Corbyn's Labour

DeHavilland Briefing

Corbyn’s Labour People, processes and policies

By the DeHavilland Content Teams AprilSeptember 2015 2015

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Contents

What will the Corbyn era mean for Labour? 3 Key Policy Priorities 5 Culture, Media and Telecoms 6 Defence and Foreign Affairs 7 Energy 8 Health 10 Housing 11 Business and Economy 13 Policing and Crime 14 Transport 15 Education and Skills 16 Welfare 17 Key People 19

What will the Corbyn era mean for Labour?

From rebel to leader drawing both on the old tradition of the party, with a focus on the role of the state - and In his final speech before the result of the emerging trends, such as the commitment to Labour leadership election came to a close, gender issues and the focus on green jobs. Jeremy Corbyn pledged to change the face of British politics. Indeed, Mr Corbyn’s campaign could be considered the most policy-rich of the four The so-called “hard-left” of Labour that had leadership campaigns, with a raft of detailed been in decline 1983 General Election and policy consultation documents published the subsequent election of Neil Kinnock as alongside more reactive pronouncements on leader has now reclaimed the helm of a party the external debates that have raged during whose parliamentary party is overwhelmingly the campaign such as welfare reform and the unsupportive, if not outright opposed to it. refugee crisis.

Rumours of culls, coups and cataclysms have However, it should be noted that much of abounded throughout this campaign, and the policy put forward by Mr Corbyn has are likely to dog Mr Corbyn throughout his been couched in the language of consultation, premiership and efforts to maintain party unity. rather than prescription. Although this is perhaps at odds with his recent rebellious, But amidst of the heat of the campaign Mr uncompromising parliamentary past, it is Corbyn has outlined an extensive set of policies in keeping with his emphasis during the

© DeHavilland Information Services Ltd 2015 www.dehavilland.co.uk 3 DeHavilland Briefing campaign on participative decision making “We need to review our policy-making process to involving both the membership and the ensure that it is inclusive, accessible, participatory Parliamentary Labour Party. and able to take democratic decisions quickly when necessary.” While much of the media coverage during the campaign has focused on positions and The Observer suggested that further detail comments from Mr Corbyn’s parliamentary on this could be sought from the Bennite career, this briefing has placed an emphasis Campaign for Labour Party Democracy, whose on the policies he has expounded during the spokesperson, Jon Lansman, was a central campaign, that is to say, those he has indicated figure in Mr Corbyn’s campaign. A publication will form his platform as leader rather than his notes that reform of the policy-making process personal beliefs. could: (i) provide for a rolling programme based on amendments from party units, giving grassroots Reform of the party policy-making process party individuals and affiliated members direct input into policy making; (ii) enable party conference to The longest standing MP of all the candidates, make the final decisions on policy.” Mr Corbyn has repeatedly indicated his desire to reform the membership, policy-making Mr Corbyn has also indicated that he will seek process and structure of the Labour Party. to convert the registered supporters who have paid £3 to vote in the leadership election to full First and foremost, Mr Corbyn has stated that members, with voting rights. Alongside this he he would commit Labour to gender parity has proposed a broader review of membership through a 50:50 Shadow Cabinet and work fees to make the party “as inclusive as we can”. towards 50 per cent of Labour MPs being women. With regards to the process of forming a Shadow Cabinet, Mr Corbyn stated that he He has also expressed a desire to give Labour’s would appoint his Shadow Cabinet himself, annual party conference greater authority in the having initially suggested that he would policy making process, and wished to see future reinstate the elections for Cabinet positions that leadership elections an all-member ballot. He had been abolished by Ed Miliband in 2011. told the Independent:

“I will absolutely use our supporters to push our agenda up to the parliamentary party and get “I’m them to follow that. We have to encourage the parliamentary Labour party to be part of that process and not to stand in the way of democratising the slightly surprised party and empowering the party members. It is going to be an interesting discussion.” that we made it A common thread throughout his policy documents has been the emphasis he has placed through, on the need to hold “open consultations” on policy proposals. In a Fabian Society Leading Labour pamphlet published in August, he stated: but there we are” On qualifying as a candidate, June 2015

During the campaign, it was suggested that Decent homes for all in public and private sectors supporters of Corbyn could move a motion at by 2025 through a big housebuilding the party’s annual conference to reintroduce programme and controlling rents. mandatory re-selection of all Labour MPs, abolished under the Neil Kinnock. However, , a foreign policy that an official spokespersondenied the claim. No more illegal wars prioritises justice and assistance. This, combined with an expected reduction Replacing in the number of constituencies to 600 and Trident not with a new generation of nuclear the associated raft of reselections, has led to weapons but jobs that retain the communities’ skills. a degree of nervousness among MPs on the party’s right-wing who have voiced concerns Fully-funded NHS, integrated with social care, with regarding a possible ‘purge of the Blairites’. an end to privatisation in health. Key Priorities Protection at work – no zero hours contracts, strong collective bargaining to stamp out Amongst the policy detail of Corbyn’s workplace injustice. campaign, he has sought to underline those policies he sees as fundamental, those he was “standing to deliver”. Equality for all – a society that accepts no barriers to everyone’s talents and contribution. An end to scapegoating of migrants. A new kind of politics: a fairer, kinder Britain based on innovation, decent jobs and decent public services. A life-long national education service for decent skills and opportunities throughout our lives: universal childcare, abolishing student fees and – with a national Growth not austerity restoring grants, and funding adult skills training investment bank to help create tomorrow’s jobs and throughout our lives reduce the deficit fairly. Fair taxes for all - let the broadest shoulders bear the biggest burden to balance the books.

