brexit is not the cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a symptom .
Brexit should be understood as the British expression of a populist revolt against failed “ third way ” centre-ground politics .
And as it is the common pattern across the US and other European countries , this feeling of unease with the political settlement in Britain has been exploited by nationalists and authoritarians .
By delivering the Brexit vote , the Leave campaign in 2016 managed for the first time to tap into this coalition of voters that also gave Boris Johnson his 80-strong parliamentary majority in December last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where it was long considered unthinkable that voters would return a Tory MP .
At the same time , this did not come at the expense of the Tory “ heartland ” equivalents .
What is it that binds this coalition together ?
The answer to this question is two-fold .
Rather than addressing economic conditions or the power dynamic within the British nation state that have led many communities to breaking point , the referendum opened the space to construct a placeholder adversary to fight against .
This adversary was not defined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a shallow definition of the “ liberal elite ” , personified by the European Union , that was used as a shield to protect the British ruling class .
This coalition of natural Conservatives and Northern leavers can only work because it does not threaten the British ruling classes ’ position of power .
It is also a coalition that dilutes questions of economic and political power with social conservatism .
Social conservatism sits easy with traditional Tory voters .
Others were brought into the tent in 2016 when Vote Leave campaigners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – such as the NHS and jobs – with European immigration .
A simple solution to underfunding of public services and stagnating wages was presented : to end free movement by leaving the EU .
Vote Leave alumni and the Conservatives have since continued to embed this nationalism in the post-referendum debate .
They created an image of “ the people ” which is based on a national myth of British exceptionalism , the image of a Global Britain , the country that “ stood alone ” , now once again punching above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get on board is a traitor .
It ’ s a vision of community and nationhood that is othering , reeks of Empire nostalgia and feels hostile to many ethnic minority and immigrant communities .
This legacy of Vote Leave is what Johnson will now capitalise on .
To consolidate his new coalition , we can expect some modest state intervention targeted at newly-won Labour areas .
But to maintain his voting coalition , these socially conservative policies grounded in nationalism and authoritarianism will also be necessary .
How can Labour counter this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface of Brexit is still a crisis of capitalism .
This crisis will only intensify in the face of climate change .
The current malaise of capitalism manifests itself in such a way that large swathes of the population are impacted by it , they suffer from low wages and declining living standards .
This makes the current situation fertile ground to recruit new groups of workers to an anti-capitalist struggle that might not have been natural allies .
To construct this coalition , we must communicate to the people that the struggles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooted in the oppressive nature of the capitalist system .
All workers ’ struggles are grounded in this common struggle .
Whether we fight for higher wages or flexible working , the reason our bosses will not grant us these rights that it is incompatible with their main goal of profit maximisation .
Our coalition is the working class in all its diversity .
This must include workers in places with few opportunities and those in our biggest cities .
It must include those on precarious zero-hour contracts and those in white collar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis makes it a fertile ground to recruit those to an anti-capitalist struggle that might not have turned to us otherwise .
Here is where we also need to build an intersectional understanding of our politics – not only is this key to building a coalition big enough to overthrow the government .
It is also because the oppression of women , the LGBT community , people of colour and disabled people are part of what upholds the structures of capitalism .
Most of all , we will not win if we dance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more we capitulate , ignore or triangulate , the easier it will be or them to consolidate their coalition .
To win , we must break their common-sense narrative that gives Leave-voting former Labour supporters the impression that they have somehow more in common with the Conservatives in a crusade against the “ liberal elite ” than with their fellow workers .
Labour ’ s leadership contenders must understand that identifying and consolidating this coalition of voters is key for the party to win again in the future .
As some in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old images of heartlands and the working class , Labour must urgently realise that our coalition is an evolving group , not a static concept .
Over the next five years , it will be our job to construct and sell this vision of “ the people ” as partners in a common struggle against the capitalist class as our shared oppressor .

Over the last few years, Brexit has amplified and brought to the forefront some of the most pressing issues we are faced with: a lack of trust in the institutions of liberal democracy, a feeling of disenfranchisement from the political realm, rising inequality and a deep social divide between different groups in the country. For example, young people are generally socially liberal, support progressive causes and the Labour Party, whilst elderly, property-owning voters rejected Labour overwhelmingly at the ballot box and voted for Brexit.
But Brexit is not the cause of these fractures, it is merely a symptom. Brexit should be understood as the British expression of a populist revolt against failed “third way” centre-ground politics. And as it is the common pattern across the US and other European countries, this feeling of unease with the political settlement in Britain has been exploited by nationalists and authoritarians.
By delivering the Brexit vote, the Leave campaign in 2016 managed for the first time to tap into this coalition of voters that also gave Boris Johnson his 80-strong parliamentary majority in December last year. Conservatives won in former Labour constituencies where it was long considered unthinkable that voters would return a Tory MP. At the same time, this did not come at the expense of the Tory “heartland” equivalents. What is it that binds this coalition together?
The answer to this question is two-fold. Rather than addressing economic conditions or the power dynamic within the British nation state that have led many communities to breaking point, the referendum opened the space to construct a placeholder adversary to fight against. This adversary was not defined as the ruling class – instead it was a shallow definition of the “liberal elite”, personified by the European Union, that was used as a shield to protect the British ruling class.
This coalition of natural Conservatives and Northern leavers can only work because it does not threaten the British ruling classes’ position of power. It is also a coalition that dilutes questions of economic and political power with social conservatism. Social conservatism sits easy with traditional Tory voters. Others were brought into the tent in 2016 when Vote Leave campaigners linked issues the British public cared about – such as the NHS and jobs – with European immigration. A simple solution to underfunding of public services and stagnating wages was presented: to end free movement by leaving the EU.
Vote Leave alumni and the Conservatives have since continued to embed this nationalism in the post-referendum debate. They created an image of “the people” which is based on a national myth of British exceptionalism, the image of a Global Britain, the country that “stood alone”, now once again punching above its weight. Anyone that does not get on board is a traitor. It’s a vision of community and nationhood that is othering, reeks of Empire nostalgia and feels hostile to many ethnic minority and immigrant communities.
This legacy of Vote Leave is what Johnson will now capitalise on. To consolidate his new coalition, we can expect some modest state intervention targeted at newly-won Labour areas. But to maintain his voting coalition, these socially conservative policies grounded in nationalism and authoritarianism will also be necessary.
How can Labour counter this? The crisis that lies beneath the surface of Brexit is still a crisis of capitalism. This crisis will only intensify in the face of climate change. The current malaise of capitalism manifests itself in such a way that large swathes of the population are impacted by it, they suffer from low wages and declining living standards. This makes the current situation fertile ground to recruit new groups of workers to an anti-capitalist struggle that might not have been natural allies.
To construct this coalition, we must communicate to the people that the struggles they experience in their daily lives are rooted in the oppressive nature of the capitalist system. All workers’ struggles are grounded in this common struggle. Whether we fight for higher wages or flexible working, the reason our bosses will not grant us these rights that it is incompatible with their main goal of profit maximisation.
Our coalition is the working class in all its diversity. This must include workers in places with few opportunities and those in our biggest cities. It must include those on precarious zero-hour contracts and those in white collar office jobs. The urgency of the crisis makes it a fertile ground to recruit those to an anti-capitalist struggle that might not have turned to us otherwise.
Here is where we also need to build an intersectional understanding of our politics – not only is this key to building a coalition big enough to overthrow the government. It is also because the oppression of women, the LGBT community, people of colour and disabled people are part of what upholds the structures of capitalism.
Most of all, we will not win if we dance to the Conservatives’ tune. The more we capitulate, ignore or triangulate, the easier it will be or them to consolidate their coalition. To win, we must break their common-sense narrative that gives Leave-voting former Labour supporters the impression that they have somehow more in common with the Conservatives in a crusade against the “liberal elite” than with their fellow workers.
Labour’s leadership contenders must understand that identifying and consolidating this coalition of voters is key for the party to win again in the future. As some in the party seek comfort in reverting back to old images of heartlands and the working class, Labour must urgently realise that our coalition is an evolving group, not a static concept. Over the next five years, it will be our job to construct and sell this vision of “the people” as partners in a common struggle against the capitalist class as our shared oppressor.


labourlist--2020-01-21--Lisa Nandy’s vision for Labour could unite our party and win power

Since the start of this leadership contest , Labour members have been told it ’ s a two horse race .
Today it is clear that is no longer the case .
Lisa Nandy ’ s nomination by the GMB means she is a serious contender to lead our party , and that can only be good news .
The scale of our defeat in December makes this the most important leadership election in a generation .
We need a leader who has the vision to see a path back to power in 2024 and the bravery to take us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be proud of in our general election campaign .
But we also need to be brutally honest with ourselves that we lost , and lost badly .
A few tweaks to our policy platform and a new man at the top will not be enough to deliver a Labour government in five years ’ time .
Lisa ’ s vision is one that could unite our party .
Looking beyond the ‘ Red Wall ’ of constituencies that we lost in 2019 and towards a red bridge that can bring together all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a party that is not ashamed of what we stand for and is deeply rooted in the communities we seek to represent .
It is a vision that inspires members , which is why after Saturday ’ s hustings in Liverpool there was a queue of people waiting to speak to Lisa and tell her she ’ d changed their minds about who to vote for .
Just as important , it ’ s a vision that can reconnect with voters .
From Ashfield to Grimsby , people who turned away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again with a leader like Lisa .
Alongside vision , we need bravery .
The person who leads our party needs to be able to take tough choices so that we can be in government again .
That doesn ’ t mean sacrificing our values , but it does mean saying things that it may be hard for us to hear as a party .
Lisa has consistently shown the bravery she has as a leader .
She took a strong public stance against antisemitism from day one , and as chair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear that you can stand with the Palestinian people while standing against all forms of racism .
The next five years will be some of the toughest in our history .
We are up against a Conservative government with a large mandate and a populist Prime Minister who will say and do anything to hold onto power .
We need a leader who can draw on all the strengths of our movement and forge a path back to power .
Lisa Nandy is the only candidate who can take on that task .

