The Political Physicist

Minutes of last meeting were approved, as was the agenda for this meeting.

At start of the meeting we had to decide whether to debate a motion on the NHS or on Haringey (both submitted by the same branch). Haringey was selected.

Giampi Alhadeff, Speaking on Brexit

General secretary of the European Parliamentary Labour Party. Started with lots of waffle, country divided, etc. Identified 4 issues:

1. The union of the UK (due to the Northern Ireland situation), especially with the Good Friday agreement.
2. Jobs and prosperity. Was at lots of WTO summits (including Seattle) and the negotiators are tough. Trade with other countries will hurt British sectors, losing jobs. Can’t make up EU trade with overseas trade. Any international business will move out (according to Japanese Ambassador)
3. Health & safety, workers’ rights, and the environment. This is what the right-wingers talk about when they mean “red tape”. Want a Singapore for European (which won’t happen, but anyway). UK will diverge with EU as latter introduces new laws.
4. Big issues facing the world: China developing internationally, Russia and its meddling abroad, climate change, artificial intelligence (peace, business, war, etc.)

Leaving the EU will impact the UK’s ability to deal with these issues. It will address them but the UK won’t have a voice.

Problem for Labour is 2/3 or members want to remain while 2/3 of constituencies want to leave. He believes Labour must say that regions which voted leave will be hit hardest, so let’s remain.

Brexit Motion

A range of views on this. I pointed out some of the downsides of the EU. It was amended to remove the talk of a second referendum. The motion now reads “This meeting believes that the Labour Party’s policy on Brexit should be to remain in the Customs Union”. This was overwhelmingly carried with about 17 votes against and 15 abstentions. Many questioned what the point of the motion was given that the customs union doesn’t exist as an institution. Liz noticed that a lot of Momentum people voted for the motion.

Parliamentary Report from Anneliese Dodds

Praised that we had such a passionate but still civil debate on Brexit. Thinks party should press harder on the customs union issue because government is currently week on that, especially with the EU expressing doubts about the whole situation in Ireland. Has been arguing in parliament to support at least a and possibly the customs union so that Tories will split on it. Also wants to maintain unity, as election could be coming earlier than expected.

Managed to get a vote against a tax treaty rejected, as these are used for tax avoidance (in the guise of international aid). A few similar bills which were coming up seem to have vanished… Also pushing transparency for trust. Other EU countries are coming out against that but not the UK. The lack of transparency is abused for money laundering, etc. Dealing with some tax issues, particularly how raising the income tax threshold has not (as the government likes to pretend) solved poverty. Cuts to benefits have had a much bigger impact. Pushing on the NHS as the winter crisis is far worse than in previous years. Sent out an emergency budget for health which showed where money could be found to help address these issues. Managed to get a requirement that homes be fit for habitation, now need to make sure tenants can actually exercise those rights.

Some discussion of Helen and Douglas House (a local hospice). It seems to be having to close a lot of services because there is no public money going into it. Talk about trying to get the CCG to reconsider given the situation. Meeting gave unanimous permission to send a letter in our name.

Motions

Afrin

Materials were circulated about this. Basically this is Turkey attacking the Kurdish, YPG-controlled areas in northern Syria. Lots of war crimes, civilian deaths, targeting of women. No one from international community has spoken up, so the drafter put forward this motion. Turkey seems to be trying to annex and ethnically cleanse it. Boris Johnson has effectively supported the invasion saying Turkey has a right to keep its borders secure. Emotional pleas to help. One speaker checked to ensure her ammendment noting how the UK is a NATO member was included (it was) and anther spoke in favour. The motion was unanimously carried.

Haringey and the NEC

Pointed out how HDV is a continuation of the disastrous privatisation agenda which Labour now opposes. Haringey’s attempt at the HDV split the council and went against CLPs, MPs, unions. NEC intervened on behalf of councillors and union members in a very measured manner. This was all within party rules. Critics have gained massive coverage in the media, so important to put our views forward. Dan seconded and drew attention to how broad the opposition to the HDV is. Motion through the NEC was unanimously supported (after an amendment). Luke Akehurst spoke against, claiming not because he supported HDV but because the it fell within spectrum of allowable policies to be decided on a local level. Nonetheless seemed to speak in support of the HDV. Claims new council houses, even under Labour, will be built privately. Another person said it wasn’t our place to stick the oar in. Others pointed out that our council leader was one of those condemning the NEC, making it our business. Overwhelmingly carried with 6 against and 20 abstentions.

Rough sleeping

Cherry informed me a row is brewing over the provision of this to open shelters when even one night is predicted to be below freezing (rather than 3 consecutive nights). The Labour Club says won’t support any candidates failing to support this, while the council is saying won’t support candidates who are in favour of it. Momentum councillors (and prospective councillors) are willing to break rank on this, but best to get this through at the CLP level to try to force council’s hand. Richard presented the Southwest Central motion on rough sleeping. Made a positive case for it, emphasised working with council, not trying to be confrontational. A Momentum member (forgotten her name) proposed ammendments supporting rights of “non-statutory homeless” and civil rights of homeless, which Richard accepted. These were accepted. Deputy-leader of the council spoke. Says will be a church open for rough sleepers every night through January to March. To date have had enough capacity. Says SWEP is inefficient way of doing things and could make it difficult to extend current scheme. Will still vote for motion, but shouldn’t get too caught up on SWEP. Unanimously carried.

Executive Committee Report

We were sent the full report in advance. Advertised dinner with Keir Starmer. Unfair dismissal rally tomorrow in support of GMB taxi drivers, marching from city council to Osney. Speakers on Afrin offering to speak at branch meetings. Finally, were some forms to join Labour Movement for Europe (I did not sign up).

NEC Report

Left as had to leave to let cold weather shelters set up. In advance we were sent one report by Ann Black and another by Pete Willsman.