labourlist--2020-03-04--Ian Murray calls for creation of co-deputy leader post to ensure gender balance

Labour deputy leader candidate Ian Murray has called on the party to establish a co-deputy leader post with the aim of ensuring that there is always at least one woman in the party ’ s leadership team .
Ahead of addressing the women ’ s parliamentary party , Labour ’ s only Scottish MP said : “ We should always be proud of Labour ’ s record in achieving greater gender equality – both within our party and in society when we were in government .
“ But there is so much more to do .
This starts with reforming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am determined there should always be at least one woman in our leadership team.
” Murray has also come out in favour of making proxy voting in the UK and Scottish parliaments a permanent fixture , which would apply during maternity leave and be available to those with caring responsibilities .
The UK is currently trialling a system championed by Labour ’ s Stella Creasy , who last year became the first MP ever to appoint a locum to cover her parliamentary duties during maternity leave .
The pilot system allows locums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per year , pro rata , and be given a staff parliamentary pass .
They can not speak in the chamber or vote in the House of Commons , with votes being covered by a proxy .
The MP for Edinburgh South has said he would make this trial and other parental leave arrangements formal and permanent .
He has also advocated more options allowing flexibility to be introduced at Holyrood .
“ Too often when we talk about gender equality we ask what more can be done to support women to break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of work of seeking to change the system , ” Murray said .
“ I want to change the system .
Public service is something to be championed , but we can not hope to encourage more people to choose it as a career unless we remove institutional barriers.
” Murray also backs job shares .
These have become a controversial issue in Scottish Labour , as Jackie Baillie and Pauline McNeill wanted to share the role of Scottish Labour deputy leader but were told by the party that they could not do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the women ’ s parliamentary party are as follows : Tackling sexual harassment , misogyny , and bullying in the party 1 .
We must change the way our party works so that we transform its culture .
That starts by recognising the intersectional nature of abuse : it is harder to be a woman in public life .
I will take personal responsibility for rooting out all forms of racism , bullying and harassment across our party .
I fully support Stella Creasy ’ s campaign to make misogyny a hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal responsibility for ensuring that our grievance and complaints process it is fit for purpose .
As Deputy Leader , I will work with women who have lived experience of the complaints process , as well as those who have found the system has failed them , to identify the best processes to put in place .
I will enforce a zero-tolerance approach and implement an independent complaints and grievance procedure that members can have full confidence in , with reports submitted to the police where necessary .
3 .
I will propose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Shortlists beyond 2030 .
4 .
I will ensure there is properly-funded training , mentoring and resources to identify and support women candidates , including the continuation of the successful Jo Cox Women in Leadership programme .
5 .
As soon as I put my hat in the ring to become deputy leader , the fact that we could end up with a male leader and deputy was very apparent to me .
If elected , I will immediately propose an equal co-deputy leader post which must be a woman .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is always at least one woman in our leadership team .
I will also propose a rule change to ensure that future leader and deputy leader campaigns never run concurrently again .
6 .
Any future shadow cabinet must meet or exceed our current gender balance of 50/50 .
7 .
I will always be an ally to women , and that means handing over the mic .
At least 50 % of media appearances by Labour representatives should be women and I will set clear targets for our media office to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers sometimes saying no when a man is asked to appear , and it means I will sometimes say no to media requests and recommend a woman instead .
It also means ensuring there are no all-male panels and working with TV and radio producers to achieve this .
8 .
I will support initiatives to work towards 50 % of Labour council group leaders being women .
9 .
I believe our party should allow job-sharing roles .
I supported Jackie Baillie MSP and Pauline McNeill MSP ’ s bid to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a joint ticket , and it was deeply disappointing this was rejected by our party .
10 .
I support formal parental leave arrangements for all levels of public office and proxy voting for maternity leave .
This should be introduced at all levels of government .
11 .
I supported Stella Creasy ’ s motion for a locum MP whilst she was on maternity leave and I will maintain this commitment going forward , and fight for it to be introduced in the Scottish Parliament .
12 .
I will advocate proxy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in remote constituencies .
We need to work to make our parliaments more family-friendly , especially for parents travelling long distances .
The loss to public life of SNP MSP Gail Ross who represents Wick in the very north of Scotland so that she can spend more time with her young son has put this in perspective for me .

Labour deputy leader candidate Ian Murray has called on the party to establish a co-deputy leader post with the aim of ensuring that there is always at least one woman in the party’s leadership team.
Ahead of addressing the women’s parliamentary party, Labour’s only Scottish MP said: “We should always be proud of Labour’s record in achieving greater gender equality – both within our party and in society when we were in government.
“But there is so much more to do. This starts with reforming our own party, which is why I am determined there should always be at least one woman in our leadership team.”
Murray has also come out in favour of making proxy voting in the UK and Scottish parliaments a permanent fixture, which would apply during maternity leave and be available to those with caring responsibilities.
The UK is currently trialling a system championed by Labour’s Stella Creasy, who last year became the first MP ever to appoint a locum to cover her parliamentary duties during maternity leave.
The pilot system allows locums to be paid the equivalent of £50,000 per year, pro rata, and be given a staff parliamentary pass. They cannot speak in the chamber or vote in the House of Commons, with votes being covered by a proxy.
The MP for Edinburgh South has said he would make this trial and other parental leave arrangements formal and permanent. He has also advocated more options allowing flexibility to be introduced at Holyrood.
“Too often when we talk about gender equality we ask what more can be done to support women to break through – rather than do the harder of work of seeking to change the system,” Murray said.
“I want to change the system. Public service is something to be championed, but we cannot hope to encourage more people to choose it as a career unless we remove institutional barriers.”
Murray also backs job shares. These have become a controversial issue in Scottish Labour, as Jackie Baillie and Pauline McNeill wanted to share the role of Scottish Labour deputy leader but were told by the party that they could not do so.
Murray’s 12 pledges to the women’s parliamentary party are as follows:
Tackling sexual harassment, misogyny, and bullying in the party
1. We must change the way our party works so that we transform its culture. That starts by recognising the intersectional nature of abuse: it is harder to be a woman in public life. I will take personal responsibility for rooting out all forms of racism, bullying and harassment across our party. I fully support Stella Creasy’s campaign to make misogyny a hate crime.
2. I will take personal responsibility for ensuring that our grievance and complaints process it is fit for purpose. As Deputy Leader, I will work with women who have lived experience of the complaints process, as well as those who have found the system has failed them, to identify the best processes to put in place. I will enforce a zero-tolerance approach and implement an independent complaints and grievance procedure that members can have full confidence in, with reports submitted to the police where necessary.
Making elected office more accessible
3. I will propose extending the use of All Women’s Shortlists beyond 2030.
4. I will ensure there is properly-funded training, mentoring and resources to identify and support women candidates, including the continuation of the successful Jo Cox Women in Leadership programme.
Equal representation
5. As soon as I put my hat in the ring to become deputy leader, the fact that we could end up with a male leader and deputy was very apparent to me. If elected, I will immediately propose an equal co-deputy leader post which must be a woman. This will be a permanent post, ensuring there is always at least one woman in our leadership team. I will also propose a rule change to ensure that future leader and deputy leader campaigns never run concurrently again.
6. Any future shadow cabinet must meet or exceed our current gender balance of 50/50.
7. I will always be an ally to women, and that means handing over the mic. At least 50% of media appearances by Labour representatives should be women and I will set clear targets for our media office to achieve this. That means our press officers sometimes saying no when a man is asked to appear, and it means I will sometimes say no to media requests and recommend a woman instead. It also means ensuring there are no all-male panels and working with TV and radio producers to achieve this.
8. I will support initiatives to work towards 50% of Labour council group leaders being women.
Removing barriers for women who choose public office
9. I believe our party should allow job-sharing roles. I supported Jackie Baillie MSP and Pauline McNeill MSP’s bid to run as deputy leader of Scottish Labour on a joint ticket, and it was deeply disappointing this was rejected by our party.
10. I support formal parental leave arrangements for all levels of public office and proxy voting for maternity leave. This should be introduced at all levels of government.
11. I supported Stella Creasy’s motion for a locum MP whilst she was on maternity leave and I will maintain this commitment going forward, and fight for it to be introduced in the Scottish Parliament.
12. I will advocate proxy voting for all caring responsibilities and people in remote constituencies. We need to work to make our parliaments more family-friendly, especially for parents travelling long distances. The loss to public life of SNP MSP Gail Ross who represents Wick in the very north of Scotland so that she can spend more time with her young son has put this in perspective for me.


labourlist--2020-03-04--Exclusive: Make conference sovereign – and 9 other Burgon plans for party democracy

