“A real workable alternative”

Unite assistant general secretary Diana Holland in her capacity as Labour Party NEC member, spoke last week (September 29) at the Labour Party conference, moving an NEC statement and a commission report on rail.

She noted that the main issue raised by submissions to the policy commission was railways, including the failure of rail privatisation, the broken franchising system, excessive private profits at huge public cost, and the need for public ownership.

“So what was done?” Diana asked.

“There were clear commitments in the manifesto and our NEC statement today builds on these firm foundations.

“In Parliament, Labour opposed the privatisation of East Coast Mainline – a fine example of a successful public sector operation which returned one billion pounds to the public purse,” she said.

“And we will oppose any threat to break up or privatise network rail,” Diana added.

But she argued that all this was not just about opposition.

“We have a real workable alternative – our report calls for safe, efficient, affordable, integrated transport with fair and equal access for everyone,” she noted, emphasising truly accessible transport for all disabled passengers.

Diana told Conference that their transport policy includes a re-regulated bus system and “a clear view that buses need to be a higher priority, alongside cycling and walking”.

Speaking on other issues relating to sustainability and living standards, Diana emphasised the continued commitment to freeze energy bills and to intervene in a “broken energy market”.

Energy efficiency

 
She highlighted the necessity of improving energy efficiency through interest free loans to low-income households, which, she said, is not just about protecting our environment.

“It also means homes are warmer, it saves money, and it is vital to ending the scandal of fuel poverty,” Diana said.

She also noted that the public control of the “essentials of life” – including water and forests – was called for across submissions.

Diana condemned the way in which the Tory government has seriously let down rural communities, including on household energy, rural transport, and broadband.

She called the “money taken out of rural hands and communities through the abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board” a “shameful and vindictive act”.

“None of these issues have been resolved,” she added. “The culling of badgers continues and the Tories are now threatening to bring back hunting with dogs.”

Turning to climate change, Diana noted that they will be preparing for discussions in Paris, where they will highlight the issue of air quality that was raised following the Volkswagen scandal.

She concluded by noting the importance of inclusive policy development and communicating positive Labour policies to voters effectively.

“In the spirit of opening up our policy development, please take part – send in your thoughts and ideas,” she said.