labourlist--2020-07-31--The economic fallout is just beginning – now our movement needs to fight for every job

Today marks the beginning of the end of the furlough scheme .
It ’ s a day millions of working people throughout the UK , already anxious about their livelihoods , will fear .
Nobody expected the furlough scheme to continue as it was forever .
Of course , the scheme would have to be wound down eventually .
But the way it is happening , with a cliff edge for our whole economy , without consideration for the sectors that need extra support , and indeed what follows to support those jobs that are at risk , is where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet be saved if the government extended the job retention scheme for the parts of the economy that need ongoing support to avoid businesses collapsing and swathes of redundancies .
We can not let the government off the hook .
That is why I welcome the Labour Party ’ s ‘ jobs , jobs , jobs ’ campaign today .
Whilst the Tory government is still busy congratulating itself for setting up the furlough scheme , working people know that this is just the start of the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s summer statement were not only insufficient – they were lazy .
A one-size-fits-all approach misdirects public money from those who desperately need it to those who do not .
We need a targeted approach , and I also welcome that recognition from the Labour Party today .
The thing that makes the Labour Party unique in British politics isn ’ t just what it has achieved in its past .
It ’ s not about who its leader is or was .
It is our structure and the link with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million working people .
This grounding in the workplace is paramount in understanding what support is needed and where .
Labour is at its strongest when it draws on this relationship .
These trade union members work in every sector , industry and region of the UK economy .
Their collective voices are able to articulate the concerns and knowledge of those on the frontline .
The union link is the Labour Party ’ s strongest asset .
It gives it the ability to understand the priorities and draw on the experiences of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up of working people .
The trade union movement stands here today ready to work with the party , to give the collective experience and knowledge of our members to help them understand where support is needed , and to help hold this lazy and out-of-touch government to account .
We achieve more when we recognise that the Labour Party is part of a movement , and when we understand that our industrial experience must be the guiding mind of Labour Party policy .
We must all get behind the ‘ jobs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country working people ’ s livelihoods are at risk , and because economic recovery is reliant on people being in employment , earning a wage and spending that wage .
This government does not seem interested in directing support where it is most needed .
But this campaign launch is just the start .
I look forward to working with the party to draw on trade union voices from across the country and across our industries to direct its policy and to hold the government to account .
Our union link is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many realise .
Let ’ s use it .

Today marks the beginning of the end of the furlough scheme. It’s a day millions of working people throughout the UK, already anxious about their livelihoods, will fear. Nobody expected the furlough scheme to continue as it was forever. Of course, the scheme would have to be wound down eventually. But the way it is happening, with a cliff edge for our whole economy, without consideration for the sectors that need extra support, and indeed what follows to support those jobs that are at risk, is where any consensus ends.
Many jobs could yet be saved if the government extended the job retention scheme for the parts of the economy that need ongoing support to avoid businesses collapsing and swathes of redundancies. We cannot let the government off the hook. That is why I welcome the Labour Party’s ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’ campaign today.
Whilst the Tory government is still busy congratulating itself for setting up the furlough scheme, working people know that this is just the start of the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. The announcements made in the Chancellor’s summer statement were not only insufficient – they were lazy. A one-size-fits-all approach misdirects public money from those who desperately need it to those who do not. We need a targeted approach, and I also welcome that recognition from the Labour Party today.
The thing that makes the Labour Party unique in British politics isn’t just what it has achieved in its past. It’s not about who its leader is or was. It is our structure and the link with the affiliated trade unions that represent over four million working people. This grounding in the workplace is paramount in understanding what support is needed and where. Labour is at its strongest when it draws on this relationship. These trade union members work in every sector, industry and region of the UK economy. Their collective voices are able to articulate the concerns and knowledge of those on the frontline. The union link is the Labour Party’s strongest asset. It gives it the ability to understand the priorities and draw on the experiences of working people – because it is made up of working people.
The trade union movement stands here today ready to work with the party, to give the collective experience and knowledge of our members to help them understand where support is needed, and to help hold this lazy and out-of-touch government to account. We achieve more when we recognise that the Labour Party is part of a movement, and when we understand that our industrial experience must be the guiding mind of Labour Party policy.
We must all get behind the ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’ campaign because across the country working people’s livelihoods are at risk, and because economic recovery is reliant on people being in employment, earning a wage and spending that wage. This government does not seem interested in directing support where it is most needed. But this campaign launch is just the start. I look forward to working with the party to draw on trade union voices from across the country and across our industries to direct its policy and to hold the government to account. Our union link is unique, and far more valuable than many realise. Let’s use it.