A lower welfare bill through investment and growth not squeezing the least well-off and cuts to child tax credits.

Action on climate change - for the long-term interest of the planet rather than the short-term interests of corporate profits.

Public ownership of railways and in the energy sector - privatisation has put profits before people.

Photo: David Martyn Hunt © DeHavilland Information Services Ltd 2015 www.dehavilland.co.uk 5 DeHavilland Briefing Policies Culture, Media and Telecoms

Telecoms protect libraries, galleries, theatres and

- Has called for a Universal Service Obligation for broadband provision. - museums, adding that “Lottery funding is – - Mr Corbyn is committed to establishing and should remain – distinct from grant in a National Investment Bank to invest in aid funding”. digital, energy and transport infrastructure - To address regional funding imbalances, and promote growth. London’s proportion of funding would be redistributed to its per capita share while These policies were outlined in his Rural Renewal policy protecting its grant-in-aid and aligning document and Better Business website. funding for culture by devolving cultural budgets. Television Music and Performance - Mr Corbyn has stated that the Labour - Calls for implementation of the Party “must be at the forefront of the recommendations of the ‘Paying Artists’ campaigning to defend the BBC licence campaign, including fee” and reverse cuts implemented since the establishment of 2010. guidelines on minimum pay standards for and - He would “support calls…to address the exhibition and performance a national imbalance of male and female roles on UK review of the value and impact of the arts’ television” and states that organisations contribution to society and culture in the . that depend on more than 25 per cent UK - To “protect our performers, writers and public funding should have approved creative professionals” from unpaid work training in diversity and participation development for their Chairs and provide a national Creative Apprenticeship

targeted plans to build this expertise on brokerage service would be established outlining minimum employment standards. their boards and executive teams. - Cultural institutions in receipt of taxpayer funding would be required to make their Arts funding and decision-making work more widely available throughout the country and incentivised to increase takeup - Mr Corbyn has committed to the of cultural opportunities by children and establishment of a Cabinet Committee families, particularly among disadvantaged in Parliament on the arts and creative groups. industries, bringing cross-departmental - States that the party “should look at teams of ministers together. proposals” for the reduction of VAT for - Pledged to develop a “comprehensive live music venues with a capacity of 500 or national plan for the publicly funded below. arts, culture and heritage sector that - The Government’s Copyright exception complements the Creative Industries plans should be supplemented with fair Council’s industrial strategy”. compensation, which “could be” funded - Mr Corbyn pledges to revisit Arts Council via a small levy applied to certain hardware funding and reinstate cuts made since 2010 products that allow copying to take place to further cooperation between all levels of which is then distributed to the creative government, the third sector and artists and community, including musicians.

own right Cultural Education

- Mr Corbyn pledges to provide all children - He calls for the current Premium for PE and “with the opportunity to learn an instrument, Sport to be mirrored with an equivalent for the participate in drama, dance and have regular arts, which would also be extended into early access to a theatre, gallery or museum in their years settings. local area at least once every academic year or term”. All of the above arts and culture policies were outlined in - Dance and drama should be considered in the The Arts policy document. national curriculum as subjects within their

Policies Defence and Foreign Affairs

Nuclear weapons

- A vocal opponent of Trident, Mr Corbyn other high skill roles in the growing has called for the UK to “give a lead energy, house building, and digital in discharging its obligations by not industries”. seeking a replacement for Trident” and has promised transition to a nuclear- These policies are taken from the August 2015 weapons free Britain. Corbyn campaign policy document Defence - He envisages that his programme for Diversification. the “accelerate[d] concrete progress” towards nuclear disarmament proposed Iraq war ‘Submarine Dismantling Project’ would take 60 years. - Mr Corbyn has proposed that the Labour - To mitigate against the proposed Party “would apologise to the British jobs losses as a result of terminating people for taking them into the Iraq Trident, Mr Corbyn has called for War on the basis of deception, and to the establishment of a Defence the Iraqi people for the suffering we Diversification Agency, “to protect skills have helped cause”. and diversify work” to enable workers - Referring to future humanitarian in the defence industry put to work for disasters, he commits that the UK would socially productive use. “never flout the United Nations and - He has said that “the DDA can help international law”. those with transferable skills move into

- Mr Corbyn has stressed the need - Mr Corbyn has advocated an arms for a diplomatic response to the embargo on Israel and a ban on produce humanitarian crisis and the co- from the West Bank settlements. ordination of a “proper humanitarian response to the refugee crisis”. Nato - He has called for a summit to meet on the matter, which involved the UN, EU, - Opposition to the UK’s membership of the US, Russia, Iran, Britain and states in Nato, the inter-governmental military the region. alliance, and its continued expansion has been a longstanding personal view of Mr Drones Corbyn’s. When pressed on this matter during a hustings hosted by the Daily - Mr Corbyn has questioned the legal Mirror, it was reported that Mr Corbyn basis for the use of unmanned aerial fell short of pledging withdrawal, vehicles, commonly known as ‘drones’. promising a “serious debate about the - He called for “urgent consideration” powers of Nato” and would argue to to be given to appropriate processes “restrict its role”. sought to sanction attacks in foreign states and civil wars, particularly on what evidence and basis of law.

