labourlist--2020-05-07--Labour left MPs and activists defy Starmer-led party position on Kashmir

Labour left groups have spoken out to defy the party ’ s position on the Kashmiri conflict , as set out by Keir Starmer last week after he met with the executive team of Labour Friends of India .
The Socialist Campaign Group , made up of MPs on the left of the party , has released a statement today expressing “ solidarity with the people of Kashmir in their struggle against the world ’ s largest military occupation ” .
In what is understood to be a reaction to Starmer ’ s recent comments , it declares that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role of British colonial injustices and the inalienable nature of universal human rights ” .
The SCG includes shadow cabinet members Rebecca Long-Bailey , Marsha de Cordova and Andy McDonald , plus several other frontbenchers , such as shadow ministers Dan Carden and Imran Hussein .
Labour left activists have also voiced opposition to the policy , with new grassroots group Momentum Internationalists organising an open letter signed by hundreds of members that condemns the position expressed by Starmer .
Their statement explicitly argues against the position advocated by Starmer , saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments that were “ in defiance of party policy ” .
It calls on the new leader to “ respect our democracy and conference policy ” .
It is signed by a number of Labour councillors , trade unionists , officers of local Labour parties , executive members of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front and party activists from across the country .
Labour conference in 2019 passed an emergency motion criticising the actions of India in the Kashmiri conflict and supporting self-determination rights for Kashmiris .
LFIN said it contained “ anti-Indian rhetoric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then party chair Ian Lavery issued a letter that described Kashmir as a bilateral issue for India and Pakistan to resolve and said Labour was opposed to external interference .
After Starmer ’ s call with the LFIN executive last week , he said : “ We must not allow issues of the sub-continent to divide communities here .
Any constitutional issues in India are a matter for the Indian Parliament , and Kashmir is a bilateral issue for India and Pakistan to resolve peacefully.
” Below is the full text of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We reaffirm our solidarity with the people of Kashmir in their struggle against the world ’ s largest military occupation .
In accordance with the motion passed unanimously at Labour conference in 2019 , and as enshrined by multiple UN resolutions , we recognise that Kashmir is a disputed territory and demand the realisation of the Kashmiri people ’ s right to self-determination , as mandated by UN Resolution 47 .
“ We are deeply concerned by the ongoing human rights violations , including torture , rape , extrajudicial execution and illegal detention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kashmir that have been widely documented by numerous human rights organisations and that have been intensified by Narendra Modi ’ s government .
“ Furthermore , in August 2019 , the Indian government unilaterally revoked Articles 370 and 35a of the constitution that granted Indian occupied Kashmir autonomy reflective of its status as an occupied territory , and subjected the Kashmir people to a seven-month long lockdown and repressive communications blackout that was brutally enforced by Indian Security Forces .
“ We recognise the UK ’ s responsibility regarding the ongoing situation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this conflict during the partition of the Indian sub-continent that laid the groundwork for the oppression faced by the Kashmiris .
“ Our internationalism acknowledges the role of British colonial injustices and the inalienable nature of universal human rights.
” Below is the full text of the open letter organised by Momentum Internationalists .
“ Labour must campaign for its democratically-agreed 2019 conference policy of demanding “ the restoration of basic human rights and… the right to self-determination ” in Kashmir .
“ We were disturbed by Keir Starmer ’ s declaration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ any constitutional issues in India are a matter for the Indian Parliament ” and his signalling through talk about “ business links ” and “ dialogue ” that he wants a rapprochement with India ’ s far-right government .
“ He says “ Labour is an internationalist party and stands for the defence of human rights everywhere ” .
For that to be more than empty words , the party must firmly oppose human rights violations everywhere , including in Kashmir ; support democracy and the right to self-determination – including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationalist right , of which the Modi regime is a central pillar .
“ We must not capitulate to the Hindu right ’ s communalist agitation in Britain , which seeks to divide communities on religious lines while shouting that support for human rights is divisive .
We must not abandon our comrades in India fighting for democracy , workers ’ rights and the rights of minorities against the Hindu nationalist regime .
“ We call on Keir Starmer and the party leadership to respect our democracy and conference policy , and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for human rights , including in Kashmir.
” Ruth Cashman , Tooting , UNISON Branch Secretary Joshua Lovell , Stevenage , Councillor , Cambridge UCU Member Syed Tahseen Gilani , Luton North , Labour member and President of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front ( JKLF ) Margaret Owen OBE , Hammersmith and Fulham Rosie Newbigging , Bedford and Kempston , Labour PPC in Welwyn Hatfield 2019 Muhammad Mumtaz Mirza , Hodge Hill Birmingham , Assistant secretary general JKLF UK zone Stephen Whiting , Stevenage Rebecca Shatwell , Newcastle East , Newcastle City Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Former MEP Owain Gardner , North West Durham Michael Chessum , Streatham Dave Savage , Kingston & Surbiton , President , Kingston TUC Muhammad J Iqbal , Hodge hill Birmingham , Secretary General JKLF Sardar Nasim Iqbal Ed Maltby , Sheffield Central Tariq Sharif , Newham Liaqat Ali , Hodge Hill Birmingham Stephen Wood , Bermondsey and Old Southwark Sonia Sohail , Stockport , Sabir Gul , Luton North Dave Kirk , Leeds West , Political Education Officer Daniel Nichols , Romford , Political Education Officer Azmat Khan , Stockport , CLP exec @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zeinab Drabu , Manchester Withington CLP Mushtaq Malik , Slough Maha , Lambeth Mushtaq Malik , Slough Sanna Malik , Slough , GC Delegate Zaphran Mirza , Hodgehill Birmingham Ousman Noor , Holborn and St Pancras Parviz Jenab , Bedford Muhammad Dar , Birmingham Sarabjit Singh , Slough , long time Labour member and human right activist Shafat Gangoo , Great Yarmouth Syed Shah , Luton Kahkashan , Great Yarmouth Syed Shah , Luton North Sara Ashraf , East Riding of Yorkshire Taj Khan , Slough , Branch Chair Labour Party Mohammed Aziz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nabi Falahi , Camden Irshed Mahmood , Oldham East and Saddleworth Shariq Manzoor Shah , Brent Hazel Bligh , Stocksbridge and Penistone CLP Sagir Ahmed , Bradford South Soahib Ahmed Zehair Ayub , Bradford West Asad Ashraf , Hull West and Hessle Nadeem Bhat , Grantham Sabah Gillan , Bethnal Green and Bow Farooq Ahmad Dar , Barnsley Foudil Mattoo , Harrow Touseef , Norfolk Shahid Chawoo , Trafford Farzana Ashraf , Hull West and Hessle Cllr Mohammed Sharif , Slough Ashraf Ali , Hull West and Hessle Aamir Wani , Bristol East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rufaie , Berkshire Faroo Wandroo , Edgbaston Saqib Yaqub , Welwyn Hatfield Andy Forse , Milton Keynes South Hugh Stanners , Norwich South Dr Khurshid Ahmed CBE , Dudley North , Former Constituency Chair Sikander Khan , Hayes Middlesex Azhar Mahmood , Luton Huma basharat , Trafford Rafeeq Ganayi , Harrow West Sajawal Hussain , Bradford West , Cllr Tahir Aziz , Woking Azfar Dar , Abingdon Gowher Ahmad , Kulgam Carol Machell , Calder Vaĺley , CLP Secretary Javaid Ahmad Naikoo , India Mohammad Saadat Ishfaq Phalgaroo , Milton Keynes Zulfiqar Ali @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mir , Nottingham East Nadeem Haider , Nottingham Shama Husain , Tower Hamlets Nadeem Ahmed , Broxtowe Nottingham Ishaq Hussain , Nottingham East Dr Burhan Showkat , Srinagar Nazeer Ahmed Jamil Ahmed , Broxtowe Foudil Mattoo , Harrow Sajjad Hussain , Nottingham East Hafiz Tariq Mehmood , Bedford Ahsan Khan , Chatham Mohammed Abdul-Razaq , Nottingham East Basheer Latif , Nottingham South , Former Chair of Bridge branch Atif Hussain Kashif Kashmiri Dr Shaheen Shora , Watford Jamil Akhter , Nottingham East Margaret Owen , Hammersmith and Fulham Dr Tasneem Yaqoob , Maldon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Heywood & Middleton , TULO Kamaljit Kaur , Slough , Member Aftab Khan , Coventry south , Member Chris Martin , Woking , party vice chair Paul Green , Dwyfor Meirionnydd Malcolm Hunter , Leicester South Paul White , Leicestershire South Javaid Rashid , Ilford South Tessa Ratcliff , Stockport Arshad Rather , Ruislip Mohammed Suleman , Hodge Hill Richard McLoughlin , Harrow East , Fund Raising Officer Harrow East CLP Joe Booth , Chipping Barnet Sammi Ferhaoui , Enfield North Manzoor Akhoon , Srinagar M Murphy , Scunthorpe Manzoor Akhoon Malcolm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Golders Green Mohammed Shafiq , South Yardley Sean Conway , Nottingham East Barry Ackerman , Enfiled North Sara Iram Gill , Altrincham and Sale West , International Coordinator Chris Bright , Camberwell and Peckham Waseem Gill , Sale and Altrincham Clive Niall , Camberwell and Peckham , Political Education Officer , Peckham Rye Branch Asad Bokhari , Trafford David Wood , Stevenage , CLP Chair Andy Hewett , Cardiff West Gavin Edwards , Walthamstow Lauren Scotland , Tottenham George Gray , Woking CLP Cathy Nugent , Lewisham East Antony , Bradford South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khan , Woking , Mohammad Aslam , Birmingham Hodge Hill Raja M Fazil khan , Nottinghamshire East constituency , GC Delegate Cllr Yasmine Dar , Manchester Gorton James Oliver Simpson , Birmingham Yardley CLP Callum litten , Bishop Auckland Claire Bidwell , Argyll and Bute , Co Founder of Let Kashmir Decide Waseem Yaqoob , Hackney South and Shoreditch Olivia Shann , Sheffield Central Jacqueline Jones , Workington Alan Jones , Workington Sarah Jones , Milton Keynes CLP Lovejeet Chand mehay , Romford , Bame officer Alena Ivanova , Bethnal Green and Bow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stockport Saliha Ashraf , Leeds Amina Mahmood Mutluluk Williams , Vale of Glamorgan Bruce Robinson , Stockport CLP Ahtisham Mir Elizabeth Nussbaum , East Putney Paula Darwish , Manchester Gorton Daniel Brown , Workington CLP Davide Denti Nick Munby , Berlin Patricia , Bishop Auckland Sufyaan Irfan , Birmingham Hodge Hill , Youth Officer in Cambridge Unite and Cambridge Momentum Syed Iftikhar Mahmood , Slough Andrea Gilbert , Putney , Women ’ s Officer Lester Holloway , Watford Gary Hollands , Southampton Test Javid Iqbal , Sydenham/Penge Roxana Fraser , Winchester Peter Flanagan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keynes South Muhammad Saeed , Woking Surrey Abbie Clark , Stevenage , CLP Secretary Ed Whitby , Newcastle Upon Tyne East , Exec / Unison delegate Khalid Ikram , Manchester Withington Cate Woodward , Nottingham South , Deputy Whip James Taylor , Portsmouth North James Page , Wollaton West Dr Assad Jalil , Stockport Aqeel , Bolton North East Jane Parfitt , Nottingham South , Branch Chair Julie Franklin , Blackley and Broughton CLP Janine Booth , Hackney South and Shoreditch , TULO Gillian Connell , Winchester , Chair , Winchester CLP Gianamar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moira White , Nottingham South , Vice Chair Wollaton West Branch Josepha Scotney , Enfield Southgate Zaimal Azad , Nottingham South Matthew Wood , Congleton Jonathan Marsland , Wythenshawe and Sale East Edward Williamson , Chipping Barnet Choudhry Tanveer , human rights activist Tim Rouse , Walthamstow Sacha Marten , Tonbridge and Malling , Membership and LGBT Officer Julian Wilson , Tonbridge and Malling , CLP Chair Kevin Tolhurst , Tonbridge & Malling Mohsin Drabu , Hampstead and Kilburn Robert S M Kirkwood , Nottingham South Mark Still , Highbury West , RMT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hulme , Slough , Councillor John Gardner , Stevenage JayKhan , Luton Callum Biscoe , Tonbridge and Malling Roger Coates , Overseas Lisa , Tonbridge and Malling Gerry Stonestreet , International labour Jason Gold , Branch chair LI CEE , Labour International Gertrude Weetman , Warrington South Mandy Parry , Bristol East Catherine Gilsenan , Sedgefield Waqaas Hussain , Rotherham Amanda Ford , Romsey and Southampton North Julie Hope , New Forest East , Secretary Asrar Razaq , Newcastle central Glyn Oliver , Southampton , Secretary Unite Community Southampton Area Alison J. Ayers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East Dan Davison , Cambridge Peter Johnson , Brighton Pavilion Stan Crooke , Glasgow Shettleston CLP Nasima Sarang , Harborough , Social worker AMHP , steward international officer Alison Campbell , Edinburgh East Zenab Khan , Dewsbury , West Yorkshire Daphne Dorricott , Winchester Zaynab Ahmed , Leeds East Rameen Haq , Leeds North East Jean Brant , Birmingham Selly Oak Farzana Ashraf , Hull West and Hessle Arfan , Nottingham Shanaz Saddique , Burnley and Pendle Heather Morton , Grimsby Albert Collymore , Westminster North Cameron Baldwin , Derbyshire Dales F Hussain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheikh , Dewsbury west Jo Lane , Harborough Paul Renny , Holborn and St Pancras , GC delegate Sally Churchward , Southampton Test Camilla Parnell , Ipswich Zulaika Beckford , Bexhill and Battle Sebastian Odell , Sheffield Hallam Ali Chaudhry , Burton , Councillor Simon Wolfers , Dwyfor Martin McEvoy , Itchen Carol McAuley Osama Al-Hassani , Reading West Ana Oppenheim , Hackney North and Stoke Newington Juliette Clarke , Brighton Kemptown William Walker , Burton CLP , CLP Political Officer and Secretary East Staffs TUC Sean Thompson , Cardiff West Linda Middleditch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nottingham North Jason Dickinson , Llanelli peter Leyden , Dwyfor Meirionndd Alice de Bourg , Glasgow south Dr Sumaiyah Shah , Bristol West Anam Zafar , Leeds West Fenella Watts , South East Cornwall Alex Clark , Bedford Ed Whitby , Newcastle upon Tyne East , Unison Delegate and Exec Sam Stone , Leeds Central CLP Colin O Driscoll , Labour International , Vice-Chair Charlotte Peters Rock , Tatton , Current Vice Chairman Pamela Burns , Gateshead Mej , Bradford Rabia Bi Saif Ur Rehman , Newport East Abdul Rasheed , Newport West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Croydon Central Dora Polenta , Rushcliffe , LGBTQIA+ CLP officer Judy Atkinson , Brentford & Isleworth , Chair of Chiswick branch Rodney Nicholls , Bradford East , Political Education Officer Chandra Ghosh , Riverside Norman Hindson , Riverside Syma khan , Bradford Gareth Wall , Stevenage Lubna Haroon , Academics Lorcan Whitehead , Colchester , Councillor Daniel Rawnsley , Sheffield Central Bradley Allsop , Ipswich CLP Tony Byrne , Newark , Secretary Roshan Lal , Sheffield Heeley Steve Chapman , Sheffield Heeley Linda Cleary , Barking and Dagenham Justin Pearce , Cambridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain South Asia Solidarity Forum Azahar Iqbal , Altrincham and Sale West Ghulam Nabi , Batley and Spen Jo Hiley , Sheffield Central Keith Reader , Islington North , Martin Thomas , Islington South and Finsbury Abel Harvie-Clark , Newcastle East Howard Ricketts , Stevenage Burhan Showkat , Srinagar Polly Harlow , Lewes Maisie Sanders , Lewisham Deptford Paul McGowan , Liverpool Walton , LGBT+ Officer and Chair of Labour Party LGBT+ Network