labourlist--2020-08-02--“I don’t think Rosie Duffield is a transphobe,” says Jess Phillips

Shadow minister Jess Phillips has said she does not think Rosie Duffield is a transphobe and there needs to be “ proper detailed debate and attention by policy-makers ” on transgender issues .
In an interview with Times Radio this morning , the shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding discussed the Twitter row involving the Labour MP for Canterbury Rosie Duffield .
Phillips said Twitter was not the right place for “ reasonable policy debate about sometimes difficult and complex issues ” , and argued : “ We have all suffered a Twitter pile-on and it just is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Asked whether Duffield is transphobic , as party members online have said , Phillips said : “ I hand on heart don ’ t think that Rosie Duffield is a transphobe .
“ What I think that is happening in this case , and it ’ s the same for a number of different subjects that get discussed on Twitter , is that we soon find out that reasonable policy debate about sometimes difficult and complex issues – Twitter is not the place to be doing that .
“ And I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else , deserves proper detailed debate and attention by policy makers who almost certainly should be changing the Gender Recognition Act – it is now outdated – without it becoming some sort of vitriolic war where the debate never seems to advance.
” She added : “ Because of that , the rights of trans people have subsequently not advanced .
So you ’ re right – we have all suffered a Twitter pile-on and it just is a sort of sad indictment of our politics that we can ’ t have reasonably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Phillips followed a row on the social media platform after Duffield liked a tweet by Piers Morgan , in which he took issue with CNN referring to “ individuals with a cervix ” .
After being criticised for liking the tweet by local Labour activists in her constituency , Duffield responded by commenting : “ I ’ m a ‘ transphobe ’ for knowing that only women have a cervix….
?
!
” She added that the post by CNN “ isn ’ t a post about transphobia , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insulting to all women , trans or cis , in my opinion ” .
Many of her followers and Labour activists reacted angrily to her comments , calling for her resignation .
The Labour MP called the reaction a “ tedious communist pile-on ” , and said that it was “ hardly a suitable discussion for Twitter ” .
Duffield was elected to the previously safe Tory seat of Canterbury for the first time in 2017 .
She was appointed as a whip by new leader Keir Starmer in mid-April , but recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid lockdown rules .
In the interview with Times Radio , Phillips also discussed the arrest of a Tory MP on suspicion of rape .
The shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding called for the Tory Party to remove the whip .
A Conservative MP was released on bail on Saturday after allegations , which related to four separate incidents alleged to have taken place between July 2019 and January 2020 , were made by an ex-parliamentary employee .
Commenting on the case , Phillips said : “ In any other organisation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on – this police investigation – somebody would be suspended while the investigation was taking place .
“ I find it shocking , this morning , the news that the Conservative Party have decided not to withdraw the whip .
And I ’ m afraid to say it reminds me of another case that has been in the papers this last week , and that was the conviction of the ex-Tory MP Charlie Elphicke.
” The former MP for Dover was convicted of three counts of sexual assault against two different women .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative Party , but was reinstated ahead of a vote of no confidence tabled against the then PM .
Phillips concluded : “ It is sending a terrible message out from Westminster that there are still some people who are afforded protection… Pending a police investigation for a sexual crime , I think it is only right that the whip is withdrawn.
” The Labour Party has been contacted for comment on Rosie Duffield ’ s tweets .

