UNIONS21 Conference 2015: Rebalancing Britain's Economy

Unions21 Conference. It is a shame but I have a clash so I don't think I will be able to make it this year.

Local Government under Labour - Setting the Agenda

On Wednesday evening I went to the Local Government Association (LGA) headquarters in central London for the launch of a new report on the future of Councils under a Labour Government.

Paul Hackett from the Smith Institute opened the meeting and noted that we were in Bevin Hall in what use to be "Transport House", the former national offices of the T&G union.  There must be various labour movement ghosts of the past in this room and building.

Paul hoped that this report will help bring together Labour Councils and the Parliamentary Labour Party. 

Clive Betts MP was first speaker. He thought that after the the fundamental attack on local government by this present government we cannot just go back to the way things use to be. There is also a disconnect between the political class and those we serve that has to be addressed. 

Labour needs to think in opposition now since we will be too busy when in government.

 

Next speaker was Hilary Benn MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Hilary thought that there is a struggle between local and central government. In the NHS we need national standards but there is an appetite for change for what local government provides. 

Interestingly he thought that the referendum on independence in Scotland will settle the Scottish Question but then the English Question on decentralisation will have to be answered. 

He talked about the crisis of confidence in our politics and the failure of consumerism, where far too many people think they can just sit back and do nothing but moan about the way things are run and don't realise they need to contribute. 

He ended by stating his belief that the tide is flowing towards real localism.

Cllr Lib Peck, the leader of Lambeth Council spoke about canvassing and speaking to people who said they "don't do voting". She wanted to ask them "what bit of voting do you not get?". 

The next Labour government needs to be bold. Emphasis the core values of public service. Councils need greater income raising powers, the ability to borrow and planning powers to get rid of too many payday loan and betting shops.

Final speaker was Cllr Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council. He asked what Labour authorities wanted to do? They want to encourage economic growth and jobs. End social determination but not by the tools of the past. Instead of national programmes there should be  devolved economic development.

I asked a question to the panel that a future Labour government needs to trust Local Authorities with taxation and spend. I appreciate there is a battle with our Treasury team over expenditure but times have changed and in the Party we have largely got rid of out trot head bangers who wrecked local government in the 1980s. We can only get rid of the centralised nanny state if you trust the people to hold councils to account for their money.

Hilary responded by saying that while he wished that there was a political consensus on income raising for local authorities there is currently not one.

There followed a wide range of interesting questions and answers. I think that it is fair to say that there was a consensus about the need to devolve real power from the centre and a wish that Labour made its mind up quickly before 2015 and if elected, took no prisoners and got on with things from get go. 

Check out of course, the excellent Chapter 10 of the report: "Troubled families in troubling times" which just happens to be written by my local MP, Lyn Brown, Shadow Fire and Communities Minister :)

James Keir Hardie: 120 Years

This evening Labour MP, Hilary Benn, shadow secretary of state for communities and local government, opened an exhibition at the Old Town
Hall in Stratford on the life of Keir Hardie.

This was to mark the 120th anniversary of Keir being elected for West Ham as the first ever independent Labour MP.

A 11 page pamphlet (see cover) was also distributed.

Hilary spoke to members of the Newham Labour Group before the Full Council meeting. He reminded us that this historic town hall was the scene of Hardie's famous victory in 1892.

He also pointed out that many of the things that Hardie had fought for in his time were delivered by Labour.

He quoted the interesting advice that Hardie gave to a younger colleague that he "should drink less, read more and think longer".

After opening the exhibition Hilary also gave a speech to Labour Group (below) about current political issues and problems followed by a Q&A.

He told a nice story about how in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis the Labour Government were forced to nationalise the Bank, Northern Rock.

He rang his father, Tony Benn and said "you know Dad that you were always in favour of nationalising the Banks? Well, guess what we'd done....". (Hat tip photo Ali G)

West Ham Parliamentary Shindig.

On Wednesday evening our local Labour Party GC (General Committee) was held at the Jubilee Room in the House of Commons. West Ham Labour Party activists were also invited by our MP Lyn Brown for an informal meeting and thank you event for all the hard work done by members in the previous year.

Lyn had provided a cold buffet spread for us and she had managed to “persuade” (whip speak) 8 Cabinet Ministers and other high profile ministers and MP’s to come and talk to us. Instead of the usual sequence in these type of events of 3 minute (and the rest!) soapbox political speeches we had John Denham; Ed Balls; Ed Miliband; Hilary Benn; Douglas Alexander, Ben Bradshaw; Liam Byrne, John Healey, Stephen Timms, Gareth Thomas, Ian Wright, Chris Mole, Dianne Abbott and fellow whip Sharon Hodgson - just mingling and chatting with Party activists about their views and concerns. Which I thought was simply marvellous. Needless to say West Ham Labour Party members were not slow to give their Parliamentary comrades the benefit of their opinions!

