LRC welcomes solidarity action with Lindsey dispute
Over 3000 workers are taking action in support of the Lindsey workers who have walked out of the Total oil refinery in Lincolnshire. The unofficial walkouts in solidarity are in breach of the Thatcherite anti-trade union laws which outlawed secondary action.
John McDonnell MP LRC Chair said: “We fully support the Lindsey workers who have taken strike action today and urge others to come out in support of those workers.
“We are calling on the employers to immediately come to the negotiating table to seek a just resolution of this dispute.
“The courage of the Lindsey workers has demonstrated that trade unionists are no longer willing to accept the anti-trade union laws. The Government should act now to scrap these laws which deny the basic right to strike.
On 15th June, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced the arrangements for an inquiry into the Iraq war.
Jeremy Corbyn MP said: “At last the Prime Minister has come to parliament to announce there's going to be an inquiry into the war in Iraq. However, the announcement is wholly inadequate and does not meet the demands and aspirations of the vast majority of the British people.
“Half a million Iraqis have died. Many billions of pounds of taxpayer money has been spent on the war, and 179 British soldiers have died.
“To hold an inquiry of Privy Councillors, meeting in private to receive evidence and then report back to parliament after the next general election, is simply not an adequate response to this decision to go to war in Iraq.
“In my view, any inquiry must take evidence in public, and must be the subject of national public debate. It must also include a specific remit on the legality of the war, and must delve very deeply into the decision making process, including all discussions between former Prime Minister Tony Blair and former President Bush, including all communication between them in the spring of 2002.
“The war is not over for many people in Iraq, or for the families of those who have died, and all the millions around the world who objected to this adventure by Britain and the United States and who would demand something better than a secret investigation to answer to their questions.”
LRC Chair John McDonnell MP said: “This is an attempt at a fresh start by Mr Brown, but it is typically cautious and a complete miscalculation. All this will do is increase the sense in the public at large that the inquiry is a whitewash”.
Elections 2009: Labour annihilation means change or die
Read John McDonnell MP's proposals for 'change candidates' at the next election. Read John's article on Guardian Comment is Free, also reported by the BBC.
European Elections In the Euro-elections tonight Labour is experiencing catastrophically bad results with its lowest share of the vote in a nationwide election since 1910, when the Party was only four years old. In 2004 Labour topped the poll in Wales and in Yorkshire & the Humber but now these Labour heartlands are falling to the Tories. It is clear that Labour is going to poll substantially below 20% and will probably finish 3rd or even 4th overall
John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, said: “If Labour MPs and Gordon Brown don't get the message from these results we are finished. The message is clear we need a complete change of political direction.”
“New Labour is being eliminated at the ballot box. People are telling us that they want the Labour Party to become a people's party again. Only then will we regain the voters' trust”.
Local Elections Labour lost control of all four counties it was defending: Derbyshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire. With all results in, Labour has 328 fewer councillors than it won in 2005 (includes by-election defeats and defections in the interim) and maintains only 170 councillors.
John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, said: “It is clear from the results that Labour is facing annihilation. Reshuffles will not be enough. Labour now needs a wholesale and urgent change in policy if the Party is to avoid wipeout at the next General Election.”
“Labour voters are peeling off in all directions - which not only shows there is no automatic transfer to the Conservatives, but also that with a radical change of policy there could be all to play for”.
The Morning Star's national conference Surviving Capitalism's Crisis takes place on Saturday 20th June 2009. The LRC is supporting the conference, hosting a session entitled 'Welfare for the Rich, Workfare for the Poor', and we will also have a stall. LRC Chair John McDonnell MP will be speaking in the afternoon plenary session, and fellow left MP Jeremy Corbyn will be speaking too, as will LRC vice chair Maria Exall.
Registration is from 9:30am, conference ends at 4.30pm. Venue: TUC Congress House, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3LS. £10 waged, £5 unwaged.
The conference is supported by the CPB, Health Emergency, the Institute of Employment Rights, the Labour Representation Committee, the National Assembly of Women, SERTUC and Unite (Amicus)
The scandals surrounding MPs' expenses has dominated the news over the last few weeks. LRC Chair John McDonnell MP said: “Working people expect their elected representatives to be beyond reproach on issues of financial probity and moral standards of behaviour. MPs who have fallen below this standard should acknowledge their failings, apologise and return to the public purse any financial gains they have made as a result of manipulating the allowance and expenses system.”