Shadow minister Jess Phillips has said she does not think Rosie Duffield is a transphobe and there needs to be “proper detailed debate and attention by policy-makers” on transgender issues.
In an interview with Times Radio this morning, the shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding discussed the Twitter row involving the Labour MP for Canterbury Rosie Duffield.
Phillips said Twitter was not the right place for “reasonable policy debate about sometimes difficult and complex issues”, and argued: “We have all suffered a Twitter pile-on and it just is a sort of sad indictment of our politics.”
Asked whether Duffield is transphobic, as party members online have said, Phillips said: “I hand on heart don’t think that Rosie Duffield is a transphobe.
“What I think that is happening in this case, and it’s the same for a number of different subjects that get discussed on Twitter, is that we soon find out that reasonable policy debate about sometimes difficult and complex issues – Twitter is not the place to be doing that.
“And I think the trans issue, more than anything else, deserves proper detailed debate and attention by policy makers who almost certainly should be changing the Gender Recognition Act – it is now outdated – without it becoming some sort of vitriolic war where the debate never seems to advance.”
She added: “Because of that, the rights of trans people have subsequently not advanced. So you’re right – we have all suffered a Twitter pile-on and it just is a sort of sad indictment of our politics that we can’t have reasonably political and policy debates.”
The comments by Phillips followed a row on the social media platform after Duffield liked a tweet by Piers Morgan, in which he took issue with CNN referring to “individuals with a cervix”.
After being criticised for liking the tweet by local Labour activists in her constituency, Duffield responded by commenting: “I’m a ‘transphobe’ for knowing that only women have a cervix….?!”
She added that the post by CNN “isn’t a post about transphobia, it’s a post about female body parts… Hugely insulting to all women, trans or cis, in my opinion”.
Many of her followers and Labour activists reacted angrily to her comments, calling for her resignation. The Labour MP called the reaction a “tedious communist pile-on”, and said that it was “hardly a suitable discussion for Twitter”.
The Labour Campaign for Trans Rights said: “We are shocked and saddened at the inaccurate, transphobic comments of Rosie Duffield MP. We are calling on our party to take action on this incident, and firmly oppose the climate of transphobia which has helped to cause it.”
Duffield was elected to the previously safe Tory seat of Canterbury for the first time in 2017. She was appointed as a whip by new leader Keir Starmer in mid-April, but recently resigned from her frontbench post after breaking Covid lockdown rules.
In the interview with Times Radio, Phillips also discussed the arrest of a Tory MP on suspicion of rape. The shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding called for the Tory Party to remove the whip.
A Conservative MP was released on bail on Saturday after allegations, which related to four separate incidents alleged to have taken place between July 2019 and January 2020, were made by an ex-parliamentary employee.
Commenting on the case, Phillips said: “In any other organisation, were this investigation to be going on – this police investigation – somebody would be suspended while the investigation was taking place.
“I find it shocking, this morning, the news that the Conservative Party have decided not to withdraw the whip. And I’m afraid to say it reminds me of another case that has been in the papers this last week, and that was the conviction of the ex-Tory MP Charlie Elphicke.”
The former MP for Dover was convicted of three counts of sexual assault against two different women. He had initially been suspended by the Conservative Party, but was reinstated ahead of a vote of no confidence tabled against the then PM.
Phillips concluded: “It is sending a terrible message out from Westminster that there are still some people who are afforded protection… Pending a police investigation for a sexual crime, I think it is only right that the whip is withdrawn.”
The Labour Party has been contacted for comment on Rosie Duffield’s tweets.


labourlist--2020-08-03--Update: Advertised job at LabourList

Update: Advertised job at LabourList

We have received a huge response to our job advert , posted in mid-July on labourlist.org , journalism.co.uk and w4mpjobs.org @ @ @ @ @ reporter .
Applications closed on Sunday at midnight , and we have received a huge @ @ @ @ @ were submitted , which is unprecedented for our organisation .
The LabourList board of directors @ @ @ @ @ and will be getting back to applicants within the next week .
We will respond @ @ @ @ @ to those who have got through to the next stage of the process .

