labourlist--2020-04-01--‘No recourse to public funds’ must be scrapped, both in this crisis and beyond

Pressure is rising on the government to scrap the ‘ no recourse to public funds ’ ( NRPF ) stipulation on individual ’ s immigration status .
The NRPF stipulation means that those without leave to remain in the country or those who have been given partial leave to remain in the country with permission to work are nonetheless not entitled to the vast majority of benefits – including full free access to the NHS , Universal Credit and other in-work benefits .
Many of these people are single mothers , and the pressure this puts on families is absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Children ’ s Society ’ s 2016 report ‘ Making Life Impossible ’ and the Unity Project ’ s 2019 report ‘ Access denied : the cost of the ‘ no recourse to public funds ’ policy ’ .
As Rebecca Long-Bailey put it last week , the global health crisis “ shows us what we should have known already : that we are all connected ; the health of one impacts the health of all ” .
Or as I like to say : no human is an island .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ support worker in the East End of London , and as a charity we saw our case load grow exponentially with people seeking help with the then-new immigration condition of NRPF .
Most were single mothers with British-born children .
Working first-hand with these families living in abject poverty with little to no help – and often outright hostility – from local government , who themselves were under pressure from national government , it was easy to see the immorality of this policy .
And yet , it has persisted .
In spite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charities , activists and politicians , the government has managed to obfuscate a proper review into the condition .
This is despite having been compelled to enact a review by work funded and carried out by the Strategic Legal Fund , Deighton Pierce Glynn legal practice and the Unity Project .
On March 24th , the High Court was due to take another look at the legality of the NRPF condition .
This has been postponed until much later due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Knowing this , 98 MPs – 76 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to the government last week , asking for the NRPF condition to be temporarily suspended .
No response has yet been offered , however legal challenges have persisted and this Friday , April 3rd , the Divisional Court will hear an application to do just that .
If the government does not act , our hope seems to be with the courts .
As solicitor Adam Hundt said : “ The people affected badly need help if they are to keep themselves and others safe .
Hopefully the government , and if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that help is forthcoming.
” I hope beyond hope that the condition is lifted , and not only for those in work who can not claim benefits but also for those not in work – often living with heavy childcare responsibilities in difficult , cramped and unsanitary environments .
A policy that not only allows but actively enables and ensures that children grow up in extreme deprivation is an utter disgrace to us as a nation .
The coronavirus crisis has highlighted the importance of these people being supported , not only for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole society .
Whether it is the government or the court that temporarily lifts this condition , at the end of these terribly difficult days we as a party must not forget those children and families for whom the government has been so thoroughly negligent .
Who , only in this time of unprecedented crisis , seems willing to act .
If the NRPF condition is even temporarily suspended , we must push for it to be suspended for good .

Pressure is rising on the government to scrap the ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) stipulation on individual’s immigration status. The NRPF stipulation means that those without leave to remain in the country or those who have been given partial leave to remain in the country with permission to work are nonetheless not entitled to the vast majority of benefits – including full free access to the NHS, Universal Credit and other in-work benefits. Many of these people are single mothers, and the pressure this puts on families is absolutely immense. The details can be found in the Children’s Society’s 2016 report ‘Making Life Impossible’ and the Unity Project’s 2019 report ‘Access denied: the cost of the ‘no recourse to public funds’ policy’.
As Rebecca Long-Bailey put it last week, the global health crisis “shows us what we should have known already: that we are all connected; the health of one impacts the health of all”. Or as I like to say: no human is an island. In 2012, I was a family support worker in the East End of London, and as a charity we saw our case load grow exponentially with people seeking help with the then-new immigration condition of NRPF. Most were single mothers with British-born children. Working first-hand with these families living in abject poverty with little to no help – and often outright hostility – from local government, who themselves were under pressure from national government, it was easy to see the immorality of this policy.
And yet, it has persisted. In spite of numerous challenges from legal bodies, charities, activists and politicians, the government has managed to obfuscate a proper review into the condition. This is despite having been compelled to enact a review by work funded and carried out by the Strategic Legal Fund, Deighton Pierce Glynn legal practice and the Unity Project. On March 24th, the High Court was due to take another look at the legality of the NRPF condition. This has been postponed until much later due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Knowing this, 98 MPs – 76 of whom were Labour – wrote an open letter to the government last week, asking for the NRPF condition to be temporarily suspended. No response has yet been offered, however legal challenges have persisted and this Friday, April 3rd, the Divisional Court will hear an application to do just that. If the government does not act, our hope seems to be with the courts. As solicitor Adam Hundt said: “The people affected badly need help if they are to keep themselves and others safe. Hopefully the government, and if not then the court, will ensure that help is forthcoming.”
I hope beyond hope that the condition is lifted, and not only for those in work who cannot claim benefits but also for those not in work – often living with heavy childcare responsibilities in difficult, cramped and unsanitary environments. A policy that not only allows but actively enables and ensures that children grow up in extreme deprivation is an utter disgrace to us as a nation.
The coronavirus crisis has highlighted the importance of these people being supported, not only for their sake but for the sake of the whole society. Whether it is the government or the court that temporarily lifts this condition, at the end of these terribly difficult days we as a party must not forget those children and families for whom the government has been so thoroughly negligent. Who, only in this time of unprecedented crisis, seems willing to act. If the NRPF condition is even temporarily suspended, we must push for it to be suspended for good.


labourlist--2020-04-01--Here’s how the next Labour leader appoints a strong shadow cabinet

The UK , like the rest of the world , is gripped by the Covid-19 crisis .
The death toll is climbing steadily , the already underfunded and fragmented NHS is under unprecedented strain , and we are heading for a recession miles worse than the global financial crash of 2008 .
As this new government tries to navigate its way through these unchartered waters , a strong , united and socialist opposition is more important than ever .
While the Labour leadership contest may seem like a sideshow in the context of a global pandemic , where the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
No other political party will give a voice to those hit hardest by this public health and economic crisis .
The new leader will be announced on Saturday , and soon after we will find out their choices for shadow cabinet .
These appointments will be watched closely .
Who they choose to be a member of their top team is a strong signal of the direction in which they want to take the party , and where they truly place themselves politically .
The shadow cabinet is of crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday morning , it discusses the key political issues facing the country and the party .
Apart from a handful of party positions that come with the right to attend shadow cabinet , such as leader of the House of Lords , it is entirely appointed by the leader .
It is this top team that scrutinises the Tories , and acts as official spokespeople for the party .
While driven by the leader politically , it has a key influence on political direction and policy responses .
As we saw in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve to undermine the leader , but equally it can be instrumental in supporting a leader when the going gets tough , which it always does for the left .
Political appointments really do matter – so who should be in , and who should be out ?
A strong shadow cabinet needs unity , loyalty , diversity , accountability and strong media performers to be the message carriers for the party .
If we are to be a credible voice , it is vital that the Labour Party pulls together .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unhealthy and damaging division in the past .
All candidates have made clear they want to unify , but this is not easy .
With nearly 600,000 members , whoever wins must keep and engage them , and retain the title of largest political party in Western Europe .
It will be a disaster if a candidate wins and there is immediately a huge slump in membership or lack of enthusiasm to fight for a Labour government .
The new leader needs to inspire members with their political vision , including new appointments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring people with them .
The first step must be for the new leader to find roles for the other candidates , and they should politically balance the Great Offices of State .
Such appointments would see competent people in top roles , but equally as important , it would give a large group of the membership a stake in the party ’ s leadership moving forward .
This has historical precedent and provides substance to the statements of unity so often used in internal campaigns .
The political challenges we faced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In fact , Covid-19 has exposed how unequal and uneven this country is .
But the Labour Party can only deliver if we hold together , and the candidates must make good on their campaign promises .
Far from a natural leftie within the party , Starmer has run on a firmly left-wing platform , and anecdotally it seems a significant chunk of the left membership have been won over by his promise of ‘ no turning back ’ .
If he wins , he has no mandate to take the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unity platform means uniting the members around shared aims and values .
A strategy that includes language like ‘ scorched earth ’ and ‘ purging ’ the left – as reported in The Sunday Times – will not get us off to the good start we deserve .
There can be no turning back on gender equality and diversity either .
Jeremy Corbyn set records in Labour ’ s history in terms of diversity and gender balance in his top team .
The next leader must follow suit , with at least half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and appointing BAME members of the PLP .
As well as the existing members of the shadow cabinet , there is a range of talents in old and new MPs to choose from .
Crucially , we need to focus on winning back those seats we lost in the general election .
Without regaining trust in those mostly northern , working-class communities in the ‘ Red Wall ’ seats that we lost in droves to the Tories , we will stay locked out of power for decades .
We can not regain that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not represent or speak to those voters .
Ian Lavery has chaired the party well , prioritising organising in working class communities , and he warned about the devastating impact our Brexit policy could have prior to this happening .
Crucially , he is from one of those seats at the heart of Labour ’ s challenges , only managing to hold Wansbeck by 1,000 votes in 2019 .
Seats such as his need to be represented at the highest levels .
If voices like Lavery , Andy McDonald and Jon Trickett are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour Party will inevitably find it harder to regain the trust and credibility it so desperately needs .
If there is any silver-lining to this very dark cloud , I hope it is that the country can begin to heal following the sharp divisions experienced over the last few years , and truly recognise , and properly reward the value of those keeping our country running : our NHS staff , refuse collectors , supermarket workers ; the list goes on .
Only Labour is the party of the NHS and the working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way in both upholding our principles and displaying unity to be an effective force to defend those hit hardest by Covid-19 .

