labourlist--2020-02-06--Liam Byrne wins Labour’s West Midlands metro mayor selection race

Liam Byrne , MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill and former Chief Secretary to the Treasury , has been selected as the Labour Party ’ s candidate for the West Midlands metro-mayoral election on May 7th .
The new mayoral candidate won against UNISON-backed Pete Lowe and Unite-endorsed Salma Yaqoob , both of whom are considered to be on the Labour left and had local and national Momentum support respectively .
LabourList understands that Byrne won the race after second preferences were taken into account .
His bid was supported by GMB , which was involved in his campaign , plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy leader Tom Watson .
Byrne will be going up against Tory incumbent Andy Street when the 2020 West Midlands mayoral election takes place in three months ’ time .
Street won the post when he beat Labour ’ s Siôn Simon in 2017 .
Dudley councillor Lowe had been endorsed by UNISON , BFAWU , FBU , NUM , the Musician ’ s Union and the Labour Homelessness Campaign as well as a number of local Momentum groups .
He has stood as Labour ’ s parliamentary candidate for Stourbridge three times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Respect Party who stood against Labour when it was under the leadership of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown , also won trade union backing .
As well as Unite , she had the left-wing CWU , and high-profile figures such as Owen Jones .
Although both Lowe and Yaqoob are typically seen as further left than Byrne , the shadow digital minister who co-founded Blairite group Progress had received the endorsement of John McDonnell – a key ally of Jeremy Corbyn .
Byrne has worked in the West Midlands area to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His plan for the West Midlands promotes many ideas backed by the Corbynite leadership , such as a ‘ Green New Deal ’ .
But the success of Byrne in the internal election is likely to be interpreted as a fresh boost for Keir Starmer , who is running for the Labour leadership and has so far received more than double the number of local party nominations than his main rival Rebecca Long-Bailey .

Liam Byrne, MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill and former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, has been selected as the Labour Party’s candidate for the West Midlands metro-mayoral election on May 7th.
The new mayoral candidate won against UNISON-backed Pete Lowe and Unite-endorsed Salma Yaqoob, both of whom are considered to be on the Labour left and had local and national Momentum support respectively.
LabourList understands that Byrne won the race after second preferences were taken into account, but came close to winning on first preferences. Lowe took second place in the contest, and Yaqoob came third.
Update – A Labour spokesperson said: “Out of a total of 6,948 valid votes, Liam Byrne received 3,105 first preference votes, Pete Lowe received 2,034 and Salma Yaqoob received 1,809. Five votes were recorded as invalid.
“After the redistribution of second preferences, Liam Byrne had received 425 additional votes and Pete Lowe had received 686 additional votes. A further 698 votes were non-transferrable.
“Therefore, after second preferences had been distributed, Liam Byrne received 56.5% of the vote and Pete Lowe received 43.5%.”
Byrne’s bid was supported by large affiliated trade union GMB, which was involved in his campaign in the region, plus TSSA, Community, Usdaw and former deputy leader Tom Watson.
He will go up against Tory incumbent Andy Street when the 2020 West Midlands mayoral election takes place in three months’ time. Street won the post when he beat Labour’s Siôn Simon in 2017.
Dudley councillor Lowe had been endorsed by UNISON, BFAWU, FBU, NUM, the Musician’s Union and the Labour Homelessness Campaign as well as a number of local Momentum groups. He has stood as Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Stourbridge three times.
Yaqoob, a former leader of the Respect Party who stood against Labour in 2005, 2010 and 2017, also won trade union backing. As well as Unite, she had the left-wing CWU, and high-profile figures such as Owen Jones.
Although both Lowe and Yaqoob are typically seen as further left than Byrne, the shadow digital minister who co-founded Blairite group Progress had received the endorsement of John McDonnell – a key ally of Jeremy Corbyn.
Byrne has worked in the West Midlands area to support food banks and campaigned against homelessness. His plan for the West Midlands promotes many ideas backed by the Corbynite leadership, such as a ‘Green New Deal’.
But the success of Byrne in the internal election is likely to be interpreted as a fresh boost for Keir Starmer, who is running for the Labour leadership and has so far received more than double the number of local party nominations than his main rival Rebecca Long-Bailey.
Commenting on the result, Byrne said: “I’m so proud that members from across our region and our party have united behind our campaign for West Midlands mayor. Now, the real campaign begins.
“This is the first election since Brexit. The first election in a new, uncertain world. We need strong leadership to build a bold new future for our region. With the pioneering spirit of our history, we must now become the centre of Britain’s Green Industrial Revolution.
“We were once the workshop of the world. Now we must become the workshop of a green planet. Becoming Britain’s first zero carbon city region and bringing to our region the green manufacturing jobs of the future, low cost solar energy for our citizens, new forests and clean air.
“If we’re to end the shame of homelessness we need nothing short of a green home building revolution. To end rough sleeping and to give young families their first foot on the housing ladder.
“Above all what I’ve learned as the MP for one of Britain’s most diverse communities is that we’ll achieve nothing unless we pull together as good neighbours.
“Our diversity is our strength. But we achieve most when we stick together and look out for each other. Communities that work together are stronger, and safer. Our young people should lead the way. And we need to support them with youth workers back in every neighbourhood.
“As regional minister for the West Midlands, I drove through the plan that transformed New Street train station. As West Midlands mayor, I will fight every day for well paid jobs, to end the climate crisis and to give our young people the best possible start in life.”


labourlist--2020-02-06--Ballot drop delays, TV debates and fresh policies  – Labour’s leadership latest

We are further away from the end of Labour ’ s leadership election than we are from the 2019 general election , a campaigner pointed out to me last night .
Quite incredibly , there are still eight weeks and two days to go before the result is announced on April 4th .
That extended period might now feel even a little longer : ballots are being delayed and won ’ t drop until February 24th .
That means there will be an odd gap of ten days between local party and trade union nominations closing and the final voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking about the televised debates .
Those set to take place before voting starts are on February 12th ( BBC Newsnight ) , 13th ( BBC ’ s Victoria Derbyshire ) and 17th ( Channel 4 ) .
There will be others after ballots have been sent out , but – if previous years are anything to go by – most of the selectorate will cast their votes before those programmes and they will have less impact on the race .
The reduced influence of hustings on the leadership contests this year isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Labour ’ s 2015 and 2016 races .
With these internal elections being held immediately after a surprising general election result , and not over the summer , this is an incredibly news-heavy time .
There are huge stories for journalists to cover – from the COP 26 row and a proposal to decriminalise non-payment of the BBC license fee to No 10 ’ s peerage nominations ( which reportedly include John Woodcock and Ian Austin , by the way ) .
It is difficult for candidates to get cut-through .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the contest so far has arguably been around internal party reforms , which is understandable : these are the only battles the new leader will actually be able to win , and the 2019 manifesto was chock-full of radical policies that are difficult to improve upon .
The most pertinent question is usually what the leadership hopefuls will drop from Labour ’ s offer , rather than what they will add to it .
But we have some new policy announcements to discuss today .
Keir Starmer is vowing to take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prioritising wellbeing and growth equally .
The set of national wellbeing indicators would take into account health , inequality , homeless and the environment .
A very solid proposal .
Rebecca Long-Bailey is also touching on green issues with a commitment to oppose Heathrow expansion .
Meanwhile , Lisa Nandy has used her LabourList contribution on local government to unveil a new policy .
Under her leadership , she says £12bn of funding that currently goes to Local Enterprise Partnerships ( LEPs ) would instead go directly to councils .
She is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shadow cabinet , and that Labour councillors should be given nomination powers in the party ’ s leadership contests .
There is plenty more Labour news coming up today .
The West Midlands metro mayor selection results will be announced at around lunchtime , and Momentum is expected to officially reveal its slate for local party representatives on Labour ’ s national executive committee .
We ’ ll also have many more interesting comment pieces on Labour in local government .
Keep checking the site for updates .

