labourlist--2020-06-23--My priorities as Labour’s new Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland

The challenges facing the Labour Party in Scotland are well-documented .
We have a great deal of work to do to regain voters ’ trust , and we know that it won ’ t happen overnight .
But the work is well underway .
Working with Keir Starmer , my shadow cabinet colleagues , Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard and Scottish deputy leader Jackie Baillie , we are all united in our desire to rebuild our party in Scotland .
And I know that Labour members across England and Wales want us to succeed .
Travelling across the country to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was struck by both the determination of members to help the party recover in Scotland and their understanding of how important this is to Labour ’ s future .
It is now my job to ensure that we make Scottish Labour an integral part of our party .
Scotland is not something to put into a box marked ‘ too difficult ’ .
We all have the same goal : returning to power , with Keir Starmer as our Prime Minister , so that we can build a fairer Britain for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Shadow Scottish Secretary is to ensure we start to recover in Scotland to make that goal more achievable .
I have bored colleagues with stats for many months , including the fact that without any gains in Scotland we ’ ll need a swing large enough to win Jacob Rees-Mogg ’ s seat from the Tories at the next election to get a parliamentary majority of just one .
This was reiterated in last week ’ s Labour Together extensive review of the 2019 campaign , which rightly concluded that Labour needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Scotland ’ s constitutional future .
I ’ m pleased that particular priority has already been addressed , so now we can move forward .
Following a vote of the Scottish executive committee ( SEC ) , we will be going into next year ’ s Holyrood election with a clear position to oppose both independence and a divisive second independence referendum .
Once people know where we stand , they are willing to give us the time of day and hear what else we have to say .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edinburgh South , where I have won against the odds at each election .
As a party , we are focused on the priorities of the Scottish people : saving our NHS ; rebuilding our economy ; investing in education ; looking to the future .
We believe in helping every community to recover from the devastating effects of the coronavirus crisis , not dividing communities into winners and losers with yet another poisonous and paralysing debate on independence .
If SNP politicians want to make the argument for devoting years of government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independence referendum , that tells you everything you need to know about their priorities .
They ’ re not the priorities of the Labour Party , and they are not the priorities of the majority of people in Scotland .
In the House of Commons , my priority is to stand up for Scotland against the two extremes of the Tories and the nationalists .
That means holding the UK government to account in the areas it is responsible for , such as the catastrophic decision to abolish the Department for International Development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it also means not letting the SNP off the hook for its massive failings in Scotland , with councils starved of cash , education standards in freefall , a health and social care crisis , and a fragile economy .
Nearly 700,000 people in Scotland are currently on furlough , and the priority must be to support them and ensure as few as possible fall into unemployment .
Andrew Wilson , the former SNP MSP and economist behind the SNP ’ s fiscal plans for independence , has even predicted that Scotland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst in the developed world .
Already , nearly one in four Scottish children live in poverty .
My constituency of Edinburgh South is often described as quite affluent , but in some parts of it more than a third of children are being brought up in poverty .
Without significant support , I fear a generation could now be left behind .
The SNP government has decided to delay the publication of the 2019-20 progress report on child poverty so that we can ’ t even monitor what is happening , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it this side of next May ’ s election .
Coupled with the SNP ’ s failings in devolved policy areas , we have a Tory government in Westminster that has reversed the legislative steps taken by the previous Labour government on getting young people out of poverty .
From opposition , we will still seek to build a better future for young people .
Prior to the 2019 general election , I worked on proposals for a Child Poverty Eradication Bill .
We should aim to eradicate poverty and make sure the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by this goal .
Now that I am on the frontbench I can ’ t personally continue with work towards a Private Member ’ s Bill , but it is something I will be taking on in other ways .
Ultimately , though , our priority must be to return to power .
The previous Labour government took 120,000 children in Scotland out of poverty through measures such as tax credits and the national minimum wage .
This is why being in government matters .
Over the coming years , we must all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland .
That starts by being an effective and ferocious , but constructive , opposition that can become a credible alternative government .
Then we can prioritise what really matters to people and make a real difference to people ’ s lives through our practical , progressive and principled politics .
This piece is part of a series by members of the new shadow cabinet .
Join us for our upcoming online event ‘ LabourList in conversation with Ian Murray ’ on Thursday , June 25th , at 6pm .

The challenges facing the Labour Party in Scotland are well-documented. We have a great deal of work to do to regain voters’ trust, and we know that it won’t happen overnight. But the work is well underway.
Working with Keir Starmer, my shadow cabinet colleagues, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard and Scottish deputy leader Jackie Baillie, we are all united in our desire to rebuild our party in Scotland. And I know that Labour members across England and Wales want us to succeed.
Travelling across the country to visit local parties prior to lockdown, I was struck by both the determination of members to help the party recover in Scotland and their understanding of how important this is to Labour’s future. It is now my job to ensure that we make Scottish Labour an integral part of our party.
Scotland is not something to put into a box marked ‘too difficult’. We all have the same goal: returning to power, with Keir Starmer as our Prime Minister, so that we can build a fairer Britain for all nations and regions. My top priority as Shadow Scottish Secretary is to ensure we start to recover in Scotland to make that goal more achievable.
I have bored colleagues with stats for many months, including the fact that without any gains in Scotland we’ll need a swing large enough to win Jacob Rees-Mogg’s seat from the Tories at the next election to get a parliamentary majority of just one. This was reiterated in last week’s Labour Together extensive review of the 2019 campaign, which rightly concluded that Labour needed to be clear about where it stands on Scotland’s constitutional future.
I’m pleased that particular priority has already been addressed, so now we can move forward. Following a vote of the Scottish executive committee (SEC), we will be going into next year’s Holyrood election with a clear position to oppose both independence and a divisive second independence referendum.
Once people know where we stand, they are willing to give us the time of day and hear what else we have to say. That’s certainly my experience on the doorsteps in Edinburgh South, where I have won against the odds at each election.
As a party, we are focused on the priorities of the Scottish people: saving our NHS; rebuilding our economy; investing in education; looking to the future. We believe in helping every community to recover from the devastating effects of the coronavirus crisis, not dividing communities into winners and losers with yet another poisonous and paralysing debate on independence.
If SNP politicians want to make the argument for devoting years of government time and resources to a divisive second independence referendum, that tells you everything you need to know about their priorities. They’re not the priorities of the Labour Party, and they are not the priorities of the majority of people in Scotland.
In the House of Commons, my priority is to stand up for Scotland against the two extremes of the Tories and the nationalists. That means holding the UK government to account in the areas it is responsible for, such as the catastrophic decision to abolish the Department for International Development, which is headquartered in Scotland.
But it also means not letting the SNP off the hook for its massive failings in Scotland, with councils starved of cash, education standards in freefall, a health and social care crisis, and a fragile economy. Nearly 700,000 people in Scotland are currently on furlough, and the priority must be to support them and ensure as few as possible fall into unemployment.
Andrew Wilson, the former SNP MSP and economist behind the SNP’s fiscal plans for independence, has even predicted that Scotland’s economic recovery will be the worst in the developed world. Already, nearly one in four Scottish children live in poverty. My constituency of Edinburgh South is often described as quite affluent, but in some parts of it more than a third of children are being brought up in poverty. Without significant support, I fear a generation could now be left behind.
The SNP government has decided to delay the publication of the 2019-20 progress report on child poverty so that we can’t even monitor what is happening, and I expect we won’t see it this side of next May’s election. Coupled with the SNP’s failings in devolved policy areas, we have a Tory government in Westminster that has reversed the legislative steps taken by the previous Labour government on getting young people out of poverty.
From opposition, we will still seek to build a better future for young people. Prior to the 2019 general election, I worked on proposals for a Child Poverty Eradication Bill. We should aim to eradicate poverty and make sure the entire machinery of both governments is underpinned by this goal. Now that I am on the frontbench I can’t personally continue with work towards a Private Member’s Bill, but it is something I will be taking on in other ways.
Ultimately, though, our priority must be to return to power. The previous Labour government took 120,000 children in Scotland out of poverty through measures such as tax credits and the national minimum wage. This is why being in government matters.
Over the coming years, we must all work together so that Labour recovers in Scotland. That starts by being an effective and ferocious, but constructive, opposition that can become a credible alternative government. Then we can prioritise what really matters to people and make a real difference to people’s lives through our practical, progressive and principled politics.
This piece is part of a series by members of the new shadow cabinet.
Join us for our upcoming online event ‘LabourList in conversation with Ian Murray’ on Thursday, June 25th, at 6pm.


labourlist--2020-06-23--We won’t let Labour abandon the transformative vision of a Green New Deal