The UK, like the rest of the world, is gripped by the Covid-19 crisis. The death toll is climbing steadily, the already underfunded and fragmented NHS is under unprecedented strain, and we are heading for a recession miles worse than the global financial crash of 2008. As this new government tries to navigate its way through these unchartered waters, a strong, united and socialist opposition is more important than ever.
While the Labour leadership contest may seem like a sideshow in the context of a global pandemic, where the party goes next is of fundamental importance to the country. No other political party will give a voice to those hit hardest by this public health and economic crisis.
The new leader will be announced on Saturday, and soon after we will find out their choices for shadow cabinet. These appointments will be watched closely. Who they choose to be a member of their top team is a strong signal of the direction in which they want to take the party, and where they truly place themselves politically.
The shadow cabinet is of crucial importance to the leader. Meeting every Tuesday morning, it discusses the key political issues facing the country and the party. Apart from a handful of party positions that come with the right to attend shadow cabinet, such as leader of the House of Lords, it is entirely appointed by the leader. It is this top team that scrutinises the Tories, and acts as official spokespeople for the party. While driven by the leader politically, it has a key influence on political direction and policy responses. As we saw in the attempted coup in 2016, it can serve to undermine the leader, but equally it can be instrumental in supporting a leader when the going gets tough, which it always does for the left. Political appointments really do matter – so who should be in, and who should be out?
A strong shadow cabinet needs unity, loyalty, diversity, accountability and strong media performers to be the message carriers for the party. If we are to be a credible voice, it is vital that the Labour Party pulls together. We must leave the last four years of unhealthy and damaging division in the past. All candidates have made clear they want to unify, but this is not easy. With nearly 600,000 members, whoever wins must keep and engage them, and retain the title of largest political party in Western Europe. It will be a disaster if a candidate wins and there is immediately a huge slump in membership or lack of enthusiasm to fight for a Labour government. The new leader needs to inspire members with their political vision, including new appointments, and show that they want to bring people with them.
The first step must be for the new leader to find roles for the other candidates, and they should politically balance the Great Offices of State. Such appointments would see competent people in top roles, but equally as important, it would give a large group of the membership a stake in the party’s leadership moving forward. This has historical precedent and provides substance to the statements of unity so often used in internal campaigns.
The political challenges we faced in December 2019 haven’t gone away. In fact, Covid-19 has exposed how unequal and uneven this country is. But the Labour Party can only deliver if we hold together, and the candidates must make good on their campaign promises. Far from a natural leftie within the party, Starmer has run on a firmly left-wing platform, and anecdotally it seems a significant chunk of the left membership have been won over by his promise of ‘no turning back’. If he wins, he has no mandate to take the party to the right. Running on a unity platform means uniting the members around shared aims and values. A strategy that includes language like ‘scorched earth’ and ‘purging’ the left – as reported in The Sunday Times – will not get us off to the good start we deserve.
There can be no turning back on gender equality and diversity either. Jeremy Corbyn set records in Labour’s history in terms of diversity and gender balance in his top team. The next leader must follow suit, with at least half of the shadow cabinet being women, and appointing BAME members of the PLP. As well as the existing members of the shadow cabinet, there is a range of talents in old and new MPs to choose from.
Crucially, we need to focus on winning back those seats we lost in the general election. Without regaining trust in those mostly northern, working-class communities in the ‘Red Wall’ seats that we lost in droves to the Tories, we will stay locked out of power for decades. We cannot regain that trust with a shadow cabinet that does not represent or speak to those voters. Ian Lavery has chaired the party well, prioritising organising in working class communities, and he warned about the devastating impact our Brexit policy could have prior to this happening. Crucially, he is from one of those seats at the heart of Labour’s challenges, only managing to hold Wansbeck by 1,000 votes in 2019. Seats such as his need to be represented at the highest levels. If voices like Lavery, Andy McDonald and Jon Trickett are excluded from the shadow cabinet, the Labour Party will inevitably find it harder to regain the trust and credibility it so desperately needs.
If there is any silver-lining to this very dark cloud, I hope it is that the country can begin to heal following the sharp divisions experienced over the last few years, and truly recognise, and properly reward the value of those keeping our country running: our NHS staff, refuse collectors, supermarket workers; the list goes on. Only Labour is the party of the NHS and the working class, and we must lead the way in both upholding our principles and displaying unity to be an effective force to defend those hit hardest by Covid-19.


labourlist--2020-04-02--Voting closes in Labour’s leadership elections

Ballots in the Labour Party ’ s leadership and deputy leadership elections have closed at noon , with the contests that began on January 7th coming to an end after almost three months .
Rebecca Long-Bailey , Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy are the three candidates who ultimately won enough support throughout the process to emerge as the possible successors to Jeremy Corbyn .
The results of the leadership elections , as well as the three new members of Labour ’ s ruling national executive committee and Scottish Labour ’ s new deputy leader , will be announced on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling from YouGov , carried out at the end of February , showed Starmer as the clear favourite to win .
He was predicted to take 53 % of first preferences and win in the first round of counting .
In the deputy leadership race , five candidates have made it to the end of the process : Richard Burgon , Rosena Allin-Khan , Angela Rayner , Dawn Butler and Ian Murray .
Polling suggests that Rayner will win decisively .
In a video message to his supporters released as ballots closed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ With the campaigns that Rebecca and Lisa have run and we ’ ve run , I think we ’ ve demonstrated… that real good can come out of this election.
” A total of 784,000 members , affiliates and registered supporters were entitled to participate .
The voting system in the contest is one-member-one-vote , and every vote is equal .
A preferential voting method has been used , in which participants are asked to rank the candidates in order of preference .
If no candidate receives more than 50 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed according to the second preferences indicated .
Rounds of counting continue until the first contender achieves the ‘ 50 % + 1 ’ threshold and wins .
Each candidate has come through two stages to secure a place in the final vote – first securing nominations from 10 % of MPs and MEPs , and then from 5 % of local parties or three affiliated organisations adding up to 5 % of the affiliated membership .
At the outset of the leadership contest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thornberry also formally launched bids to become the next Labour leader , but left the process at various stages .
Lewis pulled out after securing the backing of only five MPs .
Phillips withdrew early on in the second round , while Thornberry was knocked out after narrowly failing to reach the local party nomination threshold .
Events and hustings were cancelled by all candidates and the Labour Party last month amid the escalating coronavirus crisis and implementation of increasingly strict social distancing measures by the government .
The party had initially planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4th to reveal the results of both the leadership and deputy elections – however , this was also cancelled .
The announcement of the new leader and deputy will instead be released online on Saturday , with each candidate having to prerecord a video of themselves delivering a victory speech .

Ballots in the Labour Party’s leadership and deputy leadership elections have closed at noon, with the contests that began on January 7th coming to an end after almost three months.
Rebecca Long-Bailey, Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy are the three candidates who ultimately won enough support throughout the process to emerge as the possible successors to Jeremy Corbyn.
The results of the leadership elections, as well as the three new members of Labour’s ruling national executive committee and Scottish Labour’s new deputy leader, will be announced on the morning of April 4th.
The latest polling from YouGov, carried out at the end of February, showed Starmer as the clear favourite to win. He was predicted to take 53% of first preferences and win in the first round of counting.
In the deputy leadership race, five candidates have made it to the end of the process: Richard Burgon, Rosena Allin-Khan, Angela Rayner, Dawn Butler and Ian Murray. Polling suggests that Rayner will win decisively.
In a video message to his supporters released as ballots closed, Starmer thanked his supporters, saying: “With the campaigns that Rebecca and Lisa have run and we’ve run, I think we’ve demonstrated… that real good can come out of this election.”
Speaking to supporters with her own message, fellow leadership contender Nandy said: “When this started I said Labour must change or die. I had no idea how many of you felt the same.”
She added: “We have shown Labour to be a party that has both humility and self-confidence… And while we won’t know the outcome of the contest until Saturday, I hope you already know that we have changed this party – together.”
A total of 784,000 members, affiliates and registered supporters were entitled to participate. The voting system in the contest is one-member-one-vote, and every vote is equal. A preferential voting method has been used, in which participants are asked to rank the candidates in order of preference.
If no candidate receives more than 50% of first preferences, the one with the least votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed according to the second preferences indicated. Rounds of counting continue until the first contender achieves the ‘50% + 1’ threshold and wins.
Each candidate has come through two stages to secure a place in the final vote – first securing nominations from 10% of MPs and MEPs, and then from 5% of local parties or three affiliated organisations adding up to 5% of the affiliated membership.
At the outset of the leadership contest, Clive Lewis, Jess Phillips and Emily Thornberry also formally launched bids to become the next Labour leader, but left the process at various stages.
Lewis pulled out after securing the backing of only five MPs. Phillips withdrew early on in the second round, while Thornberry was knocked out after narrowly failing to reach the local party nomination threshold.
Events and hustings were cancelled by all candidates and the Labour Party last month amid the escalating coronavirus crisis and implementation of increasingly strict social distancing measures by the government.
The party had initially planned to hold a special conference on April 4th to reveal the results of both the leadership and deputy elections – however, this was also cancelled.
The announcement of the new leader and deputy will instead be released online on Saturday, with each candidate having to prerecord a video of themselves delivering a victory speech.