We are further away from the end of Labour’s leadership election than we are from the 2019 general election, a campaigner pointed out to me last night. Quite incredibly, there are still eight weeks and two days to go before the result is announced on April 4th. That extended period might now feel even a little longer: ballots are being delayed and won’t drop until February 24th. That means there will be an odd gap of ten days between local party and trade union nominations closing and the final voting period.
Many of you have been asking about the televised debates. Those set to take place before voting starts are on February 12th (BBC Newsnight), 13th (BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire) and 17th (Channel 4). There will be others after ballots have been sent out, but – if previous years are anything to go by – most of the selectorate will cast their votes before those programmes and they will have less impact on the race.
The reduced influence of hustings on the leadership contests this year isn’t the only key difference compared to Labour’s 2015 and 2016 races. With these internal elections being held immediately after a surprising general election result, and not over the summer, this is an incredibly news-heavy time. There are huge stories for journalists to cover – from the COP 26 row and a proposal to decriminalise non-payment of the BBC license fee to No 10’s peerage nominations (which reportedly include John Woodcock and Ian Austin, by the way).
It is difficult for candidates to get cut-through. The most exciting stuff that has come out of the contest so far has arguably been around internal party reforms, which is understandable: these are the only battles the new leader will actually be able to win, and the 2019 manifesto was chock-full of radical policies that are difficult to improve upon. The most pertinent question is usually what the leadership hopefuls will drop from Labour’s offer, rather than what they will add to it.
But we have some new policy announcements to discuss today. Keir Starmer is vowing to take a new approach to economic targets, by prioritising wellbeing and growth equally. The set of national wellbeing indicators would take into account health, inequality, homeless and the environment. A very solid proposal. Rebecca Long-Bailey is also touching on green issues with a commitment to oppose Heathrow expansion.
Meanwhile, Lisa Nandy has used her LabourList contribution on local government to unveil a new policy. Under her leadership, she says £12bn of funding that currently goes to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) would instead go directly to councils. She is also proposing that Labour council leaders should attend shadow cabinet, and that Labour councillors should be given nomination powers in the party’s leadership contests.
There is plenty more Labour news coming up today. The West Midlands metro mayor selection results will be announced at around lunchtime, and Momentum is expected to officially reveal its slate for local party representatives on Labour’s national executive committee. We’ll also have many more interesting comment pieces on Labour in local government. Keep checking the site for updates.


labourlist--2020-02-06--Anne Clarke: Why I’m standing to be a Labour London Assembly candidate

Following the devastating results of the general election , it is now more important than ever to keep City Hall Labour .
The Conservatives are out to reclaim Barnet and Camden , emboldened by their three re-elected Barnet Tory MPs on increased majorities .
One only has to think back to the days of Brian Coleman to remember what Tory representation in this seat looks like .
It ’ s easy to think that any constituency containing Camden is relatively safe for Labour , however with nearly two-thirds of the public vote coming from Barnet , we have only ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a strong record in that borough .
Uniquely as a candidate , I have lived for a decade in each local authority .
I ’ ve been a governor of two Camden schools and continue to be a parent governor of Camden ’ s largest comprehensive , which my children attend , along with serving as vice chair of a Barnet primary .
Over the past three winters , I ’ ve volunteered on the overnight shift with Camden ’ s C4WS homeless project and met so many residents who have fallen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended up in the homeless .
Our housing system is broken and as your assembly member , I will do all I can to push for more social housing .
In the 2018 local elections , I was the only Labour gain in Barnet in a night of heavy losses , winning a super-tight marginal seat for Labour in Childs Hill for the first time in over 40 years .
Great campaigns are about great teamwork , which is what we will need to retain this seat .
As a councillor , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right-wing Tory administration hurts the very people and communities they are meant to serve .
I work to empower communities while campaigning around environmental , educational , health and housing issues .
I get through mountains of casework every week .
As the only Labour councillor in my own ward plus the three nearest wards , residents come to me when they feel their Tory councillors won ’ t help or don ’ t care .
Camden council is an inspiration ; by putting residents first even at difficult times , Camden has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve the environment and keep the Camden family of schools together .
Through my work with Sure Start in Kilburn , I came to realise the difference Labour in power makes to communities and was inspired to join the party 12 years ago .
Our assembly members hold the mayor to account and ensure we get the best out of regeneration schemes , social housing , the fire service and policing .
In times of ongoing austerity , this is the body that provides a buffer for London from the worst of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constantly undermined by cuts at every level .
I know how powerful local people can be when they organise together .
I am chair of my residents ’ association and a member of the Cricklewood Town Team , a body that brings together residents from Brent , Barnet and Camden to improve our local town centre .
Through this , I led the campaign to successfully save the green space in the centre of Cricklewood from the developers of the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration .
The Town Team has transformed our local train @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with community gardens and art work .
I have worked with our current assembly member Andrew Dismore , on housing schemes and waste sites planned for the Brent Cross regeneration , and want to continue this work as your next City Hall representative .
I ’ m grateful for his support , along with councillors , members and residents in both boroughs .
Ballots went out yesterday , and I would love to have your first preference vote .

Following the devastating results of the general election, it is now more important than ever to keep City Hall Labour. The Conservatives are out to reclaim Barnet and Camden, emboldened by their three re-elected Barnet Tory MPs on increased majorities. One only has to think back to the days of Brian Coleman to remember what Tory representation in this seat looks like. It’s easy to think that any constituency containing Camden is relatively safe for Labour, however with nearly two-thirds of the public vote coming from Barnet, we have only ever won this seat by standing a candidate with a strong record in that borough.
Uniquely as a candidate, I have lived for a decade in each local authority. I’ve been a governor of two Camden schools and continue to be a parent governor of Camden’s largest comprehensive, which my children attend, along with serving as vice chair of a Barnet primary. Over the past three winters, I’ve volunteered on the overnight shift with Camden’s C4WS homeless project and met so many residents who have fallen just a couple pay cheques behind and ended up in the homeless. Our housing system is broken and as your assembly member, I will do all I can to push for more social housing.
In the 2018 local elections, I was the only Labour gain in Barnet in a night of heavy losses, winning a super-tight marginal seat for Labour in Childs Hill for the first time in over 40 years. Great campaigns are about great teamwork, which is what we will need to retain this seat.
As a councillor, I have seen first-hand how Barnet’s right-wing Tory administration hurts the very people and communities they are meant to serve. I work to empower communities while campaigning around environmental, educational, health and housing issues. I get through mountains of casework every week. As the only Labour councillor in my own ward plus the three nearest wards, residents come to me when they feel their Tory councillors won’t help or don’t care.
Camden council is an inspiration; by putting residents first even at difficult times, Camden has been able to build council housing, improve the environment and keep the Camden family of schools together. Through my work with Sure Start in Kilburn, I came to realise the difference Labour in power makes to communities and was inspired to join the party 12 years ago.
Our assembly members hold the mayor to account and ensure we get the best out of regeneration schemes, social housing, the fire service and policing. In times of ongoing austerity, this is the body that provides a buffer for London from the worst of the Tory policies, but it too is constantly undermined by cuts at every level.
I know how powerful local people can be when they organise together. I am chair of my residents’ association and a member of the Cricklewood Town Team, a body that brings together residents from Brent, Barnet and Camden to improve our local town centre. Through this, I led the campaign to successfully save the green space in the centre of Cricklewood from the developers of the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration. The Town Team has transformed our local train station from eyesore to pride of place, with community gardens and art work.
I have worked with our current assembly member Andrew Dismore, on housing schemes and waste sites planned for the Brent Cross regeneration, and want to continue this work as your next City Hall representative. I’m grateful for his support, along with councillors, members and residents in both boroughs. Ballots went out yesterday, and I would love to have your first preference vote.


labourlist--2020-02-06--Under my leadership, Labour will radically overhaul local authority funding

