labourlist--2020-05-27--We’re standing for Labour NEC elections as socialists of the Tribunite left

Covid-19 may have cancelled this year ’ s local elections and Labour conference , but – subject to a final decision in June – this year ’ s national executive committee ( NEC ) elections are likely to still go ahead .
They represent an important chance for party members to support candidates who will set the direction of the Labour Party in this parliament .
This will be the first all-out election for the NEC since last year ’ s election defeat and the election of a new leadership team in April .
As such , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who care about our party ’ s future .
That is why we have decided to stand for election to the NEC as Tribune members with the full support of the Labour Tribune group members of parliament .
The Tribune voice is an important strand in our party and one that we believe has broad support across the labour movement .
For us , the Tribune message is clear : we are socialists of the Tribunite left .
Our group was re-inaugurated in the tradition of Tribune MPs like Aneurin Bevan , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ austerity , the urgent need to tackle climate change with a just transition for our workers , compounded by the Covid-19 crisis , means that once again we need a radical reforming government to rise to the challenge of the biggest economic , environmental and social crisis since 1945 .
Tribune believes that only by winning power nationally and locally – in partnership with our trades union colleagues and the wider labour movement – can we transform our country and ensure that the fruits of our common endeavour are used fairly and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internationally .
And if elected , that will be our goal .
In this election we stand on a programme to : 1 ) Support the Labour Party to plan for an effective winning campaign on Labour values for the forthcoming local , mayoral , police and crime commissioner , Scottish Parliament and Welsh Parliament elections in May 2021 .
2 ) Strengthen party policy development , working with the leader , frontbench , MPs , councillors , members and trade unions on key issues prioritising a long-term Tribune response to the Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , green economy , security , housing and fair taxation .
3 ) Strengthen and develop the trade union and co-operative link to support the membership in achieving a Labour government .
As candidates , we believe that we would bring a wealth of experience to the NEC .
All three of us come from campaigning trade union backgrounds .
Theresa Griffin as a former city councillor , UNISON organiser , national policy forum member and Euro MP , winning against the BNP .
Liz McInnes and Paula Sherriff as MPs who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Tories and Liz winning a by-election against UKIP at its height .
But we also know the pain of that December election , when seats were lost to Tories across England and Wales and to the SNP In Scotland .
As NEC members , we will need to use our experience to understand the reasons for those defeats , to listen to members and the electorate , and to rebuild for 2024 .
As members who have worked in the NHS or represented its workforce , we know especially the challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members who have worked for a green economy and a sustainable future , we understand that the recovery lies in investment , to create the clean , green quality jobs of the future .
As members we continue to work extensively to promote young people in party structures .
We want to see a Labour government and Labour at all levels of influence .
If the NEC election goes ahead , we would ask for your support .
It ’ s important that the Tribune view is represented in the members ’ section @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TribuneMPs , on Facebook at facebook.com/ LabourTribuneMPs and on Instagram at @ labourtribunegroup .
Our website is labourtribunemps.org .
We hope to speak and listen to members in the coming weeks .
We will arrange remote members ’ meetings and we are happy to Zoom into CLP meetings if asked .
These are challenging times , but we believe the core values of Tribune reflect the core values of our party – and we ask for your support .

Covid-19 may have cancelled this year’s local elections and Labour conference, but – subject to a final decision in June – this year’s national executive committee (NEC) elections are likely to still go ahead. They represent an important chance for party members to support candidates who will set the direction of the Labour Party in this parliament.
This will be the first all-out election for the NEC since last year’s election defeat and the election of a new leadership team in April. As such, it’s an important contest for all of us who care about our party’s future. That is why we have decided to stand for election to the NEC as Tribune members with the full support of the Labour Tribune group members of parliament.
The Tribune voice is an important strand in our party and one that we believe has broad support across the labour movement. For us, the Tribune message is clear: we are socialists of the Tribunite left.
Our group was re-inaugurated in the tradition of Tribune MPs like Aneurin Bevan, who founded the NHS. Ten years of austerity, the urgent need to tackle climate change with a just transition for our workers, compounded by the Covid-19 crisis, means that once again we need a radical reforming government to rise to the challenge of the biggest economic, environmental and social crisis since 1945.
Tribune believes that only by winning power nationally and locally – in partnership with our trades union colleagues and the wider labour movement – can we transform our country and ensure that the fruits of our common endeavour are used fairly and for the common good, both here and internationally. And if elected, that will be our goal.
In this election we stand on a programme to:
1) Support the Labour Party to plan for an effective winning campaign on Labour values for the forthcoming local, mayoral, police and crime commissioner, Scottish Parliament and Welsh Parliament elections in May 2021.
2) Strengthen party policy development, working with the leader, frontbench, MPs, councillors, members and trade unions on key issues prioritising a long-term Tribune response to the Covid-19 impact, public services and local democracy, green economy, security, housing and fair taxation.
3) Strengthen and develop the trade union and co-operative link to support the membership in achieving a Labour government.
As candidates, we believe that we would bring a wealth of experience to the NEC. All three of us come from campaigning trade union backgrounds. Theresa Griffin as a former city councillor, UNISON organiser, national policy forum member and Euro MP, winning against the BNP. Liz McInnes and Paula Sherriff as MPs who have won seats for Labour, Paula winning from the Tories and Liz winning a by-election against UKIP at its height.
But we also know the pain of that December election, when seats were lost to Tories across England and Wales and to the SNP In Scotland. As NEC members, we will need to use our experience to understand the reasons for those defeats, to listen to members and the electorate, and to rebuild for 2024.
As members who have worked in the NHS or represented its workforce, we know especially the challenges faced by the NHS now. As members who have worked for a green economy and a sustainable future, we understand that the recovery lies in investment, to create the clean, green quality jobs of the future. As members we continue to work extensively to promote young people in party structures.
We want to see a Labour government and Labour at all levels of influence. If the NEC election goes ahead, we would ask for your support. It’s important that the Tribune view is represented in the members’ section.
You can follow us on Twitter @TribuneMPs, on Facebook at facebook.com/ LabourTribuneMPs and on Instagram at @ labourtribunegroup. Our website is labourtribunemps.org.
We hope to speak and listen to members in the coming weeks. We will arrange remote members’ meetings and we are happy to Zoom into CLP meetings if asked. These are challenging times, but we believe the core values of Tribune reflect the core values of our party – and we ask for your support.


labourlist--2020-05-27--Tory lead narrows amid pressure over Cummings

The Tory lead in the polls has narrowed from 15 points to six amid pressure on the government following its response to reports that key adviser Dominic Cummings broke lockdown rules .
New polling from YouGov shows that the Conservative Party ’ s share of voting intention has fallen from 48 % over the last week to 44 % .
Labour has seen an increase in support from 33 % to 38 % over the same period .
Another poll by JL Partners showed that Keir Starmer also narrowed the gap on who the public think would make the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 37 % opted for Johnson while 34 % think the Labour leader would be better .
Labour seems to be the only beneficiary of the Tories ’ slip in the YouGov poll , with support for the Lib Dems and SNP remaining unchanged on 6 % and 5 % respectively – the Greens have seen their support fall by one point to 4 % .
The Conservatives saw the biggest loss of support in the North of England , with the Tory share of voting intention falling eight points from 47 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the region as its share increased by six points to 49 % .
The Labour Party also saw its support increase by seven points in London , five in the rest of the South of England , and one in the Midlands and Wales and Scotland .
In terms of age , support for Labour increased most among those voters over the age of 65 – rising by seven points over the course of the past week to 24 % .
In contrast , the Tory vote share within this group fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite government ministers and the Prime Minister defending Cummings ’ actions , 71 % of YouGov respondents thought that the senior aide had broken the rules when he travelled 260 miles to his parents ’ home in Durham .
59 % thought that the aide to Johnson should resign his position , while 27 % said that he should not .
Among Labour voters , 76 % thought he should go with only 10 % saying that he should stay in his job .
Among Conservative voters , opinion was divided .
46 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should either resign or remain in his position , with 8 % answering that they “ don ’ t know ” .
A majority of Leave voters – 52 % – thought that the director of the Vote Leave campaign should resign , compared to 38 % backing him to stay .
71 % of Remainers thought he should step down .
Respondents between the ages of 25 and 65 thought most strongly that the aide should resign , with over 60 % saying that he should go .
This fells slightly for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proportion showing support for Cummings .
A larger share of voters under the age of 25 said that they “ don ’ t know ” whether he should resign .
48 % expressed the view that he should step down from his job while 24 % said that he should stay .
Voters in Scotland overwhelmingly thought that the adviser should resign at 82 % .
Londoners were next highest at 64 % , while 60 % in the North , 54 % of those in the Midlands and Wales , and 53 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step down .
Cummings has said that people are angry as a result of misleading coverage .
But 57 % thought that the media had been “ very fair ” or “ somewhat fair ” , compared to only 33 % that thought they had been “ somewhat unfair ” or “ very unfair ” .
70 % thought that the row will make it harder for the government to communicate lockdown messages to the public in the future .
18 % thought it would not have an impact and 2 % thought @ @ @ @ @ @

