labourlist--2020-01-18--Members left uncertain over Starmer’s stance on The Sun

Labour Party members have been left uncertain over Keir Starmer ’ s stance on The Sun newspaper , after an interview this afternoon .
The Holborn and St Pancras MP sat down in conversation with Ayesha Hazarika today at the Fabian Society ’ s 2020 New Year conference .
At the first of the leadership hustings events in Liverpool this morning , the candidate had stated : “ I certainly won ’ t be giving any interviews to The Sun during the course of this campaign.
” But Hazarika suggested that he would need some of their readers to become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replied : “ Well , let ’ s get to be leader first and then you can come back and ask me again.
” A source for Starmer said : “ There was no rowing back .
He was talking in the context of a hostile media environment and the awful treatment by The Sun of people in Liverpool .
He then reiterated his commitment , as he stated at the hustings , to not giving an interview to The Sun during the campaign.
” Tweeting after the event , Hazarika said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any interviews with if he won ?
Surely he needs some Sun readers to make him PM ?
He said let ’ s win this first then take it from there ” .
It is clear that the leadership hopeful will not be giving interviews to the right-wing publication during his current campaign , but the option to do so after the contest has closed is being left open .
At the event , the candidate also spoke about the need for unity in the party , his time working in the shadow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press treated Jeremy Corbyn during the election .
On the media ’ s hostile approach to Corbyn , he said that it has happened with all Labour leaders but added “ this time it was even worse because it was more intense .
And I don ’ t think we can just casually walk past this – something does have to be done ” .
The Labour leadership candidate is pitching himself as the unity candidate in the contest , and during the interview said : “ We have to end the factionalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will never win an election is true .
And I think our members are absolutely fed up with the intolerance… Our members are yearning for the division to be over.
” He also said , when asked by an audience member about women in the Labour Party and in power : “ I think we should all be really proud of the four women that are putting themselves forward to be leader… Those women and many more are the leadership of this party whatever the outcome of this contest , because no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The leadership contenders are currently vying for nominations from constituency Labour parties – 14 have declared so far and the Camden MP has secured 11 , while 3 have opted for Rebecca Long-Bailey .
Each must get the backing of either 5 % of local parties – 33 – or three affiliated organisations , including two trade unions , adding up to 5 % of the affiliated membership .
Starmer was nominated by UNISON early on in the race , and has recently been backed by SERA .
He has also been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to TSSA members next week .

Labour Party members have been left uncertain over leadership candidate Keir Starmer’s stance on The Sun newspaper after an interview this afternoon.
At the first of the leadership hustings events in Liverpool this morning, the candidate stated: “I certainly won’t be giving any interviews to The Sun during the course of this campaign.”
Later, the Holborn and St Pancras MP sat down in conversation with commentator and former Labour adviser Ayesha Hazarika at the Fabian Society’s 2020 New Year conference.
Hazarika suggested that Starmer would need the support of Sun readers to become Prime Minister. Pushed on whether he would give interviews to The Sun as Labour leader, he said: “Well, let’s get to be leader first, and then you can come back and ask me again.”
A source for Starmer said: “There was no rowing back. He was talking in the context of a hostile media environment and the awful treatment by The Sun of people in Liverpool. He then reiterated his commitment, as he stated at the hustings, to not giving an interview to The Sun during the campaign.”
After the event, Hazarika tweeted: “Asked him if he would do any interviews with if he won? Surely he needs some Sun readers to make him PM? He said let’s win this first then take it from there. Was his anti-Sun stance in Liverpool today playing to the room?”
It is clear that the leadership hopeful will not be giving interviews to the right-wing publication during his current campaign, but the option to do so after the contest has concluded is being left open.
At the event, the candidate also spoke about the need for unity in the party, his time working in the shadow cabinet, and the way that the press had treated Jeremy Corbyn during the general election.
On the media’s hostile approach to Corbyn, he said that it had happened with all Labour leaders but added: “This time it was even worse because it was more intense. And I don’t think we can just casually walk past this – something does have to be done.”
The Labour leadership candidate is pitching himself as the unity candidate in the contest, and during the interview said: “We have to end the factionalism. The saying that ‘a divided party will never win an election’ is true. And I think our members are absolutely fed up with the intolerance… Our members are yearning for the division to be over.”
When asked by an audience member about women in the Labour Party and in power, Starmer said: “I think we should all be really proud of the four women that are putting themselves forward to be leader… Those women and many more are the leadership of this party whatever the outcome of this contest, because no one person can do this on their own.”
The leadership contenders are currently vying for nominations from constituency Labour parties – 14 have declared so far and the Camden MP has secured 11, while three have opted for Rebecca Long-Bailey.
Each must get the backing of either 5% of local parties – 33 – or three affiliated organisations, including two trade unions, adding up to 5% of the affiliated membership.
Starmer was nominated by UNISON early on in the race, and has recently been backed by SERA. He has also been placed on a ballot to be put to TSSA members next week.


labourlist--2020-01-18--Labour’s first deputy leadership hustings – snap verdict

Angela Rayner is the clear frontrunner in Labour ’ s deputy leadership race .
The LabourList/Survation poll found her winning on 60 % of first preferences and the recent YouGov research identified a similar result at 57 % .
She is known for her charisma and barnstorming speeches , as well as leading on the national education service .
She has appeared loyal to the leadership without being branded as a continuity candidate .
But the first official party hustings , which took place in Liverpool this afternoon , was a mostly dull event .
And to much surprise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it up .
Dawn Butler instead took up that responsibility with a fiery conclusion at the close of the event .
Everyone in the audience must have seen her riff of “ So Strong ” before , but it works every time .
Perhaps the most interesting point of the session came with a question on the Board of Deputies ten pledges – that ’ s when candidates actually disagreed on something .
Echoing the promise of Keir Starmer in the previous hustings , Ian Murray said he would “ want every single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week ” .
He is prepared to “ take personal responsibility ” .
Butler acknowledged that she had not signed up to the pledges .
She said it was because the matter is “ too important ” and “ I don ’ t want to rush it ” .
The equalities spokesperson explained that she first wanted to see the EHRC recommendations before working with the Board to “ get it right ” .
Richard Burgon went further .
Although he believes in working with the Board of Deputies , he was clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signing the ten pledges ” .
Setting out his reasons , the Shadow Justice Secretary said : “ I ’ m concerned that the minorities within a minority… their voices need to be heard as well.
” Those with lower profiles – Ian Murray and Rosena Allin-Khan – were always going to benefit most from this hustings .
Rayner didn ’ t harm her standing as frontrunner , which means it did little to change the dynamics of the race , but the campaign teams of Butler and Burgon will have been pleased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitches to the left .

Angela Rayner is the clear frontrunner in Labour’s deputy leadership race. The LabourList/Survation poll found her winning on 60% of first preferences and the recent YouGov research identified a similar result at 57%. She is known for her charisma and barnstorming speeches, as well as leading on the national education service. She has appeared loyal to the leadership without being branded as a continuity candidate.
But the first official party hustings, which took place in Liverpool this afternoon, was a mostly dull event. And to much surprise, Rayner was not the candidate to liven it up. Dawn Butler instead took up that responsibility with a fiery conclusion at the close of the event. Everyone in the audience must have seen her riff of “So Strong” before, but it works every time.
Perhaps the most interesting point of the session came with a question on the Board of Deputies ten pledges – that’s when candidates actually disagreed on something. Echoing the promise of Keir Starmer in the previous hustings, Ian Murray said he would “want every single case of antisemitism on my desk every week”. He is prepared to “take personal responsibility”.
Butler acknowledged that she had not signed up to the pledges. She said it was because the matter is “too important” and “I don’t want to rush it”. The equalities spokesperson explained that she first wanted to see the EHRC recommendations before working with the Board to “get it right”.
Richard Burgon went further. Although he believes in working with the Board of Deputies, he was clear: “I won’t be signing the ten pledges”. Setting out his reasons, the Shadow Justice Secretary said: “I’m concerned that the minorities within a minority… their voices need to be heard as well.”
Those with lower profiles – Ian Murray and Rosena Allin-Khan – were always going to benefit most from this hustings. Rayner didn’t harm her standing as frontrunner, which means it did little to change the dynamics of the race, but the campaign teams of Butler and Burgon will have been pleased with their candidates’ noteworthy performances and pitches to the left.