The Conservatives are rushing to declare the pandemic over , but the nightmare rages on , with more than 50,000 dead so far – Europe ’ s highest death toll .
A record 20 % contraction is expected in the second quarter of the year .
As panicked Tories gamble with public health in a race to “ get back to normal ” , Labour must champion a recovery that protects workers and wellbeing for the long-term .
This crisis has laid bare the injustices at the heart of our society .
While lockdown sheltered many , working-class people – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to put their health at risk .
To take one example , in early April , with the pandemic reaching its height , the government resisted calls to shut construction sites .
A month later , ONS data showed that the Covid-19 death rate in the sector was higher even than in healthcare , with hundreds of construction workers losing their lives .
With the enforced shuttering of large swathes of the economy , the state was forced to make interventions previously unimaginable for a Conservative government .
The state today continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers and has offered billions of pounds in support to businesses .
For a brief but telling moment , the pandemic made public health more important than private profit .
Ministers may attempt to back-pedal on that now , but the lie behind Tory austerity has been exposed .
Our basic assumptions about what is politically possible have been swept away .
Labour now has an opportunity to demand a whole new social settlement .
On June 5th , Shadow Business Secretary Ed Miliband launched a consultation on a potentially transformative approach to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions overwhelmingly backed a radical Green New Deal – a huge state-driven investment programme to build a fair and sustainable economy – at Labour conference last year , now is the moment to push for radical change .
To abandon any of this programme wouldn ’ t just be to disregard party democracy , it would be sheer folly , as temperatures in the Arctic near 40°C .
There will be a green recovery package of one sort or another .
Rishi Sunak has promised to make green jobs the centrepiece of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he looks to poach the ‘ green industrial revolution ’ framing .
The battle will be over its terms .
How many jobs , and what kind ?
What will be the scale of the ambition ?
Labour must draw a clear distinction between Tory tinkering around the green edges and a fundamental transformation of our crisis-ridden economy .
Only the latter will address raging inequality and climate breakdown .
The state ’ s increased power finds its mirror image in the crisis currently facing the Big Polluters .
Aviation , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giants have gone cap in hand to governments around the world .
While the French government has used a bailout to force Air France to retire its short-haul domestic routes , the Conservatives have limply handed hundreds of millions of pounds of loans over to companies interested only in massive shareholder payouts and ruthless lay-offs of their workforce .
The Keir Starmer leadership has so far failed to grasp the opportunity on aviation , instead advocating a return to a climate-wrecking business-as-usual .
But members are holding him to account .
Six months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deal should be “ hardwired into every level of government ” .
Ed Miliband , meanwhile , has rightly called this our ‘ 1945 moment ’ .
Trade unions have led from the front – Unite has laid out ambitious plans for green manufacturing .
Now Labour members are leading the charge , with more than 350 already sending in Labour for a Green New Deal ’ s model submission to the green recovery consultation being run by Ed Miliband and Labour ’ s national policy forum in just twelve hours .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new universal rights to energy and water , publicly-run green transport for the many , and an end to fossil fuel finance .
Labour can take hold of this political moment , or let the Tories do it .
Doing so would mean forging a new social settlement , and , post-Covid , embedding in our society the principle that public health always comes before private profit .
The building blocks are already there for Labour : one million unionised public sector green jobs , Warm Homes for All , free broadband , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real just transition for workers , paid for by the wealthy .
This transformative vision of a Green New Deal galvanised the membership and polled well in the run-up to the 2019 election .
That election ended in catastrophe , and last week ’ s Labour Together report offers useful lessons for the party .
But it ’ s important to remember a key learning offered by Ed Miliband : we must not abandon our radicalism .
It ’ s needed now more than ever .

The Conservatives are rushing to declare the pandemic over, but the nightmare rages on, with more than 50,000 dead so far – Europe’s highest death toll. A record 20% contraction is expected in the second quarter of the year. As panicked Tories gamble with public health in a race to “get back to normal”, Labour must champion a recovery that protects workers and wellbeing for the long-term.
This crisis has laid bare the injustices at the heart of our society. While lockdown sheltered many, working-class people – particularly communities of colour – have been forced to put their health at risk. To take one example, in early April, with the pandemic reaching its height, the government resisted calls to shut construction sites. A month later, ONS data showed that the Covid-19 death rate in the sector was higher even than in healthcare, with hundreds of construction workers losing their lives.
With the enforced shuttering of large swathes of the economy, the state was forced to make interventions previously unimaginable for a Conservative government. The state today continues to pay the wages of millions of workers and has offered billions of pounds in support to businesses. For a brief but telling moment, the pandemic made public health more important than private profit. Ministers may attempt to back-pedal on that now, but the lie behind Tory austerity has been exposed. Our basic assumptions about what is politically possible have been swept away. Labour now has an opportunity to demand a whole new social settlement.
On June 5th, Shadow Business Secretary Ed Miliband launched a consultation on a potentially transformative approach to recovery. After Labour members and trade unions overwhelmingly backed a radical Green New Deal – a huge state-driven investment programme to build a fair and sustainable economy – at Labour conference last year, now is the moment to push for radical change. To abandon any of this programme wouldn’t just be to disregard party democracy, it would be sheer folly, as temperatures in the Arctic near 40°C.
There will be a green recovery package of one sort or another. Rishi Sunak has promised to make green jobs the centrepiece of the government’s recovery package, as he looks to poach the ‘green industrial revolution’ framing. The battle will be over its terms. How many jobs, and what kind? What will be the scale of the ambition? Labour must draw a clear distinction between Tory tinkering around the green edges and a fundamental transformation of our crisis-ridden economy. Only the latter will address raging inequality and climate breakdown.
The state’s increased power finds its mirror image in the crisis currently facing the Big Polluters. Aviation, for example, is in freefall, as industry giants have gone cap in hand to governments around the world. While the French government has used a bailout to force Air France to retire its short-haul domestic routes, the Conservatives have limply handed hundreds of millions of pounds of loans over to companies interested only in massive shareholder payouts and ruthless lay-offs of their workforce.
The Keir Starmer leadership has so far failed to grasp the opportunity on aviation, instead advocating a return to a climate-wrecking business-as-usual. But members are holding him to account. Six months ago, he said the Green New Deal should be “hardwired into every level of government”. Ed Miliband, meanwhile, has rightly called this our ‘1945 moment’. Trade unions have led from the front – Unite has laid out ambitious plans for green manufacturing.
Now Labour members are leading the charge, with more than 350 already sending in Labour for a Green New Deal’s model submission to the green recovery consultation being run by Ed Miliband and Labour’s national policy forum in just twelve hours. We’re making our voice heard for new universal rights to energy and water, publicly-run green transport for the many, and an end to fossil fuel finance. Labour can take hold of this political moment, or let the Tories do it.
Doing so would mean forging a new social settlement, and, post-Covid, embedding in our society the principle that public health always comes before private profit. The building blocks are already there for Labour: one million unionised public sector green jobs, Warm Homes for All, free broadband, cancellation of Global South debt and a real just transition for workers, paid for by the wealthy. This transformative vision of a Green New Deal galvanised the membership and polled well in the run-up to the 2019 election.
That election ended in catastrophe, and last week’s Labour Together report offers useful lessons for the party. But it’s important to remember a key learning offered by Ed Miliband: we must not abandon our radicalism. It’s needed now more than ever.


labourlist--2020-06-23--Labour criticises government for slow compensation to Windrush victims

Nick Thomas-Symonds has criticised the government for being too slow to respond in compensating the victims of the Windrush scandal , declaring that “ the time for action is now ” .
The Shadow Home Secretary made the comments in response to Priti Patel ’ s statement to the House of Commons this afternoon , in which she claimed that the government scheme had offered more than £1m in compensation .
Thomas-Symonds declared that “ that rate of progress is just too slow ” and highlighted that the government programme had only managed to compensate 60 people since its creation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonder ” that the country had seen such a strong reaction to the Black Lives Matter movement in recent weeks , given that “ compounded injustices over generations have created deep frustrations and hurt ” .
Commenting on the Windrush review , he said : “ The Wendy Williams lessons learned review is a damning indictment… The review sets out 30 important review and recommendations a number of which speak to a deeply worrying culture that ’ s been allowed to develop over the last ten years .
“ And frankly it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls for the department to develop a clear purpose , mission and value statement rooted in fairness , humanity , openness , diversity and inclusions and that such a statement was not in place already.
” The review was announced by the then Home Secretary Sajid Javid in May 2018 , and reported with recommendations in March last year .
Labour has since been calling for the government to implement those recommendations .
Thomas-Symonds added that “ we have to see far more in the way of action from this government to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue seriously ” and concluded that the government “ too often calls for reviews ” instead of acting .
He said : “ The Home Secretary talked about more progress today but she must know that that rate of progress is just too slow given the number of years that have elapsed since this scandal first came to light – and already this scheme has been in operation for over a year.
” Turning to Boris Johnson ’ s recent announcement , he added : “ It ’ s little wonder that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister ’ s announcement of yet another review on racial inequality when the case for urgent action and the steps needed are abundantly clear .
“ The reality is that yet again the Prime Minister was found wanting at an important national moment .
It ’ s always words , not action.
” The Home Secretary used her oral statement to the House today to announce that the government will be accepting the recommendations of the Wendy Williams review in full .

