labourlist--2020-02-05--My vision for Labour in local government – green, democratic and socialist

Local government is critical to us winning in Westminster and delivering our 21st-century socialist policies – but for that to happen , we need to develop a vision of local government that genuinely trusts local people to make decisions for their communities , and offers the resources and powers to deliver on those decisions .
In our over-centralised governance system , local councils lack the proper power to intervene in their local economies and invest in their local communities .
This has surely contributed to the feeling of powerlessness and falling behind of local communities that the Brexit vote exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has dominated the headlines , the story of how our local councils have been hollowed out and the devastating impact of a decade of austerity is just as important .
Between 2010 and 2020 , local government funding has been cut by some 60 % .
This means a funding gap of £3.1bn this financial year , projected to be £8bn by 2024 .
When Boris Johnson and Sajid Javid announced £1.5bn for social care in September , there was scant recognition that this is a mere sticking plaster on the deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created .
The funding gap in social care this year alone was estimated at the time to be £2.6bn .
Alongside care , children ’ s services , public health and youth services all face acute funding shortfalls .
This month alone there have been stories of two-thirds of homelessness services being ‘ in the red ’ and a ‘ cash crisis ’ in children ’ s services for nine in ten councils .
In 2018 , we even saw an emergency bailout for Tory-run Northamptonshire Council , which was about to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel too large and abstract to grasp .
Yet it is felt in the human lives made lonelier , more isolated , less safe , less healthy , less enjoyable and at greater risk .
Our local communities have been robbed of their communal spaces such as libraries , swimming pools , green spaces , playgrounds and parks .
These are impacts our local councils – and our local councillors – have been on the frontline of fighting against this and of having to find a way through as the Tories have repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blame for their cuts agenda .
Our local councils and councillors have been on the frontline of Labour ’ s fight against the worst effects of Tory austerity , and they have had to find a way through as the Conservatives passed on the responsibility and blame for their cuts agenda .
Despite the best efforts of many local Labour councillors and mayors , it is clear that in five years this government will do a great deal more damage .
As Labour leader , I will work with Labour councillors to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks on our local communities .
The Tories can not be allowed to evade responsibility for their central government cuts to our local services .
They must be held nationally responsible for every building that has to be sold , for every youth service and community centre that has to close and for every child put at risk because of cuts to vital services .
As Labour leader , I will work with councillors to fight the Tories every step of the way – and give councillors and the communities they represent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a real difference and change people ’ s lives for the better .
To do this , I want to use community organising and campaigning in partnership with our local councillors .
We all know that good local councillors are community organisers and leaders .
It is the actions of those local Labour councillors , who demonstrate day after day that Labour is on the side of our communities , that are key to laying foundations to a return to power at Westminster .
And by strengthening our community organising in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stronger foundation for more Labour councillors elected at local parish , town and local authority level and broaden the diversity of representation with more women , BAME , disabled and LGBT local councillors .
We also need to develop a new and compelling vision for local government for the next election .
This involves devolving genuine power to local levels of government and , crucially , the funding to make it real .
And that is more than just reversing the cuts of the past ten years .
We need to oppose the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas and reward Tory shires in funding reviews – and we have to look at how to develop a needs-based funding formula that delivers more funding and focuses it on where it ’ s most needed .
As a party , let ’ s have a discussion about how regressive council tax is and how local councils could have more flexibility .
We should also discuss how we can devolve the powers councils need to deliver the services and infrastructure their local communities want .
We are in the middle of an escalating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be free and to have the resources to undertake large-scale council house building , to hold property developers to account on contributing to local infrastructure and affordable housing and stop land banking .
And local councils should have the power and resources to deliver on insulating homes and developing local energy schemes .
Although we are in opposition nationally , we also must not forget the power and change we can and are making at a local level .
As Labour leader , I want to work with local councils across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use public procurement to support supply chains and work with local organisations to create good unionised local jobs , as well as being a good employer itself .
I also want to work with local councils to put a new generation of municipal services at the heart of our promise to transform our country at the next general election : expanding and integrating local public transport ; bringing in local democratic control of schools ; providing public health and youth services ; establishing services for active-living and combatting loneliness ; providing social care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things are all essential to an ambitious agenda of creating a green , democratic and socialist economy .
But it can ’ t be a top-down process – it needs local councils and communities to design and decide what they need .
In a similar spirit , local councillors are a key voice and have a hugely important role in everything we do as a party .
Making sure we are ready for the elections in May would be one of my first priorities as Labour leader .

Local government is critical to us winning in Westminster and delivering our 21st-century socialist policies – but for that to happen, we need to develop a vision of local government that genuinely trusts local people to make decisions for their communities, and offers the resources and powers to deliver on those decisions.
In our over-centralised governance system, local councils lack the proper power to intervene in their local economies and invest in their local communities. This has surely contributed to the feeling of powerlessness and falling behind of local communities that the Brexit vote exposed; and while it has been Brexit that has dominated the headlines, the story of how our local councils have been hollowed out and the devastating impact of a decade of austerity is just as important.
Between 2010 and 2020, local government funding has been cut by some 60%. This means a funding gap of £3.1bn this financial year, projected to be £8bn by 2024. When Boris Johnson and Sajid Javid announced £1.5bn for social care in September, there was scant recognition that this is a mere sticking plaster on the deep and gaping wound that the Conservatives themselves created. The funding gap in social care this year alone was estimated at the time to be £2.6bn.
Alongside care, children’s services, public health and youth services all face acute funding shortfalls. This month alone there have been stories of two-thirds of homelessness services being ‘in the red’ and a ‘cash crisis’ in children’s services for nine in ten councils. In 2018, we even saw an emergency bailout for Tory-run Northamptonshire Council, which was about to go bankrupt.
These huge numbers can almost feel too large and abstract to grasp. Yet it is felt in the human lives made lonelier, more isolated, less safe, less healthy, less enjoyable and at greater risk. Our local communities have been robbed of their communal spaces such as libraries, swimming pools, green spaces, playgrounds and parks.
These are impacts our local councils – and our local councillors – have been on the frontline of fighting against this and of having to find a way through as the Tories have repeatedly and callously passed on the responsibility and blame for their cuts agenda.
Our local councils and councillors have been on the frontline of Labour’s fight against the worst effects of Tory austerity, and they have had to find a way through as the Conservatives passed on the responsibility and blame for their cuts agenda. Despite the best efforts of many local Labour councillors and mayors, it is clear that in five years this government will do a great deal more damage. As Labour leader, I will work with Labour councillors to hold the government to account and resist their attacks on our local communities.
The Tories cannot be allowed to evade responsibility for their central government cuts to our local services. They must be held nationally responsible for every building that has to be sold, for every youth service and community centre that has to close and for every child put at risk because of cuts to vital services. As Labour leader, I will work with councillors to fight the Tories every step of the way – and give councillors and the communities they represent the tools, resources and political support to make a real difference and change people’s lives for the better.
To do this, I want to use community organising and campaigning in partnership with our local councillors. We all know that good local councillors are community organisers and leaders. It is the actions of those local Labour councillors, who demonstrate day after day that Labour is on the side of our communities, that are key to laying foundations to a return to power at Westminster. And by strengthening our community organising in this way, it can give us a stronger foundation for more Labour councillors elected at local parish, town and local authority level and broaden the diversity of representation with more women, BAME, disabled and LGBT local councillors.
We also need to develop a new and compelling vision for local government for the next election. This involves devolving genuine power to local levels of government and, crucially, the funding to make it real. And that is more than just reversing the cuts of the past ten years. We need to oppose the moves by the Tories that penalise deprived areas and reward Tory shires in funding reviews – and we have to look at how to develop a needs-based funding formula that delivers more funding and focuses it on where it’s most needed. As a party, let’s have a discussion about how regressive council tax is and how local councils could have more flexibility.
We should also discuss how we can devolve the powers councils need to deliver the services and infrastructure their local communities want. We are in the middle of an escalating housing crisis. Local councils need to be free and to have the resources to undertake large-scale council house building, to hold property developers to account on contributing to local infrastructure and affordable housing and stop land banking. And local councils should have the power and resources to deliver on insulating homes and developing local energy schemes.
Although we are in opposition nationally, we also must not forget the power and change we can and are making at a local level. As Labour leader, I want to work with local councils across the country to help insource their services and to use public procurement to support supply chains and work with local organisations to create good unionised local jobs, as well as being a good employer itself.
I also want to work with local councils to put a new generation of municipal services at the heart of our promise to transform our country at the next general election: expanding and integrating local public transport; bringing in local democratic control of schools; providing public health and youth services; establishing services for active-living and combatting loneliness; providing social care and services for independent living.
These things are all essential to an ambitious agenda of creating a green, democratic and socialist economy. But it can’t be a top-down process – it needs local councils and communities to design and decide what they need. In a similar spirit, local councillors are a key voice and have a hugely important role in everything we do as a party. Making sure we are ready for the elections in May would be one of my first priorities as Labour leader.


labourlist--2020-02-05--The cynical ‘fair funding review’ will be a major test for new Tory MPs

