LabourList’s poll trends: Towards May 6th

Falkirk PPC selected after long and controversial process

After a long and controversial process, Falkirk CLP have selected their candidate for the General Election – and it’s Karen Whitefield. Karen Whitefield is a former MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, where she was Scottish Labour’s shadow Minister for Children in the Scottish Parliament. She served for 12 years as an MSP before losing her seat in 2011. Congratulations to Karen and commiserations to the other shortlisted candidates. The party will now be hoping to put the Falkirk selection behind […]

A People’s Railway for Scotland

By Mick Whelan

A new report by rail expert Professor Paul Salveson, commissioned by ASLEF, the Co-operative Party and the Socialist Environment and Resources Association (SERA), is set to ignite the debate about the future of the railway in Scotland. The report calls for a ‘People’s ScotRail’ owned by and for the people of Scotland; a railway which brings passengers, employees and communities together. ASLEF welcomes the Scottish Labour Party’s decision to consult on the future direction of its rail policy. The status quo is […]

Are the government tackling violence against women? Or just having lots of meetings?

By Helen Jones

Not long after taking office, Theresa May said that she wanted to end violence against women.  Today that promise sounds very hollow.   The government tell us it has a strategy.   If we believe what ministers said at the last Home Office questions, they are having lots of meetings.  What it certainly isn’t doing is tackling violence against women, ensuring that victims are protected and that the perpetrators are caught and prosecuted. The figures speak for themselves.  Domestic violence […]

Shocking news – Labour’s election team are seeking advice from those who have won elections

By Mark Ferguson

There’s been a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth/yelps of delight (delete as appropriate) amongst some in the party this morning over an Observer article that claims there will be a “key role for Blairites” in Labour’s General Election team. A more prominent role for Alastair Campbell (whose reputation has been enhanced and reformed since he left Downing Street ten years ago) has been broadly welcomed. Yet the thought of Alan Milburn – for example – making a return […]

We need a single mum subsidy, not cash for smug marrieds

By Amy Lamé

This Christmas hundreds of couples across the country will be getting engaged; it’s a traditional time of year to pop the question. However, the sparkle of diamonds will no doubt be dwarfed by the romantic offer of a £200 per year tax break for married couples courtesy of the Government. The marriage tax break is the most preposterous suggestion of how to set fire to a fistful of five pound notes – £700 million in fact.  The Chancellor announced yesterday […]