labourlist--2020-01-18--Labour’s first leadership party hustings – snap verdict

Rebecca Long-Bailey had a fantastic launch on Friday evening .
Addressing a crowd of Labour supporters in a Manchester museum , she came across as confident , relaxed and genuinely funny .
It was a slick event , with screens everywhere promoting her logo and “ # RLB2020 ” branding .
Her team members were pleased with how it went , and had good reason to be .
Fast-forward to the hustings in Liverpool today , and the Shadow Business Secretary was more muted .
She again quipped that she learnt her politics in a pawn shop – “ that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no more opportunities to show off her personality .
Instead , she pushed the key message that has emerged from her campaign : to sell its politics , Labour needs to talk about a democratised economy and “ aspirational socialist government ” .
With a 40-second limit for answers , Long-Bailey didn ’ t have the space to elaborate on that idea .
She would have benefited from reiterating other lines aired last night , such as : “ My kind of socialism is the kind where we all rise together… where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to climb and free to succeed.
” Keir Starmer also repeated lines from his launch , in particular the careful balancing act that he now calls his “ rules ” : “ Don ’ t trash the last labour government.
” and “ Don ’ t trash the last four years.
” It ’ s a transparent pitch to all wings of the party , but it is effective – many active members are weary from the factional battles of the last few years and appreciate the clear call for unity .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaningful sense , however .
His biggest round of applause followed a promise not to give an interview to The Sun , which was a decent line but said nothing about where he ’ s going next in the contest .
Starmer reiterated that his test for whether Labour had tackled antisemitism would be whether everyone who left the party over that issue felt comfortable to return .
This seems to be setting the bar inexplicably high .
Emily Thornberry gave the debate admirable welly .
Gaining confidence throughout the hustings , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across as sincere , which is helpful – our recent poll showed a surprisingly low level of familiarity with the Shadow Foreign Secretary and her policy platform considering her high profile .
It suggested that people were uncertain as to where she stood after appearing loyal to the leadership but quickly attacking it post-election .
Jess Phillips was the most critical of other candidates .
The Birmingham MP implicitly attacked Long-Bailey ’ s constitutional reform-focussed pitch when she said nobody in real life talks about “ this senate or that senate ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race of not being sufficiently vocal about tackling antisemitism .
Going negative may be straight-talking , but it seems inadvisable at this very early stage of the campaign .
The feedback in the room from audience members was mostly disappointment in the frontrunners , and pleasant surprise when it came to Lisa Nandy .
She seemed to impress the most .
The Wigan MP was articulate and calm , hitting her key points such as the “ red bridge ” rather than the ‘ red wall ’ , and she swerved the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sell on the doorstep .
A couple of weeks ago , she said it was free broadband – this time , it was : “ I struggled to sell the package ” .
It was a good day for Nandy and Thornberry , less so for the rest , who gave decent performances but didn ’ t do enough to shine .

Rebecca Long-Bailey had a fantastic launch on Friday evening. Addressing a crowd of Labour supporters in a Manchester museum, she came across as confident, relaxed and genuinely funny. It was a slick event, with screens everywhere promoting her logo and “#RLB2020” branding. Her team members were pleased with how it went, and had good reason to be.
Fast-forward to the hustings in Liverpool today, and the Shadow Business Secretary was more muted. She again quipped that she learnt her politics in a pawn shop – “that’s P.A.W.N.” – but found no more opportunities to show off her personality. Instead, she pushed the key message that has emerged from her campaign: to sell its politics, Labour needs to talk about a democratised economy and “aspirational socialist government”.
With a 40-second limit for answers, Long-Bailey didn’t have the space to elaborate on that idea. She would have benefited from reiterating other lines aired last night, such as: “My kind of socialism is the kind where we all rise together… where we’re free to dream, free to climb and free to succeed.”
Keir Starmer also repeated lines from his launch, in particular the careful balancing act that he now calls his “rules”: “Don’t trash the last labour government.” and “Don’t trash the last four years.” It’s a transparent pitch to all wings of the party, but it is effective – many active members are weary from the factional battles of the last few years and appreciate the clear call for unity.
He failed to move the dial in any meaningful sense, however. His biggest round of applause followed a promise not to give an interview to The Sun, which was a decent line but said nothing about where he’s going next in the contest. Starmer reiterated that his test for whether Labour had tackled antisemitism would be whether everyone who left the party over that issue felt comfortable to return. This seems to be setting the bar inexplicably high.
Emily Thornberry gave the debate admirable welly. Gaining confidence throughout the hustings, she was clear and passionate. She came across as sincere, which is helpful – our recent poll showed a surprisingly low level of familiarity with the Shadow Foreign Secretary and her policy platform considering her high profile. It suggested that people were uncertain as to where she stood after appearing loyal to the leadership but quickly attacking it post-election.
Jess Phillips was the most critical of other candidates. The Birmingham MP implicitly attacked Long-Bailey’s constitutional reform-focussed pitch when she said nobody in real life talks about “this senate or that senate”. She also tacitly accused the frontbenchers in the race of not being sufficiently vocal about tackling antisemitism. Going negative may be straight-talking, but it seems inadvisable at this very early stage of the campaign.
The feedback in the room from audience members was mostly disappointment in the frontrunners, and pleasant surprise when it came to Lisa Nandy. She seemed to impress the most. The Wigan MP was articulate and calm, hitting her key points such as the “red bridge” rather than the ‘red wall’, and she swerved the question of which policy was most difficult to sell on the doorstep. A couple of weeks ago, she said it was free broadband – this time, it was: “I struggled to sell the package”. It was a good day for Nandy and Thornberry, less so for the rest, who gave decent performances but didn’t do enough to shine.


labourlist--2020-01-19--Organising is in our DNA – now we need it more than ever

Our party was formed by organised workers who wanted political power to match their industrial might .
Organising is in our DNA .
Now we need it more than ever .
Today ’ s Labour Party has hundreds of thousands of members and millions of working people behind us .
I want us to continue as a mass membership party , with the collective potential to achieve lasting change .
To do that , we need to look afresh at what our activism is for , what it achieves and how we do it .
The thousands of members I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were a high point for me but – as we ’ ve seen – they don ’ t guarantee victory .
Collecting lots of voter ID is essential for turnout on polling day , yet on its own it doesn ’ t connect with people , build trust or persuade .
I ’ m not saying I have all the answers ( it ’ s why I ’ ve launched a survey asking about your experiences and ideas ) , but as an organiser who has been leading the fight for and winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have some ideas about where to start .
There is a fundamental difference between mobilising and organising .
Getting people to turn out to something is great , but what we do has to go much further .
It ’ s harder – but so is anything that achieves change .
We start with a culture change that puts organising before mobilising when we ’ re not facing an immediate election .
That means spending time and resources identifying and training leaders , building networks and structures , it means accepting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to less central control but may need more central support .
I ’ m not going to be out there as deputy leader personally running every local campaign against school cuts , for example .
Prioritising organising means making sure every activist , parent and teacher who wants to campaign with us has the tools and resources to tackle those issues in their own communities .
The fashionable label is community organising , to me it ’ s bread and butter – we see injustice , we support and empower people to organise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we start all over again .
We must do this unashamedly as Labour , not just to win elections but to do what we all joined the Party for in the first place : to make a difference .
Here are three ways I ’ d start : • Investing in activism .
Embedding campaigning in our communities .
W e need expanded training and development programmes and resources available to support local campaigning .
On everything from press and social media to event organisation and public speaking , we must support our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supporting local government .
Local government campaigns can be a hard slog .
Councillors tell me that a lack of funds and staff support and sometimes not selecting candidates early enough hurts their ability to campaign .
I know local candidates are often already doing community organising – in incredibly tough circumstances – even if they don ’ t call it that , but could do so much more with the right structures and support .
• Building a Labour community .
W e ’ re not making use of all the talent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot to learn from what many of our activists and reps do already , and we don ’ t always join the dots .
We have amazingly talented people in every corner of the UK who want to help .
We have designers , programmers , people who make videos , trainers and educators , social media experts .
I want to build a Labour team that collaborates and supports each other across the country .
We need to get this right .
If we continue to let the conversation and our efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will never move on .
That ’ s why I want to be deputy leader of a united party , all pulling together for the same purpose .
I was on the frontline as a trade unionist in local government while the last set of Bullingdon Club Tories were in charge .
We all know what ’ s coming .
Every time an attack comes a little bit of us will hurt because we know it should have been us in power but in that adversity we have to find strength and purpose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brexit , I led thousands of low paid workers to halt privatisation at a Manchester NHS trust and a Lancashire university .
We fought off cuts to the ambulance service in Cumbria and to Sure Start in Liverpool .
Now the battle starts anew .
Not just defending what we have , but fighting for more .
Fighting to win .
Let ’ s not be limited by what others have tried .
We can be the trailblazers , the innovators who show what a real people-powered movement can deliver .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s make it our future too .

