labourlist--2020-10-13--LISTEN: Drakeford considering ‘circuit break’ lockdown for Wales

Mark Drakeford has declared that the Welsh government is considering a ‘ circuit break ’ lockdown for the devolved nation in an effort to suppress the rising number of coronavirus cases .
In a Times Radio interview this evening , the First Minister told listeners that the Labour administration in Wales is “ very actively thinking ” about whether such restrictions should be imposed .
Drakeford ’ s comments follow the call from Keir Starmer this evening for England to be placed in a circuit-breaker lockdown for two to three weeks , after reports emerged that ministers ignored expert advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Welsh Labour leader said today : “ Keir is obviously right to say that SAGE ( the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ) has been proposing a circuit breaker as a way of turning back the tide of the virus for some weeks .
“ We ’ re very actively thinking here in Wales as to whether or not we should deploy such a short , sharp intervention that would help us to give us a better chance later in the winter to deal with the rise of the virus here in Wales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things that we ’ ve all got to think about .
What would the circuit breaker measures be ?
How long would it need to last ?
What would the impact be on schools ?
“ What will be the prospectus for people coming out of a short period of that sort ?
And we are working hard at that detail here in the Welsh government this afternoon.
” Downing Street earlier today rejected a request from the First Minister to restrict people travelling to Wales from Covid hotspots in England .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical borders between Wales and England.
” Drakeford initially wrote to Boris Johnson last month asking that he put the restrictions in place following increasing concerns that people holidaying in Wales could bring the virus to rural areas .
The Welsh Labour leader told the BBC on Monday evening that he was offering Johnson “ one final opportunity ” to stop travel from high-prevalence areas before he uses the powers available to him .
But the UK government has not put travel restrictions into law and is instead relying on people to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s spokesperson this afternoon saying only : “ People from high risk areas shouldn ’ t be leaving those areas.
” Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething had already explained earlier today that the proposal was not about “ shutting Wales from England ” and stressed that it would apply to prevent travel from “ any part of the UK with high prevalence areas ” .
The First Minister explained this evening : “ There ’ ll be nobody posted on the border , there ’ ll be no physical barriers of any sort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to people : they ’ re not to come into Wales to low incidence areas.
” But he added : “ I need a rule in the regulations .
And then we can properly enforce it .
And I am a bit baffled as to why the Prime Minister is prepared to rely on guidance that can ’ t be enforced , when he could simply put it in regulations as we have in Wales , and then the enforcement of it becomes straightforward .
”

Mark Drakeford has declared that the Welsh government is considering a ‘circuit break’ lockdown for the devolved nation in an effort to suppress the rising number of coronavirus cases.
In a Times Radio interview this evening, the First Minister told listeners that the Labour administration in Wales is “very actively thinking” about whether such restrictions should be imposed.
Drakeford’s comments follow the call from Keir Starmer this evening for England to be placed in a circuit-breaker lockdown for two to three weeks, after reports emerged that ministers ignored expert advice to implement such a measure.
The Welsh Labour leader said today: “Keir is obviously right to say that SAGE [the scientific advisory group for emergencies] has been proposing a circuit breaker as a way of turning back the tide of the virus for some weeks.
“We’re very actively thinking here in Wales as to whether or not we should deploy such a short, sharp intervention that would help us to give us a better chance later in the winter to deal with the rise of the virus here in Wales.
“There are some very practical things that we’ve all got to think about. What would the circuit breaker measures be? How long would it need to last? What would the impact be on schools?
“What will be the prospectus for people coming out of a short period of that sort? And we are working hard at that detail here in the Welsh government this afternoon.”
First minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, tells @timesradio Wales is looking at a "short, sharp intervention" in the form of a potential 'circuit breaker lockdown' to give them a "better chance" of coping with coronavirus later in the winter. @JPonpolitics | @MarkDrakeford pic.twitter.com/CfPyDysOzo — Times Radio (@TimesRadio) October 13, 2020
Downing Street earlier today rejected a request from the First Minister to restrict people travelling to Wales from Covid hotspots in England. The spokesperson said: “There are no physical borders between Wales and England.”
Drakeford initially wrote to Boris Johnson last month asking that he put the restrictions in place following increasing concerns that people holidaying in Wales could bring the virus to rural areas.
The Welsh Labour leader told the BBC on Monday evening that he was offering Johnson “one final opportunity” to stop travel from high-prevalence areas before he uses the powers available to him.
But the UK government has not put travel restrictions into law and is instead relying on people to follow guidance, with the Prime Minister’s spokesperson this afternoon saying only: “People from high risk areas shouldn’t be leaving those areas.”
Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething had already explained earlier today that the proposal was not about “shutting Wales from England” and stressed that it would apply to prevent travel from “any part of the UK with high prevalence areas”.
The First Minister explained this evening: “There’ll be nobody posted on the border, there’ll be no physical barriers of any sort. There will be a powerful message to people: they’re not to come into Wales to low incidence areas.”
But he added: “I need a rule in the regulations. And then we can properly enforce it. And I am a bit baffled as to why the Prime Minister is prepared to rely on guidance that can’t be enforced, when he could simply put it in regulations as we have in Wales, and then the enforcement of it becomes straightforward.”


labourlist--2020-10-13--Exclusive: 10,000 activists back “people’s plan” to tackle Covid economic crisis

Over 10,000 Labour and trade union activists have backed a “ people ’ s plan ” put forward by the Labour Assembly Against Austerity as an alternative to the government ’ s coronavirus economic response , LabourList can reveal .
The Conservatives will oversee an end to the national furlough scheme this month , which risks the livelihoods of thousands across the country as Covid-19 rules continue to badly affect sectors such as hospitality .
The Chancellor announced last week that local furlough schemes will be available in areas under the toughest restrictions , but employees will have 67 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government and employers will not need to top them up .
As well as leaving workers to be paid under the minimum wage , the scheme will not be offered to businesses hit hard but not forced to shut , and millions of workers remain excluded from any kind of government financial support .
Analysis by the Institute of Public Policy Research ( IPPR ) has found that only 230,000 jobs will be saved by Rishi Sunak ’ s measures , and that just under two million people in otherwise viable work will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Against Austerity , a pressure group launched in 2013 , organised a statement in response to the “ disastrous ” Tory handling of the current economic crisis that has now been backed by over 10,000 activists .
Endorsed by Labour MPs such as Jeremy Corbyn , John McDonnell , Diane Abbott and Rebecca Long-Bailey , the “ plan for the people ” stresses the need to “ ensure that people ’ s jobs , livelihoods and health come before private profit ” .
It advocates full employment with well-paid secure jobs achieved through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earnings guarantee , statutory sick pay at living wage levels , support for renters and a universal social care service .
Commenting on the support received by the plan , a Labour Assembly Against Austerity spokesperson said : “ The support for the people ’ s plan shows just how concerned Labour members are at the threat of mass unemployment and evictions that are looming this winter .
“ Labour members want to fight the Tory government ’ s poverty agenda… The strong grassroots support is a sign that grassroots party members want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternative to the Tories.
” In a bid to secure more support from Keir Starmer , the spokesperson added : “ We hope that Labour ’ s leadership will back these measures and set out an alternative that meets the scale of crisis that about to hit our communities.
” Richard Burgon similarly said : “ Recent U-turn after U-turn from the government shows that we can win concessions .
Our party needs to step forward with a real alternative .
It clear that ’ s what Labour activists want and the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ build a movement to resist Tory attacks ” , while former party chair Ian Lavery said : “ We can ’ t trust the Tories not to make working class people pay – let ’ s fight back together.
” Below is the full text of the alternative plan .
The economic crisis we now face is set to be the worst any of us have experienced .
We urgently need to transform our economy and society to ensure that people ’ s jobs , livelihoods and health come before private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – invest in our future The fight to prevent soaring unemployment is paramount .
We need to build a movement that demands the government takes the action needed to create full-employment with well-paid secure jobs for all .
This will need massive , sustained investment in our infrastructure , in council housing , transport , public services , industry and beyond .
We must eradicate financial insecurity through a minimum earnings guarantee at a decent level , ensure statutory sick pay at living wage levels , support for renters , and build a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not punitive .
The crisis has shown we need trade unions more than ever .
Greater union rights and freedoms will help end the exploitative zero-hour and precarious contracts that dominate our economy , save jobs and give workers a proper say in their workplace .
Rebuilding to tackle the climate catastrophe and achieve social justice : We must rebuild in a way that tackles the existential threat of climate breakdown with ambitious , redistributive policies that put jobs , equality and improving people ’ s lives first .
Research shows £85bn investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million jobs in two years .
The state must urgently invest to create high-quality green jobs and technologies through a Green New Deal , providing a just , environmentally sustainable transition of our industries and infrastructure by safeguarding the employment of all .
Our public services provided the vital support needed during the pandemic .
But this crisis also sharply exposed how a decade of austerity and privatisation has left them at breaking point .
We need to rebuild them to be the world class services our communities deserve creating hundreds of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Only public ownership and universality will ensure access to our public services .
Our transport system should be integrated and upgraded , with the railways and buses publicly owned and education properly funded and free for all .
NHS under-funding , staff shortages and privatisation must end .
We urgently need a public , universal social care service .
This pandemic has shone a spotlight on the deep structural inequalities in our society .
Now is the time for real change .
The dismantling of systematic inequality and liberation for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we rebuild better .
The Black Lives Matter movement has rightly pushed the structural racism to the top of the political agenda .
Real government action , not just words , is now needed .
Women and disabled people have already seen a rolling back of equality gains under the Tories and these risk being further undermined , while LGBT+ people face a reactionary government which is not afraid to use the tactics of divide and rule .
We must demand an end to the scapegoating of disabled people on benefits .

