Louise Nousratpour
Friday November 21, 2008
The Morning Star
A SENIOR government adviser urged new Labour on Friday to rethink plans to force Britain's poorest people into low-paid work by threatening to cut their benefits.
Social security advisory committee chairman Sir Richard Tilt was joined by family charities, the TUC and Labour MPs in condemning the welfare-to-work measures as a "brutal attack" on lone parents and disabled people.
From Monday, people with disabilities and single parents with a youngest child of 12 who apply for income support will be put on jobseeker's allowance and expected to look for work or face sanctions, including benefits cuts of up to 40 per cent.
Only full-time carers, disabled people "with the greatest needs" and those with disabled or sick children will be exempt. By 2010, the rule will be extended to lone parents with a youngest child aged seven or over.
Announcing the changes, Pensions Secretary James Purnell insisted that they were aimed at helping the jobless seek work.
But critics dismissed the measures as "cruel" and "unworkable" in the face of rising unemployment and deepening economic crisis.
They highlighted the government's own figures showing that over 56 per cent of Britain's estimated 1.8 million lone parents are already in work.
Sir Richard said: "Benefit rates are relatively low and, if you are going to reduce someone's benefit for a few weeks by 40 per cent, you are pushing people much closer to poverty.
"Of course, the child will suffer, but it's not the child that has fallen foul of the system."
TUC leader Brendan Barber insisted: "As thousands join the dole queue every day, this is the worst possible time for a further benefits crackdown and introducing workfare.
"If the government continues, more people will be left in poverty, unable to work or claim benefits, and, at £60.50 a week, many of those claiming jobseeker's allowance will still find themselves in poverty."
Left MP John McDonnell called for an "immediate halt" to the measures, which he branded a "brutal attack on some of the poorest members of our society."
He added: "It will put immense pressure and stress on parents struggling to bring up their children at a time when there is increasing unemployment and opportunities to re-enter the labour market are restricted by the economic recession."
Lone parent charity group Gingerbread warned that the workfare plans would undermine good parenting and force many into low-paid, dead-end jobs.
Chief executive Fiona Weir said that many parents could end up "cycling" between low-paid work and benefits.
Maxine Hill of childcare charity Daycare Trust feared that there was not enough suitable and affordable childcare for lone parents.
"Our childcare costs surveys show above-inflation increases in the cost of childcare," Ms Hill said.
Britain facing twin threat from BNP and state fascism, warn delegates
Louise Nousratpour at the Labour Representation Committee conference in Conway House
Sunday November 16, 2008
The Morning Star
BRITAIN is facing the rising threat of both "state fascism" and the far-right BNP, Labour Representation Committee delegates warned on Saturday.
Far-right groups such as the BNP are active in white working-class areas, filling the vacuum left by the Labour Party and other organisations, the committee's conference heard.
Moving a motion on combating the threat of fascism and racism, committee member Daphne Liddle called for locally focused campaigns and door-to-door visits, particularly in areas targeted by the BNP.
"The BNP puts most of its political energy into door-to-door campaigning because it knows that this is effective and it must be countered in the same way," Ms Liddle argued forcefully.
Conference also expressed fears about the growth of "creeping state fascism" through anti-terrorism legislation as well as a succession of draconian immigration and asylum acts.
Committee chairman John McDonnell MP noted that, in his west London constituency, "three or four asylum-seekers are deported every day - dragged out at all hours of the night and in handcuffs.
"This government is sending people back to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq."
The agreed resolution called for the repeal of all "unjust" immigration and asylum laws, the scrapping of all anti-terror legislation and an end to private-sector involvement in the prison system and all government departments that keep public records.
Sunday November 16, 2008
The Morning Star
BRITAIN is facing the rising threat of both "state fascism" and the far-right BNP, Labour Representation Committee delegates warned on Saturday.
Far-right groups such as the BNP are active in white working-class areas, filling the vacuum left by the Labour Party and other organisations, the committee's conference heard.
Moving a motion on combating the threat of fascism and racism, committee member Daphne Liddle called for locally focused campaigns and door-to-door visits, particularly in areas targeted by the BNP.
"The BNP puts most of its political energy into door-to-door campaigning because it knows that this is effective and it must be countered in the same way," Ms Liddle argued forcefully.