We have received a huge response to our job advert, posted in mid-July on labourlist.org, journalism.co.uk and w4mpjobs.org, for a new LabourList reporter.
Applications closed on Sunday at midnight, and we have received a huge response. Over 160 applications were submitted, which is unprecedented for our organisation.
The LabourList board of directors is now considering these applications and will be getting back to applicants within the next week.
We will respond as quickly as we can to those who have got through to the next stage of the process.
Thank you.


labourlist--2020-08-03--Should the House of Lords be abolished? My role as a new Labour peer

For most of Labour ’ s history , our policy has been to abolish the House of Lords or have an elected second chamber .
In recent manifestos , we have committed to the creation of an elected Senate of the Nations and Regions .
Last week ’ s colourful dissolution peerage list demonstrates again the necessity of that commitment .
The primary purpose of the Lords is to scrutinise and amend legislation .
Linking the appointment of legislators with peerages and having life terms undermines our democracy .
Those who defend the Lords argue that the House contains considerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not exist within an elected system .
However , as was so clearly displayed last week , it is a system mainly based on patronage .
The Lords is also almost three-quarters male , with the newly published list actually reducing the proportion of women , and predominately white .
The chamber is definitely not a reflection of modern Britain .
There is surely a way of ensuring both expertise and independence within an elected , representative and accountable chamber .
Labour boycotting the Lords won ’ t bring about its abolition or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second chamber makes hundreds of amendments to bills every year , often improving the legislation .
The current 174-strong Labour peers group regularly make the difference , as many changes to law would not take place without Labour ‘ s voting strength .
We were right to take five places out of the 36 created last week .
In March 2007 , I voted to abolish the Lords and – when that was defeated – for a fully-elected chamber .
That vote , won by 337 votes to 224 , is the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wholly-elected second chamber .
But turkeys don ’ t vote for Christmas , and the Lords then rejected this proposal .
Jeremy Corbyn was right to ask new peers to vote to abolish an unelected Lords whenever the opportunity arises .
If there were no second chamber , restructuring of the Commons would be required with already overstretched MPs having to take on additional scrutiny work .
It may be that reform of the second chamber is more practicable than simple abolition .
In recent years , Labour has done work mainly behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of a wider new constitutional framework for the UK .
The detail of what that would look like needs to be fleshed out with a public debate as to where power should lie .
As a former Scottish MP , I would like see Scotland ’ s rights as a nation enshrined in this new set-up , and a further transfer of power to Scotland as significant as that which took place when the Scottish parliament was created in 1999 .
Until the Second World War , Labour supported home rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK , and I stand in that tradition .
But constitutional change is needed in the rest of the UK , too .
Labour must use the experiences of our elected councillors , metro-mayors and others , who will have views as to what powers are needed to deliver economically for communities .
As a Labour peer , I will be there to try to amend legislation , take up human rights cases , and issues and campaigns on behalf of the labour movement .
It is an honour to be given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that role also must be insisting that we get a legislative system appropriate for a 21st-century democracy and calling for an overhaul of the second chamber .