Over 10,000 Labour and trade union activists have backed a “people’s plan” put forward by the Labour Assembly Against Austerity as an alternative to the government’s coronavirus economic response, LabourList can reveal.
The Conservatives will oversee an end to the national furlough scheme this month, which risks the livelihoods of thousands across the country as Covid-19 rules continue to badly affect sectors such as hospitality.
The Chancellor announced last week that local furlough schemes will be available in areas under the toughest restrictions, but employees will have 67% of their wages paid for by the government and employers will not need to top them up.
As well as leaving workers to be paid under the minimum wage, the scheme will not be offered to businesses hit hard but not forced to shut, and millions of workers remain excluded from any kind of government financial support.
Analysis by the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) has found that only 230,000 jobs will be saved by Rishi Sunak’s measures, and that just under two million people in otherwise viable work will be made unemployed.
The Labour Assembly Against Austerity, a pressure group launched in 2013, organised a statement in response to the “disastrous” Tory handling of the current economic crisis that has now been backed by over 10,000 activists.
Endorsed by Labour MPs such as Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell, Diane Abbott and Rebecca Long-Bailey, the “plan for the people” stresses the need to “ensure that people’s jobs, livelihoods and health come before private profit”.
It advocates full employment with well-paid secure jobs achieved through a Green New Deal, a minimum earnings guarantee, statutory sick pay at living wage levels, support for renters and a universal social care service.
Commenting on the support received by the plan, a Labour Assembly Against Austerity spokesperson said: “The support for the people’s plan shows just how concerned Labour members are at the threat of mass unemployment and evictions that are looming this winter.
“Labour members want to fight the Tory government’s poverty agenda… The strong grassroots support is a sign that grassroots party members want the party to adopt a bold policy alternative to the Tories.”
In a bid to secure more support from Keir Starmer, the spokesperson added: “We hope that Labour’s leadership will back these measures and set out an alternative that meets the scale of crisis that about to hit our communities.”
Richard Burgon similarly said: “Recent U-turn after U-turn from the government shows that we can win concessions. Our party needs to step forward with a real alternative. It clear that’s what Labour activists want and the country needs.”
Bell Ribeiro-Addy stressed the need to “build a movement to resist Tory attacks”, while former party chair Ian Lavery said: “We can’t trust the Tories not to make working class people pay – let’s fight back together.”
Below is the full text of the alternative plan.
The economic crisis we now face is set to be the worst any of us have experienced. We urgently need to transform our economy and society to ensure that people’s jobs, livelihoods and health come before private profit.
Defend livings standards and jobs – invest in our future
The fight to prevent soaring unemployment is paramount. We need to build a movement that demands the government takes the action needed to create full-employment with well-paid secure jobs for all.
This will need massive, sustained investment in our infrastructure, in council housing, transport, public services, industry and beyond.
We must eradicate financial insecurity through a minimum earnings guarantee at a decent level, ensure statutory sick pay at living wage levels, support for renters, and build a social security system that is universal and not punitive.
The crisis has shown we need trade unions more than ever. Greater union rights and freedoms will help end the exploitative zero-hour and precarious contracts that dominate our economy, save jobs and give workers a proper say in their workplace.
Rebuilding to tackle the climate catastrophe and achieve social justice:
We must rebuild in a way that tackles the existential threat of climate breakdown with ambitious, redistributive policies that put jobs, equality and improving people’s lives first. Research shows £85bn investment in green infrastructure could help create 1.24 million jobs in two years.
The state must urgently invest to create high-quality green jobs and technologies through a Green New Deal, providing a just, environmentally sustainable transition of our industries and infrastructure by safeguarding the employment of all.
Universal, publicly-owned services:
Our public services provided the vital support needed during the pandemic. But this crisis also sharply exposed how a decade of austerity and privatisation has left them at breaking point. We need to rebuild them to be the world class services our communities deserve creating hundreds of thousands of socially useful jobs at the same time. Only public ownership and universality will ensure access to our public services.
Our transport system should be integrated and upgraded, with the railways and buses publicly owned and education properly funded and free for all. NHS under-funding, staff shortages and privatisation must end. We urgently need a public, universal social care service.
Equality for all:
This pandemic has shone a spotlight on the deep structural inequalities in our society. Now is the time for real change. The dismantling of systematic inequality and liberation for all must be at the heart of how we rebuild better.
The Black Lives Matter movement has rightly pushed the structural racism to the top of the political agenda. Real government action, not just words, is now needed.
Women and disabled people have already seen a rolling back of equality gains under the Tories and these risk being further undermined, while LGBT+ people face a reactionary government which is not afraid to use the tactics of divide and rule. We must demand an end to the scapegoating of disabled people on benefits.
MPs backing the plan include McDonnell, Corbyn, Burgon, Lavery, Diane Abbott, Grahame Morris, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Jon Trickett, Zarah Sultana, Ian Byrne, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Kate Osborne, Mick Whitley, Claudia Webbe, Tahir Ali and Apsana Begum.
Labour peers backing the plan include Shami Chakrabarti, Christine Blower, Pauline Bryan and John Hendy.


labourlist--2020-10-13--23 Labour MPs vote against 10pm Covid rule after being given free vote

23 Labour MPs have voted against the government ’ s 10pm hospitality curfew as the legislation was passed in the House of Commons by a majority of 217 with 82 voting against the Covid restriction .
Backbench Labour MPs were given a free vote on the issue this evening following growing opposition to the measure among the Parliamentary Labour Party .
Those on the frontbench were whipped to abstain .
Jeremy Corbyn , Ian Lavery , Rebecca Long-Bailey , Diane Abbott , Apsana Begum , Bell Ribeiro-Addy , Dawn Butler , Chris Bryant and others joined with the Lib Dems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lucas and 42 Tory rebels in voting against .
Jonathan Ashworth set out Labour ’ s position on the measure , arguing that if the country can not close schools , workplaces or shops , or shut down public transport to slow the spread , “ the only lever we have is hospitality ” .
He told MPs this afternoon : “ We therefore support the announced measures , difficult as they are .
Indeed , we support the measures aimed at constraining the time people can spend in the pub.
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will not stand in the way of the passing of the statutory instrument , but if the House ’ s procedures had allowed it , we would have proposed an amendment to implement the Welsh scenario.
” A statutory instrument is a secondary piece of legislation , in this case used to amend government Covid regulations , and MPs can not amend them .
This meant MPs could only vote for or against everything in the statutory instrument this evening .
While making provision for the opening hours restrictions , the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures introduced in the pandemic such as requiring customers to remain seated while at hospitality venues .
The Welsh government has imposed a 10pm drinking-up time , rather than forcing businesses to expel customers from their premises all at the same time , with off-licence sales also banned after the early closing time .
Labour leader Keir Starmer had already announced last week that Labour would not oppose the 10pm closing time .
He argued that “ if you vote down the current arrangements , there won ’ t be any restrictions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from its own MPs on the statutory instrument .
Along with 42 Tories joining opposition MPs to vote against , Conservative Chris Green resigned his post as parliamentary private secretary this afternoon .
In a letter to the Prime Minister , he wrote : “ I now believe the attempted cure is worse than the disease… I believe there are better alternatives to the government ’ s approach , so I therefore tender my resignation.
” MPs voted to renew the emergency powers granted to the government under the Coronavirus Act in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , at the end of last month .
In an attempt to prevent a full-scale rebellion within the Tories , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said MPs would have a say on national restrictions and “ votes wherever possible ” , resulting in retrospective votes such as the one this evening .
MPs voted to keep the ‘ rule of six ’ measures in place last week .
Labour at the time called for transparency on the evidential basis behind the restrictions , but the party proceeded to abstain on the vote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government to implement a ‘ circuit break ’ lockdown following reports that ministers ignored advice from experts to implement the nationwide measure to combat the spread of the virus .
Addressing the public this afternoon in his first televised press conference as Labour leader in response to Boris Johnson ’ s own appearance on Monday , Starmer warned that the country could “ sleep walk into a long and bleak winter ” without action .
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies warned the government three weeks ago that the country faced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” unless it took urgent action and implemented the national measure .
Official papers dated 21st September were released just one hour after the Prime Minister concluded his TV press briefing on Monday , documenting the stark warning from the government experts .
Based on the current rate of growth in infections , SAGE has estimated that there could be as many as 3,000 hospital admissions per day by the end of the month , the same as during the peak of the pandemic in April .
Below is the full list of @ @ @ @ @ @