Labour left groups have spoken out to defy the party’s position on the Kashmiri conflict, as set out by Keir Starmer last week after he met with the executive team of Labour Friends of India.
The Socialist Campaign Group, made up of MPs on the left of the party, has released a statement today expressing “solidarity with the people of Kashmir in their struggle against the world’s largest military occupation”.
In what is understood to be a reaction to Starmer’s recent comments, it declares that the group’s “internationalism acknowledges the role of British colonial injustices and the inalienable nature of universal human rights”.
The SCG includes shadow cabinet members Rebecca Long-Bailey, Marsha de Cordova and Andy McDonald, plus several other frontbenchers, such as shadow ministers Dan Carden and Imran Hussein.
Labour left activists have also voiced opposition to the policy, with new grassroots group Momentum Internationalists organising an open letter signed by hundreds of members that condemns the position expressed by Starmer.
Their statement explicitly argues against the position advocated by Starmer, saying that they were “disturbed” by the comments that were “in defiance of party policy”. It calls on the new leader to “respect our democracy and conference policy”.
It is signed by a number of Labour councillors, trade unionists, officers of local Labour parties, executive members of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front and party activists from across the country.
Labour conference in 2019 passed an emergency motion criticising the actions of India in the Kashmiri conflict and supporting self-determination rights for Kashmiris. LFIN said it contained “anti-Indian rhetoric”.
After the motion caused controversy, then party chair Ian Lavery issued a letter that described Kashmir as a bilateral issue for India and Pakistan to resolve and said Labour was opposed to external interference.
After Starmer’s call with the LFIN executive last week, he said: “We must not allow issues of the sub-continent to divide communities here. Any constitutional issues in India are a matter for the Indian Parliament, and Kashmir is a bilateral issue for India and Pakistan to resolve peacefully.”
Below is the full text of the SCG statement on Kashmir.
“We reaffirm our solidarity with the people of Kashmir in their struggle against the world’s largest military occupation.
In accordance with the motion passed unanimously at Labour conference in 2019, and as enshrined by multiple UN resolutions, we recognise that Kashmir is a disputed territory and demand the realisation of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, as mandated by UN Resolution 47.
“We are deeply concerned by the ongoing human rights violations, including torture, rape, extrajudicial execution and illegal detention, that continue to take place in Kashmir that have been widely documented by numerous human rights organisations and that have been intensified by Narendra Modi’s government.
“Furthermore, in August 2019, the Indian government unilaterally revoked Articles 370 and 35a of the constitution that granted Indian occupied Kashmir autonomy reflective of its status as an occupied territory, and subjected the Kashmir people to a seven-month long lockdown and repressive communications blackout that was brutally enforced by Indian Security Forces.
“We recognise the UK’s responsibility regarding the ongoing situation in Kashmir due to the historic role played in this conflict during the partition of the Indian sub-continent that laid the groundwork for the oppression faced by the Kashmiris.
“Our internationalism acknowledges the role of British colonial injustices and the inalienable nature of universal human rights.”
Below is the full text of the open letter organised by Momentum Internationalists.
“Labour must campaign for its democratically-agreed 2019 conference policy of demanding “the restoration of basic human rights and… the right to self-determination” in Kashmir.
“We were disturbed by Keir Starmer’s declaration, in defiance of party policy, that “any constitutional issues in India are a matter for the Indian Parliament” and his signalling through talk about “business links” and “dialogue” that he wants a rapprochement with India’s far-right government.
“He says “Labour is an internationalist party and stands for the defence of human rights everywhere”. For that to be more than empty words, the party must firmly oppose human rights violations everywhere, including in Kashmir; support democracy and the right to self-determination – including in Kashmir; and fight the global nationalist right, of which the Modi regime is a central pillar.
“We must not capitulate to the Hindu right’s communalist agitation in Britain, which seeks to divide communities on religious lines while shouting that support for human rights is divisive. We must not abandon our comrades in India fighting for democracy, workers’ rights and the rights of minorities against the Hindu nationalist regime.
“We call on Keir Starmer and the party leadership to respect our democracy and conference policy, and to show it is serious about the fight for human rights, including in Kashmir.”
Signatories:
Ruth Cashman, Tooting, UNISON Branch Secretary
Joshua Lovell, Stevenage, Councillor, Cambridge UCU Member
Syed Tahseen Gilani, Luton North, Labour member and President of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF)
Margaret Owen OBE, Hammersmith and Fulham
Rosie Newbigging, Bedford and Kempston, Labour PPC in Welwyn Hatfield 2019
Muhammad Mumtaz Mirza, Hodge Hill Birmingham, Assistant secretary general JKLF UK zone
Stephen Whiting, Stevenage
Rebecca Shatwell, Newcastle East, Newcastle City Labour councillor
Julie Ward, North Durham, Former MEP
Owain Gardner, North West Durham
Michael Chessum, Streatham
Dave Savage, Kingston & Surbiton, President, Kingston TUC
Muhammad J Iqbal, Hodge hill Birmingham, Secretary General JKLF
Sardar Nasim Iqbal
Ed Maltby, Sheffield Central
Tariq Sharif, Newham
Liaqat Ali, Hodge Hill Birmingham
Stephen Wood, Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Sonia Sohail, Stockport,
Sabir Gul, Luton North
Dave Kirk, Leeds West, Political Education Officer
Daniel Nichols, Romford, Political Education Officer
Azmat Khan, Stockport, CLP exec member
Umar Yousaf, Newcastle upon Tyne
Zeinab Drabu, Manchester Withington CLP
Mushtaq Malik, Slough
Maha, Lambeth
Mushtaq Malik, Slough
Sanna Malik, Slough, GC Delegate
Zaphran Mirza, Hodgehill Birmingham
Ousman Noor, Holborn and St Pancras
Parviz Jenab, Bedford
Muhammad Dar, Birmingham
Sarabjit Singh, Slough, long time Labour member and human right activist
Shafat Gangoo, Great Yarmouth
Syed Shah, Luton
Kahkashan, Great Yarmouth
Syed Shah, Luton North
Sara Ashraf, East Riding of Yorkshire
Taj Khan, Slough, Branch Chair Labour Party
Mohammed Aziz
Yasir Imran, Barking & Dagenham
Ghulam Nabi Falahi, Camden
Irshed Mahmood, Oldham East and Saddleworth
Shariq Manzoor Shah, Brent
Hazel Bligh, Stocksbridge and Penistone CLP
Sagir Ahmed, Bradford South
Soahib Ahmed
Zehair Ayub, Bradford West
Asad Ashraf, Hull West and Hessle
Nadeem Bhat, Grantham
Sabah Gillan, Bethnal Green and Bow
Farooq Ahmad Dar, Barnsley
Foudil Mattoo, Harrow
Touseef, Norfolk
Shahid Chawoo, Trafford
Farzana Ashraf, Hull West and Hessle
Cllr Mohammed Sharif, Slough
Ashraf Ali, Hull West and Hessle
Aamir Wani, Bristol East
Toqeer Gilani
Iqbal Jan, Reigate
Syed Rufaie, Berkshire
Faroo Wandroo, Edgbaston
Saqib Yaqub, Welwyn Hatfield
Andy Forse, Milton Keynes South
Hugh Stanners, Norwich South
Dr Khurshid Ahmed CBE, Dudley North, Former Constituency Chair
Sikander Khan, Hayes Middlesex
Azhar Mahmood, Luton
Huma basharat, Trafford
R. Ganayi, Harrow West
Sajawal Hussain, Bradford West,