Labour deputy leadership candidate Richard Burgon has vowed to create a “ truly democratic ” party by implementing ten measures to empower members and by launching a ‘ Democracy Review 2.0 ’ .
The Leeds East MP has promised that , if elected , he would seek to change the leadership election rules and make conference votes above a certain threshold binding for the party , LabourList can reveal .
Labour is currently not bound by policy passed at its annual conference – even if motions are passed unanimously .
It is the ‘ Clause V ’ meeting that decides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included in the manifesto .
One of Burgon ’ s proposals would change this situation by setting a threshold for support , above which a conference vote would be sovereign and guaranteed to be included in the next party manifesto .
The deputy leadership candidate also wants to “ stop the Parliamentary Labour Party acting as gatekeepers ” in the leadership elections , which would mean removing the requirement for MP/MEP nominations .
In the ongoing 2020 leadership election , candidates needed to secure support from 10 % of their colleagues before they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This rule led to Clive Lewis being knocked out of the race .
It is understood that Burgon would instead be in favour of all parts of the party being able to nominate , with the nominations of MPs , trade unions and local parties being given equal worth by the party .
Burgon has suggested there should be a guarantee that Labour women ’ s conference is held annually and separately from annual conference .
This year , it is being held on the same weekend and will only be a half-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversial by many Labour representatives in local government , Burgon would like to revive the idea of members directly election Labour council group leaders rather than have them chosen by councillors .
He has also put forward the proposal of increasing local party and trade union representation on Labour ’ s ruling national executive committee .
CLP and union reps are considered generally more likely to be on the Labour left .
This reform for the ruling body favoured by Burgon stands in contrast to the main leadership candidates who have all committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NEC members , of which there are currently two .
The deputy leadership candidate has said he would like to see implemented all recommendations in the democracy review established under Jeremy Corbyn ’ s leadership , and to see a second review launched .
Burgon ’ s “ ten next steps to strength members ’ say ” are as follows : • Enable members to select their candidates for elected positions through open selections at all levels .
• Ensure the sovereignty of annual conference and guarantee that all policies achieving an agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s manifesto .
• Work with CLP and trade union representatives to devise a new policy-making process to replace the national policy forum , with a genuine bottom-up process that harnesses the knowledge and expertise of grassroots members and trade unions and makes much better use of digital engagement .
• Guarantee that a women ’ s conference with policy-making powers occurs annually and separately from annual conference , and facilitate such conferences for BAME , disabled , LGBT+ and young members where desired .
• Properly resource our equality structures so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratic involvement and can play a full role in the party at all levels .
• Reform the rules on electing Labour ’ s leadership to stop the Parliamentary Labour Party acting as gatekeepers .
• Direct election by Labour Party members of Labour group leaders to help ensure greater interest and engagement in local government .
• Increase representation for both constituencies and trade unions on the national executive committee .
• A new national student body that secures maximum involvement of student members .
Work with Young Labour to provide the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including through fully functioning regional Young Labour committees .
• Invest in digital tools and technical support , so that CLPs can properly engage with their members using a range of channels , bringing the party into the 21st century .
Commenting on the fresh proposals , Burgon said : “ The Democracy Review was an important step forward in creating a members-led party .
But there is a long way to go to implement all its recommendations and to create a truly democratic party .
“ As deputy leader , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be fully implemented whilst simultaneously launching a Democracy Review 2.0 .
“ It will ultimately be for the members to decide the best ways of further opening up the party , of how we best strengthen our equalities structures , whether we remove the role of MPs as gatekeepers for the leadership candidates , and how we ensure a full and proper voice for grassroots members and the trade unions .
“ I am launching these ten proposals to spark that next wave of discussion on how we strengthen grassroots members ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will disagree but – whatever your view on these specific proposals – if I am deputy leader , members will be in the driving seat in deciding how we best democratise our party.
” Richard Burgon has been backed for the deputy leader post by trade unions Unite , BFAWU and FBU , plus the Socialist Education Association .
He was nominated by 77 local parties .
Voting in Labour ’ s leadership and deputy leadership elections will close on April 2nd , before the results are announced at a special conference in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Angela Rayner are thought to be the frontrunners .

Labour deputy leadership candidate Richard Burgon has vowed to create a “truly democratic” party by implementing ten measures to empower members and by launching a ‘Democracy Review 2.0’.
The Leeds East MP has promised that, if elected, he would seek to change the leadership election rules and make conference votes above a certain threshold binding for the party, LabourList can reveal.
Labour is currently not bound by policy passed at its annual conference – even if motions are passed unanimously. It is the ‘Clause V’ meeting that decides which parts of the party programme are included in the manifesto.
One of Burgon’s proposals would change this situation by setting a threshold for support, above which a conference vote would be sovereign and guaranteed to be included in the next party manifesto.
The deputy leadership candidate also wants to “stop the Parliamentary Labour Party acting as gatekeepers” in the leadership elections, which would mean removing the requirement for MP/MEP nominations.
In the ongoing 2020 leadership election, candidates needed to secure support from 10% of their colleagues before they could proceed to the next stage. This rule led to Clive Lewis being knocked out of the race.
It is understood that Burgon would instead be in favour of all parts of the party being able to nominate, with the nominations of MPs, trade unions and local parties being given equal worth by the party.
Burgon has suggested there should be a guarantee that Labour women’s conference is held annually and separately from annual conference. This year, it is being held on the same weekend and will only be a half-day event.
In a move considered highly controversial by many Labour representatives in local government, Burgon would like to revive the idea of members directly election Labour council group leaders rather than have them chosen by councillors.
He has also put forward the proposal of increasing local party and trade union representation on Labour’s ruling national executive committee. CLP and union reps are considered generally more likely to be on the Labour left.
This reform for the ruling body favoured by Burgon stands in contrast to the main leadership candidates who have all committed to increasing the number of local government NEC members, of which there are currently two.
The deputy leadership candidate has said he would like to see implemented all recommendations in the democracy review established under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, and to see a second review launched.
Burgon’s “ten next steps to strength members’ say” are as follows:
Enable members to select their candidates for elected positions through open selections at all levels. Ensure the sovereignty of annual conference and guarantee that all policies achieving an agreed threshold at annual conference into the party’s manifesto. Work with CLP and trade union representatives to devise a new policy-making process to replace the national policy forum, with a genuine bottom-up process that harnesses the knowledge and expertise of grassroots members and trade unions and makes much better use of digital engagement. Guarantee that a women’s conference with policy-making powers occurs annually and separately from annual conference, and facilitate such conferences for BAME, disabled, LGBT+ and young members where desired. Properly resource our equality structures so all oppressed groups have opportunities for proper democratic involvement and can play a full role in the party at all levels. Reform the rules on electing Labour’s leadership to stop the Parliamentary Labour Party acting as gatekeepers. Direct election by Labour Party members of Labour group leaders to help ensure greater interest and engagement in local government. Increase representation for both constituencies and trade unions on the national executive committee. A new national student body that secures maximum involvement of student members. Work with Young Labour to provide the support they need to engage young members, including through fully functioning regional Young Labour committees. Invest in digital tools and technical support, so that CLPs can properly engage with their members using a range of channels, bringing the party into the 21st century.
Commenting on the fresh proposals, Burgon said: “The Democracy Review was an important step forward in creating a members-led party. But there is a long way to go to implement all its recommendations and to create a truly democratic party.
“As deputy leader, I will push for all its outstanding recommendations to be fully implemented whilst simultaneously launching a Democracy Review 2.0.
“It will ultimately be for the members to decide the best ways of further opening up the party, of how we best strengthen our equalities structures, whether we remove the role of MPs as gatekeepers for the leadership candidates, and how we ensure a full and proper voice for grassroots members and the trade unions.
“I am launching these ten proposals to spark that next wave of discussion on how we strengthen grassroots members’ say. Some will agree, some will disagree but – whatever your view on these specific proposals – if I am deputy leader, members will be in the driving seat in deciding how we best democratise our party.”
Richard Burgon has been backed for the deputy leader post by trade unions Unite, BFAWU and FBU, plus the Socialist Education Association. He was nominated by 77 local parties.
Voting in Labour’s leadership and deputy leadership elections will close on April 2nd, before the results are announced at a special conference in London two days later. Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner are thought to be the frontrunners.


labourlist--2020-03-05--Gordon Brown endorses Keir Starmer to be the next Labour leader

The former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown has endorsed Keir Starmer in his bid to become the next leader of the party .
In a video message released today , Brown said that all the leadership candidates were “ worthy ” but that Starmer has “ all the qualifications that are necessary ” .
He described Starmer as the only one “ with the expertise , with the eloquence , with the dedication , with the commitment and indeed with the values ” to get Labour into power .
Brown spoke about the Tory record in government and declared that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a vision of what can be achieved in the new world of the 2020s ” .
The former Labour leader echoed Starmer ’ s emphasis on the importance of unity – citing examples of “ massive achievements ” , such as the creation of the NHS , made by a unified Labour Party .
Commenting on the ongoing leadership race , Brown said : “ We have three worthy candidates in the election for Labour leader .
Rebecca Long-Bailey has emphasised the importance of a green new deal .
Lisa Nandy has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our communities .
“ But there is one candidate with the expertise , with the eloquence , with the dedication , with the commitment and indeed with the values that are necessary for Labour to return to power .
“ Keir Starmer has all the qualifications that are necessary for a Prime Minister of the future .
A vote for Keir Starmer is a vote for hope .
It ’ s a vote for the future .
It ’ s a vote for the values that all of us believe in deeply .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ elect a Labour government.
” Brown became Prime Minister in 2007 .
He stood down as party leader after losing the 2010 election , in which Labour won just 29 % of the vote and lost 97 seats .
He is also backing Ian Murray to be the next deputy leader of the Labour Party – alongside Alistair Darling , Roy Hattersley and Tony Blair .
Starmer is currently considered the frontrunner in the contest to succeed Jeremy Corbyn and the latest polling has him winning the competition decisively .
The same polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Camden MP will move Labour “ further to the centre ” if elected as leader .
Voting in the election began on February 24th and ballots close on April 2nd .
The result will be announced at a special conference on April 4th .