labourlist--2020-04-02--Labour demands coordinated and urgent Covid-19 plan for social care sector

Barbara Keeley and Jonathan Ashworth have written to Matt Hancock calling for a “ coordinated approach ” to ensure that the care sector is supported through the coronavirus pandemic .
In a letter sent to the Health Secretary this morning , the shadow health team set out Labour ’ s concerns with the government ’ s approach .
They include : • The inadequate provision of PPE for social care staff following deliveries this week and the urgent need to address this crisis ; • The need for an urgent programme of Covid-19 testing for social care staff to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • The need for clear guidance around testing for care home residents and those discharged from hospitals to care homes , in order to control the spread of the virus .
GMB recently warned that the care system is in danger of “ total collapse ” due to the coronavirus health crisis and issued five demands to the government to support care workers .
The government is under increasing pressure to step-up the number of coronavirus tests for health and care workers , as a growing number are having to self-isolate after displaying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Shami Chakrabarti told Sky News this morning that the UK is “ failing in both clarity and delivery ” on testing and called for the publication of a detailed national strategy .
There are a total of 29,474 recorded cases of coronavirus in the UK , although the true figure is thought to be higher .
2,352 people across the country have died from the disease .
Below is the full text of the letter sent to Matt Hancock today .
It is vital that the government increases the support provided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recipients of care and care staff safe at this critical time in the Covid-19 pandemic .
We know that care staff and providers are doing all they can to protect those who receive care from the spread of Covid-19 ; but there are significant issues with access to personal protective equipment and the lack of Covid-19 testing in care homes that , if left unaddressed , will continue to put care recipients and staff at risk .
There are deep concerns across the social care sector about the lack of availability of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ note that all care homes were meant to receive a delivery of face masks over the weekend , some did not and providers have made it clear that 300 masks will last for only a few days .
It is vital that care providers receive supplies of full PPE .
Face masks are not enough to keep staff safe .
Care staff also need gloves , aprons , and in some cases face visors or googles to ensure they are fully protected .
Care homes have contacted Labour MPs to say their PPE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further deliveries are provided .
Others have told us they have struggled to procure gloves or hand sanitiser or that suppliers have significantly increased prices , leaving small care providers unable to purchase equipment at significantly inflated prices .
It is vital that we provide these care providers with the equipment they need as a matter of urgency and we need to see a plan from Ministers about how they will do this .
Leaving care providers without full PPE will put those who receive or deliver care at greater risk of infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to happen .
Concerns have been raised with Labour MPs about care staff unable to access Covid-19 tests and about rationing of testing in care homes .
It is welcome that the government is beginning a programme of Covid-19 testing for NHS staff , but it is vital that this is extended to social care staff and residents as soon as possible .
With the high level of workforce vacancies which predated the pandemic , many social care services are already struggling to deliver the care people need .
We know there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of staff away ill or self-isolating .
This situation will only get worse as the spread of the virus continues .
Expanding testing to social care staff is crucial to ensure we keep as many social care staff in the workplace as possible .
We would welcome the implementation of increased testing for patients being discharged from hospital and clear guidance on testing for those patients .
Over the past week , there have been a number of reports of care homes unwilling to take new admissions from hospitals without a record of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
Understandably , care homes managers are very concerned about the impact that admitting new residents on discharge from hospital could have at this time .
Most care home residents are elderly or vulnerable and it is therefore vital we do all we can to prevent them contracting the virus .
Testing hospital patients who are ready to be discharged to care homes is therefore a crucial measure that should be implemented as soon as possible , to ensure the safety of all care home residents .
There have been reports this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of Covid-19 in more than half of its care homes .
This will be deeply worrying for care home residents across the country .
We must roll out testing to care homes as a matter of priority .
It is clear that Covid-19 testing should not be limited to hospitals .
We must test all suspected cases of Covid-19 in care homes to avoid outbreaks on the scale that we have seen in countries such as France and Spain .
We would welcome clear guidance on the transfer of care homes residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care homes have told us they have been unable to transfer sick residents to hospitals due to a lack of beds or that hospitals will not admit patients from care homes .
It is vital that care home residents are receiving the best possible care in this time , and this should include transferring those with Covid-19 to hospital where it is safe to do so .
Many older and vulnerable people who receive social care in their own homes have been asked to shield themselves during this period .
It is important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would welcome an update to the home care guidance to ensure it explicitly addresses measures that should be taken where the recipient of home care is shielding themselves during this period .
Protecting vulnerable people who are currently shielding themselves in their own homes from the spread of Covid-19 is vital – we must do all we can to ensure they are not put at risk .
There have also been concerns raised by the thousands of disabled and older people who arrange their own care through Direct Payments from their local authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this group on how to manage carer absence on sick leave , the financial implications of Covid-19 for them or whether they will be eligible for cover if their care staff are taken ill .
It is not reasonable to expect people who use Direct Payments to familiarise themselves with the entirety of the guidance on employment and social care .
Instead , there should be dedicated guidance on Direct Payments which clearly sets out the situation .
Finally , many Shared Lives carers are currently facing significant financial hardship due to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support package for the self-employed .
While technically self-employed , Shared Lives carers are given a tax break which means they do not record their income as profit .
Many of these carers usually provide day care services which have now stopped .
Such carers may be able to help with providing care after discharge from hospital but they need proper financial support to do so .
This has been raised with Rishi Sunak , and we would encourage you to work with him to find a solution which supports Shared Lives carers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain unaddressed without a clear , coordinated plan for the social care sector and Covid-19 .
The fragmented nature of the care system means that without coordination from your department , care providers will continue to face issues with testing , PPE supplies and staffing .
It is vital that we take a coordinated approach to ensure every care provider is supported to deal with the challenges the spread of Covid-19 poses .
Labour will continue to support all measures to bring the spread of the virus under control in order to save @ @

Barbara Keeley and Jonathan Ashworth have written to Matt Hancock calling for a “coordinated approach” to ensure that the care sector is supported through the coronavirus pandemic.
In a letter sent to the Health Secretary this morning, the shadow health team set out Labour’s concerns with the government’s approach. They include:
The inadequate provision of PPE for social care staff following deliveries this week and the urgent need to address this crisis;
The need for an urgent programme of Covid-19 testing for social care staff to avoid high levels of staff in self-isolation;
The need for clear guidance around testing for care home residents and those discharged from hospitals to care homes, in order to control the spread of the virus.
GMB recently warned that the care system is in danger of “total collapse” due to the coronavirus health crisis and issued five demands to the government to support care workers.
The government is under increasing pressure to step-up the number of coronavirus tests for health and care workers, as a growing number are having to self-isolate after displaying symptoms of the virus.
Labour’s Shami Chakrabarti told Sky News this morning that the UK is “failing in both clarity and delivery” on testing and called for the publication of a detailed national strategy.
There are a total of 29,474 recorded cases of coronavirus in the UK, although the true figure is thought to be higher. 2,352 people across the country have died from the disease.
Below is the full text of the letter sent to Matt Hancock today.
Dear Matt,
It is vital that the government increases the support provided to the social care sector to keep both the recipients of care and care staff safe at this critical time in the Covid-19 pandemic. We know that care staff and providers are doing all they can to protect those who receive care from the spread of Covid-19; but there are significant issues with access to personal protective equipment and the lack of Covid-19 testing in care homes that, if left unaddressed, will continue to put care recipients and staff at risk.
There are deep concerns across the social care sector about the lack of availability of PPE for care staff. Although we note that all care homes were meant to receive a delivery of face masks over the weekend, some did not and providers have made it clear that 300 masks will last for only a few days. It is vital that care providers receive supplies of full PPE. Face masks are not enough to keep staff safe.
Care staff also need gloves, aprons, and in some cases face visors or googles to ensure they are fully protected. Care homes have contacted Labour MPs to say their PPE stocks will be depleted this week unless further deliveries are provided. Others have told us they have struggled to procure gloves or hand sanitiser or that suppliers have significantly increased prices, leaving small care providers unable to purchase equipment at significantly inflated prices.
It is vital that we provide these care providers with the equipment they need as a matter of urgency and we need to see a plan from Ministers about how they will do this. Leaving care providers without full PPE will put those who receive or deliver care at greater risk of infection, and we cannot allow this to happen.
Concerns have been raised with Labour MPs about care staff unable to access Covid-19 tests and about rationing of testing in care homes. It is welcome that the government is beginning a programme of Covid-19 testing for NHS staff, but it is vital that this is extended to social care staff and residents as soon as possible.
With the high level of workforce vacancies which predated the pandemic, many social care services are already struggling to deliver the care people need. We know there are many care homes with a high proportion of staff away ill or self-isolating. This situation will only get worse as the spread of the virus continues. Expanding testing to social care staff is crucial to ensure we keep as many social care staff in the workplace as possible.
We would welcome the implementation of increased testing for patients being discharged from hospital and clear guidance on testing for those patients. Over the past week, there have been a number of reports of care homes unwilling to take new admissions from hospitals without a record of the new resident’s Covid-19 test results.
Understandably, care homes managers are very concerned about the impact that admitting new residents on discharge from hospital could have at this time. Most care home residents are elderly or vulnerable and it is therefore vital we do all we can to prevent them contracting the virus. Testing hospital patients who are ready to be discharged to care homes is therefore a crucial measure that should be implemented as soon as possible, to ensure the safety of all care home residents.
There have been reports this week that one social care provider has cases of Covid-19 in more than half of its care homes. This will be deeply worrying for care home residents across the country. We must roll out testing to care homes as a matter of priority. It is clear that Covid-19 testing should not be limited to hospitals. We must test all suspected cases of Covid-19 in care homes to avoid outbreaks on the scale that we have seen in countries such as France and Spain.
We would welcome clear guidance on the transfer of care homes residents with suspected Covid-19 to hospital. Some care homes have told us they have been unable to transfer sick residents to hospitals due to a lack of beds or that hospitals will not admit patients from care homes. It is vital that care home residents are receiving the best possible care in this time, and this should include transferring those with Covid-19 to hospital where it is safe to do so.
Many older and vulnerable people who receive social care in their own homes have been asked to shield themselves during this period. It is important that government guidance reflects this. We would welcome an update to the home care guidance to ensure it explicitly addresses measures that should be taken where the recipient of home care is shielding themselves during this period. Protecting vulnerable people who are currently shielding themselves in their own homes from the spread of Covid-19 is vital – we must do all we can to ensure they are not put at risk.
There have also been concerns raised by the thousands of disabled and older people who arrange their own care through Direct Payments from their local authorities. There is currently no guidance for this group on how to manage carer absence on sick leave, the financial implications of Covid-19 for them or whether they will be eligible for cover if their care staff are taken ill. It is not reasonable to expect people who use Direct Payments to familiarise themselves with the entirety of the guidance on employment and social care. Instead, there should be dedicated guidance on Direct Payments which clearly sets out the situation.
Finally, many Shared Lives carers are currently facing significant financial hardship due to their exclusion from the government’s financial support package for the self-employed. While technically self-employed, Shared Lives carers are given a tax break which means they do not record their income as profit. Many of these carers usually provide day care services which have now stopped. Such carers may be able to help with providing care after discharge from hospital but they need proper financial support to do so. This has been raised with Rishi Sunak, and we would encourage you to work with him to find a solution which supports Shared Lives carers at this time.
These issues will remain unaddressed without a clear, coordinated plan for the social care sector and Covid-19. The fragmented nature of the care system means that without coordination from your department, care providers will continue to face issues with testing, PPE supplies and staffing.
It is vital that we take a coordinated approach to ensure every care provider is supported to deal with the challenges the spread of Covid-19 poses. Labour will continue to support all measures to bring the spread of the virus under control in order to save lives.
Yours sincerely,
Barbara Keeley
Jonathan Ashworth


