labourlist--2020-02-03--My experience of local government will make me a better MP

Today is the start of Week Eight in my new role as a Labour MP .
The first question I often get asked is : “ So , how is life as an MP ?
” .
The truth is that each day has been different so far , and at this stage I am just trying not to get lost in the Commons .
I am still very much getting to grips with the new procedures , including some of the many long-held customs and practices that I hope will evolve as we make our parliament more in touch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people from my background , I was not active in student politics , and yet growing up on a council estate in the heart of Brixton meant I was very much aware of the role of my local council .
I was dependent on local government to ensure that basic – yet important – services , like the repairs to the communal boiler and the estate window cleaning schedule , happened on time .
Councillors are the lifeblood of local politics and they have a big impact on the quality of life of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from housing , education , local regeneration and economic growth , environment and community safety , right through to the potholes that constitute every councillor ’ s favourite casework enquiry .
I decided to put myself forward to stand as a councillor because I was shocked that we had only four BAME councillors out of 63 .
This was in no way representative of our community .
As a councillor , I held many different roles , including chair of a scrutiny committee , deputy cabinet member and cabinet member with responsibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time when councils are facing a host of challenges – reduced budgets , low voter engagement , more complex needs from a growing local population – councillors sometimes get bad press from central government and MPs .
But the skills I acquired from having the confidence to speak at a busy public meeting , making a case for a controversial policy proposal to a group of residents , presenting difficult budgetary increase proposals and getting heckled from time to time helped me to develop the confidence to stand for parliament .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark , working with the mayor of London .
I firmly believe that regional government can work hand in hand with local and central government – if only the government trusted local politicians and devolved more powers to the local and regional level .
It doesn ’ t make sense that the mayor of London and Assembly oversee policing in London – whereas the wider probation , re-offending and criminal justice system is still controlled centrally , and the re-offending rate for young people at 47.5 % is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wales .
Who can forget the sorry saga of Southern Rail , or ‘ Southern Fail ’ as they were often referred to by long suffering commuters , in Lambeth and Southwark ?
Where the government failed , a coalition of businesses , community groups , cross-party politicians and even Conservative MPs all supported a Labour mayor of London who stepped in with his proposals for the government to transfer control of rail infrastructure management to TfL so that it could manage the devolved suburban services .
I will always remember the feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an Assembly Member and now in my new role as an MP .
My previous posts offered training on how to deal with a resident who contacts you , distressed , as they are facing eviction for non-payment of rent due to a mix-up in their housing benefits payment .
It involved responding to what sometimes seemed like angry emails and letters from community groups , businesses and residents who were passionate about their local causes .
Eating cold sandwiches after a long committee meeting , not having enough time to grab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal .
These experiences have made me excited for the next chapter in my political career .
The next few years will continue to be challenging for local councillors and a Labour mayor in London .
I know that only a Labour government will invest in council homes , bring an end to the unfair welfare policies that has plunged so many Vauxhall residents into financial difficulties , reverse the cuts in education so that our teachers aren ’ t forced to organise fundraisers , address the challenge that is social care and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happens , it is our local Labour councillors , a Labour mayor in London and hard-working voluntary and community groups that will continue to support the most vulnerable residents .
I will be their champion in parliament as they carry out this difficult task .

Today is the start of Week Eight in my new role as a Labour MP. The first question I often get asked is: “So, how is life as an MP?”. The truth is that each day has been different so far, and at this stage I am just trying not to get lost in the Commons. I am still very much getting to grips with the new procedures, including some of the many long-held customs and practices that I hope will evolve as we make our parliament more in touch with modern day life.
Like many people from my background, I was not active in student politics, and yet growing up on a council estate in the heart of Brixton meant I was very much aware of the role of my local council. I was dependent on local government to ensure that basic – yet important – services, like the repairs to the communal boiler and the estate window cleaning schedule, happened on time. Councillors are the lifeblood of local politics and they have a big impact on the quality of life of residents. Councillors are responsible for everything from housing, education, local regeneration and economic growth, environment and community safety, right through to the potholes that constitute every councillor’s favourite casework enquiry.
I decided to put myself forward to stand as a councillor because I was shocked that we had only four BAME councillors out of 63. This was in no way representative of our community. As a councillor, I held many different roles, including chair of a scrutiny committee, deputy cabinet member and cabinet member with responsibility of a departmental budget of £20m. At a time when councils are facing a host of challenges – reduced budgets, low voter engagement, more complex needs from a growing local population – councillors sometimes get bad press from central government and MPs. But the skills I acquired from having the confidence to speak at a busy public meeting, making a case for a controversial policy proposal to a group of residents, presenting difficult budgetary increase proposals and getting heckled from time to time helped me to develop the confidence to stand for parliament.
In 2016, I was elected as an Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark, working with the mayor of London. I firmly believe that regional government can work hand in hand with local and central government – if only the government trusted local politicians and devolved more powers to the local and regional level. It doesn’t make sense that the mayor of London and Assembly oversee policing in London – whereas the wider probation, re-offending and criminal justice system is still controlled centrally, and the re-offending rate for young people at 47.5% is higher than the rest of England and Wales.
Who can forget the sorry saga of Southern Rail, or ‘Southern Fail’ as they were often referred to by long suffering commuters, in Lambeth and Southwark? Where the government failed, a coalition of businesses, community groups, cross-party politicians and even Conservative MPs all supported a Labour mayor of London who stepped in with his proposals for the government to transfer control of rail infrastructure management to TfL so that it could manage the devolved suburban services.
I will always remember the feeling of being elected as a councillor, as an Assembly Member and now in my new role as an MP. My previous posts offered training on how to deal with a resident who contacts you, distressed, as they are facing eviction for non-payment of rent due to a mix-up in their housing benefits payment. It involved responding to what sometimes seemed like angry emails and letters from community groups, businesses and residents who were passionate about their local causes. Eating cold sandwiches after a long committee meeting, not having enough time to grab dinner before the next event, was normal. These experiences have made me excited for the next chapter in my political career.
The next few years will continue to be challenging for local councillors and a Labour mayor in London. I know that only a Labour government will invest in council homes, bring an end to the unfair welfare policies that has plunged so many Vauxhall residents into financial difficulties, reverse the cuts in education so that our teachers aren’t forced to organise fundraisers, address the challenge that is social care and properly fund the NHS. Until that happens, it is our local Labour councillors, a Labour mayor in London and hard-working voluntary and community groups that will continue to support the most vulnerable residents. I will be their champion in parliament as they carry out this difficult task.


labourlist--2020-02-03--Rowenna Davis: Why I’m standing to be a Labour London Assembly candidate

A 16-year-old was stabbed outside East Croydon station last week .
Reportedly , it took 40 seconds to end his life .
The attack took place less than a mile from my school , at about 4.45pm when many of our students were returning home from clubs .
Louis didn ’ t attend our school , but news of his death quickly spread through Snapchat .
The next morning , some students were very quiet , others had questions , and many thought it was sickeningly normal .
Teachers like me across our capital get to see the talent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young people first-hand every day .
But we also witness the things that hold them back .
Fears about knife crime , insecure housing , family problems , mental health worries and financial pressures creep into our classrooms .
We see them impact grades , curtail talent and undermine the happiness and flourishing of our children .
We like to think that our classroom walls can not be penetrated by wider economic , social and political problems , but that is tragically untrue and it can not be ignored .
The London Assembly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in our communities , but with power and budgets over planning , housing , police , infrastructure , communities and transport , it can and does make a difference to children in our capital .
With a Conservative government set to be in power for the next five years , it ’ s also an institution where Labour can hold power and actually make changes to Londoners ’ lives .
City Hall offers us one other power : the power to convene .
As a democratically-elected member , you have a particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , organise and campaign .
We know that the scale and depth of a challenge like knife crime will never be solved by one individual or institution alone ; it is a collective effort that will need leadership from young people , parents , councils , schools , community groups , churches , police , social services , health bodies , businesses and others .
Collective action is the only way I ’ ve ever been able to get things done and anyone who knows me knows it ’ s the way I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Building the best city in the world for a child to grow up in ” is the central message of our campaign .
In one of the richest cities of the world , I believe that nothing less than this should be our aim for London .
The gut-wrenching truth is that for individuals like Louis who we lost last week , that possibility has been snatched away .
We owe it to the rest of our young people to build something better .
I would really like to play a part in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me – not just with a vote – but by giving your time , energy , organisation and action to build a capital that helps our children thrive .