The former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown has endorsed Keir Starmer in his bid to become the next leader of the party.
In a video message released today, Brown said that while all the leadership candidates were “worthy”, Starmer had “all the qualifications that are necessary”.
He described Starmer as the only one “with the expertise, with the eloquence, with the dedication, with the commitment and indeed with the values” to get Labour into power.
Brown spoke about the Tory record in government, and declared that the country “needs a Labour Party with a vision of what can be achieved in the new world of the 2020s”.
The former Labour leader echoed Starmer’s emphasis on the importance of unity – citing examples of “massive achievements”, such as the creation of the NHS, made by a unified Labour Party.
Commenting on the ongoing leadership race, Brown said: “We have three worthy candidates in the election for Labour leader. Rebecca Long-Bailey has emphasised the importance of a green new deal. Lisa Nandy has talked rightly about the importance of empowering our communities.
“But there is one candidate with the expertise, with the eloquence, with the dedication, with the commitment and indeed with the values that are necessary for Labour to return to power.
“Keir Starmer has all the qualifications that are necessary for a Prime Minister of the future. A vote for Keir Starmer is a vote for hope. It’s a vote for the future. It’s a vote for the values that all of us believe in deeply. Join Keir Starmer and let’s elect a Labour government.”
Labour in government can do – and has done – incredible things. Privileged to have the support of Gordon Brown. pic.twitter.com/3B7h0uknvJ — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) March 5, 2020
Brown became Prime Minister in 2007. He stood down as party leader after losing the 2010 election, in which Labour won just 29% of the vote and lost 97 seats.
He is also backing Ian Murray to be the next deputy leader of the Labour Party – alongside Alistair Darling, Roy Hattersley and Tony Blair.
Starmer is currently considered the frontrunner in the contest to succeed Jeremy Corbyn and the latest polling has him winning the competition decisively.
The same polling revealed that 79% of members think that the Camden MP will move Labour “further to the centre” if elected as leader.
Voting in the election began on February 24th and ballots close on April 2nd. The result will be announced at a special conference on April 4th.


labourlist--2020-03-04--Tories receive £1.5m over three months in donations from polluters and climate deniers

The Conservatives have received nearly £1.5m in donations from polluting industries and funders of climate change denial in the past three months .
Analysis by DeSmog UK of information published by the Electoral Commission shows that the party has received substantial donations from JCB and London City Airport , among others .
British multinational JCB , which manufactures heavy machinery , has made several donations to the Tories including two of £700,000 each , while London City Airport donated £12,500 .
Donations amounting to £20,000 were recorded from a company called Offshore Group Newcastle , which produces steel for North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a funder of climate sceptic think tank GWPF , gave cash to Priti Patel , Andrea Leadsom , Robert Halfon , Mark Garnier and Penny Mordaunt .
The research shows that the total sum of donations to the Conservatives from high-carbon industries amounts to £1,448,478 in the past three months .
Commenting on the findings , shadow minister Alan Whitehead said : “ News that the Conservative Party is funded by fossil fuel interests raises worrying questions about Tory sincerity on net zero and the green economy .
“ Nothing has changed since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declare a climate emergency , and millions of pounds of tax relief are being funnelled by this government towards fossil fuel interests .
“ Businesses rarely hand over money for no reason , the question for the Conservative Party is , what have these companies bought ?
” Labour put forward a motion in parliament last year to declare a climate emergency , making the UK the first country in the world to have done so .
At the last election , the Conservatives set a target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaffirmed that commitment .
However , Jeremy Corbyn recently highlighted in Prime Minister ’ s Questions that the government is badly failing and is on track to reach this net-zero target by 2099 .

The Conservatives have received nearly £1.5m in donations from polluting industries and funders of climate change denial in the past three months.
Analysis by DeSmog UK of information published by the Electoral Commission shows that the party has received substantial donations from JCB and London City Airport, among others.
British multinational JCB, which manufactures heavy machinery, has made several donations to the Tories including two of £700,000 each, while London City Airport donated £12,500.
Donations amounting to £20,000 were recorded from a company called Offshore Group Newcastle, which produces steel for North Sea oil rigs.
Michael Hintze, a funder of climate sceptic think tank GWPF, gave cash to Priti Patel, Andrea Leadsom, Robert Halfon, Mark Garnier and Penny Mordaunt.
The research shows that the total sum of donations to the Conservatives from high-carbon industries amounts to £1,448,478 in the past three months.
Commenting on the findings, shadow minister Alan Whitehead said: “News that the Conservative Party is funded by fossil fuel interests raises worrying questions about Tory sincerity on net zero and the green economy.
“Nothing has changed since parliament accepted Labour’s motion to declare a climate emergency, and millions of pounds of tax relief are being funnelled by this government towards fossil fuel interests.
“Businesses rarely hand over money for no reason, the question for the Conservative Party is, what have these companies bought?”
Labour put forward a motion in parliament last year to declare a climate emergency, making the UK the first country in the world to have done so.
At the last election, the Conservatives set a target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and the Prime Minister has since reaffirmed that commitment.
However, Jeremy Corbyn recently highlighted in Prime Minister’s Questions that the government is badly failing and is on track to reach this net-zero target by 2099.


labourlist--2020-03-05--WATCH: Labour MPs share their stories for International Women’s Day

Ahead of International Women ’ s Day 2020 on Sunday , March 8th , the House of Commons held a debate during which MPs talked about legislating for women ’ s rights and shared their personal stories of how misogyny had affected their lives .
Dawn Butler talked about legislative changes , such as stronger protection against harassment and discrimination .
The Shadow Equalities Secretary and deputy leadership candidate said : “ For too long , politics has been the reserve for a particularly wealthy group in society in the ‘ old boys ’ club ’ and I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change.
” Rosie Duffield talked about online abuse directed at women .
The MP for Canterbury said : “ Part of our job as women in parliament is to receive it , filter it , weather it , police it , ignore it , highlight it , talk about it , help other women , deal with it , tackle it so that other women don ’ t have to , and fight it constantly , with a view to eradicating it completely.
” Newcomer Alex Davies-Jones talked about her personal fertility story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman who has walked past a glowing bump in the street… who has been asked ‘ when are you having children ?
’ … while suppressing mixed emotions of envy , sadness and self-loathing .
You are not alone.
” Naz Shah also talked about her personal experiences , explaining that she is “ the daughter of a victim of domestic abuse who served 14 years in prison , and she went to prison because she could no longer handle the abuse and killed the person who abused her ” .
Shah said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journey into politics started.
” Jess Phillips , as she does annually , read out a list of the names of women who have been murdered by men over the past year .
She told the almost empty chamber that the number was going up rather than down , and talked about both violent partner abuse and abuse received by women from their sons .

Ahead of International Women’s Day 2020 on Sunday, March 8th, the House of Commons held a debate during which MPs talked about legislating for women’s rights and shared their personal stories of how misogyny had affected their lives.
Dawn Butler talked about legislative changes, such as stronger protection against harassment and discrimination. The Shadow Equalities Secretary and deputy leadership candidate said: “For too long, politics has been the reserve for a particularly wealthy group in society in the ‘old boys’ club’ and I’m pleased that that is slowly beginning to change.”
“For too long politics has been the reserve for a particularly wealthy group in society, the old boy’s club – and I’m pleased that is slowly beginning to change” Shadow women and equalities minister Dawn Butler says Parliament can “lead the way”#IWD2020 https://t.co/fc2Y2uvtIn pic.twitter.com/OIClqcQBzk — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 5, 2020
Rosie Duffield talked about online abuse directed at women. The MP for Canterbury said: “Part of our job as women in parliament is to receive it, filter it, weather it, police it, ignore it, highlight it, talk about it, help other women, deal with it, tackle it so that other women don’t have to, and fight it constantly, with a view to eradicating it completely.”
“Misogyny comes in many forms and wears various guises,” says Rosie Duffield “Part of our job as women in Parliament, is to receive it, filter it, weather it, police it, ignore it, highlight it… and fight it constantly”#IWD2020 https://t.co/fc2Y2uvtIn pic.twitter.com/1GRTEdGu5J — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 5, 2020
Newcomer Alex Davies-Jones talked about her personal fertility story. She said: “To every woman who has walked past a glowing bump in the street… who has been asked ‘when are you having children?’… while suppressing mixed emotions of envy, sadness and self-loathing. You are not alone.”
“To every woman who has walked past a glowing bump in the street… who has been asked ‘when are you having children?’… while suppressing mixed emotions of envy, sadness and self-loathing “You are not alone” – Alex Davies-Jones on fertility struggleshttps://t.co/fc2Y2uvtIn pic.twitter.com/9i0XiqGC4P — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 5, 2020
Naz Shah also talked about her personal experiences, explaining that she is “the daughter of a victim of domestic abuse who served 14 years in prison, and she went to prison because she could no longer handle the abuse and killed the person who abused her”. Shah said: “That was where my real journey into politics started.”
“I was the daughter of a victim of domestic abuse… that was where my real journey into politics started, when I raised my brother and sister,” says Naz Shah “For me to be stood here today tells us… there is hope”#IWD2020 #EachforEqual https://t.co/fc2Y2uvtIn pic.twitter.com/LmZoYHCRWv — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 5, 2020
Jess Phillips, as she does annually, read out a list of the names of women who have been murdered by men over the past year. She told the almost empty chamber that the number was going up rather than down, and talked about both violent partner abuse and abuse received by women from their sons.


