Tag: Labour Party (UK)

“A larger share of BME voters supported Brexit than have ever voted for the Conservative party, although there are now differences in support among different ethnic minority groups,” said Omar Khan, the director of Runnymede. “If Theresa May had held on to the diverse seats won by David Cameron in 2010 she would have an outright majority.” The research by Runnymede estimated that around 1 in 10 of the registered voters at the 2017 election were from a minority background, the equivalent of 4.8 million people and an increase of 10% since 2010. One in five Labour voters were from ethnic minorities compared with one in 20 voters for Conservative candidates, and Muslim support for Labour rose from 74% to 87% between 2015 and 2017, according to Runnymede’s analysis of Understanding Society, an official household longitudinal study that allows researchers to look at how voting patterns have changed. The proportion of the minority ethnic vote that went to Labour was in line with opinion polling conducted after the election. “In 2017 we went backwards,” said Binita Mehta-Parmar, a leading Conservative party campaigner, speaking at the launch of the Runnymede research in Westminster. Britain’s BME population is becoming increasingly critical. Ethnic minority communities are dispersing to towns, suburbs and coasts. The Conservatives will need to take parliamentary seats we have ignored for decades.” Nicole Martin of the University of Manchester, who authored the Runnymede report, said approximately a third of BME voters backed Brexit, with British Indians and African-Caribbean people most likely to vote to leave the European Union. Seema Malhotra, the Labour MP for Feltham and Heston in west London, which is 45% white and 41% Asian, said there was a feeling that Brexit would allow greater Commonwealth immigration. It is also a story of aspiration and there is an issue about how we respond to that.

Has Labour committed to supporting a second referendum? Yes, in principle. That is expected to be defeated, at which point Labour has announced it is “committed to also putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on the country”. A second referendum amendment is expected then. What amendment will Labour’s frontbench support at that point? One possibility is that Labour will back the so-called Kyle-Wilson compromise, an amendment being promoted by two Labour backbenchers, Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson. But there are deep reservations about the Kyle compromise in some Labour circles because it would involve Labour allowing May’s Brexit deal to pass. When asked about the amendment, a Labour source repeated that the party “would not vote for a damaging Tory Brexit”. Only a handful of Tories support a second referendum – probably fewer than 10 – so without the support of Downing Street, it remains very unlikely to pass the Commons even with Scottish National party and Liberal Democrat support. The principal issue uniting the eight former Labour and three former Conservative MPs in TIG is opposition to Brexit and support for a second referendum.

The seven MPs who left Labour on Monday all cited irreconcilable differences with the party’s Brexit policy, and the way it has dealt with antisemitism and bullying allegations. Chuka Umunna in particular has been a leading figure in the People’s Vote campaign for a second referendum and led a parliamentary rebellion on an amendment to the Queen’s speech, which said the UK should remain in the single market and customs union. On almost all other domestic issues, including welfare and the economy, MPs have voted with the party whip, though Umunna, Chris Leslie, Luciana Berger, Angela Smith, Mike Gapes and Ann Coffey all voted in favour of strikes in Syria against Islamic State, the opposite way to Corbyn, although it was a free vote. Foreign affairs and national security Apart from Brexit and antisemitism, national security policy is a key difference. The group’s statement of intent says the “first duty of government must be to defend its people and do whatever it takes to safeguard Britain’s national security”. The Independent Group’s statement underlines “the sound stewardship of taxpayers’ money” as one of its core values, echoing some of the group’s early unease with Corbyn’s leadership bid. In her resignation speech, Smith cited her working-class background as a reason for her departure. It also implicitly criticises the Labour party membership system and the concept of MPs being accountable to party members. For now, the group has no name or leader for a new party, let alone policies or a manifesto. Some members of the Independent Group have their own policy ideas which they are likely to be keen to promote.