23 Labour MPs have voted against the government’s 10pm hospitality curfew as the legislation was passed in the House of Commons by a majority of 217 with 82 voting against the Covid restriction.
Backbench Labour MPs were given a free vote on the issue this evening following growing opposition to the measure among the Parliamentary Labour Party. Those on the frontbench were whipped to abstain.
Jeremy Corbyn, Ian Lavery, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Diane Abbott, Apsana Begum, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Dawn Butler, Chris Bryant and others joined with the Lib Dems, the DUP, Green MP Caroline Lucas and 42 Tory rebels in voting against.
Jonathan Ashworth set out Labour’s position on the measure, arguing that if the country cannot close schools, workplaces or shops, or shut down public transport to slow the spread, “the only lever we have is hospitality”.
He told MPs this afternoon: “We therefore support the announced measures, difficult as they are. Indeed, we support the measures aimed at constraining the time people can spend in the pub.”
But the Shadow Health Secretary added: “We will not stand in the way of the passing of the statutory instrument, but if the House’s procedures had allowed it, we would have proposed an amendment to implement the Welsh scenario.”
A statutory instrument is a secondary piece of legislation, in this case used to amend government Covid regulations, and MPs cannot amend them. This meant MPs could only vote for or against everything in the statutory instrument this evening.
While making provision for the opening hours restrictions, the vote also therefore related to other public health measures introduced in the pandemic such as requiring customers to remain seated while at hospitality venues.
The Welsh government has imposed a 10pm drinking-up time, rather than forcing businesses to expel customers from their premises all at the same time, with off-licence sales also banned after the early closing time.
Labour leader Keir Starmer had already announced last week that Labour would not oppose the 10pm closing time. He argued that “if you vote down the current arrangements, there won’t be any restrictions in place”.
The government saw opposition from its own MPs on the statutory instrument. Along with 42 Tories joining opposition MPs to vote against, Conservative Chris Green resigned his post as parliamentary private secretary this afternoon.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, he wrote: “I now believe the attempted cure is worse than the disease… I believe there are better alternatives to the government’s approach, so I therefore tender my resignation.”
MPs voted to renew the emergency powers granted to the government under the Coronavirus Act in March, which introduced extraordinary measures in the pandemic, at the end of last month.
In an attempt to prevent a full-scale rebellion within the Tories, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said MPs would have a say on national restrictions and “votes wherever possible”, resulting in retrospective votes such as the one this evening.
MPs voted to keep the ‘rule of six’ measures in place last week. Labour at the time called for transparency on the evidential basis behind the restrictions, but the party proceeded to abstain on the vote.
The Labour leader has now called on the government to implement a ‘circuit break’ lockdown following reports that ministers ignored advice from experts to implement the nationwide measure to combat the spread of the virus.
Addressing the public this afternoon in his first televised press conference as Labour leader in response to Boris Johnson’s own appearance on Monday, Starmer warned that the country could “sleep walk into a long and bleak winter” without action.
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies warned the government three weeks ago that the country faced a “very large epidemic with catastrophic consequences” unless it took urgent action and implemented the national measure.
Official papers dated 21st September were released just one hour after the Prime Minister concluded his TV press briefing on Monday, documenting the stark warning from the government experts.
Based on the current rate of growth in infections, SAGE has estimated that there could be as many as 3,000 hospital admissions per day by the end of the month, the same as during the peak of the pandemic in April.
Below is the full list of Labour MPs who voted against.
Diane Abbott
Apsana Begum
Ben Bradshaw
Chris Bryant
Dawn Butler
Jeremy Corbyn
Geraint Davies
Andrew Gwynne
Mike Hill
Rupa Huq
Kevan Jones
Ian Lavery
Emma Lewell-Buck
Rebecca Long Bailey
Ian Mearns
Grahame Morris
Kate Osborne
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
Lloyd Russell-Moyle
John Spellar
Graham Stringer
Jon Trickett
Derek Twigg


labourlist--2020-10-13--“Act now. Break the cycle” – Starmer’s statement on national ‘circuit break’

Below is the full text of Keir Starmer ’ s coronavirus press conference statement today .
Good afternoon .
We ’ re at a decisive moment in the fight against coronavirus .
The figures are stark and I ’ m afraid they ’ re all heading in the wrong direction .
The number of Covid cases has quadrupled in the last three weeks .
Cases may be doubling as quickly as every 7-8 days .
There are now more people in hospital with Covid than on 23 March when we went into national lockdown .
And while the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas it is increasing across all regions of the UK and in all age groups .
We know from bitter experience and great personal loss where all this leads .
Three things are now clear : the government has not got a credible plan to slow infections .
It has lost control of the virus .
And it ’ s no longer following the scientific advice .
“ The SAGE minutes from 21 September – published yesterday – underline this .
They warn that : “ A package ” of “ stringent interventions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also says that “ not acting now… will result in a very large epidemic with catastrophic consequences.
” “ They warn that : “ As in the first wave… the burden of a large second wave would fall disproportionately on the frailest in our society [ and ] on those on lower incomes and Black , Asian and minority ethnic communities.
” “ Among their recommendations is a “ circuit breaker ” , a short period of national restrictions that SAGE believes would bring the R-rate down and “ re-set the incidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ SAGE ’ s advice is that this could set the “ epidemic back by approximately 28 days or more.
” “ They ’ re very clear that : “ The more rapidly these interventions are put in place the greater the reduction in Covid-related deaths and the quicker they can be eased .
The Prime Minister has not acted on this advice .
“ In the last three weeks he ’ s introduced two sets of far less stringent restrictions – one on 22 September , one yesterday .
Both times the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will control the virus and drive down the R-rate .
But we now know this is not supported by the evidence .
We also know that SAGE has concluded the £12 billion test and trace system is only a having – in their words – “ marginal impact ” .
And we also know that in 19 of the 20 areas that have been under local restrictions for over two months infection rates have gone up , not down .
There ’ s no longer time to give the Prime Minister the benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s plan simply isn ’ t working .
Another course is needed .
That ’ s why I am calling for a two-to-three week circuit break in England in line with SAGE ’ s recommendation .
A temporary set of clear and effective restrictions designed to get the R rate down and reverse the trend of infections and hospital admissions .
This would not mean closing schools .
But if this happens imminently , it can be timed to run across half-term to minimise disruption .
But a circuit break would require significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean only essential work and travel .
That everyone who can work from home should do so .
Non-essential offices should be closed .
Household mixing should be restricted to one household except for those who ’ ve formed support ‘ bubbles ’ .
And all pubs , bars and restaurants would be closed for two-to-three weeks – but compensated so that no business loses out because of the sacrifices we all need to make .
It should also mean the UK Parliament moves to remote working .
A circuit break would also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rectify some of the mistakes the government has made .
In particular to get a grip on testing and hand over track and trace to local authorities .
A circuit break will have to be accompanied by extensive support for jobs , businesses and our local economies .
Because if we ’ re requiring businesses to close we must provide the financial support necessary to protect people and our local communities – because every job matters and every business matters .
Introducing these kind of restrictions is not something anyone wants to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is now necessary if we are to : protect the NHS , fix testing , and get control of the virus .
I also want to say this directly to the Prime Minister .
You know that the science backs this approach .
You know that the restrictions you ’ re introducing won ’ t be enough .
You know that a circuit-break is needed now to get this virus under control .
You can ’ t keep delaying this and come back to the House of Commons every few weeks with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So act now .
Break the cycle .
If you do you will have the votes in the House of Commons .
I can assure you of that .
You don ’ t need to balance the needs of your party against the national interest .
As the Deputy Chief Medical Officer said a few days ago , we ’ re at a tipping point .
But if we act now – if we follow the science and break the circuit – we can get this virus under control .
If we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a long and bleak winter .
That choice is now for the Prime Minister to make .
I urge him to do so .

Below is the full text of Keir Starmer’s coronavirus press conference statement today.
Good afternoon. We’re at a decisive moment in the fight against coronavirus. The figures are stark and I’m afraid they’re all heading in the wrong direction.
The number of Covid cases has quadrupled in the last three weeks. Cases may be doubling as quickly as every 7-8 days. There are now more people in hospital with Covid than on 23 March when we went into national lockdown. And while the number of cases is rising more sharply in some areas it is increasing across all regions of the UK and in all age groups.
We know from bitter experience and great personal loss where all this leads. Three things are now clear: the government has not got a credible plan to slow infections. It has lost control of the virus. And it’s no longer following the scientific advice.
“The SAGE minutes from 21 September – published yesterday – underline this. They warn that: “A package” of “stringent interventions” is now urgently needed. SAGE also says that “not acting now… will result in a very large epidemic with catastrophic consequences.”
“They warn that: “As in the first wave… the burden of a large second wave would fall disproportionately on the frailest in our society [and] on those on lower incomes and Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.”
“Among their recommendations is a “circuit breaker”, a short period of national restrictions that SAGE believes would bring the R-rate down and “re-set the incidence of disease to a lower level”. “SAGE’s advice is that this could set the “epidemic back by approximately 28 days or more.”
“They’re very clear that: “The more rapidly these interventions are put in place the greater the reduction in Covid-related deaths and the quicker they can be eased. The Prime Minister has not acted on this advice.
“In the last three weeks he’s introduced two sets of far less stringent restrictions – one on 22 September, one yesterday. Both times the Prime Minister has promised that his measures will control the virus and drive down the R-rate. But we now know this is not supported by the evidence.
We also know that SAGE has concluded the £12 billion test and trace system is only a having – in their words – “marginal impact”.
And we also know that in 19 of the 20 areas that have been under local restrictions for over two months infection rates have gone up, not down. There’s no longer time to give the Prime Minister the benefit of the doubt. The government’s plan simply isn’t working. Another course is needed.
That’s why I am calling for a two-to-three week circuit break in England in line with SAGE’s recommendation.
A temporary set of clear and effective restrictions designed to get the R rate down and reverse the trend of infections and hospital admissions.
This would not mean closing schools. But if this happens imminently, it can be timed to run across half-term to minimise disruption. But a circuit break would require significant sacrifices across the country.
It would mean only essential work and travel. That everyone who can work from home should do so. Non-essential offices should be closed. Household mixing should be restricted to one household except for those who’ve formed support ‘bubbles’. And all pubs, bars and restaurants would be closed for two-to-three weeks – but compensated so that no business loses out because of the sacrifices we all need to make. It should also mean the UK Parliament moves to remote working.
A circuit break would also provide an opportunity to reset and to rectify some of the mistakes the government has made. In particular to get a grip on testing and hand over track and trace to local authorities. A circuit break will have to be accompanied by extensive support for jobs, businesses and our local economies.
Because if we’re requiring businesses to close we must provide the financial support necessary to protect people and our local communities – because every job matters and every business matters.
Introducing these kind of restrictions is not something anyone wants to do. This was not inevitable. But it is now necessary if we are to: protect the NHS, fix testing, and get control of the virus.
I also want to say this directly to the Prime Minister. You know that the science backs this approach. You know that the restrictions you’re introducing won’t be enough. You know that a circuit-break is needed now to get this virus under control. You can’t keep delaying this and come back to the House of Commons every few weeks with another plan that won’t work.
So act now. Break the cycle. If you do you will have the votes in the House of Commons. I can assure you of that. You don’t need to balance the needs of your party against the national interest.
As the Deputy Chief Medical Officer said a few days ago, we’re at a tipping point. But if we act now – if we follow the science and break the circuit – we can get this virus under control.
If we don’t, we could sleep-walk into a long and bleak winter. That choice is now for the Prime Minister to make. I urge him to do so.
Thank you.


