Keir Starmer endured a “car crash” meeting with union chiefs in which he failed to drum up support for changes to Labour party rules on the eve of the annual conference on the eve of its annual conference.
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Keir Starmer endured a “car crash” meeting with union chiefs in which he failed to drum up support for changes to Labour party rules on the eve of the annual conference on the eve of its annual conference.
(Jonathan Brady/PA)
Keir Starmer has abandoned plans to overhaul Labour’s rulebook by changing the way future leaders are elected in a major climbdown just hours before the party’s annual conference kicks off.
The opposition leader had wanted to rewrite the regulations for his party’s internal elections in a move critics said was an attempt to “gerrymander” future leadership elections to the disadvantage of the left.
But a senior source told The Independent the proposal to return to the electoral college system - giving MPs a greater say in leadership contests - had been dropped, although they insisted Sir Keir would come forward with “different changes” at the party conference.
A spokesman for Sir Keir said: “The Labour leader will be putting a package of party reforms to the NEC that better connect us with working people and reorient us toward the voters who can take us to power.”
It comes after the Labour leader endured a “car crash” meeting with union chiefs on Friday afternoon in which he failed to drum up support for changes to Labour party rules on the eve of its annual conference.
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Key Points Keir Starmer’s vote plans blocked in ‘car crash’ talks on eve of conference Keir Starmer drops key leadership election changes hours before annual meeting Keir Starmer waters down Labour rulebook overhaul as he abandons electoral college proposal
Show latest update 1632558337 Better pay and working conditions will boost staff retention, says deputy Labour leader
Angela Rayner has insisted better pay and working conditions will ease pressure on employers by boosting staff retention and cutting the number of working days lost to sick leave.
“Having good employment practices - and we see that it’s in all parts of the sector - means that you have good staff retention (and) we have those skills that are retained within the organisation,” she told BBC Breakfast.
She continued: “Good employers are already doing this.
“We do think it’s about time that we have these minimum standards because we’ve seen this epidemic of insecure work and low pay, which is causing a crisis and vacancies in things like social care.”
The deputy Labour leader added: “It delivers poorer services and those employers are now finding it incredibly difficult to retain the staff that they need and to skill them up.
“This is part of that programme to enable employers to get the skills they need, but also means that workers can have that guarantee and those reassurances, and it’s about a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.”
Chiara Giordano 25 September 2021 09:25
1632557437 Angela Rayner voices ‘frustration’ at relaxation of visa rules for foreign drivers
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner has described her “frustration” at government policies that have led to the expected announcement that visa rules for foreign drivers will be relaxed.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Saturday, she said: “It’s frustrating that we’ve got to this point that the government are having to do that, because their own policies created this situation we’ve got in the first place.”
Ms Rayner urged people not to panic buy but added: “The government does need to address this issue but it has been a long time coming - we know that lorry and HGV drivers are skilled workers.
“This was coming down the tracks and the government haven’t done anything to address it, and now we face this crisis.”
Chiara Giordano 25 September 2021 09:10
1632556837 Raising party reforms at annual conference would be a ‘bit rushed’, says Fire Brigades Union chief
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), said it would be a "bit rushed" for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to bring his party reforms to the autumn conference.
The trade union leader, who was part of a Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation (Tulo) meeting this week to discuss the proposals with Sir Keir, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think the first thing to say is what do people want out of Labour conference?
"We've got a jobs crisis coming up, a living standards crisis coming, energy crisis and so on.
"If Labour is going to win power and take on the Tories, I think people need to see Labour standing up for working people and that's what we want, and I'm sure that's what Labour voters want to hear - not a debate around how we elect a leader or select Labour MPs, and obviously how that will engage people wondering who to vote for."
Mr Wrack added: "The Tulo organisation, the 12 affiliated unions, have agreed that we want consensus and the only way we can have consensus is if we meet. And there are no plans to meet.
"The conference starts today, so it seems a bit rushed to try and bring major proposals about the constitution of the Labour Party in a morning."
Chiara Giordano 25 September 2021 09:00
1632556370 Keir Starmer waters down Labour rulebook overhaul as he abandons electoral college proposal
Sir Keir Starmer has abandoned plans to overhaul Labour’s rulebook by changing the way future leaders are elected in a major climbdown just as the party’s annual conference kicks off.
It comes after the Labour leader endured a “car crash” meeting with union chiefs on Friday afternoon in which he failed to drum up support for the reintroduction of the electoral college system.
Our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn has the full story:
Starmer waters down Labour rulebook overhaul as he drops electoral college proposal Major climbdown comes as Labour’s annual conference kicks off
Chiara Giordano 25 September 2021 08:52
1632555577 Keir Starmer drops key leadership election changes hours before annual meeting
It looks like Keir Starmer has U-turned on plans to change the way future leaders are elected at the eleventh hour.
Our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn has this report:
Keir Starmer has abandoned plans to overhaul Labour’s rulebook by changing the way future leaders are elected in a major climbdown just as the party’s annual conference kicks off.
The opposition leader had wanted to rewrite the regulations for his party’s internal elections in a move critics said was an attempt to “gerrymander” future leadership elections to the disadvantage of the left.
A senior source told The Independent the proposal to return to the electoral college system — giving MPs a greater say in leadership contests — had been dropped, but insisted Sir Keir will come forward with “different changes” to party conference.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner added: “My understanding is the electoral college is not coming to the NEC [National Executive Committee] so therefore that wouldn’t [be voted on]”.
Asked whether the proposed changes were on or off, the deputy leader added: “Conference is a time where we discuss things like rules… these are things that conference does every year, year upon year.”
Chiara Giordano 25 September 2021 08:39
1632555157 Keir Starmer will put reforms to Labour’s National Executive Committee, spokesman confirms
Labour has confirmed party leader Sir Keir Starmer will put his reforms for electing future leaders to its National Executive Committee (NEC).
A spokesman for the opposition leader said: “The Labour leader will be putting a package of party reforms to the NEC that better connect us with working people and reorient us toward the voters who can take us to power.”
Chiara Giordano 25 September 2021 08:32
1632554869 Keir Starmer fails to win support for Labour rule change in ‘car crash’ meeting
Keir Starmer endured a “car crash” meeting with union chiefs on Friday afternoon in which he failed to drum up support for changes to Labour party rules.
The opposition leader had wanted to rewrite the regulations for his party’s internal elections in a move critics said was an attempt to “gerrymander” future leadership elections to the disadvantage of the left.
Our policy correspondent Jon Stone has more on this story:
Keir Starmer fails to win support for rule change in ‘car crash’ meeting with unions Leader leader wants to scrap “one member, one vote” for leadership elections
Chiara Giordano 25 September 2021 08:27
1632554827
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage as the Labour Party’s annual conference begins in Brighton today. Stay tuned for rolling updates on the latest news throughout the day.
Chiara Giordano 25 September 2021 08:27
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