The ‘ fair funding review ’ , which will affect how funding is allocated and redistributed between local authorities from 2020 onwards , has been exposed as another cynical Tory plan .
We know that it risks leaving more sick and vulnerable people without the care they need – particularly areas that voted Conservative for the first time at the last general election .
A decade of Conservative cuts and inaction has pushed the crisis in social care to breaking point .
Despite the Prime Minister ’ s claim last year to have a plan to fix the crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elusive scheme are met with silence .
Instead of the plan we were promised , councils are now bracing themselves for even more cuts to social care funding as part of the ironically named ‘ fair funding review ’ .
Research from the Local Government Association has revealed that this funding review would see hundreds of millions of pounds of social care funding cut from local authorities like Stoke-on-Trent and Rotherham , and channelled towards Tory shire county councils including Surrey and Buckinghamshire .
The vast majority of the so-called ‘ red wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change – an area that represents 70 % of Conservative gains in the 2019 general election .
The review will also see £300m of funding funnelled from less affluent Labour councils to areas that are Conservative-controlled .
I know that despite having one hand tied behind their backs , our Labour councillors will continue to innovate , make our towns and cities safer , protect and support the most vulnerable in society .
But these cuts will have consequences .
Even worse than the politically partisan way in which these cuts will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequality .
The ten most deprived local authorities in England will face a 13 % cut on average , whilst the wealthiest will see their budgets grow on average by 13 % .
Funding for social care for older people is due to drop in London , the West Midlands , the North East , and the North West , but the South East and South West will see an increase .
These changes flow from a new formula that will dramatically reduce the importance of deprivation when calculating funding allocations , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a focus on providing more funding to rural areas .
The IFS has criticised this approach , arguing that the evidence basis is “ weak ” , while researchers at the University of Liverpool have questioned the government ’ s calculations .
The government ’ s own research also shows that over half of local services are not affected by sparsity , and of those remaining 31.1 % were less expensive .
The National Audit Office agreed with our concerns about this new formula and has agreed to independently scrutinise the changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all political parties , nobody stood for election in 2019 to introduce legislation that would make things worse for their constituents .
I have already written to all of the new Tory MPs , urging them to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Labour to defend the people that elected them and urging them to vote with us in this week ’ s opposition day debate .
This week , new Conservative MPs have to choose if they are going to stand up for the communities that they now represent or if they will be prioritising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a major test – their constituents will not forgive and will not forget if they fail .

The ‘fair funding review’, which will affect how funding is allocated and redistributed between local authorities from 2020 onwards, has been exposed as another cynical Tory plan. We know that it risks leaving more sick and vulnerable people without the care they need – particularly areas that voted Conservative for the first time at the last general election.
A decade of Conservative cuts and inaction has pushed the crisis in social care to breaking point. Despite the Prime Minister’s claim last year to have a plan to fix the crisis, any questions about the details of this elusive scheme are met with silence. Instead of the plan we were promised, councils are now bracing themselves for even more cuts to social care funding as part of the ironically named ‘fair funding review’.
Research from the Local Government Association has revealed that this funding review would see hundreds of millions of pounds of social care funding cut from local authorities like Stoke-on-Trent and Rotherham, and channelled towards Tory shire county councils including Surrey and Buckinghamshire. The vast majority of the so-called ‘red wall’ will be hardest hit by this change – an area that represents 70% of Conservative gains in the 2019 general election.
The review will also see £300m of funding funnelled from less affluent Labour councils to areas that are Conservative-controlled. I know that despite having one hand tied behind their backs, our Labour councillors will continue to innovate, make our towns and cities safer, protect and support the most vulnerable in society. But these cuts will have consequences.
Even worse than the politically partisan way in which these cuts will be made is the effect on levels of inequality. The ten most deprived local authorities in England will face a 13% cut on average, whilst the wealthiest will see their budgets grow on average by 13%. Funding for social care for older people is due to drop in London, the West Midlands, the North East, and the North West, but the South East and South West will see an increase.
These changes flow from a new formula that will dramatically reduce the importance of deprivation when calculating funding allocations, in favour of ‘per head’ funding and a focus on providing more funding to rural areas. The IFS has criticised this approach, arguing that the evidence basis is “weak”, while researchers at the University of Liverpool have questioned the government’s calculations. The government’s own research also shows that over half of local services are not affected by sparsity, and of those remaining 31.1% were less expensive. The National Audit Office agreed with our concerns about this new formula and has agreed to independently scrutinise the changes.
I genuinely believe that, across all political parties, nobody stood for election in 2019 to introduce legislation that would make things worse for their constituents. I have already written to all of the new Tory MPs, urging them to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Labour to defend the people that elected them and urging them to vote with us in this week’s opposition day debate. This week, new Conservative MPs have to choose if they are going to stand up for the communities that they now represent or if they will be prioritising their own careers. This vote will be a major test – their constituents will not forgive and will not forget if they fail.


labourlist--2020-02-05--I would prioritise wellbeing equally with economic growth, says Starmer

Keir Starmer is set to announce that a future Labour government led by him would prioritise wellbeing and economic growth equally .
During a visit to a hospital in Cambridge tomorrow he will call for the use of a set of national wellbeing indicators , in addition to measures of economic growth .
Starmer has said that their use would ensure that wellbeing informs the government ’ s policies and investment priorities .
Commenting ahead of the announcement , the MP for Holborn and St Pancras stated : “ The idea that economic growth alone will solve society ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong and out-dated .
We need to create a healthy society where everyone can thrive , with government , employers and citizens all playing our part together.
” The contender to replace Jeremy Corbyn said that the indicators would cover health , inequality , homelessness and the environment to capture people ’ s quality of life .
Starmer said : “ The UK is the sixth largest economy in the world .
However , millions of people are suffering because of the deep inequalities that have become ingrained in our society .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s wellbeing if we treat wellbeing equally to economic growth .
“ That means ensuring national wellbeing and economic growth are prioritised equally .
Prosperity and a sound economy go hand in hand .
GDP alone does not measure the health of our children , the quality of the air we breathe or people ’ s quality of life .
Another future is possible , but only if we give everyone the right to an equal chance to prosper.
” Other governments have proposed similar steps in an effort to improve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy is working for their citizens .
Nicola Sturgeon recently revealed that she would be “ redefining ” what it means to be a successful nation by focusing on wellbeing as well as GDP .
Bhutan introduced a gross national happiness index in 2008 , measuring things such as psychological health , living standards , community vitality and environmental and cultural resilience to inform government policy making .
New Zealand became the first country in the world to design its entire budget around wellbeing priorities , with ministers instructed to outline policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The office for national statistics currently produces a wellbeing release including statistics on health , relationships , education and skills , where people live , their personal finances and the environment .

Keir Starmer is set to announce that a future Labour government led by him would prioritise wellbeing and economic growth equally.
During a visit to a hospital in Cambridge on Thursday, the Labour leadership candidate will call for the use of a set of national wellbeing indicators in addition to measures of economic growth.
Commenting ahead of the announcement, the current frontrunner in the leadership race said: “The idea that economic growth alone will solve society’s ills and make us all prosper is wrong and outdated.
“We need to create a healthy society where everyone can thrive, with government, employers and citizens all playing our part together.”
The contender to replace Jeremy Corbyn said that the indicators would cover health, inequality, homelessness and the environment to capture people’s quality of life.
Starmer added: “The UK is the sixth largest economy in the world. However, millions of people are suffering because of the deep inequalities that have become ingrained in our society.
“We can only begin to improve the nation’s wellbeing if we treat wellbeing equally to economic growth. That means ensuring national wellbeing and economic growth are prioritised equally.
“Prosperity and a sound economy go hand in hand. GDP alone does not measure the health of our children, the quality of the air we breathe or people’s quality of life.”
Other governments have proposed similar steps in an effort to improve the way in which they measure how well the economy is working for their citizens.
Nicola Sturgeon recently revealed that she would be “redefining” what it means to be a successful nation by focusing on wellbeing as well as GDP.
Bhutan introduced a gross national happiness index in 2008, measuring things such as psychological health, living standards, community vitality and environmental and cultural resilience to inform government policy making.
New Zealand became the first country in the world to design its entire budget around wellbeing priorities, with ministers instructed to outline policies to improve wellbeing, last year.
The office for national statistics currently produces a wellbeing release including statistics on health, relationships, education and skills, where people live, their personal finances and the environment.


labourlist--2020-02-05--Musicians’ Union nominates Starmer and Allin-Khan

The Musicians ’ Union has nominated Keir Starmer to be the next leader of the Labour Party , and Rosena Allin-Khan to be the next deputy .
The party-affiliated organisation has become the fourth trade union to back Starmer , and the first to back Allin-Khan .
In 2015 , the union nominated Andy Burnham for leader and Caroline Flint for deputy , and in 2016 it backed leadership challenger Owen Smith .
Commenting on their nomination on Twitter , the Musicians ’ Union said Starmer had been “ a strong supporter of musicians ” .
“ He understands the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing and what we need to do to meet them ” .
The organisation also revealed in a tweet that Allin-Khan was a “ former Musicians ’ Union member ” and said they were “ proud to see her rise so far ” and “ to support her as she continues fighting for young people to have a free musical education.
” Starmer has already secured his place on the final ballot through both the support of affiliates , including large trade union UNISON , and the backing of local Labour parties .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate must be nominated by 5 % of local parties or three affiliates , two of which must be trade unions , amounting to more than 5 % of the total affiliate membership .
Starmer has been nominated by a total of 159 constituency parties so far , as well as UNISON , Usdaw , SERA , Community , Labour Movement for Europe , Labour Business and the Socialist Health Association .
Allin-Khan has yet to secure a place on the final ballot , having so far only secured the support of 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Development .