The Tory lead in the polls has narrowed from 15 points to six amid pressure on the government following its response to reports that key adviser Dominic Cummings broke lockdown rules.
New polling from YouGov shows that the Conservative Party’s share of voting intention has fallen from 48% over the last week to 44%. Labour has seen an increase in support from 33% to 38% over the same period.
Another poll by JL Partners showed that Keir Starmer also narrowed the gap on who the public think would make the best Prime Minister, by seven points. 37% opted for Johnson while 34% think the Labour leader would be better.
Labour seems to be the only beneficiary of the Tories’ slip in the YouGov poll, with support for the Lib Dems and SNP remaining unchanged on 6% and 5% respectively – the Greens have seen their support fall by one point to 4%.
The Conservatives saw the biggest loss of support in the North of England, with the Tory share of voting intention falling eight points from 47% to 39%. Labour widened its lead in the region as its share increased by six points to 49%.
The Labour Party also saw its support increase by seven points in London, five in the rest of the South of England, and one in the Midlands and Wales and Scotland.
In terms of age, support for Labour increased most among those voters over the age of 65 – rising by seven points over the course of the past week to 24%. In contrast, the Tory vote share within this group fell from 70% to 64%.
Despite government ministers and the Prime Minister defending Cummings’ actions, 71% of YouGov respondents thought that the senior aide had broken the rules when he travelled 260 miles to his parents’ home in Durham.
59% thought that the aide to Johnson should resign his position, while 27% said that he should not. Among Labour voters, 76% thought he should go with only 10% saying that he should stay in his job.
Among Conservative voters, opinion was divided. 46% each felt that the senior aide should either resign or remain in his position, with 8% answering that they “don’t know”.
A majority of Leave voters – 52% – thought that the director of the Vote Leave campaign should resign, compared to 38% backing him to stay. 71% of Remainers thought he should step down.
Respondents between the ages of 25 and 65 thought most strongly that the aide should resign, with over 60% saying that he should go. This fells slightly for those over 65, with a larger proportion showing support for Cummings.
A larger share of voters under the age of 25 said that they “don’t know” whether he should resign. 48% expressed the view that he should step down from his job while 24% said that he should stay.
Voters in Scotland overwhelmingly thought that the adviser should resign at 82%. Londoners were next highest at 64%, while 60% in the North, 54% of those in the Midlands and Wales, and 53% in the South thought he should step down.
Cummings has said that people are angry as a result of misleading coverage. But 57% thought that the media had been “very fair” or “somewhat fair”, compared to only 33% that thought they had been “somewhat unfair” or “very unfair”.
70% thought that the row will make it harder for the government to communicate lockdown messages to the public in the future. 18% thought it would not have an impact and 2% thought it would make it easier.


labourlist--2020-05-27--Keir Starmer bags another win as David Evans becomes general secretary

The appointment of David Evans as Labour ’ s new general secretary is another solid win for Keir Starmer .
The leader had allowed it to be known that he had a clear preference among the candidates applying for the role , despite the relevant selectorate being the very finely balanced national executive committee ( NEC ) .
It was a close call : 20 votes to 16 , which means the two GMB two representatives on the ruling body were key to Starmer ’ s success .
The Labour left is furious , though only has itself to blame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the appointment means the leadership team has “ shown their pledge to end factionalism to be a sham ” .
Another warned them against allowing “ a hard-right general secretary to wage factional warfare against the left ” .
But this outcome could have been avoided , for example by putting forward a united left slate in the recent NEC by-elections .
The hope for the party ’ s left is that the upcoming Momentum elections will sort out some of these problems .
Those close to Evans do not recognise this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a man driven by factionalism , of course .
Friends such as council leader Stephen Cowan say he is a “ quietly spoken , thoughtful and decent person ” .
He has been described by supporters in the same way that Starmer was pitched in the leadership election : polite , professional and , most importantly , with a straightforward focus on turning the Labour Party into an election-winning machine .
The new leader has managed to get his own people in key positions – with a team truly united in support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulling in the same direction , Starmer must deliver the goods .
Another boost for the leadership : things are not going well for the government .
The coronavirus press conferences have become ridiculous .
Several new polls suggest that the Dominic Cummings story is having real cut-through , and the story is continually developing – mainly because the excuses of ministers keep changing , while other Tory MPs just aren ’ t having it .
Over 40 so far have gone public with their dissatisfaction .
This is not something Labour is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have real consequences for the implementation of a mass testing and contact tracing programme in the UK .
Boris Johnson is set to be grilled by the liaison committee this afternoon , which LabourList will be watching closely .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

The appointment of David Evans as Labour’s new general secretary is another solid win for Keir Starmer. The leader had allowed it to be known that he had a clear preference among the candidates applying for the role, despite the relevant selectorate being the very finely balanced national executive committee (NEC). It was a close call: 20 votes to 16, which means the two GMB two representatives on the ruling body were key to Starmer’s success.
The Labour left is furious, though only has itself to blame. One Corbynite local party rep tweeted that the appointment means the leadership team has “shown their pledge to end factionalism to be a sham”. Another warned them against allowing “a hard-right general secretary to wage factional warfare against the left”. But this outcome could have been avoided, for example by putting forward a united left slate in the recent NEC by-elections. The hope for the party’s left is that the upcoming Momentum elections will sort out some of these problems.
Those close to Evans do not recognise this characterisation of the former assistant general secretary as a man driven by factionalism, of course. Friends such as council leader Stephen Cowan say he is a “quietly spoken, thoughtful and decent person”. He has been described by supporters in the same way that Starmer was pitched in the leadership election: polite, professional and, most importantly, with a straightforward focus on turning the Labour Party into an election-winning machine. The new leader has managed to get his own people in key positions – with a team truly united in support of his vision for the party and pulling in the same direction, Starmer must deliver the goods.
Another boost for the leadership: things are not going well for the government. The coronavirus press conferences have become ridiculous. Several new polls suggest that the Dominic Cummings story is having real cut-through, and the story is continually developing – mainly because the excuses of ministers keep changing, while other Tory MPs just aren’t having it. Over 40 so far have gone public with their dissatisfaction. This is not something Labour is celebrating, however, because it could have real consequences for the implementation of a mass testing and contact tracing programme in the UK. Boris Johnson is set to be grilled by the liaison committee this afternoon, which LabourList will be watching closely. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-05-27--WATCH: Labour warns “people will feel they can’t trust the guidance” after Cummings

Lisa Nandy has said that “ my big worry is that increasingly people will feel they can ’ t trust the guidance ” following the events involving Dominic Cummings and his flouting of the lockdown rules .
In an interview with Sky News this morning , the Shadow Foreign Secretary warned that – as the UK eases its lockdown – people may “ start to use their own instincts as Cummings said he did himself ” .
She called for the Prime Minister to clarify a “ number of outstanding issues about how it was that his own advisor appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d written ” , in order to restore public confidence .
Polling shows that over the four day period during which Boris Johnson and various ministers defended Cummings , public approval for both the Prime Minister and the government fell by 20 and 16 points respectively .
Labour has called for an urgent inquiry into the 260-mile trip from London to Durham undertaken by the Prime Minister ’ s senior adviser during the coronavirus lockdown .
Public Health England have reported a total of 265,227 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that the death toll has passed 47,000 .

Lisa Nandy has said that “my big worry is that increasingly people will feel they can’t trust the guidance” following the events involving Dominic Cummings and his flouting of the lockdown rules.
In an interview with Sky News this morning, the Shadow Foreign Secretary warned that – as the UK eases its lockdown – people may “start to use their own instincts as Cummings said he did himself”.
She called for the Prime Minister to clarify a “number of outstanding issues about how it was that his own advisor appeared to breach repeatedly the guidance that he’d written”, in order to restore public confidence.
"My big worry is that increasingly people will feel they can't trust the guidance."@lisanandy tells @KayBurley if Dominic Cummings is not going to be sacked, the prime minister needs to clarify how he didn't break lockdown rules. Read more: https://t.co/0YQfBrlosi #KayBurley pic.twitter.com/8nosbBhysn — SkyNews (@SkyNews) May 27, 2020
Polling shows that over the four day period during which Boris Johnson and various ministers defended Cummings, public approval for both the Prime Minister and the government fell by 20 and 16 points respectively.
Labour has called for an urgent inquiry into the 260-mile trip from London to Durham undertaken by the Prime Minister’s senior adviser during the coronavirus lockdown.
Public Health England have reported a total of 265,227 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the UK and 37,048 coronavirus-related deaths. However, data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that the death toll has passed 47,000.


labourlist--2020-05-27--PM appears to reveal he doesn’t know of ‘no recourse to public funds’ policy