A 16-year-old was stabbed outside East Croydon station last week. Reportedly, it took 40 seconds to end his life. The attack took place less than a mile from my school, at about 4.45pm when many of our students were returning home from clubs. Louis didn’t attend our school, but news of his death quickly spread through Snapchat. The next morning, some students were very quiet, others had questions, and many thought it was sickeningly normal.
Teachers like me across our capital get to see the talent, creativity, energy and brilliance of our young people first-hand every day. But we also witness the things that hold them back. Fears about knife crime, insecure housing, family problems, mental health worries and financial pressures creep into our classrooms. We see them impact grades, curtail talent and undermine the happiness and flourishing of our children. We like to think that our classroom walls cannot be penetrated by wider economic, social and political problems, but that is tragically untrue and it cannot be ignored.
The London Assembly is not as well-known as it should be in our communities, but with power and budgets over planning, housing, police, infrastructure, communities and transport, it can and does make a difference to children in our capital. With a Conservative government set to be in power for the next five years, it’s also an institution where Labour can hold power and actually make changes to Londoners’ lives.
City Hall offers us one other power: the power to convene. As a democratically-elected member, you have a particular kind of authority to bring people together, organise and campaign. We know that the scale and depth of a challenge like knife crime will never be solved by one individual or institution alone; it is a collective effort that will need leadership from young people, parents, councils, schools, community groups, churches, police, social services, health bodies, businesses and others. Collective action is the only way I’ve ever been able to get things done and anyone who knows me knows it’s the way I’d approach this role.
“Building the best city in the world for a child to grow up in” is the central message of our campaign. In one of the richest cities of the world, I believe that nothing less than this should be our aim for London. The gut-wrenching truth is that for individuals like Louis who we lost last week, that possibility has been snatched away.
We owe it to the rest of our young people to build something better. I would really like to play a part in that. I hope you will join me – not just with a vote – but by giving your time, energy, organisation and action to build a capital that helps our children thrive.


labourlist--2020-02-03--Red on the outside, green on the inside – the new shadow Defra team approach

The general election was tough on the shadow environment , food and rural affairs team .
I lost five of my hard-working and talented colleagues in one night .
With four new bills and a raft of other issues for Defra on the horizon after Brexit , I stepped up to lead the team so we could continue to hold the government to account .
It ’ s a dream job for me .
I want Labour to be proudly red on the outside and passionately green on the inside .
I want us to foster cross-party working on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to solve the climate crisis and make sure our animal welfare standards are as high as they can be .
This is more important than party political advantage .
I want us to be relentless in pursuit of the radical climate policies in our manifesto and committed to a Green New Deal .
Whether you liked him or not , there was no denying that Defra was at the heart of government when Michael Gove was Environment Secretary .
Borrowing Labour ’ s policies on animal welfare helped Gove rehabilitate the Tories ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nearly 70 consultations on anything he could think of dazzled a right-wing media , which lapped up policies contrary to traditional Tory thinking on the environment .
Little was delivered , yet the buzz around Defra was clear for all to see .
But under Theresa Villiers , the current Tory Environment Secretary , Defra is a department lost in the doldrums .
We have such a tremendous opportunity to take on a role as a true global leader on the environment and climate in the run-up to the UN COP26 conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being missed , however , because of the pedestrian approach being taken by ministers .
The drive of Michael Gove has been replaced by a dreary managerialism , and a type of bureaucratic approach that is more grey old suits than Green New Deal .
Instead of leading the debate , responding fiercely to the climate emergency , and pushing the boundaries of what is possible , the trilogy of Defra bills currently before parliament have missed the mark entirely .
The Agriculture Bill has no legal guarantee that our food standards won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal .
The Fisheries Bill sets up yet more disappointment for the fishing communities , who have been promised so much but let down time and time again .
And the Environment Bill looks more like a collection of headlines than a meaningful action plan to address the climate and ecological emergency and our woeful air quality in urban areas .
Few think Theresa Villiers will last long in the job .
But before Boris Johnson sacks her in the upcoming reshuffle , the chance for truly radical change may have been lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPs will be challenging ministers to put the Prime Minister ’ s soundbites over animal welfare standards and environmental protection into law when MPs scrutinise the Agriculture Bill .
The Agriculture Bill doesn ’ t have a single legal guarantee that prevents British farm and food standards being undercut by cheap , US food , grown to poorer standards .
No protections against chlorinated chicken or hormone-treated beef .
Nothing .
None .
It is because we don ’ t believe the Prime Minister ’ s promises that nothing less than legal guarantees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommend to colleagues supporting any law that fails to protect our farmers from US intensive farming .
Labour will not vote for a bill that fails to uphold animal welfare standards and environmental protections .
This is the first bill that parliament will debate since the UK ’ s exit from the EU on Friday .
And it underlines the dilemma at the heart of this government .
They have promised much to deliver Brexit and here is a chance to lock in their promises in law – but will they ?
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set in law ?
Could it be that he wants to drop them to bag a trade deal with Donald Trump ?
That ’ s the fear of British farmers and all those who care about our environment .
The Tories may have lost their way on all things green , but I am determined that they won ’ t get away with it .