Nick Thomas-Symonds has criticised the government for being too slow to respond in compensating the victims of the Windrush scandal, declaring that “the time for action is now”.
The Shadow Home Secretary made the comments in response to Priti Patel’s statement to the House of Commons this afternoon, in which she claimed that the government scheme had offered more than £1m in compensation.
Thomas-Symonds declared that “that rate of progress is just too slow” and highlighted that the government programme had only managed to compensate 60 people since its creation.
He said it was “little wonder” that the country had seen such a strong reaction to the Black Lives Matter movement in recent weeks, given that “compounded injustices over generations have created deep frustrations and hurt”.
Commenting on the Windrush review, he said: “The Wendy Williams lessons learned review is a damning indictment… The review sets out 30 important review and recommendations a number of which speak to a deeply worrying culture that’s been allowed to develop over the last ten years.
“And frankly it’s shameful that one of the recommendations calls for the department to develop a clear purpose, mission and value statement rooted in fairness, humanity, openness, diversity and inclusions and that such a statement was not in place already.”
The review was announced by the then Home Secretary Sajid Javid in May 2018, and reported with recommendations in March last year. Labour has since been calling for the government to implement those recommendations.
Thomas-Symonds added that “we have to see far more in the way of action from this government to give the impression that they actually take this issue seriously” and concluded that the government “too often calls for reviews” instead of acting.
He said: “The Home Secretary talked about more progress today but she must know that that rate of progress is just too slow given the number of years that have elapsed since this scandal first came to light – and already this scheme has been in operation for over a year.”
Turning to Boris Johnson’s recent announcement, he added: “It’s little wonder that the reception was so bad for the Prime Minister’s announcement of yet another review on racial inequality when the case for urgent action and the steps needed are abundantly clear.
“The reality is that yet again the Prime Minister was found wanting at an important national moment. It’s always words, not action.”
The Home Secretary used her oral statement to the House today to announce that the government will be accepting the recommendations of the Wendy Williams review in full.


labourlist--2020-06-23--Keir Starmer welcomes easing of coronavirus restrictions by PM

Keir Starmer has welcomed the easing of coronavirus restrictions , after the Prime Minister announced that many businesses will be able to reopen from July 4th in England and the two-metre rule will be scrapped .
Addressing the House of Commons , the Labour leader said : “ We will , of course , scrutinise the detail of this announcement .
We will study the guidance .
And there are obviously a number of questions that need to be answered .
Following Tory accusations that he had not been “ constructive ” enough in opposition , Starmer continued : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I believe the government is trying to do the right thing .
And in that , we will support them .
“ There are no easy decisions to be made here .
Any unlocking carries risks .
It has to be phased , managed and carefully planned .
“ It needs to be based on scientific evidence , properly communicated , accompanied by robust track and trace systems .
And there must be support for local councils and communities to respond quickly and decisively if there are any fresh outbreaks .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well .
Of keeping business and schools closed , of keeping our economy closed , of keeping families apart .
And we all need to recognise that today.
” He later added : “ On the question of schools , I do think it ’ s safe for some children to return to school and I completely support that .
The question is how quickly can we get all children back to school safely .
The sooner , the better.
” Reacting to the exchange in parliament , former Labour chair Ian Lavery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a political party pooper but I DON ’ T welcome @ BorisJohnson statement today.
” Richard Burgon , secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group , similarly slammed the announcement and described it as “ just about appeasing the right-wingers on the Tory backbenches ” .
Boris Johnson told the Commons that pubs , cafes , restaurants , hotels , cinemas , museums and hairdressers would be able to open their doors from July 4th in England .
He also confirmed that the two-metre distancing rule would be changed to a ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government encourages individuals and businesses to put in place ‘ mitigating factors ’ .
Labour has accepted the change to the two-metre rule , but party-affiliated shopworkers ’ union Usdaw has opposed it – warning that the adjustment could be “ disastrous ” for its members .
Ahead of Johnson ’ s statement , general secretary Paddy Lillis said : “ Changing the rules would be an unnecessary burden on business , compromise the safety of staff and customers and create confusion.
” Individuals from one household will be allowed to stay overnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now says it is “ trusting people ” as the public will be asked to follow guidance rather than the law .
Other facilities including nightclubs , soft-play areas , swimming pools , spas , beauty salons , nail bars , indoor gyms , water parks and bowling alleys will remain closed while the government looks at how they can open .
Johnson told MPs this afternoon : “ There will be flare-ups for which local measures will be needed .
We will not hesitate to apply the breaks and reintroduce restrictions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Keir Starmer has welcomed the easing of coronavirus restrictions, after the Prime Minister announced that many businesses will be able to reopen from July 4th in England and the two-metre rule will be scrapped.
Addressing the House of Commons, the Labour leader said: “We will, of course, scrutinise the detail of this announcement. We will study the guidance. And there are obviously a number of questions that need to be answered.
Following Tory accusations that he had not been “constructive” enough in opposition, Starmer continued: “But overall, I welcome this statement. I believe the government is trying to do the right thing. And in that, we will support them.
“There are no easy decisions to be made here. Any unlocking carries risks. It has to be phased, managed and carefully planned.
“It needs to be based on scientific evidence, properly communicated, accompanied by robust track and trace systems. And there must be support for local councils and communities to respond quickly and decisively if there are any fresh outbreaks.
“But there are risks with inaction as well. Of keeping business and schools closed, of keeping our economy closed, of keeping families apart. And we all need to recognise that today.”
He later added: “On the question of schools, I do think it’s safe for some children to return to school and I completely support that. The question is how quickly can we get all children back to school safely. The sooner, the better.”
Reacting to the exchange in parliament, former Labour chair Ian Lavery tweeted: “Don’t want to be a political party pooper but I DON’T welcome @BorisJohnson statement today.”
Richard Burgon, secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group, similarly slammed the announcement and described it as “just about appeasing the right-wingers on the Tory backbenches”.
Boris Johnson told the Commons that pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels, cinemas, museums and hairdressers would be able to open their doors from July 4th in England.
He also confirmed that the two-metre distancing rule would be changed to a ‘one metre plus’ rule as the government encourages individuals and businesses to put in place ‘mitigating factors’.
Labour has accepted the change to the two-metre rule, but party-affiliated shopworkers’ union Usdaw has opposed it – warning that the adjustment could be “disastrous” for its members.
Ahead of Johnson’s statement, general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “Changing the rules would be an unnecessary burden on business, compromise the safety of staff and customers and create confusion.”
Individuals from one household will be allowed to stay overnight at another household, and the government now says it is “trusting people” as the public will be asked to follow guidance rather than the law.
Other facilities including nightclubs, soft-play areas, swimming pools, spas, beauty salons, nail bars, indoor gyms, water parks and bowling alleys will remain closed while the government looks at how they can open.
Johnson told MPs this afternoon: “There will be flare-ups for which local measures will be needed. We will not hesitate to apply the breaks and reintroduce restrictions, even at national level if required.”


labourlist--2020-06-23--How Labour’s national policy forum works – and how to get involved

How should Labour make policy ?
How can members become more involved ?
How do we reflect the views and values from across the party and wider labour movement ?
How can you harness the expertise and interests of members , local government , the Parliamentary Labour Party , socialist societies and trade unions ?
Is Labour ’ s national policy forum ( NPF ) the answer – and if it isn ’ t , what is ?
Labour ’ s democracy review has been considering how to improve the party policy-making process .
This ongoing work led the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year ’ s NPF elections .
The leadership elections and Covid-19 pandemic have paused some of the democracy review work , but they have not reduced the appetite for members to get involved in deciding party policy .
There has always been some cynicism about the NPF .
When I was elected as a London Constituency Labour Party ( CLP ) representative in 2012 , I remember sharing the news with my fellow councillor Gary Doolan .
He laughed heartily at what he always referred to as the “ national powerless forum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member .
The NPF meeting in Milton Keynes in 2014 was a particularly surreal experience , and probably not the best way to make policy .
Even then , there were some fantastic policies put forward by CLP reps that did make it into the 2015 manifesto .
When it comes to improving or replacing the NPF , a key part of the challenge is finding a structure that reflects the views of our entire labour movement .
The current NPF structure successfully represents this breadth , with a careful balance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affiliates , the NEC , the PLP , the shadow cabinet and local government .
NPF members are listed on the policy forum website .
The NPF plays a key role in drafting policy documents for conference to debate and vote on .
This in turn contributes to Labour ’ s manifesto , agreed by the Clause V meeting .
Policy voted on by conference does not necessarily make it into the manifesto , and policy resets itself after each general election .
This means that the policies in previous manifestos are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are at the beginning of a new process to produce our next general election manifesto .
As part of this new process , Labour has launched the 2020 policy consultations .
The NPF is divided into eight policy commissions : There is a lot more that could be done to improve the NPF .
We could hold full NPF meetings more regularly – and elect a chair !
For many years people have been calling for more online meetings and events to make the NPF more accessible .
People have also called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submissions .
And I ’ ve asked for us to live stream non-confidential parts of meetings , and plan to do this for a future justice and home affairs meeting .
In the meantime , the consultation runs until June 30th .
You can find out more about how to get involved , online events and how to make a submission here .