Conference also expressed fears about the growth of "creeping state fascism" through anti-terrorism legislation as well as a succession of draconian immigration and asylum acts.
Committee chairman John McDonnell MP noted that, in his west London constituency, "three or four asylum-seekers are deported every day - dragged out at all hours of the night and in handcuffs.
"This government is sending people back to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq."
The agreed resolution called for the repeal of all "unjust" immigration and asylum laws, the scrapping of all anti-terror legislation and an end to private-sector involvement in the prison system and all government departments that keep public records.
Global crisis 'raises new prospect of war on Iran'
Louise Nousratpour at the Labour Representation Committee conference in Conway House
Sunday November 16, 2008
The Morning Star
DELEGATES have vowed to mobilise against any plans to attack Iran, warning that the economic crisis has brought a new threat of war.
The Labour Representation Committee conference heard that the global slump could lead to more wars driven by a capitalist system desperate to restore lost profits through arms sales and plunder.
Opening the session on international issues, left Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn urged delegates to affiliate to anti-imperialist organisation Liberation, which was founded as the Movement for Colonial Freedom in 1954.
He said that Liberation had links to a large number of solidarity groups around the world and that "international solidarity is the only answer to this global crisis.
"The way mainstream media reports the crisis, you would think that it only affects the West and big business profits. But the reality is that, for the first time ever, some one billion of the world's population have plunged into starvation."
Socialist Youth Network representative Ben Lewis warned the conference that the threat of military action against Iran had not passed.
"One of the best ways for capitalism to solve its crisis is through war and military intervention," he said.
"We have already seen the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan spill over to Pakistan and Syria."
The committee's anti-war commission chairman Mike Phipps called on delegates to endorse a statement issued by the Justice for Iraq conference in July in London.
It reads: "We call on those states responsible for the invasion and occupation of Iraq to terminate their illegal and immoral war and express our solidarity with the Iraqi people in their struggle for peace and self-determination."
Sunday November 16, 2008
The Morning Star
DELEGATES have vowed to mobilise against any plans to attack Iran, warning that the economic crisis has brought a new threat of war.
The Labour Representation Committee conference heard that the global slump could lead to more wars driven by a capitalist system desperate to restore lost profits through arms sales and plunder.
Opening the session on international issues, left Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn urged delegates to affiliate to anti-imperialist organisation Liberation, which was founded as the Movement for Colonial Freedom in 1954.
He said that Liberation had links to a large number of solidarity groups around the world and that "international solidarity is the only answer to this global crisis.
"The way mainstream media reports the crisis, you would think that it only affects the West and big business profits. But the reality is that, for the first time ever, some one billion of the world's population have plunged into starvation."
Socialist Youth Network representative Ben Lewis warned the conference that the threat of military action against Iran had not passed.
"One of the best ways for capitalism to solve its crisis is through war and military intervention," he said.
"We have already seen the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan spill over to Pakistan and Syria."
The committee's anti-war commission chairman Mike Phipps called on delegates to endorse a statement issued by the Justice for Iraq conference in July in London.
It reads: "We call on those states responsible for the invasion and occupation of Iraq to terminate their illegal and immoral war and express our solidarity with the Iraqi people in their struggle for peace and self-determination."
Left urged to unite around workers' programme
Louise Nousratpour at the Labour Representation Committee conference in Conway House
Sunday November 16, 2008
The Morning Star
THE Labour Representation Committee conference urged the British left on Saturday to unite around a socialist programme to defend workers' jobs threatened by the economic crisis.
Hundreds of delegates and representatives from affiliated organisations crammed into London's Conway Hall on Saturday to organise co-ordinated action in Parliament and on the picket lines to force their demands through.
The one-day conference focused on the impact of the crisis on the working class, from job losses and a 20 per cent increase in house repossessions to wage restraints and drastic cuts in public services.
Delegates also feared the rising threat from fascism and the possibility of a more aggressive enforcement of the anti-trade union laws.
In a series of motions, they called for the nationalisation of the finance system and rigorous regulation, investment in public works to tackle unemployment and a national programme of council house building to combat rising homelessness.
Moving a series of resolutions on the economic crisis, committee chairman John McDonnell MP said that demands for public investment could easily be met if the government addressed tax avoidance, which is costing the British economy more than £30 billion a year.
