Labour Party
Labour Party
Labour is calling for an electric vehicle “revolution” to give a boost to the car industry and create jobs across the UK. Shadow business secretary Ed Miliband will outline ambitious plans to create new jobs and make owning a zero-emission vehicle an “option for all.” In a speech in London on Thursday, he will call […]
Labour Party
Keir Starmer defends pro-EU candidate standing in pro-Brexit Hartlepool seat
Sir Keir Starmer said Labour would not fight “yesterday’s wars” after rejecting criticism of a pro-EU choice for the Hartlepool by-election. Dr Paul Williams, who was an opponent of Brexit and backed a People’s Vote, is standing in the constituency in which almost 70% voted to Leave in the 2016 referendum. But the Labour leader has […]
Labour Party
Tory minister claims Keir Starmer has ‘gone mad’
Sir Keir Starmer has “gone mad”, a Tory government minister has claimed. Conservative frontbencher Christopher Pincher said that the Labour leader is a “prisoner of woke” and that the Labour leader should “direct” mayor of London Sadiq Khan to focus on housing and other projects rather than trying to “pull down” statues in parks. Khan […]
Labour Party
Labour reveals familiar face for Hartlepool by-election candidate
A former MP ousted by Boris Johnson’s landslide win in 2019 has been announced as Labour’s candidate in the Hartlepool by-election. Dr Paul Williams, formerly the MP for Stockton South from 2017 until 2019, has been chosen to contest the seat after incumbent Mike Hill resigned this week amid sexual harassment allegations. Hill’s sudden departure […]
Labour Party
Labour MP resigns triggering by-election
Labour MP Mike Hill has quit as an MP, triggering a by-election in a key test of the Red Wall for Labour. The sudden announcement sets up a fresh electoral contest in Hartlepool, a seat long-held by Labour, marking the first test of Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership since taking over from Jeremy Corbyn last year. […]
Labour Party
Labour confirms vote against No 10’s ‘poorly thought out’ policing bill
Labour has said it will not back the government’s key crime legislation because of clauses that could lead to harsher penalties for damaging a statue than attacking a woman. Shadow justice secretary David Lammy said the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill contain “poorly thought out” proposals that would impose controls on the right to protest. […]
Labour Party
Buckingham Palace should investigate racism allegations, says Labour
Labour has said any allegations of racism should be investigated by Buckingham Palace after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claimed a royal had raised concerns about how dark their son’s skin tone might be before he was born. During an Oprah Winfrey interview, Meghan said that when she was pregnant with Archie an unnamed […]
Labour Party
Budget: Keir Starmer risks being ‘outflanked’ by the Tories, claims Labour left
The Labour left is arguing that Keir Starmer risks being “outflanked” by the Tories during this week’s budget if it does not go far enough. Socialist campaign group MPs Apsana Begum, John McDonnell and Richard Burgon are calling for a “People’s Budget” to reflect the “1945 moment” the country as it leaves lockdown. Burgon is expected […]
Labour Party
Whitehall ‘furiously trying to manage expectations down’ on Brexit memo
Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds has accused the government of “furiously trying to manage expectations down” over its post Brexit trading arrangements for financial services. Ahead of Rishi Sunak’s Budget, the Labour frontbencher said she was “particularly concerned” over the uncertainty surrounding the memorandum of understanding with the EU for the sector. There was she added a […]
Labour Party
Lib Dems extend hand to new Scottish Labour leader to build ‘federal UK’
The Liberal Democrats have offered to work with Scottish Labour’s new leader to build a “federal UK”. Anas Sarwar won the top job on Saturday, beating Monica Lennon and taking 57.6% of the vote. The Scottish Lib Dem leader congratulated the new leader and offering to work in partnership. Willie Rennie said: “I would like […]
Labour Party
Labour warns Chancellor against immediately raising taxes in Budget
Labour has warned Rishi Sunak against immediately raising taxes in his Budget on Wednesday, urging him instead to focus on securing the economic recovery. Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds said now is “not the time” for tax rises, but signalled that she could support an increase in corporation tax in the future. Her comments came amid […]