labourlist--2020-03-05--Clare Coghill: Why I’m backing Lisa Nandy to be the next Labour leader

We have the chance to make history .
We can elect the first ever woman leader of the Labour Party in over a century since its creation .
It is well overdue and , let ’ s face it , we can not go on as we are .
Every day there seem to be new examples of political failure by men at the top .
Whether it ’ s the barefaced lies of Boris Johnson and Donald Trump , or the ‘ strongman ’ authoritarianism of Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orbán , our leaders are letting us down .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the rise of nationalism , gaping inequality , and new security challenges are going unchecked because they are simply not up to the job .
For too long , we have accepted that our leaders must look and sound a certain way .
Put on a suit , wear a tie , declaim from a lectern and you can be passed off as ‘ presidential ’ .
Roll up your shirt sleeves , don a high-vis jacket and you can be praised as an ‘ oven-ready ’ Prime Minister .
We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we don ’ t , we will not be in a position to rise to the challenges – and seize the opportunities – of the coming decades .
It ’ s time to rethink what leadership looks like .
With Lisa Nandy , Labour can elect a new kind of leader with a new kind of leadership .
We can be different as female leaders – not telling people to do , but standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them .
We listen to voters rather than tell them what they should believe , recognising that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own lives , not to have change imposed on them .
People inside and outside of Labour are responding incredibly positively to Lisa , who is straight-talking and honest .
She doesn ’ t fudge or prevaricate .
We can all see she is strong and principled , and doesn ’ t sit on the fence .
In Lisa , we can elect a woman with a decade of political experience , a deep understanding of policy-making and strong community roots .
By electing her , we are choosing someone who won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answers to challenging questions .
Someone who is comfortable with the world being complicated , messy and sometimes downright difficult .
After four consecutive election defeats , we can elect a woman who gets it – who ’ s ready for the challenge ahead and can build common purpose between voters in all parts of our country .
When any woman seeks to lead , to put their head above the parapet , and say ‘ I ’ m the right person for this job ’ , she stands on the shoulders of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Labour Party we have some of the strongest and broadest shoulders around .
We are the party of Barbara Castle , Mo Mowlam , Margaret Beckett , Diane Abbott , and the indomitable Harriet Harman .
51 % of Labour MPs are women .
A Labour government appointed the first ever female Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary .
It ’ s shocking that , despite this , we still have never elected a woman to be leader .
It ’ s time to smash this final glass ceiling and show our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look and sound like them .
This is not just the right thing to do and the way to inspire thousands of girls and young women to get involved in politics – it ’ s how we win .
Lisa is the best candidate to bring our party together , put forward a positive and progressive policy agenda and take the fight to Johnson .
We ’ ve seen again and again how this weak and waffling Prime Minister runs scared from situations that aren ’ t in his limited comfort zone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he swerved the scrutiny of Andrew Neil , how he refused to look at pictures of a little boy lying on a hospital floor , and how he hid in a fridge to avoid a journalist .
He feels at home bantering with the boys from the Bullingdon Club .
But how will he cope when confronted , week after week , by a smart and principled northern woman , challenging him with the real life impact of his appalling politics ?
The short answer is , he won ’ t .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions , plain-speaking and honesty of Lisa Nandy ?
That would be a battle worth watching , and one that I know would start to shift the polls in our favour .
When Channel 4 recently ran focus groups on the Labour leadership candidates , Lisa was the candidate most likely to win back the voters we ’ ve lost .
The latest polling also showed she has the highest favourability rating of those standing .
The task ahead is mammoth .
We need to gain 124 seats to form a majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Castle who once reminded us that , “ in politics , guts is all ” .
So let ’ s make the gutsy choice .
As the first woman to be elected as leader , Lisa Nandy can show how a different kind of leadership can deliver for our party and , more importantly , for the country too .

We have the chance to make history. We can elect the first ever woman leader of the Labour Party in over a century since its creation. It is well overdue and, let’s face it, we cannot go on as we are. Every day there seem to be new examples of political failure by men at the top. Whether it’s the barefaced lies of Boris Johnson and Donald Trump, or the ‘strongman’ authoritarianism of Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orbán, our leaders are letting us down. Lack of serious action on climate breakdown, the rise of nationalism, gaping inequality, and new security challenges are going unchecked because they are simply not up to the job.
For too long, we have accepted that our leaders must look and sound a certain way. Put on a suit, wear a tie, declaim from a lectern and you can be passed off as ‘presidential’. Roll up your shirt sleeves, don a high-vis jacket and you can be praised as an ‘oven-ready’ Prime Minister. We need to break this mould. Because if we don’t, we will not be in a position to rise to the challenges – and seize the opportunities – of the coming decades. It’s time to rethink what leadership looks like.
With Lisa Nandy, Labour can elect a new kind of leader with a new kind of leadership. We can be different as female leaders – not telling people to do, but standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them. We listen to voters rather than tell them what they should believe, recognising that people want power and control to change their own lives, not to have change imposed on them. People inside and outside of Labour are responding incredibly positively to Lisa, who is straight-talking and honest. She doesn’t fudge or prevaricate. We can all see she is strong and principled, and doesn’t sit on the fence.
In Lisa, we can elect a woman with a decade of political experience, a deep understanding of policy-making and strong community roots. By electing her, we are choosing someone who won’t offer false promises or easy answers to challenging questions. Someone who is comfortable with the world being complicated, messy and sometimes downright difficult. After four consecutive election defeats, we can elect a woman who gets it – who’s ready for the challenge ahead and can build common purpose between voters in all parts of our country.
When any woman seeks to lead, to put their head above the parapet, and say ‘I’m the right person for this job’, she stands on the shoulders of generations who have come before. And in the Labour Party we have some of the strongest and broadest shoulders around. We are the party of Barbara Castle, Mo Mowlam, Margaret Beckett, Diane Abbott, and the indomitable Harriet Harman. 51% of Labour MPs are women. A Labour government appointed the first ever female Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary. It’s shocking that, despite this, we still have never elected a woman to be leader. It’s time to smash this final glass ceiling and show our daughters, step-daughters and granddaughters that leaders look and sound like them.
This is not just the right thing to do and the way to inspire thousands of girls and young women to get involved in politics – it’s how we win. Lisa is the best candidate to bring our party together, put forward a positive and progressive policy agenda and take the fight to Johnson. We’ve seen again and again how this weak and waffling Prime Minister runs scared from situations that aren’t in his limited comfort zone. We saw in the election campaign how he swerved the scrutiny of Andrew Neil, how he refused to look at pictures of a little boy lying on a hospital floor, and how he hid in a fridge to avoid a journalist.
He feels at home bantering with the boys from the Bullingdon Club. But how will he cope when confronted, week after week, by a smart and principled northern woman, challenging him with the real life impact of his appalling politics? The short answer is, he won’t. How would he stand up to the forensic questions, plain-speaking and honesty of Lisa Nandy? That would be a battle worth watching, and one that I know would start to shift the polls in our favour.
When Channel 4 recently ran focus groups on the Labour leadership candidates, Lisa was the candidate most likely to win back the voters we’ve lost. The latest polling also showed she has the highest favourability rating of those standing. The task ahead is mammoth. We need to gain 124 seats to form a majority of just one. But it was Barbara Castle who once reminded us that, “in politics, guts is all”. So let’s make the gutsy choice. As the first woman to be elected as leader, Lisa Nandy can show how a different kind of leadership can deliver for our party and, more importantly, for the country too.


labourlist--2020-03-05--What is a maiden speech, and what is it for?