For most of Labour’s history, our policy has been to abolish the House of Lords or have an elected second chamber. In recent manifestos, we have committed to the creation of an elected Senate of the Nations and Regions. Last week’s colourful dissolution peerage list demonstrates again the necessity of that commitment.
The primary purpose of the Lords is to scrutinise and amend legislation. Linking the appointment of legislators with peerages and having life terms undermines our democracy. Those who defend the Lords argue that the House contains considerable expertise and independent thinking, which would not exist within an elected system. However, as was so clearly displayed last week, it is a system mainly based on patronage.
The Lords is also almost three-quarters male, with the newly published list actually reducing the proportion of women, and predominately white. The chamber is definitely not a reflection of modern Britain. There is surely a way of ensuring both expertise and independence within an elected, representative and accountable chamber.
Labour boycotting the Lords won’t bring about its abolition or quicken the pace of reform. The second chamber makes hundreds of amendments to bills every year, often improving the legislation. The current 174-strong Labour peers group regularly make the difference, as many changes to law would not take place without Labour‘s voting strength. We were right to take five places out of the 36 created last week.
In March 2007, I voted to abolish the Lords and – when that was defeated – for a fully-elected chamber. That vote, won by 337 votes to 224, is the only time the Commons has voted for a wholly-elected second chamber. But turkeys don’t vote for Christmas, and the Lords then rejected this proposal. Jeremy Corbyn was right to ask new peers to vote to abolish an unelected Lords whenever the opportunity arises.
If there were no second chamber, restructuring of the Commons would be required with already overstretched MPs having to take on additional scrutiny work. It may be that reform of the second chamber is more practicable than simple abolition. In recent years, Labour has done work mainly behind closed doors on a reformed second chamber as part of a wider new constitutional framework for the UK. The detail of what that would look like needs to be fleshed out with a public debate as to where power should lie.
As a former Scottish MP, I would like see Scotland’s rights as a nation enshrined in this new set-up, and a further transfer of power to Scotland as significant as that which took place when the Scottish parliament was created in 1999. Until the Second World War, Labour supported home rule with maximum self-government for Scotland within the UK, and I stand in that tradition. But constitutional change is needed in the rest of the UK, too. Labour must use the experiences of our elected councillors, metro-mayors and others, who will have views as to what powers are needed to deliver economically for communities.
As a Labour peer, I will be there to try to amend legislation, take up human rights cases, and issues and campaigns on behalf of the labour movement. It is an honour to be given the opportunity to do that. But part of that role also must be insisting that we get a legislative system appropriate for a 21st-century democracy and calling for an overhaul of the second chamber.


labourlist--2020-08-03--SDLP founding member and former leader John Hume dies

Founding member and former leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party John Hume has died in a nursing home in Londonderry at the age of 83 .
The former MP who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the peace process in Northern Ireland , which eventually led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 , has passed away after suffering several years of ill health .
Becoming an independent nationalist member of the parliament of Northern Ireland in 1969 , Hume was elected to Westminster as the MP for Foyle in 1983 and retired from politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the civil rights movement in his native Derry .
The former SDLP leader was criticised for holding secret talks with Irish republican politician and former president of Sinn Féin Gerry Adams .
The former Foyle MP is credited with getting Sinn Fein around the table and being pivotal to delivering the GFA .
In 1998 , John Hume and his Unionist counterpart David Trimble were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace .
In 2010 , the former MP was voted as “ Ireland ’ s greatest ” in a public poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Papal Order of St Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 .
Commenting on his death , Labour leader Keir Starmer said : “ It is deeply saddening to hear of the death of John Hume .
Life across the island of Ireland is peaceful and more prosperous today because of his courage , vision and determination .
“ He guided away from violence and towards justice , tolerance and democracy .
He takes his rightful place in the pantheon of leaders whose legacy is one of creating a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My thoughts , and those of the labour movement , are with Pat , John , Mo and the Hume family.
” Former Labour leader and Prime Minister Tony Blair said : “ John Hume was a political titan ; a visionary who refused to believe the future had to be the same as the past.
” Labour ’ s Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Louise Haigh tweeted : “ John Hume was a political giant .
Endlessly he gathered the strength and bravery to make peace happen .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of John Hume .
Life across the island of Ireland is peaceful and more prosperous today because of his courage , vision and determination .
He guided away from violence and towards justice , tolerance and democracy.
” Labour leader Keir Starmer tweeted : “ He dreamt in his Nobel Peace Prize of a time ‘ where our children can look to the future with a smile of hope ’ .
May this and the shared future he imagined be his legacy .
“ John Hume takes his rightful place in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creating a better world for the next generation .
My thoughts , and those of all in the labour movement , are with Pat , John , Mo and the Hume family.
” Shadow minister for tourism and heritage Alex Sobel remarked : “ A great man .
I was in Belfast on 10th April 1998 and you could feel the change in the air .
John Hulme was a huge part of that .
Rest in Power John.
” Labour backbenchers also joined with tributes to the former MP .
Barbara Keeley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , while Ruth Jones tweeted : “ Thoughts and prayers with the Hume family and all those whose lives John Hume touched and inspired.
” In a statement , his family said : “ John was a husband , a father , a grandfather , a great grandfather and a brother .
He was very much loved , and his loss will be deeply felt by all his extended family .
”