labourlist--2020-10-13--Starmer makes bold move in calling for national ‘circuit break’ lockdown

Keir Starmer has called on the government to implement a ‘ circuit break ’ lockdown following reports that ministers ignored advice from experts to implement the nationwide measure to combat the spread of the virus .
Addressing the public this afternoon in his first televised press conference as Labour leader in response to Boris Johnson ’ s own appearance on Monday , he warned that the country could “ sleep walk into a long and bleak winter ” without action .
Commenting on the increasing number of cases , Starmer said : “ Three things are now clear : the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to slow infections .
It has lost control of the virus .
And it ’ s no longer following the scientific advice.
” “ The SAGE minutes from 21 September – published yesterday – underline this .
They warn that : “ A package ” of “ stringent interventions ” is now urgently needed.
” Starmer ’ s briefing followed news that government ministers ignored advice from SAGE ( the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ) to impose a two-week circuit break national lockdown to stop the spread of the virus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is no longer time to give this Prime Minister the benefit of the doubt .
The government ’ s plan simply isn ’ t working .
Another course is needed .
“ That ’ s why I ’ m calling for a two-to-three week circuit break in England .
In line with SAGE ’ s recommendation .
A temporary set of clear and effective restriction designed to get R rate down and reverse the trends of infections.
” He told the public that the measure “ will have to be accompanied by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our local economies ” to protect livelihoods .
He added : “ Every job matters , and every business matters.
” Starmer explained that if timed correctly the circuit break could take place over the school half term to minimise disruption , but said that it would not require the closure of schools .
The Labour leader outlined the practical implications of the proposal .
He said the circuit break would mean “ only essential work and travel ” and that everyone who can work from home would be required to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offices should be closed .
Household mixing should be restricted to one household except for those who ’ ve formed support ‘ bubbles ’ .
And all pubs , bars and restaurants would be closed for two-to-three weeks.
” Commenting on the proposal put forward by Starmer this afternoon , TUC general secretary Frances O ’ Grady said : “ The government ’ s job support package isn ’ t ready for this renewed public health emergency .
“ In the wake of tightening restrictions this week and the prospect of a circuit-breaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to save jobs and prevent unnecessary hardship .
“ Where businesses are forced to close , workers should get at least 80 % of their wages through the job support scheme .
Firms which are hit by stricter local restrictions and low demand but can stay open need a more generous short-time working scheme , with significantly reduced employer contributions .
And there must be additional support for the overlooked self-employed too.
” She added : “ That ’ s the right response to new restrictions and business closures .
Government must not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” SAGE warned the government three weeks ago that the country faced a “ very large epidemic with catastrophic consequences ” unless it took urgent action and implemented the national measure .
Official papers dated 21st September were released just one hour after the Prime Minister concluded his TV press briefing on Monday , documenting the stark warning from the government experts .
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes backed the call from the Labour leader , describing it as “ exactly what our country needs ” and comparing what he called “ decisive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” from the Prime Minister .
Johnson had used his conference to unveil a new three-tiered lockdown approach , which has seen areas categorised into three levels of restrictions according to alert levels ‘ medium ’ , ‘ high ’ and ‘ very high ’ , to slow the spread of coronavirus .
But based on the current rate of growth in infections , SAGE has estimated that there could be as many as 3,000 hospital admissions per day by the end of the month , the same as during the peak of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full statement delivered this afternoon by the Labour leader .

Keir Starmer has called on the government to implement a ‘circuit break’ lockdown following reports that ministers ignored advice from experts to implement the nationwide measure to combat the spread of the virus.
Addressing the public this afternoon in his first televised press conference as Labour leader, he responded to Boris Johnson’s own appearance on Monday and warned that the country could “sleep walk into a long and bleak winter” without action.
Commenting on the increasing number of Covid-19 cases, Starmer said: “Three things are now clear: the government has not got a credible plan to slow infections. It has lost control of the virus. And it’s no longer following the scientific advice.
“The SAGE minutes from 21 September – published yesterday – underline this. They warn that: “A package” of “stringent interventions” is now urgently needed.”
Starmer’s briefing followed news that government ministers ignored advice from SAGE (the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) to impose a two-week circuit break national lockdown to stop the spread of the virus.
The Labour leader told viewers today: “There is no longer time to give this Prime Minister the benefit of the doubt. The government’s plan simply isn’t working. Another course is needed.
“That’s why I’m calling for a two-to-three week circuit break in England. In line with SAGE’s recommendation. A temporary set of clear and effective restriction designed to get R rate down and reverse the trends of infections.”
He told the public that the measure “will have to be accompanied by extensive support for jobs, businesses and for our local economies” to protect livelihoods. He added: “Every job matters, and every business matters.”
Starmer explained that if timed correctly the circuit break could take place over the school half term to minimise disruption, but said that it would not require the closure of schools.
The Labour leader outlined the practical implications of the proposal. He said the circuit break would mean “only essential work and travel” and that everyone who can work from home would be required to do so.
He added: “Non-essential offices should be closed. Household mixing should be restricted to one household except for those who’ve formed support ‘bubbles’. And all pubs, bars and restaurants would be closed for two-to-three weeks.”
Sir Keir Starmer calls for a three-week "circuit break in England” with non-essential offices and all pubs, bars and restaurants closed The Labour leader says it would require “significant sacrifices across the country” https://t.co/JkYYMPg0sB pic.twitter.com/VJSS7KIi2i — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) October 13, 2020
Commenting on the proposal put forward by Starmer this afternoon, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The government’s job support package isn’t ready for this renewed public health emergency.
“In the wake of tightening restrictions this week and the prospect of a circuit-breaker national lockdown, more help is needed to save jobs and prevent unnecessary hardship.
“Where businesses are forced to close, workers should get at least 80% of their wages through the job support scheme. Firms which are hit by stricter local restrictions and low demand but can stay open need a more generous short-time working scheme, with significantly reduced employer contributions. And there must be additional support for the overlooked self-employed too.”
She added: “That’s the right response to new restrictions and business closures. Government must not force a choice between lives and livelihoods.”
SAGE warned the government three weeks ago that the country faced a “very large epidemic with catastrophic consequences” unless it took urgent action and implemented the national measure.
Official papers dated 21st September were released just one hour after the Prime Minister concluded his TV press briefing on Monday, documenting the stark warning from the government experts.
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes backed the call from the Labour leader, describing it as “exactly what our country needs” and comparing what he called “decisive” action from Starmer to “dithering” from the Prime Minister.
Johnson had used his conference to unveil a new three-tiered lockdown approach, which has seen areas categorised into three levels of restrictions according to alert levels ‘medium’, ‘high’ and ‘very high’, to slow the spread of coronavirus.
But based on the current rate of growth in infections, SAGE has estimated that there could be as many as 3,000 hospital admissions per day by the end of the month, the same as during the peak of the pandemic in April.
Read the full statement delivered this afternoon by the Labour leader.


labourlist--2020-10-13--Unions, MPs and campaigners release joint statement on CHIS ‘spycops’ bill

