labourlist--2020-10-15--Labour says businesses need clarity as half not prepared for Brexit

Ed Miliband has declared that “ businesses desperately need clarity ” on post-Brexit arrangements as a new report has found that almost half are not prepared for the transition period coming to an end .
Responding to the publication of a report by the Institute of Directors today , the Shadow Business Secretary has stressed it is “ vital that Boris Johnson delivers the oven-ready trade deal he promised ” during his general election campaign .
The research released found in its survey of company directors that 45 % of all businesses were not ready for Brexit , with 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not sure they will be prepared by the end of the year .
Commenting on the challenge facing UK companies , Miliband said : “ Businesses are experiencing extreme uncertainty , facing the pressures of the coronavirus crisis , a deep recession and the end of the transition period approaching .
“ It is vital that Boris Johnson delivers the oven-ready trade deal he promised was ready and then answers the questions so many businesses are asking about the future arrangements they need to plan for .
“ Businesses desperately need clarity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment , with less than three months to go , many sectors are not being given the level of detail they need.
” The report also found that over half of all those surveyed , 54 % , think that the coronavirus pandemic will “ exacerbate/magnify a no-deal outcome ” in the trade negotiations currently ongoing between the UK and the EU .
Miliband added : “ To help them survive in the here and now and protect jobs , businesses across the country must also have access to the economic support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help tackle the virus.
” Labour slammed the government for “ short-changing businesses and communities across the North ” on Thursday and argued that the vast majority of businesses in areas under Tier 2 and Tier 3 Covid restrictions will receive insufficient support .
Commenting on the combined impact of Covid and Brexit , Institute of Directors ’ Allie Renison said : “ The prospect of no deal would be daunting enough , let alone dealing with it in the middle of a global pandemic.
” The senior policy adviser added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other out ” , and warned : “ Reacting to the pandemic has taken up so much of business leaders ’ time and energy throughout the year… “ Brexit adjustments will further add to businesses ’ cashflow challenges in the months ahead .
The government must look to how it can smooth that process .
“ Financial support as seen in other countries , whether through vouchers to help access advice or through extending tax reliefs to facilitate that adjustment , would give small firms a much better chance of coping.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small businesses forced to shut under the most severe level of Covid-19 measures will receive at most £500 a week of funding from local restrictions support grants .
As a result of changes to government financial aid announced by the Chancellor , this is significantly less than the average £1,666 a week that the same companies received in similar state support during the initial lockdown earlier this year .
Labour ’ s Rachel Reeves warned earlier this month that the government ’ s approach to negotiations with the EU is adding to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sectors across the country .
The Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster argued : “ Following the ninth round of scheduled talks , it ’ s vital that the Tory government and the EU intensify efforts to deliver the oven-ready deal that was promised.
” There are a number of issues outstanding in the negotiations , including the level of access for EU fishing vessels to UK waters .
EU leaders sent a letter to Johnson on Thursday , telling the government it must accept the EU ’ s conditions .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a decision today , as the current summit with the European bloc comes to a close , on whether there are grounds to continue the talks .
The transition period is set to conclude on December 31st .
Johnson told voters that would deliver an ‘ oven-ready ’ deal during the general election campaign as part of his pledge to the electorate to ‘ get Brexit done ’ .
The Conservative government signed the withdrawal agreement with the EU in January this year but has since brought forward the controversial internal market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that agreement .

Ed Miliband has declared that “businesses desperately need clarity” on post-Brexit arrangements as a new report has found that almost half are not prepared for the transition period coming to an end.
Responding to the publication of a report by the Institute of Directors today, the Shadow Business Secretary has stressed it is “vital that Boris Johnson delivers the oven-ready trade deal he promised” during his general election campaign.
The research released found in its survey of company directors that 45% of all businesses were not ready for Brexit, with 24% telling the organisation that they are not sure they will be prepared by the end of the year.
Commenting on the challenge facing UK companies, Miliband said: “Businesses are experiencing extreme uncertainty, facing the pressures of the coronavirus crisis, a deep recession and the end of the transition period approaching.
“It is vital that Boris Johnson delivers the oven-ready trade deal he promised was ready and then answers the questions so many businesses are asking about the future arrangements they need to plan for.
“Businesses desperately need clarity to prepare for the future – and at the moment, with less than three months to go, many sectors are not being given the level of detail they need.”
The report also found that over half of all those surveyed, 54%, think that the coronavirus pandemic will “exacerbate/magnify a no-deal outcome” in the trade negotiations currently ongoing between the UK and the EU.
Miliband added: “To help them survive in the here and now and protect jobs, businesses across the country must also have access to the economic support they need as public health restrictions tighten to help tackle the virus.”
Labour slammed the government for “short-changing businesses and communities across the North” on Thursday and argued that the vast majority of businesses in areas under Tier 2 and Tier 3 Covid restrictions will receive insufficient support.
Commenting on the combined impact of Covid and Brexit, Institute of Directors’ Allie Renison said: “The prospect of no deal would be daunting enough, let alone dealing with it in the middle of a global pandemic.”
The senior policy adviser added that “these disruptions won’t cancel each other out”, and warned: “Reacting to the pandemic has taken up so much of business leaders’ time and energy throughout the year…
“Brexit adjustments will further add to businesses’ cashflow challenges in the months ahead. The government must look to how it can smooth that process.
“Financial support as seen in other countries, whether through vouchers to help access advice or through extending tax reliefs to facilitate that adjustment, would give small firms a much better chance of coping.”
Analysis published by Labour has highlighted that small businesses forced to shut under the most severe level of Covid-19 measures will receive at most £500 a week of funding from local restrictions support grants.
As a result of changes to government financial aid announced by the Chancellor, this is significantly less than the average £1,666 a week that the same companies received in similar state support during the initial lockdown earlier this year.
Labour’s Rachel Reeves warned earlier this month that the government’s approach to negotiations with the EU is adding to the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic for many sectors across the country.
The Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster argued: “Following the ninth round of scheduled talks, it’s vital that the Tory government and the EU intensify efforts to deliver the oven-ready deal that was promised.”
There are a number of issues outstanding in the negotiations, including the level of access for EU fishing vessels to UK waters. EU leaders sent a letter to Johnson on Thursday, telling the government it must accept the EU’s conditions.
The Prime Minister has declared that he will make a decision today, as the current summit with the European bloc comes to a close, on whether there are grounds to continue the talks.
The transition period is set to conclude on December 31st. Johnson told voters that would deliver an ‘oven-ready’ deal during the general election campaign as part of his pledge to the electorate to ‘get Brexit done’.
The Conservative government signed the withdrawal agreement with the EU in January this year but has since brought forward the controversial internal market bill, which intentionally overwrites sections of that agreement.


labourlist--2020-10-15--34 Labour MPs break whip to oppose ‘spycops’ bill as seven frontbenchers quit

34 Labour MPs including seven opposition frontbenchers have broken the party whip today by voting against the covert human intelligence sources ( criminal conduct ) bill at third reading in the House of Commons .
The government-proposed legislation , which authorises criminal conduct by bodies such as police forces to enable their work , was approved by MPs with 313 votes in favour and 98 against including the SNP and Lib Dems .
The 34 Labour rebels , plus suspended Claudia Webbe , were nearly all from the left of the party .
16 were elected for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Labour left , also defied the whip .
The opposition party had whipped its representatives to abstain on the bill on the basis that the legislation is “ far from perfect ” yet “ necessary ” due to “ the need to provide a clear lawful framework for the use of human intelligence sources ” .
Dan Carden resigned from the shadow Treasury team this morning in a letter to Keir Starmer , which described the third reading vote as a “ matter of conscience ” on a bill that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education minister Margaret Greenwood also broke the whip .
She was appointed as a member of Rebecca Long-Bailey ’ s team , but the leadership candidate was replaced by Kate Green after being sacked by Starmer .
Parliamentary private secretaries Nav Mishra , Kim Johnson , Mary Foy and Rachel Hopkins – all members of the Socialist Campaign Group – have also quit the frontbench to vote against , plus Sarah Owen , usually thought of as ‘ soft left ’ .
Both Mishra and Johnson were PPSs of Labour ’ s deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Andy McDonald , Hopkins PPS to Marsha de Cordova and Owen was appointed Rachel Reeves ’ PPS earlier this month .
LabourList understands that Starmer met with MPs personally this week to urge them not to break the whip on the so-called ‘ spycops ’ bill , after concerns expressed over the abstention plans were not confined to SCG members .
Sam Tarry did not resign today although he was expected to do so .
LabourList understands that the decision was made not to quit after Starmer made a number of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPs that was pivotal .
A source on the Labour left said : “ This afternoon a number of frontbenchers on Labour ’ s left – including Andy McDonald , Imran Hussain , Rachael Maskell , Cat Smith , Marsha de Cordova , Alex Sobel , Sam Tarry and Charlotte Nichols – took the collective decision to stay on the frontbench and use their roles to ensure the left has a stronger voice in future party policy .
“ They were also given clear assurances by the leader that the party will use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and have more high-profile campaigning using opposition time from next week onwards.
” LabourList understands that Starmer ’ s commitments included a clear statement that a Labour government is committed to reforming the bill that passes in line with the party ’ s amendments , and meanwhile to aggressively pursue amendments in the Lords .
The leader also pledged to pursue legislation on wider concerns , particularly around trade union issues such as the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign , and to put forward clear commitments and campaigning actions , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One senior trade union official told LabourList : “ My understanding is that a number of Labour MPs met with Keir Starmer before the CHIS bill vote , who gave several commitments .
“ Starmer also made clear that there is no “ abstention strategy ” , and that if there are no changes to the overseas operations bill the party will vote against it at the third reading.
” In a House of Commons contribution to the debate this afternoon , referring to Neil Kinnock ’ s famous 1985 Labour Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I fear my own party is being taken for a ride by this government .
“ I tell you what happens : you start with the idea that legislating for something that operates in the shadows must be a good thing .
You then engage in good faith with a morally bankrupt government arguing for vital safeguards .
“ Once that government finishes stringing you along , you end up in the perverse situation of condoning laws that a ride coach and horses through our nation ’ s civil liberties and could even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The former shadow financial secretary also told MPs : “ The bill is written so badly and broadly that it ’ s effectively a license to criminally disrupt working people taking action to support themselves , their co-workers , their families .
“ We have seen this all too often in the past .
The bill paves the way for gross abuse of state power against its citizens .
And in Liverpool , we have a healthy suspicion of state power because we ’ ve felt its damaging force too often in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scandal of ‘ spycops ’ relationships with women engaging in legal activities .
He said those targeted are “ completely duped ” , adding : “ Does this bill protect women from that in the future ?
I think we all know the answer to that.
” Labour backbencher Stella Creasy did not vote against the bill , but raised concerns over the protection of children who become human intelligence sources and suggested the issue would likely be addressed in the House of Lords .
She told MPs : “ There may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become an informant .
It is right therefore that we have incredibly strict guidelines that put the interests of that child at heart when that happens.
” 34 Labour MPs who defied whip to vote against CHIS bill : Diane Abbott , Tahir Ali , Paula Barker , Apsana Begum , Olivia Blake , Richard Burgon , Dawn Butler , Ian Byrne , Dan Carden , Jeremy Corbyn , Geraint Davies , Mary Foy , Barry Gardiner , Margaret Greenwood , Rachel Hopkins , Kim Johnson , Ian Lavery , Clive Lewis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McDonnell , Ian Mearns , Navendu Mishra , Grahame Morris , Kate Osamor , Kate Osborne , Sarah Owen , Bell Ribeiro-Addy , Lloyd Russell-Moyle , Zarah Sultana , Jon Trickett , Mick Whitley , Nadia Whittome , Beth Winter .