The Musicians’ Union has nominated Keir Starmer to be the next leader of the Labour Party, and Rosena Allin-Khan to be the next deputy.
The party-affiliated organisation has become the fourth trade union to back Starmer, and the first to back Allin-Khan.
In 2015, the union nominated Andy Burnham for leader and Caroline Flint for deputy, and in 2016 it backed leadership challenger Owen Smith.
Commenting on their nomination on Twitter, the Musicians’ Union said Starmer had been “a strong supporter of musicians”.
“He understands the challenges musicians working in the EU are facing and what we need to do to meet them”.
The organisation also revealed in a tweet that Allin-Khan was a “former Musicians’ Union member” and said they were “proud to see her rise so far” and “to support her as she continues fighting for young people to have a free musical education.”
Starmer has already secured his place on the final ballot through both the support of affiliates, including large trade union UNISON, and the backing of local Labour parties.
To reach the ballot paper, each candidate must be nominated by 5% of local parties or three affiliates, two of which must be trade unions, amounting to more than 5% of the total affiliate membership.
Starmer has been nominated by a total of 159 constituency parties so far, as well as UNISON, Usdaw, SERA, Community, Labour Movement for Europe, Labour Business and the Socialist Health Association.
Allin-Khan has yet to secure a place on the final ballot, having so far only secured the support of 17 CLPs and the Labour Campaign for International Development.


labourlist--2020-02-05--Burgon unveils ‘peace pledge’ to give members veto over military action

Deputy leadership candidate Richard Burgon is set to unveil his proposal for a ‘ Labour Peace Pledge ’ that would give party members a veto over military action being supported by the leadership .
At a public meeting in Oxford on Wednesday evening , the MP for Leeds East and shadow cabinet member will say : “ No decision is more important for a political party than whether or not to support military action .
“ It is right that if the Labour Party wants to back military action then it must have the explicit backing of the party ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a genuine national emergency or with UN backing , which Iraq clearly didn ’ t have .
“ Never again should Labour members have the shame of having to protest “ Not in my name ” against their own party .
With this pledge in place , the British people can be confident that the Labour Party will not repeat the mistakes of the past and wrongly back military conflict.
” The candidate has vowed to establish a working group and present the rule change at Labour conference in September if elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under his plan , Labour would seek permission from members via a referendum or conference vote before backing military action .
Explaining his reasons for championing the pledge , Burgon is expected to say : “ Labour remains scarred by the experience of the Iraq War – for many it is sadly the single act for which the last Labour government is most remembered .
“ It was a conflict opposed by most Labour Party members at the time .
Jeremy Corbyn rightly apologised for Labour ’ s role in the disastrous and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publication of the Chilcot Report in 2016 .
“ But even since Iraq , Labour mistakenly backed the intervention in Libya , which has had catastrophic consequences for that country , and contributed to a massive refugee crisis .
These interventions were supposed to have made us safer from terrorism .
Tragically , they have failed in that objective too.
” Burgon , so far backed for the deputy leader role by BFAWU , FBU and Unite trade unions , as well as 24 local parties , has run a campaign based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including policies such as open selections .
As deputy leader , he has vowed to push for reform to parliamentary selections that would see sitting MPs face full selection processes before each general election rather than the current ‘ trigger ballot ’ that allows for ‘ automatic reselection ’ .
The Labour left candidate has also advocated the introduction of a new Clause IV to ensure that public ownership commitments are “ permanently enshrined in our party ’ s constitution ” rather than left to election manifestos .

Deputy leadership candidate Richard Burgon is set to unveil his proposal for a ‘Labour Peace Pledge’ that would give party members a veto over military action being supported by the leadership.
At a public meeting in Oxford on Wednesday evening, the MP for Leeds East and shadow cabinet member will say: “No decision is more important for a political party than whether or not to support military action.
“It is right that if the Labour Party wants to back military action then it must have the explicit backing of the party’s members, except in the case of a genuine national emergency or with UN backing, which Iraq clearly didn’t have.
“Never again should Labour members have the shame of having to protest “Not in my name” against their own party. With this pledge in place, the British people can be confident that the Labour Party will not repeat the mistakes of the past and wrongly back military conflict.”
The candidate has vowed to establish a working group and present the rule change at Labour conference in September if elected to the post of deputy leader. Under his plan, Labour would seek permission from members via a referendum or conference vote before backing military action.
Explaining his reasons for championing the pledge, Burgon is expected to say: “Labour remains scarred by the experience of the Iraq War – for many it is sadly the single act for which the last Labour government is most remembered.
“It was a conflict opposed by most Labour Party members at the time. Jeremy Corbyn rightly apologised for Labour’s role in the disastrous and illegal war at the time of the publication of the Chilcot Report in 2016.
“But even since Iraq, Labour mistakenly backed the intervention in Libya, which has had catastrophic consequences for that country, and contributed to a massive refugee crisis. These interventions were supposed to have made us safer from terrorism. Tragically, they have failed in that objective too.”
Burgon, so far backed for the deputy leader role by BFAWU, FBU and Unite trade unions, as well as 24 local parties, has run a campaign based on giving more powers to Labour members – including policies such as open selections.
As deputy leader, he has vowed to push for reform to parliamentary selections that would see sitting MPs face full selection processes before each general election rather than the current ‘trigger ballot’ that allows for ‘automatic reselection’.
The Labour left candidate has also advocated the introduction of a new Clause IV to ensure that public ownership commitments are “permanently enshrined in our party’s constitution” rather than left to election manifestos.


labourlist--2020-02-05--Labour First reveal slate of candidates for London Assembly selection race

The Corbynsceptic group Labour First has released voting recommendations for the London Assembly selection contest , which saw ballots sent out to London Labour members today .
Momentum unveiled its own slate last week .
Ballots close at 12pm on Wednesday , February 19th .
Labour First recommends voting for Sem Moema and Marina Ahmad .
Soft left candidate Tom Copley has withdrawn from the selection contest , while Murad Qureshi – chair of Stop the War Coalition – has not received either Labour First or Momentum backing .
Labour First is supporting Sagal Abdi-Wali , Anne Clarke and Miriam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate for this seat – Faduma Hassan , who has been endorsed by Momentum .
Labour First is backing Stefano Borella .
Momentum has no recommendations for this constituency .
The other candidate is Sunny Lambe .
Labour First is supporting Krupesh Hirani .
The only other candidate is Aghileh Djafari Marbini , who is backed by Momentum .
Labour First is recommending a vote for Rowenna Davis .
Her rival , Patsy Cummings , is Momentum-endorsed .
Labour First is endorsing four out of five – Andrew Achilleos , Judith Garfield , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not Momentum-backed Bob Littlewood .
Labour First is giving specific voting recommendation for this seat : first preference to Marina Ahmad and second preference to Taranjit Chana .
Momentum has endorsed Maurice Mcleod , which completes the shortlist of three .
Again , Labour First has specific voting recommendations : first preference to Sem Moema and second preference to Sarah Hyde .
Labour First recommends voting for either Candice Atterton or Sandra Keen – i.e .
either of the two candidates .
There is no Momentum endorsement for this seat .
Labour First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate , Sophie Charman-Blower , is not backed by Momentum .

