Tag: Speeches

Rehman Chishti – 2022 Comments on Presidential Elections in Belarus

The comments made by Rehman Chishti, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign Office, on 9 August 2022.

Over the last two years, Lukashenko has led a campaign of repression against his own people. There are now almost 1,300 political prisoners in Belarus. The authorities have tried to silence independent media and civil society.

We support the democratic aspirations and human rights of the people of Belarus. We urge the authorities to abide by international law, release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally, and permit those in exile to return home without fear of arrest or repression. We also condemn Lukashenko’s support for, and complicity in, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. We will hold Belarusian authorities accountable for their actions.

This includes through sanctions. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we have designated over 50 Belarusian individuals and organisations who are aiding Russia’s reckless aggression towards Ukraine. Furthermore, the legislation we laid in Parliament on 4 July extends recent Russia sanctions to Belarus by introducing new financial, trade and transport measures. These are in addition to the 117 designations we had already made in response to the fraudulent election and subsequent human rights violations.

There must be free and fair elections; the people of Belarus should be able to enjoy the democratic right to decide their future.

August 10, 2022
Boris Johnson – 2022 Speech at the Points of Light Downing Street Reception

The speech made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, in Downing Street on 9 August 2022.

In these difficult financial times people are feeling the squeeze across our country and they’re feeling the impact in particular of the energy price spikes that are being caused by Putin’s war in Ukraine, and of course it’s right that the Government is doing everything that we can to help, and we’re putting £1200 into the pockets of the 8 million most vulnerable households and £400 for everybody to help with the cost of energy – £300 for pensioners, £150 off council tax – and the money will keep coming in throughout the Autumn – more coming in September and October.

And of course as some of you may have picked up, this is going to be one of my last events in the garden in Downing Street and there will be a new Prime Minister very shortly, I can tell you for certain will be either a man or a woman. Whoever he or she may be, I’m absolutely certain they will be wanting to make some more announcements in September/ October about what we’re going to do further to help people in the next period in December/ January and I just want you to know that I’m absolutely confident that we will have the fiscal firepower and the headroom to continue to look after people as we’ve done throughout.

And it’s absolutely vital in tough times, that the Government should recognise that there are also people who are doing fantastic things to help the vulnerable across our country and who need proper recognition and respect.

And I want to pay tribute to all of you Points of Light. I want to pay tribute to centenarians, like Dabirul Choudhury, who’s walked round his communal garden 100 times and has raised prodigious sums. I want to pay tribute to artists like Lucy Kent whose works are on display also raising money. The Spitfires have been flying overhead and proclaiming our gratitude to the NHS.

I want to think about particularly somebody I’ve met before – Tony Hudgell. Tony is seven years old and thank you for coming. It’s fantastic to see you. Tony has already raised £1 million for the hospital that helped to save your life, and you’ve also instituted Tony’s Law to make sure that people do not suffer the kind of abuse that you suffered so tragically, and thank you Tony for coming.

I’m going to give an award shortly to Steven Carr. Steven is one of the many thousands and thousands of people across this country who have been helping to look after people who have fled Ukraine in the last few months and I want to thank you Steven for everything that you’ve done to find homes for Ukrainian children.

I can’t mention all of the wonderful things that you’ve done but I do want you to know that so far in Number 10, and I say this careering towards the climax of my time in No10, I’ve done 736 Points of Light letters. That’s more than any other previous Prime Minister.

And I think you do wonderful, wonderful things. And every time I sign those letters and I read the things that you have done, I have a lump in my throat because I think you embody the spirit of service to other people, the spirit of community and I think the spirit that will get our country through the tough times and beyond in ever better shape. And if you, the 736 Points of Light that I’ve done, were a constellation, which of course you are, I think that you would represent the spirit of hope. And I think that you are the very best of Britain.

Thank you very much for everything.

August 10, 2022
Andrea Jenkyns – 2022 Comments on Student Loan Interest Rates Cut

The comments made by Andrea Jenkyns, the Minister for Skills, on 10 August 2022.

We understand that many people are worried about the impact of rising prices and we want to reassure people that we are stepping up to provide support where we can.

Back in June, we used predicted market rates to bring forward the announcement of a cap on student loan interest rates down from an expected 12% and we are now reducing the interest rate on student loans further to 6.3%, the rate applying today, to align with the most recent data on market rates.

For those starting higher education in September 2023 and any students considering that next step at the moment, we have cut future interest rates so that no new graduate will ever again have to pay back more than they have borrowed in real terms.

August 10, 2022
Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

The candidate statement from Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi.

Candidate Statement

My purpose on the NEC – to represent grassroots members

Let’s face it – the left in the Labour Party is under existential threat. The policy gains and the process of democratisation under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership are being jettisoned. The response has to be solidarity and unity.

If elected I will work with comrades to re-energise embattled grassroots members, advocating against militarism; for international solidarity with the oppressed; and for collective mobilisation in unions, CLPs and communities where resistance is building against racist threats, crumbling public services and attacks on working conditions.

I will stand firm against proscription of left groupings; defend those unjustly accused; oppose antidemocratic actions by the leadership; and commit to open communication with members.

My experience:

Trade union activist since the 1970s; workplace rep in the NUJ and then NUT; vice-chair of Chingford and Woodford Green CLP 2016-20; currently Waltham Forest NEU International Solidarity Officer; Jewish Voice for Labour Media Officer.

I have worked collaboratively with left organisations in the party and unions, defending socialist policies, democracy and members’ right to free speech.

I am standing to add my voice to those of current left NEC reps Mish Rahman, Gemma Bolton and Yasmine Dar.

August 10, 2022
Jane Thomas – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

The candidate statement from Jane Thomas.