34 Labour MPs including seven opposition frontbenchers have broken the party whip today by voting against the covert human intelligence sources (criminal conduct) bill at third reading in the House of Commons.
The government-proposed legislation, which authorises criminal conduct by bodies such as police forces to enable their work, was approved by MPs with 313 votes in favour and 98 against including the SNP and Lib Dems.
The 34 Labour rebels, plus suspended Claudia Webbe, were nearly all from the left of the party. 16 were elected for the first time last year. Geraint Davies, not on the Labour left, also defied the whip.
The opposition party had whipped its representatives to abstain on the bill on the basis that the legislation is “far from perfect” yet “necessary” due to “the need to provide a clear lawful framework for the use of human intelligence sources”.
Dan Carden resigned from the shadow Treasury team this morning in a letter to Keir Starmer, which described the third reading vote as a “matter of conscience” on a bill that “sets dangerous new precedents”.
Shadow education minister Margaret Greenwood also broke the whip. She was appointed as a member of Rebecca Long-Bailey’s team, but the leadership candidate was replaced by Kate Green after being sacked by Starmer.
Parliamentary private secretaries Nav Mishra, Kim Johnson, Mary Foy and Rachel Hopkins – all members of the Socialist Campaign Group – have also quit the frontbench to vote against, plus Sarah Owen, usually thought of as ‘soft left’.
Both Mishra and Johnson were PPSs of Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner. Foy was PPS to Andy McDonald, Hopkins PPS to Marsha de Cordova and Owen was appointed Rachel Reeves’ PPS earlier this month.
LabourList understands that Starmer met with MPs personally this week to urge them not to break the whip on the so-called ‘spycops’ bill, after concerns expressed over the abstention plans were not confined to SCG members.
Sam Tarry did not resign today although he was expected to do so. LabourList understands that the decision was made not to quit after Starmer made a number of “concessions” in a private meeting of MPs that was pivotal.
A source on the Labour left said: “This afternoon a number of frontbenchers on Labour’s left – including Andy McDonald, Imran Hussain, Rachael Maskell, Cat Smith, Marsha de Cordova, Alex Sobel, Sam Tarry and Charlotte Nichols – took the collective decision to stay on the frontbench and use their roles to ensure the left has a stronger voice in future party policy.
“They were also given clear assurances by the leader that the party will use its position to push forward union issues, and have more high-profile campaigning using opposition time from next week onwards.”
LabourList understands that Starmer’s commitments included a clear statement that a Labour government is committed to reforming the bill that passes in line with the party’s amendments, and meanwhile to aggressively pursue amendments in the Lords.
The leader also pledged to pursue legislation on wider concerns, particularly around trade union issues such as the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, and to put forward clear commitments and campaigning actions, for example a draft bill on an Orgreave Inquiry.
One senior trade union official told LabourList: “My understanding is that a number of Labour MPs met with Keir Starmer before the CHIS bill vote, who gave several commitments.
“Starmer also made clear that there is no “abstention strategy”, and that if there are no changes to the overseas operations bill the party will vote against it at the third reading.”
Another trade union source, who strongly disagreed with the MPs who stayed, told LabourList: “The majority of the left no longer has faith that these roles carry any influence at all, and is scathing about those who chose to keep their jobs rather than back the people who put them there.”
In a House of Commons contribution to the debate this afternoon, referring to Neil Kinnock’s famous 1985 Labour Party conference speech, Carden said: “I fear my own party is being taken for a ride by this government.
“I tell you what happens: you start with the idea that legislating for something that operates in the shadows must be a good thing. You then engage in good faith with a morally bankrupt government arguing for vital safeguards.
“Once that government finishes stringing you along, you end up in the perverse situation of condoning laws that a ride coach and horses through our nation’s civil liberties and could even be used against the labour movement itself.”
The former shadow financial secretary also told MPs: “The bill is written so badly and broadly that it’s effectively a license to criminally disrupt working people taking action to support themselves, their co-workers, their families.
“We have seen this all too often in the past. The bill paves the way for gross abuse of state power against its citizens. And in Liverpool, we have a healthy suspicion of state power because we’ve felt its damaging force too often in the past.”
Jeremy Corbyn highlighted the scandal of ‘spycops’ relationships with women engaging in legal activities. He said those targeted are “completely duped”, adding: “Does this bill protect women from that in the future? I think we all know the answer to that.”
Labour backbencher Stella Creasy did not vote against the bill, but raised concerns over the protection of children who become human intelligence sources and suggested the issue would likely be addressed in the House of Lords.
She told MPs: “There may be exceptional circumstances in which a child may become an informant. It is right therefore that we have incredibly strict guidelines that put the interests of that child at heart when that happens.”
34 Labour MPs who defied whip to vote against CHIS bill: Diane Abbott, Tahir Ali, Paula Barker, Apsana Begum, Olivia Blake, Richard Burgon, Dawn Butler, Ian Byrne, Dan Carden, Jeremy Corbyn, Geraint Davies, Mary Foy, Barry Gardiner, Margaret Greenwood, Rachel Hopkins, Kim Johnson, Ian Lavery, Clive Lewis, Tony Lloyd, Rebecca Long-Bailey, John McDonnell, Ian Mearns, Navendu Mishra, Grahame Morris, Kate Osamor, Kate Osborne, Sarah Owen, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Zarah Sultana, Jon Trickett, Mick Whitley, Nadia Whittome, Beth Winter.


labourlist--2020-10-16--Labour calls for free school meals to be extended over holidays until spring

Labour is calling for free school meals to be extended over holidays between now and spring 2021 , covering the upcoming October half-term , the Christmas break , February half-term and the Easter holidays .
The demand comes after Premier League footballer Marcus Rashford , who helped to force a government U-turn on free meals in July , launched a fresh campaign against child food poverty with a new parliamentary petition .
But Boris Johnson rejected Rashford ’ s plea , saying : “ It ’ s not for schools to regularly provide food to pupils during the school holidays.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ families apply for Universal Credit .
The footballer commented : “ Merry Christmas kids… It ’ s also not for food banks to feed millions of British children but here we are .
250 % increase in food poverty and rising… This is not going away anytime soon and neither am I… ” Labour is now joining the fight , with Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green emphasising that inadequate financial support being offered during the pandemic risks leaving more than 1.4 million children hungry during holidays .
She said : “ Millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ livelihoods because the government has lost control of the virus .
Its sink-or-swim plans for support could leave more than one million children at risk of going hungry over the school holidays .
“ Now is the time to act .
Labour will not stand by and let families be the victims of the government ’ s incompetence .
If Boris Johnson doesn ’ t change course , we will force a vote this week and give his backbenchers the chance to do the right thing.
” Tory chair of the education select @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the Prime Minister ’ s reaction to the call for free meals to be extended over holidays for children in low-income families .
The October half-term holiday will come as Rishi Sunak ’ s national furlough scheme ends .
He has announced a local version , but this only applies to businesses forced to close , and his other scheme is only predicted to save 230,000 jobs .
The first week of the Chancellor ’ s ‘ Eat Out to Help Out ’ scheme in August is estimated to have seen the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meal discounts .
The cost is almost as high as an entire summer of free school meals .
The Welsh Labour government has announced that free school meals will continue to be available to eligible pupils in Wales over the October half-term and for all school holidays up to and including Easter 2021 .