Founding member and former leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party John Hume has died in a nursing home in Londonderry at the age of 83.
The former MP who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the peace process in Northern Ireland, which eventually led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, has passed away after suffering several years of ill health.
Becoming an independent nationalist member of the parliament of Northern Ireland in 1969, Hume was elected to Westminster as the MP for Foyle in 1983 and retired from politics in 2004.
Hume came to prominence during the civil rights movement in his native Derry. The former SDLP leader was criticised for holding secret talks with Irish republican politician and former president of Sinn Féin Gerry Adams.
The former Foyle MP is credited with getting Sinn Fein around the table and being pivotal to delivering the GFA. In 1998, John Hume and his Unionist counterpart David Trimble were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace.
In 2010, the former MP was voted as “Ireland’s greatest” in a public poll and was named as a Knight Commander of the Papal Order of St Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
Commenting on his death, Labour leader Keir Starmer said: “It is deeply saddening to hear of the death of John Hume. Life across the island of Ireland is peaceful and more prosperous today because of his courage, vision and determination.
“He guided away from violence and towards justice, tolerance and democracy. He takes his rightful place in the pantheon of leaders whose legacy is one of creating a better world for the next generation. My thoughts, and those of the labour movement, are with Pat, John, Mo and the Hume family.”
Former Labour leader and Prime Minister Tony Blair said: “John Hume was a political titan; a visionary who refused to believe the future had to be the same as the past.”
Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Louise Haigh tweeted: “John Hume was a political giant. Endlessly he gathered the strength and bravery to make peace happen.
“It is deeply saddening to hear of the death of John Hume. Life across the island of Ireland is peaceful and more prosperous today because of his courage, vision and determination. He guided away from violence and towards justice, tolerance and democracy.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer tweeted: “He dreamt in his Nobel Peace Prize of a time ‘where our children can look to the future with a smile of hope’. May this and the shared future he imagined be his legacy.
“John Hume takes his rightful place in the pantheon of leaders whose legacy is of creating a better world for the next generation. My thoughts, and those of all in the labour movement, are with Pat, John, Mo and the Hume family.”
Shadow minister for tourism and heritage Alex Sobel remarked: “A great man. I was in Belfast on 10th April 1998 and you could feel the change in the air. John Hulme was a huge part of that. Rest in Power John.”
Labour backbenchers also joined with tributes to the former MP. Barbara Keeley described him as a “great man”, while Ruth Jones tweeted: “Thoughts and prayers with the Hume family and all those whose lives John Hume touched and inspired.”
In a statement, his family said: “John was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather and a brother. He was very much loved, and his loss will be deeply felt by all his extended family.”


labourlist--2020-08-03--McCluskey: Unite executive members “want questions answered” on Panorama settlement

