labourlist--2020-03-31--Corbyn writes to PM with six key coronavirus demands

Jeremy Corbyn has written to the Prime Minister issuing key demands for the UK government ’ s coronavirus response – including personal protective equipment for health workers and mass testing .
The Labour has told Boris Johnson that increased provisions of PPE for both NHS and social care staff are urgently needed , and urged an immediate expansion of testing and tracing for Covid-19 .
He has also raised concerns about the “ capacity and resilience ” of the UK ’ s social care system , which was struggling for sufficient resources and experiencing staff shortages before the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ factories , warehouse facilities and other larges-scale workplaces ” to close – a call that is included in the new letter to the Prime Minister .
“ It makes no sense for some mass workplaces to be shut down and others to be operating if the work is non-essential , ” the opposition leader has told Johnson .
Corbyn has demanded that the government address the gaps in its economic measures , such as those affecting renters and newly self-employed people , and increase statutory sick pay .
Lastly in his letter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Prime Minister Gordon Brown who has outlined the ways in which the UK should help coordinate a global response to Covid-19 .
• Full PPE now for health and social care workers UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis has also written to the Prime Minister this afternoon , demanding that public service workers are given protection .
The trade union leader wrote : “ Every public service worker without adequate PPE is a potential spreader of this deadly virus , or even a future patient .
“ Every public service worker who catches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the machinery of a society already struggling to cope.
” Below is the full text of Corbyn ’ s letter .
I hope you are keeping as well as possible in the circumstances and only experiencing mild symptoms .
I wish you a speedy recovery .
As you continue to fulfil your role as Prime Minister , I am writing to put questions and concerns that are being raised with us as the Official Opposition , and to propose ways to improve the effectiveness of government interventions to overcome this crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we come through this strengthened , with greater solidarity forged in the heat of a crisis ; or whether we emerge diminished , having failed to do everything possible to support each other – and especially our brave public service workers on the front line .
Only decisive and inclusive government action can ensure that , this time , we really are all in it together .
With that as our starting point , we believe the following priorities must be acted on immediately : 1 .
Full PPE now for health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of support for our NHS workers needs to be matched by government action .
Why are so many frontline NHS staff still waiting for personal protective equipment ?
At least three NHS staff have sadly died .
These dedicated public servants are risking their lives to save lives .
They deserve the best protection possible .
Neither can we tolerate a situation where social care workers – in both residential and domiciliary settings – do not have PPE .
Care workers are scandalously poorly paid .
Now is the moment to recognise their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them with the protection they need .
Testing and tracing for coronavirus has to be expanded immediately .
The World Health Organisation told us to “ test , test , test ” .
I have seen reports that up to a quarter of NHS staff are having to self-isolate .
They must be urgently tested so that those who do not have the virus can return to work .
The lack of testing and tracing for social care workers is risking their health and that of those they care for , who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At Prime Minister ’ s Questions on 18 March , you stated that , “ We are increasing our tests from 5,000 a day to 10,000 a day.
” The latest published government figures show barely 8,000 tests being carried out per day .
Germany is testing 80,000 a day – ten times as many people .
I am extremely worried about the capacity and resilience of the social care system .
Given the staff shortages that existed even before the coronavirus pandemic , it is essential that we encourage former or recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profession .
We have concerns about the resources available for social care and the provisions within the emergency legislation to reduce care standards .
Please can you set out what extra resources have been provided to each local council for social care since the coronavirus crisis began ?
Last week , the government rightly called for all non-essential retail outlets to close .
There is no logical reason why this should not be extended to non-essential construction , factories , warehouse facilities and other larges-scale workplaces .
It makes no sense for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others to be operating if the work is non-essential .
Trade unions are also reporting many cases of employers failing to implement social distancing .
There must be a multi-agency approach to enforce it and close non-essential work .
This should involve co-ordinating the Health and Safety Executive , local authority trading standards resources , the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and the police , among others .
It is sensible that strict social distancing measures will be reviewed every three weeks , but it is now clear that the restrictions are highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three-week period .
The government needs to be clear in preparing people for this .
Considerable public funds have been made available to businesses , but the behaviour of some employers does not live up to the spirit of solidarity we have the right to expect in return .
Many employers have laid off workers and others have put staff on reduced hours rather than furloughing them .
The government needs to act decisively to suspend lay-offs and enforce furloughing where necessary .
We acknowledge the hard work done by trade unions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ servants , and others to secure the financial protections already announced .
But there are substantial gaps that must now be urgently filled .
For the self-employed , could you provide clarification on whether ‘ dependent contractors ’ or ‘ limb ( b ) workers ’ are covered , and what provision will be available for those who have become self-employed recently and so did not submit a tax return for 2018/19 ?
We need a strengthened safety net for workers who have been laid off .
Benefits in the UK are low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Key benefits should be immediately and substantially increased , including Carer ’ s Allowance and Child Benefit .
Statutory sick pay must be raised without delay , especially given the Health Secretary ’ s admission that he could not survive on it .
Many renters still face the prospect of huge debts .
We need further action on housing benefit , to scrap the bedroom tax and the benefit cap , and to restore the local housing allowance to the 50th percentile .
To ensure those in need get prompt and supportive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the DWP and HMRC .
I attach our proposals ‘ Protecting People In and Out of Work ’ for consideration by ministers .
You may be aware of proposals from Gordon Brown ( whose paper I attach ) to coordinate global efforts to fight this pandemic .
I support his four main proposals and would welcome your commitment to work internationally for them : an early European pledging conference to increase WHO funding ; using the World Bank Development Committee in April to announce additional support for developing countries ; using the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ macroeconomic support and a moratorium on debt interest payments for countries in difficulty ; and establishing a G20 taskforce to coordinate action by finance ministers and central bank governors .
Finally , let me welcome your recent comment that “ there really is such a thing as society.
” We in the Labour Party have always regarded this as self-evidently true .
But the coronavirus crisis is highlighting the extent of our dependence on each other and the many ties of mutual aid that , woven together , make up the fabric of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis with that fabric strengthened – but it requires a recognition that we can no longer tolerate the inequality and insecurity that has left all of us weaker than we should have been in the face of this pandemic .