Labour is calling for free school meals to be extended over holidays between now and spring 2021, covering the upcoming October half-term, the Christmas break, February half-term and the Easter holidays.
The demand comes after Premier League footballer Marcus Rashford, who helped to force a government U-turn on free meals in July, launched a fresh campaign against child food poverty with a new parliamentary petition.
But Boris Johnson rejected Rashford’s plea, saying: “It’s not for schools to regularly provide food to pupils during the school holidays.” The Prime Minister recommended that struggling families apply for Universal Credit.
The footballer commented: “Merry Christmas kids… It’s also not for food banks to feed millions of British children but here we are. 250% increase in food poverty and rising… This is not going away anytime soon and neither am I…”
Labour is now joining the fight, with Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green emphasising that inadequate financial support being offered during the pandemic risks leaving more than 1.4 million children hungry during holidays.
She said: “Millions of families face the prospect of losing their livelihoods because the government has lost control of the virus. Its sink-or-swim plans for support could leave more than one million children at risk of going hungry over the school holidays.
“Now is the time to act. Labour will not stand by and let families be the victims of the government’s incompetence. If Boris Johnson doesn’t change course, we will force a vote this week and give his backbenchers the chance to do the right thing.”
Tory chair of the education select committee Robert Halfon has also expressed disappointment over the Prime Minister’s reaction to the call for free meals to be extended over holidays for children in low-income families.
He tweeted : “We need a long-term plan to combat child food hunger, especially given 32% of families have had a drop in income since March. @obr_uk predicts 336,500 more workers facing food insecurity due to rising unemployment.”
The October half-term holiday will come as Rishi Sunak’s national furlough scheme ends. He has announced a local version, but this only applies to businesses forced to close, and his other scheme is only predicted to save 230,000 jobs.
The first week of the Chancellor’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme in August is estimated to have seen the government spend £105m covering the cost of meal discounts. The cost is almost as high as an entire summer of free school meals.
The Welsh Labour government has announced that free school meals will continue to be available to eligible pupils in Wales over the October half-term and for all school holidays up to and including Easter 2021.


labourlist--2020-10-16--Why we’re asking Labour NEC candidates to tell us if they are landlords

We formed Labour Tenants United in the wake of the outrage spawned by the plan to have tenants on the hook for debt repayments once the pandemic was over .
It was clear that the membership and the party were at odds over the idea that tenants – two-thirds of whom had no savings coming into this crisis – ought to cover the risk of their landlord ’ s investment .
It was a sign that those in charge were out of touch with the lived reality of a major chunk of the party ’ s supporters .
Since then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party is moving backwards – not just on the response to coronavirus , but also on the necessary policies put forward in Labour ’ s 2019 manifesto .
There was a firm commitment to rent controls and repealing Right to Buy in the last manifesto and any movement away from that position , particularly on Right to Buy , is a betrayal of tenants .
The right to buy council housing was introduced by Margaret Thatcher ’ s government in 1980 .
It was pitched as a chance to increase social mobility , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political effects of increasing homeownership have been fantastic for the Tories while the long-term impact on housing provision has been disastrous .
As house prices have inflated , it has become increasingly clear that rather than living in a “ property-owning democracy ” we instead live in a “ property bubble democracy ” .
And the tenants in private and social accommodation left outside that bubble have been abandoned .
Before Right to Buy , the stock of social housing was trending upwards .
Since then , the opposite has been happening .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ share of housing comes from private landlords – so much so that a large proportion of the social housing sold under Right to Buy is now privately rented .
The housing situation in the UK is deteriorating , and that deterioration is intrinsically linked to the rising income and power of private landlords .
Labour ’ s backtracking on these issues is a sign that the decision-makers in the party do not understand the fundamentally opposed interests of landlords and tenants .
Recognising this conflict is vital if the party wants to develop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for private tenants .
The party can not return to appealing to the better nature of landlords .
Attempting to solve structural problems through a collaborative approach is doomed to fail .
There have been decades of promises to get private landlords to provide affordable housing instead of the government .
These programmes , with very few exceptions , have failed because it is antithetical to the interests of landlords to provide affordable housing when the nature of the housing market means they stand to profit more if they charge more .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of tenants owes them more than equivocation .
It is hard to discount that the continued and disproportionate presence of landlords in positions of power within Labour might be one factor that explains why the party has been falling short .
Labour Tenants United firmly believes that tenants ought to know who they are voting for in internal Labour elections .
We believe that the conflicting interests between landlords and tenants make it necessary that tenants know which candidates own and rent properties .
This is not a call for a ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor are we advocating voting for any specific set of candidates .
We are simply saying that members whose interests are opposed to landlords deserve to have as much information as possible before they cast their votes .
To that end , we are launching a new campaign for these national executive committee ( NEC ) elections .
We will be asking each candidate whether they own and rent a property , and we will be publicising their answers .
The Labour membership is made up in large part by tenants – they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

We formed Labour Tenants United in the wake of the outrage spawned by the plan to have tenants on the hook for debt repayments once the pandemic was over. It was clear that the membership and the party were at odds over the idea that tenants – two-thirds of whom had no savings coming into this crisis – ought to cover the risk of their landlord’s investment. It was a sign that those in charge were out of touch with the lived reality of a major chunk of the party’s supporters.
Since then, there have been signs that the party is moving backwards – not just on the response to coronavirus, but also on the necessary policies put forward in Labour’s 2019 manifesto. There was a firm commitment to rent controls and repealing Right to Buy in the last manifesto and any movement away from that position, particularly on Right to Buy, is a betrayal of tenants.
The right to buy council housing was introduced by Margaret Thatcher’s government in 1980. It was pitched as a chance to increase social mobility, but the reality is that the short-term political effects of increasing homeownership have been fantastic for the Tories while the long-term impact on housing provision has been disastrous. As house prices have inflated, it has become increasingly clear that rather than living in a “property-owning democracy” we instead live in a “property bubble democracy”. And the tenants in private and social accommodation left outside that bubble have been abandoned.
Before Right to Buy, the stock of social housing was trending upwards. Since then, the opposite has been happening. Social housing is declining and an increasing share of housing comes from private landlords – so much so that a large proportion of the social housing sold under Right to Buy is now privately rented. The housing situation in the UK is deteriorating, and that deterioration is intrinsically linked to the rising income and power of private landlords.
Labour’s backtracking on these issues is a sign that the decision-makers in the party do not understand the fundamentally opposed interests of landlords and tenants. Recognising this conflict is vital if the party wants to develop a programme to really fix the situation for private tenants. The party cannot return to appealing to the better nature of landlords. Attempting to solve structural problems through a collaborative approach is doomed to fail.
There have been decades of promises to get private landlords to provide affordable housing instead of the government. These programmes, with very few exceptions, have failed because it is antithetical to the interests of landlords to provide affordable housing when the nature of the housing market means they stand to profit more if they charge more. A party that relies so strongly on the support of tenants owes them more than equivocation. It is hard to discount that the continued and disproportionate presence of landlords in positions of power within Labour might be one factor that explains why the party has been falling short.
Labour Tenants United firmly believes that tenants ought to know who they are voting for in internal Labour elections. We believe that the conflicting interests between landlords and tenants make it necessary that tenants know which candidates own and rent properties. This is not a call for a ban on landlords in the Labour Party, nor are we advocating voting for any specific set of candidates. We are simply saying that members whose interests are opposed to landlords deserve to have as much information as possible before they cast their votes. To that end, we are launching a new campaign for these national executive committee (NEC) elections. We will be asking each candidate whether they own and rent a property, and we will be publicising their answers. The Labour membership is made up in large part by tenants – they deserve better, and they deserve transparency.


labourlist--2020-10-16--Wes Streeting, James Murray, Abena Oppong-Asare given new frontbench roles

Wes Streeting , James Murray and Abena Oppong-Asare have been given new roles by Keir Starmer today , LabourList can reveal , as a Labour frontbench reshuffle takes place following resignations this week .
Shadow ministers Dan Carden and Margaret Greenwood quit their posts on Thursday in order to defy the Labour whip and vote against the covert human intelligence sources ( criminal conduct ) bill at third reading .
Wes Streeting , previously shadow exchequer secretary to the Treasury , has replaced Margaret Greenwood as shadow schools minister .
He wrote for LabourList in June about receiving free school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of the National Union of Students between 2008 and 2010 , and also served as a member of the national committee of Labour Students for four years around this time .
Commenting on his new role , Streeting tweeted : “ Having grown up on a council estate , on free school meals , experiencing child poverty in the 1980s , I wouldn ’ t be where I am today without a great state education.
” Abena Oppong-Asare has replaced Streeting in his old shadow Treasury team role .
The 2019 intake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anneliese Dodds and Bridget Phillipson in the same team since April .
Oppong-Asare was elected as MP for Erith and Thamesmead for the first time last year .
The chair of Labour Women ’ s Network has written about homelessness twice for LabourList since entering parliament .
James Murray , who was in the Labour whips office until now , has been picked to replace left-winger Dan Carden as shadow financial secretary to the Treasury .
He was also elected for the first time in 2019 .
Murray is considered to be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party .
When running for selection in Ealing North last year , he was the leadership ’ s preferred candidate and his bid was backed by Unite the Union .
The MPs who have been promoted are seen by those close to the Labour leadership as strong broadcast performers , and they are being allocated to policy briefs thought likely to be crucial in 2024 .
LabourList understands that further appointments will be confirmed in the coming days , as former PPSs Nav Mishra , Kim Johnson , Mary Foy , Rachel Hopkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replaced on the opposition frontbench .

