Latest news with #Labour
The National
39 minutes ago
- Business
- The National
Mhairi Black: MPs swayed by Keir Starmer's U-turn are not left wing
Events across the globe this week have served as a timely reminder that change is possible when people organise, even if it is bit by bit. At the time of writing, Keir Starmer had just announced a partial climbdown on his planned disability benefit cuts after an organised rebellion by numerous Labour MPs proved to be enough to potentially stop the legislation passing through Parliament. Originally, Starmer planned to change who would qualify for certain disability and sickness benefits, in the hopes of saving £5 billion a year by 2030. UK Prime Minister Keir StarmerIn a last-ditch attempt to halt any rebellion, Labour announced that current claimants will continue to receive the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), as will recipients of the health element of Universal Credit. The planned changes will now only affect new claimants. This concession is a test for all rebelling Labour MPs because what Starmer is effectively saying is that even if you share the same disability as someone currently receiving PIP – and you experience all the same disadvantages and difficulties – because you made a claim after an arbitrary date, you will not receive any of the support your peers enjoy. Actually, 'enjoy' is too strong a word considering the maximum amount a person will receive via PIP is £187.45 per week. Anyone swayed by the argument, 'I won't take support away from existing disabled people but future disabled people are fair game,' cannot claim to be a left-wing MP. READ MORE: Labour's 'minor' climbdown will leave benefits system 'woefully inadequate' It is worth noting that Starmer has not made these (pathetic) concessions out of the goodness of his heart, or because he realises it is abhorrent to cut support for those with disabilities during a cost of living crisis – especially when there are billionaires who don't pay the proper tax. He has suggested this concession in order to appear reasonable and lessen the embarrassment of potentially being defeated by his own MPs. People in power never concede or compromise unless they are put in a position where it is in their best interests to do so. But although we have yet to see how far they are willing to take it, Labour MPs have at this moment successfully banded together in numbers to resist the right-wing changes Starmer wants. Throughout history, it is only when people band together in numbers to defy authority that authority even thinks about changing. This week we saw billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos forced to relocate his wedding in Venice after protesters organised themselves to put pressure on him. A sign in St Mark's Square read: 'If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax'. A banner opposing Jeff Bezos in St Mark's Square. Image: GreenpeaceTommaso Cacciari, from a group called No Space For Bezos, put it nicely saying: 'We're just citizens who started organising and we managed to move one of the most powerful people in the world – and all the billionaires – out of the city." In the US, we saw the New York mayoral Democratic primary won by unknown socialist Zohran Mamdani. As Donald Trump's fascism runs rampant, the very corporate Democrats have so far failed to provide any kind of leadership in challenging him and his minions. Mamdani's campaign showed the Democratic leadership how it is done. He campaigned unapologetically on a plan for free buses, free childcare, new affordable apartments and a higher minimum wage – all paid for by new taxes on the rich – and he won handsomely. The world over, we are seeing that people are growing impatient waiting for social justice. Impatient that their quality of life is rapidly deteriorating while the richest continue to grow their wealth and influence. READ MORE: Wind, words, and willpower: Inside a pivotal week on Skye's energy future The UK is no different. Child poverty is rising, as is poverty overall, and the gap between the richest and the poorest is widening. Yet political parties are too afraid to act on their promises of change. There is a depressing timidness from political leaders to challenge those hoarding obscene amounts of wealth. This has created a vacuum which the likes of Nigel Farage can seize on. Rather than have the masses come after his wealth, he seeks to redirect our attention and anger to trans people, to immigrants, to disabled people and those who are unemployed. Right-wing populism unironically claims to answer the very problems created by right-wing policies in the first place. Despite this, a YouGov poll predicted Reform UK would win the most seats in a General Election, of which three would be in Scotland. READ MORE: Rod Stewart comes out in support of Reform UK and Nigel Farage I am reminded of a fable I once read where in ancient times a suggestion was made that the lords (who held all power and wealth) should wear red, and the peasants should all wear white so it was easy to distinguish who was who. The plans fell through the moment someone pointed out that if the peasants all wore the same thing, they might well realise how many of them there were compared to the few lords hoarding power and wealth. Now more than ever we need progressives and political parties to get real about the threat that is spreading, and realise the power we hold when we band together to make a stand.
Spectator
42 minutes ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Steve Baker on how to organise a successful rebellion
As Labour rebels appear to have forced concessions from Keir Starmer over welfare this week, former Conservative MP Steve Baker joins James Heale to reflect on his own time as a rebel, and to provide some advice to Labour MPs. Steve, an MP for 14 years and a minister under Theresa May, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, tells James about the different rebellions he was a part of (from Brexit to Covid), explains how to organise a successful one and reveals how he has lost close friends when he has made the decision to compromise. He also blames Labour's problems on their 'bombs not benefits' approach, explains why the current welfare rebellion demonstrates that 'the facts of life are Conservative' and argues that it has been a mistake for the Conservatives not the support Labour's original approach to reducing the winter fuel allowance. Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Megan McElroy.