The general election was tough on the shadow environment, food and rural affairs team. I lost five of my hard-working and talented colleagues in one night. With four new bills and a raft of other issues for Defra on the horizon after Brexit, I stepped up to lead the team so we could continue to hold the government to account.
It’s a dream job for me. I want Labour to be proudly red on the outside and passionately green on the inside. I want us to foster cross-party working on the environment. We have to work together to solve the climate crisis and make sure our animal welfare standards are as high as they can be. This is more important than party political advantage. I want us to be relentless in pursuit of the radical climate policies in our manifesto and committed to a Green New Deal.
Whether you liked him or not, there was no denying that Defra was at the heart of government when Michael Gove was Environment Secretary. Borrowing Labour’s policies on animal welfare helped Gove rehabilitate the Tories’ image – despite the cruel badger cull. Nearly 70 consultations on anything he could think of dazzled a right-wing media, which lapped up policies contrary to traditional Tory thinking on the environment. Little was delivered, yet the buzz around Defra was clear for all to see.
But under Theresa Villiers, the current Tory Environment Secretary, Defra is a department lost in the doldrums. We have such a tremendous opportunity to take on a role as a true global leader on the environment and climate in the run-up to the UN COP26 conference in Glasgow this November. This risks being missed, however, because of the pedestrian approach being taken by ministers. The drive of Michael Gove has been replaced by a dreary managerialism, and a type of bureaucratic approach that is more grey old suits than Green New Deal.
Instead of leading the debate, responding fiercely to the climate emergency, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible, the trilogy of Defra bills currently before parliament have missed the mark entirely. The Agriculture Bill has no legal guarantee that our food standards won’t plummet in a post-Brexit trade deal. The Fisheries Bill sets up yet more disappointment for the fishing communities, who have been promised so much but let down time and time again. And the Environment Bill looks more like a collection of headlines than a meaningful action plan to address the climate and ecological emergency and our woeful air quality in urban areas. Few think Theresa Villiers will last long in the job. But before Boris Johnson sacks her in the upcoming reshuffle, the chance for truly radical change may have been lost.
That is is why today Labour MPs will be challenging ministers to put the Prime Minister’s soundbites over animal welfare standards and environmental protection into law when MPs scrutinise the Agriculture Bill. The Agriculture Bill doesn’t have a single legal guarantee that prevents British farm and food standards being undercut by cheap, US food, grown to poorer standards. No protections against chlorinated chicken or hormone-treated beef. Nothing. None. It is because we don’t believe the Prime Minister’s promises that nothing less than legal guarantees will do.
I won’t recommend to colleagues supporting any law that fails to protect our farmers from US intensive farming. Labour will not vote for a bill that fails to uphold animal welfare standards and environmental protections.
This is the first bill that parliament will debate since the UK’s exit from the EU on Friday. And it underlines the dilemma at the heart of this government. They have promised much to deliver Brexit and here is a chance to lock in their promises in law – but will they? Why would Boris Johnson not want his promises set in law? Could it be that he wants to drop them to bag a trade deal with Donald Trump? That’s the fear of British farmers and all those who care about our environment. The Tories may have lost their way on all things green, but I am determined that they won’t get away with it.


labourlist--2020-02-03--Why Labour MPs should turn to Labour councils for inspiration

Around the country , Labour ’ s elected local representatives are working day in , day out , to push back against austerity and try to deliver innovative and positive solutions for the people they represent .
Whether they are councillors , metro mayors or police and crime commissioners , we are lucky to have Labour representatives at every level putting our values into action .
They show what Labour can do when in power , which is why I think MPs and the wider labour movement should try harder to listen to them .
That ’ s why I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with my good friend Jo Platt , the former MP for Leigh and someone I first met when we were both councillors in different parts of the country .
We wanted more MPs to be learning from the brilliant work that Labour councils are doing around the country , and to understand the huge problems they face .
The LGA Labour Group and the Association of Labour Councillors do great work co-ordinating and leading campaigns between Labour councillors and councils .
All too often , however , those in Westminster are oblivious to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since setting up Labour Friends of Local Government in 2018 , we ’ ve held seminars for Labour MPs and peers on topics such as local government finance , adult social care , and insourcing .
This has offered our colleagues in parliament the opportunity to hear from leading councillors and trade unionists about the work that our councils are doing and the challenges that they are facing .
The aim is to give parliamentarians a deeper understanding of important policy issues .
Those Labour representatives working away from Westminster to deliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our seen as our partners .
There is no excuse for not talking and working with them far more .
I ’ ve served as a councillor , and I ’ ve seen first-hand the inequalities in how local government is financed – particularly in the council tax system .
We need to look properly at devolution and how we ensure it is done in conjunction with partners rather than imposed as a top-down policy .
Policy discussions like these require the national Labour Party to listen and learn from those dealing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start by making sure that we treat the role of councillors with the respect it deserves .
That ’ s not to say that local government is perfect .
One area that concerns me is representation .
Although Labour councillors are significantly more diverse in almost every way than councillors from other parties , the 2018 LGA Councillor Census showed that 45 % of all councillors were retired ( against 22 % in the general population ) , 96 % described themselves as white ( against 87 % of the general population ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work ( against 34 % of the general population ) .
It is great that so many people want to use their time to act as councillors , and we should not discourage them from doing so .
But these statistics should give us cause for concern .
We need to ask why only 15 % of councillors are under the age of 45 .
We should seek new ways of professionalising the role so that everyone is properly equipped to fulfil the requirements of the position , and we must go above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backgrounds .
It ’ s great that Labour has more councillors that are women , BAME , and working-class , but we still have some way to go .
Our party should be doing much more to encourage members to learn about local government and put themselves forward as candidates in local elections .
Most people ’ s interaction with government comes through their local council .
Whether it is bin collections , potholes or children ’ s centres , local government is often their first port of call .
That means that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , we need to start at the local level , by building the trust not only of the party but of the public too .
The best way to do that is through local councillors –those people who have been out campaigning , governing from power , and connecting with their local communities in different areas around the country .
As MPs , we shouldn ’ t forget this , and we should view our councillors as equals .
We will be electing a new leader and deputy leader in April , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with them to promote the important work of our Labour councillors within the Labour Party .
Our strength will come from working together .

Around the country, Labour’s elected local representatives are working day in, day out, to push back against austerity and try to deliver innovative and positive solutions for the people they represent. Whether they are councillors, metro mayors or police and crime commissioners, we are lucky to have Labour representatives at every level putting our values into action. They show what Labour can do when in power, which is why I think MPs and the wider labour movement should try harder to listen to them.
That’s why I set up Labour Friends of Local Government with my good friend Jo Platt, the former MP for Leigh and someone I first met when we were both councillors in different parts of the country. We wanted more MPs to be learning from the brilliant work that Labour councils are doing around the country, and to understand the huge problems they face. The LGA Labour Group and the Association of Labour Councillors do great work co-ordinating and leading campaigns between Labour councillors and councils.
All too often, however, those in Westminster are oblivious to the daily struggles that our councillors face. Since setting up Labour Friends of Local Government in 2018, we’ve held seminars for Labour MPs and peers on topics such as local government finance, adult social care, and insourcing. This has offered our colleagues in parliament the opportunity to hear from leading councillors and trade unionists about the work that our councils are doing and the challenges that they are facing. The aim is to give parliamentarians a deeper understanding of important policy issues.
Those Labour representatives working away from Westminster to deliver positive outcomes directly and indirectly should be our seen as our partners. There is no excuse for not talking and working with them far more. I’ve served as a councillor, and I’ve seen first-hand the inequalities in how local government is financed – particularly in the council tax system. We need to look properly at devolution and how we ensure it is done in conjunction with partners rather than imposed as a top-down policy. Policy discussions like these require the national Labour Party to listen and learn from those dealing with it on the ground. We could start by making sure that we treat the role of councillors with the respect it deserves.
That’s not to say that local government is perfect. One area that concerns me is representation. Although Labour councillors are significantly more diverse in almost every way than councillors from other parties, the 2018 LGA Councillor Census showed that 45% of all councillors were retired (against 22% in the general population), 96% described themselves as white (against 87% of the general population) and only 16% were in full-time work (against 34% of the general population). It is great that so many people want to use their time to act as councillors, and we should not discourage them from doing so. But these statistics should give us cause for concern.
We need to ask why only 15% of councillors are under the age of 45. We should seek new ways of professionalising the role so that everyone is properly equipped to fulfil the requirements of the position, and we must go above and beyond in supporting people from underrepresented backgrounds. It’s great that Labour has more councillors that are women, BAME, and working-class, but we still have some way to go. Our party should be doing much more to encourage members to learn about local government and put themselves forward as candidates in local elections.
Most people’s interaction with government comes through their local council. Whether it is bin collections, potholes or children’s centres, local government is often their first port of call. That means that for Labour to become an electoral force again, we need to start at the local level, by building the trust not only of the party but of the public too. The best way to do that is through local councillors –those people who have been out campaigning, governing from power, and connecting with their local communities in different areas around the country. As MPs, we shouldn’t forget this, and we should view our councillors as equals. We will be electing a new leader and deputy leader in April, and I’m looking forward to working with them to promote the important work of our Labour councillors within the Labour Party. Our strength will come from working together.