Wes Streeting, James Murray and Abena Oppong-Asare have been given new roles by Keir Starmer today, LabourList can reveal, as a Labour frontbench reshuffle takes place following resignations this week.
Shadow ministers Dan Carden and Margaret Greenwood quit their posts on Thursday in order to defy the Labour whip and vote against the covert human intelligence sources (criminal conduct) bill at third reading.
Wes Streeting, previously shadow exchequer secretary to the Treasury, has replaced Margaret Greenwood as shadow schools minister. He wrote for LabourList in June about receiving free school meals.
The Ilford North MP was president of the National Union of Students between 2008 and 2010, and also served as a member of the national committee of Labour Students for four years around this time.
Commenting on his new role, Streeting tweeted: “Having grown up on a council estate, on free school meals, experiencing child poverty in the 1980s, I wouldn’t be where I am today without a great state education.”
Abena Oppong-Asare has replaced Streeting in his old shadow Treasury team role. The 2019 intake MP had been parliamentary private secretary to Anneliese Dodds and Bridget Phillipson in the same team since April.
Oppong-Asare was elected as MP for Erith and Thamesmead for the first time last year. The chair of Labour Women’s Network has written about homelessness twice for LabourList since entering parliament.
James Murray, who was in the Labour whips office until now, has been picked to replace left-winger Dan Carden as shadow financial secretary to the Treasury. He was also elected for the first time in 2019.
Murray is considered to be on the ‘soft left’ of the party. When running for selection in Ealing North last year, he was the leadership’s preferred candidate and his bid was backed by Unite the Union.
The MPs who have been promoted are seen by those close to the Labour leadership as strong broadcast performers, and they are being allocated to policy briefs thought likely to be crucial in 2024.
LabourList understands that further appointments will be confirmed in the coming days, as former PPSs Nav Mishra, Kim Johnson, Mary Foy, Rachel Hopkins and Sarah Owen also need to be replaced on the opposition frontbench.


labourlist--2020-10-16--Labour criticises Serco profit projections as “grim beyond belief”

Labour ’ s Rachel Reeves has described it as “ grim beyond belief ” that outsourcing firm Serco is set to exceed profit expectations for the year due to its much-criticised work on the government ’ s test and trace scheme .
Reacting to news that the company expects to make over £160m this year – millions more than expected – the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said the government should “ sack Serco ” .
Labour has called for a two- or three-week national ‘ circuit break ’ lockdown to avoid the chaos and confusion caused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has been criticised for being unclear .
Trade union UNISON was also critical of Serco ’ s new profit forecasts , with its assistant general secretary saying “ shareholders shouldn ’ t be rubbing their hands with glee when the test and trace system is a catastrophe ” .
Commenting on the new profit figures , the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said : “ This is grim beyond belief .
While Serco is raking in the profits , people are paying the price for its failure .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curb its obsession with pouring money into big companies over our local public health teams , it surely can see that this wasteful approach lacks basic common sense and isn ’ t reducing the transmission of the virus .
“ It is time to sack Serco and bring in a short circuit breaker , so we can fix test and trace , protect the NHS and get control of the virus.
” Serco announced today that it expects a profit of between £160m and £165m this year , tens of millions of pounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to £150m .
Its overall revenue is expected to be £3.9bn – up from a predicted £3.7bn .
The firm has faced widespread criticism for its role in the government ’ s Covid test and trace system as it has been found to be worse than local public health teams at tracing those who have been exposed to coronavirus .
In the Welsh system run by local health authorities , over 85 % of contacts are reached according to the most recent figures .
In England , where much of the system is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of contacts are being reached .
Labour has also been critical of the fact that 85 % of Serco ’ s work on contact tracing services has been sold on to third-party companies .
Serco and the government refuse to disclose the identity of the other firms .
MPs on Wednesday resoundingly rejected an opposition day motion from Labour that called on the government to drop firms such as Serco from its test and trace system and instead expand the role of public health teams .
Trade unions have also been critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government ’ s coronavirus response , with public service union UNISON warning that any Covid vaccine roll-out must not involve outside firms .
Reacting to Serco ’ s new profit forecasts , UNISON ’ s Christina McAnea added : “ It was a mistake from the start for the government to have involved private companies , instead of the NHS and local authorities .
“ Shareholders shouldn ’ t be rubbing their hands with glee when the test and trace system is a catastrophe .
Infections are rising , hospital admissions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just had its worst week ever .
“ No one should be profiting from failure .
The government must immediately hand this service to public health bodies and do likewise for the roll-out of any vaccination programme.
” It was revealed by Sky News this week that the UK government is being charged day rates of around £7,000 , the equivalent of £1.5m annual salaries , by management consultants to work on Test and Trace .
Serco and Sitel , the two private firms hired to handle test and trace , are set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the scheme .
Serco receives 40 % of its overall income from contracts running UK public services .

Labour’s Rachel Reeves has described it as “grim beyond belief” that outsourcing firm Serco is set to exceed profit expectations for the year due to its much-criticised work on the government’s test and trace scheme.
Reacting to news that the company expects to make over £160m this year – millions more than expected – the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said the government should “sack Serco”.
Labour has called for a two- or three-week national ‘circuit break’ lockdown to avoid the chaos and confusion caused by regional restrictions and the new three-tiered system that has been criticised for being unclear.
Trade union UNISON was also critical of Serco’s new profit forecasts, with its assistant general secretary saying “shareholders shouldn’t be rubbing their hands with glee when the test and trace system is a catastrophe”.
Commenting on the new profit figures, the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said: “This is grim beyond belief. While Serco is raking in the profits, people are paying the price for its failure.
“If the government can’t bear to curb its obsession with pouring money into big companies over our local public health teams, it surely can see that this wasteful approach lacks basic common sense and isn’t reducing the transmission of the virus.
“It is time to sack Serco and bring in a short circuit breaker, so we can fix test and trace, protect the NHS and get control of the virus.”
Serco announced today that it expects a profit of between £160m and £165m this year, tens of millions of pounds more than its initial estimates of £135m to £150m. Its overall revenue is expected to be £3.9bn – up from a predicted £3.7bn.
The firm has faced widespread criticism for its role in the government’s Covid test and trace system as it has been found to be worse than local public health teams at tracing those who have been exposed to coronavirus.
In the Welsh system run by local health authorities, over 85% of contacts are reached according to the most recent figures. In England, where much of the system is handled by private firms, just 69% of contacts are being reached.
Labour has also been critical of the fact that 85% of Serco’s work on contact tracing services has been sold on to third-party companies. Serco and the government refuse to disclose the identity of the other firms.
MPs on Wednesday resoundingly rejected an opposition day motion from Labour that called on the government to drop firms such as Serco from its test and trace system and instead expand the role of public health teams.
Trade unions have also been critical of the role of private companies in the government’s coronavirus response, with public service union UNISON warning that any Covid vaccine roll-out must not involve outside firms.
Reacting to Serco’s new profit forecasts, UNISON’s Christina McAnea added: “It was a mistake from the start for the government to have involved private companies, instead of the NHS and local authorities.
“Shareholders shouldn’t be rubbing their hands with glee when the test and trace system is a catastrophe. Infections are rising, hospital admissions are soaring, and Test and Trace has just had its worst week ever.
“No one should be profiting from failure. The government must immediately hand this service to public health bodies and do likewise for the roll-out of any vaccination programme.”
It was revealed by Sky News this week that the UK government is being charged day rates of around £7,000, the equivalent of £1.5m annual salaries, by management consultants to work on Test and Trace.
Serco and Sitel, the two private firms hired to handle test and trace, are set to receive over £1bn for their work on the scheme. Serco receives 40% of its overall income from contracts running UK public services.


labourlist--2020-10-16--PM accused of “playing politics with jobs and lives” after no deal Brexit threat