A very good night was had by all (I had to rush off early to take the train to Manchester for the Thursday UNISON National Housing seminar where Minister John Healey was the keynote speaker - will post soon on this).

Apologies to West Ham members who were on the optional House of Commons tour when I took the Group photo (and those I could not get in the photo or cut in half!).

Trade Union Hustings in Congress House

Post on the Trade Unions for Labour (TULO) Hustings held last night in the TUC Headquarters in Congress House last month. Picture is of UNISON Labour Link member Rachel Voller (local Nurse) and Alan Johnson. The main hall was packed. Extra chairs had to be bought in. Brown comes in, lots of clapping, he “works” the front row very well shaking hands and looking very relaxed and confident. He then knocks a microphone off the stage. Recovers well, and starts talking to the audience. A few bits and pieces about his performance.

He talked about “social justice” and “progressive politics”; he mentioned how as a young man the NHS had prevented him from going totally blind. How he was only able to go to university thanks to the Labour Party. The 2.5 million jobs created by Labour during the last 10 years. He thanked the trade union movement for creating the Labour Party 100 years ago, for the NHS, for the minimum wage. He kept referring to the “Labour Movement”.

Gordon left and the 6 candidates then came in, the meeting was chaired by the editor of the New Statesman (John Kampfner?). It was much more formal and tense than the hustings we had in West Ham. Each candidate had only 2 minutes for a speech.

Hilary Benn gave a good speech. He kept reminding me of his Dad, who by co-incidence I had seen in the same hall, same spot, giving a speech on Saturday. He (HB) has an effective “tell it as it is” style.

Hazel gave her usual combative “campaigner-in-chief” speech; attacking Cameron for saying he “understands” what it is like for couples to pay a mortgage when he actually lives in a £1.25million house which was bought for cash.

Alan (I declare an interest) talked about how he was inspired by the trade union movement, but not usually at branch meetings (laughter). He rightly (and bravely) reminded the audience that the movement had made mistake in the past such as opposition to the minimum wage. They repeatedly rejected NUPE (now UNISON) motions at TUC for such a policy. The argument that “rights at work came with your union card” often failed the low paid and the vulnerable at work. Alan also called for a change in the “cultural of betrayal”. Trade union leaders who publicly attack the Labour Party all the time then suddenly 6 weeks before an general election (when realise what would happen if the Tories get in) call for their members to vote Labour, must realise that this damages not only the Party but also the union. He finished by saying Cameron is not the new Blair but the new Kinnock.

Peter concentrated on his anti-racist work and the success in Northern Ireland. He gave a powerful attack on excessive city bonuses.

Jon was interesting. He appeared to be the most intense. The Party needs to change. Lost 200,000 members in 10 years. Need to link the Party with the Government. Need to change policy, improve trade union rights, protect employees, build homes and apologise (but not pull out immediately) for Iraq. Funny enough his body language reminded me of Brown. Waving his finger to make a point and keeping the other arm tightly by his side.

Harriet wanted a powerful and democratic Party. Referred to her trade union credentials and her track record of building her local party to 700 members (not bad).

In the Q&A: Jon was "on the attack" over the “failure” of the government to support the private members bill on employment rights for agency workers. Alan supported the right of 2 or 3 star Councils to build homes (all candidates supported the 4th option!). Alan pointed out that the Councils must not repeat the mistakes of the past. He lived with 3 of kids on a “soulless council estate in south London”. Hilary described the housing shortage and affordability as a “ticking time bomb”. Harriet described the decision to go to war over Iraq as a mistake, abet one made in good faith. Peter said that we need to reconcile the British people over Iraq. Hilary said he didn’t regret the decision, and that we had to support a fragile democracy (to applause).

I still think that Alan Johnson should be deputy leader. He will complement Brown as well as act as a brake, if necessary. Which I hope will be good for the Party as well as the country. He is clearly someone who will speak his mind. His leaflet describes him as “Old” and “New Labour”. However, with his trade union and Labour Party background he could also be someone who could help modernise the wider Labour movement. This, if we were all honest, needs to be done.

Guest Poster: Benn, Harman and Cruddas at West Ham

By Richard B
Last Wednesday West Ham CLP organised the first of two deputy leader debates. In Stratford we had Hilary Benn, Jon Cruddas and Harriet Harman. We have the others this week (Tuesday).