Labour Party
Former Labour staffer loses bid to reveal who leaked anti-Semitism report
A former senior Labour staffer has lost a High Court bid to force the party to reveal who it believes leaked an internal report into the handling of allegations of anti-Semitism. An 860-page report on Labour’s governance and legal unit, which found “no evidence” of anti-Semitism being handled differently from other complaints, was leaked in […]
Labour Party
What Keir Starmer can learn from the Dutch game of Korfball
Labour will only make headway once it is able to move the debate onto its favoured territory, rather than allowing the Tories to set the agenda. By ZOE WILLIAMS Funny thing about the prime minister’s roadmap: he mentions golf and beauticians; touches schools, universities and colleges; makes a huge number of fine distinctions between the […]
Labour Party
David Lammy: Don’t fall for the right’s culture wars trap
David Lammy talks to ALASTAIR CAMPBELL about how the Tories are exploiting the so-called ‘culture wars’, Labour’s performance under Keir Starmer, his lonely Christmas… and Jose Mourinho’s ego. Because of the big smile, the big personality, and one of the most infectious laughs in politics, you might assume David Lammy to be on the happier end of the […]
Labour Party
Labour denounces six months’ reprieve for companies on gender pay gap reporting
The Labour Party has criticised the decision to delay enforcement action against companies that fail to report their gender pay gap by this year’s deadline. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it will not begin enforcement proceedings against companies until six months after the deadline of April 4, the Guardian newspaper reported. The […]
Labour Party
Labour MPs bewildered at party’s orders to remain silent on Brexit
Labour MPs have expressed a sense of bewilderment at orders from the party’s high command to remain silent on Brexit issues. MPs are being asked not to focus on problems caused by Brexit when asking questions in parliament, dealing with the media, or posting on social media, sources in the parliamentary party have said. Senior party figures were also […]
Labour Party
Keir Starmer unveils Labour’s economic plan in watershed speech on tackling inequality
Sir Keir Starmer pledged to lead a “moral crusade” to address inequalities and injustices exposed by the coronavirus crisis, as he announced plans for recovery bonds to give savers a stake in Britain’s future. The Labour leader used a major speech to call for a “new chapter” in the country’s history after the pandemic laid bare […]
Labour Party
Keir Starmer says country is ‘at a fork in the road’ over Covid recovery strategy
A new partnership between business and the state is needed as the country rebuilds from the coronavirus crisis, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will say. Next month’s Budget represents a “fork in the road” for British society, with a chance to reject the “insecure and unequal economy” of the past, he will say in a […]
Labour Party
Labour to consider reform of voting system following pressure from local parties
The Labour Party is mulling over a decision to add electoral reform to its manifesto after party activists vote to end the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system. More than one-quarter of Labour branches are urging Sir Keir Starmer to dump the party’s historical support for FPTP voting in favour of proportional representation. Calls for Labour to change its stance has grown over […]
Labour Party
Labour demands pay rise for social care workers to £10 per hour
Paying social care workers “poverty wages” is holding back the economy, Labour will warn as it demands the government raise their salaries to £10 an hour. Deputy leader Angela Rayner is set to say that giving the frontline workers a pay rise will mean “every extra pound” is spent in local businesses and high streets […]
Labour Party
The clever politics that could save Keir Starmer’s leadership
Keir Starmer is facing mounting criticism from within his own party. JAMES BALL assesses how seriously he should take it. Keir Starmer is, we’re told, a politician in crisis. Despite the devastating effect of coronavirus on the UK and on the standing of the government, the Labour Party lags behind the Conservatives in the polls, his personal […]
Labour Party
Labour MP tells Keir Starmer critics to ‘come into the real world’ during berating of party base