labourlist--2020-04-02--Pressure grows over low levels of testing and high numbers of Universal Credit applicants

It was reported by LabourList on Tuesday that only 900 frontline NHS workers had been tested for coronavirus as part of a ‘ trial run ’ over the weekend .
The reason for which newspapers such as the Telegraph have only just splashed on their outrage at the low level of testing is therefore unclear .
Perhaps it was that Alok Sharma drew the short straw and led the press conference yesterday .
Whatever the reason , this increased pressure from the press must be welcomed – though it needs to be even more fierce about the lack of personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a press conference , in which the government could or would not answer any of the reasonable questions put to them , Labour is repeating its call for a clear national testing strategy to be published .
The party has also described the number of Universal Credit applicants over the last two weeks – 950,000 – as “ truly shocking ” .
Importantly , Labour ’ s Margaret Greenwood makes clear that advances are “ not the answer to the five-week wait ” as these loans will have to be paid back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this causing huge hardship further down the line .
Don ’ t worry , we have not forgotten Labour ’ s all-important internal elections .
Voting closes in just a couple of hours at noon .
Jeremy Corbyn ’ s leadership is coming to an end .
Looking back at the last few years in a piece for LabourList , Labour left activist Michael Chessum says the Corbyn project failed because it refused to recognise that the nationalist right planned to reframe politics around race and nation , and then did not develop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems that while outsiders might have assumed Keir Starmer ’ s push for a fresh referendum would damage his chances of securing the leadership , that simply hasn ’ t happened .
Labour ’ s leadership elections aren ’ t the only important contest on the ballot paper .
If you have been a full member since before November 12th , there is also the opportunity to vote in the national executive committee by-elections .
Wondering why these are important ?
Read my piece on how the results of these races will shape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important factor in determining Labour ’ s direction under not-Corbyn will be the shadow cabinet .
NEC member Lara McNeill has written about that subject here .
And lastly , if you need cheering up during the pandemic , the founder of Labour Party Graphic Designers has taken a look at each of the campaigns from a designer ’ s perspective – even Barry Gardiner ’ s short-lived bid gets a mention .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

It was reported by LabourList on Tuesday that only 900 frontline NHS workers had been tested for coronavirus as part of a ‘trial run’ over the weekend. The reason for which newspapers such as the Telegraph have only just splashed on their outrage at the low level of testing is therefore unclear. Perhaps it was that Alok Sharma drew the short straw and led the press conference yesterday. Whatever the reason, this increased pressure from the press must be welcomed – though it needs to be even more fierce about the lack of personal protective equipment.
Following that dismal failure of a press conference, in which the government could or would not answer any of the reasonable questions put to them, Labour is repeating its call for a clear national testing strategy to be published. The party has also described the number of Universal Credit applicants over the last two weeks – 950,000 – as “truly shocking”. Importantly, Labour’s Margaret Greenwood makes clear that advances are “not the answer to the five-week wait” as these loans will have to be paid back, and it is easy to see this causing huge hardship further down the line.
Don’t worry, we have not forgotten Labour’s all-important internal elections. Voting closes in just a couple of hours at noon. Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership is coming to an end. Looking back at the last few years in a piece for LabourList, Labour left activist Michael Chessum says the Corbyn project failed because it refused to recognise that the nationalist right planned to reframe politics around race and nation, and then did not develop a coherent Brexit policy. It certainly seems that while outsiders might have assumed Keir Starmer’s push for a fresh referendum would damage his chances of securing the leadership, that simply hasn’t happened.
Labour’s leadership elections aren’t the only important contest on the ballot paper. If you have been a full member since before November 12th, there is also the opportunity to vote in the national executive committee by-elections. Wondering why these are important? Read my piece on how the results of these races will shape the future of the party. Another important factor in determining Labour’s direction under not-Corbyn will be the shadow cabinet. NEC member Lara McNeill has written about that subject here. And lastly, if you need cheering up during the pandemic, the founder of Labour Party Graphic Designers has taken a look at each of the campaigns from a designer’s perspective – even Barry Gardiner’s short-lived bid gets a mention. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-04-02--WATCH: Chakrabarti calls for “detailed national testing strategy”

Shami Chakrabarti has called on the government to publish a “ detailed national testing strategy ” and declared that the country ’ s approach is so far “ failing in both clarity and delivery ” .
Speaking to Sky News this morning , the Shadow Attorney General spoke about the need for the government to clearly outline how capacity for testing will be increased and to clarify who would receive tests and in what order .
The Labour spokesperson said that the party has been “ asking for two things in relation to everything , including testing .
The first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve been seeking is protection ” .
Chakrabarti said : “ With testing , so far the approach is failing in both clarity and delivery… If there ’ s going to be a route out of the lockdown – the very , very difficult and uncomfortable lockdown for people – that has got to be community testing .
” She went on to say : “ Just as the government approached the national ventilator challenge , and invited manufacturers who don ’ t normally produce ventilators to turn their minds and hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perhaps now be envisaged in relation to testing.
” She also said : “ I thought that Lord Sumption remarks were downright irresponsible earlier this week – I think they were arrogant , I think they were entitled and attention seeking… To talk about a police state is downright irresponsible.
” Former Supreme Court Justice had criticised the practices being put in place by some police services across the country as they have attempted to enforce the coronavirus lockdown , likening the UK to a “ police state ” .
Asked about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : “ Whoever wins , I hope they will continue in the spirit of constructive opposition… The crucial thing is that the Labour Party unites.
” The government has come under increasing pressure as the level of testing for NHS staff remains low , and large numbers of health and care workers are having to self-isolate after displaying Covid-19 symptoms .
There are a total of 29,474 recorded cases of coronavirus in the UK , although the true figure is thought to be higher .
2,352 people across the country have died @ @ @ @