Since the start of this leadership contest, Labour members have been told it’s a two horse race. Today it is clear that is no longer the case. Lisa Nandy’s nomination by the GMB means she is a serious contender to lead our party, and that can only be good news.
The scale of our defeat in December makes this the most important leadership election in a generation. We need a leader who has the vision to see a path back to power in 2024 and the bravery to take us there. There was a lot to be proud of in our general election campaign. But we also need to be brutally honest with ourselves that we lost, and lost badly. A few tweaks to our policy platform and a new man at the top will not be enough to deliver a Labour government in five years’ time.
Lisa’s vision is one that could unite our party. Looking beyond the ‘Red Wall’ of constituencies that we lost in 2019 and towards a red bridge that can bring together all the communities in the Labour movement. To be a party that is not ashamed of what we stand for and is deeply rooted in the communities we seek to represent. It is a vision that inspires members, which is why after Saturday’s hustings in Liverpool there was a queue of people waiting to speak to Lisa and tell her she’d changed their minds about who to vote for. Just as important, it’s a vision that can reconnect with voters. From Ashfield to Grimsby, people who turned away from Labour say they would vote for us again with a leader like Lisa.
Alongside vision, we need bravery. The person who leads our party needs to be able to take tough choices so that we can be in government again. That doesn’t mean sacrificing our values, but it does mean saying things that it may be hard for us to hear as a party. Lisa has consistently shown the bravery she has as a leader. She took a strong public stance against antisemitism from day one, and as chair of Labour Friends of Palestine has made it clear that you can stand with the Palestinian people while standing against all forms of racism.
The next five years will be some of the toughest in our history. We are up against a Conservative government with a large mandate and a populist Prime Minister who will say and do anything to hold onto power. We need a leader who can draw on all the strengths of our movement and forge a path back to power. Lisa Nandy is the only candidate who can take on that task.


labourlist--2020-01-21--Long-Bailey backs open selections in “democratic revolution” plan

Labour leadership candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey is set to reveal her support for open parliamentary candidate selections in a key policy announcement at a London rally on Tuesday evening .
Unveiling her plans for democratising the Labour Party , the Shadow Business Secretary will endorse the rule known as ‘ mandatory reselection ’ whereby sitting MPs must seek local approval before each election .
Currently , if a sitting Labour MP wishes to restand for their seat and there is no snap election , local party branches and affiliates vote in a ‘ trigger ballot ’ to either approve or refuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third of party branches or affiliate branches vote in favour of ‘ triggering ’ their local MP , no full selection process is held and the incumbent becomes a parliamentary candidate again .
Long-Bailey is expected to tell supporters at her sold-out event that she backs the introduction of full selection processes , as well as “ democratic policy making at every level ” and “ properly resourced political education ” .
Setting out her case for the party reforms , the leadership contender will say : “ It ’ s true that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been too slow .
And that runs from how we develop our policies to how we select our candidates .
“ Now is the time to break out of the bunker and become the open , democratic party we ’ ve always aspired to be .
My role as leader is to democratise the party and to examine new ways to empower our members , trade unions , MP ’ s , leaders and councillors .
“ This means open and democratic policy making at every level , properly resourced political education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These are the basics.
” Explaining her reasons for endorsing open selections , Long-Bailey will argue that Labour must “ rip up our outdated rule book that has held back our members for too long and throw open the door to a new generation of MPs and candidates ” .
The leadership hopeful will add : “ Being an MP or elected representative is a privilege that must be earned , and I want to open the discussion now on how our candidates should be selected , how we nurture and bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognising and valuing the experience of sitting MP ’ s .
“ We all know that person .
That talented , selfless and hardworking person who ’ d make a brilliant MP but would never dream of putting themselves forward .
It ’ s those people I want to raise up .
“ The collective knowledge and experience of our movement is Labour ’ s greatest strength .
Now is the time to unleash it .
And that ’ s why I support open selections for parliamentary candidates .
“ We need a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in our party .
Our party must lead by shining example .
If we can ’ t democratise our own party , we will never be trusted to democratise workplaces , our economy and the country.
” Mandatory reselection was a central demand of Bennites and left-wing lobby group the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy ( CLPD ) throughout the 1970s .
Corbynite network Momentum , which is backing Long-Bailey ’ s leadership bid , came out in favour of the idea in 2018 .
Asked for comment on Long-Bailey ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starmer said : “ Keir will be setting out his plans to democratise the Labour Party in the coming weeks.
” In a recent interview with LabourList , the Holborn MP and leadership frontrunner said he was “ not against the principle ” of mandatory reselection and that “ there has to be a process by which it ’ s possible to challenge sitting MPs ” .
Labour members can expect to scrutinise all candidates ’ plans for internal democracy at upcoming party hustings , such as in Leeds on Saturday , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hustings in Nottingham on Sunday .

Labour leadership candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey is set to reveal her support for open parliamentary candidate selections in a key policy announcement at a London rally on Tuesday evening.
Unveiling her plans for democratising the Labour Party, the Shadow Business Secretary will endorse the rule known as ‘mandatory reselection’ whereby sitting MPs must seek local approval before each election.
Currently, if a sitting Labour MP wishes to restand for their seat and there is no snap election, local party branches and affiliates vote in a ‘trigger ballot’ to either approve or refuse automatic reselection.
Unless more than a third of party branches or affiliate branches vote in favour of ‘triggering’ their local MP, no full selection process is held and the incumbent becomes a parliamentary candidate again.
Long-Bailey is expected to tell supporters at her sold-out event that she backs the introduction of full selection processes, as well as “democratic policy making at every level” and “properly resourced political education”.
Setting out her case for the party reforms, the leadership contender will say: “It’s true that the pace of democratisation in our party has been too slow. And that runs from how we develop our policies to how we select our candidates.
“Now is the time to break out of the bunker and become the open, democratic party we’ve always aspired to be. My role as leader is to democratise the party and to examine new ways to empower our members, trade unions, MP’s, leaders and councillors.
“This means open and democratic policy making at every level, properly resourced political education and a professional and accountable party operation. These are the basics.”
Explaining her reasons for endorsing open selections, Long-Bailey will argue that Labour must “rip up our outdated rule book that has held back our members for too long and throw open the door to a new generation of MPs and candidates”.
The leadership hopeful will add: “Being an MP or elected representative is a privilege that must be earned, and I want to open the discussion now on how our candidates should be selected, how we nurture and bring through talent in our movement, whilst recognising and valuing the experience of sitting MP’s.
“We all know that person. That talented, selfless and hardworking person who’d make a brilliant MP but would never dream of putting themselves forward. It’s those people I want to raise up.
“ The collective knowledge and experience of our movement is Labour’s greatest strength. Now is the time to unleash it. And that’s why I support open selections for parliamentary candidates.
“We need a democratic revolution – both in the country and in our party. Our party must lead by shining example. If we can’t democratise our own party, we will never be trusted to democratise workplaces, our economy and the country.”
Mandatory reselection was a central demand of Bennites and left-wing lobby group the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy (CLPD) throughout the 1970s. Corbynite network Momentum, which is backing Long-Bailey’s leadership bid, came out in favour of the idea in 2018.
Asked for comment on Long-Bailey’s fresh announcement, a spokesperson for Keir Starmer said: “Keir will be setting out his plans to democratise the Labour Party in the coming weeks.”
In a recent interview with LabourList, the Holborn MP and leadership frontrunner said he was “not against the principle” of mandatory reselection and that “there has to be a process by which it’s possible to challenge sitting MPs”.
Labour members can expect to scrutinise all candidates’ plans for internal democracy at upcoming party hustings, such as in Leeds on Saturday, as well as the Open Labour/Electoral Reform Society hustings in Nottingham on Sunday.