The Prime Minister appeared to reveal this afternoon that he does not know about the ‘ no recourse to public funds ’ policy introduced by a Conservative government – and suggested that he might scrap it .
The key Tory immigration policy , brought in by Theresa May in 2012 , applies to almost all migrants granted limited leave to remain in the UK – especially those on student or spousal visas and those with limited leave granted under family or private life rules .
Being subject to immigration control means not being eligible to access to benefits such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax benefit or personal independence payment .
In the liaison committee session this afternoon , Labour MP Stephen Timms described a couple in his constituency who both work and have two children but are affected by NRPF .
Timms said the husband now had zero income , the wife ’ s income was less than their household rent , and they “ can ’ t get any help at all ” because they have limited leave to remain with NRPF .
He asked the Prime Minister : “ Isn ’ t it wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is being forced by the current arrangements into destitution ?
” “ Hang on , Stephen , ” Johnson replied .
“ Why aren ’ t they eligible for Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance or any of the other… ?
Forgive me… ” When Timms explained again that they were subject to the NRPF condition , the Prime Minister said : “ Ah.
” He asked : “ Where are they actually from ?
” Timms said “ Pakistan ” but added that their situation applied to many others in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , OK. And they can ’ t get furloughed , obviously not… Well , look , I ’ m going to have to get back to you on that one , Stephen .
“ Because clearly people who work hard for this country , who live and work here , should have support of one kind or another .
But you ’ ve raised a very , very important point .
“ If people ’ s condition for their leave to remain is that they should have no recourse to public funds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in that position and we will see what we can do to help.
” Timms pointed out that according to the Children ’ s Society at least 100,000 children are in the NRPF position and estimated the figure of over one million people living in the country .
Although the Home Office usually refuses to reveal how many are subject to the NRPF restriction in the UK , the Prime Minister appeared to commit to establish the official figure and “ look into it ” .
Almost 100 MPs wrote to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to temporarily remove the ‘ NRPF ’ status held by some migrants for the duration of the coronavirus crisis .
Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds commented : “ That the Prime Minister apparently had no idea what “ No Recourse to Public Funds ” was and meant for people is extraordinarily worrying .
“ We ’ ve called for its suspension in this public health emergency and , with the Prime Minister promising to look at it , let ’ s hope that he can persuade the Home Secretary to think again.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announce that the testing and contact tracing programme would be launched tonight by Matt Hancock and would go live on Thursday .
But asked by former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt when a 24-hour target would be introduced , he replied : “ I ’ ve been forbidden from announcing any more targets and deadlines.
” Johnson was repeatedly asked about Dominic Cummings but mostly refused to give answers on the matter , claiming that the British public “ want to move on ” from “ a political ding dong about what one advisor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Asked by Yvette Cooper what parents without local childcare should do in case they contract Covid-19 , the Prime Minister did not want to give specifics and eventually said : “ I think you ’ d have to look at each individual case.
” On the visibility of women involved in the coronavirus response , an issue raised by Tory MP Caroline Nokes , Johnson said : “ We will do our best , Caroline and… erm… what can I say ?
” Asked whether he thought having women in the room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he replied : “ I think it can make a huge difference .
That may sound like a vaguely sexist thing to say.
” How many would be “ enough women ” , the Prime Minister was asked .
“ Oh boy… ” he replied , before laughing .
“ That ’ s a question on which I ’ m not competent to pronounce .
”

The Prime Minister appeared to reveal this afternoon that he does not know about the ‘no recourse to public funds’ policy backed by Conservative governments – and suggested that he might scrap it.
The immigration condition applies to almost all migrants granted limited leave to remain in the UK – especially those on student or spousal visas and those with limited leave granted under family or private life rules.
Being subject to immigration control means not being eligible to access to benefits such as income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit or personal independence payment.
In the liaison committee session this afternoon, Labour MP Stephen Timms described a couple in his constituency who both work and have two children but are affected by NRPF.
Timms said the husband now had zero income, the wife’s income was less than their household rent, and they “can’t get any help at all” because they have limited leave to remain with NRPF.
He asked the Prime Minister: “Isn’t it wrong that a hard-working, law-abiding family like that is being forced by the current arrangements into destitution?”
“Hang on, Stephen,” Johnson replied. “Why aren’t they eligible for Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance or any of the other…? Forgive me…”
When Timms explained again that they were subject to the NRPF condition, the Prime Minister said: “Ah.” He asked: “Where are they actually from?” Timms said “Pakistan” but added that their situation applied to many others in the UK.
Johnson said: “Oh, OK. And they can’t get furloughed, obviously not… Well, look, I’m going to have to get back to you on that one, Stephen.
“Because clearly people who work hard for this country, who live and work here, should have support of one kind or another. But you’ve raised a very, very important point.
“If people’s condition for their leave to remain is that they should have no recourse to public funds, I will find out how many there are in that position and we will see what we can do to help.”
Timms pointed out that according to the Children’s Society at least 100,000 children are affected by the NRPF condition and estimated the figure of over one million people living in the country.
Although the Home Office usually refuses to reveal how many are subject to the NRPF restriction in the UK, the Prime Minister appeared to commit to establish the official figure and “look into it”.
Almost 100 MPs wrote to the Prime Minister in March urging the government to temporarily remove the NRPF status held by some migrants for the duration of the coronavirus crisis.
Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds commented: “That the Prime Minister apparently had no idea what “No Recourse to Public Funds” was and meant for people is extraordinarily worrying.
“We’ve called for its suspension in this public health emergency and, with the Prime Minister promising to look at it, let’s hope that he can persuade the Home Secretary to think again.”
This is HUGE!! WELCOME, Prime Minister, to the movement to scrap #NoRecourseToPublicFunds NRPF rules that force thousands of people – including over 100,000 children – into poverty & make them unable to access state support in this time of crisis! We’ll be following up 😊 pic.twitter.com/96OAwCAFAc — JCWI (@JCWI_UK) May 27, 2020
The Prime Minister used the committee to announce that the testing and contact tracing programme would be launched tonight by Matt Hancock and would go live on Thursday.
But asked by former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt when a 24-hour target would be introduced, he replied: “I’ve been forbidden from announcing any more targets and deadlines.”
Johnson was repeatedly asked about Dominic Cummings but mostly refused to give answers on the matter, claiming that the British public “want to move on” from “a political ding dong about what one advisor may or may not have done”.
Asked by Yvette Cooper what parents without local childcare should do in case they contract Covid-19, the Prime Minister did not want to give specifics and eventually said: “I think you’d have to look at each individual case.”
On the visibility of women involved in the coronavirus response, an issue raised by Tory MP Caroline Nokes, Johnson said: “We will do our best, Caroline and… erm… what can I say?”
Asked whether he thought having women in the room could make a difference to the response, he replied: “I think it can make a huge difference. That may sound like a vaguely sexist thing to say.”
How many would be “enough women”, the Prime Minister was asked. “Oh boy…” he replied, before laughing. “That’s a question on which I’m not competent to pronounce.”


labourlist--2020-05-27--Local lockdown policy is “recipe for chaos”, says Burnham

Andy Burnham has warned against a “ rush into a local lockdown policy ” – which would seek to target and suppress flare-ups of the virus in specific communities – and called the plan a “ recipe for chaos ” .
In a Covid-19 press conference this afternoon , the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester declared that he had “ significant concerns ” with the plan floated by Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday .
Burnham claimed that it would be a “ real challenge with regards to the enforceability ” and “ fairness ” of lockdowns .
He also criticised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given to Greater Manchester on how the policy would work .
Commenting on the idea , Burnham said : “ We are in the dark as to this policy even though it will have a major impact on us .
I ’ m afraid it follows a pattern on personal protective equipment and testing and now this.
” The Health Secretary said during the Downing Street press conference that the “ whole purpose ” of the track and trace programme would be to “ move to a system where we have more targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a timeframe .
Burnham has previously warned against the government adopting a regional release from lockdown , arguing that it would be “ chaotic ” and calling on the government to “ involve people at the local level ” in planning a recovery from Covid .

Andy Burnham has warned against a “rush into a local lockdown policy” – which would seek to target and suppress flare-ups of the virus in specific communities – and called the plan a “recipe for chaos”.
In a Covid-19 press conference this afternoon, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester declared that he had “significant concerns” with the plan floated by Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday.
Burnham claimed that it would be a “real challenge with regards to the enforceability” and “fairness” of lockdowns. He also criticised the government for the lack of information given to Greater Manchester on how the policy would work.
Commenting on the idea, Burnham said: “We are in the dark as to this policy even though it will have a major impact on us. I’m afraid it follows a pattern on personal protective equipment and testing and now this.”
The Health Secretary said during the Downing Street press conference that the “whole purpose” of the track and trace programme would be to “move to a system where we have more targeted lockdowns”. He did not announce a timeframe.
Burnham has previously warned against the government adopting a regional release from lockdown, arguing that it would be “chaotic” and calling on the government to “involve people at the local level” in planning a recovery from Covid.


labourlist--2020-05-27--Tory lead narrows amid pressure over Cummings story


labourlist--2020-05-28--Speaker warns MPs “cannot conduct division safely” ahead of return to parliament

The Speaker of the House of Commons has said “ it is clear to me that the House simply can not conduct division safely ” ahead of MPs ’ scheduled return to Westminster next week .
In an email to MPs today , Lindsay Hoyle set out why he has agreed to the government ’ s request to recall parliament on June 2nd but warned that it will be difficult to socially distance in the division lobbies .
The Speaker explained that as voting in the normal way would not be safe , it is for the government to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have until June 1st to table a motion .
Hoyle wrote : “ Based on the latest professional advice from Public Health England , it is clear to me that the House simply can not conduct divisions safely via the lobbies .
“ There are pinch points in the lobbies where MPs are recorded by clerks and counted by tellers where it would be difficult to maintain social distancing , even though perspex booths were prepared for two of the division desks .
“ Nor can we follow the strict letter of standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the House ’ s normal practice for the conduct of divisions and sets out particular requirements.
” Standing order no .
38 specifies that when a division is declared by the Speaker , the 650 MPs – or those in attendance – have a total of eight minutes to enter the lobbies and cast their vote .
He added : “ As safety is my paramount consideration for MPs and staff – alongside the need for constituents to be properly represented through voting – we need to consider practical alternative arrangements.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cross-party agreement ” on the motion , but opposition parties and backbenchers will be able to table amendments if no such agreement is reached .
Hoyle does not have the power to decide on procedure for how the House votes , but if agreement is not reached he said that he would set out temporary arrangements “ enabling the House to come to a decision on future arrangements ” .