labourlist--2020-02-03--Why LabourList and LGA Labour are hosting local government week

Welcome to local government week on LabourList .
The party has just suffered another devastating defeat in a general election , as none of you need reminding , and members will soon be electing a new leadership team .
This weekend , the Association of Labour Councillors ( ALC ) and the LGA Labour Group will hold a Local Government Conference in Nottingham , where the next leadership hustings is going to take place .
We thought this would be the perfect time to highlight the importance of councillors – after all , it is in local government that Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As LGA Labour leader Nick Forbes has set out in his introductory piece to the week , we will be publishing a handful of comment pieces each day around a particular theme .
Councillors , council leaders , MPs , mayors and trade unionists will share their thoughts and experiences around topics such as why Labour ’ s future must be local ( today ) , how Labour councils are delivering from power ( Tuesday ) , why local leadership matters ( Wednesday ) , the biggest policy challenges in local government ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign strategy starts with a local fightback ( Friday ) and the role of local government in the party ( Saturday ) .
Throughout this time , the LabourList team will still be covering all the news of the leadership contests and more .
Labour councillors have been on the frontline of the fight against Tory austerity for many years now , and they have been doing an almost impossible job often without acknowledgement .
A lot of this work needs to be celebrated and recognised .
After all , Labour members often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but what other innovations are happening in local government that are receiving little attention ?
We ’ ll be learning more about that this week , with useful case studies provided by those actually responsible for the application of these ideas .
When it comes to Labour in local government , I want to know about those stories – the personal trials of councillors , the creative solutions that Labour councils have implemented , as well as the areas that need improvement .
But this week won ’ t lack a critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that at the 2019 general election , there were areas of the country where Labour was in power locally and seen as ‘ the establishment ’ .
As the day-to-day reality of politics often comes down bin collections and the state of local services , some voters punished Labour by rewarding the Tories at a national level – despite those cuts being passed down from government .
In too many areas , the blame game worked .
This horrible irony merits discussion within the party .
Stay tuned for all of this and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the leadership candidates , too .

Welcome to local government week on LabourList. The party has just suffered another devastating defeat in a general election, as none of you need reminding, and members will soon be electing a new leadership team. This weekend, the Association of Labour Councillors (ALC) and the LGA Labour Group will hold a Local Government Conference in Nottingham, where the next leadership hustings is going to take place. We thought this would be the perfect time to highlight the importance of councillors – after all, it is in local government that Labour holds power across the United Kingdom.
As LGA Labour leader Nick Forbes has set out in his introductory piece to the week, we will be publishing a handful of comment pieces each day around a particular theme. Councillors, council leaders, MPs, mayors and trade unionists will share their thoughts and experiences around topics such as why Labour’s future must be local (today), how Labour councils are delivering from power (Tuesday), why local leadership matters (Wednesday), the biggest policy challenges in local government (Thursday), how Labour’s campaign strategy starts with a local fightback (Friday) and the role of local government in the party (Saturday). Throughout this time, the LabourList team will still be covering all the news of the leadership contests and more.
Labour councillors have been on the frontline of the fight against Tory austerity for many years now, and they have been doing an almost impossible job often without acknowledgement. A lot of this work needs to be celebrated and recognised. After all, Labour members often talk about the ‘Preston model’, but what other innovations are happening in local government that are receiving little attention? We’ll be learning more about that this week, with useful case studies provided by those actually responsible for the application of these ideas.
When it comes to Labour in local government, I want to know about those stories – the personal trials of councillors, the creative solutions that Labour councils have implemented, as well as the areas that need improvement. But this week won’t lack a critical eye. It has been pointed out that at the 2019 general election, there were areas of the country where Labour was in power locally and seen as ‘the establishment’. As the day-to-day reality of politics often comes down bin collections and the state of local services, some voters punished Labour by rewarding the Tories at a national level – despite those cuts being passed down from government. In too many areas, the blame game worked. This horrible irony merits discussion within the party. Stay tuned for all of this and more – we hope to be hearing from the leadership candidates, too.
Sienna @siennamarla


labourlist--2020-02-03--Welcome to local government week on LabourList

Welcome to local government week on LabourList – a chance for us to showcase , discuss and debate the role , contribution and work of Labour councils and councillors in both power and opposition in the week leading up to Labour Local Government Conference on Saturday , February 8th .
As Labour ’ s leader in local government , and one of just two local government representatives on Labour ’ s national executive committee , I am delighted that LabourList have agreed to work with us to provide a platform for a variety of viewpoints over the next week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ team of contributors from across our movement – councillors , council leaders , mayors , Members of Parliament , and trade unionists – all with a focus on the activities of Labour in local government .
Each day LabourList will publish articles on a daily theme , starting with today ’ s contributors who each offer a different perspective on why Labour ’ s future must be local .
On Tuesday , we ’ ll be hearing about how Labour councillors in power are delivering for their communities .
Wednesday will focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ ll be focusing on some of the biggest policy challenges in local government on Thursday , and on Friday our authors are looking at why Labour ’ s campaign strategy needs to start with a fightback at the local level .
On Saturday , to coincide with the Local Government leadership and deputy leadership hustings at our conference in Nottingham , our contributors will be debating what the role of Labour in local government should be in the party .
The Labour Local Government Conference , which will take place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most important we ’ ve held in years .
Our party is at a crossroads , with many of us feeling that the result of the leadership election will determine whether Labour aspires to be a party of government again .
As councillors , we ’ ll obviously be listening closely to all candidates for signs that they understand the importance of local government to Labour .
There are already positive signs that candidates are eager to listen and learn from local councillors , and many have already started to talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with us .
We are working hard to ensure every candidate understands that they must respect and trust Labour councillors and local councils , and that they truly understand the vital necessity of shifting power and resources out of Westminster and towards local communities .
Real devolution , not the skin-deep version offered by the Tories , could become the driver of an economic recovery that benefits the entire country .
Key priorities of elected national governments will still be vitally important , but Labour should be pledging to give freedom to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implemented in their areas , resisting the temptation to meddle from Whitehall .
Localism makes sense in terms of delivering efficient and improved public services , but there is a much more powerful political argument too .
Many communities in our country have expressed a loss of identity and a feeling that they no longer have control over their own lives .
Local government is connected with our communities , and built on foundations of openness , transparency , and accountability .
Giving more power and freedom to councils and local communities won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system at a stroke .
But as our research will show this week , the public have always placed significantly more trust in their local council than in the national government .
Local government offers the next Labour government a real way of being able to meaningfully return power and control to people who would otherwise feel increasingly shut out of the system .
I hope we ’ ll be able to show members who follow our work this week that in Labour council leaders and councillors the next Labour government has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Councillors are the most accountable members of the party – rightly answerable to residents , local members and party bodies – and deserve a wider voice in the Labour Party .
We hope that the next leader of our party – whoever that is – understands this and works with us to raise the profile and standing of local government in our party .
A huge thanks again to Sienna and the LabourList team for working with us on local government week .
I look forward to seeing the reactions and views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to debating Labour in local government ’ s role in our party over the coming months and years .