The general secretaries of 14 trade unions , 20 Labour MPs including Jeremy Corbyn and a number of campaigning organisations have released a joint statement expressing their concerns over the ‘ spycops ’ bill .
Unite ’ s Len McCluskey , TSSA ’ s Manuel Cortes and FBU ’ s Matt Wrack are among the leaders of trade unions affiliated to the Labour Party who have publicly taken a stand against the government-backed legislation .
They are joined by MPs including Jeremy Corbyn , Diane Abbott , John McDonnell and Rebecca Long-Bailey , plus organisations such as Reprieve , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Justice Campaign .
Keir Starmer is planning to instruct Labour MPs to abstain on the third reading of the bill this week – even if the changes being put forward by the opposition are not adopted , LabourList revealed on Monday .
His decision , while supported by many frontbenchers and MPs such as Yvette Cooper and Diana Johnson , is being met with some resistance from within the party .
Momentum and Open Labour have also called for a U-turn .
Momentum co-chairs Andrew Scattergood and Gaya Sriskanthan and Open Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neill have written directly to the Labour leader asking that MPs be whipped to vote against the bill on Thursday .
Below is the full text of a joint statement by a number of trade unions , Labour MPs and campaigning organisations on the ‘ spycops ’ bill ahead of its third reading in the House of Commons on Thursday .
We the undersigned have grave concerns about the measures set out in the covert human intelligence sources ( criminal conduct ) bill as introduced to the Commons at second reading ( 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be aware from the circumstances leading up to the setting up of the Mitting ( formerly Pitchford ) Inquiry into undercover policing , there has been a documented history of state surveillance of lawful trade union activity and justice campaigns in recent years , including apparent links with the criminal blacklisting of trade union members .
We are also alarmed by the conduct of undercover police in pursuing surveillance of legitimate civil society organisations including anti-racist organisations , family justice campaigns and environmental groups .
Whilst the government has assured us that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain concerned that passing legislation with undue haste and insufficient scrutiny in Committee – pre-empting the findings of the Mitting Inquiry – risks compromising and undermining legal proceedings through which victims of previous criminal conduct by CHIS operatives are seeking justice .
Aside from the timing of the new licensing of criminal conduct by CHIS operatives , our specific concerns about the bill as it stands include : • The vague definition of “ economic wellbeing ” being susceptible to interpretations which would implicate aspects of legitimate trade union activity ; • The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of murder , torture or sexual violence by a CHIS ; • The lack of any provision to compensate innocent victims of criminal conduct undertaken by a CHIS ; • The unnecessarily broad range of agencies able to authorise unlawful conduct ; • The reliance on the Human Rights Act as limiting the scope of what might be legally authorised , despite the government ’ s own previous reliance on a legal defence that the State can not be held responsible under the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights for actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • The lack of prior judicial authorisation or even concurrent judicial oversight .
In light of these concerns , we would ask the government to withdraw the bill to allow for due consideration of the evidence and findings of the Mitting Review , or at the very least to make substantial amendments to the Bill to meet the concerns outlined above .
If sufficient amendments to ensure proper safeguarding in the legislation are not secured , the bill will remain unfit for purpose and can not be allowed to proceed .
We urge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the tool at this link to email their MP today , to ask them to support the amendments submitted by the Labour frontbench , and to oppose the bill at third reading if the amendments are unsuccessful and the government refuses to withdraw the bill .
Len McCluskey , general secretary , Unite the Union Matt Wrack , general secretary , Fire Brigades Union ( FBU ) Sarah Woolley , general Secretary , Bakers , Food and Allied Workers ’ Union ( BFAWU ) Dave Ward , general secretary , Communication Workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general secretary , Transport Salaried Staffs ’ Association ( TSSA ) Mick Whelan , general secretary , Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen ( ASLEF ) Mick Cash , general secretary , Rail , Maritime and Transport Workers ( RMT ) Kevin Courtney , joint general secretary , National Education Union ( NEU ) Jo Grady , general secretary , University and College Union ( UCU ) Mark Serwotka , general secretary , Public and Commercial Services Union ( PCS ) Michelle Stanistreet , general secretary , National Union of Journalists ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Prison Officers Association ( POA ) Ian Lawrence , general secretary , NAPO Bob Monks , general secretary , United Road Transport Union Reprieve Police Spies Out Of Lives Momentum Open Labour Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance Pat Finucane Centre Privacy International Committee for Administration of Justice ( CAJ ) Rights and Security International Undercover Research Group Netpol Blacklist Support Group Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign Justice 4 Grenfell Public Interest Law Centre Jeremy Corbyn MP John McDonnell MP Diane Abbott MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP Ian Lavery MP Jon Trickett MP Richard Burgon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP Claudia Webbe MP Clive Lewis MP Bethan Winter MP Rebecca Long-Bailey MP Mick Whitley MP Ian Mearns MP Grahame Morris MP Apsana Begum MP Paula Barker MP Zarah Sultana MP Baroness Shami Chakrabarti Baroness Christine Blower Baroness Pauline Bryan Lord John Hendy QC Suresh Grover , co-director , The Monitoring Group Dorothea Jones , co-director , The Monitoring Group Terry Renshaw Kate Flannery Chris Peace Laura Pidcock

The general secretaries of 14 trade unions, 20 Labour MPs including Jeremy Corbyn and a number of campaigning organisations have released a joint statement expressing their concerns over the ‘spycops’ bill.
Unite’s Len McCluskey, TSSA’s Manuel Cortes and FBU’s Matt Wrack are among the leaders of trade unions affiliated to the Labour Party who have publicly taken a stand against the government-backed legislation.
They are joined by MPs including Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott, John McDonnell and Rebecca Long-Bailey, plus organisations such as Reprieve, the Pat Finucane Centre and the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign.
Keir Starmer is planning to instruct Labour MPs to abstain on the third reading of the bill this week – even if the changes being put forward by the opposition are not adopted, LabourList revealed on Monday.
His decision, while supported by many frontbenchers and MPs such as Yvette Cooper and Diana Johnson, is being met with some resistance from within the party. Momentum and Open Labour have also called for a U-turn.
Momentum co-chairs Andrew Scattergood and Gaya Sriskanthan and Open Labour co-chairs Tessa Milligan and Keiran O’Neill have written directly to the Labour leader asking that MPs be whipped to vote against the bill on Thursday.
Below is the full text of a joint statement by a number of trade unions, Labour MPs and campaigning organisations on the ‘spycops’ bill ahead of its third reading in the House of Commons on Thursday.
We the undersigned have grave concerns about the measures set out in the covert human intelligence sources (criminal conduct) bill as introduced to the Commons at second reading (5 October 2020).
As many will be aware from the circumstances leading up to the setting up of the Mitting (formerly Pitchford) Inquiry into undercover policing, there has been a documented history of state surveillance of lawful trade union activity and justice campaigns in recent years, including apparent links with the criminal blacklisting of trade union members. We are also alarmed by the conduct of undercover police in pursuing surveillance of legitimate civil society organisations including anti-racist organisations, family justice campaigns and environmental groups.
Whilst the government has assured us that the bill will not apply retrospectively, we remain concerned that passing legislation with undue haste and insufficient scrutiny in Committee – pre-empting the findings of the Mitting Inquiry – risks compromising and undermining legal proceedings through which victims of previous criminal conduct by CHIS operatives are seeking justice.
Aside from the timing of the new licensing of criminal conduct by CHIS operatives, our specific concerns about the bill as it stands include:
The vague definition of “economic wellbeing” being susceptible to interpretations which would implicate aspects of legitimate trade union activity;
The failure to expressly rule out the authorisation of murder, torture or sexual violence by a CHIS;
The lack of any provision to compensate innocent victims of criminal conduct undertaken by a CHIS;
The unnecessarily broad range of agencies able to authorise unlawful conduct;
The reliance on the Human Rights Act as limiting the scope of what might be legally authorised, despite the government’s own previous reliance on a legal defence that the State cannot be held responsible under the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights for actions undertaken by individual agents, and;
The lack of prior judicial authorisation or even concurrent judicial oversight.
In light of these concerns, we would ask the government to withdraw the bill to allow for due consideration of the evidence and findings of the Mitting Review, or at the very least to make substantial amendments to the Bill to meet the concerns outlined above.
If sufficient amendments to ensure proper safeguarding in the legislation are not secured, the bill will remain unfit for purpose and cannot be allowed to proceed.
We urge all those who share our concerns to use the tool at this link to email their MP today, to ask them to support the amendments submitted by the Labour frontbench, and to oppose the bill at third reading if the amendments are unsuccessful and the government refuses to withdraw the bill.
Signatories
Len McCluskey, general secretary, Unite the Union
Matt Wrack, general secretary, Fire Brigades Union (FBU)
Sarah Woolley, general Secretary, Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union (BFAWU)
Dave Ward, general secretary, Communication Workers Union (CWU)
Manuel Cortes, general secretary, Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA)
Mick Whelan, general secretary, Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF)
Mick Cash, general secretary, Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT)
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary, National Education Union (NEU)
Jo Grady, general secretary, University and College Union (UCU)
Mark Serwotka, general secretary, Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
Michelle Stanistreet, general secretary, National Union of Journalists (NUJ)
Steve Gillan, general secretary, Prison Officers Association (POA)
Ian Lawrence, general secretary, NAPO
Bob Monks, general secretary, United Road Transport Union
Reprieve
Police Spies Out Of Lives
Momentum
Open Labour
Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance
Pat Finucane Centre
Privacy International
Committee for Administration of Justice (CAJ)
Rights and Security International
Undercover Research Group
Netpol
Blacklist Support Group
Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign
Justice 4 Grenfell
Public Interest Law Centre
Big Brother Watch
Jeremy Corbyn MP
John McDonnell MP
Diane Abbott MP
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP
Ian Lavery MP
Jon Trickett MP
Richard Burgon MP
Kate Osborne MP
Ian Byrne MP
Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP
Claudia Webbe MP
Clive Lewis MP
Bethan Winter MP
Rebecca Long-Bailey MP
Mick Whitley MP
Ian Mearns MP
Grahame Morris MP
Apsana Begum MP
Paula Barker MP
Zarah Sultana MP
Michelle Gildernew MP
Órfhlaith Begley MP
Francie Molloy MP
Mickey Brady MP
Paul Maskey MP
Chris Hazzard MP
John Finucane MP
Baroness Shami Chakrabarti
Baroness Christine Blower
Baroness Pauline Bryan
Lord John Hendy QC
Suresh Grover, co-director, The Monitoring Group
Dorothea Jones, co-director, The Monitoring Group
Terry Renshaw
Kate Flannery
Chris Peace
Laura Pidcock


labourlist--2020-10-13--Starmer set to hold first live TV press conference as Labour leader today

