“Blockade” against the Starmer government’s measure by members of the British Labour Party during the party conference.
In particular, Labour members voted to restore the heating allowance for millions of pensioners, a measure the government has decided to abandon.
This is the first conference held by the Labour Party since taking office.
Does he commit Starmer?
The result of the vote, although not binding on the government, remains sensitive for Keir Starmer, who has promised not to pursue a policy of austerity.
The new government has decided that these benefits, paid in winter, will now go only to the poorest pensioners. It justified its decision by citing budgetary constraints, but it has drawn criticism from unions and the opposition, who have accused it of impoverishing the elderly as winter approaches.
Speaking yesterday, Tuesday, in Liverpool, Keir Starmer said he would take this “unpopular” decision.
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Proposal from two unions
On the occasion of the labor conference, during which members can express their opinion on the positions proposed by the party, two unions presented a proposal – of only symbolic scope – calling for its restoration.
It was originally due to be debated on Monday but its consideration was postponed by the party leadership until today, the last day of the conference, by which time many members had already walked out, angering supporters including the Unite trade union.
Just before the vote, MPs gathered to chant ‘Save the heating subsidy’ near the Unite counter. “People don’t understand (…) how our new Labour government can scrap the heating subsidy “This is not what the people voted for. This is the worst decision and it must be cancelled,” said Sharon Graham, the union’s general secretary, in the platform.
The result of the vote, which was done by a show of hands, drew applause in the large conference room.
A government spokesman confirmed after the consultation that the government “will take difficult decisions”, saying it was elected on a programme of “respect for fiscal rules and economic growth”.
Sources: AMPE, AFP, Reuters