The Corbynsceptic group Labour First has released voting recommendations for the London Assembly selection contest, which saw ballots sent out to London Labour members today. Momentum unveiled its own slate last week. Ballots close at 12pm on Wednesday, February 19th.
London-wide list
Labour First recommends voting for Sem Moema and Marina Ahmad. Soft left candidate Tom Copley has withdrawn from the selection contest, while Murad Qureshi – chair of Stop the War Coalition – has not received either Labour First or Momentum backing.
Barnet and Camden
Labour First is supporting Sagal Abdi-Wali, Anne Clarke and Miriam Mirwitch. There is just one more candidate for this seat – Faduma Hassan, who has been endorsed by Momentum.
Bexley and Bromley
Labour First is backing Stefano Borella. Momentum has no recommendations for this constituency. The other candidate is Sunny Lambe.
Brent and Harrow
Labour First is supporting Krupesh Hirani. The only other candidate is Aghileh Djafari Marbini, who is backed by Momentum.
Croydon and Sutton
Labour First is recommending a vote for Rowenna Davis. Her rival, Patsy Cummings, is Momentum-endorsed.
Havering and Redbridge
Labour First is endorsing four out of five – Andrew Achilleos, Judith Garfield, Angelina Leatherbarrow and Vanisha Solanki, but not Momentum-backed Bob Littlewood.
Lambeth and Southwark
Labour First is giving specific voting recommendation for this seat: first preference to Marina Ahmad and second preference to Taranjit Chana. Momentum has endorsed Maurice Mcleod, which completes the shortlist of three.
North East
Again, Labour First has specific voting recommendations: first preference to Sem Moema and second preference to Sarah Hyde.
South West
Labour First recommends voting for either Candice Atterton or Sandra Keen – i.e. either of the two candidates. There is no Momentum endorsement for this seat.
West Central
Labour First is backing Rita Begum. The other candidate, Sophie Charman-Blower, is not backed by Momentum.


labourlist--2020-02-05--How Labour councils are helping each other to succeed

“ There is no limit to what you can accomplish as long as you do not care who gets the credit.
” This is a well-known quote , variations of which are ironically credited to many different people .
It might best describe the attitude of Labour councils , though , who demonstrate an admirable willingness to share good ideas amongst themselves .
Local government is brilliant at sharing best practice and innovation – we get a real kick out of sharing our success stories .
The LGA Labour climate emergency website is a classic example of how Labour councils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses to help Labour in local government to deliver on this agenda here and now , rather than waiting for Westminster politicians to wake up and smell the coffee .
This was backed up by the first LGA Labour climate emergency conference last month , which was probably the best single-issue event I ’ ve attended in 20 years as a councillor .
It showcased what Labour councils of all shapes and sizes – districts , towns , cities , metros or boroughs – are doing to respond to the climate emergency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are successfully setting the policy agenda on this issue , as well as other emerging agendas .
Even as I write this article , I ’ m living the action of sharing best practise and innovation .
I ’ m on my way to Bath for my final gig ( sold out , apparently ! )
of my 12-month tour of the UK and Ireland .
It has seen me present to councillors , council officers and others in Jersey , Dublin , Greater Manchester , West Yorkshire , Oxford , Bristol and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forest have successfully delivered our radical , ground breaking and often controversial ‘ mini Holland ’ programme of walking and cycling infrastructure .
We have also hosted tours from a huge number of councils from across the UK in Waltham Forest .
Labour in local government has , for the past 20 years or so , been very successful in establishing a process of sector-led improvement or more simply put , helping each other to survive .
Through peer reviews , peer mentoring , and the sharing of innovation and best practice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other to do better , be bolder , and to succeed .
Labour councillors have no time to navel-gaze – we have to work within the rules of the game that we have been handed , because millions of people rely on our leadership and the services that we have direct and in-direct responsibility for .
Peer reviews – which are not inspections – are when a council invites a team of experienced councillors and council officers from different councils to visit for a short period .
Through workshops , focus groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and in conversations with key people , the team start to build a picture of the organisation , the place , or particular council service .
The team help provide an independent assessment that the council can then use to celebrate its strengths and develop a response to its weaknesses .
This process helps some councils make the difficult decisions they need to make in key service areas to improve those services for their residents , and often empowers the council to identify ways in which to move forward .
Peer mentoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a friend ’ option – sees councillors with a new role , or a tricky issue to grapple with , paired up with a councillor who has already lived through a similar challenge and has bought the T-shirt .
Mentoring is normally , but not exclusively , given to people new into a role – leaders , cabinet members , chairs of committees etc – in order to help them get a sense of the role , the responsibilities and the expectations that will be placed on them .
It normally takes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the phone or meeting up , as well as visits to places where similar challenges have been overcome with positive outcomes .
Because we are so good at supporting each other in Labour local government , sharing ideas and innovation , we are in a strong place not just to continue to influence the traditional local government agenda , but also responses to wider societal , economic and community challenges .
We are uniquely placed to develop , test out and deliver new Labour policies and approaches , as well as having opportunities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are Labour in government .
Delivering on our values and beliefs – learning , sharing and delivering day-in and day-out .

“There is no limit to what you can accomplish as long as you do not care who gets the credit.” This is a well-known quote, variations of which are ironically credited to many different people. It might best describe the attitude of Labour councils, though, who demonstrate an admirable willingness to share good ideas amongst themselves.
Local government is brilliant at sharing best practice and innovation – we get a real kick out of sharing our success stories. The LGA Labour climate emergency website is a classic example of how Labour councils and councillors are keen to share their responses to help Labour in local government to deliver on this agenda here and now, rather than waiting for Westminster politicians to wake up and smell the coffee.
This was backed up by the first LGA Labour climate emergency conference last month, which was probably the best single-issue event I’ve attended in 20 years as a councillor. It showcased what Labour councils of all shapes and sizes – districts, towns, cities, metros or boroughs – are doing to respond to the climate emergency. It’s clear that Labour councillors are successfully setting the policy agenda on this issue, as well as other emerging agendas.
Even as I write this article, I’m living the action of sharing best practise and innovation. I’m on my way to Bath for my final gig (sold out, apparently!) of my 12-month tour of the UK and Ireland. It has seen me present to councillors, council officers and others in Jersey, Dublin, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Oxford, Bristol and London, on how we in Waltham Forest have successfully delivered our radical, ground breaking and often controversial ‘mini Holland’ programme of walking and cycling infrastructure. We have also hosted tours from a huge number of councils from across the UK in Waltham Forest.
Labour in local government has, for the past 20 years or so, been very successful in establishing a process of sector-led improvement or more simply put, helping each other to survive. Through peer reviews, peer mentoring, and the sharing of innovation and best practice, Labour councils prove their willingness to support each other to do better, be bolder, and to succeed. Labour councillors have no time to navel-gaze – we have to work within the rules of the game that we have been handed, because millions of people rely on our leadership and the services that we have direct and in-direct responsibility for.
Peer reviews – which are not inspections – are when a council invites a team of experienced councillors and council officers from different councils to visit for a short period. Through workshops, focus groups, digesting and reviewing reports and publications, and in conversations with key people, the team start to build a picture of the organisation, the place, or particular council service. The team help provide an independent assessment that the council can then use to celebrate its strengths and develop a response to its weaknesses. This process helps some councils make the difficult decisions they need to make in key service areas to improve those services for their residents, and often empowers the council to identify ways in which to move forward.
Peer mentoring – often known as the ‘phone a friend’ option – sees councillors with a new role, or a tricky issue to grapple with, paired up with a councillor who has already lived through a similar challenge and has bought the T-shirt. Mentoring is normally, but not exclusively, given to people new into a role – leaders, cabinet members, chairs of committees etc – in order to help them get a sense of the role, the responsibilities and the expectations that will be placed on them. It normally takes the form of being at the end of the phone or meeting up, as well as visits to places where similar challenges have been overcome with positive outcomes.
Because we are so good at supporting each other in Labour local government, sharing ideas and innovation, we are in a strong place not just to continue to influence the traditional local government agenda, but also responses to wider societal, economic and community challenges. We are uniquely placed to develop, test out and deliver new Labour policies and approaches, as well as having opportunities to challenge Westminster government and politicians. We are Labour in government. Delivering on our values and beliefs – learning, sharing and delivering day-in and day-out.