Shami Chakrabarti has called on the government to publish a “detailed national testing strategy” and declared that the country’s approach is so far “failing in both clarity and delivery”.
Speaking to Sky News this morning, the Shadow Attorney General spoke about the need for the government to clearly outline how capacity for testing will be increased and to clarify who would receive tests and in what order.
The Labour spokesperson said that the party has been “asking for two things in relation to everything, including testing. The first is clarity… And the second thing we’ve been seeking is protection”.
Chakrabarti said: “With testing, so far the approach is failing in both clarity and delivery… If there’s going to be a route out of the lockdown – the very, very difficult and uncomfortable lockdown for people – that has got to be community testing. ”
She went on to say: “Just as the government approached the national ventilator challenge, and invited manufacturers who don’t normally produce ventilators to turn their minds and hands to the task, something similar should perhaps now be envisaged in relation to testing.”
"I think so far with testing the approach is failing." Shadow Attorney General, Baroness Chakrabarti is calling for more clarity from the government over the current strategy to tackle the #COVID19 pandemic. Get the latest on #coronavirus here: https://t.co/X3SK5M8OrQ pic.twitter.com/BDouDn4gkj — Sky News (@SkyNews) April 2, 2020
She also said: “I thought that Lord Sumption remarks were downright irresponsible earlier this week – I think they were arrogant, I think they were entitled and attention seeking… To talk about a police state is downright irresponsible.”
Former Supreme Court Justice had criticised the practices being put in place by some police services across the country as they have attempted to enforce the coronavirus lockdown, likening the UK to a “police state”.
Asked about the Labour leadership election ending today, Chakrabarti said: “Whoever wins, I hope they will continue in the spirit of constructive opposition… The crucial thing is that the Labour Party unites.”
The government has come under increasing pressure as the level of testing for NHS staff remains low, and large numbers of health and care workers are having to self-isolate after displaying Covid-19 symptoms.
There are a total of 29,474 recorded cases of coronavirus in the UK, although the true figure is thought to be higher. 2,352 people across the country have died from the disease.


labourlist--2020-04-02--Labour’s 2020 leadership campaigns – a graphic designer’s view

The Labour leadership election started approximately 48 years ago and nothing much has happened to change its dynamics in the meantime .
Fresh off the back of a general election we ’ d rather not talk about , the party committed itself to another bout of hot polling action to decide on a new leader ( and deputy ) .
Names were bandied around , hats were thrown in the general direction of the ring , some stepped forward , some withdrew , and all the while we never got a look at a Barry Gardiner for Leader logo .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the rear view mirror , candidates should be forgiven for having a somewhat sketchy start in putting together their all-important visual identities .
While some of us might work from graphic design backwards , it turns out serious politicians tend to focus on policies rather than pixels .
Several candidates saw a visual overhaul of their campaigns between the launch and the beginning of voting – compare Rebecca Long-Bailey first website to her redesigned one , as shown above , or Angela Rayner ’ s initial design to her current brand .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Preparing for a leadership election shouldn ’ t have been at the top of anyone ’ s to do list before December 12th .
Tightly kerned in ITC Avant Garde , Rayner ’ s campaign opted for continuity with some of her material from the general election campaign , using the same typeface and colour palette .
We ’ ll call this one Old Trusty .
Picking up on a trend of shearing and rotating a typographic logo , Murray opts for all caps for impact , backed up by a punchy magenta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from various hues of Labour-red is a welcome respite , while emphasising ‘ Ian ’ in the box and de-emphasising it with an outline leaves you wondering where exactly to focus your attention .
A not-terribly-distinctive logo from a candidate who could have released one of the more vibrant campaign designs .
Informal vibes coming from Camp Richard .
They have eschewed the formality of a surname and gone for a simple typographic lockup in Futura , once described by Aaron Draplin as “ the working man ’ s font ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as if Richard Burgon were Ronaldo or Trisha .
Maximum degrees of rotation : none , but check out the angle on those three stripes .
It was always inevitable that we ’ d get at least one AOC spin-off in the election .
While not quite as vibrant as its forerunner , fortunately this one is much more pleasantly executed than some of the examples we saw in the election .
Did Khalid Mahmood ever have a logo ?
That ’ s a question right up there with who shot JFK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may never know .
Not a lot to be said other than a relatively slick effort from Jess Phillips .
Hats off to the team at Portland Communications* .
*This is a joke , please don ’ t sue .
Channeling Big Richard Energy , Clive opted for a punchy , informal typographic lockup .
The kerning is a bit off and it feels a little unbalanced , but it had the potential to evolve had Clive ’ s campaign continued to the later stages of the contest .
Bold-Light-Bold is a well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Thornberry ’ s logo was reminiscent of the Make Poverty History campaign ( for anyone old enough to remember 2008 , when we could all still go outside ) , as she rejected the anticipated red in favour of a minimalist colour palette with subtle magenta highlighting on the strapline .
The strapline is a bit too small .
The Steepest Incline of Any Candidate Logo Award goes to Sir Keir Starmer KCB QC .
He deserves some credit here for being one of the few candidates to push the envelope with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his website .
Also Steep Incline sounds like the name of a West Country village that has returned a Tory MP every election since 1832 .
The only candidate to employ a serif typeface – something rarely seen in the party since the ’ 90s .
Is this a subtle nod towards the early Blair years ?
Probably not .
Is it the New Statesman font ?
Yep .
One of the more distinctive logos of the election goes to Rebecca Long-Bailey , incorporating the forward arrow motif to represent progress .
Maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple of corners That ’ s a wrap , unless anyone wants to leak us the Khalid Mahmood and Barry Gardiner logos .
Had the contest come less hurriedly off the back of a general election , perhaps we would have seen some more exploration from candidates into divergent visual identities .
By largely staying close to traditional labour colours , no candidate has come out with designs beyond what we might expect .
Safe , reliable , trustworthy , Labour – these are the core messages being conveyed .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next leader to be will take the party ’ s visual identity in a more radical direction .

The Labour leadership election started approximately 48 years ago and nothing much has happened to change its dynamics in the meantime. Fresh off the back of a general election we’d rather not talk about, the party committed itself to another bout of hot polling action to decide on a new leader (and deputy). Names were bandied around, hats were thrown in the general direction of the ring, some stepped forward, some withdrew, and all the while we never got a look at a Barry Gardiner for Leader logo.
With a general election campaign so near in the rear view mirror, candidates should be forgiven for having a somewhat sketchy start in putting together their all-important visual identities. While some of us might work from graphic design backwards, it turns out serious politicians tend to focus on policies rather than pixels.
Several candidates saw a visual overhaul of their campaigns between the launch and the beginning of voting – compare Rebecca Long-Bailey first website to her redesigned one, as shown above, or Angela Rayner’s initial design to her current brand. This is fair enough, really. Preparing for a leadership election shouldn’t have been at the top of anyone’s to do list before December 12th.
The deputy leadership candidates
Angela Rayner
Tightly kerned in ITC Avant Garde, Rayner’s campaign opted for continuity with some of her material from the general election campaign, using the same typeface and colour palette. We’ll call this one Old Trusty.
Maximum degrees of rotation: 2.5°
Ian Murray
Picking up on a trend of shearing and rotating a typographic logo, Murray opts for all caps for impact, backed up by a punchy magenta box housing ‘Ian’. Straying away from various hues of Labour-red is a welcome respite, while emphasising ‘Ian’ in the box and de-emphasising it with an outline leaves you wondering where exactly to focus your attention.
Maximum degrees of rotation: 7°
Dawn Butler
A not-terribly-distinctive logo from a candidate who could have released one of the more vibrant campaign designs.
Maximum degrees of rotation: 6°
Richard Burgon
Informal vibes coming from Camp Richard. They have eschewed the formality of a surname and gone for a simple typographic lockup in Futura, once described by Aaron Draplin as “the working man’s font”. Loses points for not including his surname, as if Richard Burgon were Ronaldo or Trisha.
Maximum degrees of rotation: none, but check out the angle on those three stripes.
Rosena Allin-Khan
It was always inevitable that we’d get at least one AOC spin-off in the election. While not quite as vibrant as its forerunner, fortunately this one is much more pleasantly executed than some of the examples we saw in the election.
Maximum degrees of rotation: 7°
Khalid Mahmood
Did Khalid Mahmood ever have a logo? That’s a question right up there with who shot JFK?
Maximum degrees of rotation: we may never know.
The leadership candidates
Jess Phillips
Not a lot to be said other than a relatively slick effort from Jess Phillips. Hats off to the team at Portland Communications*.
Maximum degrees of rotation: zero.
*This is a joke, please don’t sue.
Clive Lewis
Channeling Big Richard Energy, Clive opted for a punchy, informal typographic lockup. The kerning is a bit off and it feels a little unbalanced, but it had the potential to evolve had Clive’s campaign continued to the later stages of the contest.
Maximum degrees of rotation: 2°
Emily Thornberry
Bold-Light-Bold is a well trodden typographic cliche in the Labour Party. Thornberry’s logo was reminiscent of the Make Poverty History campaign (for anyone old enough to remember 2008, when we could all still go outside), as she rejected the anticipated red in favour of a minimalist colour palette with subtle magenta highlighting on the strapline. The strapline is a bit too small.
Maximum degrees of rotation: zero
Keir Starmer
The Steepest Incline of Any Candidate Logo Award goes to Sir Keir Starmer KCB QC. He deserves some credit here for being one of the few candidates to push the envelope with a pink and dark colour scheme on his website. Also Steep Incline sounds like the name of a West Country village that has returned a Tory MP every election since 1832.
Maximum degrees of rotation: 12°
Lisa Nandy
The only candidate to employ a serif typeface – something rarely seen in the party since the ’90s. Is this a subtle nod towards the early Blair years? Probably not. Is it the New Statesman font? Yep.
Maximum degrees of rotation: none
Rebecca Long-Bailey
One of the more distinctive logos of the election goes to Rebecca Long-Bailey, incorporating the forward arrow motif to represent progress.
Maximum degrees of rotation: zero, but a couple of corners
That’s a wrap, unless anyone wants to leak us the Khalid Mahmood and Barry Gardiner logos. Had the contest come less hurriedly off the back of a general election, perhaps we would have seen some more exploration from candidates into divergent visual identities.
By largely staying close to traditional labour colours, no candidate has come out with designs beyond what we might expect. Safe, reliable, trustworthy, Labour – these are the core messages being conveyed. We’ll have to wait and see whether the next leader to be will take the party’s visual identity in a more radical direction.