Jeremy Corbyn has written to the Prime Minister issuing key demands for the UK government’s coronavirus response – including personal protective equipment for health workers and mass testing.
The Labour has told Boris Johnson that increased provisions of PPE for both NHS and social care staff are urgently needed, and urged an immediate expansion of testing and tracing for Covid-19.
He has also raised concerns about the “capacity and resilience” of the UK’s social care system, which was struggling for sufficient resources and experiencing staff shortages before the pandemic.
Labour also wants “non-essential construction, factories, warehouse facilities and other larges-scale workplaces” to close – a call that is included in the new letter to the Prime Minister.
“It makes no sense for some mass workplaces to be shut down and others to be operating if the work is non-essential,” the opposition leader has told Johnson.
Corbyn has demanded that the government address the gaps in its economic measures, such as those affecting renters and newly self-employed people, and increase statutory sick pay.
Lastly in his letter, the Labour leader endorses the proposals of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown who has outlined the ways in which the UK should help coordinate a global response to Covid-19.
Jeremy Corbyn has outlined six key demands:
Full PPE now for health and social care workers Test, test, test Expand social care Enforce social distancing and protection Bolster support for workers Lead a global response
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis has also written to the Prime Minister this afternoon, demanding that public service workers are given protection.
The trade union leader wrote: “Every public service worker without adequate PPE is a potential spreader of this deadly virus, or even a future patient.
“Every public service worker who catches the virus is another vital cog removed from the machinery of a society already struggling to cope.”
Below is the full text of Corbyn’s letter.
Dear Prime Minister,
I hope you are keeping as well as possible in the circumstances and only experiencing mild symptoms. I wish you a speedy recovery.
As you continue to fulfil your role as Prime Minister, I am writing to put questions and concerns that are being raised with us as the Official Opposition, and to propose ways to improve the effectiveness of government interventions to overcome this crisis.
The test for our society is whether we come through this strengthened, with greater solidarity forged in the heat of a crisis; or whether we emerge diminished, having failed to do everything possible to support each other – and especially our brave public service workers on the front line. Only decisive and inclusive government action can ensure that, this time, we really are all in it together.
With that as our starting point, we believe the following priorities must be acted on immediately:
1. Full PPE now for health and social care workers
The phenomenal public outpouring of support for our NHS workers needs to be matched by government action. Why are so many frontline NHS staff still waiting for personal protective equipment? At least three NHS staff have sadly died. These dedicated public servants are risking their lives to save lives. They deserve the best protection possible.
Neither can we tolerate a situation where social care workers – in both residential and domiciliary settings – do not have PPE. Care workers are scandalously poorly paid. Now is the moment to recognise their true value to our society and provide them with the protection they need.
2. Test, test, test
Testing and tracing for coronavirus has to be expanded immediately. The World Health Organisation told us to “test, test, test”. I have seen reports that up to a quarter of NHS staff are having to self-isolate. They must be urgently tested so that those who do not have the virus can return to work. The lack of testing and tracing for social care workers is risking their health and that of those they care for, who are the most vulnerable to the virus.
At Prime Minister’s Questions on 18 March, you stated that, “We are increasing our tests from 5,000 a day to 10,000 a day.” The latest published government figures show barely 8,000 tests being carried out per day. Germany is testing 80,000 a day – ten times as many people.
3. Expand social care
I am extremely worried about the capacity and resilience of the social care system. Given the staff shortages that existed even before the coronavirus pandemic, it is essential that we encourage former or recently retired care workers to return to the profession.
We have concerns about the resources available for social care and the provisions within the emergency legislation to reduce care standards. Please can you set out what extra resources have been provided to each local council for social care since the coronavirus crisis began?
4. Enforce social distancing and protection
Last week, the government rightly called for all non-essential retail outlets to close. There is no logical reason why this should not be extended to non-essential construction, factories, warehouse facilities and other larges-scale workplaces. It makes no sense for some mass workplaces to be shut down and others to be operating if the work is non-essential.
Trade unions are also reporting many cases of employers failing to implement social distancing. There must be a multi-agency approach to enforce it and close non-essential work. This should involve co-ordinating the Health and Safety Executive, local authority trading standards resources, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and the police, among others.
It is sensible that strict social distancing measures will be reviewed every three weeks, but it is now clear that the restrictions are highly unlikely to be lifted after the initial three-week period. The government needs to be clear in preparing people for this.
5. Bolster support for workers
Considerable public funds have been made available to businesses, but the behaviour of some employers does not live up to the spirit of solidarity we have the right to expect in return. Many employers have laid off workers and others have put staff on reduced hours rather than furloughing them. The government needs to act decisively to suspend lay-offs and enforce furloughing where necessary.
We acknowledge the hard work done by trade unions, business groups, the government, civil servants, and others to secure the financial protections already announced. But there are substantial gaps that must now be urgently filled. For the self-employed, could you provide clarification on whether ‘dependent contractors’ or ‘limb (b) workers’ are covered, and what provision will be available for those who have become self-employed recently and so did not submit a tax return for 2018/19?
We need a strengthened safety net for workers who have been laid off. Benefits in the UK are low compared to those of other European states. Key benefits should be immediately and substantially increased, including Carer’s Allowance and Child Benefit. Statutory sick pay must be raised without delay, especially given the Health Secretary’s admission that he could not survive on it.
Many renters still face the prospect of huge debts. We need further action on housing benefit, to scrap the bedroom tax and the benefit cap, and to restore the local housing allowance to the 50th percentile.
To ensure those in need get prompt and supportive help, sufficient resources should be transferred to the DWP and HMRC. I attach our proposals ‘Protecting People In and Out of Work’ for consideration by ministers.
6. Lead a global response
You may be aware of proposals from Gordon Brown (whose paper I attach) to coordinate global efforts to fight this pandemic.
I support his four main proposals and would welcome your commitment to work internationally for them: an early European pledging conference to increase WHO funding; using the World Bank Development Committee in April to announce additional support for developing countries; using the IMF Committee meeting in April to extend macroeconomic support and a moratorium on debt interest payments for countries in difficulty; and establishing a G20 taskforce to coordinate action by finance ministers and central bank governors.
Finally, let me welcome your recent comment that “there really is such a thing as society.” We in the Labour Party have always regarded this as self-evidently true. But the coronavirus crisis is highlighting the extent of our dependence on each other and the many ties of mutual aid that, woven together, make up the fabric of society. We can emerge from this crisis with that fabric strengthened – but it requires a recognition that we can no longer tolerate the inequality and insecurity that has left all of us weaker than we should have been in the face of this pandemic.
Yours sincerely,
Jeremy Corbyn MP


labourlist--2020-03-31--At this time of crisis, we need a kinder politics more than ever

The Prime Minister and the UK Health Secretary , Matt Hancock , have both tested positive for coronavirus , and they are currently self-isolating .
This is an anxious time for them and their families .
My first instinct was to wish them a speedy recovery – it ’ s what we do when others are ill , and I genuinely believe it helps them to know that others care .
I was disappointed with the responses of some other people to this news .
They seemed unable to separate the person from the politics and took the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but publicly on social media .
I won ’ t repeat here what was said , but many of you will have seen examples .
Since I was elected over two years ago , I have sought to promote a different kind of politics , a kinder politics .
I hope we will see an end to such harmful comments .
As many have said before , the murkier side of politics has left a permanent mark on a significant number of people .
A many of you will know , a personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to escape the thoughts of loss and regret that I will never see my best mate – my dad – again .
It has left me with PTSD and depression .
Combine all of this with the usual pressures of being in public life in the social media age , sometimes it ’ s difficult to cope .
This is why I promote a ‘ kinder politics ’ .
I have one simple aim : to ensure that everyone who engages in political discourse understands that unkind words and actions have consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and anxiety , like the period we are living through now .
This does not mean that we can ’ t disagree and debate solutions and responses to problems .
Over the last fortnight , trade unions , business groups , professional bodies like the BMA and charities have done an amazing job of speaking up for their members and users .
They have helped drive policy change that has changed lives .
They have done this professionally and courteously .
All social media users can – and should – do the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way a minority spoke and posted about politicians and advisers such as Johnson , Diane Abbott , Jeremy Corbyn , Nicola Sturgeon , Dominic Cummings and Jo Swinson was frankly not on .
When people use unkind language in their arguments on social media , or brief overly personal comments to journalists , they are clearly not considering the potential impact of their words .
Maybe a person who , for reasons unbeknown to us , is having a really bad day , week or month .
These are not easy times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders and politicians .
I was gutted to read reports that the finance minister of Germany ’ s Hesse state has sadly taken his own life , and my thoughts are very much with his loved ones .
As I said earlier , by all means debate and even argue but do so with one simple question – would I like to be on the other end of this ?
In simpler terms , that lesson we all learnt in school : treat people how you would like to be treated , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nice , don ’ t say anything at all .
I look forward at the end of this crisis to giving my friend and colleague Darren Millar AM , a Conservative politician , a big hug , or cwtch as some of us say .
There is much we disagree on in the Siambr , but he is my mate and he was kind to me when I needed a friend .
So let ’ s be kind to each other and follow the words of my Dad , one of the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Edrych ar ol ein gilydd ” – which translates to “ look after each other ” .
Remember to stay at home , protect our NHS and save lives .

The Prime Minister and the UK Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, have both tested positive for coronavirus, and they are currently self-isolating. This is an anxious time for them and their families. My first instinct was to wish them a speedy recovery – it’s what we do when others are ill, and I genuinely believe it helps them to know that others care.
I was disappointed with the responses of some other people to this news. They seemed unable to separate the person from the politics and took the opportunity to say some unkind things, not privately but publicly on social media. I won’t repeat here what was said, but many of you will have seen examples. Since I was elected over two years ago, I have sought to promote a different kind of politics, a kinder politics. I hope we will see an end to such harmful comments.
As many have said before, the murkier side of politics has left a permanent mark on a significant number of people. A many of you will know, a personal experience has left me struggling to sleep and to escape the thoughts of loss and regret that I will never see my best mate – my dad – again. It has left me with PTSD and depression. Combine all of this with the usual pressures of being in public life in the social media age, sometimes it’s difficult to cope. This is why I promote a ‘kinder politics’. I have one simple aim: to ensure that everyone who engages in political discourse understands that unkind words and actions have consequences – particularly at times of high stress and anxiety, like the period we are living through now.
This does not mean that we can’t disagree and debate solutions and responses to problems. Over the last fortnight, trade unions, business groups, professional bodies like the BMA and charities have done an amazing job of speaking up for their members and users. They have helped drive policy change that has changed lives. They have done this professionally and courteously. All social media users can – and should – do the same.
Even before the current crisis, the way a minority spoke and posted about politicians and advisers such as Johnson, Diane Abbott, Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon, Dominic Cummings and Jo Swinson was frankly not on. When people use unkind language in their arguments on social media, or brief overly personal comments to journalists, they are clearly not considering the potential impact of their words. Maybe a person who, for reasons unbeknown to us, is having a really bad day, week or month. These are not easy times for anyone, and that includes our leaders and politicians.
I was gutted to read reports that the finance minister of Germany’s Hesse state has sadly taken his own life, and my thoughts are very much with his loved ones. As I said earlier, by all means debate and even argue but do so with one simple question – would I like to be on the other end of this? In simpler terms, that lesson we all learnt in school: treat people how you would like to be treated, and if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
I look forward at the end of this crisis to giving my friend and colleague Darren Millar AM, a Conservative politician, a big hug, or cwtch as some of us say. There is much we disagree on in the Siambr, but he is my mate and he was kind to me when I needed a friend. So let’s be kind to each other and follow the words of my Dad, one of the last times I saw him speak in public: “Edrych ar ol ein gilydd” – which translates to “look after each other”. Remember to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.


labourlist--2020-03-31--It’s not just unfair to keep non-essential workplaces open, it’s reckless