Policies Energy

Markets Supply

- Mr Corbyn has called for a “radical - He has envisioned an expanded and restructuring” of the energy market and more direct state role in guaranteeing a “root and branch review” of subsidies. supply security. - Energy companies would be required to - He would scrap the Capacity Market. meet their own clean-up costs. - Regulatory bodies’ roles would be Future infrastructure redefined to boost competition and sustainability. - Mr Corbyn has promised to establish an - Mr Corbyn would pursue community Energy Commission to consider how ownership of energy systems. to achieve “tomorrow’s ‘smart energy’ - He has pledged to create “1 million new systems” and bring new partners climate jobs”. including councils and co-operatives into policymaking. - He would create a National Investment Bank to support green jobs, homes and infrastructure.

Emissions Efficiency

- Mr Corbyn has promised to support - Mr Corbyn has called for a restructuring internationally agreed universal of the system such that localities could standards of emissions regulation and “sell” efficiency. ensure the UK plays “a leading role - He would require higher energy internationally” in reducing fossil fuel efficiency standards for new properties. use. - He would introduce a national - He would create both national and local insulation plan to save the average climate change commitments, and household £250 in energy costs. devolve relevant powers. - Mr Corbyn would “end dirty handouts” Shale gas – presumably in the form of fossil fuel subsidies – and set a target for ending - Mr Corbyn would ban fracking. fossil fuel extraction. - He would also begin to phase out “high Air quality polluting coal power stations” while supporting workers’ retraining. - He has committed to a “full independent - He would invest in low-emission public inquiry” into air pollution levels. transport. - He has expressed a desire to see universal standards that would prevent Nuclear emissions offshoring.

- Mr Corbyn has stated his opposition to Environment new nuclear power assets. - Mr Corbyn would ban neonicotinoid Renewables pesticides as part of a “multifaceted” bee protection strategy. - Mr Corbyn has expressed support for - He would seek to revisit legal limits on “setting a bold target ofcarbon-free fish extraction and fishing protections. electricity by 2030”. - He has opposed cuts to flood defences - He would reverse restrictions on and called for protection of flood plains onshore wind and major solar projects. as well as the non-permeable paving of - He would seek to extend support to permeable spaces. household and community solar energy. These policies are taken from the August 2015 Corbyn campaign policy document Protecting Our Planet.

Policies Health

Social Care - He has proposed greater action on homelessness, citing that “70% of the - He has pledged to “reverse the cuts in homeless have mental health problems local authority adult social care and and almost half have attempted suicide”. invest in a national carers strategy, under a combined National Health & Care BAME Service”. - The Labour Leader has also called on This was outlined in the Working With Women the “enormous over-representation of policy document. people from black and minority ethnic communities in long-stay institutions” Spending on mental health to be tackled.

- Jeremy Corbyn has committed to Welfare increasing mental health service budgets, including for children’s mental - He has committed toscrapping the work health. capability assessment, arguing that - He has called for mental health stigma it has failed those with mental health to be challenged, with mental illness problems and even caused suicides. treated equally to physical illness. - On the language around welfare, Mr - He has proposed to increase the number Corbyn has called for stigmatising of mental health professionals. phrases such as “benefit scroungers” to be ended. - He has stressed the need for a review Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services into how reasonable adjustments work (CAMHS) for people with mental health issues, and has backed equal pay audits so - Mr Corbyn has called for mental health employers can be monitored and the education to be taught in schools, disability gap addressed. with all schools guaranteed access to school-based counselling or therapy if Offenders required. - He has also committed to introduce - He has also called for a “fundamental courses on life skills, emotional review of how our whole criminal intelligence and parenting to the school justice system deals with mental health, curriculum. as well as support available to those in - He has proposed that a national study prison.” be undertaken into the mental health of children and young people. All of the above policies were outlined in Mr - Mr Corbyn has also proposed a separate Corbyn’s Mental Health policy document. national campaign to tackle loneliness and the stigma surrounding it.

- He has committed to oppose cuts to - He has stated that investment in public health services that are restricting transport and a related reduction in car womens’ rights in practice and take use could “potentially save the NHS £18 action to stop anti-choice protesters from billion in treated illness caused by air restricting access to abortion services. pollution”.

This was outlined in the Working With Women This was outlined in Mr Corbyn’s Protecting Our policy document. Planet policy document.