After our worst general election defeat since 1935 , we are further from power than at any time in living memory .
We need to learn some lessons and we need to learn them quickly .
Responding to defeat by perpetually changing the leader and hoping the results improve is a route to further , heavier defeats .
People are watching us now to see if we understand this .
We must show that we do , and that we have changed .
Shocking losses in local elections should have warned us that all was not well .
We lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the constituency of Darlington six months later .
We have seen the same pattern in places like Bolton , Walsall , Stoke , Ashfield and Derby .
It ’ s a pattern that is also familiar to our party in Scotland and one that we can ignore no longer .
I know for myself the power of great , reforming councils who are ambitious for our communities .
While I was working for the charity Centrepoint , I approached Hammersmith and Fulham Council about a teenage girl they had housed in temporary accommodation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ B & B owner .
Their incredible response – moving not just her but all 16- and 17-year olds out of the B & B and into supported housing – convinced me that what matters as much as the law is what you do with it .
We persuaded the Labour government to follow Hammersmith ’ s example and legislate to ensure it never happened again .
It was that experience that led me to stand as a councillor in the same London borough and later become our lead member for housing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ those town halls and civic centres across our country where Labour is in power and is getting it right – showing we can be trusted again .
From Blackpool to Bristol , Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Norwich , we are translating our principles into policy , leading by example and showing the difference Labour makes .
Why is it that we so seldom talk about it ?
While we rightly talk nationally about the renationalisation of our railways , Nottingham City Council operates an award-winning and profit-making municipal bus service .
We propose spending billions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the Plymouth Energy Community is already disrupting the market with energy co-operatives that create affordable , zero-carbon energy .
As Shadow Energy Secretary , I was proud to work with Labour councils including Plymouth to show how together , we were putting place plans to cut 15 % off the UK ’ s carbon footprint , even as the Tory government cut clean energy schemes .
We may not be in power but we should never believe that we ’ re powerless .
Many of the successes of Labour-led councillors are achieved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government .
It is the consequence of a broken and failing system which holds on to power at the centre and strips power and resources from the rest of the country .
Government ministers and officials – sitting behind desks in Westminster and Whitehall – can change the lives of people hundreds of miles away at the stroke of a pen , in places they ’ ve never been and communities of which they have no understanding .
Budgets can be slashed by 60 % or more but responsibility for some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like children ’ s services and social care can be pushed onto councils without the resources to properly deliver them .
I will put this right .
Behind the upheavals in the country in recent years , is a clamour for a more accountable , responsive local system where power sits much closer to people .
We must show not just that we understand this but that we can create it in ourselves , building a movement that pushes power down and out – internally to our members and our councillors , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve .
In government , Labour must be ready to invert the power structures that have pushed local government to breaking point .
It can not be right that big employers like ASOS and Amazon can game the system to pay a fraction of the business rates they should , while holding the threat of relocating jobs to the neighbouring borough if the local council refuse to play ball .
A council cut to the bone by the Tories is now forced by a broken Whitehall system to give millions of pounds to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , instead of using it to end the social care crisis .
We can not rely on Whitehall to fix injustices and tackle the climate emergency .
It begins with giving local authorities more direct powers over rate setting and collection , forcing tech giants and multinationals to pay their fair share .
Businesses that want to go green should be given new rates relief , helping to rejuvenate local high streets and support green innovation at a local level .
Labour in local government has always been at the forefront of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to learn from those successes , to showcase the difference Labour makes in power and to empower , rather than inhibit , our councils to deliver real change .
Local authorities must be better resourced if we want to deliver radical and ambitious local industrial strategies .
Local Enterprise Partnerships ( LEPs ) in England have received over £12bn to drive economic growth in their local areas .
However , as the Public Accounts Committee reported last year , there is clear evidence that many LEPs have underspent their allocation .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diversity and democratic accountability , as well as a set of confusing geographical settlements which cut across local authorities .
Perhaps most worryingly , we still have no way of measuring whether their interventions have made a difference locally , or that the billions allocated to them has gone to those areas most in need .
Under my leadership , the money currently allocated to LEPs will be handed directly to local authorities , democratically accountable to the people they represent .
Billions of pounds ring-fenced for local councils to meet the challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in ex-industrial and coastal communities .
But in return , we must see a tangible return for this investment in towns and cities across the country , with councils that better reflect the diversity of the communities they represent .
It starts now , not on April 4th .
Local government must be given a real voice in the decisions we take and empowered with a greater influence at every level of the party .
From driving our national campaigns from the ground up to shaping the decisions taken by our national executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ translate the challenges facing their communities into relatable policies that resonate with voters .
Climate change is an area where calls for a green industrial revolution mean little , until a Labour mayor or council steps forward to show how it can cut energy bills , create better , cleaner public transport and create new jobs .
The Association of Labour Councillors represents thousands of elected councillors who are collectively the second largest contributor to party coffers .
Our council leaders and councillors should form part of our frontbench teams to develop policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost MPs , and our annual conference should devote more time to give a platform to our successes in local government .
If we can ’ t champion those successes , who will ?
The party I will lead will be a confident , empowered party with an ambitious story to tell about the future .
We can earn the right to govern again , but we will only win together .

After our worst general election defeat since 1935, we are further from power than at any time in living memory. We need to learn some lessons and we need to learn them quickly. Responding to defeat by perpetually changing the leader and hoping the results improve is a route to further, heavier defeats. People are watching us now to see if we understand this. We must show that we do, and that we have changed.
Shocking losses in local elections should have warned us that all was not well. We lost Darlington council in May 2019 and then the constituency of Darlington six months later. We have seen the same pattern in places like Bolton, Walsall, Stoke, Ashfield and Derby. It’s a pattern that is also familiar to our party in Scotland and one that we can ignore no longer.
I know for myself the power of great, reforming councils who are ambitious for our communities. While I was working for the charity Centrepoint, I approached Hammersmith and Fulham Council about a teenage girl they had housed in temporary accommodation who was being sexually harassed by the B&B owner. Their incredible response – moving not just her but all 16- and 17-year olds out of the B&B and into supported housing – convinced me that what matters as much as the law is what you do with it. We persuaded the Labour government to follow Hammersmith’s example and legislate to ensure it never happened again. It was that experience that led me to stand as a councillor in the same London borough and later become our lead member for housing.
The road back to government runs through those town halls and civic centres across our country where Labour is in power and is getting it right – showing we can be trusted again. From Blackpool to Bristol, Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Norwich, we are translating our principles into policy, leading by example and showing the difference Labour makes.
Why is it that we so seldom talk about it? While we rightly talk nationally about the renationalisation of our railways, Nottingham City Council operates an award-winning and profit-making municipal bus service. We propose spending billions in subsidies to the Big Six, while the Plymouth Energy Community is already disrupting the market with energy co-operatives that create affordable, zero-carbon energy. As Shadow Energy Secretary, I was proud to work with Labour councils including Plymouth to show how together, we were putting place plans to cut 15% off the UK’s carbon footprint, even as the Tory government cut clean energy schemes. We may not be in power but we should never believe that we’re powerless.
Many of the successes of Labour-led councillors are achieved despite – not because of – central government. It is the consequence of a broken and failing system which holds on to power at the centre and strips power and resources from the rest of the country.
Government ministers and officials – sitting behind desks in Westminster and Whitehall – can change the lives of people hundreds of miles away at the stroke of a pen, in places they’ve never been and communities of which they have no understanding. Budgets can be slashed by 60% or more but responsibility for some of the most fundamental pillars of a civilised society like children’s services and social care can be pushed onto councils without the resources to properly deliver them. I will put this right.
Behind the upheavals in the country in recent years, is a clamour for a more accountable, responsive local system where power sits much closer to people. We must show not just that we understand this but that we can create it in ourselves, building a movement that pushes power down and out – internally to our members and our councillors, and externally to the communities we seek to serve.
In government, Labour must be ready to invert the power structures that have pushed local government to breaking point. It cannot be right that big employers like ASOS and Amazon can game the system to pay a fraction of the business rates they should, while holding the threat of relocating jobs to the neighbouring borough if the local council refuse to play ball. A council cut to the bone by the Tories is now forced by a broken Whitehall system to give millions of pounds to one of the richest companies in the world, instead of using it to end the social care crisis.
We cannot rely on Whitehall to fix injustices and tackle the climate emergency. It begins with giving local authorities more direct powers over rate setting and collection, forcing tech giants and multinationals to pay their fair share. Businesses that want to go green should be given new rates relief, helping to rejuvenate local high streets and support green innovation at a local level. Labour in local government has always been at the forefront of innovation and ambition – now is the time to learn from those successes, to showcase the difference Labour makes in power and to empower, rather than inhibit, our councils to deliver real change.
Local authorities must be better resourced if we want to deliver radical and ambitious local industrial strategies. Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in England have received over £12bn to drive economic growth in their local areas. However, as the Public Accounts Committee reported last year, there is clear evidence that many LEPs have underspent their allocation. There has been criticism of their lack of diversity and democratic accountability, as well as a set of confusing geographical settlements which cut across local authorities. Perhaps most worryingly, we still have no way of measuring whether their interventions have made a difference locally, or that the billions allocated to them has gone to those areas most in need.
Under my leadership, the money currently allocated to LEPs will be handed directly to local authorities, democratically accountable to the people they represent. Billions of pounds ring-fenced for local councils to meet the challenges our local economies face, particularly those in ex-industrial and coastal communities. But in return, we must see a tangible return for this investment in towns and cities across the country, with councils that better reflect the diversity of the communities they represent.
It starts now, not on April 4th. Local government must be given a real voice in the decisions we take and empowered with a greater influence at every level of the party. From driving our national campaigns from the ground up to shaping the decisions taken by our national executive committee, councillors are uniquely positioned to translate the challenges facing their communities into relatable policies that resonate with voters. Climate change is an area where calls for a green industrial revolution mean little, until a Labour mayor or council steps forward to show how it can cut energy bills, create better, cleaner public transport and create new jobs.
The Association of Labour Councillors represents thousands of elected councillors who are collectively the second largest contributor to party coffers. Our council leaders and councillors should form part of our frontbench teams to develop policy – especially in areas where we have lost MPs, and our annual conference should devote more time to give a platform to our successes in local government. If we can’t champion those successes, who will? The party I will lead will be a confident, empowered party with an ambitious story to tell about the future. We can earn the right to govern again, but we will only win together.


