Comment on This

Cities of London and Westminster CLP

We believe Labour's role in modern society is to work through government, civic society and local communities for a more equal distribution of income, power, wealth, resources and voice, starting with the way in which we run our own affairs in the Labour Party as an example for the country and the world as a whole.

We believe that an important contribution to achieving this shift will be a determined drive to invest in preventative healthcare as well treatment of sickness, in fulfilling older years as well as care, in supporting vulnerable groups and alienated young people as well as a fair and swift system of criminal justice, in strengthening the rights of the disadvantaged and marginalized – in short an investment in prevention as well as cure so as to create a sustainable economic future for society and deliver real equality of opportunity for all. (link)

Add, page 3, line 9, at end of line: “We shall then increase our commitment to 1% of Gross National Income.”

Supporting Argument: This would increase aid above the UN target of 0.7% (link)

Cities of London and Westminster CLP

add:

“We shall then increase our commitment to 1% of Gross National Income.” (link)

Needs something about not enticing health workers to come and work in the NHS. Not easy to accomplish. perhaps something about enabling people to work here for a spell and then go back? (link)

When working witha the private sector to encourage their productive engagement on development issues they should also 'ensure that a system of minimum wage deals be enforced' - this is from Weston-super-Mare CLP (link)

Whilst pressing for open, effective and fair markets these actions should be underlined by 'ensuring that child labour is abolished throughout the world'. From Weston-super-Mare CLP (link)

Whilst helping to build stability and the rule of law in areas of the World that would otherwise shelter terrorism 'particular attention should be directed at the perceived causes of radicalism with a view to counteracting such causes through dialogue and aid' submitted by Weston CLP (link)

Add, page 16 at end of line 11: “We welcome the work of former President Jimmy Carter to bring Hamas into the peace process on this basis, which we believe is necessary in order to end the human tragedy now taking place in Gaza and achieve a comprehensive peace settlement before Palestinian confidence in a two-state solution slips away. We recognise the opinion of the International Court of Justice (on 9 July 2004) that any annexation of territory (which includes de facto annexation through the construction of the Israeli Wall) in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) is contrary to international law, as is the existence of Israeli settlements in those territories and we accept the UK’s obligations to ensure compliance by Israel with international humanitarian law.”

Supporting Argument: Borders, settlements and the status of Jerusalem are the key “final settlement” issues. The International Court’s almost unanimous opinion is an irrefutable basis for opposing continuing occupation and the construction of settlements by Israel. Hamas formed the democratically elected government of Palestine after the last election and its exclusion from the peace process can only ensure the opposition of a substantial number of Palestinians. (link)

Whilst supporting progress through development initiatives 'we will pursue a world-wide agreement to prevent the growth of drug production by encouraging the growth and the purchasing of sustainable edible material to alleviate the world shortage of food'. Submitted by Weston CLP (link)

The presence of our troops in Iraq is illegal. (link)

The governmnent of Iraq is barely democratically elected. As always in the Middle East, we interfere in the democratic process because we will not tolerate Arab democracies in case the outcome is not to our satisfaction. I was an election monitor in Iraq. I am fully aware that the Ninevah recount was falsified in order to allow the current rather inadequate but Western sp[onsored constitution to be put in place.

Other attempts at democracy have ALWAYS been subverted by the West. Palestine has a Hamas government but we have subverted all attemots to allow it to govern thus radicalising - or at least contributing to the radicalisation of - much of the Middle East.

Democracy in Sudan was sold down the river in pursuit of a cherry picking and flawed paece process in the past few years (BY THE UK)

Similarly go back a few years and you have the failed attempt at democracy in Algeria also subverted by the West.

We will in no circumstances ever allow - and have never tolerated - Arab democracy. The outcome does not suit our desire to have hegemony in the region whatever the cost to its people. (link)

Add, page 16 at end of line 11: “We welcome the work of former President Jimmy Carter to bring Hamas into the peace process on this basis, which we believe is necessary in order to end the human tragedy now taking place in Gaza and achieve a comprehensive peace settlement before Palestinian confidence in a two-state solution slips away. We recognise the opinion of the International Court of Justice (on 9 July 2004) that any annexation of territory (which includes de facto annexation through the construction of the Israeli Wall) in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) is contrary to international law, as is the existence of Israeli settlements in those territories and we accept the UK’s obligations to ensure compliance by Israel with international humanitarian law.” Supporting Argument: Borders, settlements and the status of Jerusalem are the key “final settlement” issues. The International Court’s almost unanimous opinion is an irrefutable basis for opposing continuing occupation and the construction of settlements by Israel. Hamas formed the democratically elected government of Palestine after the last election and its exclusion from the peace process can only ensure the opposition of a substantial number of Palestinians. (link)

Delete from Page 16, line 30, from “In Afghanistan … international community” page 17, line 3 and Add: “We recognise that the continued presence of British troops is counter-productive, contributing to the increasing spiral of violence. We shall therefore shortly begin a phased, total withdrawal of British troops and focus our assistance on non-military support for the Afghan government.” (link)