The government has been branded as “hopeless” by a Labour frontbencher after the Speaker declared that getting rid of a virtual parliament would make MPs voting in the usual way unsafe.
Shadow health minister Justin Madders said: “Just had an email from the Speaker which says we cannot vote in the division lobbies safely so government have asked to put forward a motion on how we will vote from now on.
“Seems the government decided to bring parliament back without understanding/considering the safety aspects. Hopeless.”
The Speaker of the House of Commons has said “it is clear to me that the House simply cannot conduct division safely” ahead of MPs’ scheduled return to Westminster next week.
In an email to MPs today, Lindsay Hoyle set out why he has agreed to the government’s request to recall parliament on June 2nd – but warned that it would be difficult to socially distance in the division lobbies.
The Speaker explained that as voting in the normal way would not be safe, it is for the government to put forward an alternative proposal. Ministers have until June 1st to table a motion.
In the correspondence to colleagues, Hoyle wrote: “Based on the latest professional advice from Public Health England, it is clear to me that the House simply cannot conduct divisions safely via the lobbies.
“There are pinch points in the lobbies where MPs are recorded by clerks and counted by tellers where it would be difficult to maintain social distancing, even though perspex booths were prepared for two of the division desks.
“Nor can we follow the strict letter of standing order no. 38 which forms part of the House’s normal practice for the conduct of divisions and sets out particular requirements.”
Standing order no. 38 specifies that when a division is declared by the Speaker, the 650 MPs – or those in attendance – have a total of eight minutes to enter the lobbies and cast their vote.
He added: “As safety is my paramount consideration for MPs and staff – alongside the need for constituents to be properly represented through voting – we need to consider practical alternative arrangements.”
The Commons Speaker said that he would “prefer cross-party agreement” on the motion, but opposition parties and backbenchers will be able to table amendments if no such agreement is reached.
Hoyle does not have the power to decide on procedure for how the House votes, but if agreement is not reached he said that he would set out temporary measures “enabling the House to come to a decision on future arrangements”.
Responding to the developments today, Labour’s Valerie Vaz said: “This is the latest example of the government in chaos.
“Jacob Rees-Mogg tried to abolish the hybrid remote parliament – which allowed all MPs to take part regardless of their personal circumstances – without any prior notice and against all advice on the last day parliament met.
“He has bungled it and is now forcing parliament to return early solely to correct his earlier discriminatory move.”
“We welcome Mr Speaker’s statement and stand ready to work with the government and all parties to reach a consensus that would allow all MPs to participate on equal terms, including voting.”
Labour’s Chris Bryant commented: “What an unmitigated mess. Government summons parliament for Tuesday 2 June and lets remote voting and hybrid sessions lapse. It insists 650 MPs vote through narrow lobbies in 15 minutes without checking that this is Covid compliant. Public Health England declare the lobbies unsafe.
“The government dreams up another scheme – we all join a 1.3k queue to vote. Public Health England says this is no better. But government has tabled the highly controversial Gerrymandering Parliamentary Constituencies Bill for Tuesday with votes at 10pm. So now…
“The government begs the Speaker to recall parliament early so that we can vote… on how we vote. What an absolute shower. The govt wanted parliament to give out a message by returning – but the message is clear ‘help, we don’t know what we’re doing’. Breweries and welk-stalls.”


labourlist--2020-05-28--Opposition in the time of coronavirus

Opposition in the time of coronavirus

Labour members and voters vary in their views on how – and to what extent – capitalism should be transformed .
But there is consensus on the need for big change .
What else would explain the enthusiasm in the party for retaining the policies developed under Jeremy Corbyn ’ s leadership on common ownership , infrastructure investment , and the green new deal that shaped the 2019 manifesto ?
How else did we end up with a leadership election that saw Sir Keir Starmer , Lisa Nandy and Rebecca Long-Bailey barely distinguishable in their stance on key issues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the two runner-up candidates into the shadow cabinet ?
When you compare this agreement to Boris Johnson ’ s purging of Brexit dissenters before the last general election , the idea that Labour ’ s problems can be boiled down to an absence of shared policy vision is even more ironic .
The reasons for that dissonance become clearer when you consider the other , more subtle but equally important , calibrater of political preference – communications .
For Labour supporters and voters , this has been the existential question driving much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election-tanking equivocation .
The debate is not ‘ what kind of future do we want for Britain ?
’ but rather ‘ how will we prove that we are capable of bringing this future into being ?
’ Under Corbyn , this question was answered through the conception of opposition as a force to “ bridge the gap between the institutions of state power and struggles fought through trade unions and social movements ” , to quote Sabrina Huck .
It is this pluralistic spirit that helped to transform the party for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the largest of any in Europe .
But in focusing efforts on activism and argument , Labour neglected its duty to check the legitimacy of the government ’ s actions and provide an effective counterbalance of opinion , approach and values .
Its ability in this area was severely compromised by the antisemitism crisis , the hapless Brexit strategy and Corbyn ’ s unpopularity .
The election of Starmer as leader is already helping to revive some of the democratic process that has been so sorely lacking .
In rejecting partisanship and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its own prosecution on the issues of care homes and justice for migrant NHS workers , he is helping to restore to the leadership the kind of mass credibility that was consistently proven to be impossible under Corbyn .
But this is only part of the solution .
Forensic examination offers nothing in the way of alternatives , nor is faith in politicians and parties wrought entirely through competence – we yearn to be inspired by the ideas of those who seek the privilege of leading us .
While Labour ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to push Starmer ’ s personal approval ratings ahead of Boris Johnson ’ s for the first time , the opposition ’ s voice has sometimes been muted to the point of incomprehension .
It is becoming increasingly difficult to decipher what Labour would do differently , with Bridget Phillipson ’ s inability to explain the party ’ s position on the lifting of lockdown restrictions during her recent appearance on BBC Question Time .
The shadow cabinet ’ s general reliance on the government ’ s own ‘ we-will-be-guided-by-the-evidence ’ refrain is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a government-in-waiting , the party must go beyond responding to the government ’ s failures on personal protective equipment and testing .
It must define which problems are worthy of scrupulous political attention – and explain how Labour would fix them .
More must be done to connect our response to the virus with the decade of austerity that left our NHS and social system so frustrated in our preparedness for it and stripped back our social safety net .
Labour must be ready to make compelling arguments about how its policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate and biodiversity – could prevent it from happening again , and help provide people with the security of health and wellbeing that a majority now regard as the most important thing in life .
Yes , this will mean trading some blows with the government .
But to galvanise voters , the Labour leadership must rise to all the challenges of opposition .
It is incredibly early in Starmer ’ s tenure – yet if he can communicate Labour ’ s virtue as an alternative government as successfully as he performs executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tipping the balance of public favour .

