Ed Miliband calls for action (but not much)

Submitted by Matthew on 23 November, 2011 - 9:25

Ed Miliband has called for a Labour Party “day of action” to protest against youth unemployment on 26 November.

That’s good, but the positive content of the day of action is weak: a “five point plan” including such things as “a one year cut in VAT to 5% on home improvements”, which are obviously not on the scale required to make decent jobs for one million young unemployed people.

And so far Ed Miliband is silent about 30 November. At other levels the Labour Party machine is edging towards support for the strike. A number of Labour councils and constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) have declared support; Labour members of the Scottish parliament and Welsh Assembly have pledged not to cross picket lines.

TULO, the umbrella group for trade unions affiliated to the Labour Party, which usually limits itself to backroom stuff, has written to CLPs asking them to support 30 November.

Will Ed Miliband support the strike? Will the Labour Party open a democratic discussion — in place of Liam Byrne’s “policy review”, which does not even involve Labour’s not-very-democratic National Policy Forum - on a proper workers’ plan for the crisis?

Will Miliband and Ed Balls commit themselves to reversing the Tory/ Lib-Dem cuts?

This website uses cookies, you can find out more and set your preferences here.
By continuing to use this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.