labourlist--2020-01-21--Lisa Nandy gets huge campaign boost with backing of GMB

Large party-affiliated trade union GMB has nominated Lisa Nandy as its preferred choice in the Labour leadership contest – helping to broaden the field of candidates who get on the ballot paper .
Announcing the fresh endorsement , GMB general secretary Tim Roache said : “ Lisa Nandy is a breath of fresh air in the debate over Labour ’ s future .
“ The more members see of Lisa in this contest the more impressed they will be by her ambition , optimism and decisive leadership .
GMB is proud to nominate her .
“ Lisa won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bold decisions that lie ahead , because she knows that after fifteen years of losing elections , more of the same won ’ t cut it .
“ A candidate entrenched in the union movement , Lisa gets the scale of the challenge .
She will raise Labour ’ s game with a bold agenda that puts people first and grounds politics in their lives.
” Welcoming the nomination , which almost guarantees a place on the ballot paper , Nandy said : “ Labour is at a crossroads .
To win again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , recover our ambition , and inspire a movement .
“ The GMB , the biggest industrial union which speaks for more than half a million workers , has been offering that leadership time and time again in recent years .
As I seek permission to lead us back to power as Labour ’ s next Prime Minister , I could not be more proud to have their support.
” The 60-member executive council of the trade union , which represents over 620,000 members working in nearly all industrial sectors , also backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership race .
Roache explained that for a “ former minimum wage care worker to go from looking after people as a home help to being deputy leader of the Labour Party ” would send a message to the country .
The trade union leader described Rayner as an “ inspiring activist ” and “ fearless organiser ” who understands “ the scale of the challenge Labour faces and the need for a team effort that brings unity ” .
Every leadership and deputy leadership candidate was invited to set out their pitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before 50 executive members of the trade union took part in a secret ballot .
All contenders must secure either the backing of 33 local parties or three affiliated organisations , including two trade unions , amounting to 5 % of the affiliated membership , to pass the second stage of their contest .
Nandy has already received the support of NUM , and now only needs the support of one more affiliate group to secure her place on the final ballot put to members , supporters and affiliates from February 21st .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsement of any local constituency party so far , but hundreds of CLPs have not yet held their all-member nomination meeting as the window only opened on January 15th .
GMB made no formal recommendation for the 2015 Labour leadership election but supported Owen Smith in the 2016 contest after balloting its members .
Keir Starmer is the only contender in the main leadership contest to have already passed the second stage , but a number of unions and the majority of local Labour parties are yet to nominate .
The Holborn MP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SERA and Usdaw , while Rebecca Long-Bailey has the support of BFAWU .
Jess Phillips quit the contest this afternoon .
Unite will make its choice later this week while the CWU will decide who it ’ s backing at the end of the month – both are expected to pick Long-Bailey for leader .

Large party-affiliated trade union GMB has nominated Lisa Nandy as its preferred choice in the Labour leadership contest – helping to broaden the field of candidates who get on the ballot paper.
Announcing the fresh endorsement, GMB general secretary Tim Roache said: “Lisa Nandy is a breath of fresh air in the debate over Labour’s future.
“The more members see of Lisa in this contest the more impressed they will be by her ambition, optimism and decisive leadership. GMB is proud to nominate her.
“Lisa won’t shy away from the tough challenges or bold decisions that lie ahead, because she knows that after fifteen years of losing elections, more of the same won’t cut it.
“A candidate entrenched in the union movement, Lisa gets the scale of the challenge. She will raise Labour’s game with a bold agenda that puts people first and grounds politics in their lives.”
Welcoming the nomination, which almost guarantees a place on the ballot paper, Nandy said: “Labour is at a crossroads. To win again we will have to up our game, recover our ambition, and inspire a movement.
“The GMB, the biggest industrial union which speaks for more than half a million workers, has been offering that leadership time and time again in recent years. As I seek permission to lead us back to power as Labour’s next Prime Minister, I could not be more proud to have their support.”
The 60-member executive council of the trade union, which represents over 620,000 members working in nearly all industrial sectors, also backed Angela Rayner in Labour’s deputy leadership race.
Roache explained that for a “former minimum wage care worker to go from looking after people as a home help to being deputy leader of the Labour Party” would send a message to the country.
The trade union leader described Rayner as an “inspiring activist” and “fearless organiser” who understands “the scale of the challenge Labour faces and the need for a team effort that brings unity”.
Every leadership and deputy leadership candidate was invited to set out their pitch in separate two-hour hustings on Tuesday, before 50 executive members of the trade union took part in a secret ballot.
All contenders must secure either the backing of 33 local parties or three affiliated organisations, including two trade unions, amounting to 5% of the affiliated membership, to pass the second stage of their contest.
Nandy has already received the support of NUM, and now only needs the support of one more affiliate group to secure her place on the final ballot put to members, supporters and affiliates from February 21st.
The Wigan MP has not won the endorsement of any local constituency party so far, but hundreds of CLPs have not yet held their all-member nomination meeting as the window only opened on January 15th.
GMB made no formal recommendation for the 2015 Labour leadership election but supported Owen Smith in the 2016 contest after balloting its members.
Keir Starmer is the only contender in the main leadership contest to have already passed the second stage, but a number of unions and the majority of local Labour parties are yet to nominate.
The Holborn MP has received the endorsement of UNISON, SERA and Usdaw, while Rebecca Long-Bailey has the support of BFAWU. Jess Phillips quit the contest this afternoon.
Unite will make its choice later this week while the CWU will decide who it’s backing at the end of the month – both are expected to pick Long-Bailey for leader.


labourlist--2020-01-21--Jess Phillips pulls out of Labour leadership race

Corbynsceptic MP Jess Phillips has announced in a video message to her supporters that she is pulling out of Labour ’ s leadership election , leaving four candidates still in the running .
Confirming the decision , Phillips said : “ I truly believe that unless we talk to the country on their terms , not just on ours , that we won ’ t be able to make the gains we need to win an election – and to do what everyone in the Labour movement wants to do , and that is make people ’ s lives better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Labour Party will need to select a candidate that can unite all parts of our movement – the union movement , the members and elected representatives .
I have to be honest that at this time , that person isn ’ t me.
” Phillips missed the private GMB trade union hustings on Tuesday morning , citing a prior engagement that clashed with the event and that she said was “ impossible ” to change .
LabourList also understands that she had not confirmed attendance at the hustings being held by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting on Friday .
Wes Streeting , the Ilford Labour MP and parliamentary chair of Phillips ’ campaign , tweeted in response to the news : “ Honesty is the best policy and Jess has it in abundance .
“ Although she can ’ t build the broad coalition needed to rebuild the Labour Party now , she ’ s recruited thousands upon thousands of new members , amplified the voices of the voters and will play a big role in Labour ’ s future.
” Rival candidate Lisa Nandy , who may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she recently told ITV , tweeted : “ I ’ m sorry to see Jess drop out .
She has made waves , shown great friendship and I ’ ll miss her in this contest.
” Emily Thornberry commented : “ I ’ m very sorry to see @ jessphillips drop out of the contest – we need to broaden our debate , not narrow it , and force the two favourites to prove they ’ re up to the fight by pitting them against some real strength .
Jess is a sad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will keep going.
” Following the first leadership hustings event in Liverpool this weekend , Phillips called her own performance “ awful ” and admitted that she “ probably won ’ t win ” .
In a LabourList/Survation poll on Labour ’ s leadership races last week , she came third behind Keir Starmer and Rebecca Long-Bailey and secured only 9 % of first preferences expressed by respondents .
Starmer is the only candidate to have already secured a place on the ballot paper , but there are three large unions still to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – and the majority of local Labour parties have not yet nominated .
18 constituency parties have met to decide who they are backing so far , with 12 backing Starmer , four nominating Long-Bailey and two supporting Thornberry .
To get on the ballot , candidates need the backing of 33 local parties – or the support of three affiliated organisations , including two trade unions , making up 5 % of the membership of affiliated organisations .
Starmer has the support of UNISON , SERA and Usdaw , while the NUM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the support of BFAWU .
Affiliated organisations and local parties have until February 14th to submit their nominations for their preferred deputy and leadership candidates .

Corbynsceptic MP Jess Phillips has announced in a video message to her supporters that she is pulling out of Labour’s leadership election, leaving four candidates still in the running.
Confirming the decision, Phillips said: “I truly believe that unless we talk to the country on their terms, not just on ours, that we won’t be able to make the gains we need to win an election – and to do what everyone in the Labour movement wants to do, and that is make people’s lives better.
“In order to do that, the Labour Party will need to select a candidate that can unite all parts of our movement – the union movement, the members and elected representatives. I have to be honest that at this time, that person isn’t me.”
Phillips missed the private GMB trade union hustings on Tuesday morning, citing a prior engagement that clashed with the event and that she said was “impossible” to change.
LabourList also understands that she had not confirmed attendance at the hustings being held by Unite the Union ahead of its nomination meeting on Friday.
Wes Streeting, the Ilford Labour MP and parliamentary chair of Phillips’ campaign, tweeted in response to the news: “Honesty is the best policy and Jess has it in abundance.
“Although she can’t build the broad coalition needed to rebuild the Labour Party now, she’s recruited thousands upon thousands of new members, amplified the voices of the voters and will play a big role in Labour’s future.”
Rival candidate Lisa Nandy, who may now get the endorsement of Phillips as she recently told ITV, tweeted: “I’m sorry to see Jess drop out. She has made waves, shown great friendship and I’ll miss her in this contest.”
Emily Thornberry commented: “I’m very sorry to see @jessphillips drop out of the contest – we need to broaden our debate, not narrow it, and force the two favourites to prove they’re up to the fight by pitting them against some real strength. Jess is a sad loss in that effort, but we will keep going.”
Following the first leadership hustings event in Liverpool this weekend, Phillips called her own performance “awful” and admitted that she “probably won’t win”.
In a LabourList/Survation poll on Labour’s leadership races last week, she came third behind Keir Starmer and Rebecca Long-Bailey and secured only 9% of first preferences expressed by respondents.
Starmer is the only candidate to have already secured a place on the ballot paper, but there are three large unions still to declare – GMB, Unite and CWU – and the majority of local Labour parties have not yet nominated.
18 constituency parties have met to decide who they are backing so far, with 12 backing Starmer, four nominating Long-Bailey and two supporting Thornberry.
To get on the ballot, candidates need the backing of 33 local parties – or the support of three affiliated organisations, including two trade unions, making up 5% of the membership of affiliated organisations.
Starmer has the support of UNISON, SERA and Usdaw, while the NUM has backed Nandy and Long-Bailey has gained the support of BFAWU.
Affiliated organisations and local parties have until February 14th to submit their nominations for their preferred deputy and leadership candidates.