Cllr Tahir Aziz, Woking
Azfar Dar, Abingdon
Gowher Ahmad, Kulgam
Carol Machell, Calder Vaĺley, CLP Secretary
Javaid Ahmad Naikoo, India
Mohammad Saadat Ishfaq Phalgaroo, Milton Keynes
Zulfiqar Ali, Erdington
Abdul Jalil, Rushcliffe
Farooq Mir, Nottingham East
Nadeem Haider, Nottingham
Shama Husain, Tower Hamlets
Nadeem Ahmed, Broxtowe Nottingham
Ishaq Hussain, Nottingham East
Dr Burhan Showkat, Srinagar
Nazeer Ahmed
Jamil Ahmed, Broxtowe
Foudil Mattoo, Harrow
Sajjad Hussain, Nottingham East
Hafiz Tariq Mehmood, Bedford
Ahsan Khan, Chatham
Mohammed Abdul-Razaq, Nottingham East
Basheer Latif, Nottingham South, Former Chair of Bridge branch
Atif Hussain
Kashif Kashmiri
Dr Shaheen Shora, Watford
Jamil Akhter, Nottingham East
Margaret Owen, Hammersmith and Fulham
Dr Tasneem Yaqoob, Maldon
Mehtab Ahmed, Ilford North
Derek Fraser, Heywood & Middleton, TULO
Kamaljit Kaur, Slough, Member
Aftab Khan, Coventry south, Member
Chris Martin, Woking, party vice chair
Paul Green, Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Malcolm Hunter, Leicester South
Paul White, Leicestershire South
Javaid Rashid, Ilford South
Tessa Ratcliff, Stockport
Arshad Rather, Ruislip
Mohammed Suleman, Hodge Hill
Richard McLoughlin, Harrow East, Fund Raising Officer Harrow East CLP
Joe Booth, Chipping Barnet
Sammi Ferhaoui, Enfield North
Manzoor Akhoon, Srinagar
M Murphy, Scunthorpe
Manzoor Akhoon
Malcolm Tedd, Harborough
Sylvia Cohen, Finchley and Golders Green
Mohammed Shafiq, South Yardley
Sean Conway, Nottingham East
Barry Ackerman, Enfiled North
Sara Iram Gill, Altrincham and Sale West, International Coordinator
Chris Bright, Camberwell and Peckham
Waseem Gill, Sale and Altrincham
Clive Niall, Camberwell and Peckham, Political Education Officer, Peckham Rye Branch
Asad Bokhari, Trafford
David Wood, Stevenage, CLP Chair
Andy Hewett, Cardiff West
Gavin Edwards, Walthamstow
Lauren Scotland, Tottenham
George Gray, Woking CLP
Cathy Nugent, Lewisham East
Antony, Bradford South
Zafar Hussain, Nottingham
Attia Aslam
Riasat Khan, Woking,
Mohammad Aslam, Birmingham Hodge Hill
Raja M Fazil khan, Nottinghamshire East constituency, GC Delegate
Cllr Yasmine Dar, Manchester Gorton
James Oliver Simpson, Birmingham Yardley CLP
Callum litten, Bishop Auckland
Claire Bidwell, Argyll and Bute, Co Founder of Let Kashmir Decide
Waseem Yaqoob, Hackney South and Shoreditch
Olivia Shann, Sheffield Central
Jacqueline Jones, Workington
Alan Jones, Workington
Sarah Jones, Milton Keynes CLP
Lovejeet Chand mehay, Romford, Bame officer
Alena Ivanova, Bethnal Green and Bow
Nisar Ahmed, Derbyshire
Tina El-Wadi, Stockport
Saliha Ashraf, Leeds
Amina Mahmood
Mutluluk Williams, Vale of Glamorgan
Bruce Robinson, Stockport CLP
Ahtisham Mir
Elizabeth Nussbaum, East Putney
Paula Darwish, Manchester Gorton
Daniel Brown, Workington CLP
Davide Denti
Nick Munby, Berlin
Patricia, Bishop Auckland
Sufyaan Irfan, Birmingham Hodge Hill, Youth Officer in Cambridge Unite and Cambridge Momentum
Syed Iftikhar Mahmood, Slough
Andrea Gilbert, Putney, Women’s Officer
Lester Holloway, Watford
Gary Hollands, Southampton Test
Javid Iqbal, Sydenham/Penge
Roxana Fraser, Winchester
Peter Flanagan, Itchen Southampton
Androulla Zucker, Milton Keynes South
Muhammad Saeed, Woking Surrey
Abbie Clark, Stevenage, CLP Secretary
Ed Whitby, Newcastle Upon Tyne East, Exec / Unison delegate
Khalid Ikram, Manchester Withington
Cate Woodward, Nottingham South, Deputy Whip
James Taylor, Portsmouth North
James Page, Wollaton West
Dr Assad Jalil, Stockport
Aqeel, Bolton North East
Jane Parfitt, Nottingham South, Branch Chair
Julie Franklin, Blackley and Broughton CLP
Janine Booth, Hackney South and Shoreditch, TULO
Gillian Connell, Winchester, Chair, Winchester CLP
Gianamar Giovannetti-Singh, Cambridge
Toel Koyithara, Wigan
Moira White, Nottingham South, Vice Chair Wollaton West Branch
Josepha Scotney, Enfield Southgate
Zaimal Azad, Nottingham South
Matthew Wood, Congleton
Jonathan Marsland, Wythenshawe and Sale East
Edward Williamson, Chipping Barnet
Choudhry Tanveer, human rights activist
Tim Rouse, Walthamstow
Sacha Marten, Tonbridge and Malling, Membership and LGBT Officer
Julian Wilson, Tonbridge and Malling, CLP Chair
Kevin Tolhurst, Tonbridge & Malling
Mohsin Drabu, Hampstead and Kilburn
Robert S M Kirkwood, Nottingham South
Mark Still, Highbury West, RMT Waterloo
Mark Osborn, Lewisham East
Christine Hulme, Slough, Councillor
John Gardner, Stevenage
JayKhan, Luton
Callum Biscoe, Tonbridge and Malling
Roger Coates, Overseas
Lisa, Tonbridge and Malling
Gerry Stonestreet, International labour
Jason Gold, Branch chair LI CEE, Labour International
Gertrude Weetman, Warrington South
Mandy Parry, Bristol East
Catherine Gilsenan, Sedgefield
Waqaas Hussain, Rotherham
Amanda Ford, Romsey and Southampton North
Julie Hope, New Forest East, Secretary
Asrar Razaq, Newcastle central
Glyn Oliver, Southampton, Secretary Unite Community Southampton Area
Alison J. Ayers, Winchester
Helen Field, New Forest East
Dan Davison, Cambridge
Peter Johnson, Brighton Pavilion
Stan Crooke, Glasgow Shettleston CLP
Nasima Sarang, Harborough, Social worker AMHP, steward international officer
Alison Campbell, Edinburgh East
Zenab Khan, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
Daphne Dorricott, Winchester
Zaynab Ahmed, Leeds East
Rameen Haq, Leeds North East
Jean Brant, Birmingham Selly Oak
Farzana Ashraf, Hull West and Hessle
Arfan, Nottingham
Shanaz Saddique, Burnley and Pendle
Heather Morton, Grimsby
Albert Collymore, Westminster North
Cameron Baldwin, Derbyshire Dales
F Hussain, Streatham
Juls Price, Winchester
Hafsah Sheikh, Dewsbury west
Jo Lane, Harborough
Paul Renny, Holborn and St Pancras, GC delegate
Sally Churchward, Southampton Test
Camilla Parnell, Ipswich
Zulaika Beckford, Bexhill and Battle
Sebastian Odell, Sheffield Hallam
Ali Chaudhry, Burton, Councillor
Simon Wolfers, Dwyfor
Martin McEvoy, Itchen
Carol McAuley
Osama Al-Hassani, Reading West
Ana Oppenheim, Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Juliette Clarke, Brighton Kemptown
William Walker, Burton CLP, CLP Political Officer and Secretary East Staffs TUC
Sean Thompson, Cardiff West
Linda Middleditch, St Helens North
Tahir Mahmood, Nottingham North
Jason Dickinson, Llanelli
peter Leyden, Dwyfor Meirionndd
Alice de Bourg, Glasgow south
Dr Sumaiyah Shah, Bristol West
Anam Zafar, Leeds West
Fenella Watts, South East Cornwall
Alex Clark, Bedford
Ed Whitby, Newcastle upon Tyne East, Unison Delegate and Exec
Sam Stone, Leeds Central CLP
Colin O Driscoll, Labour International, Vice-Chair
Charlotte Peters Rock, Tatton, Current Vice Chairman
Pamela Burns, Gateshead
Mej, Bradford
Rabia Bi
Saif Ur Rehman, Newport East
Abdul Rasheed, Newport West
Noreen Shah, Bradford Moor
Darren Gomes, Croydon Central
Dora Polenta, Rushcliffe, LGBTQIA+ CLP officer
Judy Atkinson, Brentford & Isleworth, Chair of Chiswick branch
Rodney Nicholls, Bradford East, Political Education Officer
Chandra Ghosh, Riverside
Norman Hindson, Riverside
Syma khan, Bradford
Gareth Wall, Stevenage
Lubna Haroon, Academics
Lorcan Whitehead, Colchester, Councillor
Daniel Rawnsley, Sheffield Central
Bradley Allsop, Ipswich CLP
Tony Byrne, Newark, Secretary
Roshan Lal, Sheffield Heeley
Steve Chapman, Sheffield Heeley
Linda Cleary, Barking and Dagenham
Justin Pearce, Cambridge
Kumar Sarkar, Harrow West, Co-ordinator Britain South Asia Solidarity Forum
Azahar Iqbal, Altrincham and Sale West
Ghulam Nabi, Batley and Spen
Jo Hiley, Sheffield Central
Keith Reader, Islington North,
Martin Thomas, Islington South and Finsbury
Abel Harvie-Clark, Newcastle East
Howard Ricketts, Stevenage
Burhan Showkat, Srinagar
Polly Harlow, Lewes
Maisie Sanders, Lewisham Deptford
Paul McGowan, Liverpool Walton, LGBT+ Officer and Chair of Labour Party LGBT+ Network