It is not just unfair , it ’ s reckless .
The insistence on workplaces to stay open when they are not providing an essential service or product not only exposes workers who have to go into those workplaces to higher risk , but also exposes their families and the wider population as a whole .
After continued complaints from workers that they are being forced to work when they shouldn ’ t , or that their employers are not – or can not – enforce social distancing in the workplace , it is time for the government to step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s important to note that lots of workplaces across the UK have followed the advice outlined by the government .
Many have suspended their operations and sent their employees home , and a lot that need to remain open have introduced strict social distancing measures .
Some companies have gone the extra mile and repurposed their operations in innovative ways to help combat coronavirus .
Restaurant chains Leon , Wasabi , Abokado and Franco Manca have teamed up to deliver food to NHS workers in our hospitals , for example .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and have deliberately abused the public health guidance .
1,000 staff in JD Sports ’ s warehouses have contacted Manchester mayor Andy Burnham as they ’ ve been forced to continue working “ side-by-side ” so that people can keep ordering trainers .
In another example , a cake-making company continues to operate in Scotland – it says that it ’ s essential as a food producer .
Pets at Home tried to argue that all of its staff , including shop assistants in its stores , are key workers and should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more concerning reports from workers all the time .
And this is crushingly unfair , obviously .
When the news came from Boris Johnson that we would be joining other European countries in a lockdown , office-based employees with reasonably remote-friendly work faced having to spend weeks or months stuck at home .
But for many , working from home isn ’ t possible .
Their employers have expected them to report to site as usual , putting their families and communities at higher risk – crucially undermining the efforts of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from infection .
However – it ’ s more than unfair .
It is illogical when considering the health guidance .
As experts have repeatedly explained , coronavirus is highly contagious .
One intensive care professor took us through the maths on Channel 4 ’ s Dispatches programme .
If you have the normal flu , you can expect to infect about 1.3 people .
If that 1.3 people pass it on again , and you do that ten times , then you are responsible for about 14 cases of flu .
Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and if you raise three to the power of ten , one person not following social distancing guidelines can be responsible for around 59,000 cases .
Now consider that non-essential workplaces are continuing to gather employees in enclosed spaces , sometimes in the hundreds or thousands , only to be sent back out into their communities afterwards .
This simply does not match up with the efforts being made elsewhere in the country and in the workforce to combat the spread and impact of Covid-19 .
When this crisis began , there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
The government is rapidly putting together a huge temporary hospital in east London to deal specifically with coronavirus cases , and a hospital in north west London declared an incident as it ran out of intensive care beds on the same day the PM announced the lockdown .
The health service needs all the help it can get – as made clear by the repeated encouragement for people to “ stay at home , protect the NHS and save lives ” .
It ’ s time the government made its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managing risk , and nobody is suggesting that we can keep up the effort if everything shuts .
There are essential businesses that have to stay open .
But we need to think carefully about what those should be , and then legally require everything else to close .
The government must ask itself : are the trainers and cakes worth the extra coronavirus cases – and the consequential increased risk to lives and pressure on the health service ?
No matter how much we want our new Reeboks , the government must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that while some employers have acted responsibly in response to the guidance , many haven ’ t .
The repeated inclination by the government to leave a certain amount of discretion will inevitably mean that some companies exploit the rules and don ’ t abide by the spirit of the advice .
It is time that the government stepped in and made it explicit ; if businesses won ’ t abide by the spirit of the guidance , then they should be made to obey the letter of the law .

It is not just unfair, it’s reckless. The insistence on workplaces to stay open when they are not providing an essential service or product not only exposes workers who have to go into those workplaces to higher risk, but also exposes their families and the wider population as a whole. After continued complaints from workers that they are being forced to work when they shouldn’t, or that their employers are not – or cannot – enforce social distancing in the workplace, it is time for the government to step in with explicit orders to close.
It’s important to note that lots of workplaces across the UK have followed the advice outlined by the government. Many have suspended their operations and sent their employees home, and a lot that need to remain open have introduced strict social distancing measures. Some companies have gone the extra mile and repurposed their operations in innovative ways to help combat coronavirus. Restaurant chains Leon, Wasabi, Abokado and Franco Manca have teamed up to deliver food to NHS workers in our hospitals, for example.
But others have categorically not stepped up, and have deliberately abused the public health guidance. 1,000 staff in JD Sports’s warehouses have contacted Manchester mayor Andy Burnham as they’ve been forced to continue working “side-by-side” so that people can keep ordering trainers. In another example, a cake-making company continues to operate in Scotland – it says that it’s essential as a food producer. Pets at Home tried to argue that all of its staff, including shop assistants in its stores, are key workers and should go to work. There are more and more concerning reports from workers all the time.
And this is crushingly unfair, obviously. When the news came from Boris Johnson that we would be joining other European countries in a lockdown, office-based employees with reasonably remote-friendly work faced having to spend weeks or months stuck at home. But for many, working from home isn’t possible. Their employers have expected them to report to site as usual, putting their families and communities at higher risk – crucially undermining the efforts of them and those around them to protect themselves from infection.
However – it’s more than unfair. It is illogical when considering the health guidance. As experts have repeatedly explained, coronavirus is highly contagious. One intensive care professor took us through the maths on Channel 4’s Dispatches programme. If you have the normal flu, you can expect to infect about 1.3 people. If that 1.3 people pass it on again, and you do that ten times, then you are responsible for about 14 cases of flu. Coronavirus is about three times more infectious, and if you raise three to the power of ten, one person not following social distancing guidelines can be responsible for around 59,000 cases. Now consider that non-essential workplaces are continuing to gather employees in enclosed spaces, sometimes in the hundreds or thousands, only to be sent back out into their communities afterwards.
This simply does not match up with the efforts being made elsewhere in the country and in the workforce to combat the spread and impact of Covid-19. When this crisis began, there were only 1,000 adult intensive care beds in the country. The government is rapidly putting together a huge temporary hospital in east London to deal specifically with coronavirus cases, and a hospital in north west London declared an incident as it ran out of intensive care beds on the same day the PM announced the lockdown. The health service needs all the help it can get – as made clear by the repeated encouragement for people to “stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives”. It’s time the government made its guidance consistent.
This is all about managing risk, and nobody is suggesting that we can keep up the effort if everything shuts. There are essential businesses that have to stay open. But we need to think carefully about what those should be, and then legally require everything else to close. The government must ask itself: are the trainers and cakes worth the extra coronavirus cases – and the consequential increased risk to lives and pressure on the health service?
No matter how much we want our new Reeboks, the government must crack down now. It is clear that while some employers have acted responsibly in response to the guidance, many haven’t. The repeated inclination by the government to leave a certain amount of discretion will inevitably mean that some companies exploit the rules and don’t abide by the spirit of the advice. It is time that the government stepped in and made it explicit; if businesses won’t abide by the spirit of the guidance, then they should be made to obey the letter of the law.


labourlist--2020-03-31--We have to get back to winning – that’s why you should vote for Keir Starmer

The Labour Party is at its strongest when it is united .
When we work towards a common goal , we can achieve extraordinary things .
We are the party of the NHS , the Open University and the national minimum wage .
When I lost my Darlington seat in December , and seats were lost all across the country , we were all devastated .
The 10pm exit poll was a gut punch for the whole of our movement .
Our party was formed to stand up for working people in parliament .
We can not do that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been for the last ten years .
We have to get back to winning .
Only then can we be a force for change .
That ’ s why I am backing Keir Starmer to be the next leader of the Labour Party .
That ’ s why I have been proud to chair his campaign – a positive campaign , focussed on how we build a better future for our party and our country .
Speaking to members the length and breadth of the country these last few months has re-energised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and optimism in our movement , and I know if we harness that we can get back into government .
Keir has struck the right tone through this contest , making clear that we ’ re not going to trash the records of any Labour leadership .
The last Labour government delivered record funding for the NHS , the minimum wage and Sure Start centres .
And under Jeremy Corbyn ’ s leadership , we ’ ve resolutely been opposed to austerity , we ’ ve championed the Green New Deal and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a million people .
In these times of fear and uncertainty with the spread of coronavirus , the British public more than ever needs to see a leader of the opposition they can trust .
Keir has experience in bucketloads – whether it is as the Director of Public Prosecutions , where he led a large national organisation and transformed its outlook on prosecuting violence against women and girls , or in parliament , standing up for the rights of workers and safeguarding the environment as we leave the EU .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in these past few weeks .
People are pulling together to support their neighbours , and new community groups have sprung up to provide essentials for the elderly and vulnerable .
Being socially isolated doesn ’ t mean that we are alone .
As we face an uncertain future , we need a Labour leadership that we can depend on .
One where we stop attacking each other and instead become laser-focussed on opposing Boris Johnson ’ s Conservatives .
With an 80-seat majority , the Prime Minister will feel free to pursue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need to look to the next election from now on – and ask ourselves who can win in 2024 .
We need a Labour Party that can win elections and change people ’ s lives .
Keir knows this .
That ’ s why I ’ m backing him to be leader of the Labour Party .