labourlist--2020-01-21--John McDonnell set to host “where next for Labour?” seminars

John McDonnell has announced that he will be hosting a series of “ where next for Labour ?
” seminars , for members to discuss the future of the Labour Party .
The Shadow Chancellor emailed party members notifying them of the first event of the series , taking place in parliament on January 27th at 6.30pm .
This first seminar is entitled : “ Why ownership matters – the rationale for extending public ownership , how it works and where next ?
” Speakers include the founder of We Own It , Cat Hobbs ; the director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University , Dave Hall ; and the director of Common Wealth – Matt Lawrence .
McDonnell wrote : “ There has been much discussion about the role of Labour ’ s manifesto , the electoral impact of individual policies and how they were communicated.
” He added : “ I am hosting a series of seminars to explore these questions and to discuss where next for Labour.
” The Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington launched his “ new economics ” seminars in 2016 on topics ranging from inequality in the UK , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aim of the talks were to foster discussion with the public about economic ideas that would help inform the policy-making process of the party .
Notable speakers attended successive events , including Nobel Prize winner Joseph Stiglitz and Yanis Varoufakis , the former finance minister for Greece .
This latest seminar due to take place next week has been advertised to Labour members and is fully booked .
The discussion comes after Jeremy Corbyn called for “ a period of reflection ” following the election defeat last month , in which Labour lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North announced that he would be stepping down after a leadership election – the contest is currently ongoing and will end on April 4th .
John McDonnell has backed Rebecca Long-Bailey to replace Corbyn , and Richard Burgon for the deputy leader position .

John McDonnell has announced that he will be hosting a series of “where next for Labour?” seminars, for members to discuss the future of the Labour Party.
The Shadow Chancellor emailed party members notifying them of the first event of the series, taking place in parliament on January 27th at 6.30pm.
This first seminar is entitled: “Why ownership matters – the rationale for extending public ownership, how it works and where next?”
Speakers include the founder of We Own It, Cat Hobbs; the director of the public services international research unit at Greenwich University, Dave Hall; and the director of Common Wealth – Matt Lawrence.
McDonnell wrote: “There has been much discussion about the role of Labour’s manifesto, the electoral impact of individual policies and how they were communicated.”
He added: “I am hosting a series of seminars to explore these questions and to discuss where next for Labour.”
The Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington launched his “new economics” seminars in 2016 on topics ranging from inequality in the UK, to technology and work.
The stated aim of the talks were to foster discussion with the public about economic ideas that would help inform the policy-making process of the party.
Notable speakers attended successive events, including Nobel Prize winner Joseph Stiglitz and Yanis Varoufakis, the former finance minister for Greece.
This latest seminar due to take place next week has been advertised to Labour members and is fully booked.
The discussion comes after Jeremy Corbyn called for “a period of reflection” following the election defeat last month, in which Labour lost 60 seats.
The MP for Islington North announced that he would be stepping down after a leadership election – the contest is currently ongoing and will end on April 4th.
John McDonnell has backed Rebecca Long-Bailey to replace Corbyn, and Richard Burgon for the deputy leader position.


labourlist--2020-01-21--Will local parties seek to promote breadth in their nominations?

Keir Starmer is smashing the Labour leadership election .
The Shadow Brexit Secretary became the first candidate in the main race to secure a place on the ballot paper when he won the backing of Usdaw on Monday .
( The same goes for Angela Rayner in the deputy contest . )
With the nominations of UNISON and affiliate group SERA already in the bag , this meant Starmer passed through the second stage via the affiliates route rather than the local parties one .
This early success isn ’ t stopping Team Keir from continuing to work CLPs hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went out to supporters of his campaign last night calling for “ Team Keir CLP Organisers ” .
Scooping up more local party support than necessary could help knock out Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry from the race , giving Starmer a clearer path to victory .
( This also applies to Jess Phillips , though that would be less beneficial to Starmer – it ’ s useful having someone outflank him from a clearly Corbynsceptic position . )
The hopes of Lisa Nandy rest heavily on GMB .
As one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propel candidates beyond the 5 % of affiliated membership target , the Wigan MP already has the NUM nomination and would only need one other affiliate group .
I hear she was “ working the room like a demon ” , as one source put it , at the Chinese for Labour dinner last night .
Emily Thornberry and Starmer ’ s campaign chair Jenny Chapman also made appearances , but Nandy ’ s key GMB backer , new MP Sarah Owen , chairs the organisation .
Could these groups make up her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find out this afternoon , after their hustings , whether GMB has plumped for Nandy .
Emily Thornberry has surprised members who are keen enough to keep up with CLP nominations .
At this very early stage , Starmer is racing ahead with 12 , while Rebecca Long-Bailey has four and the Shadow Foreign Secretary is now on two .
As I ’ ve said before , Thornberry launched in Guildford for good reason : she is wisely targeting local parties in safe Tory seats in the South East .
Their ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel ignored .
I ’ m told Thornberry sent a note to be read out at Newbury , a personal touch that was highly appreciated , and the members were impressed by her hustings performance .
The big question about this process is whether local parties will seek to ‘ broaden the ballot paper ’ as MPs did .
Asking members to give themselves a wider range of choices makes less sense to me than restricting the parliamentary party veto .
But it did play a role in CLP endorsements last night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t need extra nominations was raised several times .
Rebecca Long-Bailey has won the backing of Young Labour , which sparked controversy as the decision was made without an all-member consultation .
( The youth wing is not allowed to ballot members due to cost and administrative reasons .
The argument is over whether YL should therefore endorse by committee vote or decline to do so . )
But this move was merely symbolic .
More interesting : her event in London this evening , which is sold out .
Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement that makes this election more exciting .
The idea of replacing the House of Lords with an elected body , which has been a feature of Labour ’ s manifestos for many years , was not cutting it .

Keir Starmer is smashing the Labour leadership election. The Shadow Brexit Secretary became the first candidate in the main race to secure a place on the ballot paper when he won the backing of Usdaw on Monday. (The same goes for Angela Rayner in the deputy contest.) With the nominations of UNISON and affiliate group SERA already in the bag, this meant Starmer passed through the second stage via the affiliates route rather than the local parties one.
This early success isn’t stopping Team Keir from continuing to work CLPs hard, however: an email and text went out to supporters of his campaign last night calling for “Team Keir CLP Organisers”. Scooping up more local party support than necessary could help knock out Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry from the race, giving Starmer a clearer path to victory. (This also applies to Jess Phillips, though that would be less beneficial to Starmer – it’s useful having someone outflank him from a clearly Corbynsceptic position.)
The hopes of Lisa Nandy rest heavily on GMB. As one of the ‘big five’ unions that can propel candidates beyond the 5% of affiliated membership target, the Wigan MP already has the NUM nomination and would only need one other affiliate group. I hear she was “working the room like a demon”, as one source put it, at the Chinese for Labour dinner last night. Emily Thornberry and Starmer’s campaign chair Jenny Chapman also made appearances, but Nandy’s key GMB backer, new MP Sarah Owen, chairs the organisation. Could these groups make up her coalition of affiliates? We are set to find out this afternoon, after their hustings, whether GMB has plumped for Nandy.
Emily Thornberry has surprised members who are keen enough to keep up with CLP nominations. At this very early stage, Starmer is racing ahead with 12, while Rebecca Long-Bailey has four and the Shadow Foreign Secretary is now on two. As I’ve said before, Thornberry launched in Guildford for good reason: she is wisely targeting local parties in safe Tory seats in the South East. Their ‘unwinnable’ statuses mean these CLPs often feel ignored. I’m told Thornberry sent a note to be read out at Newbury, a personal touch that was highly appreciated, and the members were impressed by her hustings performance.
The big question about this process is whether local parties will seek to ‘broaden the ballot paper’ as MPs did. Asking members to give themselves a wider range of choices makes less sense to me than restricting the parliamentary party veto. But it did play a role in CLP endorsements last night, when the point that Starmer and Rayner don’t need extra nominations was raised several times.
Rebecca Long-Bailey has won the backing of Young Labour, which sparked controversy as the decision was made without an all-member consultation. (The youth wing is not allowed to ballot members due to cost and administrative reasons. The argument is over whether YL should therefore endorse by committee vote or decline to do so.) But this move was merely symbolic. More interesting: her event in London this evening, which is sold out. Let’s hope it contains a policy announcement that makes this election more exciting. The idea of replacing the House of Lords with an elected body, which has been a feature of Labour’s manifestos for many years, was not cutting it.


labourlist--2020-01-22--WATCH: Lisa Nandy hits back at Piers Morgan over racism

Labour leadership hopeful Lisa Nandy challenged tv show host Piers Morgan on racism and prejudice in the media .
In an interview this morning , the contender to replace Jeremy Corbyn asked Morgan “ how on earth would you know ?
” when he said that press treatment of Meghan Markle had “ nothing to do with her skin colour ” .
The host of Good Morning Britain suggested that Markle had received the same coverage as Kate Middleton , and that all royals get a lot of public scrutiny .
He said that “ 70 % of the Meghan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been negative ” and that the media is reflective of the opinions of the British people .
Nandy said : “ If you don ’ t mind me saying , how on earth would you know ?
As someone who ’ s never had to deal with ingrained prejudice , you ’ re not in a position to understand people who have.
” Nandy is one of four candidates competing to be the next Labour leader , along with Keir Starmer , Rebecca Long-Bailey and Emily Thornberry .
She has been nominated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs one more nomination to get onto the final ballot in the leadership contest .