Welcome to local government week on LabourList – a chance for us to showcase, discuss and debate the role, contribution and work of Labour councils and councillors in both power and opposition in the week leading up to Labour Local Government Conference on Saturday, February 8th.
As Labour’s leader in local government, and one of just two local government representatives on Labour’s national executive committee, I am delighted that LabourList have agreed to work with us to provide a platform for a variety of viewpoints over the next week. We’ve put together a great team of contributors from across our movement – councillors, council leaders, mayors, Members of Parliament, and trade unionists – all with a focus on the activities of Labour in local government.
Each day LabourList will publish articles on a daily theme, starting with today’s contributors who each offer a different perspective on why Labour’s future must be local. On Tuesday, we’ll be hearing about how Labour councillors in power are delivering for their communities. Wednesday will focus on the importance of investing in local leadership. We’ll be focusing on some of the biggest policy challenges in local government on Thursday, and on Friday our authors are looking at why Labour’s campaign strategy needs to start with a fightback at the local level. On Saturday, to coincide with the Local Government leadership and deputy leadership hustings at our conference in Nottingham, our contributors will be debating what the role of Labour in local government should be in the party.
The Labour Local Government Conference, which will take place in Nottingham on Saturday, is one of the most important we’ve held in years. Our party is at a crossroads, with many of us feeling that the result of the leadership election will determine whether Labour aspires to be a party of government again. As councillors, we’ll obviously be listening closely to all candidates for signs that they understand the importance of local government to Labour.
There are already positive signs that candidates are eager to listen and learn from local councillors, and many have already started to talk to councillors about how they intend to work with us. We are working hard to ensure every candidate understands that they must respect and trust Labour councillors and local councils, and that they truly understand the vital necessity of shifting power and resources out of Westminster and towards local communities.
Real devolution, not the skin-deep version offered by the Tories, could become the driver of an economic recovery that benefits the entire country. Key priorities of elected national governments will still be vitally important, but Labour should be pledging to give freedom to local communities to decide how they are implemented in their areas, resisting the temptation to meddle from Whitehall.
Localism makes sense in terms of delivering efficient and improved public services, but there is a much more powerful political argument too. Many communities in our country have expressed a loss of identity and a feeling that they no longer have control over their own lives. Local government is connected with our communities, and built on foundations of openness, transparency, and accountability.
Giving more power and freedom to councils and local communities won’t restore faith in the political system at a stroke. But as our research will show this week, the public have always placed significantly more trust in their local council than in the national government. Local government offers the next Labour government a real way of being able to meaningfully return power and control to people who would otherwise feel increasingly shut out of the system.
I hope we’ll be able to show members who follow our work this week that in Labour council leaders and councillors the next Labour government has a deep well of experience to draw from. Councillors are the most accountable members of the party – rightly answerable to residents, local members and party bodies – and deserve a wider voice in the Labour Party. We hope that the next leader of our party – whoever that is – understands this and works with us to raise the profile and standing of local government in our party.
A huge thanks again to Sienna and the LabourList team for working with us on local government week. I look forward to seeing the reactions and views put forward in the comments, and to debating Labour in local government’s role in our party over the coming months and years.


labourlist--2020-02-03--We asked Labour members why their party lost. Here’s what they said

Last week saw reports of a couple of internal takes on why Labour lost the general election .
In a report circulated to the national executive committee by the party ’ s election co-ordinators and leaked to the FT ’ s Jim Pickard , most of the blame was put not on Jeremy Corbyn ’ s leadership and Labour ’ s left-wing manifesto but on its difficulties in dealing with Brexit and an incredibly hostile media .
Meanwhile , earlier in the week , the Guardian ’ s Kate Proctor was given sight of some of the thousands of submissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Together review commission , which included complaints about “ gimmicky policies , horrible inefficiency and factional promotions ” .
The commission is still taking submissions .
It is unlikely to be in a position to fully analyse and publish those survey responses until the spring , at which point it will be fascinating to see how much of gap there is between members ’ views on why Labour crashed to its worst defeat since 1935 and what the voters themselves have told survey researchers .
Before then , however , we can get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the responses of party members to a survey conducted by the ESRC-funded Party Members Project ( run out of Queen Mary University of London and Sussex University ) of 1,353 members a couple of weeks after the election .
The survey created bit of a splash at New Year when it suggested that Keir Starmer had a pretty convincing lead over his rivals in the leadership race .
But its main purpose this time around – along with surveys of members of other parties – is to look at campaigning .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few questions that give an insight into Labour members ’ takes on why the party did so badly .
The most revealing is probably the one that asked : “ If you had to name one thing that went wrong for the Labour Party during the general election campaign , what would that be ?
” .
Rather than forcing respondents to choose from a pre-prepared list , the question allowed them to write in whatever they thought , albeit obliging them to simplify and prioritise .
Write-in responses , of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the commission will no doubt discover , the exercise takes a heck of a lot longer than you hope it will and inevitably involves a degree of interpretation .
Moreover , some responses are just so idiosyncratic that they simply can ’ t be convincingly coded .
But that doesn ’ t mean it ’ s impossible to discern some significant overall patterns , so here goes .
Let ’ s start with explanations that were offered only by a very small minority of the party ’ s rank and file , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stereotypes of Labour members .
Doubtless a number of right-wing commentators will be delighted to hear that some members blame the party ’ s defeat on the fact that votes are stupid , gullible , ignorant , and even moronic ( all terms that were actually used ) .
But responses like that represent only a tiny minority – less than 1 % .
The number who blame antisemitic smears runs to less than a handful .
The proportion who blame the defeat primarily on the fact that , in one member ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to destroy us because they are spoilt children who won ’ t accept democracy ” was higher .
But , at just 2 % , it is nevertheless relatively insignificant .
Interestingly , some 7 % of members put the blame for defeat mainly on an overambitious manifesto and message that , broadly speaking , they believed lacked realism , focus , coherence and clarity .
This dovetails with the critique already coming from some seasoned election-watchers both inside and outside academia : there is little point offering a bunch of policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that voters don ’ t trust can be implemented .
Post-election polls also point to Jeremy Corbyn rather than Brexit as being the biggest single barrier to people voting Labour – and it ’ s clear that some members agree .
18 % think he was the party ’ s biggest problem .
Nowhere near the number when you get when you ask voters ( 43 % ) – but one in five members thinking that the leader was the most important factor in their party ’ s defeat is not to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the biggest single reason put forward by Labour members for the party ’ s stunning defeat .
One third of Labour ’ s rank and file told us that , if there was one thing to blame , it was Brexit .
Frustratingly ( such is the lot of survey researchers ) , it isn ’ t possible to be certain whether this is because they believe Labour should have been more pro-Leave or more pro-Remain .
33 % who blame Brexit includes 28 % whose stance on it can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Only 1 % and 4 % respectively clearly believe either that the party lost because it didn ’ t adopt a stronger pro-Remain position or because it backed a second referendum and failed to support getting out of the EU .
It is worth , noting , however , that a fair few of those who blame Brexit yet aren ’ t perceptibly pro or anti make the point that it was the party ’ s indecision and lack of clarity on the issue that was the problem .
Again , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like my UK in a Changing Europe colleague , Sir John Curtice , who argues that , yes , this was a Brexit election but that it was won by the party that clearly chose a side and lost by the party that failed to do so .
The Conservatives managed to bring onside nearly all of those Leave voters who voted either for them or for the Brexit Party at the EP elections in 2019 .
They also hung on to plenty of Tory Remainers who just couldn ’ t contemplate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole bunch of Leavers but failed to bring together Remain voters , far too many of whom defected to the Lib Dems .
But if Brexit is the most popular explanation for what went wrong among Labour ’ s grassroots members , the second most popular is equally interesting because , possibly unlike Brexit , it ’ s an ongoing problem .
Almost a quarter of Labour members – 23 % – appear to hold what they see as an inherently biased media ( both print and broadcast ) most responsible for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one put it : “ Tory funded MSM lies and misleading articles and campaigns along with daily lies and propaganda on Tory owned main TV channels starting with the BBC !
” .
While it may be tempting to dismiss this as paranoid or delusional , research from Loughborough University suggests that under Corbyn , Labour did indeed receive very negative coverage , at least in the press , compared to the Tories .
That said , this is something that the party can probably do little about – in opposition anyway and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK is a liberal democracy .
The only recourse may be to choose a more voter-friendly leader and policy platform .
Only a couple of months to go before we see if that proves possible .