The Labour Party is at its strongest when it is united. When we work towards a common goal, we can achieve extraordinary things. We are the party of the NHS, the Open University and the national minimum wage.
When I lost my Darlington seat in December, and seats were lost all across the country, we were all devastated. The 10pm exit poll was a gut punch for the whole of our movement. Our party was formed to stand up for working people in parliament. We cannot do that if we are locked in opposition as we have been for the last ten years. We have to get back to winning. Only then can we be a force for change.
That’s why I am backing Keir Starmer to be the next leader of the Labour Party. That’s why I have been proud to chair his campaign – a positive campaign, focussed on how we build a better future for our party and our country. Speaking to members the length and breadth of the country these last few months has re-energised me. There is so much hope and optimism in our movement, and I know if we harness that we can get back into government.
Keir has struck the right tone through this contest, making clear that we’re not going to trash the records of any Labour leadership. The last Labour government delivered record funding for the NHS, the minimum wage and Sure Start centres. And under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, we’ve resolutely been opposed to austerity, we’ve championed the Green New Deal and we’ve built a movement of half a million people.
In these times of fear and uncertainty with the spread of coronavirus, the British public more than ever needs to see a leader of the opposition they can trust. Keir has experience in bucketloads – whether it is as the Director of Public Prosecutions, where he led a large national organisation and transformed its outlook on prosecuting violence against women and girls, or in parliament, standing up for the rights of workers and safeguarding the environment as we leave the EU.
We’ve seen the best of our society in these past few weeks. People are pulling together to support their neighbours, and new community groups have sprung up to provide essentials for the elderly and vulnerable. Being socially isolated doesn’t mean that we are alone.
As we face an uncertain future, we need a Labour leadership that we can depend on. One where we stop attacking each other and instead become laser-focussed on opposing Boris Johnson’s Conservatives.
With an 80-seat majority, the Prime Minister will feel free to pursue whatever agenda he likes in parliament. We need to look to the next election from now on – and ask ourselves who can win in 2024. We need a Labour Party that can win elections and change people’s lives. Keir knows this. That’s why I’m backing him to be leader of the Labour Party.


labourlist--2020-04-01--Labour should keep using tech to boost inclusivity and transparency after this crisis

Over the last fortnight , many of us have transitioned to working from home .
Whether working in companies , charities or government , we ’ ve felt the imperative to keep going .
This is a massive challenge when your customers , clients , and whole way of working are in flux .
Some people are back on the kitchen table while keeping children occupied .
For others , it can mean spending all day in their bedroom shut away from housemates .
For employers and employees alike , that poses a further challenge : how do we maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are now all remotely working ?
Technology has stepped in on both fronts at my organisation .
Two weeks ago , I wasn ’ t familiar with Zoom , BlueJeans , or Hangouts .
Today they dominate my working day , and they actually make us more productive .
Video conferences happen far quicker than it ever took to arrange a face-to-face meeting .
Our lunchtime hangouts mean we can catch-up with colleagues over a sandwich and check in on our wellbeing .
And now that various adjustments have been made at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been using this tech to immerse myself in politics again .
I ’ ve reflected on how we can use a sovereign wealth fund on a Fabian discussion , joined a phone bank to call members and later in the week some of the Labour Business executive will have a coffee or a cocktail on Houseparty .
But in the same way that we have used the Covid-19 crisis to find ways to work better , smarter and differently , I hope we may have the answer to some of the challenges we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not inclusive to people with disabilities .
We ’ re too London-centric .
Some members have a greater say than others .
Our leaders can feel remote .
And we think the answer to engaging and empowering members is to send an email .
It ’ s no surprise , then , that the overwhelming majority of our members don ’ t get involved .
Imagine a future where our shadow team uses Zoom to lead a national conversation on social care with party activists and UNISON and GMB frontline workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on accessibility in public transport get together monthly to compare what ’ s working for them ; or where BAME Labour host a webinar a day in Black History Month to debate the policy priorities for the next Labour government .
All members equal : the same share of voice and same opportunity to influence policy for members , regardless of whether you live in Redbridge , Redcar or Redditch .
But this opportunity can not just be about policy development and engagement .
Disability Labour has raised repeated concerns about the barriers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of members with a disability have expressed their inability to participate .
If we use this opportunity to think again , we can make disability inclusion a guiding principle for the future , removing barriers that restrict participation .
We can support disabled members into leadership positions , ensure that there is full engagement in discussions and participation in campaigning .
Angela Rayner has spoken about setting hard targets for inclusion of disabled members , and I want us to be a disability confident employer – technology is the answer to both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a responsibility to usher in the next generation of political activists , campaigners and leaders .
Keir Starmer ’ s proposal for a Labour Party College can be entirely delivered using an online platform .
Our political education can be in plenary session , then we can go into workshops for specific leadership training sessions .
The realisation has suddenly dawned that there is an easier and inclusive way to do politics , and it doesn ’ t involve getting a train to Westminster .
And then there ’ s the benefit from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constituency , local government , trade union , BAME and youth reps could host webinars before and after key meetings , and be more answerable and accountable to members .
The last fortnight has shown the resilience we have as a society .
We ’ ve come together in communities to show kindness .
We ’ ve built hospitals and , wherever possible , we have kept the show on the road at work .
Once this current crisis comes to pass , our incoming leadership team will find a membership even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Labour government .
It means community engagement , policy development , and campaign innovation led from the grassroots , not dictated by head office .
All members equal .
All members engaged .
All members united – in the last fortnight we ’ ve discovered how technology can deliver this .

Over the last fortnight, many of us have transitioned to working from home. Whether working in companies, charities or government, we’ve felt the imperative to keep going. This is a massive challenge when your customers, clients, and whole way of working are in flux. Some people are back on the kitchen table while keeping children occupied. For others, it can mean spending all day in their bedroom shut away from housemates. For employers and employees alike, that poses a further challenge: how do we maintain morale and the mental wellbeing of staff who are now all remotely working?
Technology has stepped in on both fronts at my organisation. Two weeks ago, I wasn’t familiar with Zoom, BlueJeans, or Hangouts. Today they dominate my working day, and they actually make us more productive. Video conferences happen far quicker than it ever took to arrange a face-to-face meeting. Our lunchtime hangouts mean we can catch-up with colleagues over a sandwich and check in on our wellbeing. And now that various adjustments have been made at home and work, I’ve been using this tech to immerse myself in politics again. I’ve reflected on how we can use a sovereign wealth fund on a Fabian discussion, joined a phone bank to call members and later in the week some of the Labour Business executive will have a coffee or a cocktail on Houseparty.
But in the same way that we have used the Covid-19 crisis to find ways to work better, smarter and differently, I hope we may have the answer to some of the challenges we face as a party. Because we’re not inclusive to people with disabilities. We’re too London-centric. Some members have a greater say than others. Our leaders can feel remote. And we think the answer to engaging and empowering members is to send an email. It’s no surprise, then, that the overwhelming majority of our members don’t get involved.
Imagine a future where our shadow team uses Zoom to lead a national conversation on social care with party activists and UNISON and GMB frontline workers; or where activists running local campaigns on accessibility in public transport get together monthly to compare what’s working for them; or where BAME Labour host a webinar a day in Black History Month to debate the policy priorities for the next Labour government. All members equal: the same share of voice and same opportunity to influence policy for members, regardless of whether you live in Redbridge, Redcar or Redditch. But this opportunity cannot just be about policy development and engagement.
Disability Labour has raised repeated concerns about the barriers created by our structures, and a majority of members with a disability have expressed their inability to participate. If we use this opportunity to think again, we can make disability inclusion a guiding principle for the future, removing barriers that restrict participation. We can support disabled members into leadership positions, ensure that there is full engagement in discussions and participation in campaigning. Angela Rayner has spoken about setting hard targets for inclusion of disabled members, and I want us to be a disability confident employer – technology is the answer to both of those challenges.
We all have a responsibility to usher in the next generation of political activists, campaigners and leaders. Keir Starmer’s proposal for a Labour Party College can be entirely delivered using an online platform. Our political education can be in plenary session, then we can go into workshops for specific leadership training sessions. The realisation has suddenly dawned that there is an easier and inclusive way to do politics, and it doesn’t involve getting a train to Westminster. And then there’s the benefit from a transparency point of view. Our constituency, local government, trade union, BAME and youth reps could host webinars before and after key meetings, and be more answerable and accountable to members.
The last fortnight has shown the resilience we have as a society. We’ve come together in communities to show kindness. We’ve built hospitals and, wherever possible, we have kept the show on the road at work. Once this current crisis comes to pass, our incoming leadership team will find a membership even more ready to play their part in delivering a Labour government. It means community engagement, policy development, and campaign innovation led from the grassroots, not dictated by head office. All members equal. All members engaged. All members united – in the last fortnight we’ve discovered how technology can deliver this.


labourlist--2020-04-01--Stand Up for Labour rebrands as ‘Stay Home for Labour’ for coronavirus

Comedy event holder Stand Up for Labour has relaunched its operation in response to coronavirus lockdown measures with a new online show called “ Stay Home for Labour ” to raise morale amid the pandemic .
Held twice a week and delivered using Zoom , the shows have seen John McDonnell and other figures in the labour movement appear as speakers in sessions that also feature music , comedy , poetry and discussion with Labour supporters .
Topics have focused mostly on how people are coping with self-isolation , while the guest speakers have talked about some of the bigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is impacting workers across the country .
Stand Up for Labour founder Crispin Flintoff said : “ Comrades of all ages are logging in and we ’ ve had great feedback .
A lot of people are tired of watching the news and want to be cheered up during this difficult time.
” In last week ’ s show , the Shadow Chancellor spoke about how the health crisis is affecting people working in the gig economy , highlighting that they are not covered by the government ’ s income compensation scheme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president Tosh McDonald and BFAWU national president Ian Hodson .
Tonight will see FBU general secretary Matt Wrack appear alongside a surprise guest .
Stand Up for Labour was founded in 2012 and has organised over 250 gigs in community centres , pubs and theatres since its inception .
The stated aim of the shows are to raise money for local parties and promote party unity .
The events take place twice a week on Saturdays at 3pm and Wednesdays at 7.30pm .
Labour supporters can access the shows through the Stand Up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by signing up to the subscriber list here .

