labourlist--2020-12-22--Shelly Asquith’s TU-esday round-up: A bumper edition for the year end

It didn ’ t have to be like this , did it ?
We needed tougher measures to enforce safety , contain the virus and protect jobs : all calls the labour movement has made since the start of the Covid crisis .
There is so much to be angry about , but there is hope and inspiration to be found as working-class people fight for the safety and dignity we deserve .
Here is the last in trade union industrial news for 2020 , and it is a bumper edition for the year end .
See you in 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the struggles ahead .
Exclusive !
Do you want to see all the latest strikes visualised ?
Of course , you do .
Strike Map is here , and it is dropping more pins than a strike at a bowling alley .
Check out where the latest workplace battles are taking place , submit your own and plan your journey to your local picket line .
Trade unionists Henry Fowler and Robert Poole have launched the site and are working with reps to gather intelligence and develop it further .
Give it a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7,000 British Gas workers will be called on to walk off the job between January 7th and 11th after GMB members voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in response to the company ’ s fire and rehire proposals .
The inspiring strikers at the Rolls Royce site in Barnoldswick continue their strike , now in its seventh week , as they battle to save their jobs .
The strike is scheduled to run until December 24th .
You can find ways to support the fight here .
Members of UVW at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announce strike dates in early 2021 as they face down a hostile employer who refuses to engage or recognise the union .
The key workers are seeking a fair pay deal and improved sick pay .
The members received some cross-union support as Unite ’ s London and eastern region declared their desire to join them on picket lines in a letter signed by their doctor member representatives .
The CWU has conducted a consultative ballot on its BT Group membership , returning an impressive 97.9 % vote in favour of strike action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as bosses hell-bent on making redundancies also attack pay and conditions .
The union says this vote is the most important to have taken place by these workers since the 1987 strike .
Prospect , who represent managers in BT , also launched a ballot and received 96 % support to strike over plans to halve redundancy pay .
The two unions have issued a joint statement committing to “ fighting together ” .
A joint union strike is really painting a picture of despair as workers at International Paint in Gateshead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as called by Unite and GMB , involves an overtime ban from January 4th .
The 400 plus workforce are seeking a 3 % pay rise and national collective bargaining rights .
Ferry staff at Wightlink in Guernsey began balloting for strike action on December 14th as RMT opposes plans to withdraw pension rights and impose changes to working conditions .
Some 40 tractor tug crew members in Davenport docks will go on strike over changes to their rota that risk a dangerous increase in fatigue .
The Unite members will walk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and again from January 11th until January 16th .
Thousands of bus drivers in the capital could strike in the new year , as up to 20,000 of them prepare to be re-balloted over pay and safety concerns .
Unite says new plans will see members losing 8 % of pay and risk driver and passenger safety .
Bradford bus drivers in Unite already voted to strike over being made to work extended shifts and are set to announce strike dates in early January .
Bus drivers employed by Stagecoach in the East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a battle for safety .
Despite dozens of bus drivers tragically dying from Covid since the start of the pandemic , Stagecoach is planning to roll back measures considered by RMT as essential to safety .
The company has reintroduced cash handling after having introduced contactless payment as a means of limiting virus transmission .
The strike at the Leeds-based bus manufacturer Optare , now in its ninth week , will continue through to the new year , Unite has confirmed .
The 100-strong strike is over the company ’ s failure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at another Optare factory , in Selby , have also joined the strike as of January 21st .
Such a lengthy strike action at this time of year is a hard graft on members – you can donate to the Optare strike fund via Unity trust bank , account name : NE/200/1 Optare Branch , Account number : 20327132 , Sort code : 60-83-01 .
Ambulance workers at two London hospitals are threatening a “ wave of strike action ” in the new year after voting yes to action in an indicative GMB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HATS Group at St George ’ s and St Mary ’ s hospitals , are in dispute over several issues including attacks on terms and conditions .
The union is also calling on the NHS to bring these contracts in-house .
Last week , taxi drivers took part in a protest – in their cabs – outside the Scottish parliament demanding financial support for cabbies after a survey found 80 % have lost up to three-quarters of their income .
Scotrail guards are on strike at Glasgow Central station .
The RMT members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disciplinary procedures .
Strikes days are December 20th and 27th and the January 3rd , with a ban on overtime throughout the period .
Unite members who deliver Walkers crisps are feeling salty and a little cheesed off after employer Eddie Stobart imposed a pay freeze .
They will be working to rule with an overtime ban from December 26th to January 15th .
After that point , they intend to strike if the employer has not entered negotiations .
Delivery drivers and warehouse workers who keep shops stocked with food items including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on strike since December 19th in a fight over low pay and victimisation .
The 120-strong Liverpool workforce is employed by DHL .
Unite has blasted DHL for disgracefully calling the police on picketers more than 10 times to try and break the action .
The civil service is facing two walkouts .
Safety concerns are behind why 94 % of workers balloted in the government Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy department have voted to strike .
The PCS members , employed by contractor ISS and working as cleaners , porters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being asked to attend work who should instead be supported to stay safe at home .
It comes after four tested positives with the virus .
Strike dates are yet to be set .
PCS is now also balloting members employed by agency OCS in Courts and Tribunals service .
Workers in the department are demanding the real living wage , as well as improved annual leave and sick pay allowances .
Heathrow continues to be hit by strikes .
Last week a 48-hour stoppage in response to fire and rehire tactics also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unite members who work as firefighters , engineers , baggage operators and more face cuts of up to 25 % .
Now , the airport will be hit by a nine-day stoppage by 840 British Airways cargo workers who voted 98 % in favour of the stoppage over Christmas and New Year .
The fight is over plans to fire and rehire staff on worse terms and conditions .
Members of Prospect at Highlands and Islands Airport Ltd will begin industrial action on the January 4th/5th over plans to instal remote towers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The workers are refusing to perform functions that relate to the plan or the closure of facilities .
As far as teachers are concerned , the government has failed their tests this term .
Covid has made schools some of the most dangerous workplaces with infection rates running high and plans to introduce Covid testing coming too late , causing chaos over the Christmas break .
School unions and organisations issued a joint response , labelling government plans “ inoperable ” .
Teachers in Edinburgh , Glasgow , Fife and West Dunbartonshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to formally declare a dispute over Covid safety concerns .
They are asking for the same levels of protection as other key workers .
Meanwhile , members of the EIS in colleges have voted for industrial action over plans to downgrade jobs .
At Forth Valley College , action short of strike continues after a month in a bid to save 30 jobs .
And in North East England , NASUWT members at Furrowfield school have another five dates of strike action planned in January in their dispute over bullying .
Staff at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have just been on strike .
One , the Support and Learning Service , is facing huge cuts while the other , Leaways , is demanding improved conditions for students and staff .
Unite is now balloting members in two London schools over plans to sack more than half the teaching support staff at Colvestone Primary School and the Thomas Fairchild Community School .
The ballot closes on the January 8th .
A recent ballot of UCU members at Northumbria University – where 770 students tested positive for coronavirus – returned an overwhelming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The employer backed down and the government has now advised online learning to be the default for universities at least until early February .
Branches at universities including Roehampton and Manchester Met have also conducted consultative ballots , enjoying huge support for action over safety and workloads – suggesting action in the new year is on the cards .
Elsewhere in higher education , UCU members at the University of East London have voted overwhelmingly for action in response to despicable plans to make more than 100 people redundant .
Follow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 30 security officers , porters and cleaners at the University of Greenwich are balloting for a strike until the December 23rd as they demand Sodexo places them on terms and conditions equal to that of university staff .
Their union , IWGB , has identified Sodexo ’ s pay practices as structurally racist .
You can add support by signing their petition and donating to their strike fund .
It is easy to miss the victories through the endless stream of negative news , but there has been some more success in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleaners employed by outsourcing giant OCS will be brought in-house by Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2021 , following pressure from UVW .
This is the second hospital to make the move after a strike at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust led to workers being moved to NHS contracts .
And a group of 30 drug and alcohol support workers in Wigan and Leigh has just won a fight to be paid at NHS rates as well as achieving recognition for their union , Unison .
They had been on strike for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 15 months .
Don ’ t forget to visit Strike Map to find the nearest strike to you and choose a way to safely show support .