labourlist--2020-02-05--Starmer vows to prioritise wellbeing and economic growth equally

Keir Starmer is set to announce that a future Labour government led by him would prioritise wellbeing and economic growth equally .
During a visit to a hospital in Cambridge on Thursday , the Labour leadership candidate will call for the use of a set of national wellbeing indicators in addition to measures of economic growth .
Commenting ahead of the announcement , the current frontrunner in the leadership race said : “ The idea that economic growth alone will solve society ’ s ills and make us all prosper is wrong and outdated .
“ We need to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with government , employers and citizens all playing our part together.
” The contender to replace Jeremy Corbyn said that the indicators would cover health , inequality , homelessness and the environment to capture people ’ s quality of life .
Starmer added : “ The UK is the sixth largest economy in the world .
However , millions of people are suffering because of the deep inequalities that have become ingrained in our society .
“ We can only begin to improve the nation ’ s wellbeing if we treat wellbeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuring national wellbeing and economic growth are prioritised equally .
“ Prosperity and a sound economy go hand in hand .
GDP alone does not measure the health of our children , the quality of the air we breathe or people ’ s quality of life.
” Other governments have proposed similar steps in an effort to improve the way in which they measure how well the economy is working for their citizens .
Nicola Sturgeon recently revealed that she would be “ redefining ” what it means to be a successful nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GDP .
Bhutan introduced a gross national happiness index in 2008 , measuring things such as psychological health , living standards , community vitality and environmental and cultural resilience to inform government policy making .
New Zealand became the first country in the world to design its entire budget around wellbeing priorities , with ministers instructed to outline policies to improve wellbeing , last year .
The office for national statistics currently produces a wellbeing release including statistics on health , relationships , education and skills , where people live , their personal @ @ @ @ @

Keir Starmer is set to announce that a future Labour government led by him would prioritise wellbeing and economic growth equally.
During a visit to a hospital in Cambridge on Thursday, the Labour leadership candidate will call for the use of a set of national wellbeing indicators in addition to measures of economic growth.
Commenting ahead of the announcement, the current frontrunner in the leadership race said: “The idea that economic growth alone will solve society’s ills and make us all prosper is wrong and outdated.
“We need to create a healthy society where everyone can thrive, with government, employers and citizens all playing our part together.”
The contender to replace Jeremy Corbyn said that the indicators would cover health, inequality, homelessness and the environment to capture people’s quality of life.
Starmer added: “The UK is the sixth largest economy in the world. However, millions of people are suffering because of the deep inequalities that have become ingrained in our society.
“We can only begin to improve the nation’s wellbeing if we treat wellbeing equally to economic growth. That means ensuring national wellbeing and economic growth are prioritised equally.
“Prosperity and a sound economy go hand in hand. GDP alone does not measure the health of our children, the quality of the air we breathe or people’s quality of life.”
Other governments have proposed similar steps in an effort to improve the way in which they measure how well the economy is working for their citizens.
Nicola Sturgeon recently revealed that she would be “redefining” what it means to be a successful nation by focusing on wellbeing as well as GDP.
Bhutan introduced a gross national happiness index in 2008, measuring things such as psychological health, living standards, community vitality and environmental and cultural resilience to inform government policy making.
New Zealand became the first country in the world to design its entire budget around wellbeing priorities, with ministers instructed to outline policies to improve wellbeing, last year.
The office for national statistics currently produces a wellbeing release including statistics on health, relationships, education and skills, where people live, their personal finances and the environment.


labourlist--2020-02-06--Momentum reveals slate for local party reps in NEC by-elections

Momentum has revealed its slate for the internal by-elections taking place that will determine two places representative of local parties on Labour ’ s ruling national executive committee .
The Corbynite organisation has confirmed that it will be backing Leigh Drennan and Lauren Townsend for the two posts vacated by Claudia Webbe and Navendu Mishra – who have now been elected as Labour MPs and therefore had to step down as CLP reps. Leigh Drennan is a member of Momentum ’ s national coordinating group .
He is also a Labour councillor in Tameside , UNISON organiser , vice-chair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Unite ’ s Labour liaison committee .
Drennan unsuccessfully stood for the post of Young Labour chair in 2018 , when Miriam Mirwitch surprised members by winning against the Momentum-backed candidate .
He had also been endorsed by Unite , GMB , UNISON , TSSA , CWU and ASLEF .
Lauren Townsend is a Labour and Co-operative councillor in Milton Keynes who works for left-wing trade union CWU .
She is also a spokesperson for lobby group Labour for Green New Deal , which pushed for the party to commit to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labour movement as a TGI waitress who recruited members , trained as a rep and led strikes in the # FairTips campaign .
She has won the nominations of 34 CLPs in the NEC by-election contest .
The Labour left ’ s majority on the NEC has been regarded as narrow or at least ‘ soft ’ for some time by members on the Corbynite wing of the party .
Following the departure of Webbe and Mishra after the general election , the majority was further reduced .
In the formation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much turmoil behind the scenes according to LabourList sources .
One described it as a “ complete mess ” as the endorsement choices were revised at least twice .
LabourList understands that there is currently no joint slate agreed between Momentum and the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy ( CLPD ) .
There are hopes that one can be reached before the close of nominations , though CLPD has already endorsed Mohammed Azam for the NEC ’ s CLP section .
As well as two CLP reps , there is also a by-election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was previously ex-MP Keith Vaz .
It is rumoured that Momentum could back Nav Mishra , now MP for Stockport , but this has not been confirmed .
Corbynsceptic group Labour First has endorsed Gurinder Singh Josan and former NEC member Johanna Baxter .
The contests will take place alongside Labour ’ s leadership elections and see members vote from February 24th .

Momentum has revealed its slate for the internal by-elections taking place that will determine two places representative of local parties on Labour’s ruling national executive committee.
The Corbynite organisation has confirmed that it will be backing Leigh Drennan and Lauren Townsend for the two posts vacated by Claudia Webbe and Navendu Mishra – who have now been elected as Labour MPs and therefore had to step down as CLP reps.
Leigh Drennan is a member of Momentum’s national coordinating group. He is also a Labour councillor in Tameside, UNISON organiser, vice-chair of Labour North West and member of North West Unite’s Labour liaison committee.
Drennan unsuccessfully stood for the post of Young Labour chair in 2018, when Miriam Mirwitch surprised members by winning against the Momentum-backed candidate. He had also been endorsed by Unite, GMB, UNISON, TSSA, CWU and ASLEF.
Lauren Townsend is a Labour and Co-operative councillor in Milton Keynes who works for left-wing trade union CWU. She is also a spokesperson for lobby group Labour for Green New Deal, which pushed for the party to commit to a 2030 decarbonisation target.
Townsend entered the labour movement as a TGI waitress who recruited members, trained as a rep and led strikes in the #FairTips campaign. She has won the nominations of 34 CLPs in the NEC by-election contest.
The Labour left’s majority on the NEC has been regarded as narrow or at least ‘soft’ for some time by members on the Corbynite wing of the party. Following the departure of Webbe and Mishra after the general election, the majority was further reduced.
In the formation of the Momentum slate, there has already been much turmoil behind the scenes according to LabourList sources. One described it as a “complete mess” as the endorsement choices were revised at least twice.
LabourList understands that there is currently no joint slate agreed between Momentum and the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy (CLPD). There are hopes that one can be reached before the close of nominations, though CLPD has already endorsed Mohammed Azam for the NEC’s CLP section.
As well as two CLP reps, there is also a by-election for the NEC’s BAME representative, which was previously ex-MP Keith Vaz. It is rumoured that Momentum could back Nav Mishra, now MP for Stockport, but this has not been confirmed.
Corbynsceptic group Labour First has endorsed Gurinder Singh Josan and former NEC member Johanna Baxter. The contests will take place alongside Labour’s leadership elections and see members vote from February 24th.
Update, February 7th: Amid criticism of Momentum’s picks on the basis that they would see two BAME reps replaced with two white members, CLPD has decided to back Townsend but not Drennan. They have endorsed Cecile Wright, a CLPD executive member and Momentum vice-chair.


labourlist--2020-02-06--Labour councils are working to tackle the climate crisis despite Tory cuts