Brexit has re-defined the Conservative party - undoing all the efforts to modernise it. There will be times when we will support the government, for example, on measures to strengthen our economy, security and improve our public services. Yours sincerely, (@NickyMorgan01) Very sorry to read this from my principled and fearless friend @Anna_Soubry - any political party should be a broad church and we should regret losing three such talented women from the Conservative Party https://t.co/ird2MeCYIT (@joswinson) "a purple momentum is now subsuming the Conservative party... marching the country to the cliff edge of no deal"Kudos to the brave MPs who have left the broken Conservative and Labour parties. Exclusive interview on @bbcsoutheast at 1330 Theresa May has issued a statement in response to the news that three of her MPs have left the Labour party and will join the Independent Group of eight former Labour MPs in parliament. Of course, the UK’s membership of the EU has been a source of disagreement both in our party and our country for a long time. I am determined that under my leadership the Conservative party will always offer the decent, moderate and patriotic politics that the people of this country deserve. They say the Conservative party has shifted to the right. Over in Greece, Britain’s ambassador, Kate Smith, has welcomed the news that the rights of an estimated 45,000 UK citizens living in the country will be fully protected in the event of a no-deal Brexit. “There is a substantial Greek community in the UK and a sizeable UK community in Greece and we wish for both of them to continue to enjoy fully the benefits and privileges they had before withdrawal,” Katrougalos wrote in a letter to his British counterpart, Jeremy Hunt, published by the UK government this morning. Kate Smith tweeted: “Delighted that the Greek government has confirmed that in the event of no deal the rights of UK nationals already living in Greece will be fully recognised and guaranteed, in line with the reciprocity offered by the UK to EU citizens.” (@KateSmithFCO) The letter from Minister of Foreign Affairs G. Katrougalos addressed to Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt regarding UK nationals rights after the EU Exit, is available in English: https://t.co/mUxpT1Ri6y#UKnationalsinEU

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has today announced he will join the seven other splitters in leaving the party and joining the Independent Group. Corbyn cited Labour’s position on Brexit as well as Labour MPs disinterest in his stories about his allotment as the main reasons. ‘And don’t even get me started with the eye-rolling when I start talking about my jam making exploits,’ Corbyn told the press. Jeremy Corbyn’s move to the Independent Group has seen a swell of support online as thousands have already joined and donated to the cause. It’s believed that Corbyn is now the red-hot favourite to become the group’s leader, which could be problematic for other MPs in the group. ‘If he becomes the leader then the rest of us will have to splinter off again. Frankly, we spunked most of our creativity on creating the Independent Group name. I have no idea what we’d call a new group,’ said Chukka Umunna.

Newport West Labour Party confirmed in a tweet that Mr Flynn died on Sunday, saying he was "a hero to many of us". He was an independent thinker who was a credit to the Labour Party. He campaigned on a wide-range of issues, including benefits, animal welfare and devolution. "He was an independent thinker who was a credit to the Labour Party. Mr Corbyn's deputy, Tom Watson, said Mr Flynn was "one of the great characters in politics" adding he was "loved and revered by many", Report Jayne Bryant, the Welsh assembly member for Mr Flynn's constituency, first met the MP when she was nine years old. She told BBC Radio Wales: "He absolutely loved Newport. "He really, really cared for people and I think that sometimes gets lost in politics." Conservative Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said Mr Flynn was an "exceptional constituency MP", and said it was a "privilege to work with him". 'Fascinating' "We've lost someone who put his values and his beliefs at the heart of everything he said and did," wrote Blaenau Gwent AM Alun Davies. Jo Stevens, the Cardiff Central MP, said Mr Flynn was a "kind, principled, fascinating man who was devoted to his constituents".

Congratulations to Mike Carter on raising such important issues (The country I walked through deserves better than Brexit, 11 February). My husband, Colin Barnett, was – like Mike’s father – also instrumental in organising the People’s March for Jobs, as the then north-west regional secretary of the Trades Union Congress. His deep belief in trying to improve their pay and working conditions meant he tirelessly spent time travelling to their places of work, talking to them and persuading them to join the union. Why has it taken until now to realise how neglected many communities, especially outside the south of England, have become? What was the Labour party doing supporting contracting out when it was obvious that savings were made by reducing the pay and terms and conditions of the low-paid? Why was removing control and assets from democratically elected local authorities to establish academy schools pursued? I have banged on about this publication to the annoyance of friends, family and colleagues ever since I read it. We all need to read this book – it is a page-turning thriller. I was old enough, however, to see the destruction of houses and factories during that time. Victor Gilbert Pathhead, Midlothian • Re Mike Carter’s references to neoliberalism, some remainers are prone to accusing Brexiters of being dyed-in-the-wool neoliberals.