Last week saw reports of a couple of internal takes on why Labour lost the general election. In a report circulated to the national executive committee by the party’s election co-ordinators and leaked to the FT’s Jim Pickard, most of the blame was put not on Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership and Labour’s left-wing manifesto but on its difficulties in dealing with Brexit and an incredibly hostile media. Meanwhile, earlier in the week, the Guardian’s Kate Proctor was given sight of some of the thousands of submissions by ordinary party members to the Labour Together review commission, which included complaints about “gimmicky policies, horrible inefficiency and factional promotions”.
The commission is still taking submissions. It is unlikely to be in a position to fully analyse and publish those survey responses until the spring, at which point it will be fascinating to see how much of gap there is between members’ views on why Labour crashed to its worst defeat since 1935 and what the voters themselves have told survey researchers.
Before then, however, we can get an insight into that question by exploring the responses of party members to a survey conducted by the ESRC-funded Party Members Project (run out of Queen Mary University of London and Sussex University) of 1,353 members a couple of weeks after the election. The survey created bit of a splash at New Year when it suggested that Keir Starmer had a pretty convincing lead over his rivals in the leadership race. But its main purpose this time around – along with surveys of members of other parties – is to look at campaigning.
In the course of the survey, we asked a few questions that give an insight into Labour members’ takes on why the party did so badly. The most revealing is probably the one that asked: “If you had to name one thing that went wrong for the Labour Party during the general election campaign, what would that be?”. Rather than forcing respondents to choose from a pre-prepared list, the question allowed them to write in whatever they thought, albeit obliging them to simplify and prioritise.
Write-in responses, of course, are rather harder to analyse. As the commission will no doubt discover, the exercise takes a heck of a lot longer than you hope it will and inevitably involves a degree of interpretation. Moreover, some responses are just so idiosyncratic that they simply can’t be convincingly coded. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to discern some significant overall patterns, so here goes.
Let’s start with explanations that were offered only by a very small minority of the party’s rank and file, perhaps contrary to some of the media stereotypes of Labour members. Doubtless a number of right-wing commentators will be delighted to hear that some members blame the party’s defeat on the fact that votes are stupid, gullible, ignorant, and even moronic (all terms that were actually used). But responses like that represent only a tiny minority – less than 1%.
The number who blame antisemitic smears runs to less than a handful. The proportion who blame the defeat primarily on the fact that, in one member’s words, “Blairites and centrists tried to destroy us because they are spoilt children who won’t accept democracy” was higher. But, at just 2%, it is nevertheless relatively insignificant.
Interestingly, some 7% of members put the blame for defeat mainly on an overambitious manifesto and message that, broadly speaking, they believed lacked realism, focus, coherence and clarity. This dovetails with the critique already coming from some seasoned election-watchers both inside and outside academia: there is little point offering a bunch of policies that are relatively popular in isolation but that voters don’t trust can be implemented.
Post-election polls also point to Jeremy Corbyn rather than Brexit as being the biggest single barrier to people voting Labour – and it’s clear that some members agree. 18% think he was the party’s biggest problem. Nowhere near the number when you get when you ask voters (43%) – but one in five members thinking that the leader was the most important factor in their party’s defeat is not to be sniffed at.
From there we go to the biggest single reason put forward by Labour members for the party’s stunning defeat. One third of Labour’s rank and file told us that, if there was one thing to blame, it was Brexit. Frustratingly (such is the lot of survey researchers), it isn’t possible to be certain whether this is because they believe Labour should have been more pro-Leave or more pro-Remain. 33% who blame Brexit includes 28% whose stance on it can’t be allocated into one camp or another. Only 1% and 4% respectively clearly believe either that the party lost because it didn’t adopt a stronger pro-Remain position or because it backed a second referendum and failed to support getting out of the EU.
It is worth, noting, however, that a fair few of those who blame Brexit yet aren’t perceptibly pro or anti make the point that it was the party’s indecision and lack of clarity on the issue that was the problem. Again, this accords with the view of election experts, like my UK in a Changing Europe colleague, Sir John Curtice, who argues that, yes, this was a Brexit election but that it was won by the party that clearly chose a side and lost by the party that failed to do so. The Conservatives managed to bring onside nearly all of those Leave voters who voted either for them or for the Brexit Party at the EP elections in 2019. They also hung on to plenty of Tory Remainers who just couldn’t contemplate a Corbyn government. Labour lost a whole bunch of Leavers but failed to bring together Remain voters, far too many of whom defected to the Lib Dems.
But if Brexit is the most popular explanation for what went wrong among Labour’s grassroots members, the second most popular is equally interesting because, possibly unlike Brexit, it’s an ongoing problem. Almost a quarter of Labour members – 23% – appear to hold what they see as an inherently biased media (both print and broadcast) most responsible for the party’s defeat – or as one put it: “Tory funded MSM lies and misleading articles and campaigns along with daily lies and propaganda on Tory owned main TV channels starting with the BBC!”.
While it may be tempting to dismiss this as paranoid or delusional, research from Loughborough University suggests that under Corbyn, Labour did indeed receive very negative coverage, at least in the press, compared to the Tories. That said, this is something that the party can probably do little about – in opposition anyway and probably even in government, given that the UK is a liberal democracy. The only recourse may be to choose a more voter-friendly leader and policy platform. Only a couple of months to go before we see if that proves possible.


labourlist--2020-02-02--We must celebrate Fair Work Wales – the revolution you may have missed

If you ’ re reading this from outside of Wales , you may not have heard – but the Welsh world of work is about to be transformed .
The Welsh Labour government , Welsh trade unions and others have worked together on ‘ Fair Work Wales ’ , a landmark policy package that seeks to use the power of devolved government to improve work .
Partly through legislation – the Social Partnership Bill soon to be introduced in the Senedd – and also by embedding the simple value of better work at the heart of how government behaves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour government has long-held but , lacking control over employment rights , has not been able to implement directly .
Instead , it is using the powers it does have creatively and strategically .
Labour ’ s First Minister , Mark Drakeford , will personally chair a Social Partnership Council that includes trade unions as equal partners with employers and government .
Agreements reached by the body will become statutory and impose a duty on public bodies to put fair work at the heart of new , ethical procurement policies .
Trade unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforce breaches of those policies .
This legislation will do what Tory governments in Westminster systematically refuse to do : use the power of public spending to drive up standards and conditions for workers .
As a trade unionist , I have long fought against public money being used against our interests .
No longer will Welsh citizens see their taxes end up lining the pockets of bad employers , or allowed to fuel a race to the bottom in pay , terms and conditions .
Their collective contribution will fund fair work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Preston model ’ in local government , it ’ s about how the devolved administration can invest in decent Welsh jobs and the fairer Welsh economy through local action and local decisions .
It ’ s not been an easy path , nor a short one .
It ’ s taken political commitment to reach a shared vision of what can be achieved when we all work together for the greater good .
Imagine the possibilities if we had a UK government with the same vision as Labour ’ s leadership in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more companies like Carillion leeching off the taxpayer , then leaving us to pick up the bill when it all goes belly up .
They would no longer rub their hands together at the prospect of winning outsourced contracts if they couldn ’ t make their profits on the backs of poor wages and insecure terms .
Only a Labour government will offer similar policies at UK level .
They seem radical , but only in comparison to a status quo that the Tories want people to believe is inevitable .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wales , as well as our local government leadership , are so important .
As an English Labour MP , they provide not only a template for what could be achieved if we devolved power within England , but real world examples that stand in stark contrast to the Tories ’ record .
Our message can be clear .
The alternative we offer is both credible and practical .
What we have now isn ’ t inevitable or unchangeable .
You don ’ t have to take what you ’ re given .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