labourlist--2020-02-05--Labour should make better use of supportive academics

Whoever wins the leader and deputy leadership contests will have a difficult task unifying a Labour Party still in mourning after the 2019 defeat .
Adding to that challenge , there is now less money to support expert advisors because we won fewer seats .
The government can rely on the civil service to support its programme of reforms , yet the mountain an opposition must climb is more arduous , with less resources for additional advisors to help it hold the government to account and develop plans for taking power .
Labour is only beginning to unlock the enormously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a relatively untapped part is the significant number of pro-Labour leading academics .
They could be put to greater use , funded through other resources , bringing further benefits to policy development while remaining cost neutral .
Recently , the government advertised for experts and “ weirdos ” to apply for a series of positions in select areas via Dominic Cummings ’ blog .
The plan was to have a formal recruitment round in various roles , including policy experts .
This has costs that may be within reach of a newly elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relying on limited funding can spend .
The issue then becomes how the opposition can similarly benefit from extra policy experts , without the additional resources to pay for them .
The answer can partly be found in making better use of leading academics who are Labour members or supportive of Labour ’ s policy goals .
University professors and lecturers are more pro-Labour than pro-Conservative by a large margin across academic fields , providing a wide-ranging talent pool to draw upon .
This is , in my view , not a product @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which often overturns conventional , traditional thinking in favour of progressive , new solutions to old problems .
There is a strong incentive for academics working in higher education and their universities to provide free policy advice and expertise .
This incentive comes from the research excellence framework ( REF ) , a competitive national framework assessing the quality of research in every academic department across all universities .
Assessments happen every six to seven years with the next exercise ranking departments in 2021 .
The better the quality of a department ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater the share of new income they receive each year until the next one .
The exercise ranks departments across every academic subject , from first to last , with those at the top receiving more research funding than any below it .
A department ’ s REF score is determined mostly ( ca .
60 % ) by the quality of its publications as judged and scored by a panel .
The department ’ s general research environment is also taken into account – looking at research funding , PhD student completions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % ) .
A significant portion of a department ’ s REF score is determined by its research ‘ impact ’ ( ca .
25 % ) .
And research impact is defined as follows : A department needs one impact case study for every 11 research-active staff members – e.g .
an academic department of 33+ staff would require three impact case studies .
But the numbers here are not the important part of this story .
The greater the impact generated by an academic or team of academics on a certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – which will support a stronger REF performance and the added financial support for the institution that comes with it .
Universities , as charities , can not discriminate between political parties or provide funding – and rightly so .
However , universities can and do support fringe events at party conferences and much more .
Universities also regularly provide funding to support academics to make regular visits to parliament , as mine has done .
This is not to promote any particular political view , but to support the advancement of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development , without supporting any one party to the exclusion of others .
Most universities would make such funding available for their staff because it can literally pay off in earning extra funding through creating a strong impact case study that boosts a positive REF performance .
There is an opportunity to create a new ‘ academic Labour network ’ , creating a ready team of policy expert advisors from the university sector .
They would provide additional support in areas or topics relevant to Labour ’ s future policy development , acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Labour Party .
Its launch would require minimal organisation beyond targeting the areas of expertise required .
Experienced policy advisors like me can assist in supporting the location of funding from institutions to attend meetings as required and to support training and continued mentoring , so that all work together and understand their role and specified areas for making a contribution .
This work can include drafting brief policy reports as directed , recommending written questions for tabling , providing advice ahead of oral debates , additional scrutiny of proposed legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utilised to do much more than be an extra set of policy advisors – it could be the heart of a new educational and training organisation .
Recent calls by Keir Starmer to create a ‘ Labour Party college ’ delivering accredited political education , campaign training , leadership skills and online courses would be transformative .
And an academic Labour network could bring together pro-Labour scholars that have the know-how and ability to make a Labour Party college , and its hugely positive and ambitious programme for change , possible .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s leading universities – and the most talented academics , the majority of whom are supportive of Labour if not party members already .
This is a talent pool that is underused but could be unlocked at no cost to the party and at much potential gain .
It could easily be used to address the needs of the leader ’ s office and front bench , with training and mentoring from an experienced , policy-interfacing academic already in use .
Such an academic Labour network would provide much beneficial support @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Whoever wins the leader and deputy leadership contests will have a difficult task unifying a Labour Party still in mourning after the 2019 defeat. Adding to that challenge, there is now less money to support expert advisors because we won fewer seats. The government can rely on the civil service to support its programme of reforms, yet the mountain an opposition must climb is more arduous, with less resources for additional advisors to help it hold the government to account and develop plans for taking power.
Labour is only beginning to unlock the enormously potential of its huge membership, and a relatively untapped part is the significant number of pro-Labour leading academics. They could be put to greater use, funded through other resources, bringing further benefits to policy development while remaining cost neutral. Recently, the government advertised for experts and “weirdos” to apply for a series of positions in select areas via Dominic Cummings’ blog. The plan was to have a formal recruitment round in various roles, including policy experts. This has costs that may be within reach of a newly elected government, but beyond what an opposition relying on limited funding can spend. The issue then becomes how the opposition can similarly benefit from extra policy experts, without the additional resources to pay for them.
The answer can partly be found in making better use of leading academics who are Labour members or supportive of Labour’s policy goals. University professors and lecturers are more pro-Labour than pro-Conservative by a large margin across academic fields, providing a wide-ranging talent pool to draw upon. This is, in my view, not a product of bias but of following evidence – which often overturns conventional, traditional thinking in favour of progressive, new solutions to old problems.
There is a strong incentive for academics working in higher education and their universities to provide free policy advice and expertise. This incentive comes from the research excellence framework (REF), a competitive national framework assessing the quality of research in every academic department across all universities. Assessments happen every six to seven years with the next exercise ranking departments in 2021. The better the quality of a department’s research in the REF, the greater the share of new income they receive each year until the next one. The exercise ranks departments across every academic subject, from first to last, with those at the top receiving more research funding than any below it.
A department’s REF score is determined mostly (ca. 60%) by the quality of its publications as judged and scored by a panel. The department’s general research environment is also taken into account – looking at research funding, PhD student completions and other factors (ca. 15%). A significant portion of a department’s REF score is determined by its research ‘impact’ (ca. 25%). And research impact is defined as follows:
Impact includes, but is not limited to, an effect on, change or benefit to: the activity, attitude, awareness, behaviour, capacity, opportunity, performance, policy, practice, process or understanding;
of an audience, beneficiary, community, constituency, organisation or individuals;
in any geographic location whether locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.
A department needs one impact case study for every 11 research-active staff members – e.g. an academic department of 33+ staff would require three impact case studies. But the numbers here are not the important part of this story. The greater the impact generated by an academic or team of academics on a certain project, then the higher their score – which will support a stronger REF performance and the added financial support for the institution that comes with it.
Universities, as charities, cannot discriminate between political parties or provide funding – and rightly so. However, universities can and do support fringe events at party conferences and much more. Universities also regularly provide funding to support academics to make regular visits to parliament, as mine has done. This is not to promote any particular political view, but to support the advancement of the research-led impact of its scholars on policy development, without supporting any one party to the exclusion of others. Most universities would make such funding available for their staff because it can literally pay off in earning extra funding through creating a strong impact case study that boosts a positive REF performance.
There is an opportunity to create a new ‘academic Labour network’, creating a ready team of policy expert advisors from the university sector. They would provide additional support in areas or topics relevant to Labour’s future policy development, acting as part-time advisors and at no cost to the Labour Party. Its launch would require minimal organisation beyond targeting the areas of expertise required. Experienced policy advisors like me can assist in supporting the location of funding from institutions to attend meetings as required and to support training and continued mentoring, so that all work together and understand their role and specified areas for making a contribution. This work can include drafting brief policy reports as directed, recommending written questions for tabling, providing advice ahead of oral debates, additional scrutiny of proposed legislation and more.
This network can be utilised to do much more than be an extra set of policy advisors – it could be the heart of a new educational and training organisation. Recent calls by Keir Starmer to create a ‘Labour Party college’ delivering accredited political education, campaign training, leadership skills and online courses would be transformative. And an academic Labour network could bring together pro-Labour scholars that have the know-how and ability to make a Labour Party college, and its hugely positive and ambitious programme for change, possible.
The UK is home to some of the world’s leading universities – and the most talented academics, the majority of whom are supportive of Labour if not party members already. This is a talent pool that is underused but could be unlocked at no cost to the party and at much potential gain. It could easily be used to address the needs of the leader’s office and front bench, with training and mentoring from an experienced, policy-interfacing academic already in use. Such an academic Labour network would provide much beneficial support to whoever wins the leadership contests.


labourlist--2020-02-05--Rita Begum: Why I’m standing to be a Labour London Assembly candidate

The London elections this May are going to be the first test for Labour ’ s new leader – but it ’ s the way we run London if we win that is the Labour movement ’ s real test .
It ’ s not enough to leaflet and hope to coast through the next few years ; we have to be on the ground every day , fighting to represent the people in London who need it most .
That ’ s why I ’ m running for the West Central seat on the London Assembly .
I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I started primary school in Paddington , I couldn ’ t speak a word of English – but I had to learn to speak up for my family and my community .
I ’ ve been fighting for them ever since , but there ’ s only so much one person can do .
I was inspired to join Labour by Karen Buck , my local MP and a great crusader for the voiceless in Westminster North .
That ’ s the standard I ’ ve held myself to ever since , becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 1986 and working day-in and day out to convince people who ’ d never supported us before that Labour can and will work for them .
West Central has been held by a Conservative ever since the London Assembly was created .
In that time , our housing has become more unaffordable , our youth services have been decimated by Conservative councils , and government cuts to the NHS , welfare and police have made our families ’ lives harder .
But the current assembly member , Tony Devenish , is only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using us as a stepping stone to becoming an MP , spending his time and energy trying to get selected in Westminster seats like Kensington .
That ’ s not how I hope to do things .
I ’ m not here to parachute in and leave for a better opportunity ; we need representatives who can live and fight with us .
I ’ ve worked with people across this city to mobilise communities , build relationships , give a voice to the marginalised and win victories against the Tories .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open , fought to save Charing Cross Hospital , campaigned for a final say on Brexit , and helped get respite breaks for families affected by Grenfell .
That ’ s how we can win West Central , and how we can build real trust between representatives and the represented .
It ’ s how I ’ ve beaten Tories before , won real victories for my constituents , and proved to sceptical voters that Labour will represent them .
I will campaign for more good-quality council homes and to protect residents from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short-change them .
I ’ ll work alongside the mayor ’ s campaign to introduce rent controls and a universal landlord register to crack down on rogue landlords .
I will invite the distinguished left economist Ann Pettifor , as well as other experts , to advise the mayor and the London Assembly on the creation of London ’ s green new deal – from the small ideas that make our lives greener and healthier to a city-wide plan for transition .
London is a global city and should be open to all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-semitism , Islamophobia , homophobia , and any kind of prejudice .
I will stand with the mayor to fight for fairness for all , regardless of race , gender , background , or disability .
I will fight for you .
The Tories cut 91 % of the youth services budget in the City of Westminster – and the same story has played out in Tory-run areas across London .
To truly tackle crime we need to restore these services , better housing , jobs with a future , and more community-based @ @