Policies Housing

Social housing Private rentals

- A National Investment Bank would - Mr Corbyn has proposed national provide financing for housing subject to minimum standards for longer tenancies “tough new conditions” on “genuinely and limits to rent increases. affordable” provision. - To address rent hotspots, he believes - Mr Corbyn proposes lifting the regulation of private rents should be borrowing cap in the Housing Revenue linked to average earnings and their rate Account to expand council borrowing of increase. capacity. - He has advocated a local authority- - He would create regional home administered national register for building targets in all areas. private landlords and a system of local - Mr Corbyn opposes selling off high- licensing including a “’fit and proper’ value council homes. persons’ test” and provision to ensure - Rejecting the Housing Association tenants’ rights and minimum safety Right to Buy, he has called for tenants standards are upheld. to secure greater power over their - He has suggested redirecting tax reliefs landlords’ decisions via cooperative for private landlords to assist struggling local management models. private tenants, including building new council homes, providing help with deposits, and potentially contributing to “a form of Right to Buy shared equity

scheme” for private tenants of large- develop. scale landlords. - He has called for council-led efforts to bring empty housing stock back into Ownership use. - He has argued that public land - Mr Corbyn has voiced a desire to identified for development by the “[restrict] subsidies to buy-to-let London Land Commission ought to landlords”. be transferred to councils to construct - He would create a scheme for first-time social housing. buyers using an approach involving - Mr Corbyn opposes the relaxation of principles from rent-to-own or shared green belt restrictions without “careful equity schemes. planning requirements”, and would - He would also permit councils in areas reverse the extension of permitted of “high housing stress” to suspend the development rights. Right to Buy. - Mr Corbyn has urged measures to Housing stock ensure Right to Buy receipts remain in a local area and “genuine replacements” - Mr Corbyn has advocated the provision are constructed. of free housing insulation programmes. - He has also suggested reducing the - He would seek to impose new incentives discounts offered under the Right to and obligations to improve housing Buy. standards in the private rented sector. - To address the problem of “Buy to - He believes that “Zero carbon homes Leave”, Mr Corbyn has suggested should become the norm”, and would allowing councils to impose higher extend “greater freedoms” to councils to Council Tax rates or a new levy on implement this shift. empty properties, and would consider - The tax regime would be updated to banning property ownership by non- favour energy efficient homes. UK based entities or companies and offshore trusts. Welfare

Development - Mr Corbyn would scrap the Benefit Cap and the Under-Occupancy Penalty. - Mr Corbyn has advocated the consideration of a Land Value Tax and These policies are taken from the August 2015 “use it or lose it” measures for other Corbyn campaign policy document Tackling the brownfield sites. Housing Crisis. - He would give councils the power to exercise compulsory purchase “at a fair value” where landowners failed to

Policies Business and Economy

Employment

- A higher minimum wage and - Create a National Investment Bank lower cost housing to put more to help get finance to businesses in disposable income into the pockets of key sectors. consumers. - More resources for HMRC and - A reverse to the adult education cuts Companies House to clamp down and a National Education Service to on corporate tax avoidance and put produce a more skilled workforce. small businesses on a level playing - Better enforcement ofworkers’ rights field with big multinationals. through the Gangmasters Licensing - Labour 2020 will make large Authority and HMRC, which will reductions in the £93 billion of catch bad employers that break the corporate tax relief and subsidies. law and undercut good businesses. - Stronger anti-avoidance rules - Introducing targets for ending brought into UK tax law. women’s pay gap. - Powers to local councils to regulate - Employment tribunal fees must buses to improve transport links be scrapped and all workers given across the country, vital to help local protection against unfair dismissal high streets. from day one. These policies were outlined in Jeremy Corbyn’s These policies were outlined in Jeremy Corbyn’s Better Business plan, and his The Economy in 2020 Better Business plan, and his Working with Women plan. plan.

Business Economy

- Review social security arrangements - Close the deficit through building a for self-employed and small business strong, growing economy that works owners to ensure they are entitled for all, not by increasing poverty. to and receive the same security as employees. This policy was outlined in Jeremy Corbyn’s The - Increases in corporation tax, but a Economy in 2020 plan. small business rate freeze.

Policies Policing and Crime

Prisons

- Mr Corbyn would seek to address the - Consultation on women only carriages, “disproportionate numbers of people piloting this at times and on modes of with mental health conditions in our transport where harassment is reported prison system”, and the number who most frequently. commit suicide while in prison. He - Legislate for tougher rules on what suggests a “fundamental review of premises licence holders need to do how our whole criminal justice system in case of assault on their premises, deals with mental health, as well as the including reporting assault and how support available to those in prison”. they ought to respond to assault in the procedure for them to get a licence. The above was outlined in the Mental Health policy - Encourage the roll-out of the successful document. Bradford scheme to tackle harassment, and encourage police to use public Street Harassment order laws and legislation protecting people from harassment to target - Would call regional summits suspects. of local authorities, universities, transport authorities, police, women’s All of the above policies were outlined in the Street organisations and campaigns to stop Harassment policy document. street harassment. - Will encourage local authorities to Female Genital Mutilation appoint cabinet positions for women’s safety and create a ministerial role for - Would ensure teachers and health women’s safety. workers are supported with routine - Would consider setting up a hotline training on how to how to help victims. run by police but dedicated to reporting - Increase efforts togather data more harassment and assault, which would be effectively on women who have staffed 24/7 by women. If a home visit is undergone FGM and suggests the use of needed for a statement, this would also both court orders and FGM protection be done by women. orders to protect women at risk. - Would run an advertising campaign - Pledges to raise awareness of issues on public transport, billboards, TV and such as FGM, forced marriage and child cinemas aimed at combating street marriage via the school curriculum and sexism. work with local authorities to engage parents and local communities.

All of the above policies were outlined in the Working with Women policy document.