labourlist--2020-04-02--The UK must do more to bring residents home – using the RAF if necessary

I am incredibly proud that Leicester East is one of the most diverse constituencies in the country .
Our residents hail from across the globe .
At a time of international crisis , our communities are affected across borders .
At the last count , I was responding to over 200 Leicester East residents who are currently stranded in countries around the world , and I am receiving new cases every hour .
I have been helping constituents who are stranded in India , Pakistan , Zimbabwe , Kuwait , South Africa , Ghana , Kenya , Australia , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very worrying messages from those with underlying health conditions who are particularly vulnerable and often running low on their medication .
Many of the health issues include asthma , diabetes and other underlying critical health issues , so I am deeply concerned they are stuck in remote parts of the world .
Amongst others who I have been helping are those who have had kidney and liver transplants .
Another is pregnant yet can not return home from Pakistan .
Being stranded abroad during an international pandemic is unbelievably distressing , especially as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary accommodation , which could shut down any day now , and where it is difficult to abide by social distancing measures .
The government has promised a new strategy on repatriations , but for those of us who have been campaigning on this issue from the outset – and especially for the Leicester East residents stranded abroad and their families back home – what has been announced so far is wholly inadequate .
More commercial flights are simply not an option for too many of my constituents .
I do not believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commercial options is acceptable .
I have heard from constituents who have spent thousands of pounds on flights , only for them to be cancelled , often with no cash refund available .
In one of many examples , two Leicester East residents with asthma and diabetes have paid for 4 unused flight tickets from Pakistan that have all been cancelled .
The government should not be leaving people to the mercy of exploitative private airlines who are ripping vulnerable people off , without helping them to get home .
The Foreign Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but none of the commitments or urgency other countries like Germany have demonstrated .
We haven ’ t been given firm answers to any of the specific problems being faced , from the loss of travel insurance and accommodation to dwindling supplies of medicine and money .
We need a fresh , comprehensive , and fully-funded strategy to bring our British nationals ’ home , using every option at the government ’ s disposal .
That is not what the government has provided , and it ’ s not good enough .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shared their frustration about the lack of information and advice that they have received from the Foreign Office .
Many Leicester East residents are stranded and even locked down in areas that have no international airport and no suitable internal means of transport available to the major cities which do .
The UK spent around £40bn on defence spending in 2019 .
As an extraordinary measure , I believe that RAF and military aircraft could be used to act as shuttle services to transport British nationals to the nearest appropriate international airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaked by government officials in a Telegraph report on Sunday , before being rowed back a day later .
This would be an unprecedented step , but we are living through an unprecedented crisis .
This diplomatic effort would need to be undertaken in the spirit of international solidarity , which is needed for us to combat this pandemic .
The coronavirus crisis requires us to think big and challenge existing orthodoxies .
We must do all in our power to bring our people back home .

I am incredibly proud that Leicester East is one of the most diverse constituencies in the country. Our residents hail from across the globe. At a time of international crisis, our communities are affected across borders. At the last count, I was responding to over 200 Leicester East residents who are currently stranded in countries around the world, and I am receiving new cases every hour. I have been helping constituents who are stranded in India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Kuwait, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Australia, New Zealand and more.
I have received very worrying messages from those with underlying health conditions who are particularly vulnerable and often running low on their medication. Many of the health issues include asthma, diabetes and other underlying critical health issues, so I am deeply concerned they are stuck in remote parts of the world. Amongst others who I have been helping are those who have had kidney and liver transplants. Another is pregnant yet cannot return home from Pakistan.
Being stranded abroad during an international pandemic is unbelievably distressing, especially as many of those affected are staying in temporary accommodation, which could shut down any day now, and where it is difficult to abide by social distancing measures.
The government has promised a new strategy on repatriations, but for those of us who have been campaigning on this issue from the outset – and especially for the Leicester East residents stranded abroad and their families back home – what has been announced so far is wholly inadequate.
More commercial flights are simply not an option for too many of my constituents. I do not believe that leaving people to rely solely on commercial options is acceptable. I have heard from constituents who have spent thousands of pounds on flights, only for them to be cancelled, often with no cash refund available. In one of many examples, two Leicester East residents with asthma and diabetes have paid for 4 unused flight tickets from Pakistan that have all been cancelled. The government should not be leaving people to the mercy of exploitative private airlines who are ripping vulnerable people off, without helping them to get home.
The Foreign Secretary has given vague promises about charter flights, but none of the commitments or urgency other countries like Germany have demonstrated. We haven’t been given firm answers to any of the specific problems being faced, from the loss of travel insurance and accommodation to dwindling supplies of medicine and money. We need a fresh, comprehensive, and fully-funded strategy to bring our British nationals’ home, using every option at the government’s disposal. That is not what the government has provided, and it’s not good enough.
Many UK citizens have, quite rightly, shared their frustration about the lack of information and advice that they have received from the Foreign Office. Many Leicester East residents are stranded and even locked down in areas that have no international airport and no suitable internal means of transport available to the major cities which do.
The UK spent around £40bn on defence spending in 2019. As an extraordinary measure, I believe that RAF and military aircraft could be used to act as shuttle services to transport British nationals to the nearest appropriate international airport. Indeed, a similar strategy was leaked by government officials in a Telegraph report on Sunday, before being rowed back a day later.
This would be an unprecedented step, but we are living through an unprecedented crisis. This diplomatic effort would need to be undertaken in the spirit of international solidarity, which is needed for us to combat this pandemic. The coronavirus crisis requires us to think big and challenge existing orthodoxies. We must do all in our power to bring our people back home.


labourlist--2020-04-02--Exclusive: Labour members still favour radical Corbynite policies, poll finds

Labour members are overwhelmingly in favour of the radical policies contained in the 2017 and 2019 general election party manifestos developed under Jeremy Corbyn , YouGov polling has found .
LabourList can exclusively reveal the results of internal polling conducted by YouGov for the Rebecca Long-Bailey campaign during the Labour leadership election , which closed at noon today .
The weighted group of 1,055 party members surveyed expressed significant support for left-wing policy commitments – from public ownership of key industries to introducing a four-day working week .
The research also found substantial support for nuclear disarmament , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as party policy and not included in the 2017 or 2019 manifestos .
Commenting on the findings , Jon Trickett , currently shadow minister for the Cabinet Office and a key supporter of Long-Bailey ’ s leadership bid , said : “ Whoever the next leader is will have the support of our membership to build on the past four years .
“ This polling shows there ’ s no support for turning back on what the members have won these past few years .
Our party will have a great future if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our working-class politics , trade union link and common sense socialist policies.
” Cutting the substantial majority of carbon emissions by 2030 : Support : 96 % Oppose : 1 % Scrapping laws that restrict the power of trade unions : Support : 67 % Oppose : 13 % 50 % top rate of tax on income over £125,000 : Support : 90 % Oppose : 3 % A pay ratio of 20:1 for all employers : Support : 80 % Oppose : 4 % Nuclear disarmament when Trident reaches the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % Oppose : 15 % The poll also indicated that Labour members do not believe it to be important that the next leader is female , from the North of England or working-class .
Most did , however , say that it was important for them to commit to Labour ’ s 2019 policies .
Those surveyed said they thought leadership candidates Lisa Nandy and Long-Bailey were more “ in touch with the concerns of ordinary people ” than Keir Starmer , but of Starmer as way ahead in terms of offering an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other candidates , they described Starmer as a “ strong leader ” , a good media performer , someone who unites the party , and the candidate most able to take “ tough decisions ” and to win an election .
Voting in Labour ’ s leadership and deputy leadership elections closed today , and the results will be announced by the party on Saturday morning .