It didn’t have to be like this, did it? We needed tougher measures to enforce safety, contain the virus and protect jobs: all calls the labour movement has made since the start of the Covid crisis. There is so much to be angry about, but there is hope and inspiration to be found as working-class people fight for the safety and dignity we deserve. Here is the last in trade union industrial news for 2020, and it is a bumper edition for the year end. See you in 2021: unionised, immunised and ready for the struggles ahead.
Send me the location
Exclusive! Do you want to see all the latest strikes visualised? Of course, you do. Strike Map is here, and it is dropping more pins than a strike at a bowling alley. Check out where the latest workplace battles are taking place, submit your own and plan your journey to your local picket line. Trade unionists Henry Fowler and Robert Poole have launched the site and are working with reps to gather intelligence and develop it further. Give it a visit and a share.
Gas pedal
More than 7,000 British Gas workers will be called on to walk off the job between January 7th and 11th after GMB members voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in response to the company’s fire and rehire proposals.
The inspiring strikers at the Rolls Royce site in Barnoldswick continue their strike, now in its seventh week, as they battle to save their jobs. The strike is scheduled to run until December 24th. You can find ways to support the fight here.
Members of UVW at a SAGE care home in North London will announce strike dates in early 2021 as they face down a hostile employer who refuses to engage or recognise the union. The key workers are seeking a fair pay deal and improved sick pay. The members received some cross-union support as Unite’s London and eastern region declared their desire to join them on picket lines in a letter signed by their doctor member representatives.
The CWU has conducted a consultative ballot on its BT Group membership, returning an impressive 97.9% vote in favour of strike action. The dispute is over job security, as bosses hell-bent on making redundancies also attack pay and conditions. The union says this vote is the most important to have taken place by these workers since the 1987 strike. Prospect, who represent managers in BT, also launched a ballot and received 96% support to strike over plans to halve redundancy pay. The two unions have issued a joint statement committing to “fighting together”.
A joint union strike is really painting a picture of despair as workers at International Paint in Gateshead announce a two-day stoppage. The action, as called by Unite and GMB, involves an overtime ban from January 4th. The 400 plus workforce are seeking a 3% pay rise and national collective bargaining rights.
Trouble at sea
Ferry staff at Wightlink in Guernsey began balloting for strike action on December 14th as RMT opposes plans to withdraw pension rights and impose changes to working conditions.
Some 40 tractor tug crew members in Davenport docks will go on strike over changes to their rota that risk a dangerous increase in fatigue. The Unite members will walk out between December 25th and 30th, and again from January 11th until January 16th.
Driven to action
Thousands of bus drivers in the capital could strike in the new year, as up to 20,000 of them prepare to be re-balloted over pay and safety concerns. Unite says new plans will see members losing 8% of pay and risk driver and passenger safety. Bradford bus drivers in Unite already voted to strike over being made to work extended shifts and are set to announce strike dates in early January.
Bus drivers employed by Stagecoach in the East Midlands are also balloting to strike in a battle for safety. Despite dozens of bus drivers tragically dying from Covid since the start of the pandemic, Stagecoach is planning to roll back measures considered by RMT as essential to safety. The company has reintroduced cash handling after having introduced contactless payment as a means of limiting virus transmission.
The strike at the Leeds-based bus manufacturer Optare, now in its ninth week, will continue through to the new year, Unite has confirmed. The 100-strong strike is over the company’s failure to honour a promised pay rise. Workers at another Optare factory, in Selby, have also joined the strike as of January 21st. Such a lengthy strike action at this time of year is a hard graft on members – you can donate to the Optare strike fund via Unity trust bank, account name: NE/200/1 Optare Branch, Account number: 20327132, Sort code: 60-83-01.
Ambulance workers at two London hospitals are threatening a “wave of strike action” in the new year after voting yes to action in an indicative GMB ballot. The workers, employed by HATS Group at St George’s and St Mary’s hospitals, are in dispute over several issues including attacks on terms and conditions. The union is also calling on the NHS to bring these contracts in-house.
Last week, taxi drivers took part in a protest – in their cabs – outside the Scottish parliament demanding financial support for cabbies after a survey found 80% have lost up to three-quarters of their income.
Scotrail guards are on strike at Glasgow Central station. The RMT members are in dispute over the use of disciplinary procedures. Strikes days are December 20th and 27th and the January 3rd, with a ban on overtime throughout the period.
A moveable feast
Unite members who deliver Walkers crisps are feeling salty and a little cheesed off after employer Eddie Stobart imposed a pay freeze. They will be working to rule with an overtime ban from December 26th to January 15th. After that point, they intend to strike if the employer has not entered negotiations.
Delivery drivers and warehouse workers who keep shops stocked with food items including Tabasco Sauce and Jammie Dodgers have been on strike since December 19th in a fight over low pay and victimisation. The 120-strong Liverpool workforce is employed by DHL. Unite has blasted DHL for disgracefully calling the police on picketers more than 10 times to try and break the action.
Civil disobedience
The civil service is facing two walkouts. Safety concerns are behind why 94% of workers balloted in the government Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy department have voted to strike. The PCS members, employed by contractor ISS and working as cleaners, porters and postal service workers, say people are being asked to attend work who should instead be supported to stay safe at home. It comes after four tested positives with the virus. Strike dates are yet to be set. PCS is now also balloting members employed by agency OCS in Courts and Tribunals service. Workers in the department are demanding the real living wage, as well as improved annual leave and sick pay allowances.
Flying pickets
Heathrow continues to be hit by strikes. Last week a 48-hour stoppage in response to fire and rehire tactics also brought to light serious safety concerns. Unite members who work as firefighters, engineers, baggage operators and more face cuts of up to 25%.
Now, the airport will be hit by a nine-day stoppage by 840 British Airways cargo workers who voted 98% in favour of the stoppage over Christmas and New Year. The fight is over plans to fire and rehire staff on worse terms and conditions.
Members of Prospect at Highlands and Islands Airport Ltd will begin industrial action on the January 4th/5th over plans to instal remote towers and make 50 air traffic control staff redundant. The workers are refusing to perform functions that relate to the plan or the closure of facilities.
School’s out
As far as teachers are concerned, the government has failed their tests this term. Covid has made schools some of the most dangerous workplaces with infection rates running high and plans to introduce Covid testing coming too late, causing chaos over the Christmas break. School unions and organisations issued a joint response, labelling government plans “inoperable”.
Teachers in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fife and West Dunbartonshire have all voted in EIS union ballots to formally declare a dispute over Covid safety concerns. They are asking for the same levels of protection as other key workers.
Meanwhile, members of the EIS in colleges have voted for industrial action over plans to downgrade jobs. At Forth Valley College, action short of strike continues after a month in a bid to save 30 jobs. And in North East England, NASUWT members at Furrowfield school have another five dates of strike action planned in January in their dispute over bullying.
Special needs educators in East London have recently been on strike. The Support for Learning Services in Tower Hamlets is facing huge cuts, and the NEU has notified the council of further strike days on 12-13 January 12th-13th and February 3rd-4th. In Hackney, NEU members at Leaways school are demanding improvements to theirs and the children’s conditions in what is a cold and understaffed SEN school.
Unite is now balloting members in two London schools over plans to sack more than half the teaching support staff at Colvestone Primary School and the Thomas Fairchild Community School. The ballot closes on the January 8th.
University challenges
A recent ballot of UCU members at Northumbria University – where 770 students tested positive for coronavirus – returned an overwhelming commitment to strike over face-to-face teaching plans. The employer backed down and the government has now advised online learning to be the default for universities at least until early February. Branches at universities including Roehampton and Manchester Met have also conducted consultative ballots, enjoying huge support for action over safety and workloads – suggesting action in the new year is on the cards.
Elsewhere in higher education, UCU members at the University of East London have voted overwhelmingly for action in response to despicable plans to make more than 100 people redundant. Follow the campaign to #SaveUEL here.
More than 30 security officers, porters and cleaners at the University of Greenwich are balloting for a strike until the December 23rd as they demand Sodexo places them on terms and conditions equal to that of university staff. Their union, IWGB, has identified Sodexo’s pay practices as structurally racist. You can add support by signing their petition and donating to their strike fund.
Winning in the workplace
It is easy to miss the victories through the endless stream of negative news, but there has been some more success in recent weeks worth sharing.
Hundreds of cleaners employed by outsourcing giant OCS will be brought in-house by Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2021, following pressure from UVW. This is the second hospital to make the move after a strike at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust led to workers being moved to NHS contracts.
And a group of 30 drug and alcohol support workers in Wigan and Leigh has just won a fight to be paid at NHS rates as well as achieving recognition for their union, Unison. They had been on strike for a total of 26 days and in dispute for 15 months.
Don’t forget to visit Strike Map to find the nearest strike to you and choose a way to safely show support.


labourlist--2020-12-23--Keir Starmer’s Christmas message: “There is light at the end of the tunnel”

Below is the full text of Keir Starmer ’ s Christmas message .
I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas .
It ’ s is a time to celebrate and come together with our family and friends .
It ’ s a time for Christians in Britain and across the world to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ .
The values of Christianity of generosity , of kindness and hope , have shone through this year .
In every village , every town and every city we have seen the very best of Britain .
The key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s rock .
The servicemen and servicewomen who have stepped up .
And the incredible scientists who have discovered a vaccine .
I know it hasn ’ t been easy .
I know for many of our key workers they will have to step up again , one more time , this Christmas .
As will our armed forces , who have been deployed here and across the overseas .
To all of you , a heartfelt thank you .
Christmas is a time for us to be thankful for what we value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lost so much .
Too many families have lost loved ones this year .
For many , that is going to mean an empty space around the Christmas table .
And I know how difficult this period will be without them .
To all of those families , to all of you in isolation , my thoughts are with you all .
This year has been like no other .
But there is light at the end of the tunnel .
The vaccine will be distributed .
The spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And we will recapture the spirit that has got us through the pandemic and rebuild a better future for our country .
So , wherever you are and however you ’ re celebrating stay safe , have a very merry Christmas and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year .