Labour leadership hopeful Lisa Nandy challenged tv show host Piers Morgan on racism and prejudice in the media.
In an interview this morning, the contender to replace Jeremy Corbyn asked Morgan “how on earth would you know?” when he said that press treatment of Meghan Markle had “nothing to do with her skin colour”.
The host of Good Morning Britain suggested that Markle had received the same coverage as Kate Middleton, and that all royals get a lot of public scrutiny.
He said that “70% of the Meghan coverage has been positive, 30% has been negative” and that the media is reflective of the opinions of the British people.
Nandy said: “If you don’t mind me saying, how on earth would you know? As someone who’s never had to deal with ingrained prejudice, you’re not in a position to understand people who have.”
Here's the moment Labour leader candidate Lisa Nandy told Piers Morgan that claims of racism against Meghan Markle should not be downplayed.
"If you don't mind me saying, how on earth would you know? As someone who's never had to deal with ingrained prejudice?" pic.twitter.com/0uh91HSfhm — BuzzFeed News UK (@BuzzFeedNewsUK) January 22, 2020
Nandy is one of four candidates competing to be the next Labour leader, along with Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Emily Thornberry.
She has been nominated by the NUM and GMB, and needs one more nomination to get onto the final ballot in the leadership contest.


labourlist--2020-01-22--Phillips backs Nandy for leader with Starmer as second preference

Former contender Jess Phillips has backed Lisa Nandy to be the next Labour leader – and confirmed that Keir Starmer would get her second preference vote .
After pulling out of the race herself , the Birmingham MP described both Nandy and Starmer as candidates who would be able to “ unite the party ” .
Speaking to Sky News , Phillips said : “ Lisa has been deeply impressive throughout the race .
And I have found that not just on a personal level but I think the public view and the stuff that she has been doing have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : “ I would be happy if the Labour Party were led by Lisa Nandy or Keir Starmer… I would vote Lisa one and Keir two.
” A spokesperson for her campaign said : “ Jess will be backing the candidates who she thinks can bring the party together and win back the trust of the electorate .
“ She will be voting for Lisa and Keir .
As she has said before , Lisa will be her first preference choice.
” The representative for Birmingham Yardley withdrew from the race to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to supporters released on Tuesday afternoon .
The move leaves four candidates in the contest : Nandy , Starmer , Rebecca Long-Bailey and Emily Thornberry .
In a LabourList/Survation poll on the leadership races last week , Phillips came third behind Starmer and Long-Bailey , securing only 9 % of first preferences expressed by respondents .
Following the first leadership hustings event in Liverpool this weekend , Phillips called her own performance “ awful ” and admitted that she “ probably won ’ t win ” .
Both GMB and NUM have nominated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just one more Labour-affiliated organisation to make it to the final ballot paper put to the selectorate made up mostly of party members .
Starmer is the only candidate to have already secured a place on the ballot paper , but there are two large unions still to declare – Unite and CWU – and the majority of local Labour parties have not yet nominated .
Affiliated organisations and local parties have until February 14th to submit their nominations for their preferred deputy and leadership candidates .

Former contender Jess Phillips has backed Lisa Nandy to be the next Labour leader – and confirmed that Keir Starmer would get her second preference vote.
After pulling out of the race herself, the Birmingham MP described both Nandy and Starmer as candidates who would be able to “unite the party”.
Speaking to Sky News, Phillips said: “Lisa has been deeply impressive throughout the race. And I have found that not just on a personal level but I think the public view and the stuff that she has been doing have really made her stand out.”
She added: “I would be happy if the Labour Party were led by Lisa Nandy or Keir Starmer… I would vote Lisa one and Keir two.”
A spokesperson for her campaign said: “Jess will be backing the candidates who she thinks can bring the party together and win back the trust of the electorate.
“She will be voting for Lisa and Keir. As she has said before, Lisa will be her first preference choice.”
Phillips has also backed Ian Murray in Labour’s deputy leadership race on the basis that “Labour must be a party for every region and nation of the UK, standing up for our values of solidarity and working together, and Ian is the candidate who best understands that.”
The representative for Birmingham Yardley withdrew from the race to replace Jeremy Corbyn with a video message to supporters released on Tuesday afternoon.
The move leaves four candidates in the contest: Keir Starmer, who has secured his place on the ballot paper, plus Lisa Nandy, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Emily Thornberry.
In a LabourList/Survation poll on the leadership races last week, Phillips came third behind Starmer and Long-Bailey, securing only 9% of first preferences expressed by respondents.
Following the first leadership hustings event in Liverpool this weekend, Phillips called her own performance “awful” and admitted that she “probably won’t win”.
Both GMB and NUM have nominated Nandy and the Wigan MP now needs just one more Labour-affiliated organisation to make it to the final ballot paper put to the selectorate made up mostly of party members.
Starmer is the only candidate to have already secured a place on the ballot paper, but there are two large unions still to declare – Unite and CWU – and the majority of local Labour parties have not yet nominated.
Affiliated organisations and local parties have until February 14th to submit their nominations for their preferred deputy and leadership candidates.


labourlist--2020-01-22--“Tax is not an evil”: Nandy calls for change in debate over welfare state

“ Tax is not an evil , ” Labour leadership Lisa Nandy has argued in a speech this morning focussed on exploring the future of the welfare state and creating a “ genuinely empowering ” social security system .
Setting out her ideas at leading homelessness charity Centrepoint , where she used to work as a 23-year-old , Nandy called for a change in the debate over tax in Britain as well as a plan to save the “ broken ” welfare set-up .
The leadership hopeful argued that while Labour ’ s labelling of a government change to housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successfully “ caught the public ’ s imagination ” , it also “ reinforced the idea that tax is bad ” .
She explained : “ We won the battle , but lost the war .
To win the argument , tax must first be based on principles of fairness – every time a company avoids corporation tax , or we allow a cut to the well-off at the expense of those in greater need , we chip away at the system and people ’ s trust in it .
“ The case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a shattering defeat for Labour but it is a reminder that defending the status quo has never paved our route to power .
We will not wait for permission to make change in 2024.
” Nandy described the Labour whip to abstain on the second reading of the Welfare Reform Bill in 2015 , under Harriet Harman as acting leader , as “ the symbolic moment when Labour lost its way ” .
On maternity leave at the time , she did not vote but spoke out against the move .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party leadership .
For five years , too many of the people I represent had been ground down by the daily anxiety that comes with life in poverty , ” she said , adding that “ Labour values ” must “ permeate ” the welfare state .
The UK ’ s social security system is “ in real trouble ” , Nandy declared today , contrasting the “ pioneering ” Beveridge report that was crucial to the founding of the welfare state with the current “ declining ambition for change ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do more than defend a broken system from attack .
We change , or we die .
And for the sake of so many , for ourselves , we can never allow that to happen .
The challenge of today is clear : we build on the shoulders of giants to create a modern , empowering welfare state for the 21st century .
“ 80 years after that landmark moment when the Beveridge report lit a path to the NHS and the most radical concept of a social security system , too many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought to address .
“ Under my leadership , Labour will not seek to simply meet the aspirations of 80 years ago but to recover the ambition of the Beveridge era for today .
The challenges facing each generation shift and change .
“ While Beveridge sought to address the issue of temporary unemployment , today we face the moral outrage of those who work facing systemic poverty .
But the Labour I believe in has never been the party of the status quo .
We challenge ourselves to always do better , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to specific cases , such as her constituent who “ was sanctioned for going to his mum ’ s funeral ” and “ felt humiliated ” by having to use a food bank , the Labour leadership candidate said : “ Millions of people live hand to mouth , barely surviving .
It is dehumanising.
” She told Centrepoint that the country had “ allowed the values of the market ” to dominate the functioning of the welfare state , adding : “ Surely the question is how people can be enabled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how much of a drain they are from it ?
” Criticising the “ narrative ” on social security , Nandy concluded : “ We believe they want draconian welfare rules , when in fact they want the worst off to be cared for .
Our job is to convince people it isn ’ t a zero-sum game.
” Her proposed solutions include making sure that large employers who “ turn a profit and don ’ t pay the living wage ” should first “ settle their balance ” with the Department for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Equally , we should champion those employers who pay their taxes , invest in their staff and engage meaningfully in their community .
This is not just about financial sustainability .
It ’ s about making your contribution .
And showing respect for the contribution workers make , ” Nandy said .
The contender has made progress in Labour ’ s leadership race over recent days , gaining the nomination of large trade union GMB as well as the NUM , which means she needs just one more affiliate group to secure a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also been endorsed by Jess Phillips , who revealed she would be putting Nandy as her first preference after dropping out of the contest on Tuesday afternoon .