Our party was formed by organised workers who wanted political power to match their industrial might. Organising is in our DNA. Now we need it more than ever.
Today’s Labour Party has hundreds of thousands of members and millions of working people behind us. I want us to continue as a mass membership party, with the collective potential to achieve lasting change. To do that, we need to look afresh at what our activism is for, what it achieves and how we do it.
The thousands of members I saw at rallies in the election campaign were a high point for me but – as we’ve seen – they don’t guarantee victory. Collecting lots of voter ID is essential for turnout on polling day, yet on its own it doesn’t connect with people, build trust or persuade.
I’m not saying I have all the answers (it’s why I’ve launched a survey asking about your experiences and ideas), but as an organiser who has been leading the fight for and winning change for more than two decades, I have some ideas about where to start.
There is a fundamental difference between mobilising and organising. Getting people to turn out to something is great, but what we do has to go much further. It’s harder – but so is anything that achieves change.
We start with a culture change that puts organising before mobilising when we’re not facing an immediate election. That means spending time and resources identifying and training leaders, building networks and structures, it means accepting that self-organisation and empowering the grassroots will lead to less central control but may need more central support.
I’m not going to be out there as deputy leader personally running every local campaign against school cuts, for example. Prioritising organising means making sure every activist, parent and teacher who wants to campaign with us has the tools and resources to tackle those issues in their own communities. The fashionable label is community organising, to me it’s bread and butter – we see injustice, we support and empower people to organise for change, we win and then we start all over again.
We must do this unashamedly as Labour, not just to win elections but to do what we all joined the Party for in the first place: to make a difference. Here are three ways I’d start:
Investing in activism. Embedding campaigning in our communities. W e need expanded training and development programmes and resources available to support local campaigning. On everything from press and social media to event organisation and public speaking, we must support our people to organise and lead. Supporting local government. Local government campaigns can be a hard slog. Councillors tell me that a lack of funds and staff support and sometimes not selecting candidates early enough hurts their ability to campaign. I know local candidates are often already doing community organising – in incredibly tough circumstances – even if they don’t call it that, but could do so much more with the right structures and support. Building a Labour community. W e’re not making use of all the talent in our movement. There is a lot to learn from what many of our activists and reps do already, and we don’t always join the dots. We have amazingly talented people in every corner of the UK who want to help. We have designers, programmers, people who make videos, trainers and educators, social media experts. I want to build a Labour team that collaborates and supports each other across the country.
We need to get this right. If we continue to let the conversation and our efforts be about internal party division, we will never move on. That’s why I want to be deputy leader of a united party, all pulling together for the same purpose.
I was on the frontline as a trade unionist in local government while the last set of Bullingdon Club Tories were in charge. We all know what’s coming. Every time an attack comes a little bit of us will hurt because we know it should have been us in power but in that adversity we have to find strength and purpose.
Before the world was consumed by Brexit, I led thousands of low paid workers to halt privatisation at a Manchester NHS trust and a Lancashire university. We fought off cuts to the ambulance service in Cumbria and to Sure Start in Liverpool.
Now the battle starts anew. Not just defending what we have, but fighting for more. Fighting to win. Let’s not be limited by what others have tried. We can be the trailblazers, the innovators who show what a real people-powered movement can deliver. That is the history of our party. Let’s make it our future too.


labourlist--2020-01-19--Sunday shows: Labour figures on leader race, the Lords and Scotland

Ridge interviewed leadership candidate Jess Phillips , who talked about Labour ’ s election defeat , her candidacy for leader and whether the next leader should be a woman .
• On why people rejected Labour at the last election : “ The fundamental was trust , was leadership – they didn ’ t trust our positions on the big issues of the day , in lots of cases they didn ’ t know what they were and also they just didn ’ t trust that we could deliver the things that we were saying.
” • Asked if Corbyn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should have been instituted in the party… a much more listening approach… A good leader needs to recognise dissent and be able to listen to it.
” • Asked if she is the Remain candidate for leader : “ People are ok if you are clear and you are honest about what you think .
And then they will give you a hearing on other issues .
So I ’ m not an uber-Remainer – I don ’ t feel the need to present myself as an uber-Remainer.
” • On campaigning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think that this is a conversation which is even open to debate at the moment… There is no plan to have some sort of campaign to re-join the EU.
” • On decriminalisation of drugs : “ I ’ m definitely open to different models around decriminalisation… I think we do need to have a conversation because what we ’ re doing now is currently not working.
” • Asked about abolishing private schools , she said : “ I think that private schools should be treated like businesses , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxed accordingly , but I think that having an abolitionist route at this stage – there will need to be a whole system change.
” • On the fact that Labour could fail to elect a female leader : “ It does a disservice to the Labour Party ’ s record on women… I think it will be embarrassing and what ’ s more , it gives absolute grist to the mill and ammunition to our other side.
” '' I think if you truly believe in women 's representation… that sometimes passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is @ UKLabour leadership candidate @ jessphillips suggesting frontrunner @ Keir_Starmer should step aside ?
Labour deputy leadership candidate Rosena Allin-Khan was asked about her candidacy , what went wrong in the 2019 general election and who should be the next leader .
• On the election : “ The time it took to get to our ultimate position on calling for a People ’ s Vote took too long .
I also think that we had a manifesto… nobody believed was actually credible .
And the leadership came up a lot on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was Labour ’ s decision to back a second referendum that was the problem : “ We took too long coming to that position as a party and as a result we lost trust of people in both Leave and Remain seats.
” • On a Remainer London MP as deputy : “ I do wholeheartedly accept that we are leaving the EU… my lived experience will allow me to connect with voters around the country.
” • Shown the latest deputy leader poll from YouGov : “ It ’ s never game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s influenced by my story , it doesn ’ t matter that I ’ m on 8 % because I ’ m winning being right here getting those messages out.
” • Who she would like to be the next leader of the Labour Party : “ I don ’ t have an opinion at this point.
” • On whether the next leader should be a woman : “ I would really like to see a woman at the top of the party now but fundamentally we have a rebuilding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it ’ s got to be about the best person for the job.
” • On whether Jeremy Corbyn ’ s chief of staff , Karie Murphy , should get a peerage given that she ’ s currently being investigated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission ( EHRC ) : “ I would like to see the outcome of the EHRC report .
And I don ’ t know Karie Murphy personally.
” '' I grew up in poverty , I know what hunger feels like , I know what being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader candidate @ DrRosena says she can connect with voters across the UK – and wants to show `` there 's no ceiling on what they can achieve '' .
The general secretary of ASLEF union Mick Whelan discussed the Labour leadership contest and the government ’ s plan to introduce minimum service agreements .
• Asked whether he would say who is he supporting : “ Not yet .
We ’ re meeting with many of the candidates over the next few days.
” • On whether the union will back Rebecca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because ultimately people don ’ t seem to understand member-led organisations… they will decide the nomination of ASLEF to that process .
It won ’ t be Mick Whelan.
” • Asked whether rail nationalisation is a red line in who the union will decide to back : “ No .
It ’ s a major thing for us.
” • On whether ASLEF is at war with the government over the introduction of minimum service agreements : “ I am at war with the ethos of forced labour .
Any form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared on the show .
Asked about Tory MP Jamie Wallis and his connection with the “ sugar-daddy.com ” dating website , the party chairman said “ I don ’ t know that he has done anything wrong ” , and whether the party would be taking disciplinary action , he added : “ It ’ s not my job… we ’ re not an investigation unit.
” He also confirmed that the government is “ looking into ” moving the House of Lords out of London , to a location such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – the Baby of the House , at 23 – joined Marr to review the papers , discussing the latest on Meghan and Harry , her decision not to take a full MP ’ s salary , and the idea of moving the House of Lords out of London .
• On Meghan and Harry : “ Ultimately , I think , this is a 35-year-old man who has been on the front pages every day because he didn ’ t ask his nan before he moved out .
What this really speaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country.
” • On whether there is a racial element to the press coverage : “ The press has clearly treated Meghan very differently to Kate… When you see two Daily Mail articles about the same two issues – avocados , baby bumps , Meghan and Kate – what else do you call it ?
” • On giving up half of her MP salary : “ Everyone deserves a pay rise – firefighters , teaching assistants , nurses .
And I ’ ll take mine when they get theirs.
” • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back as the next Labour leader : “ I honestly haven ’ t .
I have certain criteria and , as people ’ s policies unfold , I ’ ll be watching and listening.
” • On moving the House of Lords out of London : “ I just think this is so superficial .
Working-class people – whether in the North , the Midlands or the South – don ’ t care about the unelected House of Lords .
We want jobs , we want proper investment , and meaningful decentralisation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s only remaining Scottish MP and deputy leadership candidate , also appeared on the show to discuss his campaign .
• On Labour needing to win in Scotland : “ It ’ s one of the rules of British politics that a Labour government has to run through Scotland , but after the disaster of the election on 12th December Labour has to reconnect with all the nations and regions of the UK.
” • On constitutional questions facing Labour : “ If the Labour Party doesn ’ t stand by its values @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then standing in the middle of the road gets you hit by both sides .
We ’ re principally against independence… let ’ s make the positive case for the UK.
” • On whether Scottish Labour needs a new leader : “ Richard Leonard had a real opportunity to wipe the slate clean , to start again , he responded in June when the public said they didn ’ t like our position on Brexit and he came out very strongly to stay.
” • On the idea of a federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the Labour Campaign for Britain ’ s Future , which will look at not just galvanising the public towards how they are governed both at national and regional level but also what our future relationship is with the EU.
” • On separating Scottish Labour from UK Labour : “ Absolutely no .
We ’ re a UK party and I think we have to act as a UK party.
” • On Lisa Nandy ’ s comments about learning lessons for Scotland from dealing with “ narrow divisive nationalism ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her and it ’ s been spun out of control what Lisa Nandy said.
” • On nationalism in Scotland : “ The most important thing is to have a Labour Prime Minister walking through the doors of No10 , and that will defeat nationalism in Scotland – I ’ m very confident of that .
”