labourlist--2020-05-07--The EHRC should investigate the government over coronavirus inequalities

While the coronavirus does not discriminate in its infection of people , the impact of the virus and the wider crisis does .
A stark picture began to emerge in early March when newspapers and news channels started to show images of doctors , medical staff , and patients who had lost their lives to the virus .
Daily news broadcasts about the coronavirus pandemic have made it impossible to escape the reality that the virus is having a disproportionate impact on ethnic minority communities .
Evidence from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre found that over 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with coronavirus in UK hospitals were non-white ─ nearly triple the 13 % proportion in the country ’ s population as a whole .
Recent figures published by the ONS reveal that my own borough of Hackney , where I am the lead councillor for equality , 70 % of all coronavirus related deaths registered were people born outside the UK .
And last week , the Office for National Statistics figures revealed that Hackney has the third highest coronavirus mortality rate in England and Wales per capita , behind Newham and Brent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance .
This pandemic is highlighting the structural inequalities in our country made worse by this Tory government .
40 % of Hackney ’ s population are black , Asian or other minority ethnicities .
We are also the third most densely populated and the 22nd most deprived local authority district in England .
The latest census found that minority ethnic households were nearly five times more likely to be overcrowded than White British households .
Before the lockdown , over 70 % of those on our housing waiting list where ethnicity was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff are also on the frontlines of tackling the greatest public health crisis in a generation .
In London , 43.9 % of all NHS trust staff are from BAME backgrounds , as are 67 % of the adult social care workforce .
In Hackney , 50 % of council staff are from diverse backgrounds , but there is an overrepresentation in the bottom quartile .
So if you are an ethnic minority in the UK , you are more exposed to this pandemic , while also being more likely to be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The consequences have been devastating , and behind these statistics are people we ’ ve known .
We have lost notable figures including community leaders , NHS staff , bus drivers , and people who have worked for the council .
Locally , Hackney Council is addressing this through our Single Equality Scheme , pledging to tackle underlying and systemic issues that drive these inequalities .
Alongside this are other programmes such as our Young Black Men project – a 10-year project to tackle underlying structural inequalities .
But we need national governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this crisis , I would only expect the government to announce a review into the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on ethnic minorities .
On April 16th , the government did agree to hold such a review , and it has since clarified that it will be carried out by Public Health England .
Every single person who has lost loved ones to this virus deserves a review that is rigorous and asks difficult and probing questions .
Considering the picture that has emerged from Whitehall , of a Prime Minister who : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buildup to the coronavirus crisis ; initially advocated herd immunity ; failed to adequately supply PPE to NHS staff ; and abandoned tracing and made mistakes with testing , I have no confidence that the government will adequately review their own actions .
Nor do I have the confidence that the review will adequately scrutinise these issues in the way that they deserve .
After 10 years of austerity , and after a “ lost decade ” of health improvements , we can not allow the Tories to mark their own homework .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have written to the Equality and Human Rights Commission , calling on them to investigate the government ’ s coronavirus response and the impact of their actions on individuals with protected characteristics , as defined by the Equality Act 2010 .
Coronavirus does not discriminate in its infection of people , but the impact of the crisis and government responses do .
Hackney ’ s diverse residents and staff need answers as to whether the government ’ s actions have helped , and not hindered , the protection of their communities .
Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for equality .

While the coronavirus does not discriminate in its infection of people, the impact of the virus and the wider crisis does. A stark picture began to emerge in early March when newspapers and news channels started to show images of doctors, medical staff, and patients who had lost their lives to the virus. Daily news broadcasts about the coronavirus pandemic have made it impossible to escape the reality that the virus is having a disproportionate impact on ethnic minority communities.
Evidence from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre found that over 30% of almost 7,000 patients critically ill with coronavirus in UK hospitals were non-white ─ nearly triple the 13% proportion in the country’s population as a whole. Recent figures published by the ONS reveal that my own borough of Hackney, where I am the lead councillor for equality, 70% of all coronavirus related deaths registered were people born outside the UK. And last week, the Office for National Statistics figures revealed that Hackney has the third highest coronavirus mortality rate in England and Wales per capita, behind Newham and Brent.
None of this is happening by chance. This pandemic is highlighting the structural inequalities in our country made worse by this Tory government. 40% of Hackney’s population are black, Asian or other minority ethnicities. We are also the third most densely populated and the 22nd most deprived local authority district in England. The latest census found that minority ethnic households were nearly five times more likely to be overcrowded than White British households. Before the lockdown, over 70% of those on our housing waiting list where ethnicity was known were non-white.
But ethnic minority staff are also on the frontlines of tackling the greatest public health crisis in a generation. In London, 43.9% of all NHS trust staff are from BAME backgrounds, as are 67% of the adult social care workforce. In Hackney, 50% of council staff are from diverse backgrounds, but there is an overrepresentation in the bottom quartile. So if you are an ethnic minority in the UK, you are more exposed to this pandemic, while also being more likely to be on the frontlines in fighting the virus.
The consequences have been devastating, and behind these statistics are people we’ve known. We have lost notable figures including community leaders, NHS staff, bus drivers, and people who have worked for the council. Locally, Hackney Council is addressing this through our Single Equality Scheme, pledging to tackle underlying and systemic issues that drive these inequalities. Alongside this are other programmes such as our Young Black Men project – a 10-year project to tackle underlying structural inequalities.
But we need national governments to show the same leadership. Given this crisis, I would only expect the government to announce a review into the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on ethnic minorities. On April 16th, the government did agree to hold such a review, and it has since clarified that it will be carried out by Public Health England. Every single person who has lost loved ones to this virus deserves a review that is rigorous and asks difficult and probing questions.
Considering the picture that has emerged from Whitehall, of a Prime Minister who: missed five consecutive emergency meetings in the buildup to the coronavirus crisis; initially advocated herd immunity; failed to adequately supply PPE to NHS staff; and abandoned tracing and made mistakes with testing, I have no confidence that the government will adequately review their own actions. Nor do I have the confidence that the review will adequately scrutinise these issues in the way that they deserve.
After 10 years of austerity, and after a “lost decade” of health improvements, we cannot allow the Tories to mark their own homework. It is for this reason that I have written to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, calling on them to investigate the government’s coronavirus response and the impact of their actions on individuals with protected characteristics, as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Coronavirus does not discriminate in its infection of people, but the impact of the crisis and government responses do. Hackney’s diverse residents and staff need answers as to whether the government’s actions have helped, and not hindered, the protection of their communities. Once we have answers, Labour can fight for equality.


labourlist--2020-05-07--Labour demands Covid-19 health inequalities strategy

Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary Jonathan Ashworth has called on the government to implement a health inequalities strategy to “ protect deprived and BAME communities ” in the coronavirus pandemic .
The intervention by Labour ’ s health spokesperson followed a report issued by the Office for National Statistics today , which showed that some ethnic minority groups are at “ significantly higher ” risk of dying from Covid-19 .
He also made reference to data published last week , which revealed that more deprived areas have experienced higher Covid-19 mortality rates – in some cases , double that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put forward a three-point plan : • In addition to regular testing of healthcare workers and care home residents , community testing and contact tracing should be rolled out in the most deprived areas and in areas with a higher proportion of BAME residents as a priority .
• As the NHS resumes ‘ normal ’ activity , resources should be allocated to ensure inequalities in non-Covid health outcomes do not worsen as a consequence of the pressures on an already stretched health service .
• Set up a Covid-19 health inequalities commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing health inequalities , with a view to reporting on trends in healthy living years and life expectancy as a result of the virus .
Ashworth said : “ Coronavirus thrives on inequality .
And inequality in health is the worst inequality of all leading to people dying sooner because of poverty .
While this virus is a deadly risk for everyone , we can ’ t ignore its disproportionate impact in poorer and BAME communities .
“ Testing , tracing and isolation is crucial infrastructure that ’ s needed to take on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracing must draw upon the expertise in local public health and primary care services to full tackle the deep rooted equalities Covid-19 exploits .
“ Today ministers must act .
As well as increasing testing further to all health care workers , community testing and tracing should be rolled out in areas of deprivation , where the health impact is greatest , as a priority .
But we also need a plan to tackle the growing burden of unmet clinical need as a consequence of the extra pressures Covid-19 has placed upon the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , heart attacks , strokes and respiratory conditions all already have higher death rates in poorer areas .
Deprived communities also suffer from higher rates of mental health problems and deaths from suicide .
He added : “ It is crucial ministers outline a plan for how resources will be allocated according to need to mitigate these worsening non-Covid health outcomes amongst poorer communities .
“ After ten years of austerity life expectancy has stalled and even gone backwards for the poorest 20 % of women .
Without bold and urgent action , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a ticking time bomb – ministers must act now.
” The ONS data published this morning shows that black men are 4.2 times more likely to die from the virus than their white counterparts , while black women are 4.3 times more likely to die than white women .
With health factors and deprivation taken into account , black people are still 1.9 times more likely to die than those in the white ethnic group .
Those of Indian , Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnicity are also at increased risk .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a review into the disproportionate impact of the virus on BAME communities last month .
Labour launched its own inquiry shortly afterwards .
The ONS has also released an overall figure for the number of coronavirus deaths in England and Wales up to May 2nd that , when combined with the official Covid-19 deaths data from Scotland and Northern Ireland , gave a UK total of 32,313 .
This differs to the daily number published by Public Health England , which today reported 30,076 deaths .
The total who have tested positive in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with low levels of testing the figure is thought to be much higher .

Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary Jonathan Ashworth has called on the government to implement a health inequalities strategy to “protect deprived and BAME communities” in the coronavirus pandemic.
The intervention by Labour’s health spokesperson followed a report issued by the Office for National Statistics today, which showed that some ethnic minority groups are at “significantly higher” risk of dying from Covid-19.
He also made reference to data published last week, which revealed that more deprived areas have experienced higher Covid-19 mortality rates – in some cases, double that of less deprived places. He has put forward a three-point plan:
In addition to regular testing of healthcare workers and care home residents, community testing and contact tracing should be rolled out in the most deprived areas and in areas with a higher proportion of BAME residents as a priority. As the NHS resumes ‘normal’ activity, resources should be allocated to ensure inequalities in non-Covid health outcomes do not worsen as a consequence of the pressures on an already stretched health service. Set up a Covid-19 health inequalities commission to ensure that lockdown does not worsen existing health inequalities, with a view to reporting on trends in healthy living years and life expectancy as a result of the virus.
Ashworth said: “Coronavirus thrives on inequality. And inequality in health is the worst inequality of all leading to people dying sooner because of poverty. While this virus is a deadly risk for everyone, we can’t ignore its disproportionate impact in poorer and BAME communities.
“Testing, tracing and isolation is crucial infrastructure that’s needed to take on Covid-19. But testing is falling and tracing must draw upon the expertise in local public health and primary care services to full tackle the deep rooted equalities Covid-19 exploits.
“Today ministers must act. As well as increasing testing further to all health care workers, community testing and tracing should be rolled out in areas of deprivation, where the health impact is greatest, as a priority. But we also need a plan to tackle the growing burden of unmet clinical need as a consequence of the extra pressures Covid-19 has placed upon the health system.”
Ashworth highlighted that cancer, heart attacks, strokes and respiratory conditions all already have higher death rates in poorer areas. Deprived communities also suffer from higher rates of mental health problems and deaths from suicide.
He added: “It is crucial ministers outline a plan for how resources will be allocated according to need to mitigate these worsening non-Covid health outcomes amongst poorer communities.
“After ten years of austerity life expectancy has stalled and even gone backwards for the poorest 20% of women. Without bold and urgent action, Covid-19 will widen health inequalities. It’s a ticking time bomb – ministers must act now.”
The ONS data published this morning shows that black men are 4.2 times more likely to die from the virus than their white counterparts, while black women are 4.3 times more likely to die than white women.
With health factors and deprivation taken into account, black people are still 1.9 times more likely to die than those in the white ethnic group. Those of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnicity are also at increased risk.
The government announced that it would be conducting a review into the disproportionate impact of the virus on BAME communities last month. Labour launched its own inquiry shortly afterwards.
The ONS has also released an overall figure for the number of coronavirus deaths in England and Wales up to May 2nd that, when combined with the official Covid-19 deaths data from Scotland and Northern Ireland, gave a UK total of 32,313.
This differs to the daily number published by Public Health England, which today reported 30,076 deaths. The total who have tested positive in the country is now 201,101 – but with low levels of testing the figure is thought to be much higher.


labourlist--2020-05-07--New data shows “shocking” impact of Covid on BAME communities, says Labour

Marsha de Cordova has said that the new figures released by the Office for National Statistics “ reveal the shocking scale of the impact of Covid-19 on BAME communities ” .
Responding to data released by the body today , the Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary declared that the disparities in the impact of the virus on different groups “ can no longer be ignored ” .
In its findings , the UK statistical authority said that the risk of death from coronavirus is “ significantly higher ” among some ethnic groups than for those of white ethnicity .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this can be explained by deprivation and other factors , there is a remaining part of the difference in risk that has not yet been explained .
Commenting on the statistical release , Cordova said : “ These figures once again reveal the shocking scale of the impact of Covid-19 on BAME communities , and in particular on black African and Caribbean men and women .
The data published this morning shows that black men are 4.2 times more likely to die from the virus than their white counterparts , while black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die than white women .
With health factors and deprivation taken into account , black people are still 1.9 times more likely to die than those in the white ethnic group .
Those of Indian , Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnicity are also at increased risk .
Cordova added : “ This crisis has exposed and amplified economic , social and health injustices in our society .
These underlying inequalities can no longer be ignored .
The government must do all it can to protect all those who are affected by this virus.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the impact of the virus on BAME communities announced by the government last month .
Labour launched its own inquiry shortly afterwards .
The report released by the ONS today compared deaths where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate by age , sex and ethnic group using census and mortality records registered up to April 2020 .
The body has also released an overall figure for the number of coronavirus deaths in England and Wales up to May 2nd that , when combined with the official Covid-19 deaths data from Scotland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of 32,313 .
This differs to the daily number published by Public Health England , which today reported 30,076 deaths .
The total who have tested positive in the country is now 201,101 – but with low levels of testing the figure is thought to be much higher .

Marsha de Cordova has said that the new figures released by the Office for National Statistics “reveal the shocking scale of the impact of Covid-19 on BAME communities”.
Responding to data released by the body today, the Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary declared that the disparities in the impact of the virus on different groups “can no longer be ignored”.
In its findings, the UK statistical authority said that the risk of death from coronavirus is “significantly higher” among some ethnic groups than for those of white ethnicity.
And while the organisation has said that some of this can be explained by deprivation and other factors, there is a remaining part of the difference in risk that has not yet been explained.
Commenting on the statistical release, Cordova said: “These figures once again reveal the shocking scale of the impact of Covid-19 on BAME communities, and in particular on black African and Caribbean men and women.
The data published this morning shows that black men are 4.2 times more likely to die from the virus than their white counterparts, while black women are 4.3 times more likely to die than white women.
With health factors and deprivation taken into account, black people are still 1.9 times more likely to die than those in the white ethnic group. Those of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnicity are also at increased risk.
Cordova added: “This crisis has exposed and amplified economic, social and health injustices in our society. These underlying inequalities can no longer be ignored. The government must do all it can to protect all those who are affected by this virus.”
The Labour equalities spokesperson welcomed a review into the impact of the virus on BAME communities announced by the government last month. Labour launched its own inquiry shortly afterwards.
The report released by the ONS today compared deaths where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate by age, sex and ethnic group using census and mortality records registered up to April 2020.
The body has also released an overall figure for the number of coronavirus deaths in England and Wales up to May 2nd that, when combined with the official Covid-19 deaths data from Scotland and Northern Ireland, gave a UK total of 32,313.
This differs to the daily number published by Public Health England, which today reported 30,076 deaths. The total who have tested positive in the country is now 201,101 – but with low levels of testing the figure is thought to be much higher.


labourlist--2020-05-08--We must stand with the Brazilian people against Bolsonaro in the fight for public health

Official statistics showed that , as of last Tuesday , over 5,000 Brazilians had lost their lives to Covid-19 .
At the time of writing , that figure now stands at 8,588 .
The number of confirmed cases has exceeded 100,000 – making it the worst affected country in Latin America .
But when asked last week about the 474 deaths that day , and the total deaths exceeding 5,000 , Brazil ’ s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro shrugged off the news .
“ So what ?
I ’ m sorry .
What do you want me to do ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of remarks and actions from the President belittling the threat of the pandemic .
Indeed , since the giant Latin American country confirmed its first Covid-19 case on February 26th , he has regularly and angrily rejected media ‘ hysteria ’ over the danger .
He has frequently attacked social distancing guidelines and the thinking behind them , even sacking his health minister after he publicly challenged the President ’ s position .
Bolsonaro has regularly flouted social distancing himself , including by attending far-right protests .
He was at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he took to the streets .
Echoing an earlier rally he attended in April , protestors again called for the closing of the supreme court and congress – as well as a return to dictatorial measures used in Brazil ’ s 1964 to 1985 military dictatorship , which were responsible for hundreds of extrajudicial executions .
Opponents of President Bolsonaro have argued that he has encouraged violence against journalists , and at Sunday ’ s rally witnesses from Reuters confirmed that at least three photographers were attacked .
In this context , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calamitous handling of the pandemic – both in Brazil itself and internationally .
With the virus now spreading into more and more of the nation ’ s most deprived and vulnerable communities , and the peak of the pandemic not yet reached , there is great concern about how much more tragedy could unfold in Brazil .
And it is widely thought that significant underreporting means that the official figures don ’ t capture the true scale of the crisis .
There is also growing global concern at the fate of indigenous peoples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day that Bolsonaro was protesting , health minister Nelson Teich travelled to Manaus in the Amazon region due to the drastically deteriorating situation there .
Dozens of prominent public figures across the world have signed an open letter to the Brazilian government , calling on it to protect indigenous peoples , who often live in remote locations with extremely limited access to healthcare .
Renowned photographer Sebastião Salgado and other signatories have argued that communities in the Amazon are at risk of being “ completely eliminated ” by miners who have increased their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described how “ these illicit operations have accelerated in recent weeks ” .
And it should be remembered that Bolsonaro is a President whose actions , since assuming office , have been relentlessly hostile to the indigenous population .
Since his election , Brazil ’ s indigenous peoples have been in nothing less than a historic and heroic struggle for survival .
Despite widespread international condemnation , and the horrific Amazon fires , Bolsonaro has continued to encourage deforestation of the Amazon .
He has dismantled the government agencies supposed to protect both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as slashing their budgets and sacking top officials .
For progressives around the world , it is particularly vital that we stand in solidarity with Brazil ’ s indigenous peoples , for whom highly infectious diseases such as coronavirus pose a devastating threat .
And this solidarity with Brazil ’ s indigenous peoples must also extend to standing with all those in Brazil arguing for a different response to Bolsonaro ’ s disastrous policies .
The health crisis has shown that the likes of Bolsonaro and Donald Trump are far from champions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in fact will always put interests of big business and private profit first .
But there is a better way .
This is an international crisis and it demands an international response that prioritises people and not profit .
As part of this , we must stand with all those fighting for policies to address the coronavirus crisis around the world that are based on saving lives and putting public health first , including those demanding such an approach in Brazil .