Boris Johnson has been accused of “ playing politics with people ’ s jobs and lives ” after announcing at the conclusion of the European Council summit today that the UK must be prepared for a no deal Brexit .
The Prime Minister had set a deadline of October 15th for securing an agreement with the EU to be in place when the Brexit transition period ends on December 31st , but this target was missed and he has now escalated the ‘ no deal ’ rhetoric .
In a statement today , Johnson claimed the government had “ wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” with the European Union but the summit suggests “ that won ’ t work for our EU partners ” .
Urging businesses , hauliers and travellers to “ get ready ” , he said : “ I ’ ve concluded that we should get ready for 1 January with arrangements that are more like Australia ’ s , based on simple principles of global free trade.
” The Prime Minister has not strictly walked away from negotiations , but said he has decided that the UK will listen only if there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU side – and indicated that this appears unlikely .
Reacting to the comments , Unite the Union ’ s Len McCluskey said : “ The Prime Minister must stop playing politics with people ’ s jobs and lives .
No deal will be a disaster for an economy already suffering deep harm due to the pandemic .
“ There is every risk that our country could experience its worst recession in generations and the Prime Minister ’ s reckless refusal to do a deal with the EU will only make things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general secretary pointed out that the UK ’ s automotive industry “ relies on 1,100 trucks delivering parts from Europe every day for it to function ” and no customs arrangements will produce “ chaos and delays on our borders ” .
Although the Prime Minister has said businesses must be prepared for no deal , a new report by the Institute of Directors has found that almost half of UK businesses are not ready for the transition period coming to an end .
The research released found in a survey of company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not ready for Brexit , with 24 % telling the organisation that they are not certain they will be prepared by the end of the year .
The European Council has expressed “ concern that progress on the key issues of interest to the Union is still not sufficient for an agreement to be reached ” and has invited chief negotiator David Frost to continue talks .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab declared this morning that a UK-EU deal was still possible but said he had been “ disappointed by the lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the European Council ” .
The PM ’ s spokesperson went further , saying : “ The trade talks are over .
The EU has effectively ended them by saying they do not want to change their negotiating position .
The EU can either fundamentally change their position or we can leave on Australian terms.
” Labour has not commented on the latest developments today , with the opposition frontbench spokesperson in charge of Brexit policy Rachel Reeves instead focusing on the role of Serco in the Covid test and trace system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Changing Europe event earlier this month to warn that “ leaving without a deal would be the very worst thing that could happen now ” , though concluded : “ I think on balance now there is more likely to be a deal than not .
”

Boris Johnson has been accused of “playing politics with people’s jobs and lives” after announcing at the conclusion of the European Council summit today that the UK must be prepared for a no-deal Brexit.
The Prime Minister had set a deadline of October 15th for securing an agreement with the EU to be in place when the Brexit transition period ends on December 31st, but this target was missed and he has now escalated the ‘no deal’ rhetoric.
In a statement today, Johnson claimed the government had “wanted nothing more complicated than a Canada-style relationship” with the European Union but the summit suggests “that won’t work for our EU partners”.
Urging businesses, hauliers and travellers to “get ready”, he said: “I’ve concluded that we should get ready for 1 January with arrangements that are more like Australia’s, based on simple principles of global free trade.”
The Prime Minister has not strictly walked away from negotiations, but said he has decided that the UK will listen only if there is “fundamental change of approach” from the EU side – and indicated that this appears unlikely.


labourlist--2020-10-16--Why federalism won’t solve Scotland’s constitutional deadlock

This week saw the release of a new poll by Ipsos MORI that put support for Scottish independence at 58 % , and pointed to the election of another pro-independence majority in next May ’ s Scottish elections .
This has become a trend , with the last ten national polls all giving independence a lead .
Scottish Labour figures have responded by reiterating calls for more powers .
Federalism is the word that Keir Starmer and others have used over recent months – but when the Scottish electorate is so polarised , there are big problems with this approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2014 , Gordon Brown argued for “ as near as possible federalism ” if Scots voted No .
In the months that followed , Labour joined the Smith commission , a cross-party group to consider extra powers for the Scottish parliament .
It brought in new powers , but not as many as Brown had implied , and not enough to quash demand for independence .
Scottish leader Richard Leonard has sought to clarify what federalism means , but has often been curtailed by colleagues .
Does it mean fiscal autonomy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for councils ?
Until there is a shared understanding , it will mean different things to different people and be a very hard sell .
There ’ s little demand for it in Scotland .
Even if there was agreement across the party , it will be hard to build on .
There is no civic movement for federalism and limited evidence of a demand among pro-union Scots .
Polls show a majority of Scots want more powers , but most who say that also support independence .
A damning report into Scottish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our Scottish Future think tank concluded that the policy has “ limited cut-through with the population or buy-in from either side of the debate ” .
And then there ’ s Europe .
The growth in support for independence has been exacerbated by Covid , but it has also been driven by Boris Johnson winning a majority and delivering a hard Brexit that most Scots oppose .
Polling shows Scots prioritise EU membership over UK membership .
Unfortunately federalism can not maintain Scotland ’ s place in Europe .
There ’ s little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many forms of federalism would require the support of the UK .
To create parity , England would need to be broken down with powers devolved across regions .
Unfortunately there is little demand for this beyond its current pace .
Covid may change things , with mayors playing a bigger public role , but , to date , assemblies and devolution have rarely been embraced outside London .
Ultimately , federalism is not dependent on the votes of Scots .
Even if Labour won every SNP seat in 2024 , it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commons .
The next Labour majority needs to be built in England .
The electorate in England is not particularly phased by the prospect of Scottish independence , with a majority saying the break-up of the union would be a price worth paying to secure Brexit .
Can the same electorate really be persuaded to redraw the UK in order to avoid it ?
How would it be delivered ?
The Tories are unlikely to implement this kind of change , so who will ?
A UK-wide Labour government could , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much easier said than done .
Assuming an SNP-led majority is elected next May , there will be huge pressure for another Scottish vote ahead of the 2024 election .
Even if a referendum was held off for that time and a Labour government was elected , there would be so many things for it to focus on and rebuild , would federalism be such a priority ?
Even with the political will to do it , this kind of project could take decades .
That is why the biggest problem for federalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With or without independence , there can be a future for Scottish Labour , but it is increasingly hard to see how that happens while the constitution dominates the debate .
That is why I tend to think that , regardless of the result , rebuilding will not be possible on this side of another referendum .
Another point from this week ’ s poll is that it also showed a split among Labour supporters , with 42 % favouring independence .
Nobody expects Labour to support it as a party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership to support Holyrood ’ s right to call a vote in the likely event of another pro-independence majority being elected next May .
Questions are already being asked , but the messaging has been inconsistent , with Keir Starmer and Scottish Labour ’ s only MP , Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray , appearing to take different lines .
If Labour is to hold on to the supporters who favour independence , clarity is needed .
It won ’ t necessarily stop a bad result next May , but it could make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The alternative approach of refusing to back that right while saying ‘ vote for us in four years ’ time and if we get into government we may deliver federalism ’ feels like a political dead end ( and particularly difficult for a leadership that was so favourable to a second Brexit referendum ) .
Brexit and the election of two majority Tory governments have led to a material change in circumstances since 2014 and demand for a rethink .
Accepting the democratic right of Scots to reconsider the question might be difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

This week saw the release of a new poll by Ipsos MORI that put support for Scottish independence at 58%, and pointed to the election of another pro-independence majority in next May’s Scottish elections. This has become a trend, with the last ten national polls all giving independence a lead.
Scottish Labour figures have responded by reiterating calls for more powers. Federalism is the word that Keir Starmer and others have used over recent months – but when the Scottish electorate is so polarised, there are big problems with this approach.
Nobody agrees on what it means.
In 2014, Gordon Brown argued for “as near as possible federalism” if Scots voted No. In the months that followed, Labour joined the Smith commission, a cross-party group to consider extra powers for the Scottish parliament. It brought in new powers, but not as many as Brown had implied, and not enough to quash demand for independence.
Scottish leader Richard Leonard has sought to clarify what federalism means, but has often been curtailed by colleagues. Does it mean fiscal autonomy? Does it simply mean more powers for councils? Until there is a shared understanding, it will mean different things to different people and be a very hard sell.
There’s little demand for it in Scotland.
Even if there was agreement across the party, it will be hard to build on. There is no civic movement for federalism and limited evidence of a demand among pro-union Scots. Polls show a majority of Scots want more powers, but most who say that also support independence.
A damning report into Scottish Labour’s 2019 defeat by the Our Scottish Future think tank concluded that the policy has “limited cut-through with the population or buy-in from either side of the debate”.
And then there’s Europe. The growth in support for independence has been exacerbated by Covid, but it has also been driven by Boris Johnson winning a majority and delivering a hard Brexit that most Scots oppose. Polling shows Scots prioritise EU membership over UK membership. Unfortunately federalism cannot maintain Scotland’s place in Europe.
There’s little demand for it in the UK.
Many forms of federalism would require the support of the UK. To create parity, England would need to be broken down with powers devolved across regions. Unfortunately there is little demand for this beyond its current pace. Covid may change things, with mayors playing a bigger public role, but, to date, assemblies and devolution have rarely been embraced outside London.
Ultimately, federalism is not dependent on the votes of Scots. Even if Labour won every SNP seat in 2024, it would not impact on non-Tory numbers in the Commons. The next Labour majority needs to be built in England.
The electorate in England is not particularly phased by the prospect of Scottish independence, with a majority saying the break-up of the union would be a price worth paying to secure Brexit. Can the same electorate really be persuaded to redraw the UK in order to avoid it?
How would it be delivered?
The Tories are unlikely to implement this kind of change, so who will? A UK-wide Labour government could, but that is a longer-term project and would be much easier said than done. Assuming an SNP-led majority is elected next May, there will be huge pressure for another Scottish vote ahead of the 2024 election.
Even if a referendum was held off for that time and a Labour government was elected, there would be so many things for it to focus on and rebuild, would federalism be such a priority? Even with the political will to do it, this kind of project could take decades. That is why the biggest problem for federalists is that it may be too late.
What future for Scottish Labour?
With or without independence, there can be a future for Scottish Labour, but it is increasingly hard to see how that happens while the constitution dominates the debate. That is why I tend to think that, regardless of the result, rebuilding will not be possible on this side of another referendum.
Another point from this week’s poll is that it also showed a split among Labour supporters, with 42% favouring independence. Nobody expects Labour to support it as a party. But there will be pressure on the leadership to support Holyrood’s right to call a vote in the likely event of another pro-independence majority being elected next May.
Questions are already being asked, but the messaging has been inconsistent, with Keir Starmer and Scottish Labour’s only MP, Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, appearing to take different lines. If Labour is to hold on to the supporters who favour independence, clarity is needed. It won’t necessarily stop a bad result next May, but it could make the post-election waters easier to navigate.
The alternative approach of refusing to back that right while saying ‘vote for us in four years’ time and if we get into government we may deliver federalism’ feels like a political dead end (and particularly difficult for a leadership that was so favourable to a second Brexit referendum).
Brexit and the election of two majority Tory governments have led to a material change in circumstances since 2014 and demand for a rethink. Accepting the democratic right of Scots to reconsider the question might be difficult, but doing otherwise could be fatal.