“Tax is not an evil,” Labour leadership Lisa Nandy has argued in a speech this morning focussed on exploring the future of the welfare state and creating a “genuinely empowering” social security system.
Setting out her ideas at leading homelessness charity Centrepoint, where she used to work as a 23-year-old, Nandy called for a change in the debate over tax in Britain as well as a plan to save the “broken” welfare set-up.
The leadership hopeful argued that while Labour’s labelling of a government change to housing benefit entitlement as the bedroom tax’ successfully “caught the public’s imagination”, it also “reinforced the idea that tax is bad”.
She explained: “We won the battle, but lost the war. To win the argument, tax must first be based on principles of fairness – every time a company avoids corporation tax, or we allow a cut to the well-off at the expense of those in greater need, we chip away at the system and people’s trust in it.
“The case for change starts now. This has been a shattering defeat for Labour but it is a reminder that defending the status quo has never paved our route to power. We will not wait for permission to make change in 2024.”
Nandy described the Labour whip to abstain on the second reading of the Welfare Reform Bill in 2015, under Harriet Harman as acting leader, as “the symbolic moment when Labour lost its way”. On maternity leave at the time, she did not vote but spoke out against the move.
“I knew I had to break with the party leadership. For five years, too many of the people I represent had been ground down by the daily anxiety that comes with life in poverty,” she said, adding that “Labour values” must “permeate” the welfare state.
The UK’s social security system is “in real trouble”, Nandy declared today, contrasting the “pioneering” Beveridge report that was crucial to the founding of the welfare state with the current “declining ambition for change”.
Nandy asserted: “We have to do more than defend a broken system from attack. We change, or we die. And for the sake of so many, for ourselves, we can never allow that to happen. The challenge of today is clear: we build on the shoulders of giants to create a modern, empowering welfare state for the 21st century.
“80 years after that landmark moment when the Beveridge report lit a path to the NHS and the most radical concept of a social security system, too many people still face the five evils Beveridge sought to address.
“Under my leadership, Labour will not seek to simply meet the aspirations of 80 years ago but to recover the ambition of the Beveridge era for today. The challenges facing each generation shift and change.
“While Beveridge sought to address the issue of temporary unemployment, today we face the moral outrage of those who work facing systemic poverty. But the Labour I believe in has never been the party of the status quo. We challenge ourselves to always do better, to always advance human progress.”
Referring to specific cases, such as her constituent who “was sanctioned for going to his mum’s funeral” and “felt humiliated” by having to use a food bank, the Labour leadership candidate said: “Millions of people live hand to mouth, barely surviving. It is dehumanising.”
She told Centrepoint that the country had “allowed the values of the market” to dominate the functioning of the welfare state, adding: “Surely the question is how people can be enabled to contribute to our collective wellbeing, not how much of a drain they are from it?”
Criticising the “narrative” on social security, Nandy concluded: “We believe they want draconian welfare rules, when in fact they want the worst off to be cared for. Our job is to convince people it isn’t a zero-sum game.”
Her proposed solutions include making sure that large employers who “turn a profit and don’t pay the living wage” should first “settle their balance” with the Department for Work and Pensions every year.
“Equally, we should champion those employers who pay their taxes, invest in their staff and engage meaningfully in their community. This is not just about financial sustainability. It’s about making your contribution. And showing respect for the contribution workers make,” Nandy said.
The contender has made progress in Labour’s leadership race over recent days, gaining the nomination of large trade union GMB as well as the NUM, which means she needs just one more affiliate group to secure a place on the ballot paper.
She has also been endorsed by Jess Phillips, who revealed she would be putting Nandy as her first preference after dropping out of the contest on Tuesday afternoon.


labourlist--2020-01-22--Nandy makes headway as Long-Bailey throws down gauntlet

And then there were four .
Jess Phillips has withdrawn her Labour leadership bid , saying the party must “ select a candidate that can unite all parts of our movement ” .
In a tacit acknowledgement that she was struggling to secure nominations from trade unions and local parties , Phillips concluded in her video message : “ I have to be honest that , at this time , that person isn ’ t me.
” Her supporters were Corbynsceptics keen to endorse an outspoken woman who hadn ’ t served in Jeremy Corbyn ’ s shadow cabinet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the breadth of support being won by Keir Starmer has surprised them .
Perhaps someone less high-profile but with stronger political ties to that faction , such as Alison McGovern , would have fared better .
How does Phillips pulling out change the dynamics of the contest ?
We should consider this question alongside another important bit of news from yesterday : Lisa Nandy won the GMB nomination , which almost guarantees her a place on the ballot paper .
She only needs one more affiliate group before joining Starmer in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that will not be difficult .
Rebecca Long-Bailey is expected to win over Unite on Friday , as well as CWU later .
With three leadership candidates passing via the affiliates route , Emily Thornberry will be fishing in a bigger pond for local party nominations .
The chances of four hopefuls reaching the ballot paper are high .
There is yet more good news for the two outsiders in the race .
In a focus group aired by Channel 4 News , previous Labour voters who shifted to the Tories in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates .
For fans of Phillips ( “ too working class ” ) , Starmer ( “ weak ” and “ corporate ” ) or Long-Bailey ( a “ clone ” of Corbyn and “ angry ” ) , it makes for depressing viewing .
After watching clips of each candidate , the participants said they could see Emily Thornberry and Lisa Nandy winning back their votes more than any other contender .
This is just one piece of research , but it does again provide a boost for Nandy and does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an event in London last night that was packed out .
Her policy announcement was indeed more exciting than House of Lords abolition : open selections .
Setting out a “ democratic revolution both in the country and in our party ” , she advocated ‘ mandatory reselection ’ as well as improved policy-making processes and political education .
Some expressed huge enthusiasm in response to the speech ; others said it was evidence that Long-Bailey wanted to exacerbate the worst aspects of factionalism rather than promote unity .
The motivation for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fire up her base , though it did do that effectively .
The issue offers a dividing line between her and Starmer .
It ’ s a dare : are you on the Labour left or not ?
And it ’ s one that has become more pertinent with Phillips out of the running .
Starmer told LabourList in a recent interview that he was “ not against the principle ” of open selections .
Asked for comment on Long-Bailey ’ s pledge , a spokesperson said : “ Keir will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour Party in the coming weeks.
” Ideally , he would be able to respond with ideas that develop left-wing credentials without alienating key supporters .
That presents an interesting challenge .

And then there were four. Jess Phillips has withdrawn her Labour leadership bid, saying the party must “select a candidate that can unite all parts of our movement”. In a tacit acknowledgement that she was struggling to secure nominations from trade unions and local parties, Phillips concluded in her video message: “I have to be honest that, at this time, that person isn’t me.” Her supporters were Corbynsceptics keen to endorse an outspoken woman who hadn’t served in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet, and there was logic to this reasoning. But the breadth of support being won by Keir Starmer has surprised them. Perhaps someone less high-profile but with stronger political ties to that faction, such as Alison McGovern, would have fared better.
How does Phillips pulling out change the dynamics of the contest? We should consider this question alongside another important bit of news from yesterday: Lisa Nandy won the GMB nomination, which almost guarantees her a place on the ballot paper. She only needs one more affiliate group before joining Starmer in the final stage of the process, and that will not be difficult. Rebecca Long-Bailey is expected to win over Unite on Friday, as well as CWU later. With three leadership candidates passing via the affiliates route, Emily Thornberry will be fishing in a bigger pond for local party nominations. The chances of four hopefuls reaching the ballot paper are high.
There is yet more good news for the two outsiders in the race. In a focus group aired by Channel 4 News, previous Labour voters who shifted to the Tories in 2019 expressed their thoughts on the leadership candidates. For fans of Phillips (“too working class”), Starmer (“weak” and “corporate”) or Long-Bailey (a “clone” of Corbyn and “angry”), it makes for depressing viewing. After watching clips of each candidate, the participants said they could see Emily Thornberry and Lisa Nandy winning back their votes more than any other contender. This is just one piece of research, but it does again provide a boost for Nandy and does not serve the frontrunners well.
Long-Bailey held an event in London last night that was packed out. Her policy announcement was indeed more exciting than House of Lords abolition: open selections. Setting out a “democratic revolution both in the country and in our party”, she advocated ‘mandatory reselection’ as well as improved policy-making processes and political education. Some expressed huge enthusiasm in response to the speech; others said it was evidence that Long-Bailey wanted to exacerbate the worst aspects of factionalism rather than promote unity.
The motivation for the open selections declaration wasn’t simply to fire up her base, though it did do that effectively. The issue offers a dividing line between her and Starmer. It’s a dare: are you on the Labour left or not? And it’s one that has become more pertinent with Phillips out of the running. Starmer told LabourList in a recent interview that he was “not against the principle” of open selections. Asked for comment on Long-Bailey’s pledge, a spokesperson said: “Keir will be setting out his plans to democratise the Labour Party in the coming weeks.” Ideally, he would be able to respond with ideas that develop left-wing credentials without alienating key supporters. That presents an interesting challenge.


labourlist--2020-01-22--WATCH: Focus group rejects Labour leadership frontrunners

A focus group has rejected the Labour leadership frontrunners , instead saying that they could see Lisa Nandy or Emily Thornberry winning their vote in an election .
Electors from the ex-Labour seat Birmingham Northfield who switched to Tory in December were questioned on their views on the candidates .
After watching video clips of the contenders , all of the participants said that they could see Nandy winning back their vote in the future .
Seven of the eight said the same for Thornberry , while two indicated that Keir Starmer could win their vote .
None of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Members of the group said that Starmer came across as “ corporate ” and “ boring ” , and that he was a “ bit like David Cameron ” .
Asked what they thought about Long-Bailey , one person said “ she was in Jeremy Corbyn ’ s pocket ” and that the Salford MP is a “ clone ” of the current Labour leader .
Most of the group did not know who Nandy was , with one vaguely recognising that she ’ s from Wigan , but they reacted positively to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neil .
The participants of the focus group had all voted for the Conservatives in the last election , but said they were open to voting Labour again .
Speaking about why they voted for Boris Johnson , one said there is “ something about him that I just trust , and I just like .
And I can ’ t explain genuinely what it is ” .
Others stated that he was a “ likeable person ” and that they are able to relate to him .
Another said that he “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ passionate ” .
Labour lost Birmingham Northfield in the general election last month for the first time since 1987 , with the Tories taking the seat with a majority of 1,640 .