Ridge on Sunday
Ridge interviewed leadership candidate Jess Phillips, who talked about Labour’s election defeat, her candidacy for leader and whether the next leader should be a woman.
On why people rejected Labour at the last election: “The fundamental was trust, was leadership – they didn’t trust our positions on the big issues of the day, in lots of cases they didn’t know what they were and also they just didn’t trust that we could deliver the things that we were saying.”
Asked if Corbyn was a good leader: “There should have been instituted in the party… a much more listening approach… A good leader needs to recognise dissent and be able to listen to it.”
Asked if she is the Remain candidate for leader: “People are ok if you are clear and you are honest about what you think. And then they will give you a hearing on other issues. So I’m not an uber-Remainer – I don’t feel the need to present myself as an uber-Remainer.”
On campaigning to rejoin the EU: “I don’t think that this is a conversation which is even open to debate at the moment… There is no plan to have some sort of campaign to re-join the EU.”
On decriminalisation of drugs: “I’m definitely open to different models around decriminalisation… I think we do need to have a conversation because what we’re doing now is currently not working.”
Asked about abolishing private schools, she said: “I think that private schools should be treated like businesses, not like charities, and they should be taxed accordingly, but I think that having an abolitionist route at this stage – there will need to be a whole system change.”
On the fact that Labour could fail to elect a female leader: “It does a disservice to the Labour Party’s record on women… I think it will be embarrassing and what’s more, it gives absolute grist to the mill and ammunition to our other side.”
"I think if you truly believe in women's representation… that sometimes passing the mic is the greatest way…" Is @UKLabour leadership candidate @jessphillips suggesting frontrunner @Keir_Starmer should step aside? Follow #Ridge live: https://t.co/BzsNffg7Rl pic.twitter.com/YTcT8xxWS0 — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) January 19, 2020
Labour deputy leadership candidate Rosena Allin-Khan was asked about her candidacy, what went wrong in the 2019 general election and who should be the next leader.
On the election: “The time it took to get to our ultimate position on calling for a People’s Vote took too long. I also think that we had a manifesto… nobody believed was actually credible. And the leadership came up a lot on the doorstep.”
On whether it was Labour’s decision to back a second referendum that was the problem: “We took too long coming to that position as a party and as a result we lost trust of people in both Leave and Remain seats.”
On a Remainer London MP as deputy: “I do wholeheartedly accept that we are leaving the EU… my lived experience will allow me to connect with voters around the country.”
Shown the latest deputy leader poll from YouGov: “It’s never game over… If there’s one child that’s influenced by my story, it doesn’t matter that I’m on 8% because I’m winning being right here getting those messages out.”
Who she would like to be the next leader of the Labour Party: “I don’t have an opinion at this point.”
On whether the next leader should be a woman: “I would really like to see a woman at the top of the party now but fundamentally we have a rebuilding process that is going to take years… And it’s got to be about the best person for the job.”
On whether Jeremy Corbyn’s chief of staff, Karie Murphy, should get a peerage given that she’s currently being investigated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC): “I would like to see the outcome of the EHRC report. And I don’t know Karie Murphy personally.”
"I grew up in poverty, I know what hunger feels like, I know what being cold feels like." Labour deputy leader candidate @DrRosena says she can connect with voters across the UK – and wants to show "there's no ceiling on what they can achieve". Live: https://t.co/BzsNffg7Rl pic.twitter.com/WXJz6UCx9d — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) January 19, 2020
The general secretary of ASLEF union Mick Whelan discussed the Labour leadership contest and the government’s plan to introduce minimum service agreements.
Asked whether he would say who is he supporting: “Not yet. We’re meeting with many of the candidates over the next few days.”
On whether the union will back Rebecca Long-Bailey: “Not sure yet, because ultimately people don’t seem to understand member-led organisations… they will decide the nomination of ASLEF to that process. It won’t be Mick Whelan.”
Asked whether rail nationalisation is a red line in who the union will decide to back: “No. It’s a major thing for us.”
On whether ASLEF is at war with the government over the introduction of minimum service agreements: “I am at war with the ethos of forced labour. Any form of indenture or slavery.”
"I'm at war with the ethos of forced labor."@ASLEFunion general sec @MickWhelanASLEF says it would be "forced labor" if the government makes it unlawful for rail workers to strike unless there's a minimum service agreement.#Ridge reaction: https://t.co/BzsNffg7Rl pic.twitter.com/u8MEsu83Pu — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) January 19, 2020
James Cleverly also appeared on the show. Asked about Tory MP Jamie Wallis and his connection with the “sugar-daddy.com” dating website, the party chairman said “I don’t know that he has done anything wrong”, and whether the party would be taking disciplinary action, he added: “It’s not my job… we’re not an investigation unit.” He also confirmed that the government is “looking into” moving the House of Lords out of London, to a location such as York.
The Andrew Marr Show
New Labour MP Nadia Whittome – the Baby of the House, at 23 – joined Marr to review the papers, discussing the latest on Meghan and Harry, her decision not to take a full MP’s salary, and the idea of moving the House of Lords out of London.
On Meghan and Harry: “Ultimately, I think, this is a 35-year-old man who has been on the front pages every day because he didn’t ask his nan before he moved out. What this really speaks to is the culture war happening in this country.”
On whether there is a racial element to the press coverage: “The press has clearly treated Meghan very differently to Kate… When you see two Daily Mail articles about the same two issues – avocados, baby bumps, Meghan and Kate – what else do you call it?”
On giving up half of her MP salary: “Everyone deserves a pay rise – firefighters, teaching assistants, nurses. And I’ll take mine when they get theirs.”
On whether she has decided who to back as the next Labour leader: “I honestly haven’t. I have certain criteria and, as people’s policies unfold, I’ll be watching and listening.”
On moving the House of Lords out of London: “I just think this is so superficial. Working-class people – whether in the North, the Midlands or the South – don’t care about the unelected House of Lords. We want jobs, we want proper investment, and meaningful decentralisation of power.”
Ian Murray, Labour’s only remaining Scottish MP and deputy leadership candidate, also appeared on the show to discuss his campaign.


labourlist--2020-01-19--Three enter next stage of Scottish Labour’s deputy leader race

Three candidates have secured enough nominations from MSPs , MPs and councillors to proceed to the next stage of Scottish Labour ’ s deputy leadership race .
Councillor Michael Marra did not receive sufficient support , but Jackie Baillie , Matt Kerr and Pauline McNeill remain in the contest , which will conclude on April 3rd .
Those hoping to replace Leslie Laird as Scottish Labour ’ s new deputy leader will now enter the second stage of the internal election – just as the UK Labour candidates did earlier this week .
Similarly , the three hopefuls in Scotland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local parties or three affiliates , including two trade unions , comprising 5 % of affiliated membership , to get on the ballot paper .
The CLP and affiliate nominations open on Monday , and they will close on February 14th – at the same time as the second phase of the two UK Labour leadership contests .
Jackie Baillie and Pauline McNeill wanted to do a job-share for the post , but this was ruled out of order by party officials .
Matt Kerr has strong trade union links – the left-wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son of Andy Kerr , deputy general secretary of the communications union CWU .
The full lists of MSP , MP and councillor nominations can be found here .

Three candidates have secured enough nominations from MSPs, MPs and councillors to proceed to the next stage of Scottish Labour’s deputy leadership race.
Councillor Michael Marra did not receive sufficient support, but Jackie Baillie, Matt Kerr and Pauline McNeill remain in the contest, which will conclude on April 3rd.
Those hoping to replace Leslie Laird as Scottish Labour’s new deputy leader will now enter the second stage of the internal election – just as the UK Labour candidates did earlier this week.
Similarly, the three hopefuls in Scotland will need nominations from 5% of local parties or three affiliates, including two trade unions, comprising 5% of affiliated membership, to get on the ballot paper.
The CLP and affiliate nominations open on Monday, and they will close on February 14th – at the same time as the second phase of the two UK Labour leadership contests.
Jackie Baillie and Pauline McNeill wanted to do a job-share for the post, but this was ruled out of order by party officials.
Matt Kerr has strong trade union links – the left-wing Glasgow councillor and former postie is the son of Andy Kerr, deputy general secretary of the communications union CWU.
The full lists of MSP, MP and councillor nominations can be found here.
Update, 20th January: MSP Pauline McNeill dropped out of the contest.


labourlist--2020-01-20--Lisa Nandy calls for change in hustings format

Lisa Nandy has written to Jennie Formby and members of Labour ’ s national executive committee ( NEC ) to call for a change in the format of the leadership hustings .
The five candidates met in Liverpool on Saturday for the first of 12 leadership debates arranged for members to hear from the prospective leaders directly .
The Wigan MP wrote that given the scale of the defeat at the general election , the solution “ warrants more than 40 seconds ” allocated for responses in the debate .
She said that the events needed to “ ignite a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this is not possible when limited to “ 40-second soundbites ” .
Nandy went on to write : “ Candidates must be subjected to the same scrutiny that the voters will put us under during a future election and members must be given a full chance to debate everything that has happened.
” She added that “ to achieve this candidates must be able to respond to what each other has said ” .
Others also criticised the debate for not permitting interaction between candidates .
Leadership hopeful Jess Phillips also complained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ awful ” because she was “ trying to hit a million different lines and messages in 40 seconds ” .
The next hustings is due to take place on January 25th in Leeds .
Other locations for the debates include Glasgow , Cardiff and Bedford before a final event in Brighton .
Below is the full text of the letter sent by Nandy to members of the NEC .
Firstly can I say thank you to all the national and regional staff who were involved in making yesterday ’ s hustings run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dedication and professionalism that after a long General Election campaign they are still able to deliver events like yesterday .
As the first hustings showed , both the candidates and the audience treated each other with the respect that our party has always been known for .
There is a clear desire for a full and frank discussion , not just on what led to our worst electoral defeat for over 70 years , but what we as candidates can offer our party and country which will enable us to form the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates I spent time after the hustings talking to those members who attended .
And while many of their questions centred on the different policy positions of the different candidates , there was one consistent comment made to me which was on the format of yesterday ’ s hustings and the limit of 40 seconds to respond to a question and the lack of an opening statement from candidates .
I am firmly of the view that the scale of our defeat in December , the solutions that each of the candidates want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seconds .
Given the views of members in the room and responses online , there is clearly a strong appetite to get more detail from those who wish to lead our party and run our country .
I would welcome greater engagement and more scrutiny from party members in the audience in the room and those viewing online for future hustings , which I believe can be achieved through allocating a longer time to answer questions and for the questioner or other members online to question us further .
This leadership election is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for generations , possibly in our history .
All the candidates need to show how they can politically and organisationally deliver a Labour victory .
All the candidates must be subjected to the same scrutiny that the voters will put us under during a future election and members must be given a full chance to debate everything that has happened and our way forward as a party .
To achieve this candidates must be able to respond to what each other has said .
We need these hustings to ignite a passionate debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and this can not be achieved by proscribing answers to 40 second sound bites and hermetically sealing the candidates from direct conversations between ourselves .
I am sure that the other candidates will agree with the principle of what I am saying .
I have no doubt we can all agree on a different format to these hustings ; one which will be a real showcase of the different policies we believe in , providing our members with a real insight into their next leader and Prime Minister .