The science behind climate change has been undeniable for decades .
Reports from the IPCC have shown clear trends towards environmental breakdown as global temperatures continue to increase and we get ever closer to crossing tipping points with irreversible and unknown consequences .
The COP 21 Paris Agreement in 2015 committed countries worldwide to limiting global temperature rise to within 2°C , but nationally we are at somewhat of a standstill as the Tory government set the unambitious target of achieving carbon net neutrality by 2050 – making it , in other words , a problem for politicians of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference in 2019 , the LGA declared a climate emergency , encouraged by the work of Labour councils up and down the country who have been working to tackle the climate emergency for years .
The changing climate disproportionately affects residents of Labour councils with a greater proportion of communities in metropolitan areas , where poor air quality and extreme temperatures pose the greatest threat to public health .
Communities have become reliant on Labour in local government as the catalyst of change to bring about credible approaches to mitigating the impacts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect .
As most of the work of local government goes under the radar , Hannah Lazell – political advisor to the LGA Labour group – and I reached out to Labour councils around the country to find out how they ’ ve been responding to the climate emergency .
Overwhelmed with responses , we compiled examples of best practice and campaign packs and created the LGA Labour climate emergency website in September last year : a source of inspiration for various types of councils on different stages of their journey to understanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post weekly blogs from councillors and other experts in the Labour local government family with guidance , recommended reading , and accounts of the successes of different councils .
Labour councils have been using evidence-based reports to develop their plans for carbon neutrality by 2030 , 20 years ahead of national targets .
Despite ten years of Tory cuts putting increasing pressure on the delivery of statutory services , Labour in local government has recognised the importance of responding to the climate emergency as a new priority .
With further local government funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in new infrastructure and policy changes reaching eye-watering heights , it would be easy to lie low and follow the national carbon targets .
But Labour councils have navigated the climate emergency with bravado and continue to lead the way in finding local community solutions to the global issue of climate change .
Labour councils have committed to investment in new energy infrastructure to deliver low-carbon alternatives , such as Manchester city council ’ s civic quarter heat network that will generate low-carbon power , heat and hot water for the city .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Repowering London which has seen installations of solar panels on estates and schools in the borough .
Councils have sought to encourage and enable use of alternative sustainable transport – Oxford City Council have expanded their electric vehicle charging points across the city and plan to install more .
Waltham Forest ’ s famous ‘ mini Holland ’ project has redesigned roads in the borough to include segregated cycle lanes and improve junctions and crossings , and the provision of bikehangars and hire bikes has resulted in a 44 % decrease in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improved the quality of wildlife , with projects such as Plymouth City council ’ s bee corridors and Stevenage council ’ s biodiversity action plan promoting biodiversity by protecting habitats .
Elsewhere , waste reduction has been achieved through increased recycling and a war on plastics .
Bridgend council are well on their way to meeting their set recycling targets of 70 % by 2024-25 , while Hackney council have worked across the borough to develop low plastic zones .
Despite showing innovation against the odds , local government continues to be restricted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ green energy , transport and housing infrastructure will deliver savings in the long-term , the up-front costs are staggering , and require central government investment .
In January LGA Labour held a climate emergency conference to continue to support Labour councils on this issue .
It was a sell-out event with workshops and plenaries covering policy responses , partnership working , community engagement , asks of the national Labour Party , and how to tackle the climate emergency under a Conservative government .
Feedback from our delegates showed a real appetite for what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expertise in the room was evident .
Labour councils are rising to tackle climate change locally , but we need national government to display a greater sense of urgency in order to back their work and protect communities from the detrimental impacts of a changing climate .

The science behind climate change has been undeniable for decades. Reports from the IPCC have shown clear trends towards environmental breakdown as global temperatures continue to increase and we get ever closer to crossing tipping points with irreversible and unknown consequences. The COP 21 Paris Agreement in 2015 committed countries worldwide to limiting global temperature rise to within 2°C, but nationally we are at somewhat of a standstill as the Tory government set the unambitious target of achieving carbon net neutrality by 2050 – making it, in other words, a problem for politicians of the future.
At the annual local government conference in 2019, the LGA declared a climate emergency, encouraged by the work of Labour councils up and down the country who have been working to tackle the climate emergency for years. The changing climate disproportionately affects residents of Labour councils with a greater proportion of communities in metropolitan areas, where poor air quality and extreme temperatures pose the greatest threat to public health. Communities have become reliant on Labour in local government as the catalyst of change to bring about credible approaches to mitigating the impacts of the global climate emergency, with immediate effect.
As most of the work of local government goes under the radar, Hannah Lazell – political advisor to the LGA Labour group – and I reached out to Labour councils around the country to find out how they’ve been responding to the climate emergency. Overwhelmed with responses, we compiled examples of best practice and campaign packs and created the LGA Labour climate emergency website in September last year: a source of inspiration for various types of councils on different stages of their journey to understanding and responding to climate change. We post weekly blogs from councillors and other experts in the Labour local government family with guidance, recommended reading, and accounts of the successes of different councils.
Labour councils have been using evidence-based reports to develop their plans for carbon neutrality by 2030, 20 years ahead of national targets. Despite ten years of Tory cuts putting increasing pressure on the delivery of statutory services, Labour in local government has recognised the importance of responding to the climate emergency as a new priority. With further local government funding squeezes expected and the costs of investment in new infrastructure and policy changes reaching eye-watering heights, it would be easy to lie low and follow the national carbon targets. But Labour councils have navigated the climate emergency with bravado and continue to lead the way in finding local community solutions to the global issue of climate change.
Labour councils have committed to investment in new energy infrastructure to deliver low-carbon alternatives, such as Manchester city council’s civic quarter heat network that will generate low-carbon power, heat and hot water for the city. And Lambeth Council’s partnership working with Repowering London which has seen installations of solar panels on estates and schools in the borough. Councils have sought to encourage and enable use of alternative sustainable transport – Oxford City Council have expanded their electric vehicle charging points across the city and plan to install more. Waltham Forest’s famous ‘mini Holland’ project has redesigned roads in the borough to include segregated cycle lanes and improve junctions and crossings, and the provision of bikehangars and hire bikes has resulted in a 44% decrease in traffic since 2014.
Rewilding efforts have improved the quality of wildlife, with projects such as Plymouth City council’s bee corridors and Stevenage council’s biodiversity action plan promoting biodiversity by protecting habitats. Elsewhere, waste reduction has been achieved through increased recycling and a war on plastics. Bridgend council are well on their way to meeting their set recycling targets of 70% by 2024-25, while Hackney council have worked across the borough to develop low plastic zones.
Despite showing innovation against the odds, local government continues to be restricted by funding cuts. Although investments in green energy, transport and housing infrastructure will deliver savings in the long-term, the up-front costs are staggering, and require central government investment.
In January LGA Labour held a climate emergency conference to continue to support Labour councils on this issue. It was a sell-out event with workshops and plenaries covering policy responses, partnership working, community engagement, asks of the national Labour Party, and how to tackle the climate emergency under a Conservative government. Feedback from our delegates showed a real appetite for what has emerged as a leading agenda and the expertise in the room was evident. Labour councils are rising to tackle climate change locally, but we need national government to display a greater sense of urgency in order to back their work and protect communities from the detrimental impacts of a changing climate.


labourlist--2020-02-06--There are Co-operative solutions to the challenges facing local government