Policies Transport

Rail

- Jeremy Corbyn describes the rail - Network Rail’s electrification plans franchising process as expensive and for the TransPennine and Midland wasteful and says that the railways Mainline routes. “should be run by the people, for - Calls for cities “to have the same the people.” powers over transport that London - Pledge to introduce a Railways Act was given by the last Labour in 2020 “to progressively bring the government. This would allow railways back into public control, them to regulate their own rail, tram run in the public interest to meet and bus networks, make their own social, economic and environmental decisions about charges for parking goals.” and congestion, and better plan the - Calls for strategic management, local correct mix for themselves.” and national government, passenger and workers to work together in a All of the above policies were outlined in the “more co-operative model of public Northern Future policy document. ownership.” - He would replace rolling stock - Mr Corbyn has also said that the companies with “a long-term reopening of railway lines and the procurement strategy based on more effective use of existing ones strategic long-term investment in will help improve rural connectivity. the railways to boost manufacturing, (Rural Renewal policy document) skills and jobs across the UK. - He pledges to “consult with women - Pledges to create a National and open it up to hear their views Investment Bank to “fund long-term on whether women-only carriages infrastructure improvements and would be welcome - and also if improvements to accessibility for piloting this at times and modes disabled passengers. of transport where harassment is reported most frequently would be All of the above policies were outlined in the People’s of interest.” (Street Harassment policy Railway policy document. document)

- Has said that each rail franchise Buses should be brought back into public ownership as they come up for - He has criticised the deregulation renewal. of buses that he says has led to some - He favours the redevelopment of the bus routes being over supplied other skills and training to build rolling areas where people are left without stock in Britain. transport as routes are declared - Calls for the “long overdue unprofitable. (Northern Future) electrification of Britain’s rail network” and the restoration of

- Calls for the mandatory tendering Low-emission transport of transport service to private sector bidders to be abandoned. (Northern - Pledges to reduce carbon emissions Future) including by “investing in public - Has called for local authorities to transport to reduce both fares and car have effectiveresources to regulate use.” (Protecting our Planet) and provide bus services for rural residents. (Rural Renewal)

Policies Education and Skills

National Education Service

- Mr Corbyn has proposed the creation - Allowance) and the abolition of of a “National Education Service”, university tuition fees altogether. universally free at the point of use. - To fund these proposals, Corbyn - The aim is to turn Britain into is consulting supporters on two “a high skill, high pay, high possible options: using £10bn productivity nation” by “invest[ing] (two-thirds) of expected increased in education throughout people’s income tax receipts due by 2019/20 working lives”. or introducing a 7% rate of national - This would involve universal free insurance on higher earners and childcare and the expansion of adult increasing corporation tax to 20.5% education funding, reinstating cuts to fund fees and maintenance grants made since 2010. respectively. - Corbyn claims that this would be funded by through “increased tax Skills and Apprenticeships revenues and productivity gains in the long term” together with “a - Mr Corbyn would raise the rate of modest increase in corporation tax”. pay for apprentices to £10 per hour from £2.73 as part of his pledge to Student fees and grants introduce a £10 per hour living wage for all workers. - Mr Corbyn proposes the restoration - He promises that under his of maintenance grants (including leadership, Labour would be EMA and Disabled Students’ “committed to properly funding,

increasing and improving with a more holistic approach for apprenticeship schemes” and would assessment which considers “the make colleges work in partnership overall performance of schools” with employers to provide mutual rather than simply exam results. accreditation of training and - As part of this approach, exam- apprenticeships. driven assessment would give way - A Corbyn administration would also to “greater freedom to study, fewer create a “statutory youth service” tests”, including the total abolition of in order to support young people the 11-plus. trying to access further and higher - He also wants to restore funding education through advice and to pre-school education to avoid guidance. the current situation where “some families who are very poor can get a Schools place, those who are well off can pay and everyone in between has to make - A staunch opponent of academies their own arrangements”. and free schools, Corbyn wants to - Sexual, consensual and relationship “bring them all back into the local education would become authority orbit“, as well as converting compulsory in schools. grammars into comprehensive schools. All of the above policies were outlined in the A Better - Choice and competition are two Future for Young People policy document. further targets for Corbyn: school league tables are to be replaced

Policies Welfare

Housing Unemployment and disability

- Calls for the bedroom tax and the benefit - Would scrap the work capability cap to be scrapped. assessment. - Opposes abolition of pay to stay, “which - End the “stigmatising language of ‘benefit from 2017 will force social tenant households scroungers’”, and rebuild a welfare state that earning over £30,000 (£40,000 in London) to cares for all. The current agenda is increasing pay market rents, will deter residents from poverty, exclusion and disability hate crime. seeking promotion at work, and encourage them to RTB”. All of the above policies were outlined in the Mental - Labour should oppose the Tories’ cut Health policy document. to housing benefit for under-21s, and restore equal access to it for under-21s in - Would end the “failed ‘workfare’ government. (a better future for young experiment and abolish the present unfair people) sanctions system”. - Plans to abolish different payments in All of the above policies were outlined in the Housing benefits for under-25s, so all people seeking policy document. work can claim the same rate of JSA.