Labour members and voters vary in their views on how – and to what extent – capitalism should be transformed. But there is consensus on the need for big change. What else would explain the enthusiasm in the party for retaining the policies developed under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership on common ownership, infrastructure investment, and the green new deal that shaped the 2019 manifesto? How else did we end up with a leadership election that saw Sir Keir Starmer, Lisa Nandy and Rebecca Long-Bailey barely distinguishable in their stance on key issues, and that ended with the seamless integration of the two runner-up candidates into the shadow cabinet?
When you compare this agreement to Boris Johnson’s purging of Brexit dissenters before the last general election, the idea that Labour’s problems can be boiled down to an absence of shared policy vision is even more ironic. The reasons for that dissonance become clearer when you consider the other, more subtle but equally important, calibrater of political preference – communications. For Labour supporters and voters, this has been the existential question driving much of the party’s infighting and election-tanking equivocation. The debate is not ‘what kind of future do we want for Britain?’ but rather ‘how will we prove that we are capable of bringing this future into being?’
Under Corbyn, this question was answered through the conception of opposition as a force to “bridge the gap between the institutions of state power and struggles fought through trade unions and social movements”, to quote Sabrina Huck. It is this pluralistic spirit that helped to transform the party for the digital age, and grow its membership to the largest of any in Europe. But in focusing efforts on activism and argument, Labour neglected its duty to check the legitimacy of the government’s actions and provide an effective counterbalance of opinion, approach and values. Its ability in this area was severely compromised by the antisemitism crisis, the hapless Brexit strategy and Corbyn’s unpopularity.
The election of Starmer as leader is already helping to revive some of the democratic process that has been so sorely lacking. In rejecting partisanship and weaponising detail to render the government witness to its own prosecution on the issues of care homes and justice for migrant NHS workers, he is helping to restore to the leadership the kind of mass credibility that was consistently proven to be impossible under Corbyn. But this is only part of the solution. Forensic examination offers nothing in the way of alternatives, nor is faith in politicians and parties wrought entirely through competence – we yearn to be inspired by the ideas of those who seek the privilege of leading us.
While Labour’s strategy of supporting the government has helped to push Starmer’s personal approval ratings ahead of Boris Johnson’s for the first time, the opposition’s voice has sometimes been muted to the point of incomprehension. It is becoming increasingly difficult to decipher what Labour would do differently, with Bridget Phillipson’s inability to explain the party’s position on the lifting of lockdown restrictions during her recent appearance on BBC Question Time. The shadow cabinet’s general reliance on the government’s own ‘we-will-be-guided-by-the-evidence’ refrain is contributing little clarity.
For Labour to become a government-in-waiting, the party must go beyond responding to the government’s failures on personal protective equipment and testing. It must define which problems are worthy of scrupulous political attention – and explain how Labour would fix them. More must be done to connect our response to the virus with the decade of austerity that left our NHS and social system so frustrated in our preparedness for it and stripped back our social safety net. Labour must be ready to make compelling arguments about how its policy positions – particularly on the economy, climate and biodiversity – could prevent it from happening again, and help provide people with the security of health and wellbeing that a majority now regard as the most important thing in life.
Yes, this will mean trading some blows with the government. But to galvanise voters, the Labour leadership must rise to all the challenges of opposition. It is incredibly early in Starmer’s tenure – yet if he can communicate Labour’s virtue as an alternative government as successfully as he performs executive checks, he might stand a chance of tipping the balance of public favour.


labourlist--2020-05-28--What we need from Labour’s new general secretary and the NEC

I never think it is beneficial when people who are clearly identified with different factions within the Labour Party strongly endorse a candidate , particularly when such promotion is for the position of the general secretary of the Labour Party .
The appointment of the general secretary is a matter solely for the national executive committee ( NEC ) , which has the benefit of interviewing and assessing the shortlisted candidates .
In this case , however , I think it is important to highlight the integrity and strengths of new general secretary David Evans .
It is it no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Hammersmith and Fulham Council , and myself , former Hammersmith and Fulham leader and ex-MP , are from very different wings of the party .
I have therefore decided to write this piece to add balance to his endorsement of David Evans as general secretary , although I do concur with much of what he has written .
What the party needs is a general secretary who is capable of acting fairly and with integrity in the interests of all party members .
We need someone who can unite all of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to rectify and repair the damage done by the successive Tory governments in the communities we represent .
I have known David since 1989 , when he was a Labour regional organiser .
I had just been elected as the leader of Hammersmith and Fulham .
David was a stalwart in supporting us through the terrible crisis I had inherited of the infamous ‘ swap options saga ‘ .
Hammersmith and Fulham Council was even on the front page of the Toronto Times , according to my brother-in-law who lives there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I shall always be grateful for the personal support David gave me .
His connection with Hammersmith and Fulham is not only through the party but also through the GMB .
The very first meeting I held as council leader was not with the chief officers but with our trade union representatives .
The chair of the trade union side was one Paul Kenny , who had started his working life as a park keeper in Hammersmith and Fulham .
That meeting was locally historic , and I will share the details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a laugh .
It cemented a long-term friendship and partnership between myself , Paul Kenny and other GMB and trade union representatives and members such as the legendary Ronnie Lawrence and Ted Cannon and also David .
He worked tirelessly with us in the 1990 and 1994 local election victories and in every by-election we had , and again in 1997 when I was elected as the MP for Hammersmith and Fulham .
He is a great organiser and campaigner , but also someone able to work constructively with people who hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ objectives .
He continued to support my successor as council leader Andy Slaughter , now the MP for Hammersmith , after my retirement in 2005 due to a series of strokes .
I have always been on the left of the party , which my time as a public servant has demonstrated .
I voted for Ed Miliband , Jeremy Corbyn , and Rebecca Long-Bailey , but I am not a member of Momentum .
I think Keir Starmer is the right person to lead our party at this time and we must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of working-class people and our nation .
I do hope that the NEC will now start to act in a united manner and stop this left/right posturing .
It needs to put aside political disputes , work together with Keir and David , and take us out of the electoral wilderness for the benefit of the people who need socialism .

I never think it is beneficial when people who are clearly identified with different factions within the Labour Party strongly endorse a candidate, particularly when such promotion is for the position of the general secretary of the Labour Party. The appointment of the general secretary is a matter solely for the national executive committee (NEC), which has the benefit of interviewing and assessing the shortlisted candidates.
In this case, however, I think it is important to highlight the integrity and strengths of new general secretary David Evans. It is it no secret that Stephen Cowan, current leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, and myself, former Hammersmith and Fulham leader and ex-MP, are from very different wings of the party. I have therefore decided to write this piece to add balance to his endorsement of David Evans as general secretary, although I do concur with much of what he has written.
What the party needs is a general secretary who is capable of acting fairly and with integrity in the interests of all party members. We need someone who can unite all of us who desperately hope for a Labour government in order to rectify and repair the damage done by the successive Tory governments in the communities we represent.
I have known David since 1989, when he was a Labour regional organiser. I had just been elected as the leader of Hammersmith and Fulham. David was a stalwart in supporting us through the terrible crisis I had inherited of the infamous ‘swap options saga‘. Hammersmith and Fulham Council was even on the front page of the Toronto Times, according to my brother-in-law who lives there! The media pressure was intense, and I shall always be grateful for the personal support David gave me.
His connection with Hammersmith and Fulham is not only through the party but also through the GMB. The very first meeting I held as council leader was not with the chief officers but with our trade union representatives. The chair of the trade union side was one Paul Kenny, who had started his working life as a park keeper in Hammersmith and Fulham. That meeting was locally historic, and I will share the details of it with anyone who wants to have a laugh. It cemented a long-term friendship and partnership between myself, Paul Kenny and other GMB and trade union representatives and members such as the legendary Ronnie Lawrence and Ted Cannon and also David.
He worked tirelessly with us in the 1990 and 1994 local election victories and in every by-election we had, and again in 1997 when I was elected as the MP for Hammersmith and Fulham. He is a great organiser and campaigner, but also someone able to work constructively with people who hold different opinions in order to achieve shared objectives. He continued to support my successor as council leader Andy Slaughter, now the MP for Hammersmith, after my retirement in 2005 due to a series of strokes.
I have always been on the left of the party, which my time as a public servant has demonstrated. I voted for Ed Miliband, Jeremy Corbyn, and Rebecca Long-Bailey, but I am not a member of Momentum. I think Keir Starmer is the right person to lead our party at this time and we must all unite around him in the interests of working-class people and our nation.
I do hope that the NEC will now start to act in a united manner and stop this left/right posturing. It needs to put aside political disputes, work together with Keir and David, and take us out of the electoral wilderness for the benefit of the people who need socialism.


labourlist--2020-05-28--Momentum Renewal launches slate of candidates for NCG elections

New campaign group Momentum Renewal has launched its slate of candidates who will be standing in the upcoming internal Momentum elections that will see Jon Lansman step aside .
The slate includes Labour MP Jon Trickett , former parliamentary candidates Sonya Ward and Laura McAlpine , and current member of Labour ’ s national executive committee Huda Elmi .
Other high-profile activists are being put forward such as Max Shanly , Seema Chandwani , Emina Ibrahim , Leigh Drennan , and former Scottish deputy leader candidate Matt Kerr .
Momentum Renewal says its slate of candidates for the Momentum national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represents a broad , united and committed left ” and will “ reject narrow , divisive agendas ” .
• None Murad Qureshi , national chair of the Stop the War Coalition and London Assembly member The Midlands and the East : • None Lawrence Dunne , secretary of Knowsley for Socialism and former PCS NEC member • None Matt Kerr , Glasgow councillor and former political secretary of CWU Scotland • None Leeann Clarkson , campaign co-ordinator and treasurer of Easington CLP • None Max Shanly , lead organiser for the 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance of “ left unity ” and ensuring that the organisation forms a “ broad , socialist platform ” that is “ rooted in working-class communities ” .
Its recent launch was backed by MPs such as Ian Lavery and Sam Tarry , several members of Labour ’ s ruling body , and high-profile writers including Aaron Bastani and Grace Blakeley .
Unveiling the slate , the group said : “ We ’ re immensely proud to be putting forward a slate of such talent and diversity .
Momentum Renewal brings together veterans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , building working class power for tomorrow.
” Renewal candidate Dave Aldwinkle commented : “ In places like Leeds and Manchester , local Momentum groups have built the confidence of the Left by putting on scores of cultural events and political discussions .
“ We have strengthened picket lines and built links with local tenants associations that can ’ t be broken .
I believe this kind of activity can help build Momentum groups everywhere with a truly representative political leadership ” .
Momentum founder Jon Lansman used a LabourList comment piece earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be standing in the internal elections of the Corbynite organisation .
Another group , Forward Momentum , announced its own slate for the contests last week following a process of open primaries with nearly 2,000 supporters taking part in the vote .
The # Forward24 slate includes Labour MP Nadia Whittome , metro-mayor Jamie Driscoll , former parliamentary candidate Jennifer Forbes and writer Alan Gibbons .
NCG nominations open today and close on June 11th , then a one-member-one-vote ballot will be conducted by Momentum from June 16th to June 30th .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