Comedy event holder Stand Up for Labour has relaunched its operation in response to coronavirus lockdown measures with a new online show called “Stay Home for Labour” to raise morale amid the pandemic.
Held twice a week and delivered using Zoom, the shows have seen John McDonnell and other figures in the labour movement appear as speakers in sessions that also feature music, comedy, poetry and discussion with Labour supporters.
Topics have focused mostly on how people are coping with self-isolation, while the guest speakers have talked about some of the bigger issues around the health crisis and how it is impacting workers across the country.
Stand Up for Labour founder Crispin Flintoff said: “Comrades of all ages are logging in and we’ve had great feedback. A lot of people are tired of watching the news and want to be cheered up during this difficult time.”
In last week’s show, the Shadow Chancellor spoke about how the health crisis is affecting people working in the gig economy, highlighting that they are not covered by the government’s income compensation scheme.
Other speakers have included former ASLEF president Tosh McDonald and BFAWU national president Ian Hodson. Tonight will see FBU general secretary Matt Wrack appear alongside a surprise guest.
Stand Up for Labour was founded in 2012 and has organised over 250 gigs in community centres, pubs and theatres since its inception. The stated aim of the shows are to raise money for local parties and promote party unity.
The events take place twice a week on Saturdays at 3pm and Wednesdays at 7.30pm. Labour supporters can access the shows through the Stand Up for Labour Twitter or Facebook, or by signing up to the subscriber list here. You can register for tonight’s event here.


labourlist--2020-04-01--Do the coronavirus press conferences offer sufficient scrutiny?

With parliament suspended , the daily coronavirus press conferences are now our primary means of scrutinising the government .
But they are becoming torturous – lengthy , rambling , with no opportunity for video-linked journalists to ask follow-up questions .
When a particularly tricky query is raised , ministers can simply pass on the responsibility for answering it to one of the medical advisers .
Unfortunately , this is not helping .
Although the deputy chief medical officer only last week downplayed the importance of testing , saying “ there comes a point in a pandemic where that is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ ramping up ” testing is a priority .
These press events were supposed to offer clarity on the coronavirus response to the public , yet the only clear message is “ stay home , protect the NHS , save lives ” – and that ’ s only because it is written on the podium .
Testing is the focus of media coverage today , with the Daily Mail branding it a “ fiasco ” .
They have a point .
The government is pressed every day for answers on why exactly the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity , but a straight-forward answer is rarely offered .
The latest reason is that there is a global shortage of chemical reagents , according to Michael Gove .
Labour ’ s shadow business minister Bill Esterson has pointed out , however , that companies in the UK can make them but have not been asked to do so .
This was checked by Robert Peston , who contacted the Chemical Industries Association , which said there was no shortage and they were happy to increase production anyway .
Why , then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even the US on testing ?
The answer , it seems , lies in our initial strategy of mitigation and ‘ herd immunity ’ rather than suppression .
Jeremy Hunt has agreed with that conclusion .
Voting in Labour ’ s leadership contests closes on Thursday at noon .
In the run-up to that deadline , we have published final pieces from each main leadership campaign .
“ Playing it safe is quite simply not an option .
It is time for the politics of big ideas , ” party chair and Wansbeck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urging readers to vote for Rebecca Long-Bailey .
He also stressed that , as a working-class woman from the North , she is best-placed to win back the places Labour lost in December .
Jenny Chapman , who lost her seat in December but has been busy chairing Keir Starmer ’ s campaign since then , highlighted that “ we need a Labour Party that can win elections and change people ’ s lives ” .
Electability and competence are their key messages .
Louise Haigh , a shadow minister and Lisa Nandy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather personal piece .
“ Lisa has a knack for telling the truths that others don ’ t want to see , ” she wrote , describing Nandy as “ one of the most talented , intelligent and thoughtful people I know ” .
Happy voting , readers – the end is in sight !
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

With parliament suspended, the daily coronavirus press conferences are now our primary means of scrutinising the government. But they are becoming torturous – lengthy, rambling, with no opportunity for video-linked journalists to ask follow-up questions. When a particularly tricky query is raised, ministers can simply pass on the responsibility for answering it to one of the medical advisers. Unfortunately, this is not helping. Although the deputy chief medical officer only last week downplayed the importance of testing, saying “there comes a point in a pandemic where that is not an appropriate intervention”, this week “ramping up” testing is a priority. These press events were supposed to offer clarity on the coronavirus response to the public, yet the only clear message is “stay home, protect the NHS, save lives” – and that’s only because it is written on the podium.
Testing is the focus of media coverage today, with the Daily Mail branding it a “fiasco”. They have a point. The government is pressed every day for answers on why exactly the UK seems to be stuck on testing capacity, but a straight-forward answer is rarely offered. The latest reason is that there is a global shortage of chemical reagents, according to Michael Gove. Labour’s shadow business minister Bill Esterson has pointed out, however, that companies in the UK can make them but have not been asked to do so. This was checked by Robert Peston, who contacted the Chemical Industries Association, which said there was no shortage and they were happy to increase production anyway. Why, then, is the UK falling behind Germany and even the US on testing? The answer, it seems, lies in our initial strategy of mitigation and ‘herd immunity’ rather than suppression. Jeremy Hunt has agreed with that conclusion.
Voting in Labour’s leadership contests closes on Thursday at noon. In the run-up to that deadline, we have published final pieces from each main leadership campaign. “Playing it safe is quite simply not an option. It is time for the politics of big ideas,” party chair and Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery wrote in his piece urging readers to vote for Rebecca Long-Bailey. He also stressed that, as a working-class woman from the North, she is best-placed to win back the places Labour lost in December. Jenny Chapman, who lost her seat in December but has been busy chairing Keir Starmer’s campaign since then, highlighted that “we need a Labour Party that can win elections and change people’s lives”. Electability and competence are their key messages. Louise Haigh, a shadow minister and Lisa Nandy’s campaign chair, penned a rather personal piece. “Lisa has a knack for telling the truths that others don’t want to see,” she wrote, describing Nandy as “one of the most talented, intelligent and thoughtful people I know”. Happy voting, readers – the end is in sight! Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-04-01--The Labour contests nobody is talking about but really should be

I would expect to be saying at this point that everyone is talking about Labour ’ s leadership and deputy leadership elections , which will see ballots close on Thursday and the results announced on Saturday .
But that is not the case .
Interest has dwindled – partly because the frontrunner has been ahead from the beginning , partly because the race involved more nominations stages than any previous process , and now mostly because we ’ re in the middle of a pandemic .
The subject of this piece will therefore be even more niche than it usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during coronavirus lockdown , and the type favoured by LabourList readers is hopefully underreported internal party elections .
I ’ m not talking here about the contests to determine Labour ’ s next leader or deputy , but by-elections for the party ’ s national executive committee , which have run alongside the main races .
These will also see voting close on Thursday and results unveiled on Saturday – though there is a key difference in the selectorate as only full members who joined before November 12th get a vote .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representative candidates from a list of 18 .
Unlike for the leadership , the voting system is not preferential , which benefits factional slates as you probably only want to cast a vote for someone who has a chance of winning .
Members who have registered with the party to identify as BAME will also be selecting a BAME representative to replace Keith Vaz who has stood down from the post .
Those elected will take their places on Labour ’ s ruling body , the NEC , which is made up of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Why do these by-elections matter ?
One of the immediate tasks faced by the new leader will be to sort out issues around the disciplinary process – and to scrap the current complaints system in favour of an independent one , as all candidates have pledged to do .
This change is not entirely within the leader ’ s gift , however .
Replacing the national constitutional committee ( NCC ) with an independent body would require a rule change , and that will need to be recommended by the NEC before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of his first acts , Starmer is set to request the departure of Karie Murphy , Corbyn ’ s chief of staff , and Jennie Formby , the party ’ s general secretary , ” it was reported in The Sunday Times over the weekend .
There is often talk of Emilie Oldknow or Lisa Johnson taking over .
But the general secretary acts as a secretary to the NEC and remains in office “ so long as her/his work gives satisfaction to the NEC and party conference ” , as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the holder of this post is answerable to the NEC as a whole .
Iain McNicol resigned only once the NEC balance was tipped in favour of Corbynites , after the number of local party representatives was increased from six to nine and the Labour left slate won those places .
If Keir Starmer is indeed elected as leader , his ability to reform the party as promised will be constrained by the NEC .
Even if Corbynsceptics do win all three places – in the form of victories for Johanna Baxter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the balance will become finer but the Labour left will not have lost control .
Whether the result aligns with the leadership outcome will tell us something about the mood of the membership in any case .
Factors involved in the likely election of Starmer – based on promises of unity and electability – don ’ t quite function in the same way when it comes to NEC elections .
The deeply divided Labour left made crucial errors in these contests , allowing the messy development of multiple slates in contrast to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will also affect the results .
However they turn out , the NEC by-elections will be key to indicating how quickly and to what extent the Labour left is losing power within the party .