Keir Starmer is set to hold his first live televised press conference as leader of the Labour Party this afternoon , when he will discuss the latest news of the coronavirus pandemic and the government ’ s response .
The Labour leader will address the public from London at 5pm today in response to the Prime Minister ’ s own appearance on Monday .
He will take questions from broadcast journalists in the room .
The conference comes after Boris Johnson unveiled the government ’ s new three-tiered lockdown approach , which has seen areas categorised into three levels of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ , ‘ high ’ and ‘ very high ’ .
Starmer said on Monday that his party would “ look at the small print ” , discuss with local leaders the new three-tier lockdown plan outlined by Johnson and scrutinise the financial support measures being offered by the government .
But the Labour leader argued the “ serial failure ” of the Prime Minister to meet the targets he has set throughout the pandemic , combined with repeated leaks to the media , has “ fatally eroded public confidence just when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today also follows news that government ministers ignored advice from experts in the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) to impose a three-week ‘ circuit break ’ national lockdown to stop the spread of the virus .
The opposition leader last month addressed the public with a televised , pre-recorded statement , in which the Labour leader told viewers that “ we need a ‘ Plan B ’ for the economy ” alongside then newly announced Covid restrictions .
Starmer used the opportunity to make the case for greater financial support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ it makes no sense to bring in new restrictions at the same time as phasing out support for jobs and businesses .
He became the first leader of the opposition to hold a regular phone-in session on the radio in June .
He joins the LBC Nick Ferrari at Breakfast show for a monthly ‘ Call Keir ’ half-hour slot .
His most recent session took place on Monday .
Downing Street recently announced that it would be holding daily press televised briefings starting next month .
The Prime Minister has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new press secretary to lead the conferences .

Keir Starmer is set to hold his first live televised press conference as leader of the Labour Party this afternoon, when he will discuss the latest news of the coronavirus pandemic and the government’s response.
The Labour leader will address the public from London at 5pm today in response to the Prime Minister’s own appearance on Monday. He will take questions from broadcast journalists in the room.
The conference comes after Boris Johnson unveiled the government’s new three-tiered lockdown approach, which has seen areas categorised into three levels of restrictions according to alert levels ‘medium’, ‘high’ and ‘very high’.
Starmer said on Monday that his party would “look at the small print”, discuss with local leaders the new three-tier lockdown plan outlined by Johnson and scrutinise the financial support measures being offered by the government.
But the Labour leader argued the “serial failure” of the Prime Minister to meet the targets he has set throughout the pandemic, combined with repeated leaks to the media, has “fatally eroded public confidence just when we need it most”.
The appearance today also follows news that government ministers ignored advice from experts in the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) to impose a three-week ‘circuit break’ national lockdown to stop the spread of the virus.
I will be holding a press conference at 5pm today in response to the Prime Minister’s statement yesterday and the ongoing rise in coronavirus cases. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 13, 2020
The opposition leader last month addressed the public with a televised, pre-recorded statement, in which the Labour leader told viewers that “we need a ‘Plan B’ for the economy” alongside then newly announced Covid restrictions.
Starmer used the opportunity to make the case for greater financial support for sectors across the UK, arguing that “it makes no sense to bring in new restrictions at the same time as phasing out support for jobs and businesses.
He became the first leader of the opposition to hold a regular phone-in session on the radio in June. He joins the LBC Nick Ferrari at Breakfast show for a monthly ‘Call Keir’ half-hour slot. His most recent session took place on Monday.
Downing Street recently announced that it would be holding daily press televised briefings starting next month. The Prime Minister has appointed former journalist Allegra Stratton as its new press secretary to lead the conferences.


labourlist--2020-10-13--WATCH: “Inevitable” London will face tier two restrictions, warns Sadiq Khan

Sadiq Khan has warned that it is “ inevitable ” the capital will pass a “ trigger point ” to be placed under tier two lockdown restrictions in the next few days after a rise in coronavirus cases in London .
The London mayor told Sky News today that “ all the indicators ” suggested stricter rules would need to be implemented in the city and said any measures should be applied across the whole of Greater London rather than to specific boroughs .
Asked whether the city ’ s five hardest-hit local authorities – Richmond , Hackney , Ealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions , Khan said : “ I ’ ve been working closely with councils across London .
“ We have 33 if you include the City of London .
We ’ re keen to go as one because we can see the complexities and the confusion caused by some boroughs having additional restrictions , other boroughs having less .
“ Many Londoners work in one borough , live in another borough , study in another borough , go to a restaurant in another borough .
So we ’ re really keen to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city , you mentioned the numbers in those five boroughs , but the average over the last seven days is about 90 per 100,000 .
“ All the indicators I have : hospital admissions , ICU occupancy , the numbers of older people with cases , the prevalence of the disease , the positivity are all going the wrong direction .
Which means , I ’ m afraid , it ’ s inevitable over the course of the next few days London will have passed a trigger point to be in the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he added : “ We were very angry that between August and September the government reduced the amount of testing taking place in London by about 43 % .
“ So the numbers we have for testing aren ’ t very accurate but we do know notwithstanding that they have been going up in regards to positive cases in our city .
We ’ ve seen in the last six days a 50 % increase in positive cases.
” The government announced a tiered lockdown system on Monday .
Under the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would follow the current national guidelines while those in higher tiers would face more severe restrictions .
For regions placed under the second tier of the system , all mixing between different households and bubbles indoors is prohibited but people are allowed to socialise outside if the ‘ rule of six ’ is followed .
Responding to the new system in the Commons on Monday , Labour leader Keir Starmer told MPs that he is “ deeply sceptical that the government actually has a plan to get control of this virus ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of the Prime Minister to meet the Covid commitments he has made , combined with repeated leaks to the media , has “ fatally eroded public confidence just when we need it most ” .
London MP , representing Ilford South , Sam Tarry wrote to Health Secretary Matt Hancock earlier today demanding that the government implement a two-week ‘ circuit-breaker ’ lockdown in the capital to stop the spread of the virus .
This would mean a complete lockdown for a fortnight .
Implementing a national circuit-breaker lockdown was revealed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the government ’ s SAGE committee to combat a second spike .

Sadiq Khan has warned that it is “inevitable” the capital will pass a “trigger point” to be placed under tier two lockdown restrictions in the next few days after a rise in coronavirus cases in London.
The London mayor told Sky News today that “all the indicators” suggested stricter rules would need to be implemented in the city and said any measures should be applied across the whole of Greater London rather than to specific boroughs.
Asked whether the city’s five hardest-hit local authorities – Richmond, Hackney, Ealing, Redbridge and Harrow – needed specific restrictions, Khan said: “I’ve been working closely with councils across London.
“We have 33 if you include the City of London. We’re keen to go as one because we can see the complexities and the confusion caused by some boroughs having additional restrictions, other boroughs having less.
“Many Londoners work in one borough, live in another borough, study in another borough, go to a restaurant in another borough. So we’re really keen to go as one city. And across our city, you mentioned the numbers in those five boroughs, but the average over the last seven days is about 90 per 100,000.
“All the indicators I have: hospital admissions, ICU occupancy, the numbers of older people with cases, the prevalence of the disease, the positivity are all going the wrong direction. Which means, I’m afraid, it’s inevitable over the course of the next few days London will have passed a trigger point to be in the second tier.”
On testing in the capital, he added: “We were very angry that between August and September the government reduced the amount of testing taking place in London by about 43%.
“So the numbers we have for testing aren’t very accurate but we do know notwithstanding that they have been going up in regards to positive cases in our city. We’ve seen in the last six days a 50% increase in positive cases.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan says he is keen for any further #coronavirus restrictions to be applied across the city, as opposed to individual boroughs. Latest on #COVID19: https://t.co/wRpvar8C6L pic.twitter.com/4OZjr4FqQw — SkyNews (@SkyNews) October 13, 2020
The government announced a tiered lockdown system on Monday. Under the new approach, areas in the lowest tier would follow the current national guidelines while those in higher tiers would face more severe restrictions.
For regions placed under the second tier of the system, all mixing between different households and bubbles indoors is prohibited but people are allowed to socialise outside if the ‘rule of six’ is followed.
Responding to the new system in the Commons on Monday, Labour leader Keir Starmer told MPs that he is “deeply sceptical that the government actually has a plan to get control of this virus”.
He added that the “serial failure” of the Prime Minister to meet the Covid commitments he has made, combined with repeated leaks to the media, has “fatally eroded public confidence just when we need it most”.
London MP, representing Ilford South, Sam Tarry wrote to Health Secretary Matt Hancock earlier today demanding that the government implement a two-week ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown in the capital to stop the spread of the virus.
This would mean a complete lockdown for a fortnight. Implementing a national circuit-breaker lockdown was revealed on Monday evening to be the preferred option of the government’s SAGE committee to combat a second spike.