All of the above policies were outlined in the A better Victims of domestic violence and rape future for young people policy document. - Wants to stop the cuts to “services for - Opposed the reduction of ESA rates to ending violence against women and girls, JSA levels. including refuges and support for domestic - Voted against the freezing of working violence and rape survivors”. Points age benefits for four years. especially to specialist services for Black and Minority women. Children and social care - Critical of reductions to legal aid and resulting impact on this group. - Would recognise “caring roles through tax All of the above policies were outlined in the Working and pension rights”. - Pledges to “reverse the cuts in local with Women policy document. authority adult social care and invest in a national carers strategy, under a combined Specific welfare schemes National Health & Care Service”. - Plans to work towards universal free - Would restore Education Maintenance childcare. Allowance for college students and the - Opposes reductions in child tax credits Disabled Students Allowance.

The above policies were outlined in the Working with The above policy was outlined in the A better future for Women and Housing policy documents. young people policy document.

- Criticised the lack of an Independent - Examine reasonable adjustments work for Living Fund which would allow people with mental health issues, and back disabled people to stay in their own equal pay audits so that employers can homes and communities. be monitored and the disability pay gap addressed.

The above policy was outlined in the Mental Health policy document.

Photo: Garry Knight

Friends and fellow-travellers Shadow Cabinet “Assuming he wins the leadership, Jeremy Corbyn’s first [Parliamentary Labour Party] Despite flirting with the idea of restoring meeting will be anything but downbeat.” elections for choosing members of the Shadow Cabinet, which were scrapped in 2011, Mr That was the verdict of two former Labour Corbyn is now reported to prefer the notion of advisers, Declan McHugh and Will Sherlock, appointments. Whilst some of his opponents writing in the New Statesman shortly before might prefer this mechanism, Mr Corbyn will the result of the leadership election was now likely choose to appoint his top team. announced in September. The two men, who New Statesman Political Editor George Eaton have experience of working near the heart of commended his decision to retain the power of the party machine, argued that the struggle patronage in light of the reported hostility of within Mr Corbyn’s Labour Party would be the PLP against Mr Corbyn. over organisation, as opposed to ideas. Those offered a post by Mr Corbyn face a tricky Long-forgotten institutions of the Parliamentary situation. On the one hand they will be offered Labour Party would be utilised by Mr Corbyn’s an opportunity to ride the wave of popularity opponents against him from the Shadow that has swept Mr Corbyn to office. On the Cabinet to long-neglected internal policy other, some commentators like Dan Hodges, committees. With this in mind, the people and believe that being too closely associated with personalities surrounding the new Labour the Corbyn brand will damage the chances of leader will play a defining role in his tenure. those who might wish to succeed the Islington In this section we examine those who will be North MP. surrounding Mr Corbyn and assess who the most significant players are likely to be. In this section, we examine which key figures could be offered roles in a Corbyn frontbench team and whether any incumbents might find their principles flexible enough to maintain a seat in the Shadow Cabinet room. The table overleaf contains speculation over who might serve or might not serve in Corbyn’s top team.

Shadow Cabinet Position Incumbent Serve under JC? Speculation John McDonnell, Tom Watson, Richard Opposition Chief Whip Rosie Winterton No Burgon, Dennis Skinner, John Cryer

Shadow Attorney General Lord Bach Maybe

Jon Cruddas, Chi Onwurah, Richard Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna No Burgon Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Lucy Powell Maybe Cat Smith, Lisa Nandy

Shadow Cabinet Office Minister / Jon Trickett Yes Labour Deputy Chair

Shadow Care and Older People Liz Kendall No Minister Michael Meacher, John McDonnell, Angela Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Chris Leslie No Eagle, Owen Smith Shadow Chief Secretary to the Shabana Mahmood No Grahame Morris, Louise Haigh Treasury Diane Abbott, Sarah Champion, John Shadow Communities Secretary Emma Reynolds No McDonnell Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Chris Bryant Maybe Clive Lewis, Tom Watson Secretary

Shadow Defence Secretary Vernon Coaker No Clive Lewis, Gordon Marsden Shadow Deputy Prime Minister VACANT N/A Dennis Skinner Rushanara Ali, Ian Mearns, Lisa Nandy, Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt No Clive Lewis Shadow Energy and Climate Change Caroline Flint Yes Caroline Lucas, Jon Trickett, Ian Lavery Secretary

Shadow Environment, Food and Maria Eagle Maybe Michael Meacher, Dawn Butler Rural Affairs Secretary

Gerald Kaufman, Andy Burnham, Jon Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn Maybe Trickett, Tom Watson

Imran Hussain, Diane Abbott, Clive Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham Yes Efford, Rachael Maskell

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper No Andy Burnham, Jon Trickett, Diane Abbott

Shadow International Development Mary Creagh No Cat Smith Secretary

Shadow Justice Secretary Lord Falconer Maybe Richard Burgon, Sadiq Khan, Kate Osamor

Shadow Leader of the House of Angela Eagle Yes Cat Smith Commons

Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Ivan Lewis No Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray Yes Shadow Transport Secretary Michael Dugher Maybe John McDonnell, Rupa Huq Shadow Welsh Secretary Owen Smith Yes

Shadow Women and Equalities Gloria De Piero Maybe Minister

Shadow Work and Pensions Rachel Reeves No Dawn Butler, Clive Lewis, Diane Abbott Secretary