Below is the full text of Keir Starmer’s Christmas message.
I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. It’s is a time to celebrate and come together with our family and friends. It’s a time for Christians in Britain and across the world to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
The values of Christianity of generosity, of kindness and hope, have shone through this year. In every village, every town and every city we have seen the very best of Britain.
The key workers who have been our country’s rock. The servicemen and servicewomen who have stepped up. And the incredible scientists who have discovered a vaccine.
I know it hasn’t been easy. I know for many of our key workers they will have to step up again, one more time, this Christmas.
As will our armed forces, who have been deployed here and across the overseas. To all of you, a heartfelt thank you.
Christmas is a time for us to be thankful for what we value most and to care for those who have lost so much.
Too many families have lost loved ones this year. For many, that is going to mean an empty space around the Christmas table.
And I know how difficult this period will be without them. To all of those families, to all of you in isolation, my thoughts are with you all.
This year has been like no other. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The vaccine will be distributed. The spread of the virus will slow. Businesses will reopen.
And we will recapture the spirit that has got us through the pandemic and rebuild a better future for our country.
So, wherever you are and however you’re celebrating stay safe, have a very merry Christmas and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.


labourlist--2020-12-23--To defeat the virus anywhere, we must defeat it everywhere

The director general of the World Health Organisation earlier this year said : “ The greatest threat we face now is not the virus itself .
Rather , it is the lack of leadership and solidarity at the global and national levels.
” After the global financial crash in 2008 , thanks in no small part to the leadership shown by Gordon Brown , world leaders came together to stem global economic haemorrhaging and take action to protect jobs , pensions and life savings .
This time , that sort of leadership has been desperately lacking .
At the outset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to procure personal protective equipment saw governments compete with each other , pushing up prices .
Tensions between China and the USA created a toxic environment for cooperation across borders , while the US withdrew entirely from the WHO .
Vaccine nationalism rose as countries scrambled to buy up doses for their own citizens 12 months in and the global economic plan remains inadequate while UK leadership has been lacking .
The greatest challenge in 2021 will be the manufacture and distribution of a vaccine around the world .
If we do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our moral duty to some of the poorest people in the world but the health and economic fallout will be prolonged in every part of the world .
To defeat the virus anywhere , we must defeat it everywhere .
That is why 2021 must be the year that the UK ends a decade of global retreat and drives a renewed international effort to tackle Covid , starting with a more just vaccine distribution to shorten the global crisis and aid the economic recovery of all countries .
We will all be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic with the best tools available .
One of the key challenges is funding .
The UN initiative to develop , produce and fairly distribute tests , treatments and vaccines against Covid-19 is facing a £28bn budget shortfall .
Part of this is an unprecedented global agreement ( COVAX ) on vaccine production and distribution that has brought together poorer and richer countries on an equal footing in pursuit of equitable access .
But the government quickly needs to step up diplomatic efforts to ensure it is a success .
COVAX needs adequate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the vaccine .
The UK should also be working to persuade all countries to do their part .
However , the decision to abolish a longstanding commit to spending 0.7 % of GNI on aid has eroded Britain ’ s moral authority at precisely the moment it is needed .
With the election of Joe Biden , the USA may step forward , rejoining not only the World Health Organisation but possibly becoming full participants in the COVAX initiative too .
We should be reaching out to President-Elect Biden to try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USA .
Second , we need to ensure intellectual property works for public health , starting with fair and transparent pricing .
AstraZeneca have said their vaccine developed with Oxford will be available not for profit , at least during the duration of the pandemic , but there are many other barriers among different vaccines to scaling up production and distribution to the level it needs to be , including pricing and licensing .
It would be a disaster if poorer countries and poorer citizens were cut off from access because they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps on this ourselves , we can light the way to ensure others follow suit .
Ours is a country where brilliant scientists came together with their international counterparts to pioneer treatments and vaccines .
It ’ s a country with the sort of universal healthcare system , free at the point of use , which is a distant dream for so many people across the world .
Yet we have a government with so little competence , energy or foresight that we end this year with one of the highest death tolls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any major economy and a sense amongst our allies abroad that we are absent from the biggest global challenge of my lifetime .
For all of our sakes , 2021 has got to be the year that changes .

The director general of the World Health Organisation earlier this year said: “The greatest threat we face now is not the virus itself. Rather, it is the lack of leadership and solidarity at the global and national levels.” After the global financial crash in 2008, thanks in no small part to the leadership shown by Gordon Brown, world leaders came together to stem global economic haemorrhaging and take action to protect jobs, pensions and life savings. This time, that sort of leadership has been desperately lacking.
At the outset of the pandemic, a chaotic scramble to procure personal protective equipment saw governments compete with each other, pushing up prices. Tensions between China and the USA created a toxic environment for cooperation across borders, while the US withdrew entirely from the WHO. Vaccine nationalism rose as countries scrambled to buy up doses for their own citizens 12 months in and the global economic plan remains inadequate while UK leadership has been lacking.
The greatest challenge in 2021 will be the manufacture and distribution of a vaccine around the world. If we do not succeed, not only will we fail in our moral duty to some of the poorest people in the world but the health and economic fallout will be prolonged in every part of the world. To defeat the virus anywhere, we must defeat it everywhere.
That is why 2021 must be the year that the UK ends a decade of global retreat and drives a renewed international effort to tackle Covid, starting with a more just vaccine distribution to shorten the global crisis and aid the economic recovery of all countries. We will all be safest when every country can fight that pandemic with the best tools available.
One of the key challenges is funding. The UN initiative to develop, produce and fairly distribute tests, treatments and vaccines against Covid-19 is facing a £28bn budget shortfall. Part of this is an unprecedented global agreement (COVAX) on vaccine production and distribution that has brought together poorer and richer countries on an equal footing in pursuit of equitable access. But the government quickly needs to step up diplomatic efforts to ensure it is a success.
COVAX needs adequate funds to manufacture and distribute sufficient quantities of the vaccine. The UK should also be working to persuade all countries to do their part. However, the decision to abolish a longstanding commit to spending 0.7% of GNI on aid has eroded Britain’s moral authority at precisely the moment it is needed. With the election of Joe Biden, the USA may step forward, rejoining not only the World Health Organisation but possibly becoming full participants in the COVAX initiative too. We should be reaching out to President-Elect Biden to try to secure a change of course from the USA.
Second, we need to ensure intellectual property works for public health, starting with fair and transparent pricing. AstraZeneca have said their vaccine developed with Oxford will be available not for profit, at least during the duration of the pandemic, but there are many other barriers among different vaccines to scaling up production and distribution to the level it needs to be, including pricing and licensing. It would be a disaster if poorer countries and poorer citizens were cut off from access because they cannot afford to pay. By taking steps on this ourselves, we can light the way to ensure others follow suit.
Ours is a country where brilliant scientists came together with their international counterparts to pioneer treatments and vaccines. It’s a country with the sort of universal healthcare system, free at the point of use, which is a distant dream for so many people across the world. Yet we have a government with so little competence, energy or foresight that we end this year with one of the highest death tolls in Europe, the worst recession of any major economy and a sense amongst our allies abroad that we are absent from the biggest global challenge of my lifetime. For all of our sakes, 2021 has got to be the year that changes.


labourlist--2020-12-24--Message to Labour: don’t give Boris Johnson’s deal a ringing endorsement

How Labour votes in the House of Commons on the post-Brexit trade deal matters .
Not in terms of Brexit itself , which happened on January 31st , but in terms of whether we endorse the post-Brexit arrangements with the EU that have been negotiated by Boris Johnson and bear little relationship with what he previously promised .
1 .
It would mean endorsing a deal with the same characteristics ( outside the customs union and much else ) that we so strongly criticised for the last three years .
We can ’ t suddenly say with any credibility that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The argument that we have to vote for it to avoid a ‘ no deal ’ outcome doesn ’ t stand up : it will be carried in the House of Commons if we abstain ( and almost certainly even if we vote against ) .
This is simply about whether Labour endorses something it previously denounced .
It would make our previous opposition to Theresa May ’ s and Boris Johnson ’ s deal look as though it was simply playing tactical games in the Commons .
2 .
It would give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his deal , seemingly endorsing his negotiating strategy – including his threat to break international law .
3 .
Most importantly , in the longer run , it would mean that we also “ own ” the deal and its numerous consequences , making it more difficult to criticise the government for its shortcomings .
The next months and years are likely to see many negative consequences of the deal beginning to hit the public .
We don ’ t want the words “ you voted for it ” being thrown back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximise divisions within the party and alienate a large number of party members and supporters .
The pro-Brexit right-wingers ( John Mann , Kate Hoey , Gisela Stuart , and so on ) have left the scene .
The activists who campaigned with Another Europe is Possible , the Labour Movement for Europe , Labour for a European Future , Love Socialism Hate Brexit and more are numerous , and many of them would see any endorsement of Johnson ’ s Brexit deal as a betrayal .
They would not be alone : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find a less damaging “ jobs-first Brexit ” would be seriously disappointed to see Labour backing Boris .
Generally , the party is uncomfortable when we vote with the government , even in cases where that is necessary .
Where it is not necessary , there would be serious disquiet .
5 .
It would put us on the wrong side of public opinion .
Recent polls have shown a record majority saying Brexit itself was a mistake .
Even more will be critical of Johnson ’ s incompetent deal .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences bite .
This is true across the country , even in the ‘ Red Wall ’ , but perhaps especially so in Scotland where Labour risks being outflanked by the SNP .
Abstention is the least problematic course of action .
It would avoid any risk of a no-deal outcome by allowing the deal to get through even if there is a big Tory ultra-Brexiteer rebellion , but without giving Johnson a triumphant majority .
And without Labour being labelled as meekly tagging along , reversing what we believe in and endorsing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be compared to what we did on the Covid lockdown measures : we didn ’ t want to reject them due to the consequences , but we did not want to endorse an inadequate package .
It ’ s the position we should take again here .