John McDonnell MP addresses PCS conference 2009 at the height of the MPs expenses scandal:
United Campaign Against Police Violence
The LRC has affiliated to the United Campaign Against Police Violence as it's the duty of the labour movement to stand firm against any form of state violence. The police need to be accountable for what they do. They should not have a special status making them effectively immune from the law. The police cannot be enforcing the law and above the law at the same time. Unaccountable thuggery by the police has the stench of tyranny about it.
John McDonnell MP said: “Increasingly evidence demonstrates policing of major demonstrations has got out of control and specialist police units have been acting with virtual impunity. This campaign is about achieving democratic control over policing and securing protection from state violence and harassment for members of our communities.”
The demo to 'kettle' New Scotland Yard took place on Saturday 23rd May, marching off at 3pm from Trafalgar Square. Read the demo report by National Committee member Louise Whittle.
Fighting for trade union rights
Clear evidence emerged recently that several major construction companies had been blacklisting workers for trade union activity. Under the Employment Relations Act 1999, the government has the power to introduce regulations prohibiting the blacklisting of workers for their union membership or activities, and now finally, the Government has indicated that after a short consultation it will legislate in the autumn.
LRC Chair John McDonnell MP has been at the forefront of the campaign against blacklisting, and in early May hosted a lobby of Parliament by hundreds of construction workers (see Youtube video below). John had also tabled EDM 1357 'Blacklisting in Construction Industry' signed by more than 50 MPs
John McDonnell MP said: “We welcome the Government's announcement that it will finally tackle blacklisting, but it is ten years too late. Large numbers of workers have suffered because of this illicit practice. As well as outlawing blacklisting, the Government should also establish a compensation scheme for workers paid for by a levy on those companies that have been exposed as blacklisting workers.”
There was a strong LRC contingent on May Day march and rally in London, as around 3,000 trade unionists and human rights activists marched through the capital calling for policies in the interests of working people.
The day was given extra poignancy by the victory of the Visteon workers who have been occupying the factories at Basildon, Belfast and Enfield. More details from the Unite website.
Speaking from the platform in Trafalgar Square, LRC Chair John McDonnell MP said, “The workers have been an inspiration” and said their victory demonstrated the power of workers' solidarity, “united we stand divided we fall, unity is strength, an injury to one is an injury to all and the people united will never be defeated”.
Defend Council Housing
In the 2009 Budget, the Chancellor announced a £100m fund for new council house building. However, this will only provide 900 new homes - not many when there are over 1.6m families on the council house waiting list.
The Council Housing Group of MPs has published the first papers of their report Council Housing: Time to Invest. The report includes new evidence, research and recommendations which decisively make the case for council housing. The MPs Group invite comments, further research and evidence to support the case for 'fair funding, investment and building council housing' - please send your contributions to riggsj@parliament.uk and info@support4councilhousing.org.uk.
The LRC has recently made a donation to DCH in memoriam of Alan Walter.
RMT Lobby 'For A People's Railway'
Rail bosses are using the recession as an excuse to attack jobs and conditions and cut back on services and essential rail works, and hike rail fares - as LEAP research suggested they would.
The RMT, supported by the TSSA, is calling for:
An end to cuts in rail jobs and services. A freeze in shareholder dividends with all profits instead invested to protect services and jobs.
An urgent industry-wide programme so our railways can provide a green stimulus to the economy to help fight the economic downturn.
A wholly integrated, publicly-owned and accountable People’s Railway and London Underground which put people before profit and where passengers and workers have a real voice
John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, said: “Ordinary people up and down the country are crying out for policies that protect jobs and services and those in need during this economic crisis. Over the coming months the People's Charter will ensure that the millions of people, who are sick of being ignored by the political establishment, have a voice. The People's Charter is going to develop real momentum”. Read John McDonnell's article on the People's Charter.
Jack Jones 1913-2009. Jack was former leader of the Transport & General Workers Union, who fought in the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, and after he stepped down as a trade union leader became President of the National Pensioners' Convention.
John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, said: “Jack Jones was a courageous working class leader who throughout his life held to his principles of socialism, peace and trade union rights. He will be remembered for his lifelong campaigning, for decent pensions and trade union rights. He will be sorely missed as an example of working class leadership that is needed today as much as ever.”