labourlist--2020-10-13--UWU: Why an independent union for paid trade union staff is needed

If you work for a trade union and have a dispute with your employer , where do you turn ?
The Union Workers Union ( UWU ) , a new trade union for trade union employees , was launched in March to answer that very question .
LabourList spoke to UWU general secretary Chris Musgrave to find out more… Andrew : Why do you feel a trade union for union employees is necessary ?
Chris : There are lots of unions that don ’ t recognise an independent union for their staff for the sake of collective bargaining .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , given what unions do for their members on a daily basis .
We believe as trade unionists that all workers , regardless of who they work for , should have access to an independent , campaigning and member-led union to advance their wants and wishes .
Quite often , we feel the interests of unions conflict with the interests of union workers .
That conflict quite often leads to a detrimental situation for union workers .
The union movement rightly is at the vanguard of various different projects in terms of equality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some cases no equality networks for the paid staff of trade unions , so we ’ re in the process of setting those up along protected characteristic lines .
Would you say unions are unable to police themselves ?
There are some unions that are excellent employers , who very much are the change they want to see .
There are probably more unions that don ’ t maintain those standards .
I think the reasons for that are numerous .
Quite often it ’ s political : lots of unions adopt a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detrimental to the paid staff of the union .
Quite often it ’ s financial : lots of unions are struggling financially for one reason or another .
The union movement has been in decline since 1979 – subscriptions and pay rates have stagnated since then , while costs have increased .
But this is the uncomfortable truth : some unions are not in financial difficulty , and they just choose to be bad employers .
And that really is at the heart of why we need an independent union .
You mentioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you mean by that ?
Some unions ’ executives are populated by individuals that hold the ideology that paid staff are bureaucrats who are overpaid and don ’ t deserve the good pay , terms and conditions that they receive .
By those individuals , would it be fair to say you mean the Socialist Party or Socialist Workers Party ?
Yes , it would .
Not exclusively , but yes generally .
Moving on to UWU itself .
How does the organisation work ?
At the moment , we are completely member-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a purely voluntary basis , outside of their working time .
We are predominately the paid staff of various trade unions .
At the moment , we have members at 24 different UK unions .
We have an executive committee of nine people and they do the bulk of the work , in terms of maintaining the website , writing content , providing casework support , representation and advice to members or developing campaigns .
Bear in mind we only got listed back in March , so we ’ re still in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four functioning branches and more under development .
We have said that each national union is its own branch and will get support .
What do you hope to achieve ?
We would like to be the union for paid trade union staff .
That said , we don ’ t want to take members away from other unions – most of us in the UWU have double carded or even triple carded for years .
We very much see UWU membership as something to augment the membership of other trade unions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade unionism ?
I started my career in the civil service and I joined a recognised union – PCS [ Public and Commercial Services Union ] .
I come from a family of miners in the Welsh valleys , so trade unionism is something I was brought up on .
What really activated me was the New Labour centralisation programme .
There was a proposal to close a load of regional tax offices where I worked , and I became involved and eventually led the campaign to save the offices .
It kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working for PCS on a local and a national level , and then in 2010 I did the TUC organising academy .
I left the civil service at that point and took up a job at the NUT [ the National Union of Teachers , now part of the NEU ] .
I went from there to work for UNISON for a while as a regional organiser focusing on more industrial disputes .
After that , I worked for the ATL [ Association of Teachers and Lecturers , also now a part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there to work for the Royal College of Nursing .
You ’ ve worked across a lot of the union movement in your time .
What has convinced you of the need for a trade union for union workers ?
Some of the trade unions I have worked for have been among the best employers and some of them have been among the worst .
I suppose I would say I ’ ve seen how to do it and how not to do it .
That ’ s at the heart of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrate that best practice and promote that best practice and encourage all trade unions to be the change they want to see .
We recently saw the publication of the damning report into institutional sexism at GMB .
What ’ s your view on how widespread sexism is in the union movement as a whole ?
I think it ’ s rife in the trade union movement .
I attended one of our branch meetings this week , and one of our members said you could quite easily have put any union ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It exists across the movement and manifests itself in different ways in different organisations , sometimes it ’ s more overt , sometimes it ’ s more subtle , but it ’ s ever-present .
And unfortunately , it isn ’ t just sexism .
Many of our members have experiences racism , which is a fairly open secret in the union movement right now .
Right now we ’ re working with the UWU women ’ s network and the UWU Black members network to come up with a charter , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year to get unions as employers to sign up to .
What would you say are the biggest problems in the union movement right now ?
We have got four campaigns that are the central pieces of our work .
The first one is defending pay and pensions .
We ’ re seeing increasing numbers of unions looking to reduce particularly hard-fought-for pension arrangements .
Secondly , there ’ s institutional racism .
We believe that there is a significant problem in the movement with institutional racism , to greater or lesser extents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a greater number of BAME workers employed in the union movement and a greater number moving up into middle and senior leadership positions because we are woefully behind even some of the worst employers we negotiate with .
The third one is a very similar campaign but for women members .
There are a significant number of women workers in the union movement but a significantly low number in leadership positions , so we ’ re campaigning on that .
The final one , but by no means the least one , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement .
We passionately support trans rights and we ’ re campaigning for a clearer and better understanding of trans rights across the movement .
In light of the GMB report and movements like Black Lives Matter , do you expect trade unions to make any changes ?
I think they should , but I don ’ t think they will .
Some unions are locked into a particular way of doing things and without the involvement of organisations like the UWU and others , I don ’ t think they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hope .
We ’ re in the midst of a round of general secretary elections for some of the bigger unions , so the effect of that change in leadership remains to be seen .
UWU currently has a small membership , so what can you do for those members right now ?
Our membership is small .
We only got listed in March of this year , so we only have about 120 members in 24 different unions .
We hope in future to be the union for all paid staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in the region of about 5,000 potential members within the UK so from that perspective we will never be a mass union like Unite , UNISON or GMB .
Our pool of members is small , but what we hope to do is work collaboratively with sister unions to improve the working lives of our members .
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity .

If you work for a trade union and have a dispute with your employer, where do you turn? The Union Workers Union (UWU), a new trade union for trade union employees, was launched in March to answer that very question. LabourList spoke to UWU general secretary Chris Musgrave to find out more…
Andrew: Why do you feel a trade union for union employees is necessary?
Chris: There are lots of unions that don’t recognise an independent union for their staff for the sake of collective bargaining. Many of us find that kind of extraordinary, given what unions do for their members on a daily basis. We believe as trade unionists that all workers, regardless of who they work for, should have access to an independent, campaigning and member-led union to advance their wants and wishes.
Quite often, we feel the interests of unions conflict with the interests of union workers. That conflict quite often leads to a detrimental situation for union workers. The union movement rightly is at the vanguard of various different projects in terms of equality. There are very few and in some cases no equality networks for the paid staff of trade unions, so we’re in the process of setting those up along protected characteristic lines.
Would you say unions are unable to police themselves?
There are some unions that are excellent employers, who very much are the change they want to see. There are probably more unions that don’t maintain those standards. I think the reasons for that are numerous.
Quite often it’s political: lots of unions adopt a particular political ideology, which could be detrimental to the paid staff of the union. Quite often it’s financial: lots of unions are struggling financially for one reason or another. The union movement has been in decline since 1979 – subscriptions and pay rates have stagnated since then, while costs have increased.
But this is the uncomfortable truth: some unions are not in financial difficulty, and they just choose to be bad employers. And that really is at the heart of why we need an independent union.
You mentioned “political reasons”. What do you mean by that?
Some unions’ executives are populated by individuals that hold the ideology that paid staff are bureaucrats who are overpaid and don’t deserve the good pay, terms and conditions that they receive.
By those individuals, would it be fair to say you mean the Socialist Party or Socialist Workers Party?
Yes, it would. Not exclusively, but yes generally.
Moving on to UWU itself. How does the organisation work?
At the moment, we are completely member-run. All of our activists work on a purely voluntary basis, outside of their working time. We are predominately the paid staff of various trade unions. At the moment, we have members at 24 different UK unions. We have an executive committee of nine people and they do the bulk of the work, in terms of maintaining the website, writing content, providing casework support, representation and advice to members or developing campaigns.
Bear in mind we only got listed back in March, so we’re still in the process of establishing branches. We have four functioning branches and more under development. We have said that each national union is its own branch and will get support.
What do you hope to achieve?
We would like to be the union for paid trade union staff. That said, we don’t want to take members away from other unions – most of us in the UWU have double carded or even triple carded for years. We very much see UWU membership as something to augment the membership of other trade unions.
How did you first get involved in trade unionism?
I started my career in the civil service and I joined a recognised union – PCS [Public and Commercial Services Union]. I come from a family of miners in the Welsh valleys, so trade unionism is something I was brought up on. What really activated me was the New Labour centralisation programme. There was a proposal to close a load of regional tax offices where I worked, and I became involved and eventually led the campaign to save the offices.
It kind of grew from there. I was working for PCS on a local and a national level, and then in 2010 I did the TUC organising academy. I left the civil service at that point and took up a job at the NUT [the National Union of Teachers, now part of the NEU]. I went from there to work for UNISON for a while as a regional organiser focusing on more industrial disputes. After that, I worked for the ATL [Association of Teachers and Lecturers, also now a part of the NEU]. I recently left there to work for the Royal College of Nursing.
You’ve worked across a lot of the union movement in your time. What has convinced you of the need for a trade union for union workers?
Some of the trade unions I have worked for have been among the best employers and some of them have been among the worst. I suppose I would say I’ve seen how to do it and how not to do it. That’s at the heart of the UWU, really. We want to celebrate that best practice and promote that best practice and encourage all trade unions to be the change they want to see.
We recently saw the publication of the damning report into institutional sexism at GMB. What’s your view on how widespread sexism is in the union movement as a whole?
I think it’s rife in the trade union movement. I attended one of our branch meetings this week, and one of our members said you could quite easily have put any union’s name in that GMB report. It exists across the movement and manifests itself in different ways in different organisations, sometimes it’s more overt, sometimes it’s more subtle, but it’s ever-present.
And unfortunately, it isn’t just sexism. Many of our members have experiences racism, which is a fairly open secret in the union movement right now. Right now we’re working with the UWU women’s network and the UWU Black members network to come up with a charter, which we’re hoping to launch next year to get unions as employers to sign up to.
What would you say are the biggest problems in the union movement right now?
We have got four campaigns that are the central pieces of our work. The first one is defending pay and pensions. We’re seeing increasing numbers of unions looking to reduce particularly hard-fought-for pension arrangements.
Secondly, there’s institutional racism. We believe that there is a significant problem in the movement with institutional racism, to greater or lesser extents. What we want to see is a greater number of BAME workers employed in the union movement and a greater number moving up into middle and senior leadership positions because we are woefully behind even some of the worst employers we negotiate with.
The third one is a very similar campaign but for women members. There are a significant number of women workers in the union movement but a significantly low number in leadership positions, so we’re campaigning on that.
The final one, but by no means the least one, is the growing issue of transphobia in the movement. We passionately support trans rights and we’re campaigning for a clearer and better understanding of trans rights across the movement.
In light of the GMB report and movements like Black Lives Matter, do you expect trade unions to make any changes?
I think they should, but I don’t think they will. Some unions are locked into a particular way of doing things and without the involvement of organisations like the UWU and others, I don’t think they’ll change on their own. But there is hope. We’re in the midst of a round of general secretary elections for some of the bigger unions, so the effect of that change in leadership remains to be seen.
UWU currently has a small membership, so what can you do for those members right now?
Our membership is small. We only got listed in March of this year, so we only have about 120 members in 24 different unions. We hope in future to be the union for all paid staff in trade unions. We estimate there is in the region of about 5,000 potential members within the UK so from that perspective we will never be a mass union like Unite, UNISON or GMB. Our pool of members is small, but what we hope to do is work collaboratively with sister unions to improve the working lives of our members.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.