Candidate Statement

Labour party activist and experienced campaigner in Sheffield with nearly 30 years experience at all levels – at various times Chair of my CLP, member of Labour’s Yorkshire Regional Board, National Policy Forum and parliamentary candidate in a key seat (Keighley). Former Head of England Team at Friends of the Earth where my team led the anti fracking movement – the largest sustained grassroots mobilisation for decades. Currently Yorkshire Bylines editorial board.

I have played an active role in fairness and equality in the city – helping to shape the Our Fair City campaign following Sheffield’s Fairness Commission, former Chair of South Yorkshire Women’s Development Trust, and more recently setting up and running a local mutual aid group when the pandemic first appeared.

I am a committed devolutionist (established and ran Campaign for Yorkshire), supporter of electoral reform and an active pro European (currently a member of Executive of the European Movement).

It is vital we face outwards – take the fight to the Tories; focus on winning elections at all levels and in ALL parts of the country; be ambitious in our plan to win the next general election. Our communities deserve no less.

I recommend also nominating Akehurst, Baxter, Duale, Singh Josan

August 10, 2022
Sam Theodoridi – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

The candidate statement from Sam Theodoridi.

Candidate Statement

As a care worker, working in the public sector, I’m well aware of the cost of a Conservative Government. I’ve seen cuts to funding decimate the care sector, leaving staff demoralised, underpaid and overworked.

We need a NEC whose sole focus is electing a Labour Government and Labour Councils up and down the Country. In Worthing, we are on the cusp of taking control of the local council for the first time. We have done that by putting aside factional concerns and working together to elect Labour Councillors who hail from across the Party politically.

I believe that the work we’ve done in Worthing can be replicated nationally, and my main focus as a member of the NEC would be to get the Party campaign ready.

This would mean:

Supporting CLPs across the country to elect hardworking Councillors, some for the first time in history, to build up trust in the Labour Party at a local level;

Recognising successful election campaigns and asking organisers for feedback on why they were successful, and how that can be replicated across the country;

Delivering a manifesto that we’re proud of, and that people can believe.

August 10, 2022
Karen Self – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

The candidate statement from Karen Self.

Candidate Statement

I joined the Labour Party in 1988 at the peak of Thatcherism, when attacks on worker’s rights and civil liberties were commonplace. I never thought I would see a worse Tory Government, but here we are in 2022 and the right wing extremists are in charge. The folly of Tory Party politics is now laid bare before us, with energy companies failing, a housing crisis, a cost of living crisis and NHS waiting lists at record levels. My Labour Party is one that is inclusive, diverse and representative of our society. I have no time for those who are just here to create division, those who are driven by the purity of their socialism. I am here to make a difference and we can only do that by winning. I believe under Keir Starmer the party has moved in the right direction. I am currently CLP secretary for Bristol North West. In this constituency we know how to win, we did it in 2017 and again in 2019. I will bring a winning mentality to the NEC. I believe in consensus decision making and won’t ‘throw my toys out of the pram’ if I don’t get my way.

August 10, 2022
Mish Rahman – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

The candidate statement from Mish Rahman.

Candidate Statement

I was elected to Labour’s NEC in 2020 to ensure a strong voice for members and greater oversight over Party governance.

I am now seeking re-election after a term where I have:

– Strived to ensure fairness and due process on disciplinary panels
– Continually argued for consistent implementation of the rulebook and opposed arbitrary decision-making
– Regularly reported back via online calls, articles and social media
– Worked with NEC reps from all sides to introduce new equalities structures, including a BAME Members’ Structure

With a General Election looming towards the end of this term, I will work to deliver an election-winning party which will radically change the lives of millions for the better.

That means supporting popular, member-backed policies like a Green New Deal, public ownership, rolling back privatisation of the NHS, repealing anti-trade union laws, advancing migrants’ rights, and internationalist solidarity.

As a working-class man of Bangladeshi heritage, whose father campaigned in the 1980s against the National Front, I have always been a committed anti-racist activist.

I am proud to be supported by the Centre-Left Grassroots Alliance and Momentum. Please also support Jess Barnard, Gemma Bolton, and Yasmine Dar.

August 10, 2022
Neeraj Patil – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

The candidate statement from Neeraj Patil.

Candidate Statement

Dear friends,

I’m standing for the NEC because I passionately want our party to win the next General elections and frame policies that work for the many and not the few.

We are undoubtedly a divided party, and split parties lose repeatedly. I don’t represent any of the ‘blocs’ and I’m proud to call myself an independent grassroots Labour activist. I have served as Lambeth Councillor for eight years and Mayor in 2010.

I have served the NHS as a doctor for 27 years with extensive experience working in the front-line COVID-19 unit.

I am aware of the policy priority in the NHS. The well-being of our citizens, especially given the ageing population and increase in mental and physical illnesses, will need looking after, now more than ever, which will be at the heart of my policy.

I believe in zero-tolerance towards Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, Anti-Hinduism, and any racial prejudice. I support open Parliamentary selections.

I recommend nominating independent grassroots party members to the NEC to promote unity and end divisions within our party to win the next General elections.

August 10, 2022
David Littlefair – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

The candidate statement from David Littlefair.

Candidate Statement

TO WIN POWER WE MUST MOVE LABOUR BEYOND CITIES:

The Labour Party’s biggest problem is how our membership, manpower and energy is so completely biased toward safe, metropolitan, city seats.

I ask your support with real solutions that will ensure we are spending our time and energy in the right places. I want Labour representing towns like those in the North East where I grew up as much as big cities like London.

Since 2019 I’ve ran Labour Beyond Cities. We work to redistribute Labour’s energy, skills and time away from cities with safe majorities and into towns where we have been losing support.

You might have met me at the many swing seat phone banks we’ve ran, or have had a skilled activist assigned to you from our pool of volunteers.

August 10, 2022