How Labour votes in the House of Commons on the post-Brexit trade deal matters. Not in terms of Brexit itself, which happened on January 31st, but in terms of whether we endorse the post-Brexit arrangements with the EU that have been negotiated by Boris Johnson and bear little relationship with what he previously promised.
If Labour votes for a Johnson deal…
1. It would mean endorsing a deal with the same characteristics (outside the customs union and much else) that we so strongly criticised for the last three years. We can’t suddenly say with any credibility that it’s ok after all. The argument that we have to vote for it to avoid a ‘no deal’ outcome doesn’t stand up: it will be carried in the House of Commons if we abstain (and almost certainly even if we vote against). This is simply about whether Labour endorses something it previously denounced. It would make our previous opposition to Theresa May’s and Boris Johnson’s deal look as though it was simply playing tactical games in the Commons.
2. It would give Johnson the triumph of a massive majority for his deal, seemingly endorsing his negotiating strategy – including his threat to break international law.
3. Most importantly, in the longer run, it would mean that we also “own” the deal and its numerous consequences, making it more difficult to criticise the government for its shortcomings. The next months and years are likely to see many negative consequences of the deal beginning to hit the public. We don’t want the words “you voted for it” being thrown back at us.
4. It would maximise divisions within the party and alienate a large number of party members and supporters. The pro-Brexit right-wingers (John Mann, Kate Hoey, Gisela Stuart, and so on) have left the scene. The activists who campaigned with Another Europe is Possible, the Labour Movement for Europe, Labour for a European Future, Love Socialism Hate Brexit and more are numerous, and many of them would see any endorsement of Johnson’s Brexit deal as a betrayal.
They would not be alone: many of those who supported the attempt to find a less damaging “jobs-first Brexit” would be seriously disappointed to see Labour backing Boris. Generally, the party is uncomfortable when we vote with the government, even in cases where that is necessary. Where it is not necessary, there would be serious disquiet.
5. It would put us on the wrong side of public opinion. Recent polls have shown a record majority saying Brexit itself was a mistake. Even more will be critical of Johnson’s incompetent deal. Those criticisms are likely to grow as the consequences bite. This is true across the country, even in the ‘Red Wall’, but perhaps especially so in Scotland where Labour risks being outflanked by the SNP.
Abstention is the least problematic course of action. It would avoid any risk of a no-deal outcome by allowing the deal to get through even if there is a big Tory ultra-Brexiteer rebellion, but without giving Johnson a triumphant majority. And without Labour being labelled as meekly tagging along, reversing what we believe in and endorsing a particularly bad Brexit.
Abstention here can be compared to what we did on the Covid lockdown measures: we didn’t want to reject them due to the consequences, but we did not want to endorse an inadequate package. It’s the position we should take again here.


labourlist--2020-12-24--Starmer confirms Labour MPs will be whipped to vote in favour of Brexit deal

Keir Starmer has confirmed this afternoon that Labour MPs will be whipped to vote in favour of the post-Brexit trade deal agreed by the United Kingdom and the European Union today on Christmas eve .
Delivering a statement at a Labour press conference , the opposition leader said : “ Labour is against no deal .
Firmly and absolutely .
And the British people would never forgive us if we enabled a no deal outcome .
“ There are some that argue Labour should be neutral on this issue .
To abstain .
I do not agree .
Leadership is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national interest .
It is about being a serious , responsible opposition.
” He added : “ At a moment of such national significance , it is not credible for Labour to be on the side lines .
That is why I can say today that when this deal comes before parliament , Labour will accept it and vote for it .
“ But let me be absolutely clear – and say directly to the government – up against no deal , we accept this deal , but the consequences of it are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will hold you to account for it .
Every second you are in power.
” The Speaker of the House of Commons has granted a request from the government to recall parliament at 9.30am on December 30th for MPs to debate legislation and give effect to the agreement with the EU in UK law .
“ The choice is no deal or this deal .
We will certainly be better off with this deal , and we will have to make it work .
No deal would have terrible consequences for our country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enable that to happen , ” Starmer said .
“ We have to make a success of this , we have to make it work .
It is far better than no deal.
” He added that the agreement was “ very , very thin ” on services and equivalence provisions , but reiterated it was “ in the national interest ” .
Starmer told ITV : “ An incoming Labour government in 2024 would inherit this deal .
Therefore we have to make this deal work .
It ’ s what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , it ’ s what you would expect .
“ Of course we ’ d want to improve on it .
But we ’ d have to operate to this deal .
It ’ s really important that we are in a position to say we go into that election building on this deal.
” Asked what are the benefits of Brexit , Starmer replied : “ We ’ ve left the EU… We ’ ve now got a base on which to build .
That is a very , very good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ relief ” across communities now a deal has been struck .
Asked whether it was “ political cowardice ” for Labour to back the deal , he said : “ It ’ s completely the opposite .
These are difficult and tough decisions .
But in the end there is only really one choice , a binary choice , here .
“ Either we support the deal or we support the alternative , which is no deal .
And we ’ ve always been against no deal .
That is why we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think many people will see this as a tough but necessary decision ” .
Unite ’ s Len McCluskey , who had urged the Labour leadership to support any Brexit deal agreed , has remarked that the deal is “ definitely to be welcomed ” , though will be considered a “ basis from which we must build ” .
Labour frontbencher Rachel Reeves told a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party in November that a deal struck by this government would be a platform for building on , and voting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to voters .
Backbench MPs including Hilary Benn , Liam Byrne , Harriet Harman , Sarah Owen and Yvette Cooper supported these arguments .
Others , including Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds , have had more reservations .
It was reported that shadow cabinet members such as Dodds , Emily Thornberry , Bridget Phillipson and David Lammy were in favour of Labour abstaining on the vote .
But Starmer said Labour would unite around one position .
“ We ’ ve pulled together incredibly over the last few months through difficult decisions , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course there are different opinions as you would expect , but we ’ ll pull together , discuss it as a team and be united.
” Below is the full text of Keir Starmer ’ s statement .
As leader of the Labour Party , I have urged the government to get on with negotiating the Brexit deal that it promised .
I wanted the talks to succeed .
I did so because a deal is in the national interest .
Businesses need a deal .
Working people need a deal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the government was even considering no deal – during a global pandemic – was grossly irresponsible .
After months of negotiations , a deal has now been agreed .
The choice facing parliament – the choice facing Labour – is now whether to accept that deal or reject it .
The deal is a thin agreement .
It does not provide adequate protections for British manufacturing .
Our financial services .
Creative industries .
Or workplace rights .
It is not the deal the government promised .
Far from it .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s preparedness for the new arrangements .
Leaving everything to the last minute has made it even more difficult for businesses to be ready .
A better deal could have been negotiated .
But I accept that option has now gone .
The chance for renegotiation is over .
There are just two paths now left for our country .
To move forward with a deal .
Or without one .
No deal is simply not an option .
The social , economic and political consequences would be devastating .
Jobs would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapse .
Investment would dry up .
Our national security would be threatened .
The disruption we have seen at the Port of Dover in recent days would be the tip of the iceberg .
And the cumulative effect – on top of the worst recession of any major economy – would be unimaginable .
Labour is against no deal .
Firmly and absolutely .
And the British people would never forgive us if we enabled a no deal outcome .
There are some that argue Labour should be neutral on this issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree .
Leadership is about taking the tough decisions in the national interest .
It is about being a serious , responsible opposition .
A government-in-waiting .
This is the deal Labour will inherit in 2024 .
It is something we will build on compared to the chaos of no deal .
The public would expect a labour government to make it work .
And the EU would expect us to make it work .
And to use it to protect our shared interests .
Including the peace process in Northern Ireland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is not credible for Labour to be on the side lines .
That is why I can say today that when this deal comes before Parliament , Labour will accept it and vote for it .
But let me be absolutely clear – and say directly to the government – up against no deal , we accept this deal , but the consequences of it are yours .
And yours alone .
We will hold you to account for it .
Every second you are in power .
For the promises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you break .
No longer can you blame somebody else .
Responsibility for this deal – lies squarely at the door of Number 10 .
I want to address the British people directly .
I know how tired you are of Brexit .
The endless negotiations .
And political squabbles .
You want to move on .
You want politicians in Westminster talking about the things that matter to you and your family .
Securing our economy .
Protecting our NHS .
And rebuilding our country .
Those are my priorities .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done extraordinary things .
Our NHS is the envy of the world .
British scientists were among the first to discover a coronavirus vaccine .
I want to be Prime Minister because I believe a better future is possible for our country .
That we can be even greater than we are today .
That we can achieve so much more .
That we can stand proud on the world stage .
And that we can make Britain the best place to grow up in and the best place to grow old in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in .
That is the change I want .
And with Labour under new leadership that is the change we offer .
Thank you .

