Latest News and Events
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”.
Let us know your views by emailing info@l-r-c.org.uk.
Glasgow East by-election and Warwick
Labour's 25th safest seat in the UK fell to the SNP with a 22.5% swing in a by-election on 24th July. John McDonnell MP said: “If this result does not demonstrate to the Labour Government the need for change nothing will. It would be a fatal mistake to dismiss this result as a by election protest vote. The message is straightforward: Labour must change or we are finished.”
Read John McDonnell's response to renewed leadership speculation: The Test of whether the Left will Stand. Debate online on John McDonnell's blog.
The National Policy Forum met from 25th July to decide the next manifesto. LRC members have passed amendments to Partnership in Power documents and have lobbied NPF delegates.
Commenting on the scale of the task facing NOF delegates in delivering a winning manifesto, LRC Chair John McDonnell said:
“As the National Policy Forum meets we are spelling out the bottom line for the outcome of these negotiations which would be acceptable for rank and file Labour Party members. These policies are the only basis upon which Labour stands any chance of being re-elected”
- Withdrawal troops from Iraq and Afghanistan
- Opposing Trident renewal and National Missile Defence
- Public ownership of rail
- Direct investment in council housing
- Opposing 42 days detention without trial
- Restoration of trade union rights
- Against privatisation in the NHS
- Against City Academies and selection in education
- Immediate restoration of earnings link for pensions
Left unites against attacks on welfare
On 21st July 2008, the Government unveiled its latest plans for welfare reform in a new Green Paper, announced by Work & Pensions Secretary James Purnell.
The left has united against these attacks on the right to welfare:
John McDonnell MP said, “At a time of increasing unemployment such draconian measures will not only prove counter-productive, but the requirement for forced labour and the greater harassment of disabled people is a moral disgrace.”
Jeremy Corbyn MP said, “The whole history of the Labour Party has been supporting a comprehensive welfare state to ensure that no-one ended up either homeless or destitute. The green paper does not seem to bare any resemblance to the principles of the Labour Party”
Mark Serwotka, PCS General Secretary, said. “These proposals are regressive and draconian, going further than even Thatcher dared in the 1980s. The government should be working with people to get them back into employment rather penalising and threatening them”
Fighting for Workers' Rights
With the credit crunch, rising inflation and cost of living, and Gordon Brown's public sector pay cap, fighting for workers' rights is as important as ever.
On 14th July Labour MPs debated the Employment Bill. You can read the speeches made by John McDonnell and Katy Clark.
In October or November, the LRC will be backing amendments to improve the scope of the national minimum wage and to strengthen trade union rights. The Socialist Youth Network is already lobbying MPs to remove the lower pay rates for young workers. Download the SYN briefing.
The need for stronger workers' rights has been highlighted by a number of disputes in recent weeks: such as the RMT cleaners' dispute, and the treatment of BFAWU members at Sayers.
The LRC is also campaigning 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.
In July, Unison members and Unite members in local government took two days of industrial action against a real terms pay cut; and PCS members working across the civil service went on strike over low pay and below-inflation pay increases.
John McDonnell MP said, “I'm calling on the Government to review its pay strategy so that public sector workers are protected from the economic crisis and recession that we now face”. Read the press release in full.
Improve abortion rights - Lobby your MP
At the end of May 2008, MPs rejected attempts to reduce the 24 weeks time limit for abortion. Now pro-choice MPs have tabled amendments to improve women's access to abortion. These will be debated by MPs in October - after the summer recess.
Please lobby your MP to support:
- New Clause 1 - to remove the two doctor requirement
- New Clause 2 - to allow nurses and midwives to administer early abortions
- New Clause 30 - to extend abortion rights to women in Northern Ireland
See the LeftWN Website www.leftwomensnetwork.org for the latest information.
After the votes in May, John McDonnell MP said “I am saddened that we are still forced to defend women's rights against such vicious attacks. I sincerely hope that we can now move the debate forward to improve the current service for women, many of whom still face unnecessary and often distressing delays.”