The Co-operative Councils Innovation Network is a collaboration between local authorities that are committed to finding better ways of working for , and with , local people for the benefit of their local community .
Our work recognises the need to define a new model for local government built on civic leadership , with councils working in equal partnership with local people to shape and strengthen communities .
This means a new role for local authorities that replaces traditional models of top-down governance and service delivery with local leadership , genuine co-operation , and a new approach built on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collective action , co-operation , empowerment and enterprise .
Our president and founder , Steve Reed MP , said at our recent conference in Rochdale : “ The old politics can no longer deal with the scale of the challenges we face or the kind of society we ’ ve become .
It ’ s made people lose faith in the future .
We need to build a new politics that ’ s more open , more accountable and more responsive , day-to-day , directly to the people it serves , so instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it.
” Our network has become the fastest growing network in local government .
Driven by a shared sense of values and a belief that the best policy making is driven from our communities and residents , our unique action-based innovation and shared learning is proving valuable to our members as the challenges of austerity bite ever deeper .
We believe that whatever challenges face local government , there is always a co-operative solution based on resident involvement in designing and working with us to produce better services .
That is the ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why we believe so strongly that it brings a definite ‘ dividend ’ for our community .
The values have not changed since co-ops began over 150 years ago ; self-help , self-responsibility , democracy , equality , equity and solidarity .
In the tradition of our founders , co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty , openness , education , social responsibility and caring for others .
So where does the Co-operative Councils Innovation Network fit into this movement ?
Steve Reed , Jim McMahon and I , when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a network over five years ago , saw this as a way of driving and sharing the co-operative ways of working that we were developing in our own councils and of bringing together other local authorities and councillors who shared our values .
We are now a network of 28 councils from Glasgow to Plymouth and from Hull to Cardiff , and include five London boroughs and the Greater Manchester combined authority .
Last year we expanded our membership to offer affiliate , associate and individual members the opportunity to join , taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have been delighted to welcome town , community and parish councils into the network as well as opposition groups that share our values .
We are not a think-tank or part of an academic study , we are a group of councils that are innovating in real time , in real communities , and with action-focused projects around the country .
Fundamentally our councils believe in people-powered politics , and that residents must be involved in designing , leading and delivering the services that we all use .
We believe that councils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of communities , not the dead hand of bureaucracy that stops things .
Last year , we funded policy labs to enable our members to explore work that engaged communities in new ways and to encourage the development of co-operative economies .
Our innovation focus for this year is on health and social care , and we recently agreed funding for 11 policy prototypes to enable us to contribute to the debate on one of the key issues facing local government .
There is innovation across our network , and we share our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our website – where we currently have over 200 case studies – and at regular events and conferences .
We want to encourage our members to develop the solutions to today ’ s problems and be thinking about those that will come round the corner tomorrow .
Fundamentally , building the capacity of those individuals and families that make up our communities makes them stronger – and that must be a real dividend !
You can find out more about our network here .

The Co-operative Councils Innovation Network is a collaboration between local authorities that are committed to finding better ways of working for, and with, local people for the benefit of their local community. Our work recognises the need to define a new model for local government built on civic leadership, with councils working in equal partnership with local people to shape and strengthen communities.
This means a new role for local authorities that replaces traditional models of top-down governance and service delivery with local leadership, genuine co-operation, and a new approach built on the founding traditions of the co-operative movement: collective action, co-operation, empowerment and enterprise. Our president and founder, Steve Reed MP, said at our recent conference in Rochdale: “The old politics can no longer deal with the scale of the challenges we face or the kind of society we’ve become. It’s made people lose faith in the future. We need to build a new politics that’s more open, more accountable and more responsive, day-to-day, directly to the people it serves, so instead of fearing the future people can shape it.”
Our network has become the fastest growing network in local government. Driven by a shared sense of values and a belief that the best policy making is driven from our communities and residents, our unique action-based innovation and shared learning is proving valuable to our members as the challenges of austerity bite ever deeper. We believe that whatever challenges face local government, there is always a co-operative solution based on resident involvement in designing and working with us to produce better services. That is the ‘Co-op difference’, and it is why we believe so strongly that it brings a definite ‘dividend’ for our community.
The values have not changed since co-ops began over 150 years ago; self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of our founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, education, social responsibility and caring for others. So where does the Co-operative Councils Innovation Network fit into this movement? Steve Reed, Jim McMahon and I, when we first started talking about the concept of a network over five years ago, saw this as a way of driving and sharing the co-operative ways of working that we were developing in our own councils and of bringing together other local authorities and councillors who shared our values.
We are now a network of 28 councils from Glasgow to Plymouth and from Hull to Cardiff, and include five London boroughs and the Greater Manchester combined authority. Last year we expanded our membership to offer affiliate, associate and individual members the opportunity to join, taking the total membership to 66 organisations. We have been delighted to welcome town, community and parish councils into the network as well as opposition groups that share our values.
We are not a think-tank or part of an academic study, we are a group of councils that are innovating in real time, in real communities, and with action-focused projects around the country. Fundamentally our councils believe in people-powered politics, and that residents must be involved in designing, leading and delivering the services that we all use. We believe that councils should be seen as facilitators and enablers of communities, not the dead hand of bureaucracy that stops things.
Last year, we funded policy labs to enable our members to explore work that engaged communities in new ways and to encourage the development of co-operative economies. Our innovation focus for this year is on health and social care, and we recently agreed funding for 11 policy prototypes to enable us to contribute to the debate on one of the key issues facing local government. There is innovation across our network, and we share our knowledge and innovation by publishing it on our website – where we currently have over 200 case studies – and at regular events and conferences.
We want to encourage our members to develop the solutions to today’s problems and be thinking about those that will come round the corner tomorrow. Fundamentally, building the capacity of those individuals and families that make up our communities makes them stronger – and that must be a real dividend! You can find out more about our network here.


labourlist--2020-02-06--How Labour is tackling the children’s social care crisis in Leeds

Ten years of a Conservative government has created a crisis in children ’ s social care .
Nationally , the number of children in care has increased by 28 % over the last decade , pushing the system to breaking point .
More than 78,000 children are in local authority care and on average a child is referred to children ’ s services every 49 seconds .
Massively underfunded councils are redirecting their resources to statuary services , meaning essential early intervention work is lost .
The early intervention grant given to councils by government has been cut by almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council in Leeds , we are fighting back .
We implemented a deliberate policy to protect investment in preventative services as much as we can and our outcomes are bucking the national trend .
The number of looked after children in Leeds peaked in 2012 at 1,475 , or 95 per 10,000 – nearly one in 100 .
By May 2017 , we got the figure down to 1,278 , or 78 per 10,000 , and it has since remained fairly steady .
Even more encouraging is the news that the numbers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deprived areas in Leeds has fallen .
Given the scandalous increase in the number of children living in poverty , we would have expected that figure to increase as there is a clear link between deprivation and children going into care .
In fact , we have seen a reduction from 449 children two years ago , to an estimated 413 children for 2019/20 .
One of the main driving factors behind the reduction was our political decision to focus resources on prevention and early intervention .
We directed funding towards a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therapy , family group conferencing and maintained and developed children ’ s centre provision .
We also implemented a focus on keeping children with their birth families where it was safe to do so .
The evidence is clear that this delivers better outcomes for children .
Working with families early in the life cycle of a problem is the best way to safely and securely keep a family together .
By keeping the focus on early intervention we have not only reduced the number of children going into care but we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our numbers had increased at the national rate it would have cost Leeds an additional £13.3m each year , instead we have been able to take that money and reinvest it in vital frontline and preventative services .
Another startling effect of our focus on early intervention and prevention is the impact on childhood obesity levels .
Last year it was reported that Leeds is the only English city to have reduced childhood obesity rates among four and five year olds , with the biggest impact again in the city ’ s most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among deprived children in Leeds fell from 11.5 % to 10.5 % , with the overall figure for the city falling from 9.4 % to 8.8 % .
The decrease relates to over 600 children .
This was achieved through the council ’ s public health team working with the HENRY charity to train health visitors and staff in the council ’ s children ’ s centres to deliver advice programmes .
Nationally , over 1,000 children ’ s centres have closed under the Tories .
In Leeds the Labour council has kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centres played a vital role in the childhood obesity work and I ’ m proud that our decision to protect them has paid off .
But children in Leeds are not immune from the pernicious impact of Tory austerity .
We know that there are 33,000 people under the age of 20 in Leeds living in poverty , with 70 % in households where at least one person is in work .
As a Labour council , we are driven to do all we can to mitigate the worst effects of this and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensured that council strategies are centred on making Leeds the best city for children and young people to grow up .
They are placed at the heart of every decision we take .
The success of our Child Friendly Leeds ( CFL ) strategy rests on the partnership working we have developed in all sectors across the city through our CFL ambassador network .
We now have over 900 businesses , organisations and individuals who have signed up and made pledges as to how they will help us achieve our shared ambition .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserve the best start to life possible , they deserve the opportunities to really make the most of their lives and fulfil their potential .
This is a basic ask and , while Conservative cuts make it very difficult , in Leeds we have shown that a Labour council can make a huge difference to the outcomes for children , including the most vulnerable , through our relentless focus on early intervention and prevention and by making children the focus of everything we do .