Keir Starmer has confirmed this afternoon that Labour MPs will be whipped to vote in favour of the post-Brexit trade deal agreed by the United Kingdom and the European Union today on Christmas Eve.
Delivering a statement at a Labour press conference, the opposition leader said: “Labour is against no deal. Firmly and absolutely. And the British people would never forgive us if we enabled a no deal outcome.
“There are some that argue Labour should be neutral on this issue. To abstain. I do not agree. Leadership is about taking the tough decisions in the national interest. It is about being a serious, responsible opposition.”
He added: “At a moment of such national significance, it is not credible for Labour to be on the side lines. That is why I can say today that when this deal comes before parliament, Labour will accept it and vote for it.
“But let me be absolutely clear – and say directly to the government – up against no deal, we accept this deal, but the consequences of it are yours. And yours alone. We will hold you to account for it. Every second you are in power.”
The Speaker of the House of Commons has granted a request from the government to recall parliament at 9.30am on December 30th for MPs to debate legislation and give effect to the agreement with the EU in UK law.
“The choice is no deal or this deal. We will certainly be better off with this deal, and we will have to make it work. No deal would have terrible consequences for our country, and the Labour Party could not enable that to happen,” Starmer said.
“We have to make a success of this, we have to make it work. It is far better than no deal.” He added that the agreement was “very, very thin” on services and equivalence provisions, but reiterated it was “in the national interest”.
Starmer told ITV: “An incoming Labour government in 2024 would inherit this deal. Therefore we have to make this deal work. It’s what the public would expect of an incoming Labour government, it’s what you would expect.
“Of course we’d want to improve on it. But we’d have to operate to this deal. It’s really important that we are in a position to say we go into that election building on this deal.”
Asked what are the benefits of Brexit, Starmer replied: “We’ve left the EU… We’ve now got a base on which to build. That is a very, very good thing.” He said there would be “relief” across communities now a deal has been struck.
Asked whether it was “political cowardice” for Labour to back the deal, he said: “It’s completely the opposite. These are difficult and tough decisions. But in the end there is only really one choice, a binary choice, here.
“Either we support the deal or we support the alternative, which is no deal. And we’ve always been against no deal. That is why we’ll vote against this deal. I think many people will see this as a tough but necessary decision”.
Unite’s Len McCluskey, who had urged the Labour leadership to support any Brexit deal agreed, has remarked that the deal is “definitely to be welcomed”, though will be considered a “basis from which we must build”.
Labour frontbencher Rachel Reeves told a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party in November that a deal struck by this government would be a platform for building on, and voting for it would show the party is listening to voters.
Backbench MPs including Hilary Benn, Liam Byrne, Harriet Harman, Sarah Owen and Yvette Cooper supported these arguments. Others, including Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds, have had more reservations.
It was reported that shadow cabinet members such as Dodds, Emily Thornberry, Bridget Phillipson and David Lammy were in favour of Labour abstaining on the vote. But Starmer said Labour would unite around one position.
“We’ve pulled together incredibly over the last few months through difficult decisions,” he said earlier this month. “Of course there are different opinions as you would expect, but we’ll pull together, discuss it as a team and be united.”
Below is the full text of Keir Starmer’s statement.
As leader of the Labour Party, I have urged the government to get on with negotiating the Brexit deal that it promised. I wanted the talks to succeed. I did so because a deal is in the national interest.
Businesses need a deal. Working people need a deal. Families need a deal. The fact that the government was even considering no deal – during a global pandemic – was grossly irresponsible.
After months of negotiations, a deal has now been agreed. The choice facing parliament – the choice facing Labour – is now whether to accept that deal or reject it.
The deal is a thin agreement. It does not provide adequate protections for British manufacturing. Our financial services. Creative industries. Or workplace rights.
It is not the deal the government promised. Far from it. And there are serious questions about the government’s preparedness for the new arrangements.
Leaving everything to the last minute has made it even more difficult for businesses to be ready. A better deal could have been negotiated. But I accept that option has now gone. The chance for renegotiation is over.
There are just two paths now left for our country. To move forward with a deal. Or without one. No deal is simply not an option. The social, economic and political consequences would be devastating.
Jobs would be put at risk. Businesses would collapse. Investment would dry up. Our national security would be threatened.
The disruption we have seen at the Port of Dover in recent days would be the tip of the iceberg. And the cumulative effect – on top of the worst recession of any major economy – would be unimaginable.
Labour is against no deal. Firmly and absolutely. And the British people would never forgive us if we enabled a no deal outcome.
There are some that argue Labour should be neutral on this issue. To abstain. I do not agree.
Leadership is about taking the tough decisions in the national interest. It is about being a serious, responsible opposition. A government-in-waiting.
This is the deal Labour will inherit in 2024. It is something we will build on compared to the chaos of no deal. The public would expect a labour government to make it work.
And the EU would expect us to make it work. And to use it to protect our shared interests. Including the peace process in Northern Ireland.
At a moment of such national significance, it is not credible for Labour to be on the side lines. That is why I can say today that when this deal comes before Parliament, Labour will accept it and vote for it.
But let me be absolutely clear – and say directly to the government – up against no deal, we accept this deal, but the consequences of it are yours. And yours alone.
We will hold you to account for it. Every second you are in power. For the promises you have made. And the promises you break.
No longer can you blame somebody else. Responsibility for this deal – lies squarely at the door of Number 10.
I want to address the British people directly. I know how tired you are of Brexit. The endless negotiations. And political squabbles.
You want to move on. You want politicians in Westminster talking about the things that matter to you and your family.
Securing our economy. Protecting our NHS. And rebuilding our country. Those are my priorities. We are a great country. We have done extraordinary things.
Our NHS is the envy of the world. British scientists were among the first to discover a coronavirus vaccine.
I want to be Prime Minister because I believe a better future is possible for our country. That we can be even greater than we are today. That we can achieve so much more.
That we can stand proud on the world stage. And that we can make Britain the best place to grow up in and the best place to grow old in.
That is the change I believe in. That is the change I want. And with Labour under new leadership that is the change we offer. Thank you.


labourlist--2020-12-24--No deal averted as UK and EU agree post-Brexit trade deal on Christmas eve

The potential no deal outcome feared by many in the Labour Party has been averted one week before the end of the transition period , as the United Kingdom and the European Union have agreed a trade deal on Christmas eve .
When the UK leaves the European single market and customs union on December 31st , new arrangements set out in the trade agreement will come into force and allow tariff-free trade in goods .
Responding to the news , a Labour spokesperson said : “ Since the election , the Labour Party has urged the government and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is in the national interest .
We will be setting out our formal response to the deal in due course.
” It is understood that Keir Starmer will be meeting with the shadow cabinet shortly and is planning to hold a press conference setting out his full response to the Brexit deal agreed by the UK government this afternoon .
Labour frontbenchers have repeatedly said over recent weeks that the leadership is minded to whip MPs to vote in favour of a Brexit deal because the party has consistently called on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid no deal .
“ The clock is no longer ticking , ” EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier declared this afternoon .
He added that the UK had decided to give up the benefits of EU single market membership as the deal “ does not reproduce ” them .
Barnier revealed that the UK government decided not to participate in the Erasmus exchange programme .
On free movement , he said : “ The level of ambition in terms of the mobility of citizens is not in line with our historical ties ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : “ The deal is done .
Everything that the British public was promised during the 2016 referendum and in the general election last year is delivered by this deal .
“ We have taken back control of our money , borders , laws , trade and our fishing waters .
The deal is fantastic news for families and businesses in every part of the UK .
We have signed the first free trade agreement based on zero tariffs and zero quotas that has ever been achieved.
” Delivering a statement from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be recalled and he expected MPs to vote on the post-Brexit deal next week on December 30th – just one day before the transition period ends .
Labour ’ s Mark Drakeford , First Minister of Wales , described the agreement as a “ thin deal ” .
He added : “ It will still be a difficult deal for Wales but it provides a platform to which we can return to argue for improvements in the future.
” Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard responded to the news by criticising Boris Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with “ irresponsible brinksmanship ” and “ leaving it to the 11th hour to secure a deal ” .
But Leonard added : “ We must now look at the detail of the deal , and move on with a plan to protect jobs , incomes and our public services in Scotland , as we face a pandemic-driven recession.
” Commenting on the UK-EU trade deal , TUC general secretary Frances O ’ Grady said : “ This deal is better than nothing , but not by much .
It won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights on the line .
“ As we come out of the pandemic , we ’ re facing a crunch point for jobs and living standards .
This deal is on the Prime Minister ’ s head – it ’ s his responsibility to make sure working families don ’ t end up worse off .
“ Now the Prime Minister must make good on his promise to level up Britain .
And he needs to act fast .
There can be no more pointing the finger at the EU .
Government must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with investment in jobs and green industries in parts of the country that need it most .
“ Ministers must also urgently build on this deal to overcome the barriers to trade and higher production costs many sectors will face which puts jobs at risk .
And we will not accept a race to the bottom on rights.
” Steve Turner , Unite ’ s assistant general secretary for manufacturing , said : “ Relieved as we are and thin as the deal may be , we consider the deal to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our future trading relationship.
” UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis commented : “ Any deal is better than the catastrophe of no deal .
But the government ’ s mishandling of Brexit means even with this agreement , working people and public services still face huge uncertainty.
” GMB ’ s Warren Kenny said : “ The Prime Minister has got his deal , the buck stops with Number 10 now .
He needs to deliver on the promises he made .
He must give workers and business leaders the clarity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five years.
” Manuel Cortes , general secretary of transport union TSSA , said it was a “ relief ” that no deal had been avoided but “ today is a sad day ” that will leave the future “ uncertain ” and “ we will all be poorer in years to come ” .

The potential no deal outcome feared by many in the Labour Party has been averted one week before the end of the transition period, as the United Kingdom and the European Union have agreed a trade deal on Christmas eve.
When the UK leaves the European single market and customs union on December 31st, new arrangements set out in the trade agreement will come into force and allow tariff-free trade in goods.
Responding to the news, a Labour spokesperson said: “Since the election, the Labour Party has urged the government and the EU to secure a trade deal because that is in the national interest. We will be setting out our formal response to the deal in due course.”
It is understood that Keir Starmer will be meeting with the shadow cabinet shortly and is planning to hold a press conference setting out his full response to the Brexit deal agreed by the UK government this afternoon.
Labour frontbenchers have repeatedly said over recent weeks that the leadership is minded to whip MPs to vote in favour of a Brexit deal because the party has consistently called on the Prime Minister to deliver a deal and avoid no deal.
“The clock is no longer ticking,” EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier declared this afternoon. He added that the UK had decided to give up the benefits of EU single market membership as the deal “does not reproduce” them.
Barnier revealed that the UK government decided not to participate in the Erasmus exchange programme. On free movement, he said: “The level of ambition in terms of the mobility of citizens is not in line with our historical ties”.
A No 10 Downing Street spokesperson said: “The deal is done. Everything that the British public was promised during the 2016 referendum and in the general election last year is delivered by this deal.
“We have taken back control of our money, borders, laws, trade and our fishing waters. The deal is fantastic news for families and businesses in every part of the UK. We have signed the first free trade agreement based on zero tariffs and zero quotas that has ever been achieved.”
Delivering a statement from Downing Street, Boris Johnson said parliament will be recalled and he expected MPs to vote on the post-Brexit deal next week on December 30th – just one day before the transition period ends.
Labour’s Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, described the agreement as a “thin deal”. He added: “It will still be a difficult deal for Wales but it provides a platform to which we can return to argue for improvements in the future.”
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard responded to the news by criticising Boris Johnson for causing “huge economic uncertainty” with “irresponsible brinksmanship” and “leaving it to the 11th hour to secure a deal”.
But Leonard added: “We must now look at the detail of the deal, and move on with a plan to protect jobs, incomes and our public services in Scotland, as we face a pandemic-driven recession.”
Commenting on the UK-EU trade deal, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “This deal is better than nothing, but not by much. It won’t protect jobs and puts hard-won workers’ rights on the line.
“As we come out of the pandemic, we’re facing a crunch point for jobs and living standards. This deal is on the Prime Minister’s head – it’s his responsibility to make sure working families don’t end up worse off.
“Now the Prime Minister must make good on his promise to level up Britain. And he needs to act fast. There can be no more pointing the finger at the EU. Government must deliver an industrial strategy for decent work, with investment in jobs and green industries in parts of the country that need it most.
“Ministers must also urgently build on this deal to overcome the barriers to trade and higher production costs many sectors will face which puts jobs at risk. And we will not accept a race to the bottom on rights.”
Steve Turner, Unite’s assistant general secretary for manufacturing, said: “Relieved as we are and thin as the deal may be, we consider the deal to be the floor and certainly not the ceiling of our future trading relationship.”
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis commented: “Any deal is better than the catastrophe of no deal. But the government’s mishandling of Brexit means even with this agreement, working people and public services still face huge uncertainty.”
GMB’s Warren Kenny said: “The Prime Minister has got his deal, the buck stops with Number 10 now. He needs to deliver on the promises he made. He must give workers and business leaders the clarity and support they have lacked for the past five years.”
Manuel Cortes, general secretary of transport union TSSA, said it was a “relief” that no deal had been avoided but “today is a sad day” that will leave the future “uncertain” and “we will all be poorer in years to come”.


