John McDonnell set to headline Open Labour conference

John McDonnell will be given top billing at soft left group Open Labour’s conference later this month.

Held on 23rd June in London, the conference will feature speakers including Labour MPs Catherine West and Alex Sobel, Hackney mayor Philip Glanville and GMB’s Sarah Owen.

The event intends to highlight discussion of challenges from the gig economy to “reconciling cosmopolitan and socially conservative voters”.

In a statement, Open Labour said: “As a country we are confronting leaving the EU without any measures in place to replace it, challenging Labour’s anti-austerity platform.”

A key focus of the day is Brexit, which will be the theme of Open Labour’s first ever pamphlet to be launched at the conference.

‘Owning the Future: The Left’s Relationship with Europe’, created in association with Unison, promises to clearly set out Britain’s options and the merits of each Brexit path.

The pamphlet will comprise guest essays by Labour MPs, left-wing former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis and TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes. A free copy will be given to every conference delegate.

Open Labour’s conference ‘Reshaping Britain: Europe and Labour’s new economy’ takes place at the Darwin Building of University College London on Gower St on 23rd June, 11am – 5pm. Tickets here.