Official statistics showed that, as of last Tuesday, over 5,000 Brazilians had lost their lives to Covid-19. At the time of writing, that figure now stands at 8,588. The number of confirmed cases has exceeded 100,000 – making it the worst affected country in Latin America. But when asked last week about the 474 deaths that day, and the total deaths exceeding 5,000, Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro shrugged off the news. “So what? I’m sorry. What do you want me to do?”
This was just the latest in a series of remarks and actions from the President belittling the threat of the pandemic. Indeed, since the giant Latin American country confirmed its first Covid-19 case on February 26th, he has regularly and angrily rejected media ‘hysteria’ over the danger. He has frequently attacked social distancing guidelines and the thinking behind them, even sacking his health minister after he publicly challenged the President’s position.
Bolsonaro has regularly flouted social distancing himself, including by attending far-right protests. He was at this again on Sunday, May 3rd, when he took to the streets. Echoing an earlier rally he attended in April, protestors again called for the closing of the supreme court and congress – as well as a return to dictatorial measures used in Brazil’s 1964 to 1985 military dictatorship, which were responsible for hundreds of extrajudicial executions.
Opponents of President Bolsonaro have argued that he has encouraged violence against journalists, and at Sunday’s rally witnesses from Reuters confirmed that at least three photographers were attacked. In this context, he is facing growing opposition to his calamitous handling of the pandemic – both in Brazil itself and internationally. With the virus now spreading into more and more of the nation’s most deprived and vulnerable communities, and the peak of the pandemic not yet reached, there is great concern about how much more tragedy could unfold in Brazil. And it is widely thought that significant underreporting means that the official figures don’t capture the true scale of the crisis.
There is also growing global concern at the fate of indigenous peoples in the country. On the same day that Bolsonaro was protesting, health minister Nelson Teich travelled to Manaus in the Amazon region due to the drastically deteriorating situation there. Dozens of prominent public figures across the world have signed an open letter to the Brazilian government, calling on it to protect indigenous peoples, who often live in remote locations with extremely limited access to healthcare.
Renowned photographer Sebastião Salgado and other signatories have argued that communities in the Amazon are at risk of being “completely eliminated” by miners who have increased their operations during the health crisis. He described how “these illicit operations have accelerated in recent weeks”. And it should be remembered that Bolsonaro is a President whose actions, since assuming office, have been relentlessly hostile to the indigenous population. Since his election, Brazil’s indigenous peoples have been in nothing less than a historic and heroic struggle for survival.
Despite widespread international condemnation, and the horrific Amazon fires, Bolsonaro has continued to encourage deforestation of the Amazon. He has dismantled the government agencies supposed to protect both the environment and indigenous peoples, as well as slashing their budgets and sacking top officials. For progressives around the world, it is particularly vital that we stand in solidarity with Brazil’s indigenous peoples, for whom highly infectious diseases such as coronavirus pose a devastating threat. And this solidarity with Brazil’s indigenous peoples must also extend to standing with all those in Brazil arguing for a different response to Bolsonaro’s disastrous policies.
The health crisis has shown that the likes of Bolsonaro and Donald Trump are far from champions of the poor and excluded, but in fact will always put interests of big business and private profit first. But there is a better way. This is an international crisis and it demands an international response that prioritises people and not profit. As part of this, we must stand with all those fighting for policies to address the coronavirus crisis around the world that are based on saving lives and putting public health first, including those demanding such an approach in Brazil.


labourlist--2020-05-08--Readers’ survey – Keir Starmer, coronavirus, shadow cabinet

Welcome to our latest LabourList survey .
Share your thoughts on Keir Starmer ’ s leadership , Labour ’ s @ @ @ @ @ and your favourite MPs and shadow cabinet members .
Answer the questions below or click @ @ @ @ @ in a new window .
This survey will close at 3pm on Sunday 10th May @ @ @ @ @ be releasing the results soon after that .

Welcome to our latest LabourList survey.
Share your thoughts on Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labour’s response to the coronavirus crisis and your favourite MPs and shadow cabinet members.
Answer the questions below or click here to open the survey in a new window.
This survey will close at 3pm on Sunday 10th May, and we’ll be releasing the results soon after that.


labourlist--2020-05-10--“Cancel the rent,” over 4,000 Labour members tell Starmer in backlash over new policy

Over 4,000 Labour members have signed an open letter calling on Keir Starmer to “ cancel the rent ” in a backlash against the party ’ s policy on coronavirus rent deferrals .
Within 48 hours of Labour announcing its stance on Covid-19-caused rent arrears , thousands have joined the campaign promoted by Labour left network Momentum and ‘ soft left ’ group Open Labour .
The letter accuses the Labour Party of “ failing renters ” , says its “ solutions simply are not good enough ” , and concludes : “ It ’ s time for the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Backbench Labour MPs Clive Lewis and Zarah Sultana have also criticised the position unveiled by new Housing Secretary Thangam Debbonaire over the weekend .
Activists on the left have pointed out that the Green Party took the opportunity to outflank Labour , with Caroline Lucas tweeting that the policy would “ increase homelessness ” and Sian Berry saying we should “ forgive all arrears ” .
To “ protect people from bankruptcy and homelessness due to rent arrears ” , on Saturday morning Labour proposed emergency legislation , and set out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary ban on evictions for six months or however long is needed to implement the legal changes below .
• Give residential tenants the same protections as commercial tenants , by protecting them from being made bankrupt by their landlords for non-payment of rent .
• Bring forward the government ’ s proposal to scrap Section 21 ‘ no-fault ’ evictions and outlaw evictions on the grounds of rent arrears if the arrears were accrued because of hardship caused by the coronavirus crisis .
• Once evictions are prevented , grant renters at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrears accrued during this period .
• Speed up and improve the provision of Universal Credit , as Labour recently called for , and consider a temporary increase to the Local Housing Allowance to help prevent risk of homelessness .
The fourth point sparked controversy internally , as it was argued by activists that most private renters have no savings and would struggle to pay back coronavirus-related arrears during a widely expected global recession .
In an email to members , Momentum said : “ Over a third of private renters live in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even before coronavirus , almost half working renters were one pay cheque away from losing their home .
“ Now millions of renters are at high risk of losing their jobs .
Yet Labour ’ s new policy would see renters shoulder the cost of the crisis .
“ It would require renters to pay back all rent missed during the crisis over a two year period – the equivalent of a 12 % rent rise amidst the worst recession for three hundred years .
“ Renters deserve better than this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to back a policy of rent cancellation , not deferral.
” Explaining the policy amid criticism on social media , Debbonaire tweeted : “ For many this will be a small arrears and they will be back in work soon .
For others it will be harder – hence asking govt to consider LHA increase ” .
She also pointed followers towards a thread by ‘ Nearly Legal ’ , who was consulted on the policy , which sets out why Labour has rejected the idea of coronavirus rent waivers .
Under Jeremy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocated rent deferrals in a letter to the Prime Minister on March 14th .
But Corbyn shortly afterwards called for a suspension , and John McDonnell said the “ government should cover rent ” .
Below is the full text of the open letter on cancelling rent payments .
Across the United Kingdom , in every single one of your constituencies , there are private renters .
These private renters are key workers .
They are workers for the NHS , for supermarkets , across all essential services .
They are the workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy around protecting .
They are economically precarious .
Many face destitution , only shortly delayed by government initiatives , due to a loss of work , due to a reduction in work , and due in some cases to being furloughed , with a 20 % pay drop .
The government strategies are either failing in the immediate term or are setting up failure further down the road .
Deferrals do not confront the loss of income experienced by private renters , nor do delaying the eviction process .
Universal credit is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to keep landlords from demanding rent .
Unfortunately private renters can not with much confidence look to the Labour Party for comfort .
While reforms to Universal Credit are welcomed , the Labour Party ’ s revised position of rent deferrals does not help us as workers .
It simply pushes the problem down the road .
If a worker misses out on three months worth of income , and has to pay that back over 2 years , that is a 12 % increase of rent that must be paid , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Your solutions simply are not good enough .
You are failing renters .
We call on the Labour Party to pressure the government to : • Cancel , at the tenant ’ s request , payments of rent , for any tenant experiencing any drop in income .
• Cover , at the tenant ’ s request , utility payments , for any tenant experiencing any drop in income .
• Halt all eviction processes due to failure to produce rent until employment stabilises .
There are already plans initiated in America to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Democratic Party representative Ilhan Omar .
There are no excuses .
The government has bailed out hundreds of companies .
The government has bailed out banks .
It ’ s time for the people ’ s bailout .
Cancel the rent .