New campaign group Momentum Renewal has launched its slate of candidates who will be standing in the upcoming internal Momentum elections that will see Jon Lansman step aside.
The slate includes Labour MP Jon Trickett, former parliamentary candidates Sonya Ward and Laura McAlpine, and current member of Labour’s national executive committee Huda Elmi.
Other high-profile activists are being put forward such as Max Shanly, Seema Chandwani, Emina Ibrahim, Leigh Drennan, and former Scottish deputy leader candidate Matt Kerr.
Momentum Renewal says its slate of candidates for the Momentum national coordinating group (NCG) elections “represents a broad, united and committed left” and will “reject narrow, divisive agendas”.
London:
Seema Chandwani, vice-chair of the London Labour Party
Murad Qureshi, national chair of the Stop the War Coalition and London Assembly member
Lewis Baker, McStrike organiser and BFAWU activist
Aghileh Djafari-Marbini, Harrow West CLP member and NHS worker
Update: Chardine Taylor Stone, Socialists of Colour co-founder, has replaced Qureshi on the MR slate’s London list.
The Midlands and the East:
Sonya Ward, former parliamentary candidate for Mansfield
Andy Fox-Hewitt, firefighter, trade union official and Newcastle-under-Lyme councillor
Laura McAlpine, former parliamentary candidate for Harlow
Huda Elmi, Labour NEC and West Midlands regional board member
The North West and Wales:
Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council
Lawrence Dunne, secretary of Knowsley for Socialism and former PCS NEC member
Lotte Boumelha, chair of Manchester Labour Students and Manchester Momentum activist
Jazmin Duncan-Rees, vice-chair membership of Carmarthen East and Dinefwr CLP
Yorkshire, Scotland, the North and International:
Matt Kerr, Glasgow councillor and former political secretary of CWU Scotland
Dave Aldwinkle, chair of Leeds Momentum
Leeann Clarkson, campaign co-ordinator and treasurer of Easington CLP
Aneesa Akbar, Hull City councillor and Yorkshire & Humberside regional board member
The South East and South West:
Max Shanly, lead organiser for the 2016 Corbyn campaign
Jabu Nala-Hartley, co-chair of Oxford Momentum
Martin Menear, South West regional board and SE Cornwall CLP member
Sarah Cundy, youth rep for the South East regional board
Labour Public Office Holders:
Jon Trickett, MP for Hemsworth
Cllr Emina Ibrahim, Haringey Council cabinet member and London regional board
Cllr Sarah Doyle, Liverpool City councillor and Young Labour national committee member
Cllr Leigh Drennan, Tameside councillor and chair of Labour North West
Momentum Renewal has stressed the importance of “left unity” and ensuring that the organisation forms a “broad, socialist platform” that is “rooted in working-class communities”.
Its recent launch was backed by MPs such as Ian Lavery and Sam Tarry, several members of Labour’s ruling body, and high-profile writers including Aaron Bastani and Grace Blakeley.
Unveiling the slate, the group said: “We’re immensely proud to be putting forward a slate of such talent and diversity. Momentum Renewal brings together veterans of the union movement and McStrike organisers, building working class power for tomorrow.”
Renewal candidate Dave Aldwinkle commented: “In places like Leeds and Manchester, local Momentum groups have built the confidence of the Left by putting on scores of cultural events and political discussions.
“We have strengthened picket lines and built links with local tenants associations that can’t be broken. I believe this kind of activity can help build Momentum groups everywhere with a truly representative political leadership”.
Momentum founder Jon Lansman used a LabourList comment piece earlier this month to announce that he would not be standing in the internal elections of the Corbynite organisation.
Another group, Forward Momentum, announced its own slate for the contests last week following a process of open primaries with nearly 2,000 supporters taking part in the vote.
The #Forward24 slate includes Labour MP Nadia Whittome, metro-mayor Jamie Driscoll, former parliamentary candidate Jennifer Forbes and writer Alan Gibbons.
NCG nominations open today and close on June 11th, then a one-member-one-vote ballot will be conducted by Momentum from June 16th to June 30th. The process is entirely taking place online.


labourlist--2020-05-28--“This is not a joke”: Hancock laughs at failure to launch Covid app

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan has said that “ this is not a joke ” in response to Matt Hancock laughing about the failure of the government to launch the coronavirus app alongside the test , track and trace system .
Reacting to a Sky News interview with the Health Secretary this morning , the shadow minister for mental health and A & E doctor tweeted her frustration at his response when asked about the roll-out of contact tracing in the UK .
Allin-Khan wrote : “ What an insult .
At least 37,000 people have died of Covid-19 in the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a proper test and trace system in place months ago , thousands would have been saved.
” She added .
“ This is not a joke .
This has been painful for so many families.
” The Health Secretary was asked whether he is rushing the introduction of the test and trace system by rolling it out before a Covid-19 app is ready .
The government had previously said that the app was “ essential ” to the system .
He laughed throughout his response , and said : “ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of delaying these things and bringing them in too slowly.
” NHS staff are today making their first phone calls to people who will be told to self-isolate as part of the new tracing program .
This manual tracing has been rolled out alone , despite concerns it will be too slow .
The coronavirus app is currently being piloted on the Isle of Wight and is not ready to be implemented more widely .
The 25,000 tracers will start work by contacting 2,013 people who tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the app would be introduced in “ mid-May ” , its launch was delayed .
The government has been unable to confirm whether it is on track to be launched in June .
According to Public Health England , 37,460 people have now died from “ Covid-19 associated deaths ” in the UK .
The organisation reports a current total of 267,240 lab-confirmed cases .

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan has said that “this is not a joke” in response to Matt Hancock laughing about the failure of the government to launch the coronavirus app alongside the test, track and trace system.
Reacting to a Sky News interview with the Health Secretary this morning, the shadow minister for mental health and A&E doctor tweeted her frustration at his response when asked about the roll-out of contact tracing in the UK.
Allin-Khan wrote: “What an insult. At least 37,000 people have died of Covid-19 in the UK. Govt abandoned community testing. With a proper test and trace system in place months ago, thousands would have been saved.”
She added. “This is not a joke. This has been painful for so many families.”
The Health Secretary was asked whether he is rushing the introduction of the test and trace system by rolling it out before a Covid-19 app is ready. The government had previously said that the app was “essential” to the system.
He laughed throughout his response, and said: “It’s priceless Kay, I’m usually accused of delaying these things and bringing them in too slowly.”
What an insult. At least 37,000 people have died of Covid-19 in the UK. Govt abandoned community testing. With a proper test and trace system in place months ago, thousands would have been saved. This is not a joke. This has been painful for so many families. pic.twitter.com/zKlCQO7J6N — Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (@DrRosena) May 28, 2020
NHS staff are today making their first phone calls to people who will be told to self-isolate as part of the new tracing program. This manual tracing has been rolled out alone, despite concerns it will be too slow.
The coronavirus app is currently being piloted on the Isle of Wight and is not ready to be implemented more widely. The 25,000 tracers will start work by contacting 2,013 people who tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday.
After the Health Secretary initially announced that the app would be introduced in “mid-May”, its launch was delayed. The government has been unable to confirm whether it is on track to be launched in June.
According to Public Health England, 37,460 people have now died from “Covid-19 associated deaths” in the UK. The organisation reports a current total of 267,240 lab-confirmed cases.


labourlist--2020-05-28--Starmer urges renewed focus on the UK’s test and trace programme