Tony Benn said: “He was one of the finest men I ever met. Everything he said, he felt, he believed. I just feel really sad that he has died, but 96 is not a bad run.”
LEAP Conference 2009: 'Capitalism Isn't Working
You can now watch video from the LEAP Conference 2009 'Capitalism Isn't Working', which took place on Saturday 25th April, at Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London.
In between participative plenary sessions, there were four sub-plenaries:
Resisting the recession & Defending Jobs: the industrial agenda. Download the LEAP Factsheet for this session.
Speakers and contributors included: John Christensen (Tax Justice Network), Penny Cole, Andrew Fisher, Paul Feldman, Professor Gregor Gall, Gerry Gold, Colin Hampton, John Hilary (War on Want), Jerry Jones, John McDonnell MP, Cllr Gordon Nardell, Rosamund Stock, Graham Turner, Professor Richard Wilkinson, Matt Wrack (FBU).
To coincide with the Budget, LEAP published its April 2009 Red Papers, 'The Recession Budget', which are free to download. They include papers from Graham Turner, Professor Gregor Gall, Jerry Jones, Andrew Fisher, Paul Feldman & Gerry Gold, Richard Murphy and John McDonnell MP.
For full analysis and debate on the 2009 Budget see the LEAP blog
Their Crisis Not Ours! has been set up by the LRC to campaign against the bailouts for the rich and cuts for the poor during the economic crisis.
We organised a Day of Action to coincide with the Budget, on Wednesday 22nd April, to demand: 'Where's Our Bailout?'
'Labour to the core' Alice Mahon leaving shows 'political catastrophe' for Party
Former Halifax Labour MP Alice Mahon has resigned from the Party. Listen to an interview with Alice, explaining her decision to quit the Party after 50 years membership. In her resignation letter, Alice said, “This has been a difficult decision to take as I feel I was almost born into the Labour party. However, I can no longer be a member of a party that, at the leadership level, has betrayed many of the values and principles that inspired me, as a teenager, to join. . . My final reason for leaving the party is because it is no longer democratic”. Download Alice's resignation letter in full.
Alice Mahon was elected to the LRC National Committee at the November 2008 LRC Conference. She is not joining any other Party, and will continue to fight for socialism.
LRC Chair, John McDonnell MP, said: “Alice Mahon was one of the hardest working, most dedicated and principled members of Parliament in the Labour Party’s entire history. The Labour leadership clique should sit-up and recognise the Labour Party has a serious problem on its hands. When someone as Labour to the core as Alice Mahon is forced to leave the Labour Party, the Labour leadership must appreciate the political catastrophe that is emerging.”
LRC vice chair Susan Press said, “I am very sad indeed that she is going . . . In losing Alice Mahon, Labour has lost one of its greatest champions for peace and social justice. But I'm glad to say Alice will still be my friend and comrade.”
Cleaning up the Party
In the past week there have been a number of stories in the media that have damaged the reputation of the Labour Party - from the email antics in No. 10 to concerns about postal votes and the democratic process in selections.
Read John McDonnell's take on the McBride saga, This is not the Labour way. John said, “Smear tactics like those suggested by Damian McBride drag the party into the gutter, which is why I have called for an inquiry”.
Concerns have also been expressed about the selection process in Erith & Thamesmead, which has now been suspended. In the Calder Valley. LRC vice chair, Cllr Susan Press stood in the selection for the Calder Valley, read her blog comments.
Email info@l-r-c.org.uk and let us know what you think needs to be done.
G20 summit - our demands
John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, said “Do the so-called world leaders sitting at the summit table realise the depth of anger that is brewing up in communities across the world? Maybe, but it seems not yet as they limit their horizon to minimal reform to salvage a system that has brutalised our society and plundered our planet for profit.”Read John's article in full, which first appeared in Guardian Comment is Free.
Jeremy Corbyn MP said, “This police action and the massive security surrounding the G20 summit seemed designed to create an atmosphere of intolerance and unpleasantness to discourage people from attending demonstrations against global capitalism, climate change and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as a way of marginalising anyone who dissents from economic orthodoxy”. Read Jeremy's article in full, which first appeared in the Morning Star.