If you’re reading this from outside of Wales, you may not have heard – but the Welsh world of work is about to be transformed. The Welsh Labour government, Welsh trade unions and others have worked together on ‘Fair Work Wales’, a landmark policy package that seeks to use the power of devolved government to improve work. Partly through legislation – the Social Partnership Bill soon to be introduced in the Senedd – and also by embedding the simple value of better work at the heart of how government behaves.
This is an ethos that the Welsh Labour government has long-held but, lacking control over employment rights, has not been able to implement directly. Instead, it is using the powers it does have creatively and strategically.
Labour’s First Minister, Mark Drakeford, will personally chair a Social Partnership Council that includes trade unions as equal partners with employers and government. Agreements reached by the body will become statutory and impose a duty on public bodies to put fair work at the heart of new, ethical procurement policies. Trade unions will also have a legal mechanism to enforce breaches of those policies.
This legislation will do what Tory governments in Westminster systematically refuse to do: use the power of public spending to drive up standards and conditions for workers. As a trade unionist, I have long fought against public money being used against our interests.
No longer will Welsh citizens see their taxes end up lining the pockets of bad employers, or allowed to fuel a race to the bottom in pay, terms and conditions. Their collective contribution will fund fair work and decent rights. Much like the ‘Preston model’ in local government, it’s about how the devolved administration can invest in decent Welsh jobs and the fairer Welsh economy through local action and local decisions. It’s not been an easy path, nor a short one. It’s taken political commitment to reach a shared vision of what can be achieved when we all work together for the greater good.
Imagine the possibilities if we had a UK government with the same vision as Labour’s leadership in Wales. We’d see no more companies like Carillion leeching off the taxpayer, then leaving us to pick up the bill when it all goes belly up. They would no longer rub their hands together at the prospect of winning outsourced contracts if they couldn’t make their profits on the backs of poor wages and insecure terms.
Only a Labour government will offer similar policies at UK level. They seem radical, but only in comparison to a status quo that the Tories want people to believe is inevitable. That is why the successes of Labour here in Wales, as well as our local government leadership, are so important. As an English Labour MP, they provide not only a template for what could be achieved if we devolved power within England, but real world examples that stand in stark contrast to the Tories’ record.
Our message can be clear. The alternative we offer is both credible and practical. What we have now isn’t inevitable or unchangeable. You don’t have to take what you’re given. Just look at what can be achieved.


labourlist--2020-02-02--MP selections, devolution and Welsh independence – Cardiff leadership hustings

Devolution predictably took up a lot of time in the debate in Wales today with all of the candidates broadly supportive .
Frustratingly , specifics on what this would look like were still lacking .
Lisa Nandy emphasised that Labour would have to fight for it across the country , not just in Wales .
Keir Starmer and Emily Thornberry both spoke about “ federalism ” , with the former also urging members to consider devolution as not just a process of handing powers from Westminster to another government but also into people ’ s hands .
Thornberry stressed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a quasi-federal state and we need to be talking about that ” .
Rebecca Long-Bailey went the furthest to suggest Wales should have the right to devolve across all policy areas , specifically including foreign affairs and defence .
Long-Bailey and Nandy had the chance to spar over open selections , which was refreshing given how the format restricts the ability of the contenders to interact .
And it proved illuminating for members in showing their positions in relation to one another .
Asked about unity in the party , Nandy said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement ” , which is not reduced to a “ nonsense debate focusing on getting rid of Labour MPs ” .
She also condemned what she called “ stitch ups ” where friends of the leadership became candidates “ over and above the choice of local party members ” .
Long-Bailey answered the challenge directly as she happened to be next and said : “ We shouldn ’ t have top-down selections of our MPs .
That ’ s the whole point of having open selections , so that our members are empowered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer specifics from Starmer and Thornberry on party democracy as both chose to emphasise culture when asked about Labour unity .
They did not join in on the discussion about open selections .
Instead , Starmer encouraged members to “ look outwards not inwards ” and reiterated the line he ’ s been emphasising throughout the contest : that the party needs to “ pull together ” .
Welsh independence proved an interesting dividing issue for the candidates .
Asked where the party should stand on a referendum , Long-Bailey and Nandy both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way if the Welsh Assembly came to the decision to hold one .
Starmer said he didn ’ t “ accept the premise ” of the question and told members not to accept a “ binary choice ” between the status quo and independence , in Scotland or in Wales .
Again he confirmed his strong support for the union but we didn ’ t get any more detail on his plans to further devolution and head off nationalist movements .
Thornberry focused instead on the way in which the UK Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proved to do well for her throughout the debate and she won a couple of big laughs and long rounds of applause from those present .
Thornberry told members that “ London has not had much respect for Welsh Labour ” and went on to commit more money for the party in north Wales .
In fact , the Islington MP probably had the best of it in terms of being well received by the audience , also picking up a laugh referring to the “ horrible wet damp hands of Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the debate and showed that she ’ s still very much gunning for it in the contest , despite being the only one not to have received the required nominations from local parties or trade unions .
She closed by imploring members to broaden the debate by putting her name on the ballot and , with lots of local constituency parties yet to nominate , we could well still end up with four choices for leader in the final vote .

Devolution predictably took up a lot of time in the debate in Wales today with all of the candidates broadly supportive. Frustratingly, specifics on what this would look like were still lacking. Lisa Nandy emphasised that Labour would have to fight for it across the country, not just in Wales. Keir Starmer and Emily Thornberry both spoke about “federalism”, with the former also urging members to consider devolution as not just a process of handing powers from Westminster to another government but also into people’s hands. Thornberry stressed that “there is something in arguments for a quasi-federal state and we need to be talking about that”. Rebecca Long-Bailey went the furthest to suggest Wales should have the right to devolve across all policy areas, specifically including foreign affairs and defence.
Long-Bailey and Nandy had the chance to spar over open selections, which was refreshing given how the format restricts the ability of the contenders to interact. And it proved illuminating for members in showing their positions in relation to one another. Asked about unity in the party, Nandy said she wanted to create an “empowered democratic movement”, which is not reduced to a “nonsense debate focusing on getting rid of Labour MPs”. She also condemned what she called “stitch ups” where friends of the leadership became candidates “over and above the choice of local party members”. Long-Bailey answered the challenge directly as she happened to be next and said: “We shouldn’t have top-down selections of our MPs. That’s the whole point of having open selections, so that our members are empowered to do that.”
The audience got fewer specifics from Starmer and Thornberry on party democracy as both chose to emphasise culture when asked about Labour unity. They did not join in on the discussion about open selections. Instead, Starmer encouraged members to “look outwards not inwards” and reiterated the line he’s been emphasising throughout the contest: that the party needs to “pull together”.
Welsh independence proved an interesting dividing issue for the candidates. Asked where the party should stand on a referendum, Long-Bailey and Nandy both agreed that Labour should not stand in the way if the Welsh Assembly came to the decision to hold one. Starmer said he didn’t “accept the premise” of the question and told members not to accept a “binary choice” between the status quo and independence, in Scotland or in Wales. Again he confirmed his strong support for the union but we didn’t get any more detail on his plans to further devolution and head off nationalist movements. Thornberry focused instead on the way in which the UK Labour Party interacts with Welsh Labour. This proved to do well for her throughout the debate and she won a couple of big laughs and long rounds of applause from those present. Thornberry told members that “London has not had much respect for Welsh Labour” and went on to commit more money for the party in north Wales.
In fact, the Islington MP probably had the best of it in terms of being well received by the audience, also picking up a laugh referring to the “horrible wet damp hands of Donald Trump”. She seemed to really enjoy the debate and showed that she’s still very much gunning for it in the contest, despite being the only one not to have received the required nominations from local parties or trade unions. She closed by imploring members to broaden the debate by putting her name on the ballot and, with lots of local constituency parties yet to nominate, we could well still end up with four choices for leader in the final vote.