A focus group has rejected the Labour leadership frontrunners, instead saying that they could see Lisa Nandy or Emily Thornberry winning their vote in an election.
Electors from the ex-Labour seat Birmingham Northfield who switched to Tory in December were questioned on their views on the candidates.
After watching video clips of the contenders, all of the participants said that they could see Nandy winning back their vote in the future.
Seven of the eight said the same for Thornberry, while two indicated that Keir Starmer could win their vote. None of the eight thought that Rebecca Long-Bailey could.
Members of the group said that Starmer came across as “corporate” and “boring”, and that he was a “bit like David Cameron”.
Asked what they thought about Long-Bailey, one person said “she was in Jeremy Corbyn’s pocket” and that the Salford MP is a “clone” of the current Labour leader.
Most of the group did not know who Nandy was, with one vaguely recognising that she’s from Wigan, but they reacted positively to a recording of her interview with Andrew Neil.
The participants of the focus group had all voted for the Conservatives in the last election, but said they were open to voting Labour again.
Speaking about why they voted for Boris Johnson, one said there is “something about him that I just trust, and I just like. And I can’t explain genuinely what it is”.
Others stated that he was a “likeable person” and that they are able to relate to him. Another said that he “draws you in” because he’s “passionate”.
Labour lost Birmingham Northfield in the general election last month for the first time since 1987, with the Tories taking the seat with a majority of 1,640.


labourlist--2020-01-23--Labour yet to pick candidates for approaching London Assembly elections

There are just two months until the pre-election period for the London Assembly election begins and campaigning officially starts , but Labour is yet to select its candidates .
The selections to decide who would contest each constituency and London-wide seat began last year , with interviews taking place in October .
Shortlists had been drawn up by the national executive committee ( NEC ) , and members were then going to choose between these contenders to decide who would stand for Labour in their seat .
To get on the lists , London-wide applicants had to get five constituency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat candidates had to be endorsed by three CLPs or five affiliates .
But with the snap general election on December 12th , and the ensuing leader and deputy leadership contests , the process was interrupted and the original timetable abandoned .
The general election also meant that two of the candidates on the initial shortlists have now been elected as MPs , prompting the reopening of their lists .
One of these seats was Lambeth and Southwark , who had reselected incumbent Florence Eshalomi to stand , but she ’ s now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The other shortlisted candidate was Islington councillor Claudia Webbe .
She was in the running for the North East seat – comprised of Waltham Forest , Islington and Hackney boroughs – but is now the MP for Leicester East .
As the list only included her and one other person , the party had to reopen the shortlisting .
Earlier this month , the Labour Party emailed members to invite applications for the two London AM seats , and the NEC has now selected new candidates for the shortlists .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat includes Sakina Sheikh , who made the shortlist in the Lewisham East selection .
She ’ s been endorsed by John McDonnell , Faiza Shaheen and Owen Jones .
Others on the list are Taranjit Chana , Bromley councillor Marina Ahmed , Wandsworth councillor Maurice McLeod , and Bermondsey and Southwark activist Shahina Jaffer .
The NEC has been criticised for the absence of any local councillors ; 90 councillors from the Southwark and Lambeth local authorities signed a letter to the party ’ s ruling body calling for a rerun of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Evening Standard , Jack Hopkins and Peter John – the local council leaders – said that the party ’ s ruling body had made a “ shocking ” panel selection “ behind closed doors ” .
Hackney councillor and mayoral advisor on private renting and affordable housing Sem Moema has regained a place on the list , having been on the original against Webbe .
Haringey councillor and cabinet member for housing Emina Ibrahim also made the shortlist in north London , along with Islington councillor Sara Hyde who works in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and was a London Assembly candidate in 2016 .
There are now three candidates on the final shortlist that members will vote on to decide who will be Labour ’ s candidate for the North East in May .
Next steps for the selection contest Candidates across the capital are now awaiting membership lists from Labour ’ s regional office in London , at which point they can start canvassing members .
These are expected in the next few days .
There seems to be some confusion about the voting system that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It has previously been a preferential voting system , in which members rank the contenders in order of preference , in much the same way they will vote in the leadership and deputy contests .
However , councillor Anne Clarke – who is standing for the Barnet and Camden seat – told LabourList that candidates have not been informed of the format or the system .
When Clarke asked in her initial interview in October 2019 , she said the panel told her : “ We haven ’ t decided yet but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she tells us she received no response to subsequent emails .
LabourList has contacted Labour ’ s regional office for comment but they have declined to give one .
The voting system has significant implications for those standing in seats with more than two people on the slate of candidates , and will inform key decisions on campaigning .
In selections with two candidates that come from similar wings of the party , for example , it could affect their decision on whether or not to stand .
The mayoral and AM elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Labour ’ s Sadiq Khan is standing against Tory Shaun Bailey , Lib Dem Siobhan Benita , and ex-Conservative MP Rory Stewart who is standing as an independent .
Commenting on the election , the Labour mayor said : “ The election on May 7th is a two-horse race between me and the Tory candidate.
” Khan recently made a key election pledge to introduce a green new deal for London and make the city carbon neutral by 2030 , if re-elected in May .

There are just two months until the pre-election period for the London Assembly election begins and campaigning officially starts, but Labour is yet to select its candidates.
The selections to decide who would contest each constituency and London-wide seat began last year, with interviews taking place in October.
Shortlists had been drawn up by the national executive committee (NEC), and members were then going to choose between these contenders to decide who would stand for Labour in their seat.
To get on the lists, London-wide applicants had to get five constituency parties or affiliate nominations, while specific seat candidates had to be endorsed by three CLPs or five affiliates.
But with the snap general election on December 12th, and the ensuing leader and deputy leadership contests, the process was interrupted and the original timetable abandoned.
The general election also meant that two of the candidates on the initial shortlists have now been elected as MPs, prompting the reopening of their lists.
One of these seats was Lambeth and Southwark, who had reselected incumbent Florence Eshalomi to stand, but she’s now been elected as the MP for Vauxhall.
The other shortlisted candidate was Islington councillor Claudia Webbe. She was in the running for the North East seat – comprised of Waltham Forest, Islington and Hackney boroughs – but is now the MP for Leicester East. As the list only included her and one other person, the party had to reopen the shortlisting.
Earlier this month, the Labour Party emailed members to invite applications for the two London AM seats, and the NEC has now selected new candidates for the shortlists.
Lambeth and Southwark
The new slate of candidates for the south London seat includes Sakina Sheikh, who made the shortlist in the Lewisham East selection. She’s been endorsed by John McDonnell, Faiza Shaheen and Owen Jones.
Others on the list are Taranjit Chana, Bromley councillor Marina Ahmed, Wandsworth councillor Maurice McLeod, and Bermondsey and Southwark activist Shahina Jaffer.
The NEC has been criticised for the absence of any local councillors; 90 councillors from the Southwark and Lambeth local authorities signed a letter to the party’s ruling body calling for a rerun of the process.
In a piece for the Evening Standard, Jack Hopkins and Peter John – the local council leaders – said that the party’s ruling body had made a “shocking” panel selection “behind closed doors”.
North East
Hackney councillor and mayoral advisor on private renting and affordable housing Sem Moema has regained a place on the list, having been on the original against Webbe.
Haringey councillor and cabinet member for housing Emina Ibrahim also made the shortlist in north London, along with Islington councillor Sara Hyde who works in the criminal justice system, primarily with women, and was a London Assembly candidate in 2016.
There are now three candidates on the final shortlist that members will vote on to decide who will be Labour’s candidate for the North East in May.
Next steps for the selection contest
Candidates across the capital are now awaiting membership lists from Labour’s regional office in London, at which point they can start canvassing members. These are expected in the next few days.
There seems to be some confusion about the voting system that will be used in the contest. It has previously been a preferential voting system, in which members rank the contenders in order of preference, in much the same way they will vote in the leadership and deputy contests.
However, councillor Anne Clarke – who is standing for the Barnet and Camden seat – told LabourList that candidates have not been informed of the format or the system.
When Clarke asked in her initial interview in October 2019, she said the panel told her: “We haven’t decided yet but we’ll let you know.” And she tells us she received no response to subsequent emails.
LabourList has contacted Labour’s regional office for comment but they have declined to give one.
The voting system has significant implications for those standing in seats with more than two people on the slate of candidates, and will inform key decisions on campaigning. In selections with two candidates that come from similar wings of the party, for example, it could affect their decision on whether or not to stand.
The mayoral and AM elections take place on May 7th this year. Labour’s Sadiq Khan is standing against Tory Shaun Bailey, Lib Dem Siobhan Benita, and ex-Conservative MP Rory Stewart who is standing as an independent.
Commenting on the election, the Labour mayor said: “The election on May 7th is a two-horse race between me and the Tory candidate.”
Khan recently made a key election pledge to introduce a green new deal for London and make the city carbon neutral by 2030, if re-elected in May.