I would expect to be saying at this point that everyone is talking about Labour’s leadership and deputy leadership elections, which will see ballots close on Thursday and the results announced on Saturday. But that is not the case. Interest has dwindled – partly because the frontrunner has been ahead from the beginning, partly because the race involved more nominations stages than any previous process, and now mostly because we’re in the middle of a pandemic.
The subject of this piece will therefore be even more niche than it usually would. But we all need escapism during coronavirus lockdown, and the type favoured by LabourList readers is hopefully underreported internal party elections. I’m not talking here about the contests to determine Labour’s next leader or deputy, but by-elections for the party’s national executive committee, which have run alongside the main races. These will also see voting close on Thursday and results unveiled on Saturday – though there is a key difference in the selectorate as only full members who joined before November 12th get a vote.
Those eligible will be picking two local party representative candidates from a list of 18. Unlike for the leadership, the voting system is not preferential, which benefits factional slates as you probably only want to cast a vote for someone who has a chance of winning. Members who have registered with the party to identify as BAME will also be selecting a BAME representative to replace Keith Vaz who has stood down from the post. Those elected will take their places on Labour’s ruling body, the NEC, which is made up of 40 members when there are no vacancies.
Why do these by-elections matter? One of the immediate tasks faced by the new leader will be to sort out issues around the disciplinary process – and to scrap the current complaints system in favour of an independent one, as all candidates have pledged to do. This change is not entirely within the leader’s gift, however. Replacing the national constitutional committee (NCC) with an independent body would require a rule change, and that will need to be recommended by the NEC before being approved by conference.
“In one of his first acts, Starmer is set to request the departure of Karie Murphy, Corbyn’s chief of staff, and Jennie Formby, the party’s general secretary,” it was reported in The Sunday Times over the weekend. There is often talk of Emilie Oldknow or Lisa Johnson taking over. But the general secretary acts as a secretary to the NEC and remains in office “so long as her/his work gives satisfaction to the NEC and party conference”, as the rulebook puts it. In effect, the holder of this post is answerable to the NEC as a whole. Iain McNicol resigned only once the NEC balance was tipped in favour of Corbynites, after the number of local party representatives was increased from six to nine and the Labour left slate won those places.
If Keir Starmer is indeed elected as leader, his ability to reform the party as promised will be constrained by the NEC. Even if Corbynsceptics do win all three places – in the form of victories for Johanna Baxter, Gurinder Singh Josan and Carol Sewell – the balance will become finer but the Labour left will not have lost control. Whether the result aligns with the leadership outcome will tell us something about the mood of the membership in any case. Factors involved in the likely election of Starmer – based on promises of unity and electability – don’t quite function in the same way when it comes to NEC elections.
The deeply divided Labour left made crucial errors in these contests, allowing the messy development of multiple slates in contrast to the straight-forward and unified anti-Corbyn slate, and that will also affect the results. However they turn out, the NEC by-elections will be key to indicating how quickly and to what extent the Labour left is losing power within the party.


labourlist--2020-04-01--Labour tells government to work closely with trade unions on PPE

Jonathan Ashworth has urged the government to work closely with trade unions to make sure that frontline NHS and care workers get the personal protective equipment that they need during the coronavirus crisis .
The intervention from Labour ’ s health spokesperson comes after the heads of the UK ’ s health and social care unions submitted a joint statement to the government today , warning that the lack of PPE is a “ crisis within a crisis ” .
Ashworth declared that the joint call from seven organisations – including UNISON , the Royal College of Midwives , GMB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ exposes the level of concern from healthcare workers about adequacy and supply of PPE ” .
The statement calls on the government to work with unions and employers to identify shortfalls and to “ guarantee that no member of staff will be put under pressure to perform tasks without adequate protective equipment ” .
The heads of the organisations also explain that staff are being threatened with disciplinary action if they speak out about shortages , and say that they are “ effectively gagged to stop them raising their concerns ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ social care staff deserve the very best protective clothing and equipment and they urgently need continued access to it .
“ Labour calls on ministers to abandon attempts to gag staff and instead work closely with trade unions to ensure staff get the PPE that is so crucial to keeping them and patients safe.
” The lack of PPE for frontline health workers was branded a “ national scandal ” by trade union GMB , as the number of ambulance staff self-isolating after displaying Covid-19 symptoms across NHS Trusts exceeded 4,100 .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on March 31st that one in four NHS doctors has been signed off from work due to illness or because they are self-isolating .
There are now a total of 29,474 recorded cases of coronavirus in the UK , although the true figure is thought to be higher .
2,352 people have died from the disease with 563 new deaths in the past 24 hours .
Below is the full text of the statement submitted to the government .
We jointly represent many workers who are on the frontline of tackling Covid-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the elderly , they look after our children and keep them safe , they make sure there is food on the supermarket shelves , they keep the lights on and the water running .
We are weeks into fighting Covid-19 .
It is now clear that the lack of personal protective equipment for frontline workers has become a crisis within a crisis .
Workers are being exposed to unreasonable and unnecessary risk by the ongoing failure to provide key workers with adequate PPE .
Every day we hear from our members that despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being asked to work with inadequate or out of date protective equipment – and that is where PPE is being provided at all .
Many groups of healthcare workers are at greater risk than others due to their prolonged exposure along with the nature of their contact with patients .
Sufficient supplies of the required higher level of PPE are critical for them to be able to care for patients while not putting themselves at risk .
Too often , we are hearing of inappropriate ‘ tiering ’ of PPE where the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over another , especially when it comes to outsourced workers .
Where workers refuse to undertake activities because they do not have the appropriate PPE , they run the risk of disciplinary action , or even worse , letting down people who rely on them going to work .
Workers are told not to speak out .
They are effectively gagged to stop them raising their concerns .
Key workers deserve better .
They are risking their own health and safety for us .
We must be clear what that means , those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure to the virus – such as health and social care professionals – are risking their lives .
We need urgent action now , and transparency on procurement , distribution , timescales and exactly how and when workers can expect to get the protection they need and deserve .
Government must utilise the skills of the UK manufacturers to urgently increase supply , and put in place clear systems for employers to report shortages and shortfalls .
Finally , we call on the government and employers to guarantee that no member of staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tasks without adequate protective equipment .
As a trade union movement , we are willing and able to work with government to get through this crisis , but we can not allow our members to be put at risk .
We seek an urgent meeting and urgent action to make sure that PPE is making it to our front line .
It is the very least workers deserve .
Frances O ’ Grady , general secretary , TUC Dave Prentis , general secretary , UNISON Gill Walton , chief executive officer and general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cartmail , assistant general secretary , Unite Tim Roache , general secretary , GMB Professor Karen Middleton , chief executive , Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Annette Mansell-Green , director of trade union and public affairs , British Dietetic Association

Jonathan Ashworth has urged the government to work closely with trade unions to make sure that frontline NHS and care workers get the personal protective equipment that they need during the coronavirus crisis.
The intervention from Labour’s health spokesperson comes after the heads of the UK’s health and social care unions submitted a joint statement to the government today, warning that the lack of PPE is a “crisis within a crisis”.
Ashworth declared that the joint call from seven organisations – including UNISON, the Royal College of Midwives, GMB, Unite, and the TUC – “exposes the level of concern from healthcare workers about adequacy and supply of PPE”.
The statement calls on the government to work with unions and employers to identify shortfalls and to “guarantee that no member of staff will be put under pressure to perform tasks without adequate protective equipment”.
The heads of the organisations also explain that staff are being threatened with disciplinary action if they speak out about shortages, and say that they are “effectively gagged to stop them raising their concerns”.
Ashworth said: “Our NHS and social care staff deserve the very best protective clothing and equipment and they urgently need continued access to it.
“Labour calls on ministers to abandon attempts to gag staff and instead work closely with trade unions to ensure staff get the PPE that is so crucial to keeping them and patients safe.”
The lack of PPE for frontline health workers was branded a “national scandal” by trade union GMB, as the number of ambulance staff self-isolating after displaying Covid-19 symptoms across NHS Trusts exceeded 4,100.
Meanwhile, the Royal College of Physicians revealed on March 31st that one in four NHS doctors has been signed off from work due to illness or because they are self-isolating.
There are now a total of 29,474 recorded cases of coronavirus in the UK, although the true figure is thought to be higher. 2,352 people have died from the disease with 563 new deaths in the past 24 hours.
Below is the full text of the statement submitted to the government.
We jointly represent many workers who are on the frontline of tackling Covid-19.
Our members care for the sick and the elderly, they look after our children and keep them safe, they make sure there is food on the supermarket shelves, they keep the lights on and the water running.
We are weeks into fighting Covid-19. It is now clear that the lack of personal protective equipment for frontline workers has become a crisis within a crisis.
Workers are being exposed to unreasonable and unnecessary risk by the ongoing failure to provide key workers with adequate PPE.
Every day we hear from our members that despite repeated assurances from government, people are being asked to work with inadequate or out of date protective equipment – and that is where PPE is being provided at all.
Many groups of healthcare workers are at greater risk than others due to their prolonged exposure along with the nature of their contact with patients. Sufficient supplies of the required higher level of PPE are critical for them to be able to care for patients while not putting themselves at risk.
Too often, we are hearing of inappropriate ‘tiering’ of PPE where the health of one group of workers is prioritised over another, especially when it comes to outsourced workers.
Where workers refuse to undertake activities because they do not have the appropriate PPE, they run the risk of disciplinary action, or even worse, letting down people who rely on them going to work.
Workers are told not to speak out. They are effectively gagged to stop them raising their concerns. Key workers deserve better.
They are risking their own health and safety for us. We must be clear what that means, those who are subject to prolonged and direct exposure to the virus – such as health and social care professionals – are risking their lives.
We need urgent action now, and transparency on procurement, distribution, timescales and exactly how and when workers can expect to get the protection they need and deserve.
Government must utilise the skills of the UK manufacturers to urgently increase supply, and put in place clear systems for employers to report shortages and shortfalls.
Finally, we call on the government and employers to guarantee that no member of staff will be put under pressure to perform tasks without adequate protective equipment.
As a trade union movement, we are willing and able to work with government to get through this crisis, but we cannot allow our members to be put at risk. We seek an urgent meeting and urgent action to make sure that PPE is making it to our front line.
It is the very least workers deserve.
Frances O’Grady, general secretary, TUC
Dave Prentis, general secretary, UNISON
Gill Walton, chief executive officer and general secretary, Royal College of Midwives
Gail Cartmail, assistant general secretary, Unite
Tim Roache, general secretary, GMB
Professor Karen Middleton, chief executive, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Annette Mansell-Green, director of trade union and public affairs, British Dietetic Association