There were so many stunning moments in Boris Johnson ’ s liaison committee appearance last night , it ’ s difficult to choose which one to explore first .
I think the most shocking was perhaps when the Prime Minister appeared to reveal that he had never before heard of the ‘ no recourse to public funds ’ policy .
To watch the head of government literally reply , “ Hang on… Why aren ’ t they eligible for Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance or any of the other… ?
” was just too much like a comedy sketch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good news is that the Prime Minister didn ’ t like what he heard when he was told about the punitive immigration policy that drives families and particularly migrant women into destitution .
Apparently unaware that the use of ‘ NRPF ’ was extended by his predecessor , Johnson told Labour MP Stephen Timms that he had “ raised a very , very important point ” and promised to “ see what we can do to help ” .
Obviously activists can not take that on trust , but the blunder should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this issue .
For other priorities in the struggle for migrant rights , read Sabrina Huck ’ s latest column .
As part of an effort to “ move on ” from the Dominic Cummings story , the Prime Minister also announced the launch of the UK ’ s test and trace programme .
Because the government has rushed to reopen schools on June 1st and shops in mid-June , and previously vowed to have the scheme up and running before then , there are concerns that this has been a belated but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to explaining why Keir Starmer seems to agree with the PM that it is “ time to move on ” from Cummings .
Unlike Johnson , he is clear that the adviser broke lockdown rules , but he backs the call to refocus on the task at hand .
The Labour leader has pointed out that we were promised a tracing app , but the government has delayed it indefinitely , despite claiming that its trial went well .
Starmer is also demanding that over 50,000 contact tracers are hired , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a million a day .
Matt Hancock has said that testing capacity has reached 161,000 , but actual tests carried out are below that and they have stopped providing the numbers of people tested .
Finally , Starmer wants a “ Covid test guarantee ” ensuring that nobody waits more than 24 hours for a result .
When asked by the committee about this target , however , Johnson said : “ I ’ ve been forbidden from announcing any more targets and deadlines.
” If only the UK didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world during the pandemic , perhaps we ’ d find it funny .
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There were so many stunning moments in Boris Johnson’s liaison committee appearance last night, it’s difficult to choose which one to explore first. I think the most shocking was perhaps when the Prime Minister appeared to reveal that he had never before heard of the ‘no recourse to public funds’ policy. To watch the head of government literally reply, “Hang on… Why aren’t they eligible for Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance or any of the other…?” was just too much like a comedy sketch. He is beyond parody.
The good news is that the Prime Minister didn’t like what he heard when he was told about the punitive immigration policy that drives families and particularly migrant women into destitution. Apparently unaware that the use of ‘NRPF’ was extended by his predecessor, Johnson told Labour MP Stephen Timms that he had “raised a very, very important point” and promised to “see what we can do to help”. Obviously activists cannot take that on trust, but the blunder should be used by Labour to apply pressure on this issue. For other priorities in the struggle for migrant rights, read Sabrina Huck’s latest column.
As part of an effort to “move on” from the Dominic Cummings story, the Prime Minister also announced the launch of the UK’s test and trace programme. Because the government has rushed to reopen schools on June 1st and shops in mid-June, and previously vowed to have the scheme up and running before then, there are concerns that this has been a belated but also rushed job. This goes some way to explaining why Keir Starmer seems to agree with the PM that it is “time to move on” from Cummings. Unlike Johnson, he is clear that the adviser broke lockdown rules, but he backs the call to refocus on the task at hand.
The Labour leader has pointed out that we were promised a tracing app, but the government has delayed it indefinitely, despite claiming that its trial went well. Starmer is also demanding that over 50,000 contact tracers are hired, and that testing be increased to a quarter of a million a day. Matt Hancock has said that testing capacity has reached 161,000, but actual tests carried out are below that and they have stopped providing the numbers of people tested. Finally, Starmer wants a “Covid test guarantee” ensuring that nobody waits more than 24 hours for a result. When asked by the committee about this target, however, Johnson said: “I’ve been forbidden from announcing any more targets and deadlines.” If only the UK didn’t have the highest excess death rate in the world during the pandemic, perhaps we’d find it funny. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-05-28--The struggle for migrants’ rights – beyond the NHS surcharge U-turn

The Labour frontbench last week celebrated a victory as the government confirmed its U-turn on the health surcharge for migrant NHS and care workers .
Whilst certainly good news for those workers affected by the charge , it is worth remembering that this is a small , very partial victory .
The health surcharge rightly caused outrage in context of the coronavirus pandemic .
But the fact that so many people will not have heard of it before shows how weak public consciousness is when it comes to migrants ’ rights issues .
The Prime Minister himself did not even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ no recourse to public funds ’ when he was grilled by the Commons liaison committee last night .
Those of us fighting for full equal rights for migrants know we still have a long way to go .
Labour conference 2019 passed a motion from the Labour Campaign for Free Movement that called for the abolition of the health surcharge and other hostile environment measures .
It also pledged to defend and extend free movement , which means that Labour should oppose attempts from the Tories to replace EU free movement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward new policy that would level up the rights of non-EU migrants .
Although a clear commitment to free movement rights was missing from the 2019 manifesto , some important advances were made : the party pledged to scrap the 2014 Immigration Act that legislated for hostile environment measures such as right to rent checks .
We vowed to close two of the most notorious detention centres , and to give full voting rights for migrants that are UK residents .
During his leadership campaign , Keir Starmer released a set of pledges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It reaffirmed Labour ’ s commitment to closing detention centres such as Yarl ’ s Wood and ending indefinite detention .
It went back on the 2019 manifesto promise to enfranchise all UK residents and offered only to extend voting rights to EU citizens .
It also offered support for EU free movement , but fell short of outlining a more comprehensive immigration policy .
The pledge simply stated that Labour would argue for an immigration system “ based on compassion and dignity ” .
Since the referendum , immigration policy debates have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions on Brexit .
This has harmed our ability to organise for migrant justice and solidarity .
And it meant that one of the most important demands of the motion was largely overlooked : its warning against the implementation of a new immigration system based on incomes , migrants ’ utility to business and numerical targets and thresholds .
The motion rejects a points or skills-based work visa system .
And it opposes a framing that sees migrant workers ’ roles as that of filling gaps in the UK labour market .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under Jeremy Corbyn and , seemingly , under Starmer too .
Unfortunately , the health surcharge victory continues to feed into the same harmful narrative , which says a migrant is only worthy if they have gone above and beyond to ‘ contribute ’ to society .
Only if this extra contribution is recognised by the government will they be given the same rights as British-born citizens .
The policy change on the health surcharge therefore came from a place of weakness , not strength .
Wrestling minimal concessions from the government for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the line does not point towards a wider shift of the narrative on immigration .
Whilst some campaigners hope that this can be a stepping stone for further reform , it seems unlikely .
Priti Patel will continue to push through a new immigration system with minimal oversight from parliament .
It ’ s understandable that migrants ’ rights campaigners in Labour still want to push for these small victories wherever possible .
But instead of focusing only on tactical advances , we must also work on the big picture questions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just for access to the welfare state .
It is easier for bosses to exploit migrant workers because it is considered more socially acceptable to pay them less than a British-born worker .
Campaigning on migrants ’ rights issues can often feel very reactive and defensive – there is a constant onslaught of harmful legislation .
This will intensify as the government continues immigration reform as the Brexit transition period comes to an end .
It is still valid for some of us to take part in the parliamentary wrangling over amendments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences of government policy .
And this goes hand-in-hand with keeping up pressure on our own leadership to not backtrack on the conference motion .
But , as long as the view that migrants have to contribute more than British-born citizens prevails in society , we will not be able to make meaningful changes through lobbying on policy alone .
Why should the government concede ?
They know that their policies – of othering – will not harm them .
The electorate , which largely excludes migrants , will believe that people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to imagine that this will change just because we pass motions in our Constituency Labour Parties or have Labour MPs speak in the Commons – it doesn ’ t have enough reach .
Labour activists must find a way to combine firefighting legislation with engaging on the struggles that are happening outside of Westminster .
They have to think about how more meaningful solidarity can be developed with migrant-led struggles – on wages and working conditions or activists fighting against deportations , for example .
If the last years have taught us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , change has to come from the grassroots .
We have to take the struggle into civil society first to create the space for the Labour Party to step through and advocate for policy – it won ’ t be the other way around .