labourlist--2020-12-28--Starmer urged by Labour figures across factional spectrum not to back Tory deal

Labour MPs John McDonnell , Clive Lewis and Ben Bradshaw have come together with organisations and high-profile activists to urge Keir Starmer not to support Boris Johnson ’ s post-Brexit trade deal as planned .
The Labour leader confirmed last week that MPs in his party will be whipped to vote in favour of the post-Brexit trade deal freshly agreed by the UK government and the EU when it is put before parliament on Wednesday .
“ Leadership is about taking the tough decisions in the national interest .
It is about being a serious , responsible opposition , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of such national significance , it is not credible for Labour to be on the side lines.
” While describing the deal as “ very , very thin ” , the opposition leader nonetheless said voting for it was “ in the national interest ” .
He added : “ We have to make a success of this , we have to make it work .
It is far better than no deal.
” MPs including former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell , along with academics , journalists , campaign groups and trade unionists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Labour Party not to back the deal this week .
The joint statement warns that the deal is “ designed to open the door to rampant economic deregulation ” , and tells UK opposition parties : “ We are witnessing an act of vandalism against our livelihoods , our rights and our horizons.
” It is signed by Ben Bradshaw , who nominated Starmer as a leadership candidate earlier this year , and Blairite peer Andrew Adonis , as well as former Momentum national coordinator Laura Parker who once worked as Jeremy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebellion of at least 20 Labour MPs is expected later this week .
A number of MPs have already confirmed that they intend to defy the party whip , including backbenchers Neil Coyle , Lloyd Russell-Moyle and Rupa Huq .
Labour has criticised the government for providing little time for parliamentary scrutiny of the deal .
It has also argued that the agreement is “ underwhelming ” , neglects the UK ’ s services sector and weakens security measures .
But , as Rachel Reeves wrote today , the party has concluded that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no deal at all ” .
Of the decision to back the deal , she said : “ That is acting responsibly .
It is putting the country first .
It is choosing policy before politics.
” Below is the full text of the statement organised by groups Another Europe is Possible and Labour for a Socialist Europe .
After years of posturing and delay , Boris Johnson has finally announced that a trade deal with the EU has been agreed .
The backdrop to the deal is a profound crisis , marked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid .
Recent days have witnessed panic , job losses and chaos at the border , but rather than seek any form of extension to the Brexit transition period , the government has ploughed ahead .
This deal is a substantial downgrade of the UK ’ s relationship with the EU , and is designed to open the door to rampant economic deregulation – a loss of rights and protections for workers , the environment , food standards and many other areas of life .
From January 1st , UK citizens will no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work in Europe , and many European migrants who have made their home in the UK will face an uncertain future .
Future trade deals could now entrench the privatisation of the NHS and other public services .
We are witnessing an act of vandalism against our livelihoods , our rights and our horizons .
Given the government ’ s majority , it is a foregone conclusion that the deal will pass in parliament , but this deal will not ‘ get Brexit done ’ : negotiations over trade and regulatory frameworks will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come .
The vital task now is opposition : proper parliamentary scrutiny of this and all future trade deals , and the setting out of an alternative future in which we not only regain the rights and jobs we have lost , but become a better and more equal society .
That task gets harder if opposition parties fall into the trap of rallying around this rotten deal .
We call on Labour , the labour movement and other opposition parties not to support the Tories ’ Brexit deal when it is put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commons .
John McDonnell MP Clive Lewis MP Ben Bradshaw MP Paul Mason , author of Postcapitalism Laura Parker , former Momentum national coordinator Lord Adonis Tom Kibasi , economist Sandy Martin , former MP for Ipswich Alan Simpson , former MP for Nottingham South John Austin , former MP Woolwich/Erith & Thamesmead Anna Turley , former MP for Redcar Michael Chessum , Another Europe is Possible Sandy Paul , Labour for a Socialist Europe Richard Corbett , leader of the Labour Party group of MEPs 2017 to 2020 Glyn Ford , leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1989 to 1993 Mary Kaldor , Professor of Global Governance at the LSE Ana Oppenheim , Momentum national coordinating group member ( pc ) Abbie Clark , Momentum national coordinating group member ( pc ) Fran Springfield , co-Chair of Disability Labour ( pc ) Joan Twelves , former leader of Lambeth Council Shaista Aziz , Oxford Labour councillor anti racist activist Zoe Williams , journalist James Meadway , economist Pat Murphy , NEU national executive ( pc ) John Moloney , PCS assistant general secretary ( pc ) Julie Ward , former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Former Labour MEP for London Jude Kirton-Darling , Former Labour MEP for NE England David Martin , Former Labour MEP for Scotland Lynne Jones , Former Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak Heather Wakefield , former Assistant general secretary of Unison Valerie Bossman-Quarshie , Islington North CLP Andrea Pisauro , Manifesto di Londra and Take a Break from Brexit John Palmer , former European Editor of The Guardian Niccolo Milanese , European Alternatives Martin Shaw , sociologist Chris Bertram , Emeritus Professor of Social and Political Philosophy at the University of Bristol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Counselling , Open University Luke Cooper , LSE Conflict and Civil Society Research Unit Cat Villiers , film producer Brian Channer , Lewisham East CLP Andreas Wittel , Nottingham Trent University Sally Brooks , Department of Social Policy and Social Work , University of York Kathy Bole , Suffolk County Councillor

Labour MPs John McDonnell, Clive Lewis and Ben Bradshaw have come together with organisations and high-profile activists to urge Keir Starmer not to support Boris Johnson’s post-Brexit trade deal as planned.
The Labour leader confirmed last week that MPs in his party will be whipped to vote in favour of the post-Brexit trade deal freshly agreed by the UK government and the EU when it is put before parliament on Wednesday.
“Leadership is about taking the tough decisions in the national interest. It is about being a serious, responsible opposition,” Starmer said. “At a moment of such national significance, it is not credible for Labour to be on the side lines.”
While describing the deal as “very, very thin”, the opposition leader nonetheless said voting for it was “in the national interest”. He added: “We have to make a success of this, we have to make it work. It is far better than no deal.”
MPs including former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, along with academics, journalists, campaign groups and trade unionists have now signed a statement calling on the Labour Party not to back the deal this week.
The joint statement warns that the deal is “designed to open the door to rampant economic deregulation”, and tells UK opposition parties: “We are witnessing an act of vandalism against our livelihoods, our rights and our horizons.”
It is signed by Ben Bradshaw, who nominated Starmer as a leadership candidate earlier this year, and Blairite peer Andrew Adonis, as well as former Momentum national coordinator Laura Parker who once worked as Jeremy Corbyn’s private secretary.
A rebellion of at least 20 Labour MPs is expected later this week. A number of MPs have already confirmed that they intend to defy the party whip, including backbenchers Neil Coyle, Lloyd Russell-Moyle and Rupa Huq.
Labour has criticised the government for providing little time for parliamentary scrutiny of the deal. It has also argued that the agreement is “underwhelming”, neglects the UK’s services sector and weakens security measures.
But, as Rachel Reeves wrote today, the party has concluded that “a bad deal is better than no deal at all”. Of the decision to back the deal, she said: “That is acting responsibly. It is putting the country first. It is choosing policy before politics.”
Below is the full text of the statement organised by groups Another Europe is Possible and Labour for a Socialist Europe.
After years of posturing and delay, Boris Johnson has finally announced that a trade deal with the EU has been agreed. The backdrop to the deal is a profound crisis, marked by the government’s mismanagement of Covid. Recent days have witnessed panic, job losses and chaos at the border, but rather than seek any form of extension to the Brexit transition period, the government has ploughed ahead.
This deal is a substantial downgrade of the UK’s relationship with the EU, and is designed to open the door to rampant economic deregulation – a loss of rights and protections for workers, the environment, food standards and many other areas of life. From January 1st, UK citizens will no longer have the right to live and work in Europe, and many European migrants who have made their home in the UK will face an uncertain future. Future trade deals could now entrench the privatisation of the NHS and other public services. We are witnessing an act of vandalism against our livelihoods, our rights and our horizons.
Given the government’s majority, it is a foregone conclusion that the deal will pass in parliament, but this deal will not ‘get Brexit done’: negotiations over trade and regulatory frameworks will go on and on for years to come. The vital task now is opposition: proper parliamentary scrutiny of this and all future trade deals, and the setting out of an alternative future in which we not only regain the rights and jobs we have lost, but become a better and more equal society. That task gets harder if opposition parties fall into the trap of rallying around this rotten deal.
We call on Labour, the labour movement and other opposition parties not to support the Tories’ Brexit deal when it is put to a vote in the House of Commons.
John McDonnell MP
Clive Lewis MP
Ben Bradshaw MP
Paul Mason, author of Postcapitalism
Laura Parker, former Momentum national coordinator
Lord Adonis
Tom Kibasi, economist
Sandy Martin, former MP for Ipswich
Alan Simpson, former MP for Nottingham South
John Austin, former MP Woolwich/Erith & Thamesmead
Anna Turley, former MP for Redcar
Michael Chessum, Another Europe is Possible
Sandy Paul, Labour for a Socialist Europe
Richard Corbett, leader of the Labour Party group of MEPs 2017 to 2020
Glyn Ford, leader of the Labour Party group of MEPs 1989 to 1993
Mary Kaldor, Professor of Global Governance at the LSE
Ana Oppenheim, Momentum national coordinating group member (pc)
Abbie Clark, Momentum national coordinating group member (pc)
Fran Springfield, co-Chair of Disability Labour (pc)
Joan Twelves, former leader of Lambeth Council
Shaista Aziz, Oxford Labour councillor anti racist activist
Zoe Williams, journalist
James Meadway, economist
Pat Murphy, NEU national executive (pc)
John Moloney, PCS assistant general secretary (pc)
Julie Ward, former MEP for the North West
Mary Honeyball, Former Labour MEP for London
Jude Kirton-Darling, Former Labour MEP for NE England
David Martin, Former Labour MEP for Scotland
Lynne Jones, Former Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak
Heather Wakefield, former Assistant general secretary of Unison
Valerie Bossman-Quarshie, Islington North CLP
Andrea Pisauro, Manifesto di Londra and Take a Break from Brexit
John Palmer, former European Editor of The Guardian
Niccolo Milanese, European Alternatives
Martin Shaw, sociologist
Chris Bertram, Emeritus Professor of Social and Political Philosophy at the University of Bristol
Eleni Andreouli, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Counselling, Open University
Luke Cooper, LSE Conflict and Civil Society Research Unit
Cat Villiers, film producer
Brian Channer, Lewisham East CLP
Andreas Wittel, Nottingham Trent University
Sally Brooks, Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York
Kathy Bole, Suffolk County Councillor