labourlist--2020-10-16--Labour must present a bold constitutional offer to save the union

The hysterical hyperbole over the First Minister ’ s travel restriction announcement this week served as yet another reminder that when it comes to devolution , too many decision-makers and commentators simply do not have a clue .
Worse than that , they wilfully misinterpret something like a sensible geographical public health measure as an assault on the very idea of Britishness .
This is absolute garbage .
It is this blinkered approach that underlines the importance of Keir Starmer ’ s commitment to a federal solution to the question of the future of the UK .
If you truly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to modernise it , not treat it like an heirloom .
In 2016 , I said that a bad Brexit carried with it the seeds of the UK ’ s own disintegration and , with every misstep of the Tories handling of the pandemic , that fear seems to be getting closer and closer to realisation .
Support for independence in Scotland is 10 % higher than in 2014 and now represents a consistent majority in Scotland .
The SNP are riding high , and it will take a massive effort for Scottish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at next year ’ s elections .
In Wales , we are still ahead in the polls and are on course to be the largest party in next year ’ s Senedd elections for the sixth time in a row .
And although Welsh Labour has had more success in harnessing a patriotic vote , support for independence is showing signs of firing into life .
Some of the polling is now consistent with where Scotland was 15 years ago , when independence there seemed very unlikely .
The argument , for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the constitutional status quo and those who back independence .
Labour ’ s task must be to provide another way to keep the UK together .
There is a moral imperative for this .
But there ’ s an electoral reality here , too .
Unlike the Tories , we can not win a general election without winning a significant number of seats in Scotland or Wales .
There are no signs so far that we will be able to do this .
And if we fail , there might not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know it in its current form .
Part of the answer , at least , lies in constitutional reform .
I have long argued for a constitutional convention , and for a long time the idea remained the preserve of academics and anoraks .
There have been some exceptions .
Gordon Brown has been steadfast in his support for the idea – and absolutely understands the urgency of Labour ’ s role in this mission .
Keir , too , clearly expressed his belief that today ’ s UK structure is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to dust down the anoraks , and actually get on with this work .
Without a bold constitutional offer , Labour risks getting stuck in the middle of a battle between the present imperfect and independence .
I genuinely believe that there are huge swathes of voters who can be attracted back from the ‘ Yes Cymru ’ movement , and other pro-indy organisations , once we clearly express that we have an alternative to the outdated systems of today .
The alternative is a proper partnership between four nations – one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in everyone ’ s interests .
Such a partnership will of course recognise that there are some areas such as defence , borders and immigration and the fiscal and monetary union , that need sovereignty to be pooled .
It was once a radical idea for sure , but in these febrile political days , nothing else will cut it .
And the model is close to the current constitutional arrangements of Canada , with no apparent detriment to that country ’ s stability or prosperity .
None of this is easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through an existentialist crisis of a sort it has never seen before .
The fractures are not just along national boundaries – witness the entirely justifiable and worse , predictable , reaction from northern council leaders and mayors to being ignored , bounced and bullied by Westminster bureaucrats .
It simply isn ’ t the way modern nation states should be run .
Ultimately , the UK is a union .
It exists only because its constituent parts want it to exist .
My fear is that those days will end if there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get it ; their inflexibility will cause the union to crack .
Rolling back on devolution and power grabs such as the internal market bill are a sure way to wreck the UK .
The Lib Dems are too weak to do anything , and the nationalist parties have other agendas .
It really is beholden on our party to come up with a new structure that will save this political union .
It could be our last chance .

The hysterical hyperbole over the First Minister’s travel restriction announcement this week served as yet another reminder that when it comes to devolution, too many decision-makers and commentators simply do not have a clue. Worse than that, they wilfully misinterpret something like a sensible geographical public health measure as an assault on the very idea of Britishness. This is absolute garbage. It is this blinkered approach that underlines the importance of Keir Starmer’s commitment to a federal solution to the question of the future of the UK. If you truly care about the country, you look to modernise it, not treat it like an heirloom.
In 2016, I said that a bad Brexit carried with it the seeds of the UK’s own disintegration and, with every misstep of the Tories handling of the pandemic, that fear seems to be getting closer and closer to realisation. Support for independence in Scotland is 10% higher than in 2014 and now represents a consistent majority in Scotland. The SNP are riding high, and it will take a massive effort for Scottish Labour to put a dent in them at next year’s elections.
In Wales, we are still ahead in the polls and are on course to be the largest party in next year’s Senedd elections for the sixth time in a row. And although Welsh Labour has had more success in harnessing a patriotic vote, support for independence is showing signs of firing into life. Some of the polling is now consistent with where Scotland was 15 years ago, when independence there seemed very unlikely.
The argument, for the moment, has crystallised between those who support the constitutional status quo and those who back independence. Labour’s task must be to provide another way to keep the UK together. There is a moral imperative for this. But there’s an electoral reality here, too. Unlike the Tories, we cannot win a general election without winning a significant number of seats in Scotland or Wales. There are no signs so far that we will be able to do this. And if we fail, there might not be another general election in the UK as we know it in its current form.
Part of the answer, at least, lies in constitutional reform. I have long argued for a constitutional convention, and for a long time the idea remained the preserve of academics and anoraks. There have been some exceptions. Gordon Brown has been steadfast in his support for the idea – and absolutely understands the urgency of Labour’s role in this mission. Keir, too, clearly expressed his belief that today’s UK structure is not fit for the future. It is time to dust down the anoraks, and actually get on with this work.
Without a bold constitutional offer, Labour risks getting stuck in the middle of a battle between the present imperfect and independence. I genuinely believe that there are huge swathes of voters who can be attracted back from the ‘Yes Cymru’ movement, and other pro-indy organisations, once we clearly express that we have an alternative to the outdated systems of today.
The alternative is a proper partnership between four nations – one that recognises the essential sovereignty of each is in everyone’s interests. Such a partnership will of course recognise that there are some areas such as defence, borders and immigration and the fiscal and monetary union, that need sovereignty to be pooled. It was once a radical idea for sure, but in these febrile political days, nothing else will cut it. And the model is close to the current constitutional arrangements of Canada, with no apparent detriment to that country’s stability or prosperity.
None of this is easy, but the UK is now going through an existentialist crisis of a sort it has never seen before. The fractures are not just along national boundaries – witness the entirely justifiable and worse, predictable, reaction from northern council leaders and mayors to being ignored, bounced and bullied by Westminster bureaucrats. It simply isn’t the way modern nation states should be run.
Ultimately, the UK is a union. It exists only because its constituent parts want it to exist. My fear is that those days will end if there is no change. The Tories don’t get it; their inflexibility will cause the union to crack. Rolling back on devolution and power grabs such as the internal market bill are a sure way to wreck the UK. The Lib Dems are too weak to do anything, and the nationalist parties have other agendas. It really is beholden on our party to come up with a new structure that will save this political union. It could be our last chance.


labourlist--2020-10-17--Mark Drakeford slams Boris Johnson as “greatest threat to the union”