Labour members are overwhelmingly in favour of the radical policies contained in the 2017 and 2019 general election party manifestos developed under Jeremy Corbyn, YouGov polling has found.
LabourList can exclusively reveal the results of internal polling conducted by YouGov for the Rebecca Long-Bailey campaign during the Labour leadership election, which closed at noon today.
The weighted group of 1,055 party members surveyed expressed significant support for left-wing policy commitments – from public ownership of key industries to introducing a four-day working week.
The research also found substantial support for nuclear disarmament, which was personally advocated by Corbyn but not adopted as party policy and not included in the 2017 or 2019 manifestos.
Commenting on the findings, Jon Trickett, currently shadow minister for the Cabinet Office and a key supporter of Long-Bailey’s leadership bid, said: “Whoever the next leader is will have the support of our membership to build on the past four years.
“This polling shows there’s no support for turning back on what the members have won these past few years. Our party will have a great future if we are proud of who we are, our working-class politics, trade union link and common sense socialist policies.”
YouGov survey results:
Nationalise mail, rail, energy and water:
Support: 91%
Oppose: 3%
Scrap tuition fees:
Support: 84%
Oppose: 5%
Cutting the substantial majority of carbon emissions by 2030:
Support: 96%
Oppose: 1%
Free broadband for all:
Support: 56%
Oppose: 13%
Abolish private schools:
Support: 48%
Oppose: 18%
Remove tax breaks from private schools:
Support: 89%
Oppose: 4%
Four-day working week:
Support: 61%
Oppose: 11%
Compensating the WASPI women:
Support: 80%
Oppose: 6%
Scrapping laws that restrict the power of trade unions:
Support: 67%
Oppose: 13%
50% top rate of tax on income over £125,000:
Support: 90%
Oppose: 3%
A pay ratio of 20:1 for all employers:
Support: 80%
Oppose: 4%
Open selections for parliamentary candidates:
Support: 57%
Oppose: 12%
Nuclear disarmament when Trident reaches the end of its life:
Support: 65%
Oppose: 15%
1,055 Labour Party members. Fieldwork: February 7th-10th, 2020.
The poll also indicated that Labour members do not believe it to be important that the next leader is female, from the North of England or working-class. Most did, however, say that it was important for them to commit to Labour’s 2019 policies.
Those surveyed said they thought of leadership candidates Lisa Nandy and Long-Bailey as more “in touch with the concerns of ordinary people” than Keir Starmer, but of Starmer as more capable of offering an “effective opposition”.
Over the other candidates, they described Starmer as a “strong leader”, a good media performer, someone who unites the party, and the candidate most able to take “tough decisions” and to win an election.
Voting in Labour’s leadership and deputy leadership elections closed today, and the results will be announced by the party on Saturday morning.


labourlist--2020-04-02--WATCH: Corbyn calls lack of testing for NHS and care workers “ludicrous”

Jeremy Corbyn has declared that the government ’ s failure to provide testing for NHS and care workers is “ ludicrous ” , and said that he had raised the issue of testing with the Prime Minister three weeks ago .
In an interview with Sky News this afternoon , the outgoing Labour leader told viewers that the government has been too slow to act in scaling up coronavirus testing .
He said : “ The fact that we are not yet even testing 10,000 people a day is very , very serious indeed .
There are almost half a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care sector – even they have not been tested .
It is ludicrous.
” The government has come under increasing pressure as levels of testing for NHS staff and care sector workers remains low , and a growing number are having to self-isolate after displaying symptoms of the virus .
Corbyn added : “ The superhuman efforts of people throughout the NHS… is wonderful and we should applaud them , but we shouldn ’ t have had ten years of austerity where we ended up with 94 % bed occupancy in the NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that.
” The Labour leader also stated that he and the Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth met with the Prime Minister and spoke specifically about the need to increase testing three weeks ago .
He said : “ Here we are now all these weeks later , we ’ re not even reaching 10,000 a day .
And it ’ s apparently because there ’ s a shortage of test equipment… because they seem to be running on the idea that it wasn ’ t necessary to test.
” Earlier today , Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the UK is “ failing in both clarity and delivery ” on testing and called for the publication of a detailed national strategy .
GMB recently warned that the care system is in danger of “ total collapse ” due to the coronavirus health crisis and issued five demands to the government to support care workers .
Labour ’ s shadow health team wrote to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock today calling for a “ coordinated approach ” to ensure that the care sector is supported through the coronavirus pandemic .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus in the UK , although the true figure is thought to be higher .
2,352 people across the country have died from the disease .

Jeremy Corbyn has declared that the government’s failure to provide testing for NHS and care workers is “ludicrous”, and said that he had raised the issue of testing with the Prime Minister three weeks ago.
In an interview with Sky News this afternoon, the outgoing Labour leader told viewers that the government has been too slow to act in scaling up coronavirus testing.
He said: “The fact that we are not yet even testing 10,000 people a day is very, very serious indeed. There are almost half a million people working in the NHS and care sector – even they have not been tested. It is ludicrous.”
The government has come under increasing pressure as levels of testing for NHS staff and care sector workers remains low, and a growing number are having to self-isolate after displaying symptoms of the virus.
Corbyn added: “The superhuman efforts of people throughout the NHS… is wonderful and we should applaud them, but we shouldn’t have had ten years of austerity where we ended up with 94% bed occupancy in the NHS and obviously a difficulty coping because of that.”
The Labour leader also stated that he and the Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth met with the Prime Minister and spoke specifically about the need to increase testing three weeks ago.
He said: “Here we are now all these weeks later, we’re not even reaching 10,000 a day. And it’s apparently because there’s a shortage of test equipment… because they seem to be running on the idea that it wasn’t necessary to test.”
"We have got to get on top of testing." In an exclusive interview, outgoing Labour leader @jeremycorbyn tells @BethRigby the lack of testing of frontline NHS staff as "ludicrous". Get the latest on #coronavirus here: https://t.co/Y4uEQOX5qU pic.twitter.com/WSraK9tADW — Sky News (@SkyNews) April 2, 2020
Earlier today, Labour’s Shami Chakrabarti told Sky News that the UK is “failing in both clarity and delivery” on testing and called for the publication of a detailed national strategy.
GMB recently warned that the care system is in danger of “total collapse” due to the coronavirus health crisis and issued five demands to the government to support care workers.
Labour’s shadow health team wrote to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock today calling for a “coordinated approach” to ensure that the care sector is supported through the coronavirus pandemic.
There are a total of 29,474 recorded cases of coronavirus in the UK, although the true figure is thought to be higher. 2,352 people across the country have died from the disease.


labourlist--2020-04-02--How Labour under Corbyn rejected Fabianism and lost elections

Labour has fewer MPs than at any time since the Second World War .
In one sentence , that sums up Jeremy Corbyn ’ s legacy as Labour leader , and a stocktake of the Corbyn era must therefore find more that was wrong than right .
But for a moment , let ’ s hold back on the failures and consider some positives from the last four-and-half years .
First , the increase in the party ’ s membership has been hugely beneficial , particularly as it was accompanied by a newfound energy and vibrancy in grassroots activity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when members worked together rather than fought with each other , Labour mustered a great army of local activists .
In terms of volume and energy , British politics had seen nothing like it since the extraordinary campaign of 1997 .
A small slice of these new members are loyal to Corbyn , not Labour , but the vast majority are ready to place their trust in the next leader and will power the party forward for years to come .
Second , the party found a welcome new boldness when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was leader , Labour articulated the scale of the problems facing the country but the solutions it offered rarely fitted the bill .
Under Corbyn , the shackles were off and the party stopped being scared of its own shadow .
Labour proposed policy answers commensurate with the challenges it identified .
Not all of them were the right policies ( I strongly disliked elements of the 2019 manifesto ) and the way they were presented was disastrous .
But the party can not return to an agenda that is timid and tepid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critics know they need to up their game .
Third , the party made strides in the use of technology , working alongside organisations like Momentum .
There was innovation at pace , as well as a good deal of wit and style in the party ’ s digital communications .
Sadly , it was nothing compared to what the Conservatives were able to achieve with their under-the-radar data-led campaign .
But in recent years Labour has learnt a lot about modern campaigning , though it has also lost institutional capacity and memory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For non-Corbynite Labour members , there was another upside .
The shock of the far left ’ s internal victories and then the devastating general electoral defeat tamed the narcissism of small differences that so impoverished Labour politics before Corbyn .
There is new perspective on the modest distinctions within the pre-Corbyn party , between Blairites and Brownites , soft left and old right , trade unionists , co-operators , municipalists and Fabians .
Protagonists on all sides have realised how destructive and pointless the old feuds were .
This has been exemplified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to undermine Ed Miliband to endorse candidates this year from his soft left wing of the party .
Both Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy have been able to secure very wide support from across the traditional strands of Labour opinion .
That bodes well for party unity under a new leader .
But much more was bad than good about the Corbyn era .
The scale of the 2019 defeat is of course the place to start .
As I wrote the weekend after the election , not only does Labour need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of one , it now requires a far larger electoral swing than at any time since the 2010 defeat , and it needs to reach out for support in many different directions .
The party must again become a broad church in order to retain support in socially liberal urban seats while also appealing to more culturally conservative suburbs and ex-industrial towns and rebuilding in Scotland .
Election results tell the story in numbers .
But in terms of values , nothing illustrates Labour ’ s failure under Corbyn as much as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The leadership ’ s perceived tolerance of left antisemitism was vile and it flowed out of – and shone a light on – three of the most destructive traits of the Corbyn era .
First , weak leadership .
Even Jeremy Corbyn ’ s allies were exasperated by his failure to get a grip and show firm leadership , on antisemitism and much else besides .
Brexit would have been a nightmare for any Labour leader but it was made much worse by how it was handled .
Corbyn will be remembered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weakness as a decision-maker and party manager played a greater part in his downfall .
Second , factionalism .
The antisemitism crisis was caused by people who weren ’ t antisemitic protecting people who were , because they were on the same side in the party ’ s factional contests .
The ‘ with us or against us ’ mindset allowed people with unacceptable views to prosper in the party .
It also meant that the leadership ’ s efforts to engage outside their own closed circle ( including with their own frontbenchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Third , the far-left worldview .
The antisemitism of the Corbyn era was an offshoot of an unsavoury left populism that embraced conspiracy theories and personalised the structural failings of Western economics and foreign policy as the work of evil elites .
There was never a clear line between valid Corbynite opposition to militarism , imperialism and neoliberalism and a wholesale rejection of the western liberal order , European social democracy and British identity .
From the start , people felt that Corbyn ’ s instincts and worldview were out of step with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and this played a big part in Labour ’ s electoral collapse .
Huge numbers who liked Labour ’ s domestic reform agenda worried that Corbyn ’ s values were not their own .
The Labour leadership under Corbyn turned its back on the party ’ s Fabian traditions on several fronts .
It deliberately sought to switch the focus from electoral politics to building a movement of grassroots campaigning and social action .
But deep change can only be achieved by winning elections and wielding power through parliamentary democracy and municipal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too much like an exercise in self-affirmation , where likeminded people came together to agree ; when the party needed to reach outwards to those with different points of view .
The honourable tradition of elected politicians representing and mediating the perspectives of diverse communities came to be seen as less democratic and authentic than reproducing the views of the right-thinking minority who had chosen to join the Labour Party .
Labour also abandoned those boring Fabian traits of rigour , evidence and practicality , and the 2019 manifesto imploded as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there was nothing wrong with the analysis or ambition .
But across too many areas , the solutions had only been tested and discussed with small groups of loyal insiders .
They were easy for critics to shoot down .
And as has now been said many times , the volume of reform on offer would have been totally impossible to deliver in a single term of office .
Labour under Corbyn rejected Fabianism in one final way , by prioritising statism over egalitarianism .
This stood in contrast to the choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the 1950s , when Fabian revisionists shifted the party ’ s ideological lodestar from collectivism to equality .
The proposals for nationalisations and middle-class universalism contained many ideas that were fine in their own right .
But as a package , they totally overshadowed the more modest egalitarian and redistributive measures within Labour ’ s platform .
Just in the last fortnight , by raising the basic rate of Universal Credit , Rishi Sunak has done more for the incomes of the poorest in Britain than John McDonnell promised over four years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new leader prepares to take the reins , Labour needs a reset on policy and a reset on culture .
On policy , there is time .
All the new leader needs to do immediately is to wipe the slate clean and make it clear that the 2019 manifesto is not the starting point for Labour ’ s next offer .
The alternative can take shape slowly , with evidence-based reviews and respectful conversations that embrace each strand of Labour opinion and reach out to voters of every sort .
On culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show that the party has zero-tolerance for racism or hatred and shares Britain ’ s values .
We may be in the midst of an extraordinary national crisis , but the new leader will be defined within weeks by how he or she tackles the most toxic elements of the Corbyn legacy .
Yes , there have been some positives over the last four years , but now big change is rightly coming .