How should Labour make policy? How can members become more involved? How do we reflect the views and values from across the party and wider labour movement? How can you harness the expertise and interests of members, local government, the Parliamentary Labour Party, socialist societies and trade unions? Is Labour’s national policy forum (NPF) the answer – and if it isn’t, what is?
Labour’s democracy review has been considering how to improve the party policy-making process. This ongoing work led the national executive committee (NEC) to postpone this year’s NPF elections. The leadership elections and Covid-19 pandemic have paused some of the democracy review work, but they have not reduced the appetite for members to get involved in deciding party policy.
There has always been some cynicism about the NPF. When I was elected as a London Constituency Labour Party (CLP) representative in 2012, I remember sharing the news with my fellow councillor Gary Doolan. He laughed heartily at what he always referred to as the “national powerless forum”, of which he was also a member. The NPF meeting in Milton Keynes in 2014 was a particularly surreal experience, and probably not the best way to make policy. Even then, there were some fantastic policies put forward by CLP reps that did make it into the 2015 manifesto.
When it comes to improving or replacing the NPF, a key part of the challenge is finding a structure that reflects the views of our entire labour movement. The current NPF structure successfully represents this breadth, with a careful balance of reps from CLPs, trade unions, affiliates, the NEC, the PLP, the shadow cabinet and local government. NPF members are listed on the policy forum website.
The NPF plays a key role in drafting policy documents for conference to debate and vote on. This in turn contributes to Labour’s manifesto, agreed by the Clause V meeting. Policy voted on by conference does not necessarily make it into the manifesto, and policy resets itself after each general election. This means that the policies in previous manifestos are not automatically party policy now, and we are at the beginning of a new process to produce our next general election manifesto.
As part of this new process, Labour has launched the 2020 policy consultations. The NPF is divided into eight policy commissions:
Economy, business and trade: International; Health and social care; Early years, education and skills; Justice and home affairs; Housing, local government and transport; Work, pensions and equality; and Environment, energy and culture.
There is a lot more that could be done to improve the NPF. We could hold full NPF meetings more regularly – and elect a chair! For many years people have been calling for more online meetings and events to make the NPF more accessible. People have also called for more transparency, including what happens to submissions. And I’ve asked for us to live stream non-confidential parts of meetings, and plan to do this for a future justice and home affairs meeting.
In the meantime, the consultation runs until June 30th. You can find out more about how to get involved, online events and how to make a submission here.


labourlist--2020-06-23--Shopworkers’ union Usdaw opposes change to two-metre rule

The shopworkers ’ union Usdaw has announced its opposition to the expected change to the two-metre social distancing rule , warning that the adjustment could be “ disastrous ” for its members .
Ahead of Boris Johnson ’ s statement in the Commons this afternoon , general secretary Paddy Lillis said that there is “ plenty of evidence to show that two-metre separation is at least twice as safe as one metre ” .
He highlighted that the current measure had been developed through a tripartite process with unions , retailers and the government , and stressed that any change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ without full discussion and agreement ” .
Lillis said : “ The safety of our members and the public is our top priority , so Usdaw worked with the British Retail Consortium on joint safety guidance for shops based on the two-metre rule .
Retailers have to publish risk assessments and implement robust safety measures and it appears that they have taken that seriously and are complying .
“ Reducing the two-metre rule in stores could be disastrous for our members and send a message to the public that social distancing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hard work and effort to make the changes to encourage customers to follow two-metre distancing in shops that stayed open throughout the lockdown .
“ Non-essential retailers have also redesigned their stores on the basis of two-metre social distancing for their reopening .
Changing the rules would be an unnecessary burden on business , compromise the safety of staff and customers and create confusion .
“ There is plenty of evidence to show that two-metre separation is at least twice as safe as one metre .
Independent SAGE warns that the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce social distancing rules indoors.
” The group Independent SAGE has warned that a relaxation from two metres to one metre would “ effectively end social distancing in Britain ” , and said that the daily number of new coronavirus cases is still too high for the reduction .
Setting out Usdaw ’ s case , Lillis added : “ Apart from the increased risk of infection , there is also likely to be a rise in violence and abuse because of the confusion it will cause .
“ One of the triggers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict between customers when someone is perceived to be getting too close and not following the rules .
This is likely to get worse once a change is announced .
“ Covid-19 is still a killer disease that is at large in our communities .
Retail has adapted well to the new circumstances , it is not necessary to change the two-metre rule and it certainly shouldn ’ t be done without full discussion and agreement.
” Labour ’ s Bridget Phillipson said this morning : “ We support the principle of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do want to see the publication of the government review and its findings.
” The opposition party has stressed the need for public confidence ahead of adjustments including the introduction of a revised distancing rule , and for the NHS Test and Trace to be working effectively .
The trade union Usdaw also opposed government plans to deregulate Sunday trading earlier this month , amid reports that the Conservatives intend to review laws restricting opening hours .

The shopworkers’ union Usdaw has announced its opposition to the expected change to the two-metre social distancing rule, warning that the adjustment could be “disastrous” for its members.
Ahead of Boris Johnson’s statement in the Commons this afternoon, general secretary Paddy Lillis said that there is “plenty of evidence to show that two-metre separation is at least twice as safe as one metre”.
He highlighted that the current measure had been developed through a tripartite process with unions, retailers and the government, and stressed that any change to the rule should not be made “without full discussion and agreement”.
Lillis said: “The safety of our members and the public is our top priority, so Usdaw worked with the British Retail Consortium on joint safety guidance for shops based on the two-metre rule. Retailers have to publish risk assessments and implement robust safety measures and it appears that they have taken that seriously and are complying.
“Reducing the two-metre rule in stores could be disastrous for our members and send a message to the public that social distancing is over. It has taken a lot of hard work and effort to make the changes to encourage customers to follow two-metre distancing in shops that stayed open throughout the lockdown.
“Non-essential retailers have also redesigned their stores on the basis of two-metre social distancing for their reopening. Changing the rules would be an unnecessary burden on business, compromise the safety of staff and customers and create confusion.
“There is plenty of evidence to show that two-metre separation is at least twice as safe as one metre. Independent SAGE warns that the risk of transmission is still too high to reduce social distancing rules indoors.”
The group Independent SAGE has warned that a relaxation from two metres to one metre would “effectively end social distancing in Britain”, and said that the daily number of new coronavirus cases is still too high for the reduction.
Setting out Usdaw’s case, Lillis added: “Apart from the increased risk of infection, there is also likely to be a rise in violence and abuse because of the confusion it will cause.
“One of the triggers for abuse of staff at present is conflict between customers when someone is perceived to be getting too close and not following the rules. This is likely to get worse once a change is announced.
“Covid-19 is still a killer disease that is at large in our communities. Retail has adapted well to the new circumstances, it is not necessary to change the two-metre rule and it certainly shouldn’t be done without full discussion and agreement.”
Labour’s Bridget Phillipson said this morning: “We support the principle of this change around social distancing, however we do want to see the publication of the government review and its findings.”
The opposition party has stressed the need for public confidence ahead of adjustments including the introduction of a revised distancing rule, and for the NHS Test and Trace to be working effectively.
The trade union Usdaw also opposed government plans to deregulate Sunday trading earlier this month, amid reports that the Conservatives intend to review laws restricting opening hours.


labourlist--2020-06-23--Labour calls for transparency as coronavirus restrictions ease further

Many of us assumed that the coronavirus ‘ lockdown ’ here , always a relatively light touch one , would be lifted significantly later in the year .
But the Prime Minister is set to announce sweeping changes this afternoon that would allow pubs , cafés , restaurants , even cinemas and museums , to reopen on July 4th in England .
At 12.30pm in the House of Commons , Boris Johnson will delight his parliamentary party by unveiling the details of ‘ Independence Day ’ .
With their top priority of ‘ getting the economy moving ’ , Tory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complications are evident , however .
Business owners say they will struggle to implement mitigating measures at short notice .
A new one-metre-plus rule could cause problems : Usdaw points out that swapping the signs from two-metre instructions to one-metre-plus would be expensive , and that fights could be triggered “ if you get a situation where half the population thinks social distancing is over , and the other half are very scared about getting too close ” .
Unite has raised concerns over outbreaks in the meat processing industry , and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour make of these adjustments , including the revised distancing rule ?
“ We support the principle of this change around social distancing , however we do want to see the publication of the government review and its findings , ” Bridget Phillipson said this morning .
Labour is stressing the need for public confidence and for NHS Test and Trace to be working effectively .
But most of all , the opposition is calling for a ‘ back to work budget ’ that would ensure businesses unable to reopen do not go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depend on communication – from the messaging to the public and the specifics of government instructions for businesses to whether the top scientific advisors are convincing at the press conference later today .
We know that the government has frequently failed on these measures over the past few months .
We still aren ’ t being told how many people are tested each day .
No wonder 74 % of British people are worried about a second wave .
Are we right to be anxious ?
Is public health being put at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , should Labour be pushing back rather than simply calling for more transparency ?
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