Mark Drakeford has accused Boris Johnson of being “ neglectful ” of the relationship between the UK government and the devolved nations and declared that the “ greatest threat to the union comes from the so-called unionists ” .
Joined by Gordon Brown in an online ‘ in conversation with ’ event this morning , the First Minister told Labour members how the relationship between the Welsh and UK governments had deteriorated under Johnson ’ s time in No 10 .
The Welsh Labour leader criticised the Tories ’ handling of the pandemic , arguing that it had caused people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and slammed the Conservatives “ hostility ” towards the principle of devolution .
Asked this morning about relations between his Welsh Labour administration and the Conservative Westminster government in the Covid crisis , Drakeford said : “ The way the UK has operated in the pandemic has been a ‘ wing and a prayer ’ .
“ The Prime Minister calls us together randomly , at short notice , with very little preparation and then nothing happens for week after week , after week… “ The underpinning of the UK has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pinnacle of intergovernmental relations is meant to be the joint ministerial committee [ JMC ] .
It hasn ’ t met once.
” “ Not a single time in the whole premiership of Boris Johnson .
Now Mrs May… she was a careful attender to intergovernmental relations… “ Johnson is just neglectful and I seriously believe that the greatest threat to the union comes from the so-called unionists , because they just will not put the time , the effort , the hard work that needs to be put into making the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set of committees made up of ministers from the UK and devolved governments to enable coordination across the union .
The body was created at the start of devolution in 1999 and is chaired by the Prime Minister .
Drakeford added : “ The fact that in the crisis people in Wales have felt that their government has been on their side… is leading people to ask the question : is it worth continuing to be in the UK ?
Particularly when it is led in the way it is currently led.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is just a “ first reaction ” for Welsh voters at the moment and argued that Labour can explain to people the benefits they get from the devolved nation remaining a part of the union .
On independence , he explained : “ This is why I ’ ve always been a socialist not a nationalist… Nationalism is both an inherently right-wing ideology and puts the accident of birth above the alliances that working people have across borders .
“ I didn ’ t want Wales to leave the EU .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the union that is the UK , because in the end working people in Wales have more things in common with working people in Scotland , Northern Ireland and England… “ You just have to sometimes remind people of that .
And that is the work of the labour movement and the Labour Party , to make sure we take power at a UK level to begin to make the case for the UK in that way again.
” Drakeford told the meeting that he was in favour of strengthening devolution and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ quasi-federalist ” political structure for the UK .
He also described the “ hostility ” of the Tories to devolution .
He said : “ Scratch the surface of the Tory Party and you ’ ll find their hostility to devolution not very far from that surface .
Many , many of them think that it was a terrible mistake and that the way to overcome it is to reassert the primacy of Westminster.
” Brown also slammed the current Conservative government for its approach to the devolved nation throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today that there is a “ huge amount of frustration with what ’ s happening ” .
He added : “ The union has become disfunctional in the way that the present government is administering it… You ’ ve got to have mechanisms for joint working – they ’ ve all broken down .
“ They ’ ve got to be repaired and we ’ ve got to have a means by which – particularly on this internal market bill related to the EU – people feel they are being listened to , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence decisions.
” The controversial internal market , which makes arrangements for trade within the UK after the country leaves the EU , passed its third reading in the Commons last month despite containing provisions that break international law .
The Welsh Labour government has opposed the bill arguing that it will take powers away from Wales , such as over animal welfare regulation and food standards , in a “ smash and grab ” on the devolution settlement .
Former Labour Prime Minister Brown declared that the there needs to be “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued that the UK government must not just be a “ South East clique , run by a few old Etonians and their friends ” .
The comments today followed an announcement by the Welsh First Minister on Wednesday of restrictions for people travelling to Wales from Covid hotpots in England , Northern Ireland and Scotland .
Following rejected requests from Drakeford for the Prime Minister to stop people coming into the devolved nation from areas with high prevalences of the virus , he declared that he would use devolved powers to implement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined with Brown and other Labour representatives from across the UK to form the Alliance for Full Employment in anticipation of a major jobs crisis as furlough is withdrawn at the end of October .
The Alliance of Labour figures also includes Greater Manchester ’ s Andy Burnham , Liverpool City Region ’ s Steve Rotheram , North of Tyne ’ s Jamie Driscoll , South Yorkshire ’ s Dan Jarvis and Bristol mayor Marvin Rees .
The event this morning formed part of the Welsh Labour Together conference .
The party is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replace its usual annual gathering , which was cancelled due to the pandemic .
Drakeford launched the conference on Thursday in a Q & A with members , discussing the internal market bill , holiday hunger and the transition to a green economy , as well as his support for a basic income and relationship with Keir Starmer .

Mark Drakeford has accused Boris Johnson of being “neglectful” of the relationship between the UK government and the devolved nations and declared that the “greatest threat to the union comes from the so-called unionists”.
Joined by Gordon Brown in an online event this morning, the First Minister told Labour members that the relationship between the Welsh and UK governments has deteriorated during Johnson’s time in No 10.
The Welsh Labour leader criticised the Tories’ handling of the pandemic, arguing that it had caused people to increasingly question whether independence is best, and slammed the Conservatives “hostility” towards the principle of devolution.
Asked this morning about relations between his Welsh Labour administration and the Conservative Westminster government in the Covid crisis, Drakeford said: “The way the UK has operated in the pandemic has been a ‘wing and a prayer’.
“The Prime Minister calls us together randomly, at short notice, with very little preparation and then nothing happens for week after week, after week…
“The underpinning of the UK has been so neglected by this government. The pinnacle of intergovernmental relations is meant to be the joint ministerial committee [JMC]. It hasn’t met once.
“Not a single time in the whole premiership of Boris Johnson. Now Mrs May… she was a careful attender to intergovernmental relations…
“Johnson is just neglectful and I seriously believe that the greatest threat to the union comes from the so-called unionists, because they just will not put the time, the effort, the hard work that needs to be put into making the UK come together.”
The JMC is a set of committees made up of ministers from the UK and devolved governments to enable coordination across the union. The body was created at the start of devolution in 1999 and is chaired by the Prime Minister.
Drakeford added: “The fact that in the crisis people in Wales have felt that their government has been on their side… is leading people to ask the question: is it worth continuing to be in the UK? Particularly when it is led in the way it is currently led.”
But the Welsh Labour leader insisted that this is just a “first reaction” for Welsh voters at the moment and argued that Labour can explain to people the benefits they get from the devolved nation remaining a part of the union.
On independence, he explained: “This is why I’ve always been a socialist not a nationalist… Nationalism is both an inherently right-wing ideology and puts the accident of birth above the alliances that working people have across borders.
“I didn’t want Wales to leave the EU. I don’t want Wales to leave the union that is the UK, because in the end working people in Wales have more things in common with working people in Scotland, Northern Ireland and England…
“You just have to sometimes remind people of that. And that is the work of the labour movement and the Labour Party, to make sure we take power at a UK level to begin to make the case for the UK in that way again.”
Drakeford told the meeting that he was in favour of strengthening devolution and said to participants that he was supportive of a “quasi-federalist” political structure for the UK. He also described the “hostility” of the Tories to devolution.
He said: “Scratch the surface of the Tory Party and you’ll find their hostility to devolution not very far from that surface. Many, many of them think that it was a terrible mistake and that the way to overcome it is to reassert the primacy of Westminster.”
Brown also slammed the current Conservative government for its approach to the devolved nation throughout the coronavirus pandemic, telling the virtual meeting today that there is a “huge amount of frustration with what’s happening”.
He added: “The union has become disfunctional in the way that the present government is administering it… You’ve got to have mechanisms for joint working – they’ve all broken down.
“They’ve got to be repaired and we’ve got to have a means by which – particularly on this internal market bill related to the EU – people feel they are being listened to, their voices are being heard and they influence decisions.”
The controversial internal market, which makes arrangements for trade within the UK after the country leaves the EU, passed its third reading in the Commons last month despite containing provisions that break international law.
The Welsh Labour government has opposed the bill arguing that it will take powers away from Wales, such as over animal welfare regulation and food standards, in a “smash and grab” on the devolution settlement.
Former Labour Prime Minister Brown declared that the there needs to be “some inclusivity at the centre” and argued that the UK government must not just be a “South East clique, run by a few old Etonians and their friends”.
The comments today followed an announcement by the Welsh First Minister on Wednesday of restrictions for people travelling to Wales from Covid hotpots in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Following rejected requests from Drakeford for the Prime Minister to stop people coming into the devolved nation from areas with high prevalences of the virus, he declared that he would use devolved powers to implement the ban.
Drakeford last month also joined with Brown and other Labour representatives from across the UK to form the Alliance for Full Employment in anticipation of a major jobs crisis as furlough is withdrawn at the end of October.
The Alliance of Labour figures also includes Greater Manchester’s Andy Burnham, Liverpool City Region’s Steve Rotheram, North of Tyne’s Jamie Driscoll, South Yorkshire’s Dan Jarvis and Bristol mayor Marvin Rees.
The event this morning formed part of the Welsh Labour Together conference. The party is running a programme of online meetings to replace its usual annual gathering, which was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Drakeford launched the conference on Thursday in a Q&A with members, discussing the internal market bill, holiday hunger and the transition to a green economy, as well as his support for a basic income and relationship with Keir Starmer.


labourlist--2020-10-17--Joe Wheatley: Why I’m standing to represent local parties on Labour’s NEC