Lisa Nandy has written to Jennie Formby and members of Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) to call for a change in the format of the leadership hustings.
The five candidates met in Liverpool on Saturday for the first of 12 leadership debates arranged for members to hear from the prospective leaders directly.
The Wigan MP wrote that given the scale of the defeat at the general election, the solution “warrants more than 40 seconds” allocated for responses in the debate.
She said that the events needed to “ignite a passionate debate in our country” and that this is not possible when limited to “40-second soundbites”.
Nandy went on to write: “Candidates must be subjected to the same scrutiny that the voters will put us under during a future election and members must be given a full chance to debate everything that has happened.”
She added that “to achieve this candidates must be able to respond to what each other has said”. Others also criticised the debate for not permitting interaction between candidates.
Leadership hopeful Jess Phillips also complained about the format, saying she was “awful” because she was “trying to hit a million different lines and messages in 40 seconds”.
The next hustings is due to take place on January 25th in Leeds. Other locations for the debates include Glasgow, Cardiff and Bedford before a final event in Brighton.
Below is the full text of the letter sent by Nandy to members of the NEC.
Firstly can I say thank you to all the national and regional staff who were involved in making yesterday’s hustings run so smoothly. It is testament to the dedication and professionalism that after a long General Election campaign they are still able to deliver events like yesterday.
As the first hustings showed, both the candidates and the audience treated each other with the respect that our party has always been known for. There is a clear desire for a full and frank discussion, not just on what led to our worst electoral defeat for over 70 years, but what we as candidates can offer our party and country which will enable us to form the next government.
Like all of the candidates I spent time after the hustings talking to those members who attended. And while many of their questions centred on the different policy positions of the different candidates, there was one consistent comment made to me which was on the format of yesterday’s hustings and the limit of 40 seconds to respond to a question and the lack of an opening statement from candidates.
I am firmly of the view that the scale of our defeat in December, the solutions that each of the candidates want to put forward warrants more than 40 seconds. Given the views of members in the room and responses online, there is clearly a strong appetite to get more detail from those who wish to lead our party and run our country.
I would welcome greater engagement and more scrutiny from party members in the audience in the room and those viewing online for future hustings, which I believe can be achieved through allocating a longer time to answer questions and for the questioner or other members online to question us further.
This leadership election is the most important one we have had for generations, possibly in our history. All the candidates need to show how they can politically and organisationally deliver a Labour victory. All the candidates must be subjected to the same scrutiny that the voters will put us under during a future election and members must be given a full chance to debate everything that has happened and our way forward as a party.
To achieve this candidates must be able to respond to what each other has said. We need these hustings to ignite a passionate debate in our party and across the country, and this cannot be achieved by proscribing answers to 40 second sound bites and hermetically sealing the candidates from direct conversations between ourselves.
I am sure that the other candidates will agree with the principle of what I am saying. I have no doubt we can all agree on a different format to these hustings; one which will be a real showcase of the different policies we believe in, providing our members with a real insight into their next leader and Prime Minister.


labourlist--2020-01-20--How each Labour leadership candidate could make the ballot paper

Labour ’ s current leadership races are being conducted according to rules that have never been used before .
Back in 2015 , things were simpler : to secure a place on the ballot paper , Jeremy Corbyn needed 15 % of MPs and MEPs to nominate him .
Under the fresh set of rules agreed in 2018 , the requirements are more complicated .
Leadership candidates must now gain 10 % of MPs and MEPs , i.e .
a total of 22 , which was the first stage of this contest .
Then they need either 5 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or three affiliate organisations , including two trade unions , comprising 5 % of Labour ’ s affiliated membership .
In practice , the affiliates route means being supported by one of the big five – Unite , UNISON , GMB , Usdaw , CWU – plus another of any size and another affiliate .
Keir Starmer has already secured his place on the ballot paper thanks to nominations from UNISON , one of the big five , plus an affiliate , SERA , and Usdaw .
He will likely also get through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear frontrunner , he frankly doesn ’ t need much of a strategy .
But Team Keir has been clear that they want to maximise nominations , even though he is already through to the final stage .
With help from his campaign chair Jenny Chapman , and other candidates who don ’ t blame their lost votes on Labour ’ s Brexit position being too Remain-sympathetic , Starmer is picking up nominations from Leave seat local parties ( e.g .
Hartlepool ) as well as Remain areas ( e.g .
Richmond Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secure her place on the ballot paper via both routes .
As the candidate closest to Jeremy Corbyn and his politics , she is expected to get the nomination of Unite , Labour ’ s largest affiliate .
Its very large executive body meets on Friday , but its left-wing flank – which has a majority on the executive council – has already decided to endorse Long-Bailey and Richard Burgon .
( As an aside , for those curious about the deputy race , a well-placed source says the margin was narrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burgon . )
Long-Bailey has already won the bakers ’ union BFAWU , and should get other left-wing unions CWU and ASLEF .
As for CLP nominations , she won ’ t have much trouble , particularly in the North West and the most Corbynite-dominated ones across the country .
The other candidates have a much bigger task ahead .
Lisa Nandy , Jess Phillips and Emily Thornberry have received precisely zero local party nominations so far .
Nandy has made some progress with affiliates : the National Union of Mineworkers ( NUM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its small size .
She would need the support of GMB , plus another affiliate , to get through this way .
If the GMB nomination goes to Keir Starmer instead , Nandy will have to rely on her local party strategy .
Yes , she has one – and it ’ s not bad .
Her campaign team will target local parties in ‘ Red Wall ’ seats where members have just spent a general election being confronted with evidence of both Jeremy Corbyn and Labour ’ s Brexit position going down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the candidate most sceptical of these two factors together – the first implicitly , via her support for Owen Smith , and the second explicitly – the idea is that Nandy will seem like the obvious solution .
She will be helped by her MP backers , such as Jon Ashworth , Louise Haigh and Jon Cruddas , to reach other areas of the country .
Leave seats will be key .
Jess Phillips has made this task more challenging for herself by admitting in The Guardian that she “ probably won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s true , and saying it aligns with the promise in her slogan to “ speak truth ” , but it doesn ’ t help with the second part of her tagline – “ win power ” .
It was not a good idea to push Corbynsceptics further towards Starmer .
But if Phillips can get on the ballot paper , it won ’ t be thanks to trade unions .
She could get the nomination of Community , but none of the big five will back her .
Instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very Remain ones , and it should be helpful that she has several People ’ s Vote staffers on her campaign team .
She can also try to piggy-back off Ian Murray ’ s deputy campaign in Scotland .
Finally , there ’ s Thornberry .
She formally launched her campaign in Guildford , which was more than a return to her hometown for old times ’ sake : the Shadow Foreign Secretary will be hoping to secure nominations in the South East and other Remain-land constituencies that are routinely ignored by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in seats with stonking Tory majorities are just as valid .
It is also thought that Thornberry will target seats with which she has a personal connection – Canterbury , for instance , where she stood as a candidate in 2001 .
But she doesn ’ t appear to have much of a campaign team in place , and 33 CLPs may well be too big of an ask .
Both she and Phillips , and Nandy if she doesn ’ t get GMB , may have to make the argument that CLPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How effective can that line of reasoning really be , when the CLP nominations are decided by all-member meetings ?
It makes sense to call on MPs with veto power to broaden the ballot , but making the same demand of CLPs is a bit odd .
This leadership election system has never been used before – we ’ ll see over the next few weeks how it pans out .

