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+--- Thread: Article (UK) Labour Party ‘anti-semitism’ controversy update + (UK) Labour Party's 8 pledges (/thread-14673.html)
(UK) Labour Party ‘anti-semitism’ controversy update + (UK) Labour Party's 8 pledges - C C - Sep 15, 2023
RELATED INFO (wikipedia): Labour Party ..... Antisemitism in the UK Labour Party
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Labour ‘anti-semitism’ controversy: an important victory for pro-Palestine campaigners
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/f/labour-anti-semitism-controversy-important-victory-pro-palestine-campaigners
INTRO: In its 2020 report into alleged anti-semitism in the Labour Party, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) claimed that we had “contributed” to Labour’s “unlawful harassment” of its Jewish members.
After a lengthy legal process, in which we challenged the government quango’s finding against us, we have accepted a settlement offer made by the EHRC, bringing the judicial review to a close.
We firmly support freedom of expression, and we were worried that the purpose of the EHRC report was to shut down criticism of Israel.
Back when the EHRC report was published in 2020, pro-Israel activists like David Hirsh were quick to make assertions about its implications. Hirsh proclaimed: “The EHRC has crystallised a new legal precedent that the ‘Livingstone Formulation’ is anti-semitic.”
The so-called “Livingstone Formulation,” according to Hirsh, is “the phenomenon of responding to an accusation of anti-semitism with a counter-accusation of Zionist bad faith.”
The purpose of this ridiculous notion is to silence anyone who objects to the vile dishonesty of false anti-semitism charges.
Moreover, following the report’s publication, anti-Corbyn barrister Adam Wagner claimed that the EHRC report’s “most important legal principle” was that calling out false anti-semitism claims “was not just unlawful, it was harassment.”
If Hirsh’s and Wagner’s claims were true, that would’ve had serious consequences for pro-Palestine campaigners in Britain, who are routinely targeted by false anti-semitism accusations in order to drive them out of public life.
As elected politicians, we had a duty, and we had every right, to publicly state our views and opinions, including on the so-called Labour “anti-semitism crisis.” We strongly believe that the EHRC’s finding against us was erroneous and based on distorted versions of our political remarks... (MORE - details)
8 pledges likely to be in Labour's manifesto after party publishes election policies
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/labour-manifesto-pledge-party-publishes-general-election-policies-2621778?ITO=newsnow
RELEASE: Labour’s national policy forum in July was the culmination of a years-long process designed to produce a “menu” of options for the party’s manifesto at the general election likely to take place between May and November next year.
Sir Keir Starmer won every tussle with the unions and the party’s left – meaning there are no policies in the document which come as a shock compared to what has previously been announced.
But the detailed conclusions represent the first time Labour’s programme for government has been brought together in one place.
Economy. Labour said it would boost economic growth with “an industrial strategy based on a genuine partnership with businesses, workers, unions and universities”. The Council for Economic Growth will “focus on areas where we have clear evidence of existing or potential comparative advantage” rather than trying to get involved in every sector.
The policy document continues the party’s ambiguity over the “triple lock” on state pensions, which it has refused to commit to if it takes power. It says: “We will stand by increases to the state pension to protect pensioners from the cost of living crisis. Labour recognises the triple lock in how it has protected pensioners’ incomes and providing certainty in retirement.” But it does not promise to keep the current policy in place permanently.
For the first time, the party has confirmed it will not introduce universal free childcare because of the cost involved. Instead, it will reform the current system using “the additional expenditure for childcare to which the Government has already committed”.
Workers’ rights. Labour has promised to introduce “fair pay agreements”, effectively a form of collective bargaining negotiated across entire sectors rather than with each employer. But it has rowed back on the suggestion that these will apply across the economy – they will first be rolled out in social care.
Statutory sick pay will be extended to all workers but it will not be increased, as Labour had previously suggested during the pandemic.
Environment. The national policy forum also backed “an urgent mission to deliver clean electricity by 2030” – meaning that all electricity would be generated by either nuclear power or renewables such as wind and solar. This is separate to the pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
A £28bn-a-year package of investment in green energy will take effect during the second half of the Parliament, ie from the start of 2027.
Constitution. Labour has not committed to introducing proportional representation because there is “no consensus” on the best new voting system. A previous policy of extending the vote to EU citizens living in Britain has been ditched.
But the promise to abolish the House of Lords remains, replacing it with a smaller second chamber which is “reflective of the regions and nations with elected representatives rather than political appointees”.