Latin America Add, Page 17, line 5, new section headed “Latin America”: “We welcome the recent elections of governments in Latin America, such as those in Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia, that are committed to a more equitable distribution of wealth and power. We shall do our best to show solidarity and support to them. We recognise the progress that is being made by the democratically-elected government of Venezuela in expanding the provision of education, healthcare, housing, land, food and micro-credit facilities for those previously marginalised and excluded from economic and political opportunities in the country. We note that these important policy initiatives are an important step in reducing the searing inequalities that characterise Venezuelan society; further note that the social policies of the Venezuelan government enhance the country's prospects of meeting its millennium development goals; and we call upon the UK Government to acknowledge the benefits of the Venezuelan social development model for other developing countries, to support the democratically-elected administration of President Hugo Chavez in the face of unconstitutional and illegal threats from both internal and external opponents and to work to strengthen the ties between the UK and Venezuela.” Add, Page 17, line 5, new section headed “Latin America”: “We note with concern that right-wing forces in the Santa Cruz department of Bolivia held a referendum on regional autonomy on 4th May and believe that the aim of the referendum was to undermine the democratically-elected government of Evo Morales, the first ever indigenous leader of Bolivia, whose aim is to create a more just and inclusive society for all Bolivians including the previously marginalised indigenous majority of that country. We shall do our best to show solidarity and support to the Morales government.” Add, Page 17, line 5, new section headed “Latin America”: “We note with concern the continuing human rights crisis in Colombia that includes the assassinations of dozens of Colombian trade unionists every year (39 in 2007); further note that the vast majority of abuses are carried out by paramilitary groups that have documented links to the Colombian state security forces. We call on the Colombian Government fully to implement UN human rights recommendations in line with the policies of Colombian and international human rights organisations such as the TUC-backed Justice for Colombia coalition and we call on the UK Government to freeze military aid to Colombia.” Add, Page 17, line 5, new section headed “Latin America”: “We welcome the recent efforts of the European Union to create the conditions for the re-establishment of a constructive dialogue with the government of Cuba, and we applauds the recent positive role played by the UK Government in moving towards efforts to normalise relations with Cuba. We call on the Government to strengthen and defend British business interests with Cuba and ensure that companies and individuals are not penalised in any way by US extra-territorial legislation that attempts to obstruct trade with the island. We believe the Government should build upon existing Anglo-Cuban efforts to combat drug trafficking and trans-national criminal activities in the region as a welcome example of successful bilateral co-operation; and further calls on the Government to continue to support and promote this work in the EU. We note with concern that the US Government continues to adapt a hostile attitude to Cuba and call for an end to the US trade blockade of Cuba.” (link)

Add, page 17, line 42, at end of line: “We unreservedly condemn the use of extraordinary rendition flights by any country and will support an independent inquiry into the allegation that UK airports have been used by such flights. We furthermore call for the immediate closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. We shall also oppose the use of any evidence obtained with the use of torture in UK courts.” (link)

Add, page 18, line 22 at end: “We will end the use of so-called ‘smart’ cluster munitions currently in use by British forces namely those used in M85 artillery and M73 rockets.” Supporting Argument: Israeli-manufactured M85 artillery shells were used by British troops in Basra during the Iraq invasion and M73 rockets are fired from British Apache helicopters and Harrier jets. M73s were used by Israel in Southern Lebanon last year, causing heavy civilian casualties. (link)

Delete from Page 18, line 29 “We are committed” to end of line 43 “the safety of its citizens” and Add: “Article 6 of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty demands that the present nuclear weapon powers should pursue global nuclear disarmament. Labour believes that Britain should therefore support the draft nuclear weapons convention lodged with the United Nations, designed to ban all nuclear weapons, and that Britain should mount a series of diplomatic initiatives for global nuclear disarmament. We are opposed to nuclear weapons proliferation and therefore the Trident nuclear weapons system will not be replaced. Labour believes the United States Missile Defence system further undermines non-proliferation efforts and represents a major threat to global security. Labour opposes the extension of this system to Poland and the Czech Republic and will rescind its permission to use bases in Britain for this purpose.” (link)

As well as leading the way on nuclear weapons control ... 'we realise that this can be more effectively achieved by not purchasing the Trident delivery system' submitted by Weston CLP (link)

It is not clear if the £7.7 billion increase mentioned is annual or over a number of years.

We should say something like "We do not at present face a threat of traditional inter-state conflict but have to deal with new global security challenges, so we shall de-emphasise high-technology limited function equipment purchases such as the Typhoon (Eurofighter) and Type 45 air-defence destroyers, and emphasise cheaper and more flexible equipment purchases, such as helicopters, UAVs, land vehicles and inshore vessels." (link)

If this is a policy document, it is rather weak simply saying we will publish another policy outline: "We will publish a cross government Command Paper outlining ..." (link)

after ... support of our forces and families.. 'by ensuring that their pensions are calculated by the yearly rate of inflation + 4%' submitted by Weston CLP (link)

We will also work to ensure successful integration into local communities.. 'and undertake to ensure that the false statements that appear regularly in the media are rebutted by an independent agency'. submitted by Weston CLP (link)

Cities of London and Westminster CLP add at the beginning of this section:

We reaffirm our commitment to keep Britain at the heart of Europe including the principle of joining the single currency, and continue to make the case for the benefits of membership. We recognise that we will be more effective in making the case for further European reform by working closely with our partners and that economic conditions have changed markedly since the Euro economic tests were assessed in 2003 especially with recent commodity and financial turbulence. Therefore, we will re-assess the convergence criteria. (link)