labourlist--2020-04-01--Brexit saw Corbyn’s Labour turn from radicalism to incoherence

Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell are figures unlike any other in Labour ’ s history .
Brought to prominence by the strength of the grassroots left in the 1980s , they soldiered on through the Tony Blair years and out the other side .
While hundreds of thousands of members resigned and much of the parliamentary left cosied up to New Labour , Corbyn and McDonnell turned outwards , making themselves the heroes of generations of anti-war activists , anti-fees protesters and militant workers .
One of my earliest memories of them was watching them climb in through the windows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had barred the doors ) .
Their elevation to the Labour leadership shocked the world in 2015 , though in reality it was one of a long string of connected shocks .
The worst financial crisis since the Great Depression was also a surprise , as was the near-total collapse of trust in politics and public institutions that followed the phone hacking scandal and Nick “ free education ” Clegg voting through £9,000 tuition fees .
The sudden rebirth of the student movement in 2010 and the mass anti-austerity protests that followed seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaporate , until , in the summer of 2015 , they found political expression .
What many didn ’ t appreciate in 2015 was that , with the centre having fallen out of politics , the nationalist right had its own plans to shock the political system , with the support of most of the existing ruling class .
Across continental Europe , in Brazil and in the US , they gathered around populist demagogues .
In the UK , they gathered around Brexit , a project designed primarily not to take Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left , and reframe politics around race and nation .
The Corbyn leadership failed in large part because it refused to recognise this , and failed to develop a coherent policy on Brexit .
Following the EU referendum , the crucial task for the left was to articulate a policy that didn ’ t give ground on immigration and nationalism , and that could unite enough of the electorate behind Labour .
With a Tory majority in parliament , Another Europe is Possible argued for the softest possible Brexit , with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our campaign received no support from the leadership , was widely denounced as a plot to undermine Corbyn , and was blocked by Momentum ( on the instruction of the leader ’ s office ) from even being debated at party conference in 2017 .
Corbynism ’ s strength lay in its rejection of triangulation and centrism .
But on Brexit , the leadership swung in the wind .
Its initial policy after the referendum was one of acceptance , including a support for harsher immigration controls that put it to the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issue .
From February 2018 , this was tempered very slightly with support for a customs union .
In mid-to-late 2018 , the party entered its tortuous ‘ all options on the table ’ phase , until eventually – following Labour ’ s collapse in the 2019 European elections – it finally openly supported a public vote .
Even then , it refused to say how it would campaign in a referendum , and pushed back hard when we took support for Remain to conference that year .
The end result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three years attempting to position itself , when what it needed to be doing was combatting the wider politics of the Brexit project and winning back key chunks of its electoral base , much of which had been ebbing away for years .
Either a soft Brexit or a public vote position could have formed the basis of this effort , if Labour mounted an effective public campaign .
The 2017 election provided a false lesson in this sense : constructive ambiguity could perform well in the earlier stages of Brexit against a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was no hiding from the deeper processes that were at work .
You can ’ t change the subject indefinitely if the subject is the biggest issue in public life and your opponent ’ s main project .
Explaining the leadership ’ s lack of coherence on Brexit is a complex task .
The role of senior aides was certainly a complicating factor .
For people like Seumas Milne , Andrew Murray and , privately , Len McCluskey , Brexit is not a setback to be carefully navigated , but a positively good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lexit ( which is by definition a hard Brexit in economic terms ) could go some way to explaining why the leadership was so hostile to even a soft Brexit position in the early stages of the process in 2016 and 2017 .
But really , Labour ’ s Brexit policy was a casualty of the deeper problems with the Corbyn project : machine politics , siege mentality and a failure to break with the deep culture of the Labour Party .
The 2015 promise of ‘ a new kind of politics ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It stood for youth , radicalism , an unapologetic break with the past , and opposition to an ‘ old politics ’ characterised by bullying , spin and deals behind closed doors .
Implicit in it was also a kind of pluralism , a broad church approach that expanded Corbynism to encompass much of the soft left and that could provide a space for unity and realignment .
But in practice , Corbyn ’ s Labour was run not by a new kind of politics , but the left wing of the old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and those aligned with old school Bennism and the Morning Star .
To them , movements and parties were things that needed to be managed , not unleashed .
Open selections were a threat to the influence of crucial allies , and letting the members ( overwhelmingly anti-Brexit , overwhelmingly pro-free movement ) decide party policy was a liability .
To say that the new politics and the machine remained in tension would be an understatement : the machine won .
Even Momentum , the supposed home of the new grassroots left , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become a more effective and obedient tool for supporting the leadership .
All of the routes to establishing a clearer position on Brexit , or even opening a dialogue with the leadership , were shut off .
The position was hammered out behind closed doors by the professionals all the way until conference 2019 .
The centralisation and lack of democratic renewal in Corbyn ’ s Labour owed much to a sense of being under siege .
With the majority of the parliamentary party and the media constantly seeking to sabotage the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior figures prioritised loyalty over everything else , especially after the ‘ chicken coup ’ of 2016 .
This created a culture in which dissenting from the leadership on any major issue was indistinguishable from being best mates with Chris Leslie .
The unwillingness or inability of the left to push the leadership was unhealthy in general , but it was particularly damaging on issues where the leadership had got it wrong and needed pushing .
Brexit was such an issue , as was immigration .
Throughout much of this , the role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As one of the nicest people in politics , this brand of machine politics was not his idea .
He was not a Lexiteer , or at least not an avid one .
He reportedly mainly wanted the issue to go away , and perhaps that was his greatest failing on the subject .
Unlike John McDonnell , who is quite willing to get stuck into controversies ( just ask Ken Livingstone ) , Corbyn has a history of standing above the fray on issues , like Brexit , which divide the left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Brexit , however difficult that might be , in order to stand a chance .
It didn ’ t get it .
Labour is a political vehicle capable of transformative change , but it is also an institution weighed down by a century and more of bureaucracy and opportunism .
It is a place where patronage and careerism , crude electoralism and machine politics rule .
If there was ever going to be a break with this way of doing things it would have to come from the left , and yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own instincts , Corbyn ’ s leadership did not challenge it .
Under siege from the media and the PLP , the leadership failed to break the mould of labourism and failed , in the little time that it had , to lift the horizons of the party members beyond the usual rhythm of loyalty to the leader , canvassing in the rain and vanquishing internal opponents .
As a result , the next chapter in Labour ’ s history will be a turn away from the radical spirit of 2015 , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell are figures unlike any other in Labour’s history. Brought to prominence by the strength of the grassroots left in the 1980s, they soldiered on through the Tony Blair years and out the other side. While hundreds of thousands of members resigned and much of the parliamentary left cosied up to New Labour, Corbyn and McDonnell turned outwards, making themselves the heroes of generations of anti-war activists, anti-fees protesters and militant workers. One of my earliest memories of them was watching them climb in through the windows of a student occupation (university security had barred the doors).
Their elevation to the Labour leadership shocked the world in 2015, though in reality it was one of a long string of connected shocks. The worst financial crisis since the Great Depression was also a surprise, as was the near-total collapse of trust in politics and public institutions that followed the phone hacking scandal and Nick “free education” Clegg voting through £9,000 tuition fees. The sudden rebirth of the student movement in 2010 and the mass anti-austerity protests that followed seemed to come from nowhere and then to evaporate, until, in the summer of 2015, they found political expression.
What many didn’t appreciate in 2015 was that, with the centre having fallen out of politics, the nationalist right had its own plans to shock the political system, with the support of most of the existing ruling class. Across continental Europe, in Brazil and in the US, they gathered around populist demagogues. In the UK, they gathered around Brexit, a project designed primarily not to take Britain out of the EU but to smash the left, and reframe politics around race and nation. The Corbyn leadership failed in large part because it refused to recognise this, and failed to develop a coherent policy on Brexit.
Following the EU referendum, the crucial task for the left was to articulate a policy that didn’t give ground on immigration and nationalism, and that could unite enough of the electorate behind Labour. With a Tory majority in parliament, Another Europe is Possible argued for the softest possible Brexit, with a particular emphasis on defending free movement. Our campaign received no support from the leadership, was widely denounced as a plot to undermine Corbyn, and was blocked by Momentum (on the instruction of the leader’s office) from even being debated at party conference in 2017.
Corbynism’s strength lay in its rejection of triangulation and centrism. But on Brexit, the leadership swung in the wind. Its initial policy after the referendum was one of acceptance, including a support for harsher immigration controls that put it to the right of many ‘Labour moderates’ on the issue. From February 2018, this was tempered very slightly with support for a customs union. In mid-to-late 2018, the party entered its tortuous ‘all options on the table’ phase, until eventually – following Labour’s collapse in the 2019 European elections – it finally openly supported a public vote. Even then, it refused to say how it would campaign in a referendum, and pushed back hard when we took support for Remain to conference that year.
The end result of all of this was that Labour spent three years attempting to position itself, when what it needed to be doing was combatting the wider politics of the Brexit project and winning back key chunks of its electoral base, much of which had been ebbing away for years. Either a soft Brexit or a public vote position could have formed the basis of this effort, if Labour mounted an effective public campaign. The 2017 election provided a false lesson in this sense: constructive ambiguity could perform well in the earlier stages of Brexit against a dire Tory election campaign, but there was no hiding from the deeper processes that were at work. You can’t change the subject indefinitely if the subject is the biggest issue in public life and your opponent’s main project.
Explaining the leadership’s lack of coherence on Brexit is a complex task. The role of senior aides was certainly a complicating factor. For people like Seumas Milne, Andrew Murray and, privately, Len McCluskey, Brexit is not a setback to be carefully navigated, but a positively good thing. The presence of supporters of Lexit (which is by definition a hard Brexit in economic terms) could go some way to explaining why the leadership was so hostile to even a soft Brexit position in the early stages of the process in 2016 and 2017. But really, Labour’s Brexit policy was a casualty of the deeper problems with the Corbyn project: machine politics, siege mentality and a failure to break with the deep culture of the Labour Party.
The 2015 promise of ‘a new kind of politics’ encapsulated a lot of different elements. It stood for youth, radicalism, an unapologetic break with the past, and opposition to an ‘old politics’ characterised by bullying, spin and deals behind closed doors. Implicit in it was also a kind of pluralism, a broad church approach that expanded Corbynism to encompass much of the soft left and that could provide a space for unity and realignment.
But in practice, Corbyn’s Labour was run not by a new kind of politics, but the left wing of the old politics – the leadership of Unite, and those aligned with old school Bennism and the Morning Star. To them, movements and parties were things that needed to be managed, not unleashed. Open selections were a threat to the influence of crucial allies, and letting the members (overwhelmingly anti-Brexit, overwhelmingly pro-free movement) decide party policy was a liability.
To say that the new politics and the machine remained in tension would be an understatement: the machine won. Even Momentum, the supposed home of the new grassroots left, had its internal democracy dismantled in order to become a more effective and obedient tool for supporting the leadership. All of the routes to establishing a clearer position on Brexit, or even opening a dialogue with the leadership, were shut off. The position was hammered out behind closed doors by the professionals all the way until conference 2019.
The centralisation and lack of democratic renewal in Corbyn’s Labour owed much to a sense of being under siege. With the majority of the parliamentary party and the media constantly seeking to sabotage the left leadership, many grassroots activists and senior figures prioritised loyalty over everything else, especially after the ‘chicken coup’ of 2016. This created a culture in which dissenting from the leadership on any major issue was indistinguishable from being best mates with Chris Leslie. The unwillingness or inability of the left to push the leadership was unhealthy in general, but it was particularly damaging on issues where the leadership had got it wrong and needed pushing. Brexit was such an issue, as was immigration.
Throughout much of this, the role of Jeremy Corbyn himself was marginal. As one of the nicest people in politics, this brand of machine politics was not his idea. He was not a Lexiteer, or at least not an avid one. He reportedly mainly wanted the issue to go away, and perhaps that was his greatest failing on the subject. Unlike John McDonnell, who is quite willing to get stuck into controversies (just ask Ken Livingstone), Corbyn has a history of standing above the fray on issues, like Brexit, which divide the left. Labour needed early and decisive leadership on Brexit, however difficult that might be, in order to stand a chance. It didn’t get it.
Labour is a political vehicle capable of transformative change, but it is also an institution weighed down by a century and more of bureaucracy and opportunism. It is a place where patronage and careerism, crude electoralism and machine politics rule. If there was ever going to be a break with this way of doing things it would have to come from the left, and yet despite the promise of 2015 and his own instincts, Corbyn’s leadership did not challenge it. Under siege from the media and the PLP, the leadership failed to break the mould of labourism and failed, in the little time that it had, to lift the horizons of the party members beyond the usual rhythm of loyalty to the leader, canvassing in the rain and vanquishing internal opponents. As a result, the next chapter in Labour’s history will be a turn away from the radical spirit of 2015, however delicately managed that turn may be.