On 6 February the TSSA transport union sent a report it had produced to Momentum which showed what a lot of us, Labour party members and supporters, already sensed was true. After the abysmal general election of 2015, and Jeremy Corbyn’s bid for Labour leader, I saw a wave of exasperation turn into a wave of hope quicker than I’ve ever seen before. I campaigned enthusiastically in both leadership challenges on the promise of much more than Corbyn’s solid left-wing credentials. Corbyn lays out Labour’s terms for backing May on Brexit Read more I saw an opportunity to stem the rightward drift in the political discourse, to forever bury the immigration-control mugs, to never again chase after the electorate while allowing its views to be shaped by a more and more reactionary media culture. In short, I saw a party that had the rare chance to reinvent itself into a force of principled politics, policy-making from the ground up, participatory democracy and workplace organising. Welfare reforms and austerity cuts are now widely recognised as political tools in the hands of Tory ideology, rather than necessary evils that the financial crisis visited upon us. Waves of attacks on Early Years services for example, usually administered by local authorities, are met with ever more robust opposition in local Labour parties across the country. Our sovereign conference, the annual occasion where members set policy, is growing in popularity and participation. The party seems to be slowly learning how to respond to the concerns and issues that its active members take to heart. The path of constructive ambiguity has seen us attempt to be all things to all people, quietly reassuring to Remainers with key figures making positive remarks, while in parliament Labour attempts to expose the inadequacy of the government and demands an election.

"there's Conservatives as well, it's not just the Labour Party. I think as of now they are basically working with us to stop Brexit, to try and get a People's Vote. Liam Fox: To extend because we don't have an agreement is not acceptable Dr Fox said there should not be an extension to Article 50 simply because there wasn't a deal on the table with the EU. 'A no deal Brexit is an uncertainty that is completely unacceptable for all sorts of people' - Shadow Attorney General Shami Chakrabarti reacts to Nissan cancelling plans to build a new model in Sunderland.#Ridge For more, head here: https://t.co/KxKLJs9ljT pic.twitter.com/i4BpO9OPm8 — Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) February 3, 2019 Liam Fox: Ireland must negotiate Earlier in the show, Liam Fox spoke to Sophy Ridge about the ongoing discussions and the issue of the hard border on the island of Ireland. 'Agriculture and food is always the last chapter in any trade deal to be agreed' - National Farmers' Union president @Minette_Batters says agriculture has to be part of any free trade agreement with the EU. Minette Batters: No-deal is huge for every single person 'Post-Brexit we could have been producing much more of our fruit and veg at home' - National Farmers' Union president @Minette_Batters says farmers reliance on seasonal workers has been put in jeopardy by Brexit. "We would see a long term future of bringing cheap food in. Liam Fox: MPs might have a tough time keeping seats Dr Fox told Sophy Ridge: "Theresa May has negotiated not only with Brussels but her own party. Those who were elected on it and don't carry it through will have a difficult time in the next election and I think they deserve it." Vince Cable on the potential plot for a new party Liam Fox: Talks will continue He said: "We continue to talk to European partners to get an agreement, and as quickly as possible.

Trade unions involved in discussing a possible workers’ rights package, which the government hopes will help some Labour MPs support its Brexit deal, said they had yet to see anything from ministers they could support. Union sources said they would want to see the government commit to putting future protection for workers’ rights in the Brexit agreement struck with the European Union, rather than in UK legislation that could be repealed by a future government. They said May had shown no sign of taking on board their concerns about existing labour market regulation, under which, according to one official, an average UK employer “can expect a visit from an enforcement agency once every 500 years”. The prime minister met several union leaders last week, including Len McCluskey, the Unite general secretary who is a key supporter of Jeremy Corbyn; the Unison leader, Dave Prentis; and Frances O’Grady, who heads the TUC. Union officials held meetings with civil servants on Thursday. So far, the government has said only that parliament would be able to vote on whether such improvements should be matched. The ministers have also been talking to Labour backbenchers in leave-supporting areas, including John Mann, in the hope of getting at least a dozen to back May’s deal and make up for the lost votes of Tory Brexiters who will not support any deal May strikes with the EU. Ian Lavery, Labour’s chair, said backbenchers should be careful about talking to the government, and that the prime minister was trying “the last move in the well-thumbed Tory playbook: divide and rule”. Quite simply, taking such a bribe would be fool’s gold,” he wrote in an article for Labour List. The prime minister’s spokesman declined to give any details about the plans, but said any such initiative would cover “every part of the country” that needed investment, not just mining areas.