BILLY HAYES SPEECH TO COMPASS CONFERENCE – OPENING SESSION

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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It is unusual for Compass to debate around an apparently negative theme such as “No Turning Back.”

It is unusual for Compass to debate around an apparently negative theme such as “No Turning Back.”

These are unusual times. If we first agree to the failure of neo-liberalism, then at least we have an initial platform for progress.

We are in the worst global economic situation since the Second World War.


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Public support for the Labour Government initially rose as it became clear that state intervention was necessary because of general market failure.

But instead of using public money to nationalise the banks – huge sums have been used to bail them out.

Had the banks been nationalised, then they could have been directed to ensure investment continued. Instead they have used public money to rebuild their market position without increasing the levels of lending.
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We have a huge bill – yet no control over the banks.

Compare this to the problem many workers face in the recession. The Financial Times produced the results of a survey last week for the “Keep Britain Working” campaign. This showed that:

“over the past nine months, 27% of UK workers have had their pay cut, 24% have had their hours reduced and 24% have lost benefits.”
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The survey showed that 37% had experienced one of these changes.

In addition, there are a growing number of workers who have lost their jobs altogether. The suggestion is that we could see over 3 million unemployed by the end of the year.

Is it any wonder then that there is such public fury over the MPs expenses scandal?

And the current shock comes against the backdrop of a longer term growth of inequality in income.
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Since 1997, the top 10% of the income distribution have experienced faster growth in disposable income than the rest of the population.

The top 1% experienced still faster growth.
And the top 0.1% experienced the fastest growth of all.

This is a result of a policy of being “intensely relaxed” about the wealthy becoming wealthier.

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Where the Government changes course, then it is becoming more popular. The new top rate of tax is a step towards a more progressive tax system.

Ignore the squeals of the greedy – this is seen by the majority as fairer.

There are obvious problems which the Government is just tinkering with.

The Local Government Association says that 5 million people will be on the Council House waiting list by 2010.
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The building industry is collapsing. Houses are not being built. There is an obvious case for Government intervention here. The Government must consider nationalising sections of the building industry.

Councils have got to be given the green light, and finances, to build again.

Unless such moves are made, we will face both a shortage of housing and a renewed bubble in house prices.

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The Tories will create a racket about any further spending commitments from Government.

But the Tories also know how unpopular public spending cuts will be.

Look at Cameron’s embarrassment about Andrew Lansley’s gaff over the 10% reduction in education and health budgets.

And the Government can show some balance by cutting areas of real waste.

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The most obvious of these is the £75 billion due to be spent on buying and servicing the Trident replacement system.

This is a system dependent on US Armed Forces logistics. Nor can we sensibly envisage using such a terrible weapon of mass destruction.

On a lower scale, we need to withdraw from attempts to win the unwinnable war in Afghanistan.


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This war has gone on for longer now than the Second World War. The cost for the UK is rising too from £738 million in 2006-07 to £2.3 billion in 2008-09.

All the attempts to make this war popular, cannot avoid the fact that Afghan’s biggest product remains opium. Nor can we hide the fact that endless warfare is preventing any positive social development in Afghanistan.

The main point has to be a shift in priorities and resources in order to revive the economy.

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This is the most fundamental issue facing the county, and for the voting intentions of the electorate.

I think it is vital that the Government concentrates strongly on the economy, in helping those suffering in the recession.

Before finishing, I just want to say a few words about the Euro election results.

It is evident that Labour voters abstained as much as voted for other parties.
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There is some comfort here. Effective action on the economy can create a revival even if time is short.

But we must all take seriously the election of BNP MEPs.

Before the election, the analysis of Unite Against Fascism, was that the BNP would win seats if they held their 2004 vote with the turnout reverting to 1999 levels. That is broadly what happened.

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At the heart of BNP support is not a protest but racism. It may be uncomfortable to accept that there is support for this, but we will not defeat the BNP by ignoring this.

Now more than ever we must celebrate and defend the diversity of our society.

We are a multi-cultural society. Britain has never been summed up in a single culture.

Otherwise, we would all be speaking Welsh.
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So any movement to build must unswervingly stand up to racists.

Thank you for listening.

Posted by Billy Hayes | @ Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:25:33 +0100

[dvbuk55]

Thanks for those pearls of wisdom Billy - don't be mentioning the CWU, postal services and the hardships your membership faces

[stokes11eg]

Inspiring as always.

[Big Daz]

And BH is happy that some LP voters chose to abstain rather than vote for other parties, what a plonker!!!

There is more than one political party that is superior to Labour and better for the working class and trade unionists.