Labour has fewer MPs than at any time since the Second World War. In one sentence, that sums up Jeremy Corbyn’s legacy as Labour leader, and a stocktake of the Corbyn era must therefore find more that was wrong than right. But for a moment, let’s hold back on the failures and consider some positives from the last four-and-half years.
First, the increase in the party’s membership has been hugely beneficial, particularly as it was accompanied by a newfound energy and vibrancy in grassroots activity. During the 2017 and 2019 election campaigns, when members worked together rather than fought with each other, Labour mustered a great army of local activists. In terms of volume and energy, British politics had seen nothing like it since the extraordinary campaign of 1997. A small slice of these new members are loyal to Corbyn, not Labour, but the vast majority are ready to place their trust in the next leader and will power the party forward for years to come.
Second, the party found a welcome new boldness when it came to policy. When Ed Miliband was leader, Labour articulated the scale of the problems facing the country but the solutions it offered rarely fitted the bill. Under Corbyn, the shackles were off and the party stopped being scared of its own shadow. Labour proposed policy answers commensurate with the challenges it identified. Not all of them were the right policies (I strongly disliked elements of the 2019 manifesto) and the way they were presented was disastrous. But the party cannot return to an agenda that is timid and tepid. On policy, Corbyn’s critics know they need to up their game.
Third, the party made strides in the use of technology, working alongside organisations like Momentum. There was innovation at pace, as well as a good deal of wit and style in the party’s digital communications. Sadly, it was nothing compared to what the Conservatives were able to achieve with their under-the-radar data-led campaign. But in recent years Labour has learnt a lot about modern campaigning, though it has also lost institutional capacity and memory that will need to be rebuilt.
For non-Corbynite Labour members, there was another upside. The shock of the far left’s internal victories and then the devastating general electoral defeat tamed the narcissism of small differences that so impoverished Labour politics before Corbyn. There is new perspective on the modest distinctions within the pre-Corbyn party, between Blairites and Brownites, soft left and old right, trade unionists, co-operators, municipalists and Fabians. Protagonists on all sides have realised how destructive and pointless the old feuds were.
This has been exemplified by the decision of factions that sought to undermine Ed Miliband to endorse candidates this year from his soft left wing of the party. Both Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy have been able to secure very wide support from across the traditional strands of Labour opinion. That bodes well for party unity under a new leader.
But much more was bad than good about the Corbyn era. The scale of the 2019 defeat is of course the place to start. As I wrote the weekend after the election, not only does Labour need to gain 123 MPs to secure a majority of one, it now requires a far larger electoral swing than at any time since the 2010 defeat, and it needs to reach out for support in many different directions. The party must again become a broad church in order to retain support in socially liberal urban seats while also appealing to more culturally conservative suburbs and ex-industrial towns and rebuilding in Scotland.
Election results tell the story in numbers. But in terms of values, nothing illustrates Labour’s failure under Corbyn as much as the rise of anti-Jewish racism within the party. The leadership’s perceived tolerance of left antisemitism was vile and it flowed out of – and shone a light on – three of the most destructive traits of the Corbyn era.
First, weak leadership. Even Jeremy Corbyn’s allies were exasperated by his failure to get a grip and show firm leadership, on antisemitism and much else besides. Brexit would have been a nightmare for any Labour leader but it was made much worse by how it was handled. Corbyn will be remembered as an indifferent public performer but his weakness as a decision-maker and party manager played a greater part in his downfall.
Second, factionalism. The antisemitism crisis was caused by people who weren’t antisemitic protecting people who were, because they were on the same side in the party’s factional contests. The ‘with us or against us’ mindset allowed people with unacceptable views to prosper in the party. It also meant that the leadership’s efforts to engage outside their own closed circle (including with their own frontbenchers) always felt half-hearted and cosmetic.
Third, the far-left worldview. The antisemitism of the Corbyn era was an offshoot of an unsavoury left populism that embraced conspiracy theories and personalised the structural failings of Western economics and foreign policy as the work of evil elites. There was never a clear line between valid Corbynite opposition to militarism, imperialism and neoliberalism and a wholesale rejection of the western liberal order, European social democracy and British identity. From the start, people felt that Corbyn’s instincts and worldview were out of step with those of the vast majority in Britain, and this played a big part in Labour’s electoral collapse. Huge numbers who liked Labour’s domestic reform agenda worried that Corbyn’s values were not their own.
The Labour leadership under Corbyn turned its back on the party’s Fabian traditions on several fronts. It deliberately sought to switch the focus from electoral politics to building a movement of grassroots campaigning and social action. But deep change can only be achieved by winning elections and wielding power through parliamentary democracy and municipal leadership.
Labour politics came to feel too much like an exercise in self-affirmation, where likeminded people came together to agree; when the party needed to reach outwards to those with different points of view. The honourable tradition of elected politicians representing and mediating the perspectives of diverse communities came to be seen as less democratic and authentic than reproducing the views of the right-thinking minority who had chosen to join the Labour Party.
Labour also abandoned those boring Fabian traits of rigour, evidence and practicality, and the 2019 manifesto imploded as a result. When it came to domestic policy, there was nothing wrong with the analysis or ambition. But across too many areas, the solutions had only been tested and discussed with small groups of loyal insiders. They were easy for critics to shoot down. And as has now been said many times, the volume of reform on offer would have been totally impossible to deliver in a single term of office.
Labour under Corbyn rejected Fabianism in one final way, by prioritising statism over egalitarianism. This stood in contrast to the choice made by each generation of Labour leaders since the 1950s, when Fabian revisionists shifted the party’s ideological lodestar from collectivism to equality. The proposals for nationalisations and middle-class universalism contained many ideas that were fine in their own right. But as a package, they totally overshadowed the more modest egalitarian and redistributive measures within Labour’s platform. Just in the last fortnight, by raising the basic rate of Universal Credit, Rishi Sunak has done more for the incomes of the poorest in Britain than John McDonnell promised over four years of a Labour government.
Now as a new leader prepares to take the reins, Labour needs a reset on policy and a reset on culture. On policy, there is time. All the new leader needs to do immediately is to wipe the slate clean and make it clear that the 2019 manifesto is not the starting point for Labour’s next offer. The alternative can take shape slowly, with evidence-based reviews and respectful conversations that embrace each strand of Labour opinion and reach out to voters of every sort.
On culture, however, fast action is needed to show that the party has zero-tolerance for racism or hatred and shares Britain’s values. We may be in the midst of an extraordinary national crisis, but the new leader will be defined within weeks by how he or she tackles the most toxic elements of the Corbyn legacy. Yes, there have been some positives over the last four years, but now big change is rightly coming.