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| Labour conference: Corbyn says UK could be better off outside EU if right deal available – live news | Labour conference: Corbyn says UK could be better off outside EU if right deal available – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The morning session in the conference hall has just ended. Delegates were supposed to have a series of votes – including on the private schools composite (see 11,26am) – but the votes had to be abandoned after a few minutes of chaos. The chair, Andi Fox, called a vote on a proposal to “reference back” part of the early years policy commission report. But two delegates used points of order to complain that they did not know exactly what bit they were referencing back, the chair was unable to explain, and after an outbreak of angry shouting from the hall she announced that all the votes would be put off until the afternoon. | |
| In the debate on health and social care Dave Prentis, the general secretary of Unison, urged Labour to unite, in an implicit criticism of the attempt to abolish the post of deputy Labour leader. He told the conference: | |
| We all know, in our heart of hearts, that to save the NHS there is only one option: Labour has to win power. Divided parties never get elected. So we owe it to our NHS to leave Britain this week united ... What members need like never before is a Labour government. So less of the triggering, less of the denouncing, less of the deleting – that is the road to nowhere. Let’s get behind our leader, Jeremy, let’s get out there, get the NHS back in our hands, and our great party back in power. | |
| Prentis went slightly further in a tweet on this subject yesterday. | |
| Our sole focus at Labour Conference this week should be on taking the fight to Boris Johnson. What we need at this time is unity and a focus on winning the upcoming election. Anything else is a betrayal of UNISON members and working people everywhere who are relying on us. | |
| And this is from my colleague Rajeev Syal, who has been at Tom Watson’s fringe event. | And this is from my colleague Rajeev Syal, who has been at Tom Watson’s fringe event. |
| Tom Watson just told a fringe at #Lab2019 that he will fight Momentum’s founder who tried to abolish his position in the party issue - “I have got a message for Jon Lansman. I am remaining. I may have lost a bit of weight but I’m no pushover.” | Tom Watson just told a fringe at #Lab2019 that he will fight Momentum’s founder who tried to abolish his position in the party issue - “I have got a message for Jon Lansman. I am remaining. I may have lost a bit of weight but I’m no pushover.” |
| These are from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg. | These are from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg. |
| So while swathes of Labour members spending lunchtime at Remain rallies, whispers that leadership is trying to get its Brexit position agreed over email that it WON'T settle if Leave or Remain before an election - NEC not meeting in person | So while swathes of Labour members spending lunchtime at Remain rallies, whispers that leadership is trying to get its Brexit position agreed over email that it WON'T settle if Leave or Remain before an election - NEC not meeting in person |
| 1. This is NEC Email...‘Please find attached the amended final version as recommended by Jeremy... Please confirm by contacting GSO if you accept. The deadline is 1.30pm. However if we have a majority of support before that time, then it will be agreed.’ | 1. This is NEC Email...‘Please find attached the amended final version as recommended by Jeremy... Please confirm by contacting GSO if you accept. The deadline is 1.30pm. However if we have a majority of support before that time, then it will be agreed.’ |
| 2. So seems leadership trying to get members of NEC to agree party’s Brexit policy with a race to get email replies in, while those who disagree are speaking elsewhere at conference | 2. So seems leadership trying to get members of NEC to agree party’s Brexit policy with a race to get email replies in, while those who disagree are speaking elsewhere at conference |
| 3. Not really sure this is either the kinder, gentler politics or the kind of proper party democracy that excited Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters | 3. Not really sure this is either the kinder, gentler politics or the kind of proper party democracy that excited Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters |
| Tom Watson, the deputy Labour leader, has been speaking at a lunchtime fringe meeting. According to extracts from his speech sent out in advance, he repeated his call for Labour to commit to backing remain in any second referendum. He said: | Tom Watson, the deputy Labour leader, has been speaking at a lunchtime fringe meeting. According to extracts from his speech sent out in advance, he repeated his call for Labour to commit to backing remain in any second referendum. He said: |
| This week we have the opportunity to unite the Labour party around a position we believe in. | This week we have the opportunity to unite the Labour party around a position we believe in. |
| Jeremy Corbyn has been right to try to bring the country – both leave and remain voters – back together. Offering everyone in the country the final say is the best way to begin bridging this divide. | Jeremy Corbyn has been right to try to bring the country – both leave and remain voters – back together. Offering everyone in the country the final say is the best way to begin bridging this divide. |