People Corbyn’s Supporters

PLP Supporters and was recently named to the Justice Select Committee and as a GMB representative on John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and the Trade Union Group Executive. Rumours link him with Shadow Justice or Shadow Chief Harlington Secretary to the Treasury. As chair of the Socialist Campaign Group and agent for Corbyn’s leadership campaign, Ronnie Campbell, MP for Blyth Valley McDonnell is expected to play a key role in The veteran backbencher recently declared Corbyn’s shadow cabinet. The man the Spectator that he “couldn’t be prouder” to back Jeremy calls “Corbyn’s closest political ally” is a Corbyn for leader, after initially nominating shoe-in for a senior Shadow Cabinet position - Andy Burnham. A former miner, Campbell possibly even Shadow Chancellor, considering has been a voice for the left from the Labour his previous role as Chair of Finance on Ken backbenches since 1987 and recently expressed Livingstone’s GLC. Ironically, however, it is his “disgust” at “careerist” Blairites within his ideological closeness to Corbyn which is in Labour for their actions during the leadership danger of costing him this position as well – a contest. more moderate, ‘soft left’ figure, such asAngela Eagle, may be preferred in order to heal rifts in the Labour Party opened up by the leadership Kelvin Hopkins, MP for Luton North contest. A frequent warm-up act at Corbyn rallies, the veteran Luton North backbencher has Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and not been overtly linked with any shadow cabinet positions but is closely aligned to Stoke Newington Corbyn ideologically. Along with McDonnell, Corbyn picked up the mantle of ‘hard-left’ Abbott, Meacher et al., Hopkins was a co- candidate from Abbott’s failed 2010 leadership signatory with Corbyn of the Labour Left letter campaign, when the Hackney MP finished in calling for a stronger anti-austerity stance in last place. Her campaign for Mayor of London Labour’s election campaign. He is an ASLEF drew the ire of Corbyn’s campaign team representative on the Trade Union Group when she claimed his endorsement without Executive. authorisation. Despite this gaffe, Corbyn and Abbott remain, in the words of Labourlist.org, Imran Hussain, MP for Bradford East “close, both personally and politically” and she Corbyn’s anti-Iraq War, pro-austerity stance is a strong candidate to take a leading role in has won him the vocal backing of Hussain. the new Shadow Cabinet. Abbott has previously Together with other Corbyn supporters such served as Shadow Public Health Minister. as Clive Lewis and Kate Osamor, he was one of a number of 2015-intake signatories to a Richard Burgon, MP for Leeds East letter to the Guardian arguing that Labour One of Corbyn’s key supporters, Burgon has needed “a new leader who looks forward publicly backed his anti-austerity agenda and and will challenge an agenda of cuts, take on challenge to the “economic consensus”. Heavily big business and will set out an alternative to linked with a place in Corbyn’s Shadow austerity – not one which will draw back to the Cabinet, Burgon was elected to the Commons New Labour creed of the past”. in May after a career as a trade union lawyer

Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South Grahame Morris, MP for Easington Former VP of the NUS, BBC journalist and Morris is the Chair of Labour Left and Labour army reservist and a self-proclaimed socialist, Friends of Palestine and the Middle East. He new intake MP Clive Lewis is quoted in is also an outspoken opponent of railway Corbyn’s leadership manifesto in support of his privatisation and member of the Commons policy for a National Education Service. Lewis RMT group, and was a co-signatory to the will likely feature in Corbyn’s Shadow Cabinet Labour Left letter calling for a rejection of in some form, possibly with an education brief, austerity and renationalisation of the railways. or perhaps in defence or culture, as befits his Unsurprisingly considering their close background. policy alignment, Morris has backed Corbyn throughout the contest. Elected in 2010, his Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP for Salford and background as a former medical lab officer and Eccles member of the Health Select Committee may Another self-proclaimed socialist and staunch suggest him for a frontbench health role. Corbyn supporter, Long-Bailey has been tipped for a future front bench role since Kate Osamor, MP for Edmonton succeeding Hazel Blears in her Salford and Newly-elected MP for Edmonton, Osamor was Eccles seat earlier this year. Prior to her election one of 48 MPs to defy the Party whip and vote to Parliament, she worked for 10 years as an “No” to the Government’s Welfare Reform and NHS solicitor and she now serves as a BFAWU Work Bill. Aligned with Corbyn on the hard left representative on the Trade Union Group of the Party, Osamor has argued that she would Executive. redirect funds from the renewal of the Trident missile system into abolishing tuition fees and Michael Meacher, MP for Oldham West and building new homes. Royton As one of Labour’s main anti-austerity voices, Dennis Skinner, MP for Bolsover veteran MP Meacher is closely aligned with Veteran leftist Skinner was an unsurprising Corbyn on economic policy. He believes in name on Corbyn’s nomination forms. Fiercely “sweeping away the Right-wing ideology pro-trade union and anti-establishment, Skinner of financial de-regulation and market is unlikely to end his days on the backbenches, fundamentalism”; speculation in some quarters though the Telegraph have suggested that he has him as a potential shadow chancellor, a would be a popular choice for Chief Whip. move which would certainly set Corbyn at odds with big business from day one. Cat Smith MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood Former Corbyn staffer Smith was always likely Catherine West, MP for Hornsey and Wood to support his leadership bid. Previously a Green campaigns and policy officer for the British As leader of Islington council between 2010- Association of Social Workers, Smith is well 2013, new intake MP Catherine West worked placed for a key role under Corbyn, perhaps closely with local MP Corbyn prior to her with a social care brief. election to the Commons. She has described Corbyn as a voice of reason on intervention in Syria and shares the same anti-Trident position.