Congratulations to West Ham activists, Lyn Brown MP and her team for the organisation and UNISON-Labour Link for stumping up some cash. I think West Ham is one of the few CLPs that has organised events with all the candidates. Shows what you can do with everyone working together! The meeting was chaired by Conor McAuley (West Ham CLP Chair) who chaired the meeting in a professional and balanced way.

Below I will give my general impressions of the debate. I will declare an interest as I had Cruddas leanings before the meeting and was likely to vote for him with my first preference before the meeting. Although I do have a lot of time for Harriet as she was one of the few MPs that turned up at one of the “Justice for Cleaners” rallies at Canary Wharf (I recognise her TGWU family connection). Likewise Hilary has attempted to move the agenda on over international aid and comes across as a human being

My initial impression was that all the candidates seem to suffering from campaign fatigue and looked tired. However their opening 10 minute speeches were well presented and they then answered a range of questions from Iraq to heat islands (don’t ask). There was a high level of agreement that the party needs “renewal” and is not “fit for purpose”. On this point I do find it interesting that two cabinet ministers seem to give the impression that they were not around as the party was run into the ground. Will this change under Brown?

I thought that Harriet was slightly lacklustre and seems to be campaigning as Gordon’s preferred number two “I have worked with him for 20 years”. I am also not sure that I buy in to her argument that she will resonate with southern swing voters. Having been brought up in a seat in London during the 1970s and 80s, that went Tory in 1983 and back to Labour in 1997 I am not convinced. I broadly agree with the argument about a woman in the position (I supported an AWSL in West Ham) but I think this is outweighed by other issues. When Harriet was speaking suddenly the picture of Shirley Williams and her hectoring tones appeared in my minds eye. Shouldn’t renewal mean policy not image? On Iraq Harriet did call for an immediate withdrawal which surprised me. Does Gordon know?

In my opinion Hilary started slowly but got better as he got going. He was the only candidate to mention Warwick “We need Warwick Two” and international issues other than Iraq. He showed some real passion and commitment and I left with a more positive impression of him than I started with. I think overall he answered the questions with the greatest detail.

Jon has actually thought deeply about what renewal means and has a programme for bringing back lost voters in policy and practical terms. Maybe he is still a bit vague on other policy issues but has passion and can enthuse people. The dig from other candidates that the position also means deputising for the Prime Minister in the Commons and abroad which seems aimed at Jon doesn’t hold up. I know about the suspicions of Jon’s “tack to the left” but in my opinion he can energise the party and I think resonate with voters that have deserted us. I left very enthusiastic about Jon.

Overall I thought Jon came over the best at our first debate. In a highly unscientific poll afterwards (but with people who were going to support each of the candidates before or were undecided) Jon went down very well and Hilary impressed me. Roll on Tuesday.
Richard B.

grayee: If anyone else who was there wants to post a different view let me know.

Reminder - East London Deputy Leadership Debates 23 & 29 May

Lyn Brown MP, West Ham CLP and London UNISON “Labour Link” invite you to

Two Deputy Leadership Debates

Both at Sarah Bonnell School, Deanery Road, Stratford, E15 4LP. (click on link for map) 10 minutes walk from Statford Station (via Deanery Road) and free on site car parking (enter Manby Street only).

Debate 1 Wednesday 23rd May 2007 (7:30pm for 8:00pm start)
Confirmed speakers Harriot Harman, Jon Cruddas, Hilary Benn

Debate 2 Tuesday 29th May 2007 (7:30pm for 8:00pm start)

Confirmed Speakers Peter Hain, Alan Johnson, Hazel Blears

Time for Questions - Collection and Raffle
All Labour Party members and political fund-paying members of affiliated Trade Unions welcome.

East London meetings for Deputy Leader Candidates

West Ham Labour Party has organised an event for members to meet the candidates. Hilary Benn, Jon Cruddas and Harriet Harman have confirmed they will be there.

The first event will take place on Wednesday 23rd May 2007 at 8.00 pm.
Doors open 7.30 pm at Sarah Bonnell School, Deanery Rd, Stratford, E15 4LP
Only 8 minutes walk from Stratford Bus and Train Station (car parking also available on site)

A second event for the other declared candidates who have prior arrangements on the 23rd is also being organised (details to follow).

West Ham MP Lyn Brown will host the events which are being sponsored by London UNISON Labour Link.

Neighbouring Constituency Labour Party’s will be invited. Labour Party members and trade union levy paying affiliates only.

For further information contact
John Whitworth (CLP Education Officer) jhnwhitworth@Yahoo.co.uk 020 8257 9587 or
Alan Griffiths (CLP Secretary) alangriffiths_per@yahoo.co.uk 07773 884339