The Labour frontbench last week celebrated a victory as the government confirmed its U-turn on the health surcharge for migrant NHS and care workers. Whilst certainly good news for those workers affected by the charge, it is worth remembering that this is a small, very partial victory.
The health surcharge rightly caused outrage in context of the coronavirus pandemic. But the fact that so many people will not have heard of it before shows how weak public consciousness is when it comes to migrants’ rights issues. The Prime Minister himself did not even seem to know about the policy of ‘no recourse to public funds’ when he was grilled by the Commons liaison committee last night. Those of us fighting for full equal rights for migrants know we still have a long way to go.
Labour conference 2019 passed a motion from the Labour Campaign for Free Movement that called for the abolition of the health surcharge and other hostile environment measures. It also pledged to defend and extend free movement, which means that Labour should oppose attempts from the Tories to replace EU free movement with more regressive immigration legislation, whilst putting forward new policy that would level up the rights of non-EU migrants.
Although a clear commitment to free movement rights was missing from the 2019 manifesto, some important advances were made: the party pledged to scrap the 2014 Immigration Act that legislated for hostile environment measures such as right to rent checks. We vowed to close two of the most notorious detention centres, and to give full voting rights for migrants that are UK residents.
During his leadership campaign, Keir Starmer released a set of pledges that included a section on immigration. It reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to closing detention centres such as Yarl’s Wood and ending indefinite detention. It went back on the 2019 manifesto promise to enfranchise all UK residents and offered only to extend voting rights to EU citizens. It also offered support for EU free movement, but fell short of outlining a more comprehensive immigration policy. The pledge simply stated that Labour would argue for an immigration system “based on compassion and dignity”.
Since the referendum, immigration policy debates have often been treated as a proxy for questions on Brexit. This has harmed our ability to organise for migrant justice and solidarity. And it meant that one of the most important demands of the motion was largely overlooked: its warning against the implementation of a new immigration system based on incomes, migrants’ utility to business and numerical targets and thresholds. The motion rejects a points or skills-based work visa system. And it opposes a framing that sees migrant workers’ roles as that of filling gaps in the UK labour market. This part of the motion was ignored both under Jeremy Corbyn and, seemingly, under Starmer too.
Unfortunately, the health surcharge victory continues to feed into the same harmful narrative, which says a migrant is only worthy if they have gone above and beyond to ‘contribute’ to society. Only if this extra contribution is recognised by the government will they be given the same rights as British-born citizens. The policy change on the health surcharge therefore came from a place of weakness, not strength.
Wrestling minimal concessions from the government for people who have literally put their lives on the line does not point towards a wider shift of the narrative on immigration. Whilst some campaigners hope that this can be a stepping stone for further reform, it seems unlikely. Priti Patel will continue to push through a new immigration system with minimal oversight from parliament.
It’s understandable that migrants’ rights campaigners in Labour still want to push for these small victories wherever possible. But instead of focusing only on tactical advances, we must also work on the big picture questions. The ‘worthiness’ framing is relevant not just for access to the welfare state. It is easier for bosses to exploit migrant workers because it is considered more socially acceptable to pay them less than a British-born worker.
Campaigning on migrants’ rights issues can often feel very reactive and defensive – there is a constant onslaught of harmful legislation. This will intensify as the government continues immigration reform as the Brexit transition period comes to an end. It is still valid for some of us to take part in the parliamentary wrangling over amendments and legislation, and to highlight the consequences of government policy. And this goes hand-in-hand with keeping up pressure on our own leadership to not backtrack on the conference motion.
But, as long as the view that migrants have to contribute more than British-born citizens prevails in society, we will not be able to make meaningful changes through lobbying on policy alone. Why should the government concede? They know that their policies – of othering – will not harm them. The electorate, which largely excludes migrants, will believe that people have to ‘contribute’. It is hard to imagine that this will change just because we pass motions in our Constituency Labour Parties or have Labour MPs speak in the Commons – it doesn’t have enough reach.
Labour activists must find a way to combine firefighting legislation with engaging on the struggles that are happening outside of Westminster. They have to think about how more meaningful solidarity can be developed with migrant-led struggles – on wages and working conditions or activists fighting against deportations, for example. If the last years have taught us anything, it is that on immigration, change has to come from the grassroots. We have to take the struggle into civil society first to create the space for the Labour Party to step through and advocate for policy – it won’t be the other way around.


labourlist--2020-05-28--Over 100 MPs demand extension of self-employed income support scheme

A cross-party group of over 100 MPs have written to the Chancellor today to demand an extension of the coronavirus self-employed income scheme that is currently supporting millions .
The job retention scheme for employees , who can be furloughed by their bosses , has been extended by Rishi Sunak to October .
The move was praised by Labour and trade unions .
But the equivalent Covid-19 programme for self-employed workers has not been extended .
The Prime Minister has said that the scheme , due to end this weekend , is “ under review ” .
The self-employment income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.3 million claims , totalling £6.8bn , according to HMRC .
The newly self-employed were not eligible to apply for the help .
In a letter coordinated by Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh , SEISS along with the furlough scheme are said to have “ proven invaluable lifelines of support for those eligible to receive them ” .
It points out , however , that unlike the job retention scheme it “ remains unclear whether any extension to the self-employment income support scheme will be announced ” .
The letter reads : “ Whilst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to return to work over the coming weeks and months , it remains likely that many will not .
If the scheme does not continue , they will be left without work and without support.
” 113 MPs from across parliament – Labour , Conservative , SNP , Lib Dem , Green , Plaid Cymru , Social Democratic and Labour Party , Alliance , and DUP – have signed the letter to Sunak .
Commenting on the letter , lead signatory and MP for for Mitcham and Morden McDonagh said : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of locked-down workers right across the country .
“ There are already significant holes in the support , but removing what is already in place would pull the safety net from under the feet of millions of self-employed workers .
How can it be right for the furloughed scheme to continue but this scheme to not ?
” Below is the list of MP signatories .

A cross-party group of over 100 MPs have written to the Chancellor today to demand an extension of the coronavirus self-employed income scheme that is currently supporting millions.
The job retention scheme for employees, who can be furloughed by their bosses, has been extended by Rishi Sunak to October. The move was praised by Labour and trade unions.
But the equivalent Covid-19 programme for self-employed workers has not been extended. The Prime Minister has said that the scheme, due to end this weekend, is “under review”.
The self-employment income support scheme (SEISS) has seen 2.3 million claims, totalling £6.8bn, according to HMRC. The newly self-employed were not eligible to apply for the help.
In a letter coordinated by Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh, SEISS along with the furlough scheme are said to have “proven invaluable lifelines of support for those eligible to receive them”.
It points out, however, that unlike the job retention scheme it “remains unclear whether any extension to the self-employment income support scheme will be announced”.
The letter reads: “Whilst some of our self-employed constituents may be able to return to work over the coming weeks and months, it remains likely that many will not. If the scheme does not continue, they will be left without work and without support.”
113 MPs from across parliament – Labour, Conservative, SNP, Lib Dem, Green, Plaid Cymru, Social Democratic and Labour Party, Alliance, and DUP – have signed the letter to Sunak.
Commenting on the letter, lead signatory and MP for for Mitcham and Morden McDonagh said: “This scheme is a lifeline for millions of locked-down workers right across the country.
“There are already significant holes in the support, but removing what is already in place would pull the safety net from under the feet of millions of self-employed workers. How can it be right for the furloughed scheme to continue but this scheme to not?”
Below is the list of MP signatories.
Siobhain McDonagh MP, Debbie Abrahams MP, Rushanara Ali MP, Tahir Ali MP, Hannah Bardell MP, Paula Barker MP, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Clive Betts MP, Sir Peter Bottomley MP, Rt Hon Ben Bradshaw MP, Angus Brendan MacNeil MP, Kevin Brennan MP, Deirdre Brock MP, Alan Brown MP, Karen Buck MP, Dawn Butler MP, Ian Byrne MP, Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP, Amy Callaghan MP, Gregory Campbell MP, Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP, Wendy Chamberlain MP, Sarah Champion MP, Rosie Cooper MP, Daisy Cooper MP, Ronnie Cowan MP, Neil Coyle MP, Angela Crawley MP, Stella Creasy MP, Jon Cruddas MP, Rt Hon Sir Edward Davey MP, Martyn Day MP, Martin Docherty-Hughes MP, Rt Hon Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, Dave Doogan MP, Allan Dorans MP, Peter Dowd MP, Maria Eagle MP, Colum Eastwood MP, Clive Efford MP, Julie Elliott MP, Tim Farron MP, Stephen Farry MP, Marion Fellows MP, Yvonne Fovargue MP, Patricia Gibson MP, Paul Girvan MP, Neil Gray MP, Lilian Greenwood MP, Andrew Gwynne MP, Claire Hanna MP, Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP, Sir Mark Hendrick MP, Mike Hill MP, Wera Hobhouse MP, Rt Hon Dame Margaret Hodge MP, Rt Hon Sir George Howarth MP, Dr Rupa Huq MP, Christine Jardine MP, Dan Jarvis MP, Kim Johnson MP, Dame Diana Johnson MP, Barbara Keeley MP, Ben Lake MP, Emma Lewell-Buck MP, Clive Lewis MP, Rt Hon Dr Julian Lewis MP, Carla Lockhart MP, Caroline Lucas MP, Kenny Macaskill MP, Steve McCabe MP, Stewart McDonald MP, Stuart McDonald MP, Catherine McKinnell MP, Anne McLaughlin MP, John McNally MP, Ian Mearns MP, Carol Monaghan MP, Layla Moran MP, Grahame Morris MP, Sir Robert Neill MP, John Nicolson MP, Brendan O’Hara MP, Sarah Olney MP, Kate Osamor MP, Kate Osborne MP, Ian Paisley MP, Christina Rees MP, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, Gavin Robinson MP, Andrew Rosindell MP, Liz Saville-Roberts MP, Jim Shannon MP, Virendra Sharma MP, Barry Sheerman MP, Andrew Slaughter MP, Alyn Smith MP, Rt Hon John Spellar MP, Chris Stephens MP, Jamie Stone MP, Sam Tarry MP, Alison Thewliss MP, Owen Thompson MP, Richard Thomson MP, Derek Twigg MP, Dr Philippa Whitford MP, Mick Whitley MP, Nadia Whittome MP, Hywel Williams MP, Munira Wilson MP, Sammy Wilson MP, Pete Wishart MP, Mohammad Yasin MP