The London elections this May are going to be the first test for Labour’s new leader – but it’s the way we run London if we win that is the Labour movement’s real test. It’s not enough to leaflet and hope to coast through the next few years; we have to be on the ground every day, fighting to represent the people in London who need it most. That’s why I’m running for the West Central seat on the London Assembly.
I know how much we need this. When I started primary school in Paddington, I couldn’t speak a word of English – but I had to learn to speak up for my family and my community. I’ve been fighting for them ever since, but there’s only so much one person can do. I was inspired to join Labour by Karen Buck, my local MP and a great crusader for the voiceless in Westminster North. That’s the standard I’ve held myself to ever since, becoming the first Labour councillor in Maida Vale since 1986 and working day-in and day out to convince people who’d never supported us before that Labour can and will work for them.
West Central has been held by a Conservative ever since the London Assembly was created. In that time, our housing has become more unaffordable, our youth services have been decimated by Conservative councils, and government cuts to the NHS, welfare and police have made our families’ lives harder. But the current assembly member, Tony Devenish, is only interested in copying his Tory predecessors and using us as a stepping stone to becoming an MP, spending his time and energy trying to get selected in Westminster seats like Kensington.
That’s not how I hope to do things. I’m not here to parachute in and leave for a better opportunity; we need representatives who can live and fight with us. I’ve worked with people across this city to mobilise communities, build relationships, give a voice to the marginalised and win victories against the Tories. I’ve helped keep local youth clubs open, fought to save Charing Cross Hospital, campaigned for a final say on Brexit, and helped get respite breaks for families affected by Grenfell.
That’s how we can win West Central, and how we can build real trust between representatives and the represented. It’s how I’ve beaten Tories before, won real victories for my constituents, and proved to sceptical voters that Labour will represent them.
Homes fit for Londoners
I will campaign for more good-quality council homes and to protect residents from the developers and councils that try to short-change them. I’ll work alongside the mayor’s campaign to introduce rent controls and a universal landlord register to crack down on rogue landlords.
A green new deal for London
I will invite the distinguished left economist Ann Pettifor, as well as other experts, to advise the mayor and the London Assembly on the creation of London’s green new deal – from the small ideas that make our lives greener and healthier to a city-wide plan for transition.
Fight to keep London global
London is a global city and should be open to all. We must fight against racism, anti-semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, and any kind of prejudice. I will stand with the mayor to fight for fairness for all, regardless of race, gender, background, or disability. I will fight for you.
Really tackle crime
The Tories cut 91% of the youth services budget in the City of Westminster – and the same story has played out in Tory-run areas across London. To truly tackle crime we need to restore these services, better housing, jobs with a future, and more community-based police.


labourlist--2020-02-05--Are Labour ‘establishment’ councils the problem?

In May 1973 , Ted Heath was Prime Minister , Pink Floyd had recently released their album Dark Side of the Moon and VAT had just come into effect in the UK .
This month also marked the first elections to the newly formed metropolitan borough of Manchester City Council .
Labour took control of the Manchester City Council with 59 of the 99 seats on the authority , and thanks to the hard work , renewal , innovation and tireless campaigning of successive groups of Labour councillors , Manchester City Council has been Labour-run for the 47 years since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a problem .
There is an argument I hear from some party members that one-party rule – even when that party is Labour – is unhealthy , and that there is a danger that our party ’ s reputation is damaged locally as a result of being seen as ‘ the establishment ’ .
Although Labour has enjoyed nearly half a century leading the great city of Manchester , it would be a mistake and misunderstanding to describe Manchester City Council Labour group as ‘ the establishment ’ in Manchester politics .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than their incumbency , that has secured them the trust of the people of Manchester in the 35 successive elections they ’ ve fought and won since 1973 .
And anyone who has visited Manchester would agree that Labour ’ s success has been reflected in the city ’ s success over the last 40 years .
Think about this for a moment .
Labour has been in government nationally for a total of just 18 years and 74 days of the last 47 years .
Compare this to Manchester Labour group ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same period , and it is clear there are stark lessons for our party and movement to learn from Labour councillors in Manchester – just as the party can and should learn from the best of Labour in local government across the rest of the UK .
Up and down the country , Labour councillors in Labour-led authorities are putting socialist principles into practice and creating fairer , more equal communities – despite being forced to operate with both hands tied behind their backs as a result of a decade of severe Tory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ councillors are holding Tory and Lib Dem administrations to account , as well as influencing council policies and flying the flag for social justice , fairness and equality in communities without Labour MPs , without a Labour government and without a Labour council .
The truth is Labour has led places like Manchester , Wakefield and Hackney for decades because they ’ ve never seen themselves as stewards of the town hall but as leaders of place .
That leadership of place in Labour local government is rooted in our party ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitehall and Westminster and put it in the hands of those it affects .
This can only ever be achieved by winning power for a purpose – that purpose being to harness the power of the community to advance the cause of the individual .
Our party ’ s record in towns , cities and counties across the UK is one of municipal socialism in action – winning the support of communities to tackle the poverty and inequality that exists in society .
Labour-led councils in every region and nation of our country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proudly celebrated in LGA Labour ’ s ‘ 100 More Innovations in Power ’ – whilst our Labour councillors are campaigners for positive change in communities and problem solvers in our wards and divisions .
Labour in local government led the way on introducing the Living Wage , showed the positive impact of introducing free school meals for all primary school pupils before it was even being debated in Whitehall and Westminster , and help to resolve often complex issues for residents every day .
We are the frontline defence against unrelenting Tory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre of Labour ’ s local and general election campaigns .
Labour councillors and the communities we serve live with the dire consequences of a ruthless Tory government that has closed Sure Start Centres , slashed school budgets , created a national housing crisis and decimated funding for local public services by stripping 60p in every £1 from our budgets .
Those that put forward the idea that Labour councillors are to blame for ‘ accepting ’ the cuts simply do the Tories ’ dirty work for them .
They ’ ve worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for cuts that have been forced on them , avoiding the blame for decisions they made in Westminster .
Our party rightly celebrates the radical progressivism of Clement Attlee ’ s post-war government founding the NHS , but we should also celebrate his pioneering work as mayor of Stepney – when he led his council to introduce its first sanitary inspectors and health visitors , as well as targeting local property owners who charged high rents to live in properties in bad conditions and his work to drive down local infant mortality rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renew to address the challenges of the decades ahead it must rediscover its localist roots and recognise that identities based on place and nation matter just as much , if not more than those of class or industry .
Our talented Labour leaders in local government have more experience of being in power and making day-to-day decisions to help improve lives than most of our MPs in the current Parliamentary Labour Party – so please Labour let ’ s hear more from Manchester ’ s Sir Richard Leese , Bristol ’ s Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Getting one of them on BBC Question Time would be a good start , and would soon put paid to the idea that they are ‘ establishment ’ in any way .

