IAN LAVERY MP warns that decades of neoliberal policies have left former industrial communities behind — but a renewed Labour commitment to working people could change the political landscape
AS MEMBERS of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), we fought hard for the election of a Labour government that promised change.
For over a decade, working-class communities across the UK suffered under the callous policies of the Conservative Party. The promise of a new dawn breaking with Labour brought many voters to the polls with hope — hope for dignity, fairness, and meaningful change in the lives of ordinary people.
Yet, here we stand on the eve of the first visit of a Labour Prime Minister to a Scottish Labour Conference in 15 years and just eight months after that momentous election win, and we are not just deeply disappointed, we are angry.
Apart from a bright spark of hope in the victory of the Gaza motion, this year’s conference lacked vision and purpose — we need to urgently reconnect Labour with its roots rather than weakly aping the flag-waving right, argues KIM JOHNSON MP
If we can tackle the big issues, like delivering decent public services and affordable state-built and owned housing by making the richest pay a fair amount of tax, Labour can win back the trust and support of the electorate, argues ANDY McDONALD MP
We cannot refuse to abolish the unjustifiable two-child benefit cap that pushes children into poverty while finding billions of pounds for defence spending — the membership and the public expect better from Labour, writes JON TRICKETT MP