Labour’s current leadership races are being conducted according to rules that have never been used before. Back in 2015, things were simpler: to secure a place on the ballot paper, Jeremy Corbyn needed 15% of MPs and MEPs to nominate him. Under the fresh set of rules agreed in 2018, the requirements are more complicated.
Leadership candidates must now gain 10% of MPs and MEPs, i.e. a total of 22, which was the first stage of this contest. Then they need either 5% of local parties – which is 33 – or three affiliate organisations, including two trade unions, comprising 5% of Labour’s affiliated membership. In practice, the affiliates route means being supported by one of the big five – Unite, UNISON, GMB, Usdaw, CWU – plus another of any size and another affiliate.
Keir Starmer has already secured his place on the ballot paper thanks to nominations from UNISON, one of the big five, plus an affiliate, SERA, and Usdaw. He will likely also get through the local party path. As a clear frontrunner, he frankly doesn’t need much of a strategy. But Team Keir has been clear that they want to maximise nominations, even though he is already through to the final stage.
With help from his campaign chair Jenny Chapman, and other candidates who don’t blame their lost votes on Labour’s Brexit position being too Remain-sympathetic, Starmer is picking up nominations from Leave seat local parties (e.g. Hartlepool) as well as Remain areas (e.g. Richmond Park).
Rebecca Long-Bailey is also likely to secure her place on the ballot paper via both routes. As the candidate closest to Jeremy Corbyn and his politics, she is expected to get the nomination of Unite, Labour’s largest affiliate. Its very large executive body meets on Friday, but its left-wing flank – which has a majority on the executive council – has already decided to endorse Long-Bailey and Richard Burgon. (As an aside, for those curious about the deputy race, a well-placed source says the margin was narrow with just one vote in it for Burgon.)
Long-Bailey has already won the bakers’ union BFAWU, and should get other left-wing unions CWU and ASLEF. As for CLP nominations, she won’t have much trouble, particularly in the North West and the most Corbynite-dominated ones across the country.
The other candidates have a much bigger task ahead. Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips and Emily Thornberry have received precisely zero local party nominations so far. Nandy has made some progress with affiliates: the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) nominated her, which matters despite its small size. She would need the support of GMB, plus another affiliate, to get through this way.
If the GMB nomination goes to Keir Starmer instead, Nandy will have to rely on her local party strategy. Yes, she has one – and it’s not bad. Her campaign team will target local parties in ‘Red Wall’ seats where members have just spent a general election being confronted with evidence of both Jeremy Corbyn and Labour’s Brexit position going down like a bucket of cold sick. As the candidate most sceptical of these two factors together – the first implicitly, via her support for Owen Smith, and the second explicitly – the idea is that Nandy will seem like the obvious solution. She will be helped by her MP backers, such as Jon Ashworth, Louise Haigh and Jon Cruddas, to reach other areas of the country. Leave seats will be key.
Jess Phillips has made this task more challenging for herself by admitting in The Guardian that she “probably won’t win” the contest. That’s true, and saying it aligns with the promise in her slogan to “speak truth”, but it doesn’t help with the second part of her tagline – “win power”. It was not a good idea to push Corbynsceptics further towards Starmer.
But if Phillips can get on the ballot paper, it won’t be thanks to trade unions. She could get the nomination of Community, but none of the big five will back her. Instead, she must target local parties – particularly very Remain ones, and it should be helpful that she has several People’s Vote staffers on her campaign team. She can also try to piggy-back off Ian Murray’s deputy campaign in Scotland.
Finally, there’s Thornberry. She formally launched her campaign in Guildford, which was more than a return to her hometown for old times’ sake: the Shadow Foreign Secretary will be hoping to secure nominations in the South East and other Remain-land constituencies that are routinely ignored by the party because they are unwinnable. CLPs in seats with stonking Tory majorities are just as valid.
It is also thought that Thornberry will target seats with which she has a personal connection – Canterbury, for instance, where she stood as a candidate in 2001. But she doesn’t appear to have much of a campaign team in place, and 33 CLPs may well be too big of an ask.
Both she and Phillips, and Nandy if she doesn’t get GMB, may have to make the argument that CLPs should include them for diversity purposes. How effective can that line of reasoning really be, when the CLP nominations are decided by all-member meetings? It makes sense to call on MPs with veto power to broaden the ballot, but making the same demand of CLPs is a bit odd. This leadership election system has never been used before – we’ll see over the next few weeks how it pans out.


labourlist--2020-01-20--Starmer first to secure place on ballot with Usdaw backing

Keir Starmer has become the first Labour leadership candidate to secure a place on the ballot paper , today reaching the threshold for affiliate nominations with the fresh backing of trade union Usdaw .
15 executive members of Labour ’ s fourth largest affiliate , the Union of Shop , Distributive and Allied Workers , met in Manchester on Monday afternoon to decide on their leadership nominations .
The retail trade union settled on Starmer for the main leadership race as well as deputy leadership candidate Angela Rayner , who is now on the ballot paper in her contest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ either 33 local parties or three affiliate organisations , including two trade unions , comprising at least 5 % of Labour ’ s affiliated membership .
Before the Usdaw boost , Starmer had already won the support of large union UNISON – which allows him to reach the 5 % of affiliate membership requirement – and environmental affiliate group SERA .
The frontrunner has also been placed , along with rival Rebecca Long-Bailey , on a ballot to be put to TSSA members .
The Holborn and St Pancras MP is leading in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with 11 nominations compared to Long-Bailey ’ s three .
None of the others have yet gained CLP nominations .
With hundreds of constituencies yet to hold meetings to decide on leadership and deputy candidates , Starmer is likely to exceed the threshold for local party nominations as well as pass via the affiliates route .
Usdaw is considered to be a Corbynsceptic union , having supported Andy Burnham in the 2015 Labour leadership election and Owen Smith over Jeremy Corbyn in 2016 .
Commenting on their nomination decision , general secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner are the right leadership team to unite and rebuild Labour after a devastating election loss .
“ Our members desperately need Labour in power , they can not afford another decade of Conservative governments attacking workers ’ rights , incomes and public services .
“ The Labour Party must be led by someone who can persuade voters that they have what it takes to be a Prime Minister and we are a government in waiting .
That is at the heart of Usdaw ’ s decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ big five ’ unions , GMB , Unite and the CWU are yet to announce who they will support for deputy and leader but are expected to do so over the course of this week .

Keir Starmer has become the first Labour leadership candidate to secure a place on the ballot paper, today reaching the threshold for affiliate nominations with the fresh backing of trade union Usdaw.
15 executive members of Labour’s fourth largest affiliate, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, met in Manchester on Monday afternoon to decide on their leadership nominations.
The retail trade union settled on Starmer for the main leadership race as well as deputy leadership candidate Angela Rayner, who is now on the ballot paper in her contest.
Every leadership candidate must be nominated by either 33 local parties or three affiliate organisations, including two trade unions, comprising at least 5% of Labour’s affiliated membership.
Before the Usdaw boost, Starmer had already won the support of large union UNISON – which allows him to reach the 5% of affiliate membership requirement – and environmental affiliate group SERA.
The frontrunner has also been placed, along with rival Rebecca Long-Bailey, on a ballot to be put to TSSA members.
The Holborn and St Pancras MP is leading in support expressed by local parties so far, with 11 nominations compared to Long-Bailey’s three. None of the others have yet gained CLP nominations.
With hundreds of constituencies yet to hold meetings to decide on leadership and deputy candidates, Starmer is likely to exceed the threshold for local party nominations as well as pass via the affiliates route.
Usdaw is considered to be a Corbynsceptic union, having supported Andy Burnham in the 2015 Labour leadership election and Owen Smith over Jeremy Corbyn in 2016.
Commenting on their nomination decision, general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “Usdaw believes that Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner are the right leadership team to unite and rebuild Labour after a devastating election loss.
“Our members desperately need Labour in power, they cannot afford another decade of Conservative governments attacking workers’ rights, incomes and public services.
“The Labour Party must be led by someone who can persuade voters that they have what it takes to be a Prime Minister and we are a government in waiting. That is at the heart of Usdaw’s decision to make these nominations.”
Of the remaining ‘big five’ unions, GMB, Unite and the CWU are yet to announce who they will support for deputy and leader but are expected to do so over the course of this week.


labourlist--2020-01-20--Jess Phillips: “I don’t agree” with Rebecca Long-Bailey on abortion

Jess Phillips has reopened the row over Rebecca Long-Bailey ’ s position on abortion , saying she does not agree with the rival Labour leadership candidate on the issue .
Taking part in a Mumsnet webchat today , Phillips gave her thoughts on a comment that the MP for Salford and Eccles had made during the 2019 election campaign .
Long-Bailey appeared to suggest that she disagreed with allowing abortions after the standard 24-week limit on the grounds of disability , according to a comment unearthed by the Corbynsceptic Red Roar website .
She had stressed that the view expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign has since stated that she “ unequivocally supports a woman ’ s right to choose ” .
Long-Bailey ’ s team also highlighted her voting record in parliament on abortion , including her recent vote to extend abortion rights to Northern Ireland .
However , on the online forum this afternoon , Phillips was asked : “ Can you tell us what you really think about Long-Bailey ’ s abortion comments ?
” The leadership hopeful replied : “ I don ’ t agree with her position .
I think the decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the woman and her clinician , who should only ever act not on opinion but what is best for the health of the woman.
” “ For this reason , ” Phillips added , “ abortion legislation in this country should be removed from criminal justice laws and placed firmly within the Department of Health .
Individual MP ’ s opinions on this matter should bow to medical evidence.
” The Corbynsceptic leadership contender also answered questions from Mumsnet users about trans and women ’ s rights , climate change , sexism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her vision for Labour .
Asked whether she would disband Momentum as Labour leader , Phillips replied : “ I get asked that a lot .
The answer is… there are some brilliant Momentum activists in my constituency who are just interested in getting a Labour government .
So a blanket approach is inappropriate .
“ However , if there is evidence that any group in the Labour party is organising without inviting anyone who wished to be a member in , or are operating an organisation that is more interested in controlling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then any leader would have to act.
” The leadership candidate took part in the online chat as all five contenders seek to secure nominations from either 33 local parties or three affiliated organisations , including two trade unions , comprising 5 % of affiliated membership .
Keir Starmer is currently leading on constituency party nominations with 11 , while Long-Bailey is second on three .
Phillips has not yet been backed by any CLPs , nor any trade unions so far .
Phillips described her own performance at the first official party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that she “ probably won ’ t win ” the Labour leadership contest .