Over 4,000 Labour members have signed an open letter calling on Keir Starmer to “cancel the rent” in a backlash against the party’s policy on coronavirus rent deferrals.
Within 48 hours of Labour announcing its stance on Covid-19-caused rent arrears, thousands have joined the campaign promoted by Labour left network Momentum and ‘soft left’ group Open Labour.
The letter accuses the Labour Party of “failing renters”, says its “solutions simply are not good enough”, and concludes: “It’s time for the people’s bailout. Cancel the rent.”
Backbench Labour MPs Clive Lewis and Zarah Sultana have also criticised the position unveiled by new Housing Secretary Thangam Debbonaire over the weekend.
Activists on the left have pointed out that the Green Party took the opportunity to outflank Labour, with Caroline Lucas tweeting that the policy would “increase homelessness” and Sian Berry saying we should “forgive all arrears”.
To “protect people from bankruptcy and homelessness due to rent arrears”, on Saturday morning Labour proposed emergency legislation, and set out the following five-point plan:
Extend the temporary ban on evictions for six months or however long is needed to implement the legal changes below. Give residential tenants the same protections as commercial tenants, by protecting them from being made bankrupt by their landlords for non-payment of rent. Bring forward the government’s proposal to scrap Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and outlaw evictions on the grounds of rent arrears if the arrears were accrued because of hardship caused by the coronavirus crisis. Once evictions are prevented, grant renters at least two years to pay back any arrears accrued during this period. Speed up and improve the provision of Universal Credit, as Labour recently called for, and consider a temporary increase to the Local Housing Allowance to help prevent risk of homelessness.
The fourth point sparked controversy internally, as it was argued by activists that most private renters have no savings and would struggle to pay back coronavirus-related arrears during a widely expected global recession.
In an email to members, Momentum said: “Over a third of private renters live in poverty and two thirds have no savings. Even before coronavirus, almost half working renters were one pay cheque away from losing their home.
“Now millions of renters are at high risk of losing their jobs. Yet Labour’s new policy would see renters shoulder the cost of the crisis.
“It would require renters to pay back all rent missed during the crisis over a two year period – the equivalent of a 12% rent rise amidst the worst recession for three hundred years.
“Renters deserve better than this. Sign this open letter calling on Labour to back a policy of rent cancellation, not deferral.”
Explaining the policy amid criticism on social media, Debbonaire tweeted: “For many this will be a small arrears and they will be back in work soon. For others it will be harder – hence asking govt to consider LHA increase”.
She also pointed followers towards a thread by ‘Nearly Legal’, who was consulted on the policy, which sets out why Labour has rejected the idea of coronavirus rent waivers.
Under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, Labour initially advocated rent deferrals in a letter to the Prime Minister on March 14th. But Corbyn shortly afterwards called for a suspension, and John McDonnell said the “government should cover rent”.
Below is the full text of the open letter on cancelling rent payments.
Across the United Kingdom, in every single one of your constituencies, there are private renters.
These private renters are key workers. They are workers for the NHS, for supermarkets, across all essential services. They are the workers that you wish to centre your post-pandemic economy around protecting.
They are economically precarious. Many face destitution, only shortly delayed by government initiatives, due to a loss of work, due to a reduction in work, and due in some cases to being furloughed, with a 20% pay drop.
The government strategies are either failing in the immediate term or are setting up failure further down the road. Deferrals do not confront the loss of income experienced by private renters, nor do delaying the eviction process. Universal credit is too slow moving and not even nearly enough to keep landlords from demanding rent.
Unfortunately private renters cannot with much confidence look to the Labour Party for comfort. While reforms to Universal Credit are welcomed, the Labour Party’s revised position of rent deferrals does not help us as workers. It simply pushes the problem down the road.
If a worker misses out on three months worth of income, and has to pay that back over 2 years, that is a 12% increase of rent that must be paid, in the worst recession in centuries. Your solutions simply are not good enough. You are failing renters.
We call on the Labour Party to pressure the government to:
Cancel, at the tenant’s request, payments of rent, for any tenant experiencing any drop in income. Cover, at the tenant’s request, utility payments, for any tenant experiencing any drop in income. Halt all eviction processes due to failure to produce rent until employment stabilises.
There are already plans initiated in America to do this. Consider the model proposed by Democratic Party representative Ilhan Omar.
There are no excuses. The government has bailed out hundreds of companies. The government has bailed out banks. It’s time for the people’s bailout. Cancel the rent.


labourlist--2020-05-10--Sunday shows: Labour criticises new ‘stay alert’ government slogan

Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth criticised government briefings to the media this week and replacing the ‘ stay at home ’ slogan with one of ‘ stay alert ’ .
He discussed what Labour hopes to see announced by the Prime Minister today .
• On the care sector : “ Care homes are really now the epicentre of this awful virus and we ’ re looking to government to do more for residents and staff who work in our care sector.
” • On government briefings to the press this week : “ I think some of those briefings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yesterday and on Friday , of lots of people going to parks to enjoy the sunshine.
” • On messaging : “ The key thing that we actually need is that – because this is a public health crisis where the British public have to adjust their behaviour – we need absolute clarity from the government today.
” • On the new ‘ stay alert ’ slogan : “ The problem with the slogan that ’ s been briefed to the newspapers is that people will be looking at it slightly puzzled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean to stay alert ? '
” • He added : “ I think the ‘ stay at home ’ message is easily understood and that is the strength and beauty of that message.
” • Asked if Labour asking for an exit strategy had encouraged people to break lockdown rules : “ No , no .
I think people were stretching it this weekend because of the confused briefings in newspapers… Keir Starmer was asking for clarity on the government ’ s strategy.
” • Asked what Labour is looking for from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m looking for clarity on the testing and tracing infrastructure that will be put in place.
” • On the tracing strategy : “ In the same way we were too slow to get the personal protective equipment , too slow to ramp up the testing , my worry is that we ’ re going to be slow getting this tracing infrastructure in place.
” • On the government ’ s Covid-19 app : “ The app just complements the tracing work .
We need people on the ground in our communities – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then of course we need facilities to isolate people.
” • On the potential problem of uptake on the app : “ Other countries have used apps but a lot of other countries haven ’ t been able to get the apps downloaded by enough of their population to be successful.
” Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford discussed the relationship between the UK and Welsh governments , describing it as “ one of fits and starts ” , and said that he expected the PM to take an “ incremental approach ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new slogan : “ If people are not leaving home for an essential purpose , for exercise or to go to work , then people will still be staying at home… Being alert is important but staying at home has not gone away.
” • On the PM ’ s announcement today : “ I ’ m broadly expecting that the review of the regulations in England will continue to have that incremental approach to lifting the lockdown rather than anything more dramatic.
” • On the relationship with No 10 : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK government as one of fits and starts .
When we do it , when there is engagement it is good and it is helpful , and I wish there could be more of it.
” • On a four-nation approach to easing lockdown measures : “ I think we are stronger when we move together , when we have a fundamentally shared sense of what needs to be done.
” • On whether Wales could take a different approach on reopening schools : “ Well that would be a significant difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented one – our school holidays are different in Wales to England now.
” • He added : “ The direction of travel , the wish to begin to be able to use schools for more children and return more children to school – I think that will be a shared ambition.
” • On whether Wales had prioritised public health over the economy : “ What is good for people ’ s health is good for the economy .
I don ’ t believe in this oppositional idea that you could trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the measures and economic recovery : “ If we do the right think by public health , we will avoid a second peak and the worst thing for our economy would be to have a rapid restart now followed by a rapid clamping down.
” Government minister Robert Jenrick was also on the show .
On the new messaging , he said : “ Staying at home will still be an important part of the message .
But you will be able to go to work , and you will be in time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked about reports that a different coronavirus tracing app might be produced amid criticism of the one currently being trialled , he confirmed that the government was “ looking at what other countries are doing ” .
He told Ridge the R rate was between “ 0.6 and 0.9 ” .
Jonathan Ashworth criticised the new ‘ stay alert ’ slogan reportedly set to be revealed by the Prime Minister today , and highlighted the need for targeted testing and tracking .
• Dropped the ‘ stay home ’ advice in favour of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re dealing with a public health crisis of this nature , you need absolute clarity from government about what the advice is .
There is no room for nuance .
The problem with the new message is , many people will be puzzled by it.
” • Asked what he thinks the new message means : “ Well , I ’ m not entirely sure.
” • Asked whether he takes responsibility for confused messaging as Labour called for an exit plan : “ No .
There was confused messaging this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time , I don ’ t think it ’ s unreasonable to ask the government what the strategy is for coming weeks .
We know we need more testing and tracing infrastructure in place.
” • On ending the lockdown on a regional basis : “ I think there ’ s a case for targeted testing and tracing regimes.
” But added : “ When that [ regional ] approach was attempted in Italy , at the start of their outbreak , lots of essentially middle class people went from Northern Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with them.
” • On criticism of Labour ’ s new housing policy , which would see renters given two years to pay arrears to landlords : “ We need to have a debate about how we rebuild our country when we get through this .
In the meantime we need to put in place measures to support people to get through this.
” Commenting on the new messaging , Robert Jenrick told Marr that the ‘ stay alert ’ slogan signalled that people should be washing hands and “ respecting others in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ashworth ’ s view that there is “ no room for nuance ” .

Ridge on Sunday
Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth criticised government briefings to the media this week and replacing the ‘stay at home’ slogan with one of ‘stay alert’. He discussed what Labour hopes to see announced by the Prime Minister today.
On the care sector: “Care homes are really now the epicentre of this awful virus and we’re looking to government to do more for residents and staff who work in our care sector.”
On government briefings to the press this week: “I think some of those briefings to newspapers has led to the situation, yesterday and on Friday, of lots of people going to parks to enjoy the sunshine.”
On messaging: “The key thing that we actually need is that – because this is a public health crisis where the British public have to adjust their behaviour – we need absolute clarity from the government today.”
On the new ‘stay alert’ slogan: “The problem with the slogan that’s been briefed to the newspapers is that people will be looking at it slightly puzzled, questioning: ‘what does it mean to stay alert?'”
He added: “I think the ‘stay at home’ message is easily understood and that is the strength and beauty of that message.”
Asked if Labour asking for an exit strategy had encouraged people to break lockdown rules: “No, no. I think people were stretching it this weekend because of the confused briefings in newspapers… Keir Starmer was asking for clarity on the government’s strategy.”
Asked what Labour is looking for from the government today: “I’m looking for clarity on the testing and tracing infrastructure that will be put in place.”
On the tracing strategy: “In the same way we were too slow to get the personal protective equipment, too slow to ramp up the testing, my worry is that we’re going to be slow getting this tracing infrastructure in place.”
On the government’s Covid-19 app: “The app just complements the tracing work. We need people on the ground in our communities – finding cases, testing, tracing and then of course we need facilities to isolate people.”
On the potential problem of uptake on the app: “Other countries have used apps but a lot of other countries haven’t been able to get the apps downloaded by enough of their population to be successful.”
Shadow Health Secretary, Jonathan Ashworth says care homes are now the "epicenter" of the virus and adds the government have been 'slow' in protecting care and nursing homes during the #COVID19 outbreak. #Ridge Watch live: https://t.co/Gxj8isAWre pic.twitter.com/uf5aP215XE — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) May 10, 2020
Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford discussed the relationship between the UK and Welsh governments, describing it as “one of fits and starts”, and said that he expected the PM to take an “incremental approach” to lifting the lockdown.
On the new slogan: “If people are not leaving home for an essential purpose, for exercise or to go to work, then people will still be staying at home… Being alert is important but staying at home has not gone away.”
On the PM’s announcement today: “I’m broadly expecting that the review of the regulations in England will continue to have that incremental approach to lifting the lockdown rather than anything more dramatic.”
On the relationship with No 10: “I’ve described the relationship with the UK government as one of fits and starts. When we do it, when there is engagement it is good and it is helpful, and I wish there could be more of it.”
On a four-nation approach to easing lockdown measures: “I think we are stronger when we move together, when we have a fundamentally shared sense of what needs to be done.”
On whether Wales could take a different approach on reopening schools: “Well that would be a significant difference, but it’s not an unprecedented one – our school holidays are different in Wales to England now.”
He added: “The direction of travel, the wish to begin to be able to use schools for more children and return more children to school – I think that will be a shared ambition.”
On whether Wales had prioritised public health over the economy: “What is good for people’s health is good for the economy. I don’t believe in this oppositional idea that you could trade one against the other.”
On the measures and economic recovery: “If we do the right think by public health, we will avoid a second peak and the worst thing for our economy would be to have a rapid restart now followed by a rapid clamping down.”
First Minister of Wales @MarkDrakeford says when the PM makes his speech on the lockdown today he's expecting an "incremental" approach, "rather than anything more dramatic".#Ridge pic.twitter.com/DrGxI2ElvY — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) May 10, 2020
Government minister Robert Jenrick was also on the show. On the new messaging, he said: “Staying at home will still be an important part of the message. But you will be able to go to work, and you will be in time able to do some other activities.”
Asked about reports that a different coronavirus tracing app might be produced amid criticism of the one currently being trialled, he confirmed that the government was “looking at what other countries are doing”. He told Ridge the R rate was between “0.6 and 0.9”.
The Andrew Marr Show
Jonathan Ashworth criticised the new ‘stay alert’ slogan reportedly set to be revealed by the Prime Minister today, and highlighted the need for targeted testing and tracking.
Dropped the ‘stay home’ advice in favour of ‘stay alert’: “When you’re dealing with a public health crisis of this nature, you need absolute clarity from government about what the advice is. There is no room for nuance. The problem with the new message is, many people will be puzzled by it.”
Asked what he thinks the new message means: “Well, I’m not entirely sure.”
Asked whether he takes responsibility for confused messaging as Labour called for an exit plan: “No. There was confused messaging this week with briefings to newspapers… At the same time, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask the government what the strategy is for coming weeks. We know we need more testing and tracing infrastructure in place.”
On ending the lockdown on a regional basis: “I think there’s a case for targeted testing and tracing regimes.” But added: “When that [regional] approach was attempted in Italy, at the start of their outbreak, lots of essentially middle class people went from Northern Italy to Southern Italy and took the virus with them.”
On criticism of Labour’s new housing policy, which would see renters given two years to pay arrears to landlords: “We need to have a debate about how we rebuild our country when we get through this. In the meantime we need to put in place measures to support people to get through this.”
Commenting on the new messaging, Robert Jenrick told Marr that the ‘stay alert’ slogan signalled that people should be washing hands and “respecting others in the workplace”. He disagreed with Ashworth’s view that there is “no room for nuance”.