In the seven years that I ’ ve been a member of the party , I have received only two direct emails from just one national executive committee ( NEC ) constituency rep – and before you ask , yes , I ’ ve been checking my spam folder .
I decided to stand for the NEC myself because members deserve the right to be involved in the decision-making process and that can only work if reps work to engage and inform members .
No meaningful movement can claim to represent a progressive and transformative agenda if information and participation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s why the first of my four main pledges , if elected , is a commitment to produce bi-monthly reports and to arrange regular webinars with Constituency Labour Parties ( CLPs ) across the country .
I want to ensure I engage with members on the discussions and decisions taken by the NEC .
You have to be involved in the process and should be – that ’ s why I ’ m standing .
You can read my pledges here .
To determine these four main pledges , I did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the issues that are important to me , and reached out to party members to discuss and challenge them .
The members I reached out to represent a broad section of society from a variety of Labour political leanings and have each generously donated their time to provide a critical review .
I want to elaborate on that process as an example of how I approach issues .
Throughout this election campaign , I have received numerous emails from members and affiliated organisations asking what I will do to tackle racism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other prejudices .
My first approach in looking to tackle any issue , especially those I don ’ t have lived experience of , is to talk to members who have those experiences about their ideas , the solutions needed and how to make those solutions a reality .
I make this pledge to the affiliated organisations who have contacted me about these issues : if elected , I want to meet with you and your members .
I want to talk about these issues and I want to work with you on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where my starting position is on the two main issues that have been raised repeatedly by members and organisations , let me briefly state : • Yes , we should be working with the Black Lives Matter movement to develop policies and procedures to tackle institutional racism both within the party and within society .
My youngest sister still gets shadowed by store clerks when she walks into supermarkets , as if being Black somehow makes her automatically a shoplifter .
Stories and experiences like this should shame us all and I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in tackling institutional racism , both conscious and unconscious .
• Yes , trans women are women , and trans men are men .
Full stop .
I was recently asked about my views on the relationship between the party and the trade union movement .
I stated plainly the relationship should be stronger and more interconnected .
We should be standing without hesitation alongside our brothers and sisters in the trade union movement , especially during this pandemic .
All too often , it appears as if some in the Labour Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union movement to advance the interests of working people through political means .
We can not stay silent when workers have legitimate concerns about safely returning to work or fighting for better pay .
There are some in Labour who at times seem embarrassed by the party ’ s relationship with the trade union movement because they haven ’ t learned , like the good people of Liverpool have , to stop reading The Sun .
Conservative news outlets like to peg the Labour leadership as “ in the pockets of the unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting we were backed by large multi-million-pound corporations disconnected from the realities of working life .
Trade unions represent working people and to be the party that is funded and supported by working people should be a source of pride , not of some twisted shame .
If elected to the NEC , be in no doubt that I will work to strengthen our trade union links .
I know that as an independent candidate getting elected to the NEC will be a challenge , but there are two things to consider .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible and , secondly , this is the Labour Party – surprises do happen .
If you have any questions don ’ t hesitate to email or follow me on Facebook .

In the seven years that I’ve been a member of the party, I have received only two direct emails from just one national executive committee (NEC) constituency rep – and before you ask, yes, I’ve been checking my spam folder. I decided to stand for the NEC myself because members deserve the right to be involved in the decision-making process and that can only work if reps work to engage and inform members. No meaningful movement can claim to represent a progressive and transformative agenda if information and participation is limited to a select few.
That’s why the first of my four main pledges, if elected, is a commitment to produce bi-monthly reports and to arrange regular webinars with Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) across the country. I want to ensure I engage with members on the discussions and decisions taken by the NEC. You have to be involved in the process and should be – that’s why I’m standing.
You can read my pledges here. To determine these four main pledges, I did what I always do: decided these are the issues that are important to me, and reached out to party members to discuss and challenge them. The members I reached out to represent a broad section of society from a variety of Labour political leanings and have each generously donated their time to provide a critical review.
I want to elaborate on that process as an example of how I approach issues. Throughout this election campaign, I have received numerous emails from members and affiliated organisations asking what I will do to tackle racism, transphobia, homophobia, unfair stereotypes and other prejudices. My first approach in looking to tackle any issue, especially those I don’t have lived experience of, is to talk to members who have those experiences about their ideas, the solutions needed and how to make those solutions a reality. I make this pledge to the affiliated organisations who have contacted me about these issues: if elected, I want to meet with you and your members. I want to talk about these issues and I want to work with you on delivering the solutions.
To make clear where my starting position is on the two main issues that have been raised repeatedly by members and organisations, let me briefly state:
Yes, we should be working with the Black Lives Matter movement to develop policies and procedures to tackle institutional racism both within the party and within society. My youngest sister still gets shadowed by store clerks when she walks into supermarkets, as if being Black somehow makes her automatically a shoplifter. Stories and experiences like this should shame us all and I will do everything I can to support members in tackling institutional racism, both conscious and unconscious.
Yes, trans women are women, and trans men are men. Full stop.
I was recently asked about my views on the relationship between the party and the trade union movement. I stated plainly the relationship should be stronger and more interconnected. We should be standing without hesitation alongside our brothers and sisters in the trade union movement, especially during this pandemic. All too often, it appears as if some in the Labour Party forget it was forged by the trade union movement to advance the interests of working people through political means. We cannot stay silent when workers have legitimate concerns about safely returning to work or fighting for better pay.
There are some in Labour who at times seem embarrassed by the party’s relationship with the trade union movement because they haven’t learned, like the good people of Liverpool have, to stop reading The Sun. Conservative news outlets like to peg the Labour leadership as “in the pockets of the unions” as if that was akin to suggesting we were backed by large multi-million-pound corporations disconnected from the realities of working life. Trade unions represent working people and to be the party that is funded and supported by working people should be a source of pride, not of some twisted shame. If elected to the NEC, be in no doubt that I will work to strengthen our trade union links.
I know that as an independent candidate getting elected to the NEC will be a challenge, but there are two things to consider. First, with your support it is possible and, secondly, this is the Labour Party – surprises do happen. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to email or follow me on Facebook.


labourlist--2020-10-18--Fiona Dent: Why I’m standing to represent local parties on Labour’s NEC

Standing for Labour ’ s national executive committee is challenging as an independent but very worthwhile as it raises the issue of sectarian pressures within the committee .
Such pressures have their value but it can mean that committee members vote with their grouping instead of following their broader commitment to the labour movement .
We have seen this struggle when either the left or the right slates have had ‘ control ’ of the NEC .
As a member of several decades , I have watched this power struggle and decided that there is room for greater breadth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NEC .
This is why I am standing .
I will stand up for constituency members and their concerns , not just blindly follow guidance from any sect .
The voices of Constituency Labour Parties have not been given the NEC attention that they deserve and as as a result their needs have not been addressed with enough action .
CLP resources for elections have been restricted and voting at conference lacks power .
Members deserve better than this for their loyalty , their campaigning and their subs .
I will champion us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early 20s , I have held various local party roles , I am a blogger and I have been a lifelong door-knocker .
I am a union woman – Unison , Unite , Artist ’ s Union of England – and a Save Our NHS campaigner ( walked from Jarrow to Westminster in the 2014 People ’ s March ) .
I have worked in public service , and as a health commissioner fought the swingeing cuts to the NHS .
I have been an environmental and human rights campaigner , formerly on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twice parliamentary candidate in challenging constituencies ( Windsor 2015 and Runnymede against the then Chancellor 2017 ) , sculptor , painter and general washer upper .
Along with CLP members around the country , I want to see greater connectivity between leadership and local parties .
During my three years on Labour ’ s national policy forum , I did just that by helping fellow members to follow , engage and contribute to policy debate .
Speaking at distant CLP meetings , running engagement sessions and campaigning in constituencies around the country from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always been easy due to the systems that we have in place .
But this experience has meant that I am committed to democratising policy development and other party decision-making systems .
I am not a member of any sub group or sect of Labour because I do not want my votes to be controlled by anything other than the democratic interests of members as explained to me by them .
However I am a loyal , left-of-centre stalwart of our party who supports the elected leader and campaigns to win .
Please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine CLP section votes , to do that job and I will report in writing after each meeting and work with you on agreed priorities .
Thank you .

Standing for Labour’s national executive committee is challenging as an independent but very worthwhile as it raises the issue of sectarian pressures within the committee. Such pressures have their value but it can mean that committee members vote with their grouping instead of following their broader commitment to the labour movement. We have seen this struggle when either the left or the right slates have had ‘control’ of the NEC.
As a member of several decades, I have watched this power struggle and decided that there is room for greater breadth of debate, efficiency and action from the NEC. This is why I am standing. I will stand up for constituency members and their concerns, not just blindly follow guidance from any sect.
The voices of Constituency Labour Parties have not been given the NEC attention that they deserve and as as a result their needs have not been addressed with enough action. CLP resources for elections have been restricted and voting at conference lacks power. Members deserve better than this for their loyalty, their campaigning and their subs. I will champion us.
An active Labour member since my early 20s, I have held various local party roles, I am a blogger and I have been a lifelong door-knocker. I am a union woman – Unison, Unite, Artist’s Union of England – and a Save Our NHS campaigner (walked from Jarrow to Westminster in the 2014 People’s March). I have worked in public service, and as a health commissioner fought the swingeing cuts to the NHS. I have been an environmental and human rights campaigner, formerly on the economy commission, ex councillor, twice parliamentary candidate in challenging constituencies (Windsor 2015 and Runnymede against the then Chancellor 2017), sculptor, painter and general washer upper.
Along with CLP members around the country, I want to see greater connectivity between leadership and local parties. During my three years on Labour’s national policy forum, I did just that by helping fellow members to follow, engage and contribute to policy debate. Speaking at distant CLP meetings, running engagement sessions and campaigning in constituencies around the country from the North West to Cornwall has not always been easy due to the systems that we have in place. But this experience has meant that I am committed to democratising policy development and other party decision-making systems.
I am not a member of any sub group or sect of Labour because I do not want my votes to be controlled by anything other than the democratic interests of members as explained to me by them. However I am a loyal, left-of-centre stalwart of our party who supports the elected leader and campaigns to win. Please choose me, as one of your nine CLP section votes, to do that job and I will report in writing after each meeting and work with you on agreed priorities. Thank you.