SNP in crisis as MSPs quit

Why the government are keen to use trade unions as a scapegoat

By Ben Kind

“Mike Bassett did a better job as bloody England manager than David Cameron has as Prime Minister” Ricky Tomlinson tells me as he pauses for photos with union members at UNISON’s annual conference in Liverpool. Ricky’s just delivered a powerful opening speech to 2,000 UNISON members packed into the Echo Arena. Just like the final scene of his film Mike Bassett: England Manager, Ricky leaves the stage with his clenched fists pumping the air as thunderous applause fills the room. [...]

Unison set out their expectations for a Labour government

By Mark Ferguson

Unison General Secretary Dave Prentis set out his tests for continuing to support Labour this afternoon. Speaking at their conference in Liverpool, Prentis said: For too long we’ve built the careers of Labour politicians, only to be let down when we needed them most. I don’t want to hear Labour apologising for past mistakes, I want to see a clear agenda from Labour for the future. We must not support a Labour Government that does not : put an end [...]

Why on earth shouldn’t Nigel Farage visit Scotland?

By Tom Harris

You’ve got to admire Nigel Farage. Like a comedian who’s already died on stage at the Glasgow Empire, he’s put on his “optimistic” hat and chosen to return to Scotland to campaign for UKIP. His last visit, you will recall, was memorable for his being forced to seek refuge in an Edinburgh pub from a mob of nationalists and trots shouting “SCUM!” at him as he tried to convey his message (a tad harsh, I thought. But I suppose “gentleman [...]

Labour needs more than a few warm words on the environment, energy security and climate change

By Callum Smith

It seems that with the announcements of their intention to end universality in social security and accept the Coalition’s spending envelopes, Labour are gradually beginning to articulate what the Labour Party’s 2015 manifesto will look like. While much has been said on social security, general economic direction and housing shortages; there has been little said on the environment, energy security and climate change. Other than a few warm words from Mary Creagh MP in LabourList’s ‘One Nation Labour: Debating the Future’ [...]

5,000 soldiers face redundancy – Media roundup: June 18th, 2013

Subscribers to our morning email get the best of LabourList – including the Media and blog round up – every weekday morning. If you were a subscriber you would have already received this (and much more) in your inbox. You can sign up here. 5,000 soldiers face redundancy Thousands of members of the armed forces will receive redundancy letters tomorrow – as Government defence cuts continue to bite. Up to 5,300 serving soldiers in the Army will lose their jobs – including [...]