Jess Phillips has reopened the row over Rebecca Long-Bailey’s position on abortion, saying she does not agree with the rival Labour leadership candidate on the issue.
Taking part in a Mumsnet webchat today, Phillips gave her thoughts on a comment that the MP for Salford and Eccles had made during the 2019 election campaign.
Long-Bailey appeared to suggest that she disagreed with allowing abortions after the standard 24-week limit on the grounds of disability, according to a comment unearthed by the Corbynsceptic Red Roar website.
She had stressed that the view expressed was a personal one, and her campaign has since stated that she “unequivocally supports a woman’s right to choose”.
Long-Bailey’s team also highlighted her voting record in parliament on abortion, including her recent vote to extend abortion rights to Northern Ireland.
However, on the online forum this afternoon, Phillips was asked: “Can you tell us what you really think about Long-Bailey’s abortion comments?”
The leadership hopeful replied: “I don’t agree with her position. I think the decisions about abortion should only ever be made between the woman and her clinician, who should only ever act not on opinion but what is best for the health of the woman.”
“For this reason,” Phillips added, “abortion legislation in this country should be removed from criminal justice laws and placed firmly within the Department of Health. Individual MP’s opinions on this matter should bow to medical evidence.”
The Corbynsceptic leadership contender also answered questions from Mumsnet users about trans and women’s rights, climate change, sexism and racism in the party, and her vision for Labour.
Asked whether she would disband Momentum as Labour leader, Phillips replied: “I get asked that a lot. The answer is… there are some brilliant Momentum activists in my constituency who are just interested in getting a Labour government. So a blanket approach is inappropriate.
“However, if there is evidence that any group in the Labour party is organising without inviting anyone who wished to be a member in, or are operating an organisation that is more interested in controlling the party than getting Labour into power then any leader would have to act.”
The leadership candidate took part in the online chat as all five contenders seek to secure nominations from either 33 local parties or three affiliated organisations, including two trade unions, comprising 5% of affiliated membership.
Keir Starmer is currently leading on constituency party nominations with 11, while Long-Bailey is second on three. Phillips has not yet been backed by any CLPs, nor any trade unions so far.
Phillips described her own performance at the first official party hustings as “awful” and has said that she “probably won’t win” the Labour leadership contest.


labourlist--2020-01-20--WATCH: Brown makes case for replacing Lords with democratic senate

Gordon Brown has made the case for replacing the unelected House of Lords with a more democratic senate of the @ @ @ @ @ nations .
The former Labour Prime Minister said there was a need for a “ @ @ @ @ @ “ cosmetic ” ideas such as moving the House of Lords to York , which @ @ @ @ @ the government .
Labour has included a commitment to replacing the Lords with an elected @ @ @ @ @ , 2017 , 2015 and 2010 election manifestos .
The policy is central to Rebecca @ @ @ @ @ .
Brown also confirmed that he would be announcing his support for a Labour leadership @ @ @ @ @ of nominations comes to an end , which will be in mid-February .

Gordon Brown has made the case for replacing the unelected House of Lords with a more democratic senate of the UK’s regions and nations.
The former Labour Prime Minister said there was a need for a “constitutional revolution” rather than “cosmetic” ideas such as moving the House of Lords to York, which is reportedly being considered by the government.
Labour has included a commitment to replacing the Lords with an elected upper chamber in its 2019, 2017, 2015 and 2010 election manifestos. The policy is central to Rebecca Long-Bailey’s leadership campaign.
Brown also confirmed that he would be announcing his support for a Labour leadership candidate once the second stage of nominations comes to an end, which will be in mid-February.


labourlist--2020-01-20--40 seconds: Labour’s first party hustings and its “terrible” format

If you still have these things called ‘ weekends ’ , which have become strange and distant concepts for the LabourList team , there is a lot to catch up on .
Rebecca Long-Bailey came out fighting on Friday evening , when she formally launched her leadership campaign in Manchester .
It was a very slick affair , with screens displaying the # RLB2020 branding all over the venue , and her team was justifiably pleased with the event .
She was relaxed , genuinely funny and had developed a new theme : ‘ aspirational socialism ’ .
Long-Bailey has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was starting to seriously affect the enthusiasm of her support base , as I noted in a morning email last week .
But the in-fighting has died down and the campaign , boosted by the support of Momentum staff , is finally kicking into gear .
Emily Thornberry had a launch on Friday evening , too , which saw our reporter Elliot make a trip to Guildford .
Unusual choice of location and a less than flashy venue , perhaps , but local party nominations from South East constituencies are just as valid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking .
It also allowed Thornberry , who has been mockingly called ‘ Lady Nugee ’ in the past , to tell members about her less-than-perfect childhood .
As in the first official party hustings on Saturday , the Shadow Foreign Secretary had a clear message : I ’ m a “ tough old bird ” , and my fighting spirit is needed to beat Boris Johnson .
In Liverpool on Saturday , I joined the back-to-back leader and deputy leader hustings .
As the candidate polling least well , Thornberry really went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nandy seemed to impress audience members I spoke to afterwards who were keen to second-preference her .
Long-Bailey cracked a couple of decent jokes , but the atmosphere was too flat for them to land unlike the previous evening .
Playing it safe , Keir Starmer said nothing noteworthy other than his promise not to give an interview to The Sun – though that only applies during this leadership campaign , mind .
( Of course , no Labour leadership candidate would ever appeal to The Sun while trying to attract votes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awful .
I can say that without being accused of bias because she literally wrote that herself in an extraordinary piece for The Guardian last night .
The leadership hopeful said she was “ trying to hit a million different lines and messages in 40 seconds ” , and she thought the format was “ terrible ” .
On that point , there is wide agreement .
Given just 40 seconds to answer each question , with no interruptions allowed , it produced a stale discussion full of soundbites .
Lisa Nandy has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a change in the set-up , for which I am thankful – we have another dozen of these official hustings to go .
Further nominations have rolled in over the last few days .
The left-wing bakers ’ union , BFAWU , followed the Socialist Campaign Group line and backed Long-Bailey and Richard Burgon .
This comes as little surprise .
More significant , however , is that United Left – the left flank of Unite the Union – announced yesterday that it is also endorsing the further left slate , rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Unite itself could do the same when it meets on Friday , as United Left have a majority on its executive , though a well-placed source says Burgon was only endorsed over Rayner by one vote .
Before then , we also have Usdaw and GMB nominations .
The former could give another boost to Starmer – who , having already gained UNISON and SERA , would then become the first to secure a place on the ballot paper – and the latter may choose Nandy , which would make the race @ @ @ @ @ @

If you still have these things called ‘weekends’, which have become strange and distant concepts for the LabourList team, there is a lot to catch up on. Rebecca Long-Bailey came out fighting on Friday evening, when she formally launched her leadership campaign in Manchester. It was a very slick affair, with screens displaying the #RLB2020 branding all over the venue, and her team was justifiably pleased with the event. She was relaxed, genuinely funny and had developed a new theme: ‘aspirational socialism’. Long-Bailey has had a remarkably slow start, which was starting to seriously affect the enthusiasm of her support base, as I noted in a morning email last week. But the in-fighting has died down and the campaign, boosted by the support of Momentum staff, is finally kicking into gear.
Emily Thornberry had a launch on Friday evening, too, which saw our reporter Elliot make a trip to Guildford. Unusual choice of location and a less than flashy venue, perhaps, but local party nominations from South East constituencies are just as valid – and they are there for the taking. It also allowed Thornberry, who has been mockingly called ‘Lady Nugee’ in the past, to tell members about her less-than-perfect childhood. As in the first official party hustings on Saturday, the Shadow Foreign Secretary had a clear message: I’m a “tough old bird”, and my fighting spirit is needed to beat Boris Johnson.
In Liverpool on Saturday, I joined the back-to-back leader and deputy leader hustings. As the candidate polling least well, Thornberry really went for it, while a confident Lisa Nandy seemed to impress audience members I spoke to afterwards who were keen to second-preference her. Long-Bailey cracked a couple of decent jokes, but the atmosphere was too flat for them to land unlike the previous evening. Playing it safe, Keir Starmer said nothing noteworthy other than his promise not to give an interview to The Sun – though that only applies during this leadership campaign, mind. (Of course, no Labour leadership candidate would ever appeal to The Sun while trying to attract votes from party members.)
Jess Phillips was awful. I can say that without being accused of bias because she literally wrote that herself in an extraordinary piece for The Guardian last night. The leadership hopeful said she was “trying to hit a million different lines and messages in 40 seconds”, and she thought the format was “terrible”. On that point, there is wide agreement. Given just 40 seconds to answer each question, with no interruptions allowed, it produced a stale discussion full of soundbites. Lisa Nandy has written to the party this morning calling for a change in the set-up, for which I am thankful – we have another dozen of these official hustings to go.
Further nominations have rolled in over the last few days. The left-wing bakers’ union, BFAWU, followed the Socialist Campaign Group line and backed Long-Bailey and Richard Burgon. This comes as little surprise. More significant, however, is that United Left – the left flank of Unite the Union – announced yesterday that it is also endorsing the further left slate, rather than the joint ticket with Angela Rayner. Unite itself could do the same when it meets on Friday, as United Left have a majority on its executive, though a well-placed source says Burgon was only endorsed over Rayner by one vote.
Before then, we also have Usdaw and GMB nominations. The former could give another boost to Starmer – who, having already gained UNISON and SERA, would then become the first to secure a place on the ballot paper – and the latter may choose Nandy, which would make the race a whole lot more interesting.


labourlist--2020-01-21--The nominations continue – but will CLPs look to ‘broaden the ballot paper’?

