Campaign 28 September 2005 Briefing for delegates published daily at Labour Party Conference and online at www.clpd.org.uk Briefing Tel. 07767 761338 Price for the week: £2

Stop private sector expansion in NHS National Policy Forum The government is increasingly committed to private sector involvement in the NHS and the establishment of markets. A further £3bn worth of Support the following funding for treatment sectors from the private sector was announced in May. Now there is a programme to open up primary care to private sector candidates: providers, including services such as district nursing, health visiting and (* indicates sitting member) occupational therapy. Instead of providing services based on need, increasingly decisions will be Wales: based on profitability. Contracts with the private sector are more expen- Fran Griffiths sive than providing services within the John Lewis Shirley Newnham NHS. Experience shows that outsourc- ’Instead of wasting hundreds of Darren Williams ing and the creation of markets leads to millions of pounds on identity higher costs, service failures and lack cards as the Tory right demands, Eastern: of accountability. The government let that money provide thousands Daniel Blaney should suspend private sector expan- of extra police officers…Let the Lorna Trollope sion in the NHS, at least until proper internal market that pits hospital East Midlands: evaluation of the current situation is against hospital cease.’ evaluated. Gary Ransford* From Tony Blair’s speech to Helen Skinner Support Composite 6 annual conference 1995 Reject Composite 7 Ann Syrett* London: Laura Bruni Dorothy Macedo Withdraw from Iraq Francis Prideaux It is important that Iraq is addressed when Conference discusses interna- tional policy this morning. The occupation must be ended – it is clearly Youth: Liz Hacker part of the problem not the solution. UK troops should be withdrawn. The Northern: government should end its policy of assisting US objectives in the Middle Matthew Teale East. US determination to establish its military domination in the region is provoking increasing instability. Iraq was a major factor in Labour’s share South East: Helen Ingram Continued over Carol Hayton* Mick Moriarty* 1pm, Belgrave Hotel

CLPD & Labour Reform South West: y Dave Doyle a d Conference assessment West Midlands: Pat Tough and the next steps to David Williams Chair: Ann Black NEC Yorkshire & Humberside: Speakers: Billy Hayes, Gen Sec, CWU, Martha Hanson* Mohammed Azam NEC—Mark Seddon NEC Eddie Hart Christine Shawcroft, NEC—Pete Willsmam, NEC George McManus*

Campaign Briefing is published by the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy, the Centre-Left Grassroots Alliance and the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs

Withdraw from Iraq continued Blair ignores electors’ message of the vote falling in May and it In a speech with no recognition of the reality that in May Labour got the continues to weaken the party’s lowest share of the vote for any winning party, Tony Blair yesterday laid standing. out an agenda sure to drive down the Party’s support even further. Conference today should be debat- His core message – that there is no alternative to capitalist globalisation – ing a clear proposal to end the occu- shaped an agenda sure to please Bush but not potential Labour voters. pation of Iraq. But unfortunately, Conference was told: ‘the European social model is a thing of the past’. So while a small number of resolutions forget rights at work and the welfare state. Members should clearly expect calling for early withdrawal made it more health sell-offs, City Acad- through the tight rules defining emies and an attack on Incapacity Ireland “contemporary motions”, others did Benefit. Tony Blair began his speech by not make it. While Campaign Brief- His final message capped an en- welcoming the historic act of IRA ing opposes the restrictions these tirely negative policy agenda with decommissioning which took place rules impose, they are a fact and, a potentially disastrous electoral this week – and today Peter Hain with effort, resolutions can be one: ‘never under-estimate the To- will address conference on the drafted to fit within the rules and ries and never over-estimate the peace process. Delegates should stand a better chance of getting Liberal Democrats’. In fact, the now press the government to seize through the CAC. Help ensure con- Lib Dems have made steady and the created by this ference has the debates it needs by growing inroads into Labour’s hugely significant move, and rap- being aware of the rules and passing vote - for every one Labour vote idly move to reinstate the Northern resolutions accordingly. (If in lost to the Tories in May, eight Ireland Assembly. They must tell doubt, get in touch with CLPD, 10 were lost to the Lib Dems. the DUP and others that they have Park Drive, London NW11 7SH.) no veto over the peace process. Delegates who support early with- drawal should seek to speak in the Yet more shenanigans debate on the Britain in the World Party officials in some regions have been up to their usual tricks. On key NPF document. issues such as the T&G resolution and the internal party elections they have been bending the ears of their region’s delegates and laying down the Defend London’s Democracy platform line. In at least one region new technology has been turned to - Delegates interested in defending with delegates being texted their instructions. democracy should visit the Stan- Campaign Briefing notes that several Policy Seminars have been chaired dards Board for England stall (stand by CLP reps standing for the NPF on the establishment slate, giving them 60). The Board, which has the a chance to garner votes for today’s election. Needless to say candidates power to remove elected politicians supported by the Centre Left Grassroots Alliance have not been let any- from office, is currently investigat- where near the platform at these seminars. ing a row between London Mayor Ken Livingstone and the Evening If you missed any issues, or want Sympathy Strike Standard. Delegates could remind copies they can be found on Photographers at Conference were them that in a democracy voters www.clpd.org.uk/cb2005.htm. If told only some of them would be al- should decide when a politician’s lowed into the hall for the Leader’s time is up not an un-elected quango. you do not have internet access, write to Campaign Briefing at 10 speech, provoking a total snappers walkout. Campaign Briefing is de- Best wishes to Tony Benn Park Drive, London NW11 7SH lighted that the direct action was a for a speedy recovery with a cheque for at least £3. success.

Wednesday 28th September, 7:30pm Sinn Fein Fringe Meeting Labour Representation Committee / Socialist Campaign Group Rally & Social, incl. live entertainment & late bar Irish Unity - the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton Chair: John McDonnell MP way forward Speakers: Katy Clark MP, MP, Bob Crow (RMT), Gerry Doherty (TSSA), 1pm Wednesday, Royal Albion Hotel, Kat Fletcher (NUS), Steve Gribbin, Billy Hayes (CWU), Old Steine Paul Kenny (GMB), Alice Mahon, Michael Meacher MP, Linda Riordan MP, Mark Serwotka (PCS), Speaker: Conor Murphy MP, Sinn Fein Alan Simpson MP, Tony Woodley (TGWU)