labourlist--2020-05-10--Labour should back recovery universal basic income, say LabourList readers

LabourList readers overwhelmingly back the idea of the Labour Party supporting a universal basic income as part of the UK ’ s coronavirus recovery , our latest survey has found .
Asked whether Labour should adopt the policy , over 75 % of the 6,071 readers who took part in our most recent survey said ‘ yes ’ , with only 10 % of respondents expressing the view that Labour should not do so .
The new Labour leadership has rejected the proposal to introduce a UBI during the Covid-19 crisis .
Keir Starmer ’ s spokesperson said its implementation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Whether Starmer would be open to a recovery UBI is less clear .
His team has only spoken of “ a new settlement that is more simple , more effective and offers proper protection to people ” .
Most readers believe that the government is handling the coronavirus crisis “ very badly ” , the survey also revealed , and a clear majority said they thought Labour had not been critical enough .
62 % described Labour as “ not critical enough ” of the government ’ s Covid-19 response , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been “ the right amount of critical ” .
Just 0.6 % said Labour was “ too critical ” .
Starmer vowed on the day of his election that he would not provide “ opposition for opposition ’ s sake ” .
The leader has said he is “ trying to resist calls for apologies or criticising past decisions ” .
But he has recently ramped up criticism of the government , declaring at his first PMQs that it had been “ slow into lockdown , slow on testing , slow on protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they were happy with Starmer ’ s leadership so far , with a total of 54.6 % saying they were fairly or very happy and 42 % saying they were fairly or very unhappy .
The most popular answer was “ very happy ” and the second most popular was “ very unhappy ” .
The question appeared to polarise our readership , with strong views on both sides .
The results also showed that readers are overwhelmingly in favour of Labour calling on the government to extend the Brexit transition period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do .
Jeremy Corbyn , Richard Burgon and Rosena Allin-Khan , closely followed by John McDonnell , topped the new poll of favourite Labour MPs whereby readers chose from the complete list of 202 .
Rebecca Long-Bailey , Rosena Allin-Khan and Ed Miliband emerged as the top three favourite shadow cabinet members of LabourList readers polled .
Angela Rayner and Lisa Nandy placed fourth and fifth .
Before becoming leader , Starmer often topped the LabourList shadow cabinet poll and only ever came second to McDonnell .
Emily Thornberry was often in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eighth post-Corbyn .
1 .
Are you happy with Keir Starmer ’ s leadership of the Labour Party since his election ?
2 .
How well or badly do you think the government is handling coronavirus ?
3 .
On the government ’ s handling of coronavirus , do you think Labour has been… • The right amount of critical – 36.5 % ( 2,218 ) 4 .
Do you think Labour should support the idea of a universal basic income as part of the UK ’ s coronavirus recovery ?
5 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ period that is due to end in December .
Do you think Labour should call on the government to extend it ?
6. Who are your favourite Labour MPs ?
Below are the top 30 Labour MPs picked by LabourList readers .
7. Who are your favourite shadow cabinet members ?
Below are the top 15 shadow cabinet members picked by LabourList readers .
The survey was open from 4pm on Friday 8th May until 3pm on Sunday 10th May .
The results are unweighted and from a self-selected sample of readers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ took part .

LabourList readers overwhelmingly back the idea of the Labour Party supporting a universal basic income as part of the UK’s coronavirus recovery, our latest survey has found.
Asked whether Labour should adopt the policy, over 75% of the 6,071 readers who took part in our most recent survey said ‘yes’, with only 10% of respondents expressing the view that Labour should not do so.
The new Labour leadership has rejected the proposal to introduce a UBI during the Covid-19 crisis. Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said its implementation was “unlikely to be possible”.
Whether Starmer would be open to a recovery UBI is less clear. His team has only spoken of “a new settlement that is more simple, more effective and offers proper protection to people”.
Most readers believe that the government is handling the coronavirus crisis “very badly”, the survey also revealed, and a clear majority said they thought Labour had not been critical enough.
62% described Labour as “not critical enough” of the government’s Covid-19 response, while 36.5% said the opposition party had been “the right amount of critical”. Just 0.6% said Labour was “too critical”.
Starmer vowed on the day of his election that he would not provide “opposition for opposition’s sake”. The leader has said he is “trying to resist calls for apologies or criticising past decisions”.
But he has recently ramped up criticism of the government, declaring at his first PMQs that it had been “slow into lockdown, slow on testing, slow on protective equipment”.
A majority of readers said they were happy with Starmer’s leadership so far, with a total of 54.6% saying they were fairly or very happy and 42% saying they were fairly or very unhappy.
The most popular answer was “very happy” and the second most popular was “very unhappy”. The question appeared to polarise our readership, with strong views on both sides.
The results also showed that readers are overwhelmingly in favour of Labour calling on the government to extend the Brexit transition period, which it has so far refused to do.
Jeremy Corbyn, Richard Burgon and Rosena Allin-Khan, closely followed by John McDonnell, topped the new poll of favourite Labour MPs whereby readers chose from the complete list of 202.
Rebecca Long-Bailey, Rosena Allin-Khan and Ed Miliband emerged as the top three favourite shadow cabinet members of LabourList readers polled. Angela Rayner and Lisa Nandy placed fourth and fifth.
Before becoming leader, Starmer often topped the LabourList shadow cabinet poll and only ever came second to McDonnell. Emily Thornberry was often in the top three, but has placed eighth post-Corbyn.
1. Are you happy with Keir Starmer’s leadership of the Labour Party since his election?
Very happy – 35.6% (2,159) Very unhappy – 24.7% (1,499) Fairly happy – 19% (1,156) Fairly unhappy – 17.5% (1,064) Don’t know – 3.2% (193)
2. How well or badly do you think the government is handling coronavirus?
Very badly – 74.3% (4,508) Fairly badly – 19.2% (1,163) Fairly well – 4.7% (287) Very well – 1.4% (85) Don’t know – 0.5% (28)
3. On the government’s handling of coronavirus, do you think Labour has been…
Not critical enough – 62.3% (3,780) The right amount of critical – 36.5% (2,218) Too critical – 0.6% (37) Don’t know – 0.6% (36)
4. Do you think Labour should support the idea of a universal basic income as part of the UK’s coronavirus recovery?
Yes – 75.6% (4,591) Don’t know – 13.8% (838) No – 10.6% (642)
5. Britain is currently in a Brexit transition period that is due to end in December. Do you think Labour should call on the government to extend it?
Yes – 75.6% (4,590) No – 17.1% (1,039) Don’t know – 7.3% (442)
6. Who are your favourite Labour MPs?
Below are the top 30 Labour MPs picked by LabourList readers.
Jeremy Corbyn – 2,282 Richard Burgon – 1,237 Rosena Allin-Khan – 1,229 John McDonnell – 1,138 Keir Starmer – 891 Diane Abbott – 762 Yvette Cooper – 684 Lisa Nandy – 639 Hilary Benn – 518 Rebecca Long-Bailey – 505 David Lammy – 489 Zarah Sultana – 486 Angela Rayner – 402 Dawn Butler – 394 Anneliese Dodds – 380 Clive Lewis – 370 Ed Miliband – 309 Jess Phillips – 309 Nadia Whittome – 284 Jon Ashworth – 283 Ian Lavery – 277 Barry Gardiner – 270 Stella Creasy – 230 Emily Thornberry – 185 Margaret Beckett – 124 Harriet Harman – 122 Rachel Reeves – 116 Lloyd Russell-Moyle – 98 Ian Murray – 91 Bell Ribeiro-Addy – 79
7. Who are your favourite shadow cabinet members?
Below are the top 15 shadow cabinet members picked by LabourList readers.
Rebecca Long-Bailey – 2,690 Rosena Allin-Khan – 2,392 Ed Miliband – 1,479 Angela Rayner – 1,475 Lisa Nandy – 1,401 David Lammy – 1,386 Anneliese Dodds – 1,385 Emily Thornberry – 978 Andy McDonald – 788 Jonathan Ashworth – 713 Cat Smith – 677 Marsha de Cordova – 531 Rachel Reeves – 415 Ian Murray – 287 Nick Thomas-Symonds – 209
The survey was open from 4pm on Friday 8th May until 3pm on Sunday 10th May. The results are unweighted and from a self-selected sample of readers. Thank you to all 6,071 readers who took part.