| The vast majority of our members, our MPs and our voters want to remain in Europe. If we achieve a people’s vote, I believe our members, our MPs and our party will lead the campaign to remain. That’s not just because it is the best way of reconnecting with our voters, but also because it is the best way of standing up for our values. | The vast majority of our members, our MPs and our voters want to remain in Europe. If we achieve a people’s vote, I believe our members, our MPs and our party will lead the campaign to remain. That’s not just because it is the best way of reconnecting with our voters, but also because it is the best way of standing up for our values. |
| We are a remain party. We are a European party. We are an internationalist party. That is who we are. Not perfect, not pure. But overwhelmingly committed to Britain remaining in Europe and reforming Europe. | We are a remain party. We are a European party. We are an internationalist party. That is who we are. Not perfect, not pure. But overwhelmingly committed to Britain remaining in Europe and reforming Europe. |
| By backing a people’s vote, by backing remain, I am sure we can deliver the Labour government the people of this country so badly need. | By backing a people’s vote, by backing remain, I am sure we can deliver the Labour government the people of this country so badly need. |
| Attempts to reinstate a key “socialist” section of Labour’s constitution have been rejected, PA Media reports. A rule change aimed at restoring the original wording of clause IV was pushed by some members at the party’s annual conference in Brighton. Under this clause in Labour’s 1918 constitution, the party was committed to the “common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange”. But one such proposal to reinstate the original wording was defeated by 71.53% to 28.47% while another was rejected by 68.58% to 31.42%. As PA reports, both secured a majority of support among votes cast by constituency Labour parties but more than 99% of votes from affiliates – which include trade unions – opposed the change. | Attempts to reinstate a key “socialist” section of Labour’s constitution have been rejected, PA Media reports. A rule change aimed at restoring the original wording of clause IV was pushed by some members at the party’s annual conference in Brighton. Under this clause in Labour’s 1918 constitution, the party was committed to the “common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange”. But one such proposal to reinstate the original wording was defeated by 71.53% to 28.47% while another was rejected by 68.58% to 31.42%. As PA reports, both secured a majority of support among votes cast by constituency Labour parties but more than 99% of votes from affiliates – which include trade unions – opposed the change. |
| The votes were held yesterday, but because there were card votes, the results were only announced this morning. | The votes were held yesterday, but because there were card votes, the results were only announced this morning. |
| And this is what Richard Leonard, the Scottish Labour leader, said on the BBC’s Sunday Politics Scotland about whether Labour should back a second independence referendum in Scotland. The Scottish Labour party has in the past firmly opposed the idea, but in August Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, said a Labour government in London would not object to such a poll being held. Subsequently Leonard and Corbyn agreed a compromise line. | And this is what Richard Leonard, the Scottish Labour leader, said on the BBC’s Sunday Politics Scotland about whether Labour should back a second independence referendum in Scotland. The Scottish Labour party has in the past firmly opposed the idea, but in August Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, said a Labour government in London would not object to such a poll being held. Subsequently Leonard and Corbyn agreed a compromise line. |
| Explaining the position today, Leonard said: | Explaining the position today, Leonard said: |
| The Labour position going into the general election whenever it comes will be that we oppose the creation of a separate Scottish state, that we oppose independence and therefore that we oppose the holding of a second independence referendum. | The Labour position going into the general election whenever it comes will be that we oppose the creation of a separate Scottish state, that we oppose independence and therefore that we oppose the holding of a second independence referendum. |
| Where there has been some discussion is around if there was to be a renewed mandate which showed not only electoral but demonstrable public support for the holding of a second referendum – then there would need to be some consideration given to that. | Where there has been some discussion is around if there was to be a renewed mandate which showed not only electoral but demonstrable public support for the holding of a second referendum – then there would need to be some consideration given to that. |
| We had an independence referendum just five years ago and that’s got to be a factor in considering whether the circumstances are right for a second independence referendum to be held. | We had an independence referendum just five years ago and that’s got to be a factor in considering whether the circumstances are right for a second independence referendum to be held. |