"This is the greatest opportunity the left will have in our lifetime to push for a socialist agenda, because the crisis has exposed the failure of neoliberal ideology and claims that an unfettered market can satisfy all our social needs," he told delegates.
Mr McDonnell urged the left to stop sectarian infighting and unite around a practical social programme.
"We must show the government and big business that the socialists are on the march again on behalf of the working class," he added.
Fire Brigades Union leader Matt Wrack said: "The starting point among socialists and unions is to recognise that this is a class agenda.
"The neoliberal drive to restore the profitability of business around the world has led to trouble for working people.
"The multibillion bail-out of the banks in Britain and the US is about one thing - the nationalisation of the losses at taxpayers' expense and the privatisation of profits."
The FBU general secretary asked conference: "Are we going to stand by and let the working class pay for the capitalist crisis or are we going to force bankers and big business to pay for their own mess?"
Sunday November 16, 2008
The Morning Star
THE Labour Representation Committee conference urged the British left on Saturday to unite around a socialist programme to defend workers' jobs threatened by the economic crisis.
Hundreds of delegates and representatives from affiliated organisations crammed into London's Conway Hall on Saturday to organise co-ordinated action in Parliament and on the picket lines to force their demands through.
The one-day conference focused on the impact of the crisis on the working class, from job losses and a 20 per cent increase in house repossessions to wage restraints and drastic cuts in public services.
Delegates also feared the rising threat from fascism and the possibility of a more aggressive enforcement of the anti-trade union laws.
In a series of motions, they called for the nationalisation of the finance system and rigorous regulation, investment in public works to tackle unemployment and a national programme of council house building to combat rising homelessness.
Moving a series of resolutions on the economic crisis, committee chairman John McDonnell MP said that demands for public investment could easily be met if the government addressed tax avoidance, which is costing the British economy more than £30 billion a year.
"This is the greatest opportunity the left will have in our lifetime to push for a socialist agenda, because the crisis has exposed the failure of neoliberal ideology and claims that an unfettered market can satisfy all our social needs," he told delegates.
Mr McDonnell urged the left to stop sectarian infighting and unite around a practical social programme.
"We must show the government and big business that the socialists are on the march again on behalf of the working class," he added.
Fire Brigades Union leader Matt Wrack said: "The starting point among socialists and unions is to recognise that this is a class agenda.
"The neoliberal drive to restore the profitability of business around the world has led to trouble for working people.
"The multibillion bail-out of the banks in Britain and the US is about one thing - the nationalisation of the losses at taxpayers' expense and the privatisation of profits."
The FBU general secretary asked conference: "Are we going to stand by and let the working class pay for the capitalist crisis or are we going to force bankers and big business to pay for their own mess?"
MP exposes new Labour gag plan
by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR (Exclusive)
Monday November 9, 2008
The Morning Star
LABOUR MP Alan Simpson exposed government plans to ban rebel MPs from joining a select committee on climate change on Sunday, branding the decision a "lurch to kiss-arse politics."
The select committee on the new climate change legislation which was passed last month will have a duty to hold the government to account.
But Mr Simpson, who is a longstanding environmental campaigner, revealed that the Chief Whip is planning to ban MPs who have voted against the government on any issues in the past year from joining the committee.
MPs were told about this possible rule change at last Monday's Parliamentary Labour Party meeting, he said.
The change would affect all left MPs, including Mr Simpson, John McDonnell, Jeremy Corbyn, Ian Gibson, Austin Mitchell and Katy Clarke, as well as some of the more unusual suspects such as David Winnick, Emily Thornberry and Chris Mullin, who all voted against the government's 42-day pre-charge detention plans.
Mr Simpson condemned the "anti-democratic" plans and hoped that the Chief Whip would rethink the position when the PLP meets again tonight.
"A committee that has the duty to hold the government to account will not have MPs on them who have exercised that duty," he warned.
"At a time when US president-elect Barack Obama is swept to power on a mantra of 'Yes, we can,' Downing Street is swiping the tide out on the mantra of 'no you can't'."
"Instead of lurching into openness, the government is gagging its way into the future."
Fellow MP Jeremy Corbyn also attacked the Chief Whip's "narrow-minded" plans, noting that he had been a victim of such tactics only last year.
