SYRIA AIRSTRIKES GIVEN THE GO AHEAD

This week MPs backed UK air strikes against Daesh in Syria after an impassioned 10-hour Commons debate. On such a difficult issue, different views were sincerely held by Labour MPs on whether we should take further military action. We agreed a free vote allowing Labour MPs to vote according to their own beliefs rather than a collective party line.

But make no doubt about it we are all strongly agreed that bombing alone is not enough to defeat Daesh. The Party will be united in holding David Cameron to account to make sure that international diplomatic efforts really progress to bring peace and stability to Syria; to make sure that a comprehensive plan is in place to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees displaced by military action; to make sure Britain’s national security is upheld. 

 The Party is also united on the principle of respect. Democratic debate comes with responsibilities -; the responsibility of respect for others, even if they don’t agree with you.  We all support and defend the democratic right to protest and lobby. And all MPs must be open to hearing the views of their constituents and others on matters of public importance. But abuse and intimidation have no place in politics. Politics must be conducted in a better way -; more civil and more respectful.

Let’s together take the opposition to the Tories and deliver a Labour government the country so desperately needs; building more homes, a world class national health service, well-paid and high-skilled jobs -; an equal and fair society. The Conservatives cannot be let off the hook. Britain needs Labour now more than ever.

LABOUR IN FOR BRITAIN

Labour will defend the rights of working people by campaigning to keep Britain in Europe. That was the message from Alan Johnson, who officially launched the “Labour In Britain” campaign. Distinct from the cross party pro-;EU campaign, Labour’s campaign calls for the UK to stay in the EU so we can protect working people and stand up for rights in the workplace. The livelihood of millions of British families depend on trade with Europe.

Leaving the EU would be bad for British jobs, bad for British businesses.

• Millions of British jobs are linked to trade with Europe

• Almost half of British exports go to the EU

• British businesses rely on the EU for exports worth £227 billion every year

• If we walk away from Europe we will leave Britain isolated

• We should not put jobs, businesses and Britain’s future at risk by leaving the EU

Many British workers’ rights, including the right to holiday pay, come from our EU membership

We cannot afford to put jobs, businesses and Britain’s future at risk by leaving the EU.

Likewise the Paris attacks underline the need for Britain to “stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies in Europe”. The security of Britain is inextricably linked to the deep co-operation that membership of the EU provides.  We must not cut ourselves off from cross border efforts to tackle terrorism, keep our country secure and our people protected.

That’s why Labour is in for Britain. This campaign for Britain’s future starts now. Join us and sign up to our campaign here

LABOUR WILL ALWAYS RECOGNISE GOOD BUSINESS

Labour will take a different approach to business. One which recognises good business and supports small companies with greater, more strategic investment in our economy.  In line with Labour’s fairer vision for society, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell set out how business and government can work together to generate and share prosperity.

A Labour government would support businesses by investing for the long term not just for the short term. That means building the high tech, high wage economy of the future. Investing in better infrastructure. Solving London’s housing crisis. Investing in skills and training. Creating a more diverse market for finance, which would include regional and local banks with a public service mandate.

Underpinning all of this would be institutions that are on the side of our real wealth creators. Businesses that create decent jobs, owners that pay their taxes, and that bring a social value to their communities.

That’s why John McDonnell announced Labour would introduce a “Good Business” kitemark scheme, which businesses can sign up to so they can demonstrate their commitment to society. Those businesses who pay their taxes transparently and properly, and who pay their employees at least the living wage, deserve proper, public recognition. Under a Labour Government, we will make sure this scheme does exactly that. Under a Labour Government we will make sure good businesses prosper for all.