Many of us assumed that the coronavirus ‘lockdown’ here, always a relatively light touch one, would be lifted significantly later in the year. But the Prime Minister is set to announce sweeping changes this afternoon that would allow pubs, cafés, restaurants, even cinemas and museums, to reopen on July 4th in England. At 12.30pm in the House of Commons, Boris Johnson will delight his parliamentary party by unveiling the details of ‘Independence Day’. With their top priority of ‘getting the economy moving’, Tory MPs will be delighted.
The upcoming complications are evident, however. Business owners say they will struggle to implement mitigating measures at short notice. A new one-metre-plus rule could cause problems: Usdaw points out that swapping the signs from two-metre instructions to one-metre-plus would be expensive, and that fights could be triggered “if you get a situation where half the population thinks social distancing is over, and the other half are very scared about getting too close”. Unite has raised concerns over outbreaks in the meat processing industry, and how these could be exacerbated.
What does Labour make of these adjustments, including the revised distancing rule? “We support the principle of this change around social distancing, however we do want to see the publication of the government review and its findings,” Bridget Phillipson said this morning. Labour is stressing the need for public confidence and for NHS Test and Trace to be working effectively. But most of all, the opposition is calling for a ‘back to work budget’ that would ensure businesses unable to reopen do not go bust during the pandemic.
Much will depend on communication – from the messaging to the public and the specifics of government instructions for businesses to whether the top scientific advisors are convincing at the press conference later today. We know that the government has frequently failed on these measures over the past few months. We still aren’t being told how many people are tested each day. No wonder 74% of British people are worried about a second wave. Are we right to be anxious? Is public health being put at risk to improve GDP figures? And crucially, should Labour be pushing back rather than simply calling for more transparency? Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-06-23--WATCH: Labour urges government to “get a grip” on economic recovery

Bridget Phillipson has warned that the UK will see a “ really severe impact ” to the economy if the government fails to “ get a grip ” on the recovery , and urged the government to bring forward a ‘ back-to-work ’ Budget in July .
In a Sky News interview this morning , the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury expressed concern that the government ’ s economic response to the health crisis has been too slow .
The Labour MP said : “ The slowness in our public health response must now not be matched with slowness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy.
” She added : “ Unless we get a grip on this and unless the government brings forward a much bigger set of measures in July through a back-to-work Budget , we will see a really severe impact on the economy beyond that which has already been seen.
” Labour last week called on the government to introduce measures to protect jobs in a back-to-work Budget , and warned that the UK could see “ mass unemployment on a scale not seen for decades ” when the furlough scheme is withdrawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for National Statistics showed that the unemployment rate has remained steady throughout the crisis at 3.9 % , but economists have warned that this will rise when the furlough scheme ends .
The furlough scheme is due to end in October .
The figures also revealed that there has been a sharp increase in the benefit claimant rate during the lockdown period , and that job vacancies fell to their lowest level on record in April .

Bridget Phillipson has warned that the UK will see a “really severe impact” to the economy if the government fails to “get a grip” on the recovery, and urged the government to bring forward a ‘back-to-work’ Budget in July.
In a Sky News interview this morning, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury expressed concern that the government’s economic response to the health crisis has been too slow.
The Labour MP said: “The slowness in our public health response must now not be matched with slowness where it comes to our response on the economy.”
She added: “Unless we get a grip on this and unless the government brings forward a much bigger set of measures in July through a back-to-work Budget, we will see a really severe impact on the economy beyond that which has already been seen.”
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Bridget Phillipson says 'unless we get a grip we will see a severe impact on the economy'. Get the latest on #COVID19: https://t.co/tK2C4vNlGn pic.twitter.com/XOPctDKBaJ — SkyNews (@SkyNews) June 23, 2020
Labour last week called on the government to introduce measures to protect jobs in a back-to-work Budget, and warned that the UK could see “mass unemployment on a scale not seen for decades” when the furlough scheme is withdrawn.
Data recently released by the Office for National Statistics showed that the unemployment rate has remained steady throughout the crisis at 3.9%, but economists have warned that this will rise when the furlough scheme ends.
The furlough scheme is due to end in October. The figures also revealed that there has been a sharp increase in the benefit claimant rate during the lockdown period, and that job vacancies fell to their lowest level on record in April.


labourlist--2020-06-23--Labour’s new general secretary read election report “twice over line by line”

Labour ’ s incoming general secretary David Evans has read the Labour Together 2019 general election review and found the report “ incredibly useful ” , according to Lucy Powell .
The document , published on Friday , concluded that Labour needs a “ major overhaul ” of its “ political strategy , organisation and campaigning infrastructure ” to win again .
Manchester MP and shadow minister Lucy Powell , one of 15 commissioners , relayed the interest expressed by the new most senior employee of the party during an event on Monday evening .
Powell said : “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I know that he has read it .
He actually told us that he has read it twice over line by line , making notes on every bit of it .
“ I think he ’ s found it an incredibly useful basis for him in terms of going forward .
Again , that ’ s one of the reasons that we wanted to do it .
Lots of people have said to me and Ed in particular , ‘ why have you done this , because you lost an election in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I have reflected many times , if someone had handed us such a substantive , objective report like this , with so many recommendations and so much in it in 2010 , we would have ripped their right arm off – our own right arm off – to have such a thing .
“ This is supposed to be a useful tool for David , for Keir , for Angela and for the rest of the new leadership team in going forward .
And we hope that they do take it forward.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploring whether to come back for another piece of work in one year ’ s time that would look at how much of the review was implemented .
Former leader Ed Miliband , who was also a Labour Together review commissioner , added : “ It will be for David Evans to work out how to implement this report in organisational terms .
“ But things like community organising , doing local campaigns , some of the things in this report people can act on – subject to coronavirus and the constraints it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessarily need to wait for the Labour Party to do its organisational review or whatever it is , and then make these changes happen , for us to try and do them in our own constituencies.
” The Zoom call hosted by Labour Together was joined by hundreds of party members and supporters , and attracted more than a thousand views on Facebook where it was broadcast live .
Powell , who participated in the 2016 shadow cabinet resignations , was also asked about how the perceptions of Jeremy Corbyn and Labour were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I resigned from Jeremy ’ s shadow cabinet in those days .
I was really , really wrong to do that .
It was a big mistake .
Jeremy went on to prove us all wrong in the 2017 election , ” she said .
“ He then had to navigate what was a very difficult period for the Labour Party when Brexit came along and fractured our voter coalition .
We all bear some responsibility for that and we ’ ve all got to hold up our hands .
”

Labour’s incoming general secretary David Evans has read the Labour Together 2019 general election review and found the report “incredibly useful”, according to Lucy Powell.
The document, published on Friday, concluded that Labour needs a “major overhaul” of its “political strategy, organisation and campaigning infrastructure” to win again.
Manchester MP and shadow minister Lucy Powell, one of 15 commissioners, relayed the interest expressed by the new most senior employee of the party during an event on Monday evening.
Powell said: “We have briefed David Evans on the report. I know that he has read it. He actually told us that he has read it twice over line by line, making notes on every bit of it.
“I think he’s found it an incredibly useful basis for him in terms of going forward. Again, that’s one of the reasons that we wanted to do it. Lots of people have said to me and Ed in particular, ‘why have you done this, because you lost an election in 2015’.
“But as Ed and I have reflected many times, if someone had handed us such a substantive, objective report like this, with so many recommendations and so much in it in 2010, we would have ripped their right arm off – our own right arm off – to have such a thing.
“This is supposed to be a useful tool for David, for Keir, for Angela and for the rest of the new leadership team in going forward. And we hope that they do take it forward.”
Powell added that the commission is exploring whether to come back for another piece of work in one year’s time that would look at how much of the review was implemented.
Former leader Ed Miliband, who was also a Labour Together review commissioner, added: “It will be for David Evans to work out how to implement this report in organisational terms.
“But things like community organising, doing local campaigns, some of the things in this report people can act on – subject to coronavirus and the constraints it places.
“It doesn’t necessarily need to wait for the Labour Party to do its organisational review or whatever it is, and then make these changes happen, for us to try and do them in our own constituencies.”
The Zoom call hosted by Labour Together was joined by hundreds of party members and supporters, and attracted more than a thousand views on Facebook where it was broadcast live.
Powell, who participated in the 2016 shadow cabinet resignations, was also asked about how the perceptions of Jeremy Corbyn and Labour were affected by disunity in the parliamentary party.
“I resigned from Jeremy’s shadow cabinet in those days. I was really, really wrong to do that. It was a big mistake. Jeremy went on to prove us all wrong in the 2017 election,” she said.
“He then had to navigate what was a very difficult period for the Labour Party when Brexit came along and fractured our voter coalition. We all bear some responsibility for that and we’ve all got to hold up our hands.”