"I was blocked from being elected onto the select committee on human rights last year for no apparent reason," he recalled.
Mr Corbyn added: "Alan Simpson is an expert on Europe, the environment and climate change issues. This narrow-minded behaviour deprives the public of the enormous knowledge of certain individuals and is damaging to the whole political system.
"Parliament is there for MPs to hold the government to account and, if necessary, speak out against proposed laws. It would be a sad day if they were no longer allowed to hold an independent view."
Green Party spokeswoman for environment, food and rural affairs Penny Kemp called the plans "scandalous," accusing the government of working against public opinion to push through its own "authoritarian agenda."
She added: "This is absolutely outrageous and goes against anything that democratic accountability should stand for.
"It will also stop MPs that have the necessary expertise in particular fields but do not agree with the government from standing up and speaking in our name."
In May, Prime Minister Gordon Brown suffered his biggest Commons rebellion since taking office, when 38 Labour MPs - half of his majority - voted for Mr Simpson's amendment to the Energy Bill that would have encouraged the switch to renewable technologies.
Although the amendment was not successful, it drew widespread public and cross-party support.
In June, 24 Labour MPs rebelled against the government by voting for an amendment to the Planning Reform Bill to include a duty to consider climate change when planning major infrastructure projects such as roads and airports.
That motion was defeated by a majority of just 15 and the Bill will now contain no legal duties to reduce climate change.
Monday November 9, 2008
The Morning Star
LABOUR MP Alan Simpson exposed government plans to ban rebel MPs from joining a select committee on climate change on Sunday, branding the decision a "lurch to kiss-arse politics."
The select committee on the new climate change legislation which was passed last month will have a duty to hold the government to account.
But Mr Simpson, who is a longstanding environmental campaigner, revealed that the Chief Whip is planning to ban MPs who have voted against the government on any issues in the past year from joining the committee.
MPs were told about this possible rule change at last Monday's Parliamentary Labour Party meeting, he said.
The change would affect all left MPs, including Mr Simpson, John McDonnell, Jeremy Corbyn, Ian Gibson, Austin Mitchell and Katy Clarke, as well as some of the more unusual suspects such as David Winnick, Emily Thornberry and Chris Mullin, who all voted against the government's 42-day pre-charge detention plans.
Mr Simpson condemned the "anti-democratic" plans and hoped that the Chief Whip would rethink the position when the PLP meets again tonight.
"A committee that has the duty to hold the government to account will not have MPs on them who have exercised that duty," he warned.
"At a time when US president-elect Barack Obama is swept to power on a mantra of 'Yes, we can,' Downing Street is swiping the tide out on the mantra of 'no you can't'."
"Instead of lurching into openness, the government is gagging its way into the future."
Fellow MP Jeremy Corbyn also attacked the Chief Whip's "narrow-minded" plans, noting that he had been a victim of such tactics only last year.
"I was blocked from being elected onto the select committee on human rights last year for no apparent reason," he recalled.
Mr Corbyn added: "Alan Simpson is an expert on Europe, the environment and climate change issues. This narrow-minded behaviour deprives the public of the enormous knowledge of certain individuals and is damaging to the whole political system.
"Parliament is there for MPs to hold the government to account and, if necessary, speak out against proposed laws. It would be a sad day if they were no longer allowed to hold an independent view."
Green Party spokeswoman for environment, food and rural affairs Penny Kemp called the plans "scandalous," accusing the government of working against public opinion to push through its own "authoritarian agenda."
She added: "This is absolutely outrageous and goes against anything that democratic accountability should stand for.
"It will also stop MPs that have the necessary expertise in particular fields but do not agree with the government from standing up and speaking in our name."
In May, Prime Minister Gordon Brown suffered his biggest Commons rebellion since taking office, when 38 Labour MPs - half of his majority - voted for Mr Simpson's amendment to the Energy Bill that would have encouraged the switch to renewable technologies.
Although the amendment was not successful, it drew widespread public and cross-party support.
In June, 24 Labour MPs rebelled against the government by voting for an amendment to the Planning Reform Bill to include a duty to consider climate change when planning major infrastructure projects such as roads and airports.
That motion was defeated by a majority of just 15 and the Bill will now contain no legal duties to reduce climate change.
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