The ‘ maiden speech ’ is traditionally the first time a newly elected MP speaks in parliament .
Before 2010 , an MP wasn ’ t actually allowed to make any other contribution at all before having made this introductory speech , but this has since changed .
Now , a member can engage in procedures fully from day one , and it isn ’ t necessarily the first time they speak .
And given that at each election there can be hundreds of new MPs , this is probably for the best – 140 joined the House last December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is usually uncontroversial , includes a tribute to the predecessor – regardless of their political affiliation – and some favourable mention of the constituency .
This first speech should traditionally be heard without interruption , as should any that that follow to congratulate them .
Maiden speeches can be made during any parliamentary debate .
Lots of the 2019 Labour intake made theirs during a debate on the green new deal , for example .
The new member is given the chance to speak before other MPs who have indicated that they want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice given beforehand to the Speaker .
Lots of new Labour MPs have already made their maiden speeches already , and there have been some notable contributions .
Zarah Sultana grabbed the most headlines for abandoning tradition and attacking the Tory government .
Causing even more of a stir , she went on to criticise events that took place under the last Labour government , saying that her “ generation faced 40 years of Thatcherism ” .
She went on to use the opportunity to speak about the need for a green new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Limehouse , Apsana Begum , was the first elected member of the House of Commons to deliver a maiden speech wearing a hijab .
Taking part in an international women ’ s day debate this afternoon , she took the chance to speak about her having personally experienced islamophobia and warned the House of the growing threat of racism .
Nadia Whittome – the youngest MP in the House at the age of 23 – used hers to forcefully emphasise how parliament alienates working class people with its “ old conventions ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ As a working-class woman of colour , I ’ m made to feel like I don ’ t belong here unless I throw my community under a bus.
” Others were more conventional .
Taiwo Owatemi , for example , spoke about her ambitions for her constituency – Coventry North West – and gave tribute to her predecessor Geoffrey Robinson and the 43 years that he spent representing her residents in parliament .
After December , Labour had 26 new MPs to be sworn in .
And once they took their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of getting through their maiden speeches along with all the other newly elected members .
Keep checking back here for more updates , as LabourList will publish all of the maiden speeches made by new Labour MPs over the coming weeks .

The ‘maiden speech’ is traditionally the first time a newly elected MP speaks in parliament. Before 2010, an MP wasn’t actually allowed to make any other contribution at all before having made this introductory speech, but this has since changed. Now, a member can engage in procedures fully from day one, and it isn’t necessarily the first time they speak. And given that at each election there can be hundreds of new MPs, this is probably for the best – 140 joined the House last December.
Guidance states that a maiden speech is usually uncontroversial, includes a tribute to the predecessor – regardless of their political affiliation – and some favourable mention of the constituency. This first speech should traditionally be heard without interruption, as should any that that follow to congratulate them.
Maiden speeches can be made during any parliamentary debate. Lots of the 2019 Labour intake made theirs during a debate on the green new deal, for example. The new member is given the chance to speak before other MPs who have indicated that they want to speak on the issue, with notice given beforehand to the Speaker. Lots of new Labour MPs have already made their maiden speeches already, and there have been some notable contributions.
Zarah Sultana grabbed the most headlines for abandoning tradition and attacking the Tory government. Causing even more of a stir, she went on to criticise events that took place under the last Labour government, saying that her “generation faced 40 years of Thatcherism”. She went on to use the opportunity to speak about the need for a green new deal.
Five more years of Tory rule is almost enough to make me despair. But we can't despair. Because if we do, then the climate emergency will become the climate catastrophe. In my maiden speech, I called for a Green New Deal to escape disaster capitalism – and build socialism. pic.twitter.com/LtcxBPk3KF — Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) January 15, 2020
The MP for Polar and Limehouse, Apsana Begum, was the first elected member of the House of Commons to deliver a maiden speech wearing a hijab. Taking part in an international women’s day debate this afternoon, she took the chance to speak about her having personally experienced islamophobia and warned the House of the growing threat of racism.
Nadia Whittome – the youngest MP in the House at the age of 23 – used hers to forcefully emphasise how parliament alienates working class people with its “old conventions” and “antiquated language”. She added: “As a working-class woman of colour, I’m made to feel like I don’t belong here unless I throw my community under a bus.”
Others were more conventional. Taiwo Owatemi, for example, spoke about her ambitions for her constituency – Coventry North West – and gave tribute to her predecessor Geoffrey Robinson and the 43 years that he spent representing her residents in parliament.
After December, Labour had 26 new MPs to be sworn in. And once they took their oath, they started the slow process of getting through their maiden speeches along with all the other newly elected members. Keep checking back here for more updates, as LabourList will publish all of the maiden speeches made by new Labour MPs over the coming weeks.


labourlist--2020-03-05--WATCH: Rebecca Long-Bailey on Flybe, coronavirus, Blair and more

Rebecca Long-Bailey talked to LBC today about UK regional airline Flybe , the handling of the coronavirus outbreak , involving Tony Blair in Labour ’ s future , representation of women in Labour and playing the electric guitar .
On whether the government should have considered nationalising Flybe , Long-Bailey said : “ I think you would be wrong to not look at the option , and look at making a public stake in the company , but of course that would depend on the financial health of the company and the long-term outlook.
” She also criticised the delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , which Boris Johnson did only on Monday .
She accused the government of prioritising “ economic interests over people ’ s health ” .
She said her campaign message of ‘ aspiration ’ was similar to the New Labour message in the 1990s , and agreed that Labour now needs the type of “ renewal ” delivered by Tony Blair then .
She said she would talk to the former Prime Minister himself about this aim .
On the prospect of Labour continuing its record of never having elected a female @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that would be really sad .
Because we ’ ve got to the point now where I think it ’ s time for a female leader.
” Asked whether the Shadow Chancellor should be a woman , she said : “ Definitely .
I think we need to have diversity within the shadow cabinet.
” But she would not say that she was seeking the post .
Long-Bailey also said reaching net-zero carbon by 2030 would require working cross-party and building a movement so that the government takes action before the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a concerted effort to bring everybody together on this , ” she said .
Asked about the most exciting thing she has ever done , Long-Bailey replied : “ I play the electric guitar .
Not many people know that.
” But she refused to play in public as “ it wouldn ’ t be fair to subject people to that ” .

Rebecca Long-Bailey talked to LBC today about UK regional airline Flybe, the handling of the coronavirus outbreak, involving Tony Blair in Labour’s future, representation of women in Labour and playing the electric guitar.
On whether the government should have considered nationalising Flybe, Long-Bailey said: “I think you would be wrong to not look at the option, and look at making a public stake in the company, but of course that would depend on the financial health of the company and the long-term outlook.”
She also criticised the delay in convening a COBRA meeting on the coronavirus, which Boris Johnson did only on Monday. She accused the government of prioritising “economic interests over people’s health”.
She said her campaign message of ‘aspiration’ was similar to the New Labour message in the 1990s, and agreed that Labour now needs the type of “renewal” delivered by Tony Blair then. She said she would talk to the former Prime Minister himself about this aim.
On the prospect of Labour continuing its record of never having elected a female leader, Long-Bailey said: “I think that would be really sad. Because we’ve got to the point now where I think it’s time for a female leader.”
Asked whether the Shadow Chancellor should be a woman, she said: “Definitely. I think we need to have diversity within the shadow cabinet.” But she would not say that she was seeking the post.
Long-Bailey also said reaching net-zero carbon by 2030 would require working cross-party and building a movement so that the government takes action before the next general election. “We need to have a concerted effort to bring everybody together on this,” she said.
Asked about the most exciting thing she has ever done, Long-Bailey replied: “I play the electric guitar. Not many people know that.” But she refused to play in public as “it wouldn’t be fair to subject people to that”.


labourlist--2020-03-05--If Spanish centrists and lefties can work together, why can’t we?

As ballots finally begin to arrive for the Labour leadership contest , the battle between self-styled ‘ moderates ’ and ‘ lefties ’ remains at the forefront of the debate – as it has been for years .
The bitter polemic between those who wish to embrace New Labour ’ s legacy and those who wish to start afresh with a radical programme continues to mark the conversation about the future direction of the Labour party , and the country .
Sadly , it ’ s not just intellectual debate .
But contenders from across the spectrum seem to agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least partially , because of Labour disunity , and that uniting is essential to winning in the future .
While we lick our wounds , choose our next leader , and prepare for five to ten more years of Conservative rule , a radical progressive agenda is being rolled out in Spain by a coalition of the centre-left Spanish Socialist Workers Party ( PSOE ) and the left-wing Unidas Podemos .
While British progressives tell each other to ‘ fuck off and join the Tories ’ at the slightest hint of ideological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Spanish parties – Pedro Sanchez and Pablo Iglesias – hugged it out and signed an agreement to raise the highest rate of tax , bring in rent controls and implement radical climate legislation .
It is an extremely unlikely alliance .
Unidas Podemos is the left-wing party that grew out Spain ’ s indignados street protests and merged with the longstanding fringe United Left Party .
Meanwhile , the PSOE is centrist and quite literally the establishment party , having been in power more than any other in modern democratic Spain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , came as a result of particular political circumstances – namely the risk of a right-wing government and the political careers of the two leaders .
It was increasingly clear that there was a chance of the far-right gaining some national power .
The ‘ Spanish exception ‘ is over – Spain now has 52 far-right MPs from the Vox party in its parliament .
While this isn ’ t enough to form a government , and a full coalition was unlikely , the right-wing People ’ s Party and centre-right Ciudadanos have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propped up by Vox in Andalucia ’ s parliament .
One of the most relevant factors may be the political calculations made by both political leaders about their own careers .
After failing to form a government with PSOE at the last opportunity , Iglesias – leader of Podemos since its inception – faced extensive internal criticism and even a schism in his own party with some of his close friends leaving to create Más País .
Sanchez , who had already been relieved of his leadership role by PSOE ’ s congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both ways .
The party grandees pushed for a grand coalition with the right-wing Popular Party and party activists desperately wanted a coalition with Podemos .
He had to jump one way , or risk a third general election in two years .
Both Sanchez and Iglesias are themselves and their circumstances , to paraphrase Ortega y Gasset .
Political circumstances aside , it is still a remarkable coalition , as likely as Tony Blair and Jeremy Corbyn hugging and governing together .
And yet , it is happening .
The stark reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a country with a sensible political system .
Spain has proportional representation , which allows for more than one party on the left to have a significant amount of seats .
Under PR , our last general election would have resulted in a hung parliament , a far cry from the 80-seat majority that gives Boris Johnson a carte blanche for the next five years .
The Labour Party in the UK is rare amongst its global sister parties in supporting first-past-the-post , and the debate around proportional representation has been surprisingly absent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Labour has opposed a change to the electoral system , thinking it would shut progressives out of power .
In fact , as Spain shows , the opposite could be true .
Perhaps , in order to have a progressive government , it ’ s not unity we need , but a divorce .
Then perhaps one day Keir Starmer and Richard Burgon can hug it out , and start rebuilding Britain after decades of Tory rule .