Stop the Welfare Reform Bill
New Labour united with the Tories to vote through the Welfare Reform Bill on Tuesday 17th March. It represents an attack on the unemployed, lone parents and the disabled. It introduces workfare. It further privatises welfare delivery. It is the most reactionary attack on welfare rights in the history of the welfare state, and at a time of recession.
John McDonnell MP said: “Labour Party members are recoiling from the brutality of welfare policy being pursued by the Government when we campaigned so hard in opposition against the same policies from the Tories”. Read John's article on the Bill from the Guardian on the day of the vote
Download the LRC model motion and get it passed in your party or union branch.
No to Royal Mail privatisation - Keep the Post Public!
Lord Mandelson introduced plans to part-privatise the Royal Mail on Thursday, 26th February. John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, said: “Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson should not underestimate the opposition that this will unleash among MPs, trade unions, postal workers and communities. This is a privatisation beyond what even Thatcher proposed.”
Billy Hayes, CWU General Secretary, said: “It is incredible that the British Government which has lead the world in overhauling banks need another European postal service to rescue the Royal Mail. Especially one which has already been disgraced by losing sensitive data disks in the mail”. Read the CWU response in full. Download the CWU NW region briefing and 10 good reasons briefing.
Ask your MP to sign EDM 428 ‘Royal Mail’. Over 100 Labour MPs have now signed. Download the model motion and get it passed in your party or trade union branch.
Read the response of CWU North West region to reports the Govermment is considering a People's Bank plan for the Post Office on the LRC blog.
Power workers' wildcat strikes
Following the wildcat strikes by power workers around the country, which started at the Total oil refinery in Lincolnshire, the LRC Executive stated, “We applaud the victory achieved by the workers. We encourage all workers to fight to defend their right to work with decent pay and conditions, and pledge our solidarity to all workers in struggle.”. The dispute has shown that solidarity works, that we must continue the fight against racism and the BNP, continue the fight against the anti-trade union laws, and fight in unity against this recession. Download the LRC Executive Statement in full.
Figures out this week showed that unemployment is approaching two million and the economy is officially in recession.
John McDonnell MP, LEAP Chair, said: “The Government has consistently failed to recognise the seriousness of the plight of the UK economy and has consistently failed to recognise the need for radical measures to tackle the crisis. The Government has consistently failed to recognise the seriousness of the plight of the UK economy and has consistently failed to recognise the need for radical measures to tackle the crisis.”. Read the press release in full.
On 15th January, the Government approved the expansion of Heathrow airport and the building of a third runway. Local MP and LRC Chair, John McDonnell MP was suspended from Parliament as he protested the decision in the Commons, and now Labour MPs Andrew Slaughter and Virendra Sharma have resigned as PPSs over the decision.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: “John McDonnell should be congratulated for the stand he made today, which was a stand for democracy and the right of MPs to represent effectively the people who elect them. If anyone is treating parliament with contempt it is those who would deny MPs their right to vote on crucial and controversial issues such as the future of our environment.”
Many trade unions are opposed to Heathrow expansion. Bob Crow, RMT said: “High-speed rail shouldn't be seen as merely a convenient way to get to the airport, but as the key to reducing unnecessary air travel so that we can free up existing runway capacity for longer-haul and inter-continental flights. In short, a modern high-speed, low-carbon and sustainable rail network would simply do away with the need for a third runway”. Keith Norman, ASLEF said: “Eurostar is reporting record passenger numbers and Spain has seen a drop in 20 percent in passengers on domestic flights since its high-speed network was opened. the way to go, and if logic prevails the development of high-speed rail in Britain should see off any idea of a third runway at Heathrow”. Chris Baugh, PCS said: “A third runway at Heathrow must be opposed. It will create more noise and pollution and will mean the government won’t be able to meet the targets in the historic Climate Change Act passed in Parliament only last year. Over 1,000 people who live in the area will also be removed from their homes.”.
Speakers included: Tony Benn, Katy Clark MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Jeremy Dear (NUJ), John McDonnell MP, Matt Wrack (FBU), plus guest international speakers: Audun Lysbakken (deputy leader of the Norwegian SV Party) and Ogmundur Jonassen (leader of the Icelandic VG Party).
This set of Red Papers looks at the Economic Crisis - no longer a credit crunch in the financial sector, but a full blown economic crisis, with global recession looming.