labourlist--2020-06-23--Labour to force vote over Housing Secretary “cash-for-favours” scandal

Labour has warned that “ the government ’ s moral authority hangs by a thread ” as it prepares to force a parliamentary vote over the “ cash-for-favours ” scandal involving minister Robert Jenrick .
The opposition party is set to push the issue to a vote during an opposition day debate on Wednesday .
The move follows the Housing Secretary ’ s decision to overturn his own approval of a Tory donor ’ s £1bn development after admitting “ apparent bias ” .
Labour ’ s motion would require the release of all documents relating to the approval of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London , which Jenrick had tried to push through against the advice of the government ’ s planning inspectorate .
It emerged over the weekend that although Jenrick told the Commons he had not discussed the application with the developer , Richard Desmond himself said the minister had actually watched a promotional video for the scheme at a Tory fundraiser .
Shadow Local Government Secretary Steve Reed commented : “ The Secretary of State has admitted he knew his unlawful , biased decision to approve Richard Desmond ’ s property deal would save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but there are still far too many questions left unanswered.
” The Housing Secretary acknowledged that he had published his decision in time for the developer to avoid a new charge – known as a community infrastructure levy – which would have cost the developer additional £30m to £50m .
Asked about the timing of his decision , Jenrick said that a “ fair-minded and informed observer ” might conclude that there was a “ real possibility ” that he was biased in favour of the developer who is a Tory donor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary added : “ It is essential the government maintains public trust during the coronavirus crisis .
Dominic Cummings and now Westferry have severely tested this – the government ’ s moral authority hangs by a thread .
“ If the Secretary of State has nothing to hide then he has nothing to fear from publishing these documents.
” Labour has highlighted that as well as approving the decision the day before the new charge was introduced , Jenrick had overruled his advisors to reduce the amount of affordable housing in the development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Below is the full text of Labour ’ s motion .
That an humble address be presented to Her Majesty , that she will be graciously pleased to give direction to minister to provide all correspondence , including submissions and electronic communications , involving ministers and special advisers pertaining to the Westferry Printworks Development and the subsequent decision by the Secretary of State to approve its planning application at appeal to the housing , communities and local government select committee .

Labour has warned that “the government’s moral authority hangs by a thread” as it prepares to force a parliamentary vote over the “cash-for-favours” scandal involving minister Robert Jenrick.
The opposition party is set to push the issue to a vote during an opposition day debate on Wednesday. The move follows the Housing Secretary’s decision to overturn his own approval of a Tory donor’s £1bn development after admitting “apparent bias”.
Labour’s motion would require the release of all documents relating to the approval of planning for the Westferry Printworks Development in London, which Jenrick had tried to push through against the advice of the government’s planning inspectorate.
It emerged over the weekend that although Jenrick told the Commons he had not discussed the application with the developer, Richard Desmond himself said the minister had actually watched a promotional video for the scheme at a Tory fundraiser.
Shadow Local Government Secretary Steve Reed commented: “The Secretary of State has admitted he knew his unlawful, biased decision to approve Richard Desmond’s property deal would save the Conservative Party donor up to £150m, but there are still far too many questions left unanswered.”
The Housing Secretary acknowledged that he had published his decision in time for the developer to avoid a new charge – known as a community infrastructure levy – which would have cost the developer additional £30m to £50m.
Asked about the timing of his decision, Jenrick said that a “fair-minded and informed observer” might conclude that there was a “real possibility” that he was biased in favour of the developer who is a Tory donor.
The Shadow Community and Local Government Secretary added: “It is essential the government maintains public trust during the coronavirus crisis. Dominic Cummings and now Westferry have severely tested this – the government’s moral authority hangs by a thread.
“If the Secretary of State has nothing to hide then he has nothing to fear from publishing these documents.”
Labour has highlighted that as well as approving the decision the day before the new charge was introduced, Jenrick had overruled his advisors to reduce the amount of affordable housing in the development – saving Desmond a further £106m.
Below is the full text of Labour’s motion.
Keir Starmer
Steve Reed
Mike Amesbury
Rachel Reeves
Valerie Vaz
Nicholas Brown
That an humble address be presented to Her Majesty, that she will be graciously pleased to give direction to minister to provide all correspondence, including submissions and electronic communications, involving ministers and special advisers pertaining to the Westferry Printworks Development and the subsequent decision by the Secretary of State to approve its planning application at appeal to the housing, communities and local government select committee.


labourlist--2020-06-23--Labour demands plan to clear NHS backlog as waiting times increase

Labour has called on the government to set out a plan to clear the NHS backlog in non-coronavirus healthcare as new figures show increased waiting times during the Covid-19 crisis .
Jonathan Ashworth will use the opposition day debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday to force a vote on this demand , as well as expanding weekly Covid-19 testing to all NHS staff .
The push from the Shadow Health Secretary follows the publication of NHS England data showing that of 840,742 people waiting for diagnostic tests , 468,622 – over 55 % – are waiting for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased waiting times , Ashworth said : “ Ministers tell us the NHS has ‘ coped ’ through the Covid-19 peak but that was on the back of cancelled operations , delayed scans and diagnostic tests .
“ Estimates suggest two million people are waiting for cancer screening , tests or treatment and that 1,600 cases of cancer are currently left undiagnosed every month.
” Labour analysis of the health service data reveals that over half of patients – 55.7 % – were waiting for longer than six weeks for diagnostic tests in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
The research also shows that between February and April , the number of people waiting over six weeks for magnetic resonance imaging – used to detect tumours throughout the body – increased by more than 70,000 .
Labour says the number of patients waiting more than six weeks for : • A colonoscopy , used to detect bowel cancer , has increased by 520 % ( 5,234 to 32,430 ) • A flexible sigmoidoscopy , also used to detect bowel cancer , has increased by 722 % • A cystoscopy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has increased by 545 % Ashworth added : “ It ’ s now urgent ministers bring forward a plan to tackle the backlog in non-Covid-19 care .
A vital component would be the introduction of weekly routine testing of all NHS staff to keep them and patients safe from Covid-19 while receiving treatment .
“ We ’ re calling on MPs to support this motion to tackle the rapidly growing queues of their constituents waiting for treatment.
” Labour warned the government of a “ growing and alarming backlog ” of non-coronavirus clinical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Health Secretary ensure “ every patient receives the care they need ” .
The party last week called on the government to expand the current coronavirus testing of NHS and social care staff , extending it beyond those with symptoms to introduce routine testing for all once a week .
Research carried out by University College London Hospitals found that a fifth of infections among hospital patients , and almost nine in ten among healthcare workers , may have been caught in hospital .
A further study by Barts Health NHS Trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , around 7 % of asymptomatic healthcare workers tested positive for the virus , falling to around 1 % by the end of April .

Labour has called on the government to set out a plan to clear the NHS backlog in non-coronavirus healthcare as new figures show increased waiting times during the Covid-19 crisis.
Jonathan Ashworth will use the opposition day debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday to force a vote on this demand, as well as expanding weekly Covid-19 testing to all NHS staff.
The push from the Shadow Health Secretary follows the publication of NHS England data showing that of 840,742 people waiting for diagnostic tests, 468,622 – over 55% – are waiting for more than six weeks.
Commenting on the increased waiting times, Ashworth said: “Ministers tell us the NHS has ‘coped’ through the Covid-19 peak but that was on the back of cancelled operations, delayed scans and diagnostic tests.
“Estimates suggest two million people are waiting for cancer screening, tests or treatment and that 1,600 cases of cancer are currently left undiagnosed every month.”
Labour analysis of the health service data reveals that over half of patients – 55.7% – were waiting for longer than six weeks for diagnostic tests in April, compared to 2.8% before the pandemic.
The research also shows that between February and April, the number of people waiting over six weeks for magnetic resonance imaging – used to detect tumours throughout the body – increased by more than 70,000.
Labour says the number of patients waiting more than six weeks for:
A colonoscopy, used to detect bowel cancer, has increased by 520% (5,234 to 32,430)
A flexible sigmoidoscopy, also used to detect bowel cancer, has increased by 722% (1,820 to 14,957)
A cystoscopy, used to detect bladder cancer, has increased by 545% (1,270 to 8,190)
Ashworth added: “It’s now urgent ministers bring forward a plan to tackle the backlog in non-Covid-19 care. A vital component would be the introduction of weekly routine testing of all NHS staff to keep them and patients safe from Covid-19 while receiving treatment.
“We’re calling on MPs to support this motion to tackle the rapidly growing queues of their constituents waiting for treatment.”
Labour warned the government of a “growing and alarming backlog” of non-coronavirus clinical demand in May, and demanded that the Health Secretary ensure “every patient receives the care they need”.
The party last week called on the government to expand the current coronavirus testing of NHS and social care staff, extending it beyond those with symptoms to introduce routine testing for all once a week.
Research carried out by University College London Hospitals found that a fifth of infections among hospital patients, and almost nine in ten among healthcare workers, may have been caught in hospital.
A further study by Barts Health NHS Trust found that at the end of March, around 7% of asymptomatic healthcare workers tested positive for the virus, falling to around 1% by the end of April.