42 days: 37 Labour rebels defy Government
On Wednesday 11th June, 37 MPs voted against the Government's proposals in the Counter-Terror Bill to extend detention without charge from 28 days to 42 days - meaning the Government lost its majority and was forced to rely on opposition votes.
John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, said: “Any attempt to present this as some sort of victory for the Government will ring absolutely hollow. Securing votes by threats, bribes and personal pleading demeans the role of the Prime Minister. This is not the end of the battle over 42 days, merely the beginning”.
The 37 Labour rebels were: Diane Abbott, Richard Burden, Katy Clark, Harry Cohen, Frank Cook, Jeremy Corbyn, Jim Cousins, Andrew Dismore, Frank Dobson, David Drew, Paul Farrelly, Mark Fisher, Paul Flynn, Neil Gerrard, Ian Gibson, Roger Godsiff, John Grogan, Dai Havard, Kate Hoey, Kelvin Hopkins, Glenda Jackson, Lynne Jones, Peter Kilfoyle, Andrew Mackinlay, Bob Marshall-Andrews, John McDonnell
Michael Meacher, Julie Morgan, Chris Mullin, Doug Naysmith, Gordon Prentice, Linda Riordan, Alan Simpson, Emily Thornberry, Bob Wareing, David Winnick and Mike Wood.
Read the LRC press release in full.
Read John McDonnell's article ‘A question of conscience’ from the Guardian website.
Hayes by-election victory
Labour has retained the council seat in the Townfield ward of John McDonnell's Hayes & Harlington constituency, with over 45% of the vote. The seat was vacated due to the sad death of the previous Labour councillor.
The Tories and Liberals both poured resources into the area in the hope of building a base for the general election. The BNP and NF also stood candidates.
John McDonnell said: “I want to thank all those who came from across London, and even further afield, to canvass to secure this victory. These are tough times to be a Labour candidate, but we beat the national swing and kept Hayes Labour.”
LEAP launches 'Credit Crunch' Red Papers
To coincide with the 'Beyond the Market Economy' conference on Saturday 24th May, LEAP launched Credit Crunch: Learning the Lessons.
The Credit Crunch: Learning the Lessons is LEAP's response to the global credit crisis, which began to hit home in the UK with the collapse of Northern Rock in August 2007.
Launching the papers, LEAP co-ordinator Andrew Fisher said “It is disingenuous for ministers to blame the problems in the global economy for Labour's electoral woes, when it is often their policies that have exacerbated the crisis, and they continue to do nothing to mitigate it”.
This collection of papers features comment, analysis and policy alternatives from Richard Murphy, Prem Sikka, Gerry Gold, Rosamund Stock, Graham Turner, and John McDonnell MP.
Download the LEAP Red Papers May 2008 - Credit Crunch: Learning the Lessons.
Watch video from the LEAP conference 'Beyond the Market Economy'.
Read John McDonnell's article on the economy and New Labour for Comment is Free on 20th May.
Fight the fees
John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, tabled 3 amendments to the the Sale of Student Loans Bill, which were rejected by the Government. The Bill privatises the Government's holdings of student debt. But students who are now paying over £2bn per year in fees will see no benefit. The average student now leaves university with an average debt of £15,000, which takes an average of 13 years to repay.
Read John McDonnell's article on the Guardian website ‘Myths, banks and student loans’.
As a result of John McDonnell's campaigning on this issue, he will be speaking at a debate organised by the Guardian and Agora on Monday 10th March. For more details see the Agora website.
Read John's case against higher fees. In 2009, the Government will review the £3,000 cap on fees - now is the time to start the fight against fees.
John McDonnell writes for Comment is Free
LRC National Conference 2007
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.
Conference also passed a series of constitutional amendments moved by the National Committee. These have been incorporated into the updated LRC constitution.
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”
You can order your copy online, and your copy will be despatched within 28 days.
The book is published by the LRC and costs just £2.50 including postage and packaging
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