Contributions in this pamphlet include: Jerry Jones on the origins of the crisis, Graham Turner looking at the effect on pensions; Gerry Gold and Graham Turner looking at the revival and invocation of Keynesianian economics; Richard Murphy, Gordon Nardell and Jerry Jones looking at how to change the banking system; while Prem Sikka and John McDonnell look at how to change the system in the interests of people.
Employment Bill - trade union rights spark largest rebellion under Brown
MPs debated the Employment Bill on 4th November, and John McDonnell tabled amendments in line with the Trade Union Freedom Bill - TUC and Labour Party conference policy.
Despite the largest rebellion since Gordon Brown came to power (45 MPs), the amendments were defeated by 408 to 55. The amendments (NC1, NC2 and NC3) were tabled by Labour MPs: John McDonnell, Andrew Dismore, Kelvin Hopkins, Dennis Skinner, Michael Connarty, Ian Stewart and Jon Cruddas. Download the briefing by John Hendy QC and John Usher from the United Campaign on why the amendments on trade union freedom are so important
The LRC is a prominent campaigner for the Trade Union Freedom Bill to restore trade union rights. In Parliament, John McDonnell MP has tabled EDM 1604 'Trade Union Freedom Bill Campaign. Check whether your MP has signed up.
New LEAP pamphlet on social ownership
This new LEAP pamphlet is published at a time when the economy is faltering, and there is an urgent need to reconsider the role for workers in exercising control over their workplaces and their employers. With the recent collapse of Northern Rock and the Metronet consortium on the London Underground, the role of the state and public ownership has also been reignited.
Contributions in this pamphlet include: Gregor Gall looks at industrial democracy, RMT General Secretary Bob Crow considers the model of public ownership best suited to the railways, while CWU Executive members Maria Exall and Gary Heather argue the case for taking the telecommunications industry back into state control. Rosamund Stock argues that we need to create a culture of social ownership, while Jerry Jones considers what an economy based on social ownership would look like, and Gerry Gold considers how we might get there.
The conclusion by LEAP Chair John McDonnell MP argues for a debate about how a campaign for social ownership can be fought.
Come to the LEAP public meeting 'Economic Crisis - what role for social ownership?' at 7pm on 4th November in Committee Room 5, House of Commons.
Iraq - Justice and Withdrawal
The LRC Anti-War Commission has published a series of discussion papers under the title ‘Iraq: Justice and Withdrawal’. The first batch of these papers are posted on the Discussion papers section.
The first batch of papers include contributions from Justin Alexander, Ewa Jasiewicz and Milan Rai. Mike Phipps, Chair of the LRC Anti-War Commission, said: “These discussion papers are posted with the aim of inviting feedback prior to reconvening the LRC Seminar on Iraq before the end of 2008 to amend, finalise and promote a set of proposals”.
In 2009, the Government will review the £3,000 cap on fees - now is the time to start the fight against fees. Labour MPs have already started the fight by attempting to freeze fees for 2009. Lobby your MP to support the 'prayer' tabled in the House of Commons by John McDonnell.
To find out more about this arcane parliamentary procedure, see the LRC press release.
The LRC's 2007 national conference ‘The Next Steps for the Left’ took place at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square on Saturday 17th November.
You can download the resolutions debated at the conference. Resolutions 1, 3, 4, 5, and 8-14 were all passed. Resolution 2 fell, and resolutions 6 and 7 were remitted for the newly elected National Committee to take forward. Conference also endorsed the National Committee statement, which was presented to conference.
Speakers included Murray Benham (WDM), Tony Benn, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Jane Davidson AM, Kate Hudson (CND), Joe Marino (BFAWU), John McDonnell MP, Mark Serwotka (PCS), Jon Trickett MP, Matt Wrack (FBU).
We were also pleased to welcome Alexander Ulrich, a member of the German Bundestag, representing Die Linke - the new Party of the Left in Germany. You can download Alexander Ulrich's speech to the conference.
You can also download the Secretary's Report, which gives a short assessment of the LRC in the past year.
Another World is Possible
Copies of LRC Chair John McDonnell MP's manifesto for 21st century socialism - Another World is Possible are available now. John said “This manifesto offers an analysis of New Labour's Britain in the context of globalisation and a shared narrative of the world we face. It sets out basic principles and policies upon which we can build a platform for socialism in the 21st century”
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