labourlist--2020-10-14--It’s time to unmask the rising racism against British Chinese and Asians

When I was first elected in December , I never expected that I would be spending so much time talking about a 300 % rise in hate crime against Chinese and East Asian people linked to a global pandemic .
I ’ m proud of my roots – my mixed heritage is both Asian and British .
I know that racism against people like me didn ’ t start with coronavirus , as an undercurrent of anti-Asian racism has plagued this country well before Covid .
But now the lid has been lifted , and the far-right have wrongly been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence and hatred against us .
From an early age , it was made clear I was seen as different .
In a school play set in a Chinese courtroom , the person doing our makeup pointed at me and said , “ make the other kids look like her ” .
It wasn ’ t until my teens that I felt my safety was threatened because of my mixed heritage after a student bought a knife into school to try to stab me because she didn ’ t like it when races @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chiefs warning that the far-right is using Covid-19 as an excuse to attack what the Metropolitan Police describe as “ oriental ” people ( in itself , a term better suited to 1920 than 2020 ) .
So I understand the fear and frustration that many British East and South East Asians are feeling , as racists add another powerful tool to their arsenal – coronavirus .
Donald Trump calls coronavirus the “ China plague ” on TV and at his rallies .
We ’ ve seen Tory ministers share Covid jokes with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointy hat and slanty eyes .
A Tory council leader told a Zoom meeting that this was all caused by “ someone eating under-cooked bat soup in China ” .
I ’ ve even overheard MPs in the tea room refer to those “ evil bastards ” and “ oh , you know how they look ” .
They were rightly discussing awful human rights abuses being carried out by the Chinese state , but this othering of an entire ethnicity , due to the actions of a government thousands of miles away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Politicians should lead by example .
We should absolutely criticise the Chinese state for their appalling abuses against the Uyghur people and actions in Hong Kong .
If I ’ m able to confidently do that without falling into tropes that fuel racism or make British Chinese and East Asians even more vulnerable or fair game for racists , then I think we all can .
Figures obtained by the End the Virus of Racism project showed that there were 261 hate crimes against Asians in April , 323 in May and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eased .
These do not include the numbers of hate crimes that have gone unreported .
The charity Protection Approaches reports that this July saw the highest ever numbers of recorded hate crime against protected groups – 40 % higher than after the 7/7 terror attacks .
In March , Jonathan Mok , a 23-year-old student from Singapore , was punched and kicked in the face on Oxford Street by a group of men who told him : “ I don ’ t want your coronavirus in my country.
” British Chinese filmmaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rehearsals when a white male passenger whispered in her ear on a bus : “ Why don ’ t you f*** off back to China and take your filth with you ?
” .
In Hitchin , just down the road from my Luton constituency , a takeaway owner was spat at and repeatedly asked whether he had coronavirus .
In Luton , people have been shouted at from cars .
One woman wrote to me saying that she no longer feels safe , and walks around with her mask on and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is all without looking at the cesspit of social media .
During the pandemic , blatant racism and conspiracy theories have been allowed to spread – and social media apps have acted as a signal booster for far-right racists .
I report racist videos I am sent of people eating live animals or claiming that I am part of some global Chinese government spy network , but social media companies like Twitter , WhatsApp and Facebook should be held responsible for what is published on their sites .
We need an end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are for our contributions – for our culture and our skills , our healthcare workers , our businesses .
Politicians need to act .
Let ’ s act to end the virus of racism for good .

When I was first elected in December, I never expected that I would be spending so much time talking about a 300% rise in hate crime against Chinese and East Asian people linked to a global pandemic. I’m proud of my roots – my mixed heritage is both Asian and British. I know that racism against people like me didn’t start with coronavirus, as an undercurrent of anti-Asian racism has plagued this country well before Covid. But now the lid has been lifted, and the far-right have wrongly been given legitimacy to air their derision, violence and hatred against us.
From an early age, it was made clear I was seen as different. In a school play set in a Chinese courtroom, the person doing our makeup pointed at me and said, “make the other kids look like her”. It wasn’t until my teens that I felt my safety was threatened because of my mixed heritage after a student bought a knife into school to try to stab me because she didn’t like it when races mixed.
Today, we have police chiefs warning that the far-right is using Covid-19 as an excuse to attack what the Metropolitan Police describe as “oriental” people (in itself, a term better suited to 1920 than 2020). So I understand the fear and frustration that many British East and South East Asians are feeling, as racists add another powerful tool to their arsenal – coronavirus.
Donald Trump calls coronavirus the “China plague” on TV and at his rallies. We’ve seen Tory ministers share Covid jokes with caricatures of a person in a Chinese pointy hat and slanty eyes. A Tory council leader told a Zoom meeting that this was all caused by “someone eating under-cooked bat soup in China”. I’ve even overheard MPs in the tea room refer to those “evil bastards” and “oh, you know how they look”. They were rightly discussing awful human rights abuses being carried out by the Chinese state, but this othering of an entire ethnicity, due to the actions of a government thousands of miles away, should have no place in society.
Politicians should lead by example. We should absolutely criticise the Chinese state for their appalling abuses against the Uyghur people and actions in Hong Kong. If I’m able to confidently do that without falling into tropes that fuel racism or make British Chinese and East Asians even more vulnerable or fair game for racists, then I think we all can.
Figures obtained by the End the Virus of Racism project showed that there were 261 hate crimes against Asians in April, 323 in May and 395 in June – rising as lockdown eased. These do not include the numbers of hate crimes that have gone unreported. The charity Protection Approaches reports that this July saw the highest ever numbers of recorded hate crime against protected groups – 40% higher than after the 7/7 terror attacks.
In March, Jonathan Mok, a 23-year-old student from Singapore, was punched and kicked in the face on Oxford Street by a group of men who told him: “I don’t want your coronavirus in my country.” British Chinese filmmaker Lucy Sheen was on her way to rehearsals when a white male passenger whispered in her ear on a bus: “Why don’t you f*** off back to China and take your filth with you?”. In Hitchin, just down the road from my Luton constituency, a takeaway owner was spat at and repeatedly asked whether he had coronavirus. In Luton, people have been shouted at from cars. One woman wrote to me saying that she no longer feels safe, and walks around with her mask on and her hood up to cover her face.
This is all without looking at the cesspit of social media. During the pandemic, blatant racism and conspiracy theories have been allowed to spread – and social media apps have acted as a signal booster for far-right racists. I report racist videos I am sent of people eating live animals or claiming that I am part of some global Chinese government spy network, but social media companies like Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook should be held responsible for what is published on their sites.
We need an end to politicians telling us just how grateful they are for our contributions – for our culture and our skills, our healthcare workers, our businesses. Politicians need to act. Let’s act to end the virus of racism for good.