Labour Representation Committee
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06 May 2008
2008 May Manifesto Petition
I put out this statement today - to sign up please email info@l-r-c.org.uk with 'petition' in the title and your name and CLP or trade union.
In the light of Labour's election defeat last week, John McDonnell MP is circulating a manifesto petition to Labour Party members, trade unons and MPs to gain large scale rank and file support for a new policy programme for Labour to bring about a radical change in political direction for the Laboour Government.
John McDonnell MP said:
"After the serious rejection of New Labour at the polls last week assurances that the Government is listening are simply not going to be enough to restore any sense of belief in the Labour Party. What is needed is a radical change of political direction.
"We have to demonstrate that change by introducing a new policy programme that specifically and very concretely addreses peoples' concerns raised on the doorstep. This May manifesto petition is launched so that all our supporters can have a say in pressing for the changes we need."
We believe that Labour can win back the support of our people by adopting a new 2008 May Manifesto, which should include: - Nailing the 10p tax mistake by the introduction of a fair tax system removing the low paid from taxation and ensuring the wealthiest and corporations pay their fair share
- An increase in the basic state pension, immediately restoring the link with earnings, lifting people off means tested benefits and providing free care for the elderly
- An immediate start on a large scale council house building programme and assistance for those facing repossession
- Immediate end to programme of local Post Office closures and liberalisation of postal services
- An end to the privatisation of our public services
- A new pay deal for public sector workers to protect their living standards and tackle low pay
- Abolishing tuition fees and restoring maintenance grants for all students
- Scrapping ID cards and abandoning 42 days detention
- Introduction of a trade union freedom bill and measures to protect temporary and agency workers
- Rejecting the proposals to renew Trident
posted by John at
3 Comments:
Martin said...
Good as initial socialistic policies.But how do we get to influence the rest of the Party and Trade Union Rank and File?
Merseyside LRC
06 May 2008 17:45
Robert said...
I thought I write this but sadly I'm disabled, lost the use of my legs in an accident at work, have a lesion of the spinal cord which means I partial paralyzed.
yet under new Labour I feel guilty for being disabled for god sake, it's like well Robert mate you should have died so Labour could have the money.
I hated thatcher with a devotion, but nothing like I hate Labour now, and I spend 30 odd years in Labour. no more.
You have again forgotten us why.
How about offering us free holidays perhaps you can do a deal with a German gas company.
06 May 2008 19:23
said...
Good start.
a. What about protecting the environment through sustainable development and proactively supporting those businesses carrying our R&D and manufacture of "alternative" solutions?
b. How about implementing a "fair trade" rather than "free trade" import/export policy.
c. Stop the centralisation of critical hospital services. Restore local A&E and Maternity Units and stop the closure of local Hospitals.
d. Renationalise all public transport and rebuild core transport infrastructure across the country with an interconnecting hub in every county. Services must be low cost/affordable to everyone and in particular those on low incomes,meet the business and social needs of the community.
e. We need policies which hit the Tories in rural areas as well as the cities. Not every rural person supports the Tories. Households in rural areas have been abandoned by Labour.
f. Stop the sickening culture of forcing mothers with children under the age of 16 to work and pay for someone else to look after their children.
It should be a matter of choice, not through fear of poverty or discrimination that a mother goes back to work.
g. Prosecute employers who pay women less than men for the same job.
h. Significantly increase sentences for those found guilty of paedophilia whether online, or not. This includes those voyeurs who think it is not as bad to just watch. Congratulations to the police for the work they are doing in this area. They need backing up by a judicial system that ensure the punishment fits the crime.
i. Revisit the levels at which welfare benefits apply so that more low income households benefit. Take into account "appropriate" living costs when considering benefit applications - not just income.
Charmaine Morgan - Midlands LRC
Grantham & Stamford CLP
23 May 2008 20:17
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