Clause IV
The Labour Students / Young Labour BIG Campaign will be rolling into Keighley this Saturday. There’ll be some training for anyone who’s not been involved in this kind of campaigning before, and - best of all - food!
You can find all the details over on Facebook or drop me an email: chris@yhyl.org.uk.
Two years ago, I wrote to young Labour Party members and invited you to Hull to discuss a simple question: how could we, together, make our Party more attractive and accessible to young people? In essence: what was next for Young Labour?
Since then we’ve made some real progress: we have new Young Labour groups in York and West Yorkshire. We have directly elected our regional rep to the Young Labour National Committee. We have held and supported major events to talk politics with more young people. We have campaigned in all weather, in virtually every part of the region, and held a first training event. And as a result, we have recruited new members and helped young members to be heard. I want to thank all of you who have helped to make it happen.
But as we move into a General Election, the involvement of young people in politics will once again be scrutinised. Turnout amongst first time voters fell to an all-time low at the last General Election – we cannot let that happen again in 2010, as we fight for that fourth term Labour victory.
At February’s regional Labour Party conference, my term as regional board rep will come to an end. But the need to engage young people in politics will be as great as ever.
So on Saturday December 5th, you are invited to join me, Young Labour National Committee rep Joe Riches, and Selby MP John Grogan, as we plan for the year ahead. Bring your ideas and your concerns, get stuck in or just listen to what is said. Got an idea for involving more young people? Want to make the difference? We want to hear from you.
We’ll be at the Priory Street Centre, York from 1:30pm.
Chris
In August you helped us to call on David Cameron to reject the words of one of his own MEPs. East Midlands MEP Roger Helmer had declared that homophobia does not exist. Hundreds of local people made their protest by signing our petition, and yesterday David Cameron’s office responded.
The letter, sent on behalf of the Tory Leader, says that; “David Cameron is deeply opposed to homophobia in all its forms.” It adds that Roger Helmer’s comments were made “in an entirely personal capacity” and that “over the past four years we have worked hard to change the way the Conservative Party thinks about and represents our diverse society”.Along with his letter, Mr Cameron’s office enclose a speech he gave to a Gay Pride event in June this year, in which he says; “We need to change people’s attitudes… There is no easy way of doing it – but it’s those who shape our culture who have got to take responsibility… …convey the right message and set the right signals”.
You can download his response in full here.
But as we all know, actions speak louder than words. So, whilst David Cameron is talking the right talk, here are our three questions about why he still can’t walk the walk:
- Since as you say politicians must set the right tone, why won’t you discipline Roger Helmer, your own Tory MEP, for his insulting words about homophobia?
- If you cannot stamp out homophobia in the hearts of the Tory Party, and your party has repeatedly voted against equal rights for members of the LGBT community, how could you possibly stamp out homophobia in our country?
- Why have you aligned your Members of the European Parliament with such dubious Eastern European MEPs, forcing leading gay figures in public life to speak out this week?
Nice try, Dave. But the questions remain unanswered.
Tory Euro-MP Roger Helmer said last month:
“I have yet to meet anyone who has an irrational fear of homosexuals, or of homosexuality. So to the extent that the word has any meaning at all, it describes something which simply does not exist. “Homophobia” is merely a propaganda device designed to denigrate and stigmatise those holding conventional opinions…”
Mr Helmer’s comments drew a sharp response from the Labour MEP and life-long gay rights activist, the former Eastenders actor Michael Cashman. You can read what he had to say here.
It’s a shame that neither Mr Helmer, nor any of his Conservative colleagues came with us to enjoy the Doncaster Pride event at the weekend. Time and again we met people who had experienced homophobia and homophobic discrimination first-hand. Hundreds of people signed our petition to send David Cameron a message: his MEP colleague is wrong. Homophobia is real. His comments are insulting to the LGBT community. Mr Cameron should send a clear message that Mr Helmer’s views have no place in mainstream politics in our country.
But before we put the signed petitions in the post to see how David Cameron defends his MEP, we want to make sure that as many people who want to have the chance to add their signature. So we’re asking for your help. You can download the petition by clicking here, print it off, and ask your friends and family to sign up.
Make a statement: homophobia is real. It needs to be tackled, not ignored.
On last thing. In case you’re wondering what the Labour government has done to end discrimination against the LGBT community, and to make Britain fairer for everyone, regardless of their sexuality, you might want to take a look at this information provided by LGBT Labour.
Young members from across the country will get togther in Gillingham on April 16th. On this day, delegates will be able to elect the Young Labour representative to the National Executive Committee, the Chair of the Young Labour National Committee, our region rep to that committee, and the equlities officers to the committee also.
A visitors pass is £15, and members should have received the paperwork directly through the post. If you wish to attend as a delegate with voting rights, and have not yet sorted out the paperwork, please drop me a line.
Chris
Young Labour members joined a trip to the European Parliament in Brussels this week - you can watch the video above to find out what they got up to.
Elections to the European Parliament will take place on June 4th - can you help us to keep our excellent Labour MEPs, Linda McAvan and Richard Corbett, and help us to also get Emma Hoddinott elected? If so, check out their Facebook page and get in touch with the campaign.
Come and join us to celebrate as change comes to America with the inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20th. Watch what will be an historic inauguration address, and enjoy live music and food and drink in good company.
We’ll be at the Parish pub, Kirkgate in central Huddersfield from 7pm.
For more information contact Hugh Gouldbourne at hugh@communityenergy.info.
Thank you to all the people who came along to Sheffield tonight and made the event with John Precott such a great success. Some of the pictures are on our Flickr page so you can see them to the right of this post, but to see the full set you’ll need to join our Facebook page.
If you’re in one of the pictures and want to request a hi-res copy, please comment on it in Facebook and send me an email to chris@yhyh.org.uk so I know which one you’re after.
All the best,
Chris