Keir Starmer is smashing the Labour leadership election .
The Shadow Brexit Secretary became the first candidate in the main race to secure a place on the ballot paper when he won the backing of Usdaw on Monday .
( The same goes for Angela Rayner in the deputy contest . )
With the nominations of UNISON and affiliate group SERA already in the bag , this meant Starmer passed through the second stage via the affiliates route rather than the local parties one .
This early success isn ’ t stopping Team Keir from continuing to work CLPs hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went out to supporters of his campaign last night calling for “ Team Keir CLP Organisers ” .
Scooping up more local party support than necessary could help knock out Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry from the race , giving Starmer a clearer path to victory .
( This also applies to Jess Phillips , though that would be less beneficial to Starmer – it ’ s useful having someone outflank him from a clearly Corbynsceptic position . )
The hopes of Lisa Nandy rest heavily on GMB .
As one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propel candidates beyond the 5 % of affiliated membership target , the Wigan MP already has the NUM nomination and would only need one other affiliate group .
I hear she was “ working the room like a demon ” , as one source put it , at the Chinese for Labour dinner last night .
Emily Thornberry and Starmer ’ s campaign chair Jenny Chapman also made appearances , but Nandy ’ s key GMB backer , new MP Sarah Owen , chairs the organisation .
Could these groups make up her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find out this afternoon , after their hustings , whether GMB has plumped for Nandy .
Emily Thornberry has surprised members who are keen enough to keep up with CLP nominations .
At this very early stage , Starmer is racing ahead with 12 , while Rebecca Long-Bailey has four and the Shadow Foreign Secretary is now on two .
As I ’ ve said before , Thornberry launched in Guildford for good reason : she is wisely targeting local parties in safe Tory seats in the South East .
Their ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel ignored .
I ’ m told Thornberry sent a note to be read out at Newbury , a personal touch that was highly appreciated , and the members were impressed by her hustings performance .
The big question about this process is whether local parties will seek to ‘ broaden the ballot paper ’ as MPs did .
Asking members to give themselves a wider range of choices makes less sense to me than restricting the parliamentary party veto .
But it did play a role in CLP endorsements last night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t need extra nominations was raised several times .
Rebecca Long-Bailey has won the backing of Young Labour , which sparked controversy as the decision was made without an all-member consultation .
( The youth wing is not allowed to ballot members due to cost and administrative reasons .
The argument is over whether YL should therefore endorse by committee vote or decline to do so . )
But this move was merely symbolic .
More interesting : her event in London this evening , which is sold out .
Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement that makes this election more exciting .
The idea of replacing the House of Lords with an elected body , which has been a feature of Labour ’ s manifestos for many years , was not cutting it .

Keir Starmer is smashing the Labour leadership election. The Shadow Brexit Secretary became the first candidate in the main race to secure a place on the ballot paper when he won the backing of Usdaw on Monday. (The same goes for Angela Rayner in the deputy contest.) With the nominations of UNISON and affiliate group SERA already in the bag, this meant Starmer passed through the second stage via the affiliates route rather than the local parties one.
This early success isn’t stopping Team Keir from continuing to work CLPs hard, however: an email and text went out to supporters of his campaign last night calling for “Team Keir CLP Organisers”. Scooping up more local party support than necessary could help knock out Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry from the race, giving Starmer a clearer path to victory. (This also applies to Jess Phillips, though that would be less beneficial to Starmer – it’s useful having someone outflank him from a clearly Corbynsceptic position.)
The hopes of Lisa Nandy rest heavily on GMB. As one of the ‘big five’ unions that can propel candidates beyond the 5% of affiliated membership target, the Wigan MP already has the NUM nomination and would only need one other affiliate group. I hear she was “working the room like a demon”, as one source put it, at the Chinese for Labour dinner last night. Emily Thornberry and Starmer’s campaign chair Jenny Chapman also made appearances, but Nandy’s key GMB backer, new MP Sarah Owen, chairs the organisation. Could these groups make up her coalition of affiliates? We are set to find out this afternoon, after their hustings, whether GMB has plumped for Nandy.
Emily Thornberry has surprised members who are keen enough to keep up with CLP nominations. At this very early stage, Starmer is racing ahead with 12, while Rebecca Long-Bailey has four and the Shadow Foreign Secretary is now on two. As I’ve said before, Thornberry launched in Guildford for good reason: she is wisely targeting local parties in safe Tory seats in the South East. Their ‘unwinnable’ statuses mean these CLPs often feel ignored. I’m told Thornberry sent a note to be read out at Newbury, a personal touch that was highly appreciated, and the members were impressed by her hustings performance.
The big question about this process is whether local parties will seek to ‘broaden the ballot paper’ as MPs did. Asking members to give themselves a wider range of choices makes less sense to me than restricting the parliamentary party veto. But it did play a role in CLP endorsements last night, when the point that Starmer and Rayner don’t need extra nominations was raised several times.
Rebecca Long-Bailey has won the backing of Young Labour, which sparked controversy as the decision was made without an all-member consultation. (The youth wing is not allowed to ballot members due to cost and administrative reasons. The argument is over whether YL should therefore endorse by committee vote or decline to do so.) But this move was merely symbolic. More interesting: her event in London this evening, which is sold out. Let’s hope it contains a policy announcement that makes this election more exciting. The idea of replacing the House of Lords with an elected body, which has been a feature of Labour’s manifestos for many years, was not cutting it.


labourlist--2020-01-21--WATCH: Zarah Sultana MP confronts government on student debt

Labour MP Zarah Sultana delivered a speech on Monday in which she confronted the government over the scale of student , brandishing her own loan statement .
The new MP for Coventry South questioned the minister for science and universities , Chris Skidmore , during an education debate in the House of Commons .
Sultana told the government spokesperson that her debt is nearly £50,000 and that the interest accrued in the last year alone amounted to over £2,000 .
She challenged the fairness of asking “ working class kids ” to take on “ colossal ” levels of student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at university .
Sultana was elected to parliament last month , when she retained the Coventry South constituency by just 401 votes .
In her first speech in parliament , she broke with the convention of giving a light-hearted speech to slam the Tories on their record in government .
She also criticised events that took place under the last Labour administration headed up by Tony Blair .
She said : “ Ten years ago I was sitting my GCSEs at school .
I was a teenager and I never dreamed I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ’ time , at the start of the the next decade , I want to look teenagers in the eye and say with pride – my generation faced 40 years of Thatcherism and we ended it .
“ We faced rising racism and we defeated it .
We faced a planet in peril – we saved it .
We have our work cut out but together we can do it.
” 40 years ago Thatcher oversaw a structural shift towards privatisation in the UK , and famously once claimed that Tony Blair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Critics of Sultana argued that she should have distinguished between the Thatcher and Blair eras , and cited positives of the last Labour government including Sure Start and the introduction of a minimum wage .
Her speech also provoked debate between young Labour members over whether student debt or maintenance loans for further education are more problematic .

Labour MP Zarah Sultana delivered a speech on Monday in which she confronted the government over the scale of student, brandishing her own loan statement.
The new MP for Coventry South questioned the minister for science and universities, Chris Skidmore, during an education debate in the House of Commons.
Sultana told the government spokesperson that her debt is nearly £50,000 and that the interest accrued in the last year alone amounted to over £2,000.
She challenged the fairness of asking “working class kids” to take on “colossal” levels of student debt in order to pursue further education at university.
Just because they want to learn, young people are burdened with colossal student debt. My debt is nearly £50,000 & last year alone it grew by more than £2,000 in interest. This government needs to listen to my generation: Education is a right, not a commodity. #FreeEducationNow pic.twitter.com/Nt90SsJJPc — Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) January 20, 2020
Sultana was elected to parliament last month, when she retained the Coventry South constituency by just 401 votes.
In her first speech in parliament, she broke with the convention of giving a light-hearted speech to slam the Tories on their record in government.
She also criticised events that took place under the last Labour administration headed up by Tony Blair.
She said: “Ten years ago I was sitting my GCSEs at school. I was a teenager and I never dreamed I would be here today.
“In ten years’ time, at the start of the the next decade, I want to look teenagers in the eye and say with pride – my generation faced 40 years of Thatcherism and we ended it.
“We faced rising racism and we defeated it. We faced a planet in peril – we saved it. We have our work cut out but together we can do it.”
40 years ago Thatcher oversaw a structural shift towards privatisation in the UK, and famously once claimed that Tony Blair and New Labour were her greatest achievement.
Critics of Sultana argued that she should have distinguished between the Thatcher and Blair eras, and cited positives of the last Labour government including Sure Start and the introduction of a minimum wage.
Her speech also provoked debate between young Labour members over whether student debt or maintenance loans for further education are more problematic.