| All of the evidence shows that even people who voted yes in 2014, even some people who are supporting the SNP, do not think that the time is now for a second independence referendum. | All of the evidence shows that even people who voted yes in 2014, even some people who are supporting the SNP, do not think that the time is now for a second independence referendum. |
| The circumstances under which the 2014 referendum were held were that the SNP had gained an overall majority – unprecedented, completely unexpected – and there was an understanding that there had never been an independence referendum and the time might be right to test it. | The circumstances under which the 2014 referendum were held were that the SNP had gained an overall majority – unprecedented, completely unexpected – and there was an understanding that there had never been an independence referendum and the time might be right to test it. |
| What I’m saying is I don’t see the circumstances today and I don’t see them in the foreseeable future where we would be back in that kind of space again. | What I’m saying is I don’t see the circumstances today and I don’t see them in the foreseeable future where we would be back in that kind of space again. |
| Richard Leonard, the Scottish Labour leader, like his Welsh counterpart Mark Drakeford (see 11.47am) has said Labour should back remain in any future referendum. Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Politics Scotland, Leonard said: | Richard Leonard, the Scottish Labour leader, like his Welsh counterpart Mark Drakeford (see 11.47am) has said Labour should back remain in any future referendum. Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Politics Scotland, Leonard said: |
| The Scottish Labour party took a decision frankly in the wake of the European party election results that we needed to be much clearer, that we needed much greater clarity about the position that we were taking. | The Scottish Labour party took a decision frankly in the wake of the European party election results that we needed to be much clearer, that we needed much greater clarity about the position that we were taking. |
| For that reason the Scottish executive of the Labour party backed my proposal that we call for an affirmative vote that any deal should go back to the public; secondly, that on that vote there should be a remain option; and thirdly, that we would campaign unambiguously for remain. | For that reason the Scottish executive of the Labour party backed my proposal that we call for an affirmative vote that any deal should go back to the public; secondly, that on that vote there should be a remain option; and thirdly, that we would campaign unambiguously for remain. |
| I would support the party taking that stance. I do think the time has come for clarity on this question and the Scottish Labour party, the Welsh Labour party take a similar view that we should be more overtly remain. | I would support the party taking that stance. I do think the time has come for clarity on this question and the Scottish Labour party, the Welsh Labour party take a similar view that we should be more overtly remain. |
| According to the BBC’s Norman Smith, tomorrow delegates are due to get a vote on two Brexit options – a composite motion saying the party should back remain in all circumstances, and a compromise motion tabled by the national executive committee setting out the leadership’s position. | According to the BBC’s Norman Smith, tomorrow delegates are due to get a vote on two Brexit options – a composite motion saying the party should back remain in all circumstances, and a compromise motion tabled by the national executive committee setting out the leadership’s position. |
| So understand likely to be two Brexit options to be voted on tomorrow at Labour Conference. Remain v Corbyn/NEC special conf proposal | So understand likely to be two Brexit options to be voted on tomorrow at Labour Conference. Remain v Corbyn/NEC special conf proposal |
| Here is the text of the NEC motion. | Here is the text of the NEC motion. |
| Here is Labour’s draft statement on Brexit, to be approved by NEC. It commits a Labour government to negotiate new Brexit deal within three months of taking office and then putting that to British people in referendum vote three months later. Importantly it says Labour will... pic.twitter.com/3h2HkYbRMb | Here is Labour’s draft statement on Brexit, to be approved by NEC. It commits a Labour government to negotiate new Brexit deal within three months of taking office and then putting that to British people in referendum vote three months later. Importantly it says Labour will... pic.twitter.com/3h2HkYbRMb |
| The Welsh Labour party is firmly committed to the UK remaining in the EU in all circumstances, unlike the UK Labour party. That is also the position of the Labour-run Welsh government. This is what Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, told the conference in his speech this morning. | The Welsh Labour party is firmly committed to the UK remaining in the EU in all circumstances, unlike the UK Labour party. That is also the position of the Labour-run Welsh government. This is what Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, told the conference in his speech this morning. |
| Faced with the deep and lasting damage this hard Tory Brexit will do to our country, we say it’s time to go back to the people in a second referendum with remain on the ballot paper. | Faced with the deep and lasting damage this hard Tory Brexit will do to our country, we say it’s time to go back to the people in a second referendum with remain on the ballot paper. |