labourlist--2020-01-23--WATCH: Labour’s deputy leadership candidate videos

All of Labour ’ s deputy leadership candidates have released videos to set out what they stand for and how they would interpret the role if they were elected to the post on April 4th .
Here ’ s a look at the highlights… Clear frontrunner Angela Rayner was the first contender to put out a video , and it ’ s exceptionally well made .
It explores her background and explains how she entered politics after growing up in a council house , looking after her mother and then becoming a young parent herself .
Rayner discovered the trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carer , she tells viewers , and links her pride in that job to the feeling that she should be apologetic as an MP .
“ Far too often now , people don ’ t think politicians work for them , ” she says .
Although four and half minutes long , it manages to keep your attention , interspersing Rayner ’ s pitch with clips of her talking to Dennis Skinner – boosting leftie credentials – and hugging people in her constituency .
It has 144k views on Twitter .
The key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want hand-outs ” ( an implicit criticism of Labour ’ s manifesto or the way it was communicated ) , Labour must be democratised and its diversity respected ( a Corbynite priority followed by a unifying pledge ) and she will “ support activists ” .
Richard Burgon also released a video earlier this week .
It is , again , very well made , but has a different focus from that of Rayner .
He briefly talks about how he grew up in Leeds and his politics were inspired by family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though no mention that his uncle was an MP ) .
The video mainly centres on his support for the kind of values espoused by Jeremy Corbyn .
It starts with him speaking at a rally with the leader in 2016 , before showing Burgon at a number of protests .
The deputy leadership hopeful highlights the importance of “ the struggle ” , “ organising ” and being “ rooted in communities ” .
He vows to be “ a deputy leader that puts our members first ” , and “ empowers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ decide policies that go on leaflets ” rather than just distribute them .
Burgon promises to be “ accountable to you ” and concludes : “ I ’ m on your side.
” The three- minute video is a clear pitch to those members who feel that party democratisation reforms didn ’ t go far enough , which aligns with Burgon ’ s vocal support for open selections .
Ian Murray also put out a very impressive video this week .
He informs us of his background – showing the housing estate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – explaining that he is the son of a single parent and how he was the first to go to university .
“ I ’ m the kitchen porter who worked hard to build a business and ended up running my own pubs , ” he says .
Murray shows personality when he talks about being a football fan .
As Labour ’ s only MP in Scotland , he naturally goes on to talk about this as evidence of him being “ a fighter ” who wins “ against the odds ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plain background , but always shows him in the context of his local area .
Murray doesn ’ t touch on factionalism apart from one line .
Although known as a vocal Corbynsceptic who likely gets called a Blairite , he says : “ I ’ m not a Blairite or a Corbynite .
I ’ m my own man .
I ’ m Labour.
” Dawn Butler has not released a central video for her campaign , but has tweeted several videos instead – mostly aimed at winning the GMB nomination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having worked as a GMB organiser .
After gaining the MP/MEP nominations required to get through the first round , Butler appealed to the GMB for support and to local parties , asking them to invite her to their meetings .
She later posted a video specifically about her past work for GMB , tagging the union and Tim Roache in the tweet , explaining that she used to “ travel in the boot of employees ’ cars ” in order to “ sneak into the workplace ” .
The Brent MP is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” tour of local parties , mostly posting photos rather than videos .
But she did clip an answers of hers in the first party hustings , where she talked about unity and vowed to “ never , ever , ever join a coup ” .
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan launched her campaign with a video that strongly communicated her employment background as an NHS doctor who still does shifts at the local A & E .
Wearing scrubs and a stethoscope , she talked about her hero , real life experience and reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views on Twitter .
More recently , she put out a clip of her pitch to members at the hustings in Liverpool .
The video of her super smiley , high-energy performance has racked up 74k views – not bad for a hustings clip .

All of Labour’s deputy leadership candidates have released videos to set out what they stand for and how they would interpret the role if they were elected to the post on April 4th. Here’s a look at the highlights…
Clear frontrunner Angela Rayner was the first contender to put out a video, and it’s exceptionally well made. It explores her background and explains how she entered politics after growing up in a council house, looking after her mother and then becoming a young parent herself.
Rayner discovered the trade union movement through working as a home carer, she tells viewers, and links her pride in that job to the feeling that she should be apologetic as an MP. “Far too often now, people don’t think politicians work for them,” she says.
Although four and half minutes long, it manages to keep your attention, interspersing Rayner’s pitch with clips of her talking to Dennis Skinner – boosting leftie credentials – and hugging people in her constituency. It has 144k views on Twitter.
The key message is that people “don’t want hand-outs” (an implicit criticism of Labour’s manifesto or the way it was communicated), Labour must be democratised and its diversity respected (a Corbynite priority followed by a unifying pledge) and she will “support activists”.
Richard Burgon also released a video earlier this week. It is, again, very well made, but has a different focus from that of Rayner. He briefly talks about how he grew up in Leeds and his politics were inspired by family links to the miners’ strike (though no mention that his uncle was an MP).
The video mainly centres on his support for the kind of values espoused by Jeremy Corbyn. It starts with him speaking at a rally with the leader in 2016, before showing Burgon at a number of protests.
The deputy leadership hopeful highlights the importance of “the struggle”, “organising” and being “rooted in communities”. He vows to be “a deputy leader that puts our members first”, and “empowers members” who should be able to “decide policies that go on leaflets” rather than just distribute them.
Burgon promises to be “accountable to you” and concludes: “I’m on your side.” The three- minute video is a clear pitch to those members who feel that party democratisation reforms didn’t go far enough, which aligns with Burgon’s vocal support for open selections.
I’ve been a Labour activist for my entire adult life. As Deputy Leader, I’ll be your voice at the heart of our Party. Our fightback has to start now. I’ll ensure it does.🌹#Richard4Deputy pic.twitter.com/ZNQxneImzc — Richard Burgon MP (@RichardBurgon) January 21, 2020
Ian Murray also put out a very impressive video this week. He informs us of his background – showing the housing estate he grew up on and family photos – explaining that he is the son of a single parent and how he was the first to go to university.
“I’m the kitchen porter who worked hard to build a business and ended up running my own pubs,” he says. Murray shows personality when he talks about being a football fan.
As Labour’s only MP in Scotland, he naturally goes on to talk about this as evidence of him being “a fighter” who wins “against the odds”. None of this is against a plain background, but always shows him in the context of his local area.
Murray doesn’t touch on factionalism apart from one line. Although known as a vocal Corbynsceptic who likely gets called a Blairite, he says: “I’m not a Blairite or a Corbynite. I’m my own man. I’m Labour.”
I’m standing to be Deputy Leader of the Labour Party to change our party so that we can transform people’s lives. This is my story. Join my campaign – https://t.co/lg9K0LyuwV#MurrayForDeputy pic.twitter.com/cFrxrO6kGl — Ian Murray MP (@IanMurrayMP) January 16, 2020
Dawn Butler has not released a central video for her campaign, but has tweeted several videos instead – mostly aimed at winning the GMB nomination, which ultimately went to Rayner despite Butler having worked as a GMB organiser.
After gaining the MP/MEP nominations required to get through the first round, Butler appealed to the GMB for support and to local parties, asking them to invite her to their meetings.
She later posted a video specifically about her past work for GMB, tagging the union and Tim Roache in the tweet, explaining that she used to “travel in the boot of employees’ cars” in order to “sneak into the workplace”.
The Brent MP is now on a “prepare for power” tour of local parties, mostly posting photos rather than videos. But she did clip an answers of hers in the first party hustings, where she talked about unity and vowed to “never, ever, ever join a coup”.
Some people talk the talk on unity. But I’ve walked the walk of unity. Now it’s time for the Labour Party to show it. If you vote for me as Deputy Leader I will be the unity candidate and take us to the finishing line so we can have a Labour Prime Minister once again #Dawn4Deputy pic.twitter.com/XQ210rhMax — (((Dawn Butler))) (@DawnButlerBrent) January 20, 2020
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan launched her campaign with a video that strongly communicated her employment background as an NHS doctor who still does shifts at the local A&E. Wearing scrubs and a stethoscope, she talked about her hero, real life experience and reasons for standing. It got nearly 240k views on Twitter.
More recently, she put out a clip of her pitch to members at the hustings in Liverpool. The video of her super smiley, high-energy performance has racked up 74k views – not bad for a hustings clip.