labourlist--2020-06-24--PMQs: Starmer leans into the lawyer thing as Johnson plays the fool

Keir Starmer ’ s performance was much improved at Prime Minister ’ s Questions this afternoon .
Week by week , the Labour leader is trying to match public opinion – which partly explains why he didn ’ t oppose a vast swathe of restrictions being lifted yesterday – while building an image of Boris Johnson as the wrong man to be leading the country during this crisis .
But Starmer ’ s slow approach can sometimes verge on the lengthy and frankly boring , which can undermine his incisive questioning .
This week , however , his questions were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was plenty of material for Starmer to go on .
There is no app as promised , which means NHS Test and Trace is entirely manual – and it is not reaching enough people with coronavirus .
“ If two thirds of those with Covid-19 aren ’ t being reached , there ’ s a big problem , ” the opposition leader pointed out .
Dido Harding !
the PM replied .
Positivity !
Pride !
Patriotism !
With ‘ Independence Day ’ on the horizon , Johnson is back to his bouncy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he argued that these numbers are just estimates , you see , nothing to be worried about .
Except they are the government ’ s own figures , Starmer replied , again using press conference slides as a handy prop .
As usual , the Prime Minister is “ brushing aside challenge , dashing forward , not estimating properly the risks ” , Starmer argued .
Johnson went on to illustrate the point as he denied there was room for improvement in test-and-trace , accused his opposite of “ yo-yoing ” and being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of false claims .
He insisted that there is not a single country in the world with a contact tracing app ( Germany and a number of others have launched apps ) , and refused to admit that he misled the Commons last week when he claimed that there are 400,000 fewer families living in poverty now than in 2010 ( there does not appear to be any data backing up this assertion , and it was rejected by the Children ’ s Commissioner as “ false ” ) .
Keir Starmer is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Boris Johnson plays the fool who is adept at coming up with pithy phrases that are remarkably useful in politics as well as journalism .
But the Labour leader showed some flair when he said today that the Prime Minister “ dodges the question or gives dodgy answers ” , before concluding : “ No more witnesses , I rest my case.
” After Johnson repeatedly accused him of being too lawyerly , Starmer has decided to lean into that perception .
Well , there is no point pretending that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour ’ s hopes on the bet that voters will look for a famously ‘ forensic ’ leader after this tumultuous time isn ’ t an unreasonable one .

Keir Starmer’s performance was much improved at Prime Minister’s Questions this afternoon. Week by week, the Labour leader is trying to match public opinion – which partly explains why he didn’t oppose a vast swathe of restrictions being lifted yesterday – while building an image of Boris Johnson as the wrong man to be leading the country during this crisis. But Starmer’s slow approach can sometimes verge on the lengthy and frankly boring, which can undermine his incisive questioning. This week, however, his questions were brisk and much more lively.
There was plenty of material for Starmer to go on. There is no app as promised, which means NHS Test and Trace is entirely manual – and it is not reaching enough people with coronavirus. “If two thirds of those with Covid-19 aren’t being reached, there’s a big problem,” the opposition leader pointed out. Dido Harding! the PM replied. Positivity! Pride! Patriotism! With ‘Independence Day’ on the horizon, Johnson is back to his bouncy, bombastic persona. Pressed further, he argued that these numbers are just estimates, you see, nothing to be worried about. Except they are the government’s own figures, Starmer replied, again using press conference slides as a handy prop.
As usual, the Prime Minister is “brushing aside challenge, dashing forward, not estimating properly the risks”, Starmer argued. Johnson went on to illustrate the point as he denied there was room for improvement in test-and-trace, accused his opposite of “yo-yoing” and being a lawyer, then made a series of false claims. He insisted that there is not a single country in the world with a contact tracing app (Germany and a number of others have launched apps), and refused to admit that he misled the Commons last week when he claimed that there are 400,000 fewer families living in poverty now than in 2010 (there does not appear to be any data backing up this assertion, and it was rejected by the Children’s Commissioner as “false”).
Keir Starmer is sensible, that’s his thing, while Boris Johnson plays the fool who is adept at coming up with pithy phrases that are remarkably useful in politics as well as journalism. But the Labour leader showed some flair when he said today that the Prime Minister “dodges the question or gives dodgy answers”, before concluding: “No more witnesses, I rest my case.” After Johnson repeatedly accused him of being too lawyerly, Starmer has decided to lean into that perception. Well, there is no point pretending that he isn’t one, and pinning Labour’s hopes on the bet that voters will look for a famously ‘forensic’ leader after this tumultuous time isn’t an unreasonable one.


labourlist--2020-06-24--The labour movement is facing unprecedented challenges. Momentum must be its ally

Even with massive state intervention , the long-term economic impact of Covid-19 will be profound .
Once furlough ends , many jobs simply won ’ t exist and many of those who return to a job will face attacks on their terms and conditions .
Personal debt has piled up and tenants are being threatened with eviction , while the spectre of even more public-sector cuts hang over the future .
From the very start of the crisis , trade unionists up and down the country have been fighting to make sure the risks and costs of the pandemic do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a branch secretary for the National Education Union – and as a member of its national executive – I am proud of how my union has stepped up with a constant public presence and momentous national organising work , which included one of the biggest zoom meetings ever with 20,000 members taking part .
The real strength of our union has been in the workplace , with a huge increase in the number of school reps and the level of work they are doing .
Supporting new reps to carry out detailed negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting them to feedback via online meetings with members , has been a powerful reminder that if given the tools and backing our rank and file members are every bit as effective and important as our general secretaries .
This level of organisation allowed us to delay the reopening of schools and has undoubtedly made schools safer .
But we now need to be looking at how we use this strength going forward to defend our schools against further austerity , and against the neoliberal inspection , testing , pay and privatisation regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education , we are fairly strong .
But others are less lucky – and with multiple crises looming , we are about to witness a series of struggles across multiple arenas over the future of our society .
The whole labour movement knows the real fight is ahead of us .
So my first thought as a trade unionist standing to be on Momentum ’ s national coordinating group is : what role should Momentum play in supporting the labour movement ?
As the Labour left ’ s largest organisation , with nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Momentum can be a vital ally to the labour movement in the struggles ahead .
And with a radical Labour government a far-off prospect , this could not be more important .
Many Momentum members are already active in their unions , and over the last few years Momentum groups and Momentum-led Constituency Labour Parties ( CLPs ) across the country have supported strikes and helped generate wider community support for them .
There needs to be a much more strategic approach to coordinating and amplifying this work , as well as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organisers themselves .
That is why early on in our campaign Forward Momentum convened a working group of trade unionists from across the country .
Drawing on the ideas of thousands who took part in discussion meetings instigated by our campaign , we began to flesh out a vision for Momentum as a supportive ally for rank and file trade unionists .
At the heart of this vision is our proposal for a ‘ Momentum trade unionists network ’ , which will have a full-time , elected officer tasked with its growth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local and national level .
The role of the network will be to encourage Momentum and Labour members to join unions and become active workplace organisers .
It will function as a forum for skills-sharing , learning , and the coordination of support and solidarity across the country .
This is not about organising Momentum as a ‘ faction ’ within unions , but we do want to link Momentum members up with those in their own union that are seeking to build member-led , fighting organisations .
Forward Momentum ’ s central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as organising in Labour and campaigning in elections – should be collaborating with trade , community and tenants ’ unions to build working-class power and grow deep-rooted support for socialism .
I know from experience that successful workplace organising is tough .
But if we are to build power and confidence in our movement , we can not shirk this hard work .
I also know that having Labour working alongside unions on campaigns can be very effective .
I have found , particularly in several successful campaigns to stop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that when Labour supports and helps unions win for the community , the community will be more likely to support Labour come election time .
This is how we at Forward Momentum see Momentum ’ s role in relation to the labour movement : as an ally and as a machine for amplifying the impact of trade union struggle , helping Labour members into the unions and pushing the party to stand alongside union members .
We are the only campaign in this election that has actually put together concrete proposals for achieving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what we ’ ll deliver .
After these NCG elections , Momentum needs to hit the ground running – organising nationally to demand a socially just and green response to Covid-19 , which we ’ ve committed to as part of our detailed five-point plan for Momentum .
This means throwing Momentum ’ s full weight behind trade unions , renters ’ unions and community organisations fighting to defend services , prevent redundancies , provide mutual aid , resist evictions , and calling for immediate policy change from the government .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must engage in this vital work , and push Labour to do so too .
We can not risk another lost decade , and the further immiseration of working class communities .

