Is Keir Starmer’s plan to help workers the start of a new era – or no big deal? | Andy Beckett
Labour’s promises to ‘make work pay’ are short on detail, but delegates at the TUC conference were starting to believe
For 45 years, ever since Margaret Thatcher was first elected, Britons have had to get used to the idea that trade unions and workers’ rights are weakening. Changes in the economy and technology, in the mindset of employers and employees, and above all in government policy have left unions and workers in a weaker position here than in most wealthy democracies. The consequences of this relentless removal of power from the majority can be seen in this country’s precarious working culture and often low wages – a status quo around which rightwing politicians, thinktanks, journalists and business interests have erected great walls of justifying arguments and rhetoric.
So the notion that this seemingly permanent shift might be reversed, through Keir Starmer’s ambitiously named “new deal for working people”, can at first be quite hard to absorb. At the TUC congress in Brighton this week, the first prime minister to address the gathering for 15 years promised “the biggest levelling up of workers’ rights in a generation”, to enthusiastic applause. Yet there were also large empty spaces in the main hall, and in the foyers where unions had exhibition stalls, which made the labour movement’s diminished state impossible to ignore.
Continue reading...Date: |
Topics
-
Yahoo Sports - Sports
Travis Hunter for Heisman, Georgia ranked too high and is Orji starting for Michigan a big deal or not?
Caroline Fenton, Jason Fitz & Adam Breneman talk Travis Hunter’s Heisman odds, concern for Georgia’s offense and Michigan’s new starting QB and pick whether each is a big deal or not so much.37 minutes ago -
The Guardian - World
Keir Starmer suggests he will continue accepting donors’ gifts
PM rejects claims he breached rules as he defends system of MPs declaring donations. Keir Starmer has suggested he will continue to accept gifts from the Labour peer Lord Alli, as he rejected ...22 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
Diane Abbott accuses Keir Starmer of treating her like a ‘non-person’
Veteran MP says she expected more support from Labour after comments by Tory donor that she ‘should be shot’. Diane Abbott has accused Keir Starmer of treating her as a “non-person” after comments ...17 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
Andy Harris elected as new Freedom Caucus chair
Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) was elected Tuesday night as the new chair of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, three members told The Hill, officially replacing Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) after he lost ...3 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
If Keir Starmer wants to be braver than Tony Blair, this is how: ignore the neanderthal right on crime | Polly Toynbee
The rate of violent offences is plummeting but a hoodwinked public still believes it is rising. Labour needs to be humane and courageous . Of all the landmines planted by the last government, ...22 hours ago -
GameSpot - Tech
Prime Big Deal Days Returns In October, And Early Deals Are Available Now
Amazon announced its next big 48-hour sale, Prime Big Deal Days , will take place October 8 and 9. The event is essentially Prime Day round two, giving Prime members a chance to grabs tons of ...5 hours ago -
The New York Times - Top stories
Our Reporter on Trump and a New Era of Political Violence
The latest apparent assassination attempt against Donald J. Trump indicates how much the American political landscape has been shaped by anger stirred by Mr. Trump and against him. Peter Baker, ...15 hours ago - Donald Trump -
ABC News - Sports
Panthers QB carousel keeps on spinning as 36-year-old Andy Dalton gets set to start vs. Raiders
The Carolina Panthers had hoped that Bryce Young would put an end to their ever-churning quarterback carousel when they selected him No. 1 overall last year13 hours ago - NFL -
CBS News - Top stories
Dip into big savings with the best hot tub deals for fall 2024
From budget-friendly options to luxury spas, we've found the best hot tubs at unbeatable prices for 2024.8 hours ago
More from The Guardian
-
The Guardian - World
Hezbollah vows retaliation after exploding pagers kill at least nine and hurt almost 3,000
Israel yet to make statement about detonations across Lebanon that killed a 10-year-old girl and left 400 in a reported critical condition. What we know about the Hezbollah pager explosions ...7 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail in sex trafficking and racketeering charges
Attorneys for music mogul request home detention, travel restrictions and $50m bond in Manhattan court. A timeline of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ allegations and charges Sean “Diddy” Combs was ...6 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
Russia propaganda group behind fake Kamala Harris hit-and-run story, says Microsoft
Microsoft researchers found that the group created a video, paid an actor to appear as the alleged victim, and spread the claim through a fake website. A false claim circulating on social media ...2 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
Mother of Michaela DePrince dies a day after ballerina’s death
Elaine DePrince, 77, died of unrelated illness less than 24 hours after trailblazing ballerina’s death aged 29. The adoptive mother of ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince , who died suddenly at ...7 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
First picture of wreckage of Titan sub after implosion revealed at hearing
Image shows broken tail cone on floor of Atlantic in hearing into deaths of five people onboard OceanGate vessel. The first picture of the Titan submersible following its deadly June 2023 ...11 hours ago