South Wales Guardian
3 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Veterans railcards could extend to family in new ‘legal duty' for armed forces
Eligibility for the special railcard, which provides a discount of one third on most tickets, could be extended under plans to offer more support to the armed forces community. Under existing rules, spouses of veterans can be offered concessions when travelling as a companion to the cardholder, but cannot use benefits independently. It comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed plans to place a 'legal duty' on all Government departments to consider the needs of military personnel and their families when making policy. Number 10 said more details of the measure would be set out in due course, but could include initiatives such as extending travel benefits to the families of veterans and the bereaved. It is understood that one proposal being considered is the extension of the veterans railcard to family members, though no decisions have been made. Sir Keir earlier met trainee pilots and their families as he visited RAF Valley on Anglesey in North Wales, to mark Armed Forces Day. He said: 'Across the country and around the world, our service personnel and their families make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and protect our freedom and our way of life. 'When I became Prime Minister, I made a promise to serve those who have served us. 'Through the new Armed Forces Covenant, we are delivering on that promise, ensuring our service personnel, veterans and their families are treated with the respect they deserve, that is our duty. 'Our Armed Forces Covenant will put our armed forces community at the very heart of government decision-making. 'Their courage, duty, and sacrifice are the foundation of our national values, and they deserve nothing less.' Labour pledged in its manifesto to fully implement the Armed Forces Covenant, which supports the military community through a range of initiatives and grants. Under the new legislation all areas of Government will for the first time have to have 'due regard' in decision-making for the unique circumstances and position of the armed forces community, Downing Street said. Currently this is only legally required in areas of housing, healthcare and education at local level, meaning it does not apply to central Government. The extension will cover policy areas including employment, immigration, welfare, transport, pensions, childcare and criminal justice. The Government aims to make the changes in the next Armed Forces Bill, one of which is required every five years. The last Bill was passed in 2021. It comes ahead more than 200 events expected to take place across the UK to mark Armed Forces Day. The town of Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire will host this year's annual national event, and is expected to welcome 200,000 visitors. It will feature a military parade with personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army and the RAF's Red Arrows, including music from the British Army Band Catterick and the Band of the Coldstream Guards. A flypast by Chinook helicopters and historic aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will take place above the town's beaches, as well as a fireworks display and a concert by military musicians. Defence Secretary John Healey, who will attend the celebrations, said: 'On Armed Forces Day the nation unites to thank our armed forces: our service personnel, our reservists, our veterans and our cadets. 'This is the day we celebrate all they do, in ordinary and extraordinary ways, to make Britain secure at home and strong abroad. 'We're matching our words with actions, committing an extra £1.5 billion to fix forces' family housing this parliament, the largest pay rise in over 20 years for personnel, and bringing the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law. 'Our government's plan for change is renewing the nation's contract with those who serve.' The Ministry of Defence has also announced that the bidding process for next year's Armed Forces Day national event will open next week on Tuesday. Local authorities can apply for up to £50,000 in funding to host the celebrations.
Newsroom
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsroom
The secret to-do list of David Seymour
Monday * Attend my first press conference as Deputy Prime Minister and speak solemnly about international affairs to strengthen the perception I am a world statesman worthy of respect. * Name some worthy academic no one has ever heard of and hold them to ridicule. * RSVP to the birthday party for a child of an influential donor from the Atlas Project. Tuesday * Take credit for the budget cuts to Radio New Zealand to strengthen the perception that Act is a powerful enemy of state-funded left-wing propaganda that attacks Act at every opportunity and gives Labour, the Greens and old scribble-face a free ride. * Increase state funding of Act's comms department. * Confirm that I will be happy to play pin the tail on the donkey at the Atlas Project children's birthday party. Wednesday * Ridicule Labour MP Willie Jackson for his comments that the Regulatory Standards Bill is set up for my mates from powerful corporations who are following their manifest destiny to despoil the countryside in exchange for massive profits which ought not be subject to tax. * Meet mates for drink. * Draw a line in the stand and decline invitation to actually play the donkey that gets a tail pinned to it at the Atlas Project children's birthday party. Thursday * Give Act's comms department the hard word to find someone who has made ridiculing remarks about me so I can whine and complain about it to strengthen the perception I am constantly under attack by the intelligentsia. * Find a way to undermine Luxon. * Find a way to undermine someone who votes Green and hugs trees. * Find a way to undermine somehow who can be described as a Māori fanatic. * Find a way to undermine someone who performs selfless acts for the betterment of society and gives hope to families doing it hard but who is associated with Labour. Friday * Seek private medical treatment for multiple puncture wounds inflicted by rich little brats wielding really sharp pins who seemed to take great pleasure in pinning a donkey's tail all over my body at the Atlas Project children's birthday party. Their parents seemed to enjoy it too. I can still hear their mocking laughter.
Western Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Senedd hears future generations law ‘lacks teeth'
The Senedd's equality committee took evidence as part of follow-up scrutiny a decade on from the Welsh parliament passing the Well-being of Future Generations Act in 2015. Labour's Mick Antoniw warned the Act, which aims to put sustainable development at the heart of decision making, lacks impetus and risks being a "bureaucratic tick-box exercise'. Mr Antoniw, who was involved in early stages of scrutiny of the then-bill, said: 'It started off… as a sustainability bill until no one could actually define what they meant by sustainability… came up with the term future generations and… that might be seen to be equally nebulous.' As well as describing the Act as vague, the former minister suggested Wales' future generations commissioner has few – if any – powers to hold public bodies to account. He said: 'I always thought that was a mistake right from the beginning, [you] don't give it proper teeth to actually have the impact that shifts decision making.' Calvin Jones, an environmental economist, said the commissioner and his predecessor told him their only 'big stick' is to 'name and shame' which they are reluctant to do. 'As soon as you get the stick out, people take their eyes off the carrot,' he said. 'There's this constant tension between wanting to chivvy the laggards along but realising once you get a reputation as somebody who's an auditor effectively then games start being played and boxes start being ticked. 'That tension has always stymied the way in which the commissioners have been prepared to name and shame which was, I think, the only serious bit of teeth in the Act.' Prof Jones, who left Cardiff University in May, suggested Audit Wales should have more of a role in holding public bodies to account in a similar way to their bookkeeping duties. He warned of a major lack of funding for the commissioner's office, describing the money allocated by the Welsh Government as akin to using a sticking plaster on the Titanic.