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey has said that executive members of his affiliated trade union – a major Labour Party donor – “ want questions answered ” on the BBC Panorama libel case settlement .
In a BBC Radio 4 interview , McCluskey described Labour ’ s settlement in the libel case involving former Labour staffers and journalist John Ware as a “ clear miscalculation ” and an “ extraordinary decision ” .
The general secretary told the BBC that he had not “ ordered a review ” of Unite ’ s financial support for Labour , nor is Unite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the executive are “ angry ” about the pay out .
“ I ’ ve already been approached by a number of my executive members who are angry at the fact that members ’ money has been paid out to those who were suing the Labour Party , ” McCluskey said .
The Unite leader reiterated that “ the Labour Party ’ s own legal advice – eminent barristers were making it clear that Labour would win in the courts ” , adding : “ It ’ s not about drawing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to do that.
” He said : “ When you ’ re being sued , there ’ s only one real issue : is there a likelihood that you would lose that in court ?
Keir [ Starmer ] was advised , and the new general secretary was advised , that no we would not lose it in court.
” In a statement issued in court last month , Labour said that it was “ profoundly sorry for the distress ” caused by the “ publication and republication ” of the allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Ware .
The settlement was reportedly believed to have cost the Labour Party between £600,000 and £750,000 , with around £200,000 in damages agreed for the eight individuals who brought the case .
“ It ’ s our members ’ money , ” McCluskey told the BBC .
“ They expect us to be influential .
Very evidently , it ’ s perfectly legitimate for us to raise concerns when money is being spent , especially if we believe that money is being spent recklessly.
” On Labour policy-making , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear that we support Keir .
We support him wanting to unite the party .
But by the same token , he ran on a radical programme to become leader .
“ My only message to him is he needs to be careful that the balance that he ’ s approaching with policies makes certain that the left is very much involved in that , and he sticks true to his policies.
” The Unite head also described the actions of British Airways during the coronavirus crisis – wanting to sack 12,000 staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms – as “ nothing short of industrial thuggery ” .
Asked about the offer extended to pilots , McCluskey declared : “ We will accept the pilots ’ deal .
The fact of the matter is , of course , that British Airways are not offering the same deal.
” He added : “ No other company in the rest of the UK has adopted this type of tactic .
This scorched earth approach.
” McCluskey warned the Chancellor that the end of the furlough scheme – which he called a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ all his good work unravelling ” as “ we face a tsunami of redundancies ” .

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey has said that executive members of his affiliated trade union – a major Labour Party donor – “want questions answered” on the BBC Panorama libel case settlement.
In a BBC Radio 4 interview, McCluskey described Labour’s settlement in the libel case involving former Labour staffers and journalist John Ware as a “clear miscalculation” and an “extraordinary decision”.
The general secretary told the BBC that he had not “ordered a review” of Unite’s financial support for Labour, nor is Unite “withholding funding”, but that members of the executive are “angry” about the pay out.
“I’ve already been approached by a number of my executive members who are angry at the fact that members’ money has been paid out to those who were suing the Labour Party,” McCluskey said.
The Unite leader reiterated that “the Labour Party’s own legal advice – eminent barristers were making it clear that Labour would win in the courts”, adding: “It’s not about drawing a line under antisemitism. We all want to do that.”
He said: “When you’re being sued, there’s only one real issue: is there a likelihood that you would lose that in court? Keir [Starmer] was advised, and the new general secretary was advised, that no we would not lose it in court.”
In a statement issued in court last month, Labour said that it was “profoundly sorry for the distress” caused by the “publication and republication” of the allegations by the party against the ex-staffers and John Ware.
The settlement was reportedly believed to have cost the Labour Party between £600,000 and £750,000, with around £200,000 in damages agreed for the eight individuals who brought the case.
“It’s our members’ money,” McCluskey told the BBC. “They expect us to be influential. Very evidently, it’s perfectly legitimate for us to raise concerns when money is being spent, especially if we believe that money is being spent recklessly.”
On Labour policy-making, he said: “I’ve made it clear that we support Keir. We support him wanting to unite the party. But by the same token, he ran on a radical programme to become leader.
“My only message to him is he needs to be careful that the balance that he’s approaching with policies makes certain that the left is very much involved in that, and he sticks true to his policies.”
The Unite head also described the actions of British Airways during the coronavirus crisis – wanting to sack 12,000 staff, fire and rehire 30,000 on worse terms – as “nothing short of industrial thuggery”.
Asked about the offer extended to pilots, McCluskey declared: “We will accept the pilots’ deal. The fact of the matter is, of course, that British Airways are not offering the same deal.”
He added: “No other company in the rest of the UK has adopted this type of tactic. This scorched earth approach.”
McCluskey warned the Chancellor that the end of the furlough scheme – which he called a “brave and bold” move – risks “all his good work unravelling” as “we face a tsunami of redundancies”.