As ballots finally begin to arrive for the Labour leadership contest, the battle between self-styled ‘moderates’ and ‘lefties’ remains at the forefront of the debate – as it has been for years. The bitter polemic between those who wish to embrace New Labour’s legacy and those who wish to start afresh with a radical programme continues to mark the conversation about the future direction of the Labour party, and the country. Sadly, it’s not just intellectual debate. But contenders from across the spectrum seem to agree that the Tories are in power, at least partially, because of Labour disunity, and that uniting is essential to winning in the future.
While we lick our wounds, choose our next leader, and prepare for five to ten more years of Conservative rule, a radical progressive agenda is being rolled out in Spain by a coalition of the centre-left Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) and the left-wing Unidas Podemos. While British progressives tell each other to ‘fuck off and join the Tories’ at the slightest hint of ideological difference, the respective leaders of each of the Spanish parties – Pedro Sanchez and Pablo Iglesias – hugged it out and signed an agreement to raise the highest rate of tax, bring in rent controls and implement radical climate legislation.
It is an extremely unlikely alliance. Unidas Podemos is the left-wing party that grew out Spain’s indignados street protests and merged with the longstanding fringe United Left Party. Meanwhile, the PSOE is centrist and quite literally the establishment party, having been in power more than any other in modern democratic Spain. This hug, and political agreement, came as a result of particular political circumstances – namely the risk of a right-wing government and the political careers of the two leaders.
It was increasingly clear that there was a chance of the far-right gaining some national power. The ‘Spanish exception‘ is over – Spain now has 52 far-right MPs from the Vox party in its parliament. While this isn’t enough to form a government, and a full coalition was unlikely, the right-wing People’s Party and centre-right Ciudadanos have shown that they are willing to be propped up by Vox in Andalucia’s parliament.
One of the most relevant factors may be the political calculations made by both political leaders about their own careers. After failing to form a government with PSOE at the last opportunity, Iglesias – leader of Podemos since its inception – faced extensive internal criticism and even a schism in his own party with some of his close friends leaving to create Más País.
Sanchez, who had already been relieved of his leadership role by PSOE’s congress four years ago, was being pulled both ways. The party grandees pushed for a grand coalition with the right-wing Popular Party and party activists desperately wanted a coalition with Podemos. He had to jump one way, or risk a third general election in two years. Both Sanchez and Iglesias are themselves and their circumstances, to paraphrase Ortega y Gasset.
Political circumstances aside, it is still a remarkable coalition, as likely as Tony Blair and Jeremy Corbyn hugging and governing together. And yet, it is happening. The stark reality is that this could only happen in a country with a sensible political system. Spain has proportional representation, which allows for more than one party on the left to have a significant amount of seats. Under PR, our last general election would have resulted in a hung parliament, a far cry from the 80-seat majority that gives Boris Johnson a carte blanche for the next five years.
The Labour Party in the UK is rare amongst its global sister parties in supporting first-past-the-post, and the debate around proportional representation has been surprisingly absent from the leadership debate. For decades, Labour has opposed a change to the electoral system, thinking it would shut progressives out of power. In fact, as Spain shows, the opposite could be true. Perhaps, in order to have a progressive government, it’s not unity we need, but a divorce. Then perhaps one day Keir Starmer and Richard Burgon can hug it out, and start rebuilding Britain after decades of Tory rule.


labourlist--2020-03-05--Coronavirus, a new Clause IV and crucial Andrew Neil interviews

36 new cases of coronavirus were announced yesterday , bringing the total in the UK to 87 .
Although Boris Johnson used Prime Minister ’ s Questions to announce the policy of those who self-isolate being entitled to statutory sick pay from day one , rather than day four , he did not address the issue of millions of low-paid workers not being entitled to it at all .
The Prime Minister simply pointed to Universal Credit – infamous , of course , for its long waiting time .
The coronavirus outbreak also appears to have sped up the collapse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Labour MPs and trade unions has been to voice concerns about the impact on regional connectivity , as well as to express solidarity with the 2,000 employees who now face a time of terrible uncertainty .
Whether the government should have done more to rescue Flybe is more contentious , however : you would think Virgin as an owner should be responsible for such a bailout .
There are also questions to be raised over the future of domestic flight in light of Labour ’ s support for an ambitious decarbonisation target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey has called for a “ new , 21st-century Clause IV ” .
The move has already been backed by Richard Burgon , and the national executive committee last year set up a working group to explore amending this totemic part of Labour ’ s constitution .
The particular angle adopted by Long-Bailey would focus on “ recognising that socialism and environmentalism must go hand in hand ” , in addition to proudly advocating public ownership .
This new policy did not come up in her interview with Andrew Neil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toughest time of the two frontrunners last night , and ‘ committed news ’ when she admitted to having worked on PFI contracts as a solicitor .
She also expressed regret over not calling out antisemitism at a recent event , which took place not last year but last month .
Keir Starmer didn ’ t come away from the Neil interview unscathed either .
When questioned over donor lists , the frontrunner stressed that his campaign was following the official process – but this fails to recognise that the calls are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not everything is a matter of closely following the rulebook .
For a summary of what was said and how the interviews exposed key weaknesses in both candidates , read our full write-up .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

36 new cases of coronavirus were announced yesterday, bringing the total in the UK to 87. Although Boris Johnson used Prime Minister’s Questions to announce the policy of those who self-isolate being entitled to statutory sick pay from day one, rather than day four, he did not address the issue of millions of low-paid workers not being entitled to it at all. The Prime Minister simply pointed to Universal Credit – infamous, of course, for its long waiting time.
The coronavirus outbreak also appears to have sped up the collapse of UK airline Flybe. The response from Labour MPs and trade unions has been to voice concerns about the impact on regional connectivity, as well as to express solidarity with the 2,000 employees who now face a time of terrible uncertainty. Whether the government should have done more to rescue Flybe is more contentious, however: you would think Virgin as an owner should be responsible for such a bailout. There are also questions to be raised over the future of domestic flight in light of Labour’s support for an ambitious decarbonisation target.
Speaking of a green economy, leadership candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey has called for a “new, 21st-century Clause IV”. The move has already been backed by Richard Burgon, and the national executive committee last year set up a working group to explore amending this totemic part of Labour’s constitution. The particular angle adopted by Long-Bailey would focus on “recognising that socialism and environmentalism must go hand in hand”, in addition to proudly advocating public ownership.
This new policy did not come up in her interview with Andrew Neil, unsurprisingly. Rebecca Long-Bailey had the toughest time of the two frontrunners last night, and ‘committed news’ when she admitted to having worked on PFI contracts as a solicitor. She also expressed regret over not calling out antisemitism at a recent event, which took place not last year but last month.
Keir Starmer didn’t come away from the Neil interview unscathed either. When questioned over donor lists, the frontrunner stressed that his campaign was following the official process – but this fails to recognise that the calls are being made in a political environment, and not everything is a matter of closely following the rulebook. For a summary of what was said and how the interviews exposed key weaknesses in both candidates, read our full write-up. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-03-06--Labour’s struggle: class and income no longer strongly relate to voting intention