Ten years of a Conservative government has created a crisis in children’s social care. Nationally, the number of children in care has increased by 28% over the last decade, pushing the system to breaking point. More than 78,000 children are in local authority care and on average a child is referred to children’s services every 49 seconds.
Massively underfunded councils are redirecting their resources to statuary services, meaning essential early intervention work is lost. The early intervention grant given to councils by government has been cut by almost £600m since 2013.
As a Labour council in Leeds, we are fighting back. We implemented a deliberate policy to protect investment in preventative services as much as we can and our outcomes are bucking the national trend. The number of looked after children in Leeds peaked in 2012 at 1,475, or 95 per 10,000 – nearly one in 100. By May 2017, we got the figure down to 1,278, or 78 per 10,000, and it has since remained fairly steady.
Even more encouraging is the news that the numbers of children coming into care from the most deprived areas in Leeds has fallen. Given the scandalous increase in the number of children living in poverty, we would have expected that figure to increase as there is a clear link between deprivation and children going into care. In fact, we have seen a reduction from 449 children two years ago, to an estimated 413 children for 2019/20.
One of the main driving factors behind the reduction was our political decision to focus resources on prevention and early intervention. We directed funding towards a number of evidence based approaches including multi systemic therapy, family group conferencing and maintained and developed children’s centre provision.
We also implemented a focus on keeping children with their birth families where it was safe to do so. The evidence is clear that this delivers better outcomes for children. Working with families early in the life cycle of a problem is the best way to safely and securely keep a family together.
By keeping the focus on early intervention we have not only reduced the number of children going into care but we have also made significant financial savings. If our numbers had increased at the national rate it would have cost Leeds an additional £13.3m each year, instead we have been able to take that money and reinvest it in vital frontline and preventative services.
Another startling effect of our focus on early intervention and prevention is the impact on childhood obesity levels. Last year it was reported that Leeds is the only English city to have reduced childhood obesity rates among four and five year olds, with the biggest impact again in the city’s most disadvantaged areas.
The childhood obesity rate among deprived children in Leeds fell from 11.5% to 10.5%, with the overall figure for the city falling from 9.4% to 8.8%. The decrease relates to over 600 children. This was achieved through the council’s public health team working with the HENRY charity to train health visitors and staff in the council’s children’s centres to deliver advice programmes.
Nationally, over 1,000 children’s centres have closed under the Tories. In Leeds the Labour council has kept all 56 of ours open. The centres played a vital role in the childhood obesity work and I’m proud that our decision to protect them has paid off.
But children in Leeds are not immune from the pernicious impact of Tory austerity. We know that there are 33,000 people under the age of 20 in Leeds living in poverty, with 70% in households where at least one person is in work.
As a Labour council, we are driven to do all we can to mitigate the worst effects of this and to support our children. We have ensured that council strategies are centred on making Leeds the best city for children and young people to grow up. They are placed at the heart of every decision we take.
The success of our Child Friendly Leeds (CFL) strategy rests on the partnership working we have developed in all sectors across the city through our CFL ambassador network. We now have over 900 businesses, organisations and individuals who have signed up and made pledges as to how they will help us achieve our shared ambition.
Children and young people across the country deserve the best start to life possible, they deserve the opportunities to really make the most of their lives and fulfil their potential. This is a basic ask and, while Conservative cuts make it very difficult, in Leeds we have shown that a Labour council can make a huge difference to the outcomes for children, including the most vulnerable, through our relentless focus on early intervention and prevention and by making children the focus of everything we do.


labourlist--2020-02-06--Faduma Hassan: Why I’m standing to be a Labour London Assembly candidate

Long before I had ever dreamed of being a councillor or a London Assembly candidate , I was a teacher , an activist and a proud member of our community .
I experienced the realities faced by most people : struggling to make ends meet , living in insecure housing , and witnessing violent crime while ever growing inequality beset our city .
When my family and I came to London as refugees from Somalia we were forced to confront injustice , poverty and inequality .
But it was our Labour councillors and a Labour mayor who helped us navigate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing and school places .
Through social housing , education and an education maintenance allowance we were able to thrive .
It was these experiences that inspired me to get involved in my community , in politics and now , to want to represent Barnet and Camden to improve the lives of Londoners .
Tory austerity has made London one of the most unequal cities in the world .
As a teacher in Barnet , I saw colleagues breaking down in tears , overworked and exhausted .
As a local councillor , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against regeneration projects that do not take into account community concerns .
As a proud socialist , trade unionist , Labour activist , local community organiser and councillor , I have worked to bring our diverse communities together .
This enables me to build relationships with under-represented groups , strengthen bonds with local organisations and build broad coalitions that can fight back against the Tories ’ cruel austerity agenda .
Like all of us , I am heartbroken about the general election .
I know how hard members campaigned and fought for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London we failed to deliver in other parts of the country .
We must make sure that London remains Labour , securing Sadiq Khan ’ s re-election and returning another Labour-controlled City Hall because Londoners need us to build more social homes , tackle air pollution and urgently address the climate catastrophe , to take a community-led public health approach to knife crime and protect our communities against a Tory Brexit .
At a time of rising antisemitism , Islamophobia and homophobia , we need City Hall to lead the way in combating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our city is safe and welcoming for people of all backgrounds and identities .
But we can not truly combat prejudice in our society until we root it out of our party and ensure Jewish comrades feel respected and valued .
Members who harbour antisemitic views must be swiftly removed .
As a black Muslim woman , I know all too well what it ’ s like to be on the receiving end of bigotry .
It has no place in the Labour Party and it goes against our principles of solidarity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I owe where I am today to Labour ’ s principles and policies , whether in national government , in City Hall or in the council .
My family and I would not be in the position we are today without them .
I experienced first-hand the difference local Labour representatives can make to people ’ s lives and I want to be part of that same support network that enabled my family to transform our lives .
This is why I am standing to be Labour ’ s candidate for Barnet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because I want all Londoners to be able to thrive and to be empowered to improve their lives and their communities .
I would be honoured if you would support me .

Long before I had ever dreamed of being a councillor or a London Assembly candidate, I was a teacher, an activist and a proud member of our community. I experienced the realities faced by most people: struggling to make ends meet, living in insecure housing, and witnessing violent crime while ever growing inequality beset our city.
When my family and I came to London as refugees from Somalia we were forced to confront injustice, poverty and inequality. But it was our Labour councillors and a Labour mayor who helped us navigate the system, supporting us to find housing and school places. Through social housing, education and an education maintenance allowance we were able to thrive.
It was these experiences that inspired me to get involved in my community, in politics and now, to want to represent Barnet and Camden to improve the lives of Londoners. Tory austerity has made London one of the most unequal cities in the world. As a teacher in Barnet, I saw colleagues breaking down in tears, overworked and exhausted. As a local councillor, I helped families find emergency accommodation and fought against regeneration projects that do not take into account community concerns.
As a proud socialist, trade unionist, Labour activist, local community organiser and councillor, I have worked to bring our diverse communities together. This enables me to build relationships with under-represented groups, strengthen bonds with local organisations and build broad coalitions that can fight back against the Tories’ cruel austerity agenda.
Like all of us, I am heartbroken about the general election. I know how hard members campaigned and fought for a Labour government and despite strong support in London we failed to deliver in other parts of the country. We must make sure that London remains Labour, securing Sadiq Khan’s re-election and returning another Labour-controlled City Hall because Londoners need us to build more social homes, tackle air pollution and urgently address the climate catastrophe, to take a community-led public health approach to knife crime and protect our communities against a Tory Brexit.
At a time of rising antisemitism, Islamophobia and homophobia, we need City Hall to lead the way in combating hate and division in London and ensuring our city is safe and welcoming for people of all backgrounds and identities. But we cannot truly combat prejudice in our society until we root it out of our party and ensure Jewish comrades feel respected and valued. Members who harbour antisemitic views must be swiftly removed. As a black Muslim woman, I know all too well what it’s like to be on the receiving end of bigotry. It has no place in the Labour Party and it goes against our principles of solidarity and equality, and everything we stand for.
I owe where I am today to Labour’s principles and policies, whether in national government, in City Hall or in the council. My family and I would not be in the position we are today without them. I experienced first-hand the difference local Labour representatives can make to people’s lives and I want to be part of that same support network that enabled my family to transform our lives.
This is why I am standing to be Labour’s candidate for Barnet and Camden in the London Assembly elections, because I want all Londoners to be able to thrive and to be empowered to improve their lives and their communities. I would be honoured if you would support me.


labourlist--2020-02-07--What Labour should learn from local government about campaigning to win