labourlist--2020-04-01--WATCH: Rosena Allin-Khan describes lack of equipment for her NHS colleagues

Labour deputy leadership candidate and A & E doctor Rosena Allin-Khan has declared the lack of personal protective equipment “ simply not acceptable ” as she described the circumstances of her NHS colleagues working on the frontline .
In an ITV interview this afternoon , the contender to be the next deputy of the Labour Party told viewers that her hospital was “ very lucky ” because it had received supplies from local schools and the community .
The Tooting MP explained how while working a shift on the weekend , she saw ambulance workers coming into the A & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an entire 12-hour shift ” when “ they are supposed to be changing it between every single patient ” .
Allin-Khan said : “ It is simply not acceptable that frontline NHS and care staff do not have the PPE that they need not only to keep themselves safe , but to stop the spread of infection to those they love when they come home – and most importantly between the patients that they are trying to so desperately treat.
” Speaking on Ridge on Sunday at the weekend , the A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that : “ In the last few days in my hospital , they have started to receive the personal protective equipment.
” She also questioned the fact that senior politicians have been tested while NHS and care staff have not , and has been pushing for the government to rapidly increase the number of tests for health workers .
The south London Labour MP has been a vocal critic of the government ’ s response since the start of the outbreak , and has said that the mixed messages from Boris Johnson will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of PPE for frontline health workers has been branded a “ national scandal ” by trade union GMB as the number of ambulance staff self-isolating after displaying Covid-19 symptoms across NHS Trusts exceeded 4,100 .
The Royal College of Physicians revealed that one in four NHS doctors has been signed off from work due to illness or because they are self-isolating .
There are now a total of 29,474 cases of coronavirus in the UK , although the true figure is thought to be higher .
2,352 people have died from the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours .

Labour deputy leadership candidate and A&E doctor Rosena Allin-Khan has declared the lack of personal protective equipment “simply not acceptable” as she described the circumstances of her NHS colleagues working on the frontline.
In an ITV interview this afternoon, the contender to be the next deputy of the Labour Party told viewers that her hospital was “very lucky” because it had received supplies from local schools and the community.
The Tooting MP explained how while working a shift on the weekend, she saw ambulance workers coming into the A&E with “one set of PPE for an entire 12-hour shift” when “they are supposed to be changing it between every single patient”.
Allin-Khan said: “It is simply not acceptable that frontline NHS and care staff do not have the PPE that they need not only to keep themselves safe, but to stop the spread of infection to those they love when they come home – and most importantly between the patients that they are trying to so desperately treat.”
I spoke to @itvlondon about the effect of not having enough PPE in our health service. Paramedics are unprotected with only one set of PPE per shift. This shortage has gone on for far too long, four doctors have died. Government inaction is costing lives. pic.twitter.com/2YrSED5YOV — Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (@DrRosena) April 1, 2020
Speaking on Ridge on Sunday at the weekend, the A&E doctor and Labour MP revealed that: “In the last few days in my hospital, they have started to receive the personal protective equipment.”
She also questioned the fact that senior politicians have been tested while NHS and care staff have not, and has been pushing for the government to rapidly increase the number of tests for health workers.
The south London Labour MP has been a vocal critic of the government’s response since the start of the outbreak, and has said that the mixed messages from Boris Johnson will “cost lives”.
The lack of PPE for frontline health workers has been branded a “national scandal” by trade union GMB as the number of ambulance staff self-isolating after displaying Covid-19 symptoms across NHS Trusts exceeded 4,100.
The Royal College of Physicians revealed that one in four NHS doctors has been signed off from work due to illness or because they are self-isolating.
There are now a total of 29,474 cases of coronavirus in the UK, although the true figure is thought to be higher. 2,352 people have died from the disease with 563 new deaths in the past 24 hours.