The scale of the electoral challenge for Labour is greater than ever before .
Our vote is concentrating inefficiently in too few parliamentary seats and we continue to fail to beat the SNP in Scotland .
To win power , we need to win the most parliamentary seats .
To do so , we need to modernise our party in order to build a new winning coalition of voters across the country .
As the British Election Study shows today , the Leave/Remain division had no significant direct impact on the outcome of the election for Labour .
For voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leadership of our party was their main concern , alongside the general view that Labour wasn ’ t representative of them or their view of the country .
That might be an uncomfortable truth for some in our party , but it ’ s the view of the public nonetheless .
We can either disagree with the voters , or seek to listen , understand and respond accordingly .
The data further evidences the now common narrative of the split between the socially and conservative liberal voter groups .
Those on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social values , proved to be a split particularly prevalent in the Brexit context .
Geographically , as others have highlighted for some time , this split in social values was also split between constituencies .
Younger , more highly educated and socially liberal voters are concentrated in cities .
Older , socially conservative voters who may not have been to university largely remain in the towns and villages that have suffered economic decline or stagnation .
In this new political reality , class and income no longer strongly relate to voting intention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a lesser extent – age does .
The important question we need to collectively answer is : so what ?
Social values have created a split between Labour and Conservative voters , with most potential switchers aligning with socially conservative values .
But the gap between left and right on economics has remained as it always has , with most voters on the economic centre and centre-left .
As a party , we have built winning voter coalitions before based on our economic offer , even when there has been a split @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we ’ ve ended up focusing on social values whilst failing to provide an economic offer that the public sees as credible .
No one yet has the complete answer to how we win again .
We must all do our bit to listen , think , understand , debate and advocate for the path back to power .
Our party was created by our movement and we all have a responsibility to play our part .
But one thing is clear : putting the divisions of Brexit and factionalism behind us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the Tories to account .
Together , we must modernise our party so that we can start to have a conversation with the public again .
And collectively , we need to put forward a modern economic policy that shows how a Labour government will modernise Britain to generate wealth , sustainable growth , improve pay and transform the delivery of public services .
This task is not easy .
We ’ re in a race with the Tories to get the economy working , but they ’ re in government and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no time to waste .
We must all get behind whoever is elected leader to make sure we don ’ t suffer a fifth historic loss at the next election .
Together , united , we must get this right .

The scale of the electoral challenge for Labour is greater than ever before. Our vote is concentrating inefficiently in too few parliamentary seats and we continue to fail to beat the SNP in Scotland. To win power, we need to win the most parliamentary seats. To do so, we need to modernise our party in order to build a new winning coalition of voters across the country.
As the British Election Study shows today, the Leave/Remain division had no significant direct impact on the outcome of the election for Labour. For voters we lost between 2017 and 2019, the leadership of our party was their main concern, alongside the general view that Labour wasn’t representative of them or their view of the country.
That might be an uncomfortable truth for some in our party, but it’s the view of the public nonetheless. We can either disagree with the voters, or seek to listen, understand and respond accordingly. The data further evidences the now common narrative of the split between the socially and conservative liberal voter groups. Those on the economic centre-left and left, divided by social values, proved to be a split particularly prevalent in the Brexit context.
Geographically, as others have highlighted for some time, this split in social values was also split between constituencies. Younger, more highly educated and socially liberal voters are concentrated in cities. Older, socially conservative voters who may not have been to university largely remain in the towns and villages that have suffered economic decline or stagnation.
In this new political reality, class and income no longer strongly relate to voting intention but education, social values and – to a lesser extent – age does. The important question we need to collectively answer is: so what?
Social values have created a split between Labour and Conservative voters, with most potential switchers aligning with socially conservative values. But the gap between left and right on economics has remained as it always has, with most voters on the economic centre and centre-left.
As a party, we have built winning voter coalitions before based on our economic offer, even when there has been a split on social values. The problem is that we’ve ended up focusing on social values whilst failing to provide an economic offer that the public sees as credible.
No one yet has the complete answer to how we win again. We must all do our bit to listen, think, understand, debate and advocate for the path back to power. Our party was created by our movement and we all have a responsibility to play our part. But one thing is clear: putting the divisions of Brexit and factionalism behind us is key.
United, we must hold the Tories to account. Together, we must modernise our party so that we can start to have a conversation with the public again. And collectively, we need to put forward a modern economic policy that shows how a Labour government will modernise Britain to generate wealth, sustainable growth, improve pay and transform the delivery of public services.
This task is not easy. We’re in a race with the Tories to get the economy working, but they’re in government and we’re not. We have no time to waste. We must all get behind whoever is elected leader to make sure we don’t suffer a fifth historic loss at the next election. Together, united, we must get this right.


labourlist--2020-03-06--Coronavirus is shining a spotlight on the perils of insecure work

The perils of the gig economy and the increasing prevalence of insecure work have been intermittently on the political agenda for a number of years .
But it is only with the coronavirus outbreak that the scandal of our fragmenting and fragile economy has really come to the fore .
The government ’ s response so far has exposed its lack of understanding of how the economy has changed for millions of people over the last decade .
There are many in work who are no longer connected to the state-backed safety net that used to cover nearly everyone with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge rise in low wage , insecure , atypical work , where risk has been almost completely transferred to the individual away from the employer .
Exploitative business models have proliferated in recent years , and have often been given an exciting futuristic sheen by being collectively called “ the gig economy ” and trumpeting the benefits of flexibility .
However , the reality for many is that these jobs ingrain insecurity and low pay , forcing , as Jeremy Corbyn put it at Prime Minister ’ s Questions this week to choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sadly , it has taken the risk of a pandemic for the government to realise that millions of people do actually face this choice of health or hardship on a regular basis because of the way these new working arrangements that have been allowed to grow unchecked .
It is now nearly three years since the government published the Taylor review , which was supposed to be the Tories ’ response to the growing concern about the lack of regulation in these new working arrangements .
The report was generally seen as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the edges .
Even now , only a handful of the 50-plus recommendations in the report have actually been enacted , highlighting how little importance the Conservatives place on the issue .
The government ’ s specific response so far to the coronavirus outbreak has also been inadequate and betrayed its lack of understanding of the scale of the issue .
Statutory sick pay ( SSP ) from day one is an improvement on the previous position , but totally fails to recognise there are around two million people in various types @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still not covered .
Many of these jobs are in sectors where there is an increased risk of transmission ; think of your couriers , Uber drivers , care workers and contract cleaners .
It is even the case that some of the contracts under which people have to work effectively punish them , in terms of future opportunities , should they not be available for work – whatever the reason , never mind the loss of earnings suffered in the first place .
The government ’ s emergency coronavirus legislation must guarantee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include those people who are not currently eligible for SSP , and that nobody on social security will be sanctioned if they miss appointments .
And , of course , we are talking here about SSP that is currently a modest £94.25 a week .
The more generous company contractual schemes don ’ t apply to this group of people – but it is also the case that over the last few decades many employers have systematically chipped away at terms and conditions , reducing the value of those previously better offers down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spotlight on insecure work will hopefully strengthen the argument about the need for fundamental change in the way the world of work operates so that basic rights and protections enshrined as an absolute minimum .
It is not just in the newer types of work where insecurity is endemic : a recent survey by UCU found that job security was the number one reason for their members to look to change their job .
We need to push back against the creeping casualisation of the workforce across the whole economy , and defeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so often advocated by those who stand to benefit most from exploitative arrangements .
If we start with from the presumption that working for someone means you are an employee , with the accompanying rights , then we can begin to change the way people are treated at work , bringing in a new era of respect , dignity and security in the workplace .

The perils of the gig economy and the increasing prevalence of insecure work have been intermittently on the political agenda for a number of years. But it is only with the coronavirus outbreak that the scandal of our fragmenting and fragile economy has really come to the fore. The government’s response so far has exposed its lack of understanding of how the economy has changed for millions of people over the last decade. There are many in work who are no longer connected to the state-backed safety net that used to cover nearly everyone with a job.
There has been a huge rise in low wage, insecure, atypical work, where risk has been almost completely transferred to the individual away from the employer. Exploitative business models have proliferated in recent years, and have often been given an exciting futuristic sheen by being collectively called “the gig economy” and trumpeting the benefits of flexibility. However, the reality for many is that these jobs ingrain insecurity and low pay, forcing, as Jeremy Corbyn put it at Prime Minister’s Questions this week to choose between “health and hardship”. Sadly, it has taken the risk of a pandemic for the government to realise that millions of people do actually face this choice of health or hardship on a regular basis because of the way these new working arrangements that have been allowed to grow unchecked.
It is now nearly three years since the government published the Taylor review, which was supposed to be the Tories’ response to the growing concern about the lack of regulation in these new working arrangements. The report was generally seen as a fairly tepid affair, which only tinkered at the edges. Even now, only a handful of the 50-plus recommendations in the report have actually been enacted, highlighting how little importance the Conservatives place on the issue. The government’s specific response so far to the coronavirus outbreak has also been inadequate and betrayed its lack of understanding of the scale of the issue. Statutory sick pay (SSP) from day one is an improvement on the previous position, but totally fails to recognise there are around two million people in various types of insecure or low-paid work that are still not covered.
Many of these jobs are in sectors where there is an increased risk of transmission; think of your couriers, Uber drivers, care workers and contract cleaners. It is even the case that some of the contracts under which people have to work effectively punish them, in terms of future opportunities, should they not be available for work – whatever the reason, never mind the loss of earnings suffered in the first place. The government’s emergency coronavirus legislation must guarantee that sick pay from day one will include those people who are not currently eligible for SSP, and that nobody on social security will be sanctioned if they miss appointments. And, of course, we are talking here about SSP that is currently a modest £94.25 a week. The more generous company contractual schemes don’t apply to this group of people – but it is also the case that over the last few decades many employers have systematically chipped away at terms and conditions, reducing the value of those previously better offers down to the level of SSP.
This spotlight on insecure work will hopefully strengthen the argument about the need for fundamental change in the way the world of work operates so that basic rights and protections enshrined as an absolute minimum. It is not just in the newer types of work where insecurity is endemic: a recent survey by UCU found that job security was the number one reason for their members to look to change their job. We need to push back against the creeping casualisation of the workforce across the whole economy, and defeat the false trade-off between flexibility and security so often advocated by those who stand to benefit most from exploitative arrangements. If we start with from the presumption that working for someone means you are an employee, with the accompanying rights, then we can begin to change the way people are treated at work, bringing in a new era of respect, dignity and security in the workplace.