labourlist--2020-08-03--Latest data shows “decade-long failure to tackle knife crime”, says Labour

Labour has said that the latest statistics on knife crime reported by police forces across England and Wales show a “ decade-long failure to tackle knife crime ” under the Conservatives .
Responding to crime data published by the Office for National Statistics , the party has highlighted that offences involving a knife have increased in every region over the past ten years .
Labour ’ s Sarah Jones said that “ knife crime has risen as a result of Tory cuts to the police and preventative services ” , and accused the government of having failed to act on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Commenting on the data , the shadow minister for policing and fire services said : “ The government have spent years announcing summits , strategies , and task forces – but they have failed to act , with knife crime continuing to rise across the country on their watch.
” Labour has pointed out that many areas have seen a dramatic increase .
Surrey saw the biggest rise in knife crime offences , up almost sevenfold at 598 % , while Sussex saw an increase of 259 % and Norfolk ranked third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones added : “ More warm words from ministers will not help communities across the country that are blighted by knife crime .
This Conservative government needs to explain how it will fix the national knife crime crisis that was born on their watch.
” The figures put together by the ONS over the past decade show a 16 % increase in homicides involving a knife , while knife-point robberies are up 31 % .
Knife possession offences have also doubled to over 21,000 since the Tories took office in 2010 .
Crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rise in 2013/14 and since then , two thirds of forces have seen knife crime at least double while Surrey recorded ten times as many knife offences in 2019/20 than six years ago .
Figures from the ONS also show a 6 % rise in offences recorded by the police in the latest year to 46,265 .
London saw the highest rate with 179 offences per 100,000 population while the average for England and Wales was 82 .
Asked about knife crime in the UK in an interview with The Mirror at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Nick Thomas-Symonds said that “ we can ’ t lose sight of prevention ” in tackling the issue .
The Shadow Home Secretary added : “ That ’ s about a properly resourced violent crime strategy and those prevention services that have been undermined in the past ten years .
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Labour has said that the latest statistics on knife crime reported by police forces across England and Wales show a “decade-long failure to tackle knife crime” under the Conservatives.
Responding to crime data published by the Office for National Statistics, the party has highlighted that offences involving a knife have increased in every region over the past ten years.
Labour’s Sarah Jones said that “knife crime has risen as a result of Tory cuts to the police and preventative services”, and accused the government of having failed to act on the “national knife crime crisis”.
Commenting on the data, the shadow minister for policing and fire services said: “The government have spent years announcing summits, strategies, and task forces – but they have failed to act, with knife crime continuing to rise across the country on their watch.”
Labour has pointed out that many areas have seen a dramatic increase. Surrey saw the biggest rise in knife crime offences, up almost sevenfold at 598%, while Sussex saw an increase of 259% and Norfolk ranked third with a jump of 183%.
Jones added: “More warm words from ministers will not help communities across the country that are blighted by knife crime. This Conservative government needs to explain how it will fix the national knife crime crisis that was born on their watch.”
The figures put together by the ONS over the past decade show a 16% increase in homicides involving a knife, while knife-point robberies are up 31%. Knife possession offences have also doubled to over 21,000 since the Tories took office in 2010.
Crime involving a knife or sharp instrument began to rise in 2013/14 and since then, two thirds of forces have seen knife crime at least double while Surrey recorded ten times as many knife offences in 2019/20 than six years ago.
Figures from the ONS also show a 6% rise in offences recorded by the police in the latest year to 46,265. London saw the highest rate with 179 offences per 100,000 population while the average for England and Wales was 82.
Asked about knife crime in the UK in an interview with The Mirror at the end of July, Labour’s Nick Thomas-Symonds said that “we can’t lose sight of prevention” in tackling the issue.
The Shadow Home Secretary added: “That’s about a properly resourced violent crime strategy and those prevention services that have been undermined in the past ten years.”