_logo_svg.png){kind=logo}
_logo_svg.png){kind=logo}
Keir Starmer Labour Party leader set out a direction for the Labour Party and local councillors are busy delivering improvements for local residents. Addressing the recent virtual Labour Party conference Starmer set out his vision for how Britain can be the “best place to grow up in and the best place to grow old in”.
Keir Starmer also renewed his commitment to the ten pledges announced during the party leadership election earlier this year – including the hike in income tax for top earners – and described them as “priorities”, including:
1. Common ownership: Support common ownership of rail, mail, energy and water, end outsourcing in our NHS, local government and justice system
2. Climate justice: A green new deal, introduce a Clean Air Act to tackle pollution locally and demand international action on climate rights
3. Defend migrants’ rights: Full voting rights for EU nationals, create an immigration system based on dignity and compassion
4. Strengthen workers’ rights and trade unions: Work with trade unions, tackle insecure work and low pay, repeal the Trade Union Act
Labour Councillors in the City are delivering for residents and City workers as reported in this newsletter. And we see Labour Councillors gaining support from Independent Councillors in the aim to prioritise:
1. Pedestrianisation by 2025: pavements must be urgently increased in size to allow for social distancing in the short term and greater accessibility in the long term.
2. Carbon neutral by 2030: Natasha Lloyd-Owen CC raised at October’s Common Council for City of London to declare a climate emergency with associated actions (along with 279 (68%) of other councils including City of Westminster). Sadly Common Council rejected this call and carried a Climate Action Strategy – with lesser targets and plans.
3. City Plan - increase social housing by 2025: Helen Fentimen CC raised at Common Council and continues to campaign for changes to City plan.
4. Homelessness: during lockdown rough sleepers were provided with clean and safe accommodation. Labour is calling for this support to continue in longer term, with local accommodation so health and social care programmes can continue.
5. Mental Health: building on work of Labour member Mathew Bell CC to develop and deliver the Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre in Portsoken ward https://www.citywellbeingcentre.org/