When the polls closed in May 2015 , I got into my car to drive to the count , buoyant and excited .
I was intensely proud of the campaign we had run in Cheshire West and Chester .
We were disciplined , targeted ruthlessly , and had a clear message .
Four years of focused door knocking and community action , a manifesto built by listening to residents and understanding what makes people tick .
Ed Miliband had visited us in Chester as we ran our local all-out local election alongside the national campaign , in which Chester was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to return a Labour government and a new Labour council .
I knew in my own marginal ward , in which I had to serve alongside a Tory councillor , almost every one of my Labour promises had been out to vote .
So when I turned on the car radio and heard the exit poll , my heart sunk .
How could that be ?
I was deputy leader of a passionate , focused Labour group – a team determined to take control of a flagship Tory council , set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A borough where the poorest communities were being left behind , with the difference in life expectancy between the most affluent areas and the poorest up to 13 years .
In 2008 , there were just 13 Labour councillors out of 72 .
In 2011 , when I was elected , this rose to 32 out of 75 , and we felt victory was in our grasp .
We spent those four years in opposition working towards returning a Labour council in May 2015 , it was our sole focus : every action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that to make a difference we had to be in power : opposition sucks , and inequality was growing .
We needed to protect our most vulnerable residents against the harshest of Tory cuts .
Group funds paid for a campaign organiser – who is now a councillor and Cabinet member – and we worked with The Campaign Company to target our election messages .
Whatever we were doing worked and in May 2015 , after several re-counts – and the support of an independent councillor – we took control of the council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Matheson won Chester City for Labour .
But nationally , as a party , we failed .
But what lay ahead was four years of the worst austerity this country had ever known , the divisive Brexit referendum , and another general election in 2017 .
Under the leadership of Samantha Dixon we focused on delivering our manifesto promises through an ambitious council plan and , importantly , kept our eyes firmly on May 2019 .
Despite a majority of just one , we did not lose one single vote at council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought strategically and politically , we never stopped campaigning , and we fine-tuned our 2019 election plan on lessons learnt from 2015 .
We loudly blamed the government for the cuts that we faced , but also highlighting the difference that Labour makes in power .
We held regular street and market stalls , delivered newsletters , led community activities , and kept knocking on doors .
We developed a new manifesto involving every single party member from the five constituencies that sit within our borough .
In the 2017 snap general election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weaver Vale and our sitting MPs in Chester and Ellesmere Port and Neston won with increased majorities .
Our campaign was their campaign : we work together ; we are one team .
But once again , despite a fantastic result in Cheshire West , we failed nationally and still had a Tory government .
What on earth was going on ?
We kept going , focused on May 2019 .
We developed a clear message of ‘ building stronger communities ’ .
We kept residents up to date with good news stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour council makes .
We worked closely with our MPs to overcome challenges together .
It was one of the toughest elections I had fought in 20-odd years of campaigning .
National politics was playing strongly into local politics , threatening to overshadow the good relationship we had built with residents .
In response , we developed fantastic locally-based campaign material , with clear and simple pledges for our wards .
We didn ’ t campaign in wards we couldn ’ t win , although in retrospect we didn ’ t do enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given , this resulted in us losing two councillors , by a total of 18 votes .
But the Tories suffered badly and Cheshire West and Chester is still a Labour council with lots of enthusiastic and talented new councillors joining a committed and focused group that I am proud to lead .
By the general election in December 2019 , many residents were clear they didn ’ t like the party nationally .
They told us they recognised the good work from their Labour MPs and councillors working together locally but felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did we stand for ?
What were our messages ?
How would we make a difference to their lives ?
Some didn ’ t trust the leader and felt the manifesto was a fairy tale .
But we got out our vote and ensured all three of our super Labour MPs – Justin Madders , Mike Amesbury , and Matheson – got over the line , holding our section of the ‘ red wall ’ , albeit with decreased majorities .
Our party needs time now for reflection and rebuilding .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represent Labour local government on the Labour Together general election review – take part here if you haven ’ t already .
We need to learn lessons and change .
The new leader of the party needs to come out and speak to us in local government and listen – we know how to win .
In local government we also need to learn from each other : what works well , what needs to change .
Local and national government should empower and listen to communities and stop offering top down paternalistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cheshire West and Chester , we recognise people ’ s hopes and dreams , and we are working hand-in-hand with our citizens and partners to build those stronger communities .
I have no idea what the future holds nationally , but I am an optimist and I do know that a refreshed and repurposed Labour Party will be a force for good .
We need to learn lessons of the past and present , work together as one voice , listen to our communities , have a clear vision and look towards that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country .

When the polls closed in May 2015, I got into my car to drive to the count, buoyant and excited. I was intensely proud of the campaign we had run in Cheshire West and Chester. We were disciplined, targeted ruthlessly, and had a clear message. Four years of focused door knocking and community action, a manifesto built by listening to residents and understanding what makes people tick.
Ed Miliband had visited us in Chester as we ran our local all-out local election alongside the national campaign, in which Chester was a target seat. Now was the time to return a Labour government and a new Labour council. I knew in my own marginal ward, in which I had to serve alongside a Tory councillor, almost every one of my Labour promises had been out to vote. So when I turned on the car radio and heard the exit poll, my heart sunk. How could that be?
I was deputy leader of a passionate, focused Labour group – a team determined to take control of a flagship Tory council, set up under local government reorganisation in 2008. A borough where the poorest communities were being left behind, with the difference in life expectancy between the most affluent areas and the poorest up to 13 years. In 2008, there were just 13 Labour councillors out of 72. In 2011, when I was elected, this rose to 32 out of 75, and we felt victory was in our grasp. We spent those four years in opposition working towards returning a Labour council in May 2015, it was our sole focus: every action, every word spoken.
We knew that to make a difference we had to be in power: opposition sucks, and inequality was growing. We needed to protect our most vulnerable residents against the harshest of Tory cuts. Group funds paid for a campaign organiser – who is now a councillor and Cabinet member – and we worked with The Campaign Company to target our election messages. Whatever we were doing worked and in May 2015, after several re-counts – and the support of an independent councillor – we took control of the council with a majority of one, and Chris Matheson won Chester City for Labour. But nationally, as a party, we failed.
But what lay ahead was four years of the worst austerity this country had ever known, the divisive Brexit referendum, and another general election in 2017. Under the leadership of Samantha Dixon we focused on delivering our manifesto promises through an ambitious council plan and, importantly, kept our eyes firmly on May 2019. Despite a majority of just one, we did not lose one single vote at council in the four year term. We thought strategically and politically, we never stopped campaigning, and we fine-tuned our 2019 election plan on lessons learnt from 2015.
We loudly blamed the government for the cuts that we faced, but also highlighting the difference that Labour makes in power. We held regular street and market stalls, delivered newsletters, led community activities, and kept knocking on doors. We developed a new manifesto involving every single party member from the five constituencies that sit within our borough. In the 2017 snap general election, we returned a Labour MP to Weaver Vale and our sitting MPs in Chester and Ellesmere Port and Neston won with increased majorities. Our campaign was their campaign: we work together; we are one team. But once again, despite a fantastic result in Cheshire West, we failed nationally and still had a Tory government. What on earth was going on?
We kept going, focused on May 2019. We developed a clear message of ‘building stronger communities’. We kept residents up to date with good news stories and positive messages about the difference a Labour council makes. We worked closely with our MPs to overcome challenges together. It was one of the toughest elections I had fought in 20-odd years of campaigning. National politics was playing strongly into local politics, threatening to overshadow the good relationship we had built with residents.
In response, we developed fantastic locally-based campaign material, with clear and simple pledges for our wards. We didn’t campaign in wards we couldn’t win, although in retrospect we didn’t do enough in two wards which were considered a given, this resulted in us losing two councillors, by a total of 18 votes. But the Tories suffered badly and Cheshire West and Chester is still a Labour council with lots of enthusiastic and talented new councillors joining a committed and focused group that I am proud to lead.
By the general election in December 2019, many residents were clear they didn’t like the party nationally. They told us they recognised the good work from their Labour MPs and councillors working together locally but felt disconnected from the national party. What did we stand for? What were our messages? How would we make a difference to their lives? Some didn’t trust the leader and felt the manifesto was a fairy tale. But we got out our vote and ensured all three of our super Labour MPs – Justin Madders, Mike Amesbury, and Matheson – got over the line, holding our section of the ‘red wall’, albeit with decreased majorities.
Our party needs time now for reflection and rebuilding. I’m pleased to have been nominated to represent Labour local government on the Labour Together general election review – take part here if you haven’t already. We need to learn lessons and change. The new leader of the party needs to come out and speak to us in local government and listen – we know how to win. In local government we also need to learn from each other: what works well, what needs to change. Local and national government should empower and listen to communities and stop offering top down paternalistic control by a centralised machine.
In Cheshire West and Chester, we recognise people’s hopes and dreams, and we are working hand-in-hand with our citizens and partners to build those stronger communities. I have no idea what the future holds nationally, but I am an optimist and I do know that a refreshed and repurposed Labour Party will be a force for good. We need to learn lessons of the past and present, work together as one voice, listen to our communities, have a clear vision and look towards that future to see what is possible for our country.