labourlist--2020-12-28--Voting for Boris Johnson’s deal is Labour’s least worst option

I hate Brexit – everything about it , a thin deal , a fat deal , anything short of full membership of the European Union .
I spoke , I wrote , I marched for the cause .
But I am no longer a Remainer , and I believe that Labour should vote for Boris Johnson ’ s deal on December 30th .
We should do so not because we support it but , frankly , because we have no choice .
We should grit our teeth and cross our fingers .
But we should do it .
That , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to The Guardian , would be “ deeply uncomfortable for some MPs ” .
So it should be .
That ’ s what happens when you lose elections .
Opposition is ‘ uncomfortable ’ , often ‘ deeply uncomfortable ’ !
When Labour could have won the argument for Remain in 2016 or for a second referendum last year , we failed .
That ’ s why , at least in part , we are where we are .
Now we have to face a reality not of our own choosing : the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK has left the EU .
There is no prospect of reversing , delaying , mitigating the decision .
There is nothing Labour or its leader can now do to change that plain , uncomfortable fact .
In that state of political impotency , any vote now – for , against , abstention – can be no more than symbolic .
That is to say : it will have no practical effect , but it will signify how Labour proposes to face a future it has not shaped and how it is prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The choice is between a bad deal or no deal .
There is no other option .
A vote against the deal is a vote for no deal .
The former leader of the Labour MEPs , Richard Corbett , argues that abstention “ would avoid any risk of a no-deal outcome by allowing the deal to get through ” .
Thus , he suggests , Labour would cunningly avoid “ being labelled as meekly tagging along ” .
It would instead be labelled as meekly standing aside .
It would signify that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ than be engaged in the UK ’ s messy future .
Voting for the deal is by no means an endorsement of its woeful contents , nor complicity in their consequences ; it does not signify a desertion of former principles .
It should not be based on an anxious appeasement of lost Labour voters in the ‘ Red Wall ’ seats , and certainly not on how the Tories and a hostile press will respond .
It ought rather to be a matter of principle .
In reality , voting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option available , and Labour should want the best/least worst for the British people .
As the opposition , we have a duty to try to make the best of the least worst because that is the only choice we have .
Doing so doesn ’ t prevent Labour from pinning the terms of the deal on Boris Johnson and the Conservatives ; it doesn ’ t prevent us from holding the government to account for the consequences .
It doesn ’ t prevent us from arguing for a better deal – or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU .
It does mean that we accept that the reality has changed : those who wanted to remain in the EU have lost .
We can be Exiles or Renegotiators or even , eventually , Rejoiners , but we can no longer be Remainers .
The decisions we make and the policies and strategies we develop must be based on where we are and where we can get to from here , not on where we might have been had this government been less venal or Labour a more effective opposition over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many of us feel , Keir Starmer ’ s choice is unenviable ; whatever he does now will be condemned by the Tories , and Labour disunity can only divert the spotlight from their incompetence in government to our inadequacy in opposition .
The least worst option is to vote for the least worst deal .

I hate Brexit – everything about it, a thin deal, a fat deal, anything short of full membership of the European Union. I spoke, I wrote, I marched for the cause. But I am no longer a Remainer, and I believe that Labour should vote for Boris Johnson’s deal on December 30th. We should do so not because we support it but, frankly, because we have no choice. We should grit our teeth and cross our fingers. But we should do it.
That, a ‘Labour source’ lamented recently to The Guardian, would be “deeply uncomfortable for some MPs”. So it should be. That’s what happens when you lose elections. Opposition is ‘uncomfortable’, often ‘deeply uncomfortable’! When Labour could have won the argument for Remain in 2016 or for a second referendum last year, we failed. That’s why, at least in part, we are where we are.
Now we have to face a reality not of our own choosing: the Tories have an 80-seat majority and the UK has left the EU. There is no prospect of reversing, delaying, mitigating the decision. There is nothing Labour or its leader can now do to change that plain, uncomfortable fact. In that state of political impotency, any vote now – for, against, abstention – can be no more than symbolic. That is to say: it will have no practical effect, but it will signify how Labour proposes to face a future it has not shaped and how it is prepared to deal with the real world.
The choice is between a bad deal or no deal. There is no other option. A vote against the deal is a vote for no deal. The former leader of the Labour MEPs, Richard Corbett, argues that abstention “would avoid any risk of a no-deal outcome by allowing the deal to get through”. Thus, he suggests, Labour would cunningly avoid “being labelled as meekly tagging along”. It would instead be labelled as meekly standing aside. It would signify that Labour would rather have ‘clean hands’ than be engaged in the UK’s messy future.
Voting for the deal is by no means an endorsement of its woeful contents, nor complicity in their consequences; it does not signify a desertion of former principles. It should not be based on an anxious appeasement of lost Labour voters in the ‘Red Wall’ seats, and certainly not on how the Tories and a hostile press will respond. It ought rather to be a matter of principle.
In reality, voting for the deal is simply the best/least worst option available, and Labour should want the best/least worst for the British people. As the opposition, we have a duty to try to make the best of the least worst because that is the only choice we have. Doing so doesn’t prevent Labour from pinning the terms of the deal on Boris Johnson and the Conservatives; it doesn’t prevent us from holding the government to account for the consequences. It doesn’t prevent us from arguing for a better deal – or even for a new relationship with the EU.
It does mean that we accept that the reality has changed: those who wanted to remain in the EU have lost. We can be Exiles or Renegotiators or even, eventually, Rejoiners, but we can no longer be Remainers. The decisions we make and the policies and strategies we develop must be based on where we are and where we can get to from here, not on where we might have been had this government been less venal or Labour a more effective opposition over the last four years.
As passionate as many of us feel, Keir Starmer’s choice is unenviable; whatever he does now will be condemned by the Tories, and Labour disunity can only divert the spotlight from their incompetence in government to our inadequacy in opposition. The least worst option is to vote for the least worst deal.


labourlist--2020-12-28--Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters are an example to us all