| And conference, I can tell you now that my Welsh Labour government will continue to stand up for Wales by campaigning wholeheartedly, vigorously and unapologetically, for Wales to remain in the EU. | And conference, I can tell you now that my Welsh Labour government will continue to stand up for Wales by campaigning wholeheartedly, vigorously and unapologetically, for Wales to remain in the EU. |
| Brexit has torn at the very fabric of the things we cherish, including the United Kingdom itself. | Brexit has torn at the very fabric of the things we cherish, including the United Kingdom itself. |
| Those pursuing Brexit have used – and misused – the union for their own narrow and ideological ends. | Those pursuing Brexit have used – and misused – the union for their own narrow and ideological ends. |
| To drive us away from the partnerships we have developed with our European friends over so many years. | To drive us away from the partnerships we have developed with our European friends over so many years. |
| We should be under no doubt that the voluntary union of our four sovereign nations here in the UK is under threat if we do not act. | We should be under no doubt that the voluntary union of our four sovereign nations here in the UK is under threat if we do not act. |
| Mark Drakeford tells #Lab19 that the Welsh Labour Party will campaign wholeheartedly for Remain in a future referendum. This should be the policy of the party as a whole! pic.twitter.com/bGvz31Mzus | Mark Drakeford tells #Lab19 that the Welsh Labour Party will campaign wholeheartedly for Remain in a future referendum. This should be the policy of the party as a whole! pic.twitter.com/bGvz31Mzus |
| The Labour conference is debating education at the moment. In her speech, Angela Rayner, the shadow education secretary, said a Labour government would be committed to the “integration” of private schools into the state sector. She told delegates: | The Labour conference is debating education at the moment. In her speech, Angela Rayner, the shadow education secretary, said a Labour government would be committed to the “integration” of private schools into the state sector. She told delegates: |
| That is why we’ll upgrade social mobility to social justice, turning the Social Mobility Commission into the Social Justice Commission. And we will set that commission to work on making the whole education system fairer through the integration of private schools. | That is why we’ll upgrade social mobility to social justice, turning the Social Mobility Commission into the Social Justice Commission. And we will set that commission to work on making the whole education system fairer through the integration of private schools. |
| John McDonnell and I will set out the further steps a Labour government would take. But I can say today that our very first budget will immediately close the tax loopholes used by elite private schools, and use that money to improve the lives of all children. | John McDonnell and I will set out the further steps a Labour government would take. But I can say today that our very first budget will immediately close the tax loopholes used by elite private schools, and use that money to improve the lives of all children. |
| Quite what this pledge means in practice is not clear. As Rayner says, Labour wants to take away the tax advantages private schools enjoy, which would make private education more expensive, and perhaps as a result less desirable. But delegates want Labour to go further. | Quite what this pledge means in practice is not clear. As Rayner says, Labour wants to take away the tax advantages private schools enjoy, which would make private education more expensive, and perhaps as a result less desirable. But delegates want Labour to go further. |
| The conference is currently debating two composite motions on schools. One of them – Schools composite 1, moved by Battersea CLP – says “the ongoing existence of private schools is incompatible with Labour’s pledge to promote social justice, not social mobility in education”. It goes on: | The conference is currently debating two composite motions on schools. One of them – Schools composite 1, moved by Battersea CLP – says “the ongoing existence of private schools is incompatible with Labour’s pledge to promote social justice, not social mobility in education”. It goes on: |
| Conference resolves: | Conference resolves: |
| To include in the next Labour party general election manifesto a commitment to integrate all private schools into the state sector. That would include, but is not limited to: | To include in the next Labour party general election manifesto a commitment to integrate all private schools into the state sector. That would include, but is not limited to: |
| Withdrawal of charitable status and all other public subsidies and tax privileges including business rate exemption. | Withdrawal of charitable status and all other public subsidies and tax privileges including business rate exemption. |
| Ensure universities admit the same proportion of private school pupils as in the wider population (currently 7%). | Ensure universities admit the same proportion of private school pupils as in the wider population (currently 7%). |
| Endowments, investments and properties held by private schools to be redistributed democratically and fairly across the country’s educational institutions. | Endowments, investments and properties held by private schools to be redistributed democratically and fairly across the country’s educational institutions. |