Jon Trickett, MP for Hemsworth Left-winger Trickett nominated Corbyn out Carmel Nolan, Head of Press of ideological motivation. Having served as Corbyn’s communications director is a Shadow Cabinet Office Minister and Shadow key figure in the Stop the War coalition. A Minister without Portfolio, he is one of few Liverpool-born former radio journalist, Nolan is Corbyn supporters with serious Shadow experienced at dealing with the press. Cabinet experience, making him a standout option for a front bench position. Richard Murphy, Economist Credited as the author of “Corbynomics”, Clive Efford, MP for Eltham the idea of a “People’s Quantitative Easing” Chair of the left-wing Tribune group, Efford was originally Murphy’s. This flagship policy signed Corbyn’s nominations but has been advocates the Bank of England printing money quiet since. As current Shadow Sport and to invest in infrastructure and local services. Tourism Minister, Efford has a good chance As director of Tax Research LLP, Murphy also of sliding back into a similar role under the advocates a clampdown on international tax Islington North MP. As a former Cabbie, he is avoidance. He was recently appointed Professor also interested in transport issues. of Practice in International Political Economy at City University, London to teach a course on Key figures beyond the PLP “economics in the real world”.

Simon Fletcher, Leadership Campaign PLP Signatories who will be voting for Director another candidate Strongly tipped as Corbyn’s new Chief of Staff, a role he performed for Ken Livingstone Sadiq Khan, MP for Tooting and Labour for eight years, Fletcher has been involved London Mayoral Candidate with the left wing of the Labour Party since Whilst confirming from the outset that Corbyn working for Tony Benn in the 1990s. Credited would not receive his vote, Khan’s mayoral with pushing for Crossrail and the congestion campaign received a significant boost from charge, Fletcher also worked as Ed Miliband’s those signing up to vote for Corbyn. Trade Union Liaison Officerand worked closely on renegotiating Labour’s Union links after the Falkirk controversy.

Kat Fletcher, Head of Strategy Fletcher is the Deputy Mayor of Islington Council and has worked closely with local MP Corbyn since being elected to the Council in 2013, serving as his agent for May’s Parliamentary elections. In charge of organising Corbyn’s 5,000 strong volunteer army, she performed a similar role in Ed Miliband’s successful 2010 campaign. Prior to her arrival on the Islington political scene, she was President of the NUS between 2004-6. In the post, she criticised Blair’s Government on the issue of tuition fees –Corbyn’s education policy reflects her desire for free tuition and increased student grants. © DeHavilland Information Services Ltd 2015 www.dehavilland.co.uk 23 DeHavilland Briefing

Rushanara Ali, MP for Bethnal Green and Huw Irranca-Davies, MP for Ogmore Bow Another MP who nominated Corbyn despite George Galloway’s vanquisher in 2010, Ali not wanting him to win from the outset. backed Yvette Cooper in the leadership election. Speculation continues to link her with a David Lammy, MP for Tottenham Shadow Cabinet role. Following his decision to nominate Diane Abbott as the far-left candidate in 2010, mayoral Margaret Beckett, MP for Derby South hopeful Lammy nominated Corbyn despite Of all the MPs who nominated Corbyn, none never intending to vote for him. expressed regret quite so stridently as former Foreign Secretary Beckett, who branded herself Gordon Marsden, MP for Blackpool South a “moron” for doing so. Supported Andy Provided the vital 35th nomination to Corbyn Burnham. with 5 minutes to spare, but was a Cooper supporter from the outset. Frank Field, MP for Birkenhead Despite his desire to move away from Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Upon Tyne “Blairism”, Field does not believe that Labour Central could win an election under Corbyn’s radical Declared for Andy Burnham in August, anti-austerity agenda. highlighting Corbyn’s desire to leave NATO and renationalise utilities as policies which she Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham could not support. Attempted to remain neutral After weeks of indecision, Champion confirmed by criticising the “gang” tactics on different in early September she would support Yvette wings of the Party during the campaign. Cooper due to her comments on equality in the final leaders’ debate. Tulip Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Kilburn Siddiq backed Andy Burnham, and has ruled Jo Cox, MP for Batley and Spen out serving in a Shadow Cabinet for any of the Cox said from the outset that she “won’t vote candidates. for him”. Andrew Smith, MP for Oxford East Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old The 36th and final MP to nominate Corbyn, Southwark handing in his signature a minute before the Voted for Yvette Cooper in order to preserve clock struck 12, Smith nonetheless backed Labour’s electability. Yvette Cooper.

Jon Cruddas, MP for Dagenham Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West Worries that Corbyn would turn Labour into a One of the few Corbyn signatories to vote for “Trotskyist tribute act”. Liz Kendall.

Louise Haigh, MP for Sheffield, Heeley Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South Despite nominating Corbyn, always planned to and Finsbury back Andy Burnham in the final vote. Member of Parliament for the seat bordering Corbyn’s Islington North constituency, Rupa Huq, MP for Ealing Central and Acton Thornberry voted for Cooper. New Labour MP Huq has come out in support of Cooper.