In May 1973, Ted Heath was Prime Minister, Pink Floyd had recently released their album Dark Side of the Moon and VAT had just come into effect in the UK. This month also marked the first elections to the newly formed metropolitan borough of Manchester City Council. Labour took control of the Manchester City Council with 59 of the 99 seats on the authority, and thanks to the hard work, renewal, innovation and tireless campaigning of successive groups of Labour councillors, Manchester City Council has been Labour-run for the 47 years since.
For some people, this is a problem. There is an argument I hear from some party members that one-party rule – even when that party is Labour – is unhealthy, and that there is a danger that our party’s reputation is damaged locally as a result of being seen as ‘the establishment’.
Although Labour has enjoyed nearly half a century leading the great city of Manchester, it would be a mistake and misunderstanding to describe Manchester City Council Labour group as ‘the establishment’ in Manchester politics. In fact it is their insurgency, rather than their incumbency, that has secured them the trust of the people of Manchester in the 35 successive elections they’ve fought and won since 1973. And anyone who has visited Manchester would agree that Labour’s success has been reflected in the city’s success over the last 40 years.
Think about this for a moment. Labour has been in government nationally for a total of just 18 years and 74 days of the last 47 years. Compare this to Manchester Labour group’s 47 years in power over the same period, and it is clear there are stark lessons for our party and movement to learn from Labour councillors in Manchester – just as the party can and should learn from the best of Labour in local government across the rest of the UK.
Up and down the country, Labour councillors in Labour-led authorities are putting socialist principles into practice and creating fairer, more equal communities – despite being forced to operate with both hands tied behind their backs as a result of a decade of severe Tory cuts. And in opposition, Labour councillors are holding Tory and Lib Dem administrations to account, as well as influencing council policies and flying the flag for social justice, fairness and equality in communities without Labour MPs, without a Labour government and without a Labour council.
The truth is Labour has led places like Manchester, Wakefield and Hackney for decades because they’ve never seen themselves as stewards of the town hall but as leaders of place. That leadership of place in Labour local government is rooted in our party’s founding mission – to wrestle power from Whitehall and Westminster and put it in the hands of those it affects. This can only ever be achieved by winning power for a purpose – that purpose being to harness the power of the community to advance the cause of the individual.
Our party’s record in towns, cities and counties across the UK is one of municipal socialism in action – winning the support of communities to tackle the poverty and inequality that exists in society. Labour-led councils in every region and nation of our country are pioneers of radically progressive policies – proudly celebrated in LGA Labour’s ‘100 More Innovations in Power’ – whilst our Labour councillors are campaigners for positive change in communities and problem solvers in our wards and divisions.
Labour in local government led the way on introducing the Living Wage, showed the positive impact of introducing free school meals for all primary school pupils before it was even being debated in Whitehall and Westminster, and help to resolve often complex issues for residents every day. We are the frontline defence against unrelenting Tory austerity, and must be front and centre of Labour’s local and general election campaigns.
Labour councillors and the communities we serve live with the dire consequences of a ruthless Tory government that has closed Sure Start Centres, slashed school budgets, created a national housing crisis and decimated funding for local public services by stripping 60p in every £1 from our budgets. Those that put forward the idea that Labour councillors are to blame for ‘accepting’ the cuts simply do the Tories’ dirty work for them. They’ve worked hard to try and blame Labour councils for cuts that have been forced on them, avoiding the blame for decisions they made in Westminster.
Our party rightly celebrates the radical progressivism of Clement Attlee’s post-war government founding the NHS, but we should also celebrate his pioneering work as mayor of Stepney – when he led his council to introduce its first sanitary inspectors and health visitors, as well as targeting local property owners who charged high rents to live in properties in bad conditions and his work to drive down local infant mortality rate.
As Labour begins to rebuild and renew to address the challenges of the decades ahead it must rediscover its localist roots and recognise that identities based on place and nation matter just as much, if not more than those of class or industry. Our talented Labour leaders in local government have more experience of being in power and making day-to-day decisions to help improve lives than most of our MPs in the current Parliamentary Labour Party – so please Labour let’s hear more from Manchester’s Sir Richard Leese, Bristol’s Mayor Marvin Rees and Leeds’ Judith Blake. Getting one of them on BBC Question Time would be a good start, and would soon put paid to the idea that they are ‘establishment’ in any way.


labourlist--2020-02-05--PMQs: Corbyn lambasts PM on failure to combat climate crisis

“ Poor leadership is nothing new to this Prime Minister.
” That was the message from Jeremy Corbyn as he attacked Boris Johnson , for the second week running , on his failure to take action on the climate emergency .
With the spectre of the 26th Conference of the Parties ( COP26 ) in Glasgow looming later this year , a handy letter from the recently sacked Tory minister Claire O ’ Neill equipped the Labour leader with plenty of ammunition in Prime Minister ’ s Questions today .
O ’ Neill said there has been a “ huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government ” on the climate conference , Corbyn quoted , before asking : “ What on earth did she mean ?
” It will be 2099 before the country meets its net zero carbon policy , he explained to the PM once again – he also cited this indictment of the government ’ s response to the climate crisis last week .
This is the first country to have set such a target , Johnson countered – a target that the government is missing , came the rebuttal from Corbyn .
And he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on climate change in his face : the Labour leader brandished a column Johnson had written in which he ’ d called climate change a “ primitive fear without foundation ” .
But none of the attacks stuck , and the PM continued on unimpeded with repeated exclamations that our country and this government is “ delivering a fantastic agenda on climate change ” .
To hear him speak , you wouldn ’ t think there was any problem at all .
Johnson told the leader of the opposition that the UK is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that Corbyn was talking nonsense , and cited a “ grotesque failure of the leader of the opposition to understand what ’ s happening in this country ’ s economy ” .
In his usual fantastical fashion , the PM claimed that Labour had said it would confiscate people ’ s cars and stop them having holidays , before saying that the party ’ s policies on climate change had been “ utterly unclear ” .
This is , of course , unfounded .
A large part of the Labour manifesto was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industrial revolution that would have created a million new jobs , rebooted British industry with renewable energy , home upgrades , metal reprocessing plants , grid upgrades , tree planting and new infrastructure projects to defend against flooding .
And this is a policy that polls well .
It may well be that in the future we look back on the 2019 general election and regret having prioritised Brexit over the climate emergency .
Regardless , the public are increasingly concerned about climate change and it ’ s not likely that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the next Labour leader abandoning it as a focal point .
While each Labour leadership hopeful has said that climate policy would be central to their leadership , it remains to be seen how much of the manifesto they keep , however .
Emily Thornberry has said that the UK should be a “ world leader ” on the climate emergency ; Keir Starmer has stated that climate policy should be “ hardwired ” into everything Labour does ; Lisa Nandy has called for a “ pragmatic ” approach to the climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s everyday lives .
Rebecca Long-Bailey has the advantage of being the Shadow Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary who led on the development of Labour ’ s green new deal policy .
And she has said that it was “ tragically undersold ” during the campaign .
The opportunity of the green industrial revolution policy is that the candidates can frame an entire policy platform through it – from housing , to jobs , to public services .
But none of them has done this , and which bits of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onto is as yet unclear .

“Poor leadership is nothing new to this Prime Minister.” That was the message from Jeremy Corbyn as he attacked Boris Johnson, for the second week running, on his failure to take action on the climate emergency. With the spectre of the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow looming later this year, a handy letter from the recently sacked Tory minister Claire O’Neill equipped the Labour leader with plenty of ammunition in Prime Minister’s Questions today.
O’Neill said there has been a “huge lack of leadership and engagement from this government” on the climate conference, Corbyn quoted, before asking: “What on earth did she mean?” It will be 2099 before the country meets its net zero carbon policy, he explained to the PM once again – he also cited this indictment of the government’s response to the climate crisis last week. This is the first country to have set such a target, Johnson countered – a target that the government is missing, came the rebuttal from Corbyn. And he threw the PM’s previous comments on climate change in his face: the Labour leader brandished a column Johnson had written in which he’d called climate change a “primitive fear without foundation”.
But none of the attacks stuck, and the PM continued on unimpeded with repeated exclamations that our country and this government is “delivering a fantastic agenda on climate change”. To hear him speak, you wouldn’t think there was any problem at all. Johnson told the leader of the opposition that the UK is showing “world leadership”. He said that Corbyn was talking nonsense, and cited a “grotesque failure of the leader of the opposition to understand what’s happening in this country’s economy”. In his usual fantastical fashion, the PM claimed that Labour had said it would confiscate people’s cars and stop them having holidays, before saying that the party’s policies on climate change had been “utterly unclear”.
This is, of course, unfounded. A large part of the Labour manifesto was taken up by proposals for a green industrial revolution that would have created a million new jobs, rebooted British industry with renewable energy, home upgrades, metal reprocessing plants, grid upgrades, tree planting and new infrastructure projects to defend against flooding. And this is a policy that polls well. It may well be that in the future we look back on the 2019 general election and regret having prioritised Brexit over the climate emergency. Regardless, the public are increasingly concerned about climate change and it’s not likely that we’ll see any of the candidates to be the next Labour leader abandoning it as a focal point.
While each Labour leadership hopeful has said that climate policy would be central to their leadership, it remains to be seen how much of the manifesto they keep, however. Emily Thornberry has said that the UK should be a “world leader” on the climate emergency; Keir Starmer has stated that climate policy should be “hardwired” into everything Labour does; Lisa Nandy has called for a “pragmatic” approach to the climate crisis, rooting policies in people’s everyday lives. Rebecca Long-Bailey has the advantage of being the Shadow Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary who led on the development of Labour’s green new deal policy. And she has said that it was “tragically undersold” during the campaign. The opportunity of the green industrial revolution policy is that the candidates can frame an entire policy platform through it – from housing, to jobs, to public services. But none of them has done this, and which bits of the green industrial revolution they will each hold onto is as yet unclear.


labourlist--2020-02-05--Socialist Health Association nominates Starmer and Rayner

The Socialist Health Association has nominated Keir Starmer to be the next leader of the Labour Party , and Angela Rayner in the deputy leadership race .
The Labour-affiliated socialist society conducted a ballot to reach its nomination decision .
325 votes were cast plus one ballot paper was spoilt , producing the following results : In 2015 , the organisation supported the candidacy of Jeremy Corbyn , while in 2016 it backed his challenger Owen Smith .
Starmer and Rayner have already secured their places on the final ballot through both the support of affiliates , including large trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local Labour parties .
To reach the ballot paper , each candidate must be nominated by 5 % of local parties or three affiliates , two of which must be trade unions , amounting to more than 5 % of the total affiliate membership .
Starmer has been nominated by a total of 154 constituency parties so far , as well as UNISON , Usdaw , SERA , Community , Labour Movement for Europe and Labour Business .
Rayner has received the support of 159 local parties , in addition to the affiliate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , GMB , Community , CWU and Labour Business .
Leadership candidates Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy have also secured their places on the ballot .
Emily Thornberry needs the support of 21 more local parties .
In the deputy race , Dawn Butler has received enough local party nominations for a place on the ballot while Richard Burgon has made it on with the backing of BFAWU , Unite and the FBU .
The Socialist Health Association is a campaigning organisation that says it stands for “ the application of socialist principles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group was founded in 1930 to campaign with the Labour Party for the creation of the NHS and now has around 1,000 members across the UK .