labourlist--2020-03-06--Setting a challenge for the Labour Party on International Women’s Day

Labour MPs are talking about one thing right now : the number of party members who have not received their ballots .
Although eligible to vote , lots are still waiting for their crucial email according to a number of leadership campaigns that have picked this up from phonebanking , The Guardian reports .
This particularly seems to be affecting those newbies who joined after the December election , which concerns Keir Starmer ’ s team as polling indicates they are most likely to support him .
If you haven ’ t noticed your ballot arrive , search for “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader and Deputy Leader 2020 ” in your inbox and spam folder .
If not found , there is still plenty of time to request a reissued ballot by visiting this page .
As for the Conservative Party , it is facing accusations of having failed to act on Islamophobia within its ranks .
The Muslim Council of Britain has renewed calls for an independent inquiry into what it describes as a “ systemic ” problem , and submitted a dossier of complaints against Tory members .
The Equality and Human Rights Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigating claims that Labour is institutionally antisemitic , has said it is “ actively considering ” whether action should be taken .
But the EHRC is still “ awaiting the final terms of reference of the party ’ s independent review ” – the one that was supposed to be about Islamophobia specifically but turned into a broad review of discrimination complaints .
It is International Women ’ s Day on Sunday .
To mark the occasion , MPs talked about legislating for women ’ s rights and also shared their personal stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read out a list , as she does annually , of the names of women who have been murdered by men over the past year .
It takes six minutes , and the number is going up rather than down .
You can watch that speech and other clips of Labour MP contributions here .
Unfortunately , the chamber was practically empty during these incredibly important contributions .
I don ’ t believe that the Labour Party does enough to highlight the misogyny that pervades our society .
The UK still has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women and girls despite signing up to it eight years ago .
Why ?
Because the government would actually have to take steps to combat this violence , and it has favoured austerity instead .
It has also favoured keeping the ‘ no recourse to public funds ’ policy , which is a form of immigration control that endangers migrant women .
I know this to be true as a former parliamentary caseworker ; all MPs know it .
And yet we rarely hear these points made .
Feminism should not be confined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Misogyny is something to be tackled in every single policy area .
Our representatives , and the Labour Party as a whole , must do more .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

Labour MPs are talking about one thing right now: the number of party members who have not received their ballots. Although eligible to vote, lots are still waiting for their crucial email according to a number of leadership campaigns that have picked this up from phonebanking, The Guardian reports. This particularly seems to be affecting those newbies who joined after the December election, which concerns Keir Starmer’s team as polling indicates they are most likely to support him. If you haven’t noticed your ballot arrive, search for “The Labour Party – Election of Labour Leader and Deputy Leader 2020” in your inbox and spam folder. If not found, there is still plenty of time to request a reissued ballot by visiting this page.
As for the Conservative Party, it is facing accusations of having failed to act on Islamophobia within its ranks. The Muslim Council of Britain has renewed calls for an independent inquiry into what it describes as a “systemic” problem, and submitted a dossier of complaints against Tory members. The Equality and Human Rights Commission, which as we know is currently investigating claims that Labour is institutionally antisemitic, has said it is “actively considering” whether action should be taken. But the EHRC is still “awaiting the final terms of reference of the party’s independent review” – the one that was supposed to be about Islamophobia specifically but turned into a broad review of discrimination complaints.
It is International Women’s Day on Sunday. To mark the occasion, MPs talked about legislating for women’s rights and also shared their personal stories of womanhood and misogyny. Jess Phillips read out a list, as she does annually, of the names of women who have been murdered by men over the past year. It takes six minutes, and the number is going up rather than down. You can watch that speech and other clips of Labour MP contributions here. Unfortunately, the chamber was practically empty during these incredibly important contributions.
I don’t believe that the Labour Party does enough to highlight the misogyny that pervades our society. The UK still has not ratified the Istanbul Convention on violence against women and girls despite signing up to it eight years ago. Why? Because the government would actually have to take steps to combat this violence, and it has favoured austerity instead. It has also favoured keeping the ‘no recourse to public funds’ policy, which is a form of immigration control that endangers migrant women. I know this to be true as a former parliamentary caseworker; all MPs know it. And yet we rarely hear these points made.
Feminism should not be confined to the department of women and equalities. Misogyny is something to be tackled in every single policy area. Our representatives, and the Labour Party as a whole, must do more. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-03-06--Long-Bailey to adopt policies developed in “Path to Power policy labs”

Rebecca Long-Bailey is preparing to host over a dozen “ Path to Power policy labs ” across the country over the next week as a way of exploring policy and organising methods used by party activists .
LabourList can reveal that the Labour leadership candidate is committed to adopting some of the ideas developed in the sessions , as a demonstration of her pledge to “ empower our movement ” via grassroots policy-making .
Announcing the initiative , Long-Bailey said : “ I ’ m so excited to see what comes out of these grassroots policy labs .
Our movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be empowered as a vital part of our path to power.
” Her campaign is organising sessions to be held in areas including Worthing , North Wales , Nottingham , Bournemouth , Bradford , Bristol , London , Hull , Edinburgh , Newcastle , Birmingham , Manchester , Colchester , Cardiff and Falmouth .
The labs will consist of facilitated , participatory discussions , which Long-Bailey ’ s team say are comparable to the roundtables arranged by the community organising unit to generate party policy around the ‘ green industrial revolution ’ .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing the green industrial revolution through meetings across the country with unions , businesses , local communities , members , activists and experts that policy created at the grassroots is more robust and more relevant to people ’ s lives .
“ The party ’ s community organising unit played a critical role in organising those events , so I understand the deep connection between organising , policy-making , communicating and connecting with voters in communities .
“ If we are to win in 2024 , we have to be so much more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but a mass , active , vibrant movement organising with people in every community and workplace .
That ’ s the type of party leader I ’ ll be : I ’ ll organise and empower and help others to do the same.
” The labs are designed to help forge a “ path to power ” , the details of which she set out in a speech last month .
It proposed four steps : “ empower our movement ” ; “ stir up a democratic revolution ” ; advance “ aspirational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industrial revolution ” .
Ballots in Labour ’ s leadership elections started dropping on February 24th , and voting will close on April 2nd .
The results are set to be announced at a special conference in London two days later .

Rebecca Long-Bailey is preparing to host over a dozen “Path to Power policy labs” across the country over the next week as a way of exploring policy and organising methods used by party activists.
LabourList can reveal that the Labour leadership candidate is committed to adopting some of the ideas developed in the sessions, as a demonstration of her pledge to “empower our movement” via grassroots policy-making.
Announcing the initiative, Long-Bailey said: “I’m so excited to see what comes out of these grassroots policy labs. Our movement is our greatest asset. It must be empowered as a vital part of our path to power.”
Her campaign is organising sessions to be held in areas including Worthing, North Wales, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Bradford, Bristol, London, Hull, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, Colchester, Cardiff and Falmouth.
The labs will consist of facilitated, participatory discussions, which Long-Bailey’s team say are comparable to the roundtables arranged by the community organising unit to generate party policy around the ‘green industrial revolution’.
Long-Bailey explained: “I know from developing the green industrial revolution through meetings across the country with unions, businesses, local communities, members, activists and experts that policy created at the grassroots is more robust and more relevant to people’s lives.
“The party’s community organising unit played a critical role in organising those events, so I understand the deep connection between organising, policy-making, communicating and connecting with voters in communities.
“If we are to win in 2024, we have to be so much more than a team of politicians in Westminster but a mass, active, vibrant movement organising with people in every community and workplace. That’s the type of party leader I’ll be: I’ll organise and empower and help others to do the same.”
The labs are designed to help forge a “path to power”, the details of which she set out in a speech last month. It proposed four steps: “empower our movement”; “stir up a democratic revolution”; advance “aspirational socialism”; start a “green industrial revolution”.
Ballots in Labour’s leadership elections started dropping on February 24th, and voting will close on April 2nd. The results are set to be announced at a special conference in London two days later.