2020 has been a bad year for democracy in Hong Kong .
The new national security law , imposed by Beijing in July , attacks the city ’ s autonomy and the rights freedoms of Hong Kongers .
Police have aggressively cracked down on protesters expressing opposition .
In November , some elected legislators were disqualified , leading to widespread resignations from opposition lawmakers .
Now the city ’ s government is apparently seeking to restrict the rights of Hong Kongers to leave their city .
These moves were clear violations of the Sino-British Joint Declaration , the treaty between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autonomy of Hong Kong and the rights of its citizens and are part of a wider and deeply troubling crackdown on human rights in China , from Xinjiang to Tibet .
The reality of life on the ground in Hong Kong hit home last week when Lisa Nandy and I met virtually with two high-profile Hong Kong activists : the former student leader Nathan Law , and Ted Hui Chi Fung , the exiled opposition legislator whose family ’ s bank accounts were recently frozen by HSBC on the instruction of the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gain international support for the protesters .
Hong Kong ’ s pro-democracy protesters have fought a courageous campaign to defend democratic values in the face of an increasingly authoritarian Chinese government .
They spoke passionately about the recent arrest of their fellow protesters in Hong Kong – Joshua Wong , Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam – who are facing between seven and 13 months in prison merely for organising a protest .
Both are now seeking to settle in the UK .
Nathan and Ted also stressed that they felt that the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure China and support Hong Kong .
Like us , they recognise that diplomatic condemnation and support for the protesters have not persuaded the Chinese government and Hong Kong executive to change course .
So , what further actions should be taken ?
First , the UK government should offer additional support for young Hong Kongers who are seeking to settle in Britain .
The government has rightly extended the British Nationals ( Overseas ) scheme , offering a pathway to citizenship , but it has done too little for 18- to 23-year-olds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not qualify for BN ( O ) .
The existing Youth Mobility Scheme , the route most commonly signposted by government ministers , fails to offer a clear path to citizenship .
Young people are most likely to be leading the defence of democracy , so they deserve UK government support .
The Foreign and Home Offices must also work to ensure that the spurious convictions of protesters are not a blockage to their gaining of asylum or citizenship .
Secondly , Labour will continue to call for targeted sanctions against Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights violations in Hong Kong .
Earlier this month , the government ’ s updated designations didn ’ t include the names of any individuals from Hong Kong , or indeed to any other Chinese government officials .
Given that other countries have managed to gather evidence and sanction officials , the government ’ s claim that it needs more time is wearing thin .
It is time for action .
Thirdly , the UK government must apply more pressure on British companies who have shamefully supported the national security law , starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ted Hui ’ s accounts .
It can not be right for UK banks , headquartered in London , to be playing a part in the dismantling of Hong Kong ’ s democracy .
While UK politicians express their outrage , British banks have been actively aiding the Chinese Communist Party .
Company executives should instead be standing up for the liberal values that have allowed their businesses to flourish .
Chinese officials should recognise that Hong Kong ’ s success has been built on the ingenuity of its people and the independence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a threat to the rule of law is a threat to Hong Kong ’ s attractiveness for business and investment and its long-term prosperity .
Fourthly , the UK government must have a strategy for the long term .
We must rebuild the UK ’ s international relationships in order to effectively apply economic and political pressure on the Chinese leadership to change its approach .
This is a difficult task for this Conservative government , which is struggling with a track record of years of complacent mercantilism towards China that ignored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rule of law .
The government should make a priority of working with the Biden administration , our European allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific to coordinate our approaches to Hong Kong .
According to a recent report by the V Dem Institute , for the first time since 2001 authoritarian regimes outnumber the world ’ s democratic countries – and the number is growing .
The protesters in Hong Kong are trying to resist that trend .
Britain must stand shoulder to shoulder with them .

2020 has been a bad year for democracy in Hong Kong. The new national security law, imposed by Beijing in July, attacks the city’s autonomy and the rights freedoms of Hong Kongers. Police have aggressively cracked down on protesters expressing opposition. In November, some elected legislators were disqualified, leading to widespread resignations from opposition lawmakers. Now the city’s government is apparently seeking to restrict the rights of Hong Kongers to leave their city. These moves were clear violations of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the treaty between the UK and China that guarantees the autonomy of Hong Kong and the rights of its citizens and are part of a wider and deeply troubling crackdown on human rights in China, from Xinjiang to Tibet.
The reality of life on the ground in Hong Kong hit home last week when Lisa Nandy and I met virtually with two high-profile Hong Kong activists: the former student leader Nathan Law, and Ted Hui Chi Fung, the exiled opposition legislator whose family’s bank accounts were recently frozen by HSBC on the instruction of the Chinese authorities, due to his attempts to gain international support for the protesters. Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters have fought a courageous campaign to defend democratic values in the face of an increasingly authoritarian Chinese government. They spoke passionately about the recent arrest of their fellow protesters in Hong Kong – Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam – who are facing between seven and 13 months in prison merely for organising a protest. Both are now seeking to settle in the UK.
Nathan and Ted also stressed that they felt that the UK government should be doing more to put pressure China and support Hong Kong. Like us, they recognise that diplomatic condemnation and support for the protesters have not persuaded the Chinese government and Hong Kong executive to change course. So, what further actions should be taken?
First, the UK government should offer additional support for young Hong Kongers who are seeking to settle in Britain. The government has rightly extended the British Nationals (Overseas) scheme, offering a pathway to citizenship, but it has done too little for 18- to 23-year-olds who were born after 1997 and therefore do not qualify for BN(O). The existing Youth Mobility Scheme, the route most commonly signposted by government ministers, fails to offer a clear path to citizenship. Young people are most likely to be leading the defence of democracy, so they deserve UK government support. The Foreign and Home Offices must also work to ensure that the spurious convictions of protesters are not a blockage to their gaining of asylum or citizenship.
Secondly, Labour will continue to call for targeted sanctions against Chinese officials who are directly responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong. Earlier this month, the government’s updated designations didn’t include the names of any individuals from Hong Kong, or indeed to any other Chinese government officials. Given that other countries have managed to gather evidence and sanction officials, the government’s claim that it needs more time is wearing thin. It is time for action.
Thirdly, the UK government must apply more pressure on British companies who have shamefully supported the national security law, starting with HSBC following its recent freezing of Ted Hui’s accounts. It cannot be right for UK banks, headquartered in London, to be playing a part in the dismantling of Hong Kong’s democracy.
While UK politicians express their outrage, British banks have been actively aiding the Chinese Communist Party. Company executives should instead be standing up for the liberal values that have allowed their businesses to flourish. Chinese officials should recognise that Hong Kong’s success has been built on the ingenuity of its people and the independence of its institutions. They must recognise that a threat to the rule of law is a threat to Hong Kong’s attractiveness for business and investment and its long-term prosperity.
Fourthly, the UK government must have a strategy for the long term. We must rebuild the UK’s international relationships in order to effectively apply economic and political pressure on the Chinese leadership to change its approach. This is a difficult task for this Conservative government, which is struggling with a track record of years of complacent mercantilism towards China that ignored issues of human rights, security and the rule of law. The government should make a priority of working with the Biden administration, our European allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific to coordinate our approaches to Hong Kong.
According to a recent report by the V Dem Institute, for the first time since 2001 authoritarian regimes outnumber the world’s democratic countries – and the number is growing. The protesters in Hong Kong are trying to resist that trend. Britain must stand shoulder to shoulder with them.


labourlist--2020-12-29--Scottish Labour set to back motion denying consent to Johnson’s Brexit bill

Scottish Labour is set to support a motion being put forward by the SNP ’ s Nicola Sturgeon tomorrow that will indicate the party denies consent to Boris Johnson ’ s Brexit bill – despite the UK Labour Party voting for it .
Keir Starmer confirmed last week that UK Labour MPs will be whipped to vote in favour of the legislation implementing the post-Brexit deal agreed by the UK and the EU when it is put before parliament on Wednesday .
While describing the deal as “ very , very thin ” , the opposition leader said voting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest ” .
He added : “ We have to make a success of this , we have to make it work .
It is far better than no deal.
” Richard Leonard has confirmed this afternoon that the Scottish party will take a different stance , by voting in favour of a legislative consent motion being debated in the Scottish parliament on Wednesday that is expected to pass .
The Scottish Labour leader said : “ Boris Johnson promised more than a year ago that he would ‘ get Brexit done ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oven ready ’ – yet his shambolic government is racing to ratify its half-baked Brexit deal the day before the end of the transition period .
“ There is no co-production here : no engagement with industry , trade unions or devolved governments on the terms of this trade deal , and barely any parliamentary scrutiny let alone public participation .
“ It is our duty to stand up for Scotland in parliament tomorrow .
But it is also our duty to protect Scottish businesses and jobs from the damage that this deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SNP government must distribute the £300m of Barnett consequentials to businesses as soon as possible .
“ We can not lose sight of the fact that our economy is still in the depths of another crisis that the SNP left Scotland unprepared for .
It ’ s time for a national plan for the Scottish economy.
” The motion in Holyrood , which has been put forward in the name of the First Minister of Scotland , looks highly likely to pass with support from Scottish Labour , Green and Liberal Democrat MSPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Holyrood debate on the Brexit deal – in the name of Nicola Sturgeon .
Says no deal `` must be avoided '' , but that the deal would cause `` severe damage to Scotland 's environmental , economic and social interests '' & urges MSPs not to consent to the bill pic.twitter.com/deX1mRezyp Meanwhile , in the UK parliament , Labour will join Conservatives in voting for the Brexit deal , while SNP , Lib Dem , DUP , Plaid Cymru , SDLP , Alliance and Green MPs intend to vote against .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to defy the whip .
The UK government plans for the European Union ( future relationship ) bill to be introduced to the House of Commons and receive Royal Assent on the same day , which is unusual .
MPs will likely have five hours to debate all stages of the bill .

Scottish Labour is set to support a motion being put forward by the SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon tomorrow that will indicate the party denies consent to Boris Johnson’s Brexit bill – despite the UK Labour Party voting for it.
Keir Starmer confirmed last week that UK Labour MPs will be whipped to vote in favour of the legislation implementing the post-Brexit deal agreed by the UK and the EU when it is put before parliament on Wednesday.
While describing the deal as “very, very thin”, the opposition leader said voting for it was nonetheless “in the national interest”. He added: “We have to make a success of this, we have to make it work. It is far better than no deal.”
Richard Leonard has confirmed this afternoon that the Scottish party will take a different stance, by voting in favour of a legislative consent motion being debated in the Scottish parliament on Wednesday that is expected to pass.
The Scottish Labour leader said: “Boris Johnson promised more than a year ago that he would ‘get Brexit done’, and that his deal was ‘oven ready’ – yet his shambolic government is racing to ratify its half-baked Brexit deal the day before the end of the transition period.
“There is no co-production here: no engagement with industry, trade unions or devolved governments on the terms of this trade deal, and barely any parliamentary scrutiny let alone public participation.
“It is our duty to stand up for Scotland in parliament tomorrow. But it is also our duty to protect Scottish businesses and jobs from the damage that this deal will do, and that means the SNP government must distribute the £300m of Barnett consequentials to businesses as soon as possible.