The Socialist Health Association has nominated Keir Starmer to be the next leader of the Labour Party, and Angela Rayner in the deputy leadership race.
The Labour-affiliated socialist society conducted a ballot to reach its nomination decision. 325 votes were cast plus one ballot paper was spoilt, producing the following results:
Leader:
Keir Starmer – 163 total votes
Rebecca Long-Bailey – 120
Lisa Nandy – 45
Emily Thornberry – 11
Deputy leader:
Angela Rayner – 128 total votes
Richard Burgon – 95
Rosena Allin-Khan – 55
Ian Murray – 39
Dawn Butler – 32
In 2015, the organisation supported the candidacy of Jeremy Corbyn, while in 2016 it backed his challenger Owen Smith.
Starmer and Rayner have already secured their places on the final ballot through both the support of affiliates, including large trade union UNISON, and the backing of local Labour parties.
To reach the ballot paper, each candidate must be nominated by 5% of local parties or three affiliates, two of which must be trade unions, amounting to more than 5% of the total affiliate membership.
Starmer has been nominated by a total of 154 constituency parties so far, as well as UNISON, Usdaw, SERA, Community, Labour Movement for Europe and Labour Business.
Rayner has received the support of 159 local parties, in addition to the affiliate backing of UNISON, NUM, Usdaw, GMB, Community, CWU and Labour Business.
Leadership candidates Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy have also secured their places on the ballot. Emily Thornberry needs the support of 21 more local parties.
In the deputy race, Dawn Butler has received enough local party nominations for a place on the ballot while Richard Burgon has made it on with the backing of BFAWU, Unite and the FBU.
The Socialist Health Association is a campaigning organisation that says it stands for “the application of socialist principles to society and government”.
The group was founded in 1930 to campaign with the Labour Party for the creation of the NHS and now has around 1,000 members across the UK.


labourlist--2020-02-06--Allowing the Tories to be the party of devolution would be a catastrophic failure

Whilst Labour has been arguing over Brexit and a range of other issues , it has largely ignored another major political development – and yet it offers a beacon of hope for our party .
The election of Labour mayors in big city regions like Liverpool , Newcastle , Sheffield and Manchester has allowed Labour policies to be put into action .
Working in partnership with Labour council leaders , we are bringing forward new ideas on homelessness , climate change and cutting the cost of public transport .
Despite these innovations , it has felt that we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party these last three years .
• There has been scant recognition or celebration of our successes – unlike the Tories who talk up their mayors at the despatch box ; • Metro mayors outside of London have not been invited to speak at the Labour Party annual conference ; • We had little involvement in the general election campaign , nor was there much mention of English devolution in the manifesto ; • We have no nomination rights in the leadership election – despite representing millions of people – unlike MPs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ‘ good work standard ’ to improve workers ’ terms and conditions and support good employers , and Steve Rotheram ’ s concessionary travel scheme for apprentices .
The work Jamie Driscoll is doing on Working Homes to help tenants develop their skills and move into work .
The 44 % reduction in the numbers sleeping on our streets that we have seen across Greater Manchester .
These are Labour policies in action .
It is devolution that is breathing new life into our politics at the grassroots level .
Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities to be involved in developing policies that are right for their areas , building from the bottom up – doing with people , rather than the Westminster way of doing to people .
None of the leadership candidates have yet properly addressed the question of the party ’ s relationship with mayors and the stance on English devolution .
Time is running out , and that ’ s why I will soon be writing to them , asking them to set out in detail their views on these matters .
The fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over-centralised and regionally unbalanced country in the OECD .
And we are a London-centric party , in a London-centric country .
If we leave the Tories to be the party of devolution and the regions , we will be making a catastrophic mistake .
We desperately need to get power out of Whitehall and into the hands of people who understand the needs of their communities .
In Greater Manchester , we ’ re using devolution to change our society for the better – on bus reform , improving our railways and cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made young people its target for cuts , we have made them our priority for investment and given all 16 to 18 year-olds a free bus pass .
Devolution is working .
It is having a profoundly positive effect on the life of our city region .
It has created a new energy , and a sense of possibility as we take control of our future and do things our way .
The Conservatives are talking about ‘ levelling up ’ areas to the kind of powers we already have here in Greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it ’ s not true devolution .
They are setting up government bodies in the regions and telling combined authorities which powers they can have .
This one-size-fits-all approach , handed down from Whitehall , has had its day .
Those vying to be our next leader can do so much better .
When it comes to English devolution , we have really only scratched the surface .
Metro mayors need to be empowered to be the early adopters of the change needed to rise to the challenge of climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country as a whole will hit its 2050 target .
We need far greater powers over local transport to create a London-style network in every city across the country .
Labour mayors are already leading the way in many of these areas .
Now is the time for the leadership candidates and our party to show courage and empower our mayors and council leaders across the country to go further and faster .
We need to ditch the centralising control culture within our party – equally suffocating under all four Labour leaders of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build a better politics from the bottom up .
A new way of doing politics is here and it is being led by Labour mayors .
Our own party has been late to the party .
Now is the time for it to be bold , to break out of the Westminster bubble , grasp the opportunity and become the real champions of English devolution .

Whilst Labour has been arguing over Brexit and a range of other issues, it has largely ignored another major political development – and yet it offers a beacon of hope for our party. The election of Labour mayors in big city regions like Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester has allowed Labour policies to be put into action.
Working in partnership with Labour council leaders, we are bringing forward new ideas on homelessness, climate change and cutting the cost of public transport. Despite these innovations, it has felt that we’ve been all but invisible to the national party these last three years.
There has been scant recognition or celebration of our successes – unlike the Tories who talk up their mayors at the despatch box;
Metro mayors outside of London have not been invited to speak at the Labour Party annual conference;
We had little involvement in the general election campaign, nor was there much mention of English devolution in the manifesto;
We have no nomination rights in the leadership election – despite representing millions of people – unlike MPs and MEPs.
There has been Sadiq Khan’s ‘good work standard’ to improve workers’ terms and conditions and support good employers, and Steve Rotheram’s concessionary travel scheme for apprentices. The work Jamie Driscoll is doing on Working Homes to help tenants develop their skills and move into work. The 44% reduction in the numbers sleeping on our streets that we have seen across Greater Manchester. These are Labour policies in action.
It is devolution that is breathing new life into our politics at the grassroots level. Labour mayors are using devolution to empower local communities to be involved in developing policies that are right for their areas, building from the bottom up – doing with people, rather than the Westminster way of doing to people.
None of the leadership candidates have yet properly addressed the question of the party’s relationship with mayors and the stance on English devolution. Time is running out, and that’s why I will soon be writing to them, asking them to set out in detail their views on these matters.
The fact is that we are the most politically over-centralised and regionally unbalanced country in the OECD. And we are a London-centric party, in a London-centric country. If we leave the Tories to be the party of devolution and the regions, we will be making a catastrophic mistake. We desperately need to get power out of Whitehall and into the hands of people who understand the needs of their communities.
In Greater Manchester, we’re using devolution to change our society for the better – on bus reform, improving our railways and cleaning up our air. Whilst Westminster has made young people its target for cuts, we have made them our priority for investment and given all 16 to 18 year-olds a free bus pass. Devolution is working. It is having a profoundly positive effect on the life of our city region. It has created a new energy, and a sense of possibility as we take control of our future and do things our way.
The Conservatives are talking about ‘levelling up’ areas to the kind of powers we already have here in Greater Manchester. That’s hardly ambitious, and it’s not true devolution. They are setting up government bodies in the regions and telling combined authorities which powers they can have. This one-size-fits-all approach, handed down from Whitehall, has had its day. Those vying to be our next leader can do so much better.
When it comes to English devolution, we have really only scratched the surface. Metro mayors need to be empowered to be the early adopters of the change needed to rise to the challenge of climate change, making it more likely that the country as a whole will hit its 2050 target. We need far greater powers over local transport to create a London-style network in every city across the country.
Labour mayors are already leading the way in many of these areas. Now is the time for the leadership candidates and our party to show courage and empower our mayors and council leaders across the country to go further and faster. We need to ditch the centralising control culture within our party – equally suffocating under all four Labour leaders of recent times – and start trusting people to build a better politics from the bottom up.
A new way of doing politics is here and it is being led by Labour mayors. Our own party has been late to the party. Now is the time for it to be bold, to break out of the Westminster bubble, grasp the opportunity and become the real champions of English devolution.