A Welsh Labour MP has told Keir Starmer’s critics to “come into the real world” as she lashed out at her party’s “left-wing” antics. Carolyn Harris, the Labour leader’s parliamentary private secretary (PPS), dismissed criticisms of his leadership as “nonsense” and not being based in “the real world”. Harris was joined by Welsh Labour’s deputy leader […]
Labour Party
No 10 accused of ‘growing catalogue of cronyism’ after appointment of Gavin Williamson’s friend James Wharton
Labour’s shadow education minister has called on Tory peer James Wharton to resign his party’s whip after being appointed chair of the universities watchdog. Kate Green said Wharton’s appointment to the Office for Students (OfS) was the latest in a “growing catalogue of cronyism” committed by the government. The Tory peer was confirmed as chair on Tuesday afternoon, despite the Commons […]
Labour Party
The inside story of how Labour botched its anti-Semitism crisis
No analysis of the state of Britain today can be possible without an understanding of why Labour finds itself in its current position. Its failure to properly address prejudice in the party before the last election are at the heart of that. FRANCIS BECKETT has had access to insider accounts of the key meetings under […]
Labour Party
Labour pledges to ‘clean up cronyism’ with ‘biggest wave of insourcing for a generation’
A Labour government would “clean up cronyism” and deliver the “biggest wave of insourcing of public services for a generation”, a shadow minister has pledged. Shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves accused the Conservative Party of being “rife with conflicts of interest” as she urged firms awarded contracts during the pandemic with Tory links to […]
Labour Party
Momentum fundraise for new video output to counteract GB News
Supporters of Jeremy Corbyn are crowdfunding to create new video output to counteract Andrew Neil’s new GB News television service. Left-wing grassroots campaign group Momentum is currently appealing for financial support ahead of new television services from GB News and Rupert Murdoch’s News UK service – both due to launch in the spring. In an email to […]
Labour Party
Labour accuses Jeremy Corbyn of ‘wasting time and money’ following court case defeat
The Labour Party has attacked Jeremy Corbyn for “wasting time and money” after he lost a court battle to release documents relating to his suspension from the parliamentary party. On Wednesday, a judge dismissed Corbyn’s case, saying he had “sufficient evidence” to fight a High Court battle over the suspension. In a direct attack at Corbyn’s […]
Labour Party
The man to save the Union?
It is no exaggeration to say that the next Scottish Labour leader will play a pivotal role in deciding whether Scotland becomes independent. MAURICE SMITH reports on a party still coming to terms with the scale of the task ahead. Anas Sarwar must be a glutton for punishment. The 37-year-old has been tipped for Labour Party stardom […]
Labour Party
Jeremy Corbyn loses bid to release Labour documents ahead of High Court battle
Jeremy Corbyn has lost a bid for disclosure of documents from the Labour Party ahead of an anticipated High Court claim over his suspension. The former leader of the opposition is considering legal action over his suspension from the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), which could see him seek “an injunction to restore the whip immediately”. […]
Labour Party
Conservative London mayoral candidate reported over misleading election leaflets
Labour has reported the Conservative London mayoral candidate to the Crown Prosecution Service over claims he “repeatedly attempted to mislead” voters with campaign leaflets. Shaun Bailey, who is seeking to topple Labour incumbent Sadiq Khan during the upcoming May election, used “City Hall” branded paper to warn Londoners of an alleged “21.2%” council tax increase. […]
Labour Party
What tier is Keir? How has Starmer performed during the pandemic?
GLEN O’HARA assesses the Labour leader’s performance since he took the reins, and his ultimate prospects. Sir Keir Starmer has spent nearly a year now presenting himself as a diligent, calm and intelligent leader – a kind of ‘Mister Competence’, in contradistinction not just to the prime minister, Boris Johnson, but also to his immediate predecessor, Jeremy […]
Labour Party
Labour to force vote on retaining workers’ rights as Brexit threatens holiday pay and 48-hour week
Labour MPs have tabled an Opposition Day debate motion to protect employment rights now under threat as a result of Brexit. With the UK no longer bound by EU directives, rights enshrined in their wording – such as holiday pay and statutory working limits – can be stripped away. Sir Keir Starmer – together with […]