Grassroots_February 2019_Layout 1 04/02/2019 15:23 Page 1 GRASSROOTS Newsletter for members of the South Shields Labour Party

CONSTITUENCY Let’s stay united and prepared during this time of crisis LABOUR PARTY by Alan Donnelly, CLP Chair

ANNUAL The handling of the Brexit process by this Government since the referendum like so many other policies, has GENERAL been catastrophic, and we are now seeing the MEETING consequences in our economy. Investment in the U.K. car industry has fallen by 80% in three years. All Members of the South Shields Labour Party are invited to attend There is an increasing stream of businesses relocating to Ireland, France Holland and Germany. The Annual General Meeting of the Constituency Party which When it comes to our NHS and social care, the failure of will be held on this Government to invest in training for health Saturday 23rd February 2019 professionals and carers, together with EU nationals refusing to take up posts in the U.K. because of the 9.30am uncertainty, means our health and social care sector is Reception Room, seriously understaffed. South Shields, Town Hall As for the small business community in South Tyneside Registration from 9am, please bring who rely on supplying goods and services to the EU, the some ID with you to the meeting. future is deeply uncertain. Labour spelt out clearly at our conference last year our Car parking is available via Beach position and and have Road entrance. followed that plan faithfully.

These coming weeks are critical for the people of South Shields - particularly for their jobs and livelihoods.

A General Election would be the best way to move forward on this, with a Government agreeing an extension with the EU to allow proper negotiations to take place with the interests of the country first.

If that’s not possible, then our conference spelt out the orderly next steps to be taken by the Labour Party.

I’m confident that our Leaders will faithfully follow these steps, and I believe we have to demonstrate our total support at this unprecedented time of crisis.

Should, however, the election come - I’m confident that our constituency Party here in South Shields and Whitburn will be ready to deliver both in our own constituency also in the critical marginals that we must win to deliver a Labour Government.

LABOUR – FOR THE MANY, NOT THE FEW Grassroots_February 2019_Layout 1 04/02/2019 15:23 Page 2

Labour’s team for May 2019 The following have been selected as the Labour Party candidates in the May 2019 Council election. Please contact either the candidate or agent, if you would like to be involved in the campaign in your area. During February and March there will be a leaflet being distributed across South Shields and Whitburn, your help would be much appreciated by the local teams, so please do get in touch!

Ward Candidate Agent

Beacon and Bents Audrey McMillan John Anglin Tel: 456 1214 Tel: 420 4420

Biddick and All Saints Joe Amar Anne Walsh Tel: 07423 474534 Tel: 454 1795

Cleadon Park Susan Traynor Jim Foreman Tel: 454 0249 Tel: 454 0249

Harton Rob Dix Neil Maxwell Tel: 454 4944 Tel: 456 0653

Horsley Hill Iain Malcolm Mark Walsh Tel: 456 2019 Tel: 454 1795

Simonside and Rekendyke Judith Taylor Ed Malcolm Tel: 07765 103475 Tel: 4562019

West Park Anne Hetherington Gladys Hobson Tel: 421 7752 Tel: 456 5696

Westoe Katharine Maxwell Allan West Tel: 456 0652 Tel: 454 4693

Whitburn and Marsden Joyce Welsh Tracey Dixon Tel: 659 4115 Tel: 529 2048

Whiteleas Ernest Gibson Bill Brady Tel: 07092 840531 Tel: 536 7213

The local election is on Thursday May 2nd 2019. If you are likely to be on holiday, in hospital or working away, please contact the Councils election team on 0191 424 7169 to request a postal or proxy vote. Don’t lose your right to vote. Happy campaigning!! Grassroots_February 2019_Layout 1 04/02/2019 15:23 Page 3 Grassroots_February 2019_Layout 1 04/02/2019 15:23 Page 4

Calling all women.... The Constituency Party Womens Officer, Jane Carter will be holding a meeting for women members of the Labour Party. The meeting will be held on: Monday 4th March 2019 at 7.00pm Ede House, 143 Westoe Road, South Shields

DEFEND THE UNION LINK! It has been well established that the success of the Labour Party in securing electoral success is inextricably linked to the support from the Trade Union Movement not only in terms of financial resource but also in the ability of the affiliates to mobilise their foot soldiers during local and national elections.

This alliance of the two constitutionally independent organisations is over a century old when the trade unions helped create the Labour Party in seeking a political voice on behalf of the working classes whom had been subjected to the rule of the privileged and to challenge the status quo. The relationship looking back has achieved some monumental successes namely the NHS and revolutionary changes in the workplace in terms of health and safety whilst building millions of council houses for working families.

Although this working together was extremely successful it was further consolidated with the setting up of TULO wherein the affiliated unions have representation on the Labour Party NEC, National Conference and .

The objective was and is to work even more closely together in bringing about a Labour Government and Labour controlled councils to our mutual benefit.

It has been my long held view that a renewal of vows is now necessary to put to bed some of the differences that surfaced leading to the disaffiliation of certain unions and a distancing of relationships through an arms length approach rather than a receptive posture, commonly referred to as “ embarrassing cousins “

Although two distinctive organisations, both share the purpose and quest for social justice which remains grafted to our roots, this reminds me of the song “ love and marriage “ this may be had on you tube for reference.

Consequently having laid out the objectives with a personal flavour we should remind ourselves that the trade unions have direct access to millions of workers in industry including public services, a resource potentially exclusive to Labour, supported by a legions of activists overwhelmingly supportive of socialist principles This needs to be exploited more vigorously.

I was pleased therefore to attend a regional TULO conference in December involving trade union representatives and CLP officers to resuscitate the long standing meaningful relationship as the first step in reworking the system and developing the linkage to bring this about. The outcomes and details of which are currently in the melting pot.

Tom Brennan CLP Trade Union Officer

Local Labour on Social Media The South Shields Labour Party website is located at: Southshieldslabour.com • Our twitter feed is: @sshieldslabour Contact Emma Lewell-Buck MP on : 0191 427 1240 19 Westoe Road, South Shields, Tyne & Wear NE32 3DT • [email protected] CLP Officers can be contacted at: [email protected] John Anglin can be contacted on: 0191 420 4420

South Shields Labour Party acknowledges the kind support of the Socialist Health Association and the Socialist Environmental Resource Association for their help in funding this newsletter.