labourlist--2020-02-01--Exclusive: MP staffers urge Labour leadership hopefuls to back parliament reforms

The staff members of MPs have urged Labour leadership hopefuls to back key parliamentary reforms , including an independent sanctions process and a new HR system , LabourList can reveal .
A letter has been sent from Unite ’ s parliamentary staff branch – the only union representing employees of MPs both in Westminster and in constituencies – to each Labour leadership candidate .
It calls on the four contenders in the race – Rebecca Long-Bailey , Lisa Nandy , Keir Starmer and Emily Thornberry – to support staffers ’ campaigns on a range of measures to improve working conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next Labour leader to endorse formal recognition of the union , which would mean it could negotiate pay rates , and terms and conditions – an ability that is currently denied .
The group of approximately 500 workers , who are fully cross-party , also want “ root-and-branch reform ” that would see a “ fully funded and supportive HR system for staff of MPs ” introduced .
There has been much criticism of the employment practices in Westminster over the years , particularly recently in light of the Dame Laura Cox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of bullying and sexual harassment .
The parliamentary staff branch demanded “ fair pay for MPs ’ staff ” last year when the budget set by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority offered MPs a pay increase of 2.7 % while the staffing budgets rose by just 1.5 % .
A below-inflation increase was described as “ unfair ” by MPs including Gareth Snell at the time , and branch chair Max Freedman said workers were “ treated with contempt throughout the process ” .
In a comment piece for LabourList , two members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons for writing to the leadership and deputy leadership candidates , and plan to provide updates when responses are received .
Below is the full text of the Unite Parliamentary Staff Branch letter .
We are the Unite branch that represents the staff of MPs in Westminster and across the country in constituency offices .
We are fully cross-party and have around 500 members .
As you will no doubt be aware , over the last few years the challenges facing parliamentary staff have been well-documented ; from bullying and sexual harassment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions .
However , despite the welcome coverage , too little has changed for staff working here .
There is still a serious and well-ingrained culture of bullying and harassment in parliament .
Staff do not have faith in a complaints process that has not yet demonstrated itself to be genuinely independent of MPs and face a lack of clarity as to what happens when inappropriate behaviour is reported .
In addition , hard-working staff took a real-terms pay cut last year , as IPSA decided to increase the budget for MP ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was below the rate of inflation and less than the 2.7 % pay increase awarded to MPs .
We are therefore asking , if you are elected leader of the Labour Party , for you to pledge to support us in campaigning for : • A resourced and transparent sanctions process that is demonstrably independent of MPs • Historic allegations by current and former members of staff to be considered with no time limit • ACAS to be brought in to help implement root-and-branch reform that has the confidence of staff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and supportive HR system for staff of MPs • Formal recognition of the union by IPSA and the House Authorities • Support the union ’ s efforts to establish a facility space in parliament where members can come to discuss their concerns in private It is important that the elected representatives who make our employment laws are held to a high standard in how they treat their own staff .
The Labour Party , as a party committed to equality and rights at work , should be at the forefront of our fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Our Labour members will want to know that you are on their side on this .
We hope that you will be able to support us in tackling the culture here and campaigning for better pay and conditions and would of course be glad to meet to discuss these matters .
We look forward to hearing from you ,

The staff members of MPs have urged Labour leadership hopefuls to back key parliamentary reforms, including an independent sanctions process and a new HR system, LabourList can reveal.
A letter has been sent from Unite’s parliamentary staff branch – the only union representing employees of MPs both in Westminster and in constituencies – to each Labour leadership candidate.
It calls on the four contenders in the race – Rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy, Keir Starmer and Emily Thornberry – to support staffers’ campaigns on a range of measures to improve working conditions.
The Unite branch is asking for the next Labour leader to endorse formal recognition of the union, which would mean it could negotiate pay rates, and terms and conditions – an ability that is currently denied.
The group of approximately 500 workers, who are fully cross-party, also want “root-and-branch reform” that would see a “fully funded and supportive HR system for staff of MPs” introduced.
There has been much criticism of the employment practices in Westminster over the years, particularly recently in light of the Dame Laura Cox inquiry report that laid bare a culture of bullying and sexual harassment.
The parliamentary staff branch demanded “fair pay for MPs’ staff” last year when the budget set by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority offered MPs a pay increase of 2.7% while the staffing budgets rose by just 1.5%.
A below-inflation increase was described as “unfair” by MPs including Gareth Snell at the time, and branch chair Max Freedman said workers were “treated with contempt throughout the process”.
In a comment piece for LabourList, two members of the Unite branch have explained their reasons for writing to the leadership and deputy leadership candidates, and plan to provide updates when responses are received.
Below is the full text of the Unite Parliamentary Staff Branch letter.
We are the Unite branch that represents the staff of MPs in Westminster and across the country in constituency offices. We are fully cross-party and have around 500 members.
As you will no doubt be aware, over the last few years the challenges facing parliamentary staff have been well-documented; from bullying and sexual harassment, to real-terms pay reductions and poor working conditions.
However, despite the welcome coverage, too little has changed for staff working here. There is still a serious and well-ingrained culture of bullying and harassment in parliament.
Staff do not have faith in a complaints process that has not yet demonstrated itself to be genuinely independent of MPs and face a lack of clarity as to what happens when inappropriate behaviour is reported.
In addition, hard-working staff took a real-terms pay cut last year, as IPSA decided to increase the budget for MP’s staff by only 1.5%, which was below the rate of inflation and less than the 2.7% pay increase awarded to MPs.
We are therefore asking, if you are elected leader of the Labour Party, for you to pledge to support us in campaigning for:
A fair increase to staffing budgets this year
A resourced and transparent sanctions process that is demonstrably independent of MPs
Historic allegations by current and former members of staff to be considered with no time limit
ACAS to be brought in to help implement root-and-branch reform that has the confidence of staff, with the introduction of a fully funded and supportive HR system for staff of MPs
Formal recognition of the union by IPSA and the House Authorities
Support the union’s efforts to establish a facility space in parliament where members can come to discuss their concerns in private
It is important that the elected representatives who make our employment laws are held to a high standard in how they treat their own staff.
The Labour Party, as a party committed to equality and rights at work, should be at the forefront of our fight for workers’ rights here in Westminster. Our Labour members will want to know that you are on their side on this.
We hope that you will be able to support us in tackling the culture here and campaigning for better pay and conditions and would of course be glad to meet to discuss these matters.
We look forward to hearing from you,
Max Freedman, Chair
Priya Dev, Branch Secretary
Lily Lewis, Political & Campaigns Rep