Even with massive state intervention, the long-term economic impact of Covid-19 will be profound. Once furlough ends, many jobs simply won’t exist and many of those who return to a job will face attacks on their terms and conditions. Personal debt has piled up and tenants are being threatened with eviction, while the spectre of even more public-sector cuts hang over the future.
From the very start of the crisis, trade unionists up and down the country have been fighting to make sure the risks and costs of the pandemic do not fall on working people. As a branch secretary for the National Education Union – and as a member of its national executive – I am proud of how my union has stepped up with a constant public presence and momentous national organising work, which included one of the biggest zoom meetings ever with 20,000 members taking part.
The real strength of our union has been in the workplace, with a huge increase in the number of school reps and the level of work they are doing. Supporting new reps to carry out detailed negotiations with management on opening plans, then supporting them to feedback via online meetings with members, has been a powerful reminder that if given the tools and backing our rank and file members are every bit as effective and important as our general secretaries.
This level of organisation allowed us to delay the reopening of schools and has undoubtedly made schools safer. But we now need to be looking at how we use this strength going forward to defend our schools against further austerity, and against the neoliberal inspection, testing, pay and privatisation regime that blights our education system.
In education, we are fairly strong. But others are less lucky – and with multiple crises looming, we are about to witness a series of struggles across multiple arenas over the future of our society. The whole labour movement knows the real fight is ahead of us. So my first thought as a trade unionist standing to be on Momentum’s national coordinating group is: what role should Momentum play in supporting the labour movement?
As the Labour left’s largest organisation, with nearly 30,000 members and proven mobilisation skills, Momentum can be a vital ally to the labour movement in the struggles ahead. And with a radical Labour government a far-off prospect, this could not be more important.
Many Momentum members are already active in their unions, and over the last few years Momentum groups and Momentum-led Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) across the country have supported strikes and helped generate wider community support for them. There needs to be a much more strategic approach to coordinating and amplifying this work, as well as a drive for Momentum members to become workplace organisers themselves.
That is why early on in our campaign Forward Momentum convened a working group of trade unionists from across the country. Drawing on the ideas of thousands who took part in discussion meetings instigated by our campaign, we began to flesh out a vision for Momentum as a supportive ally for rank and file trade unionists.
At the heart of this vision is our proposal for a ‘Momentum trade unionists network’, which will have a full-time, elected officer tasked with its growth and coordination with unions – at both the local and national level. The role of the network will be to encourage Momentum and Labour members to join unions and become active workplace organisers. It will function as a forum for skills-sharing, learning, and the coordination of support and solidarity across the country.
This is not about organising Momentum as a ‘faction’ within unions, but we do want to link Momentum members up with those in their own union that are seeking to build member-led, fighting organisations. Forward Momentum’s central argument is that local Momentum groups – as well as organising in Labour and campaigning in elections – should be collaborating with trade, community and tenants’ unions to build working-class power and grow deep-rooted support for socialism.
I know from experience that successful workplace organising is tough. But if we are to build power and confidence in our movement, we cannot shirk this hard work. I also know that having Labour working alongside unions on campaigns can be very effective. I have found, particularly in several successful campaigns to stop the academisation of schools in my area, that when Labour supports and helps unions win for the community, the community will be more likely to support Labour come election time.
This is how we at Forward Momentum see Momentum’s role in relation to the labour movement: as an ally and as a machine for amplifying the impact of trade union struggle, helping Labour members into the unions and pushing the party to stand alongside union members. We are the only campaign in this election that has actually put together concrete proposals for achieving these objects, and if elected this is what we’ll deliver.
After these NCG elections, Momentum needs to hit the ground running – organising nationally to demand a socially just and green response to Covid-19, which we’ve committed to as part of our detailed five-point plan for Momentum. This means throwing Momentum’s full weight behind trade unions, renters’ unions and community organisations fighting to defend services, prevent redundancies, provide mutual aid, resist evictions, and calling for immediate policy change from the government. If it is to stay relevant, Momentum must engage in this vital work, and push Labour to do so too. We cannot risk another lost decade, and the further immiseration of working class communities.


labourlist--2020-06-24--The labour movement divides in its response to easing of restrictions

The Prime Minister has confirmed that pubs , cafes , restaurants , hotels , cinemas , museums , hairdressers and places of worship will be able to reopen from July 4th in England , and that the two-metre rule is changing to ‘ one metre plus ’ .
“ Our long national hibernation is coming to an end , ” he declared triumphantly .
But health leaders have warned in an open letter that “ local flare-ups are increasingly likely ” and there is a “ real risk ” of a second wave .
This group includes former chief scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described the easing of restrictions at this moment as “ extraordinarily risky ” .
Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty hardly sound enthusiastic in their comments about the changes , and it is now routinely acknowledged that these are political decisions .
There have been over 65,000 excess deaths since the coronavirus crisis hit the UK , according to the Office for National Statistics .
The promised app that cost almost £12m has been abandoned , which means we are reliant on the manual aspect of the system .
But test and trace is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one in four people who test positive in England are still not being reached .
Local councils report that crucial data is not being shared with them , which means outbreaks could go undetected .
Labour mayor Andy Burnham has said that while he doesn ’ t “ envy ” the government , “ they ’ ve taken some unnecessary risk here ” .
He also criticised the move to drop the daily 10 Downing Street briefings .
As for trade unions , UNISON has cautioned that the easing “ must happen safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unscrupulous bosses cutting corners ” .
The TUC has said the Prime Minister should pressure employers to publish risk assessments .
Usdaw has opposed the distancing rule change and urged shops to stick to two metres .
Unite has urged caution and again offered to deploy an “ army ” of health and safety reps. Keir Starmer struck a different tone in his response .
Noting that he would scrutinise the detail of the announcement and study the guidance , the opposition leader said : “ Overall , I welcome this statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do the right thing .
And in that , we will support them.
” He stressed the risks of inaction and clarified his position on schools reopening : “ The sooner , the better.
” Labour left MPs such as Ian Lavery and Richard Burgon made their disagreement clear .
But you don ’ t have to be secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group to wonder whether the Labour leader should have put forward clear caveats to his support for the easing of restrictions .
What are Labour ’ s demands right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work budget ’ , for the furlough scheme to be more flexible and for local councils to be better supported and integrated in the tracing system , among other things .
These are all excellent steps for greater efficiency , but they hardly amount to an inspiring alternative vision for the country .
As Labour for a Green New Deal ’ s Lauren Townsend reminds us , the government wants to borrow the ‘ green industrial revolution ’ framing , yet can not be expected to implement the kind of transformation needed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when daily life has radically altered and priorities re-evaluated , for Labour to be pushing for fundamental change ?
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

The Prime Minister has confirmed that pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels, cinemas, museums, hairdressers and places of worship will be able to reopen from July 4th in England, and that the two-metre rule is changing to ‘one metre plus’. “Our long national hibernation is coming to an end,” he declared triumphantly. But health leaders have warned in an open letter that “local flare-ups are increasingly likely” and there is a “real risk” of a second wave. This group includes former chief scientific adviser Sir David King, who has described the easing of restrictions at this moment as “extraordinarily risky”.
Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty hardly sound enthusiastic in their comments about the changes, and it is now routinely acknowledged that these are political decisions. There have been over 65,000 excess deaths since the coronavirus crisis hit the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics. The promised app that cost almost £12m has been abandoned, which means we are reliant on the manual aspect of the system. But test and trace is not properly functioning: figures show that one in four people who test positive in England are still not being reached. Local councils report that crucial data is not being shared with them, which means outbreaks could go undetected.
Labour mayor Andy Burnham has said that while he doesn’t “envy” the government, “they’ve taken some unnecessary risk here”. He also criticised the move to drop the daily 10 Downing Street briefings. As for trade unions, UNISON has cautioned that the easing “must happen safely”. GMB has warned of “unscrupulous bosses cutting corners”. The TUC has said the Prime Minister should pressure employers to publish risk assessments. Usdaw has opposed the distancing rule change and urged shops to stick to two metres. Unite has urged caution and again offered to deploy an “army” of health and safety reps.
Keir Starmer struck a different tone in his response. Noting that he would scrutinise the detail of the announcement and study the guidance, the opposition leader said: “Overall, I welcome this statement. I believe the government is trying to do the right thing. And in that, we will support them.” He stressed the risks of inaction and clarified his position on schools reopening: “The sooner, the better.” Labour left MPs such as Ian Lavery and Richard Burgon made their disagreement clear. But you don’t have to be secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group to wonder whether the Labour leader should have put forward clear caveats to his support for the easing of restrictions.
What are Labour’s demands right now? It wants a ‘back to work budget’, for the furlough scheme to be more flexible and for local councils to be better supported and integrated in the tracing system, among other things. These are all excellent steps for greater efficiency, but they hardly amount to an inspiring alternative vision for the country. As Labour for a Green New Deal’s Lauren Townsend reminds us, the government wants to borrow the ‘green industrial revolution’ framing, yet cannot be expected to implement the kind of transformation needed. Is this not the perfect time, when daily life has radically altered and priorities re-evaluated, for Labour to be pushing for fundamental change? Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.