Sir Keir Starmer has been dealt a major blow as a union-led campaign against the Prime Minister’s decision to axe Winter Fuel Payments won a non-binding vote at Labour conference.
Starmer jetted off to New York ahead of the final day of proceedings in Liverpool, with furore emerging earlier this week when Labour pushed back the vote on Winter Fuel Payments.
The Prime Minister unequivocally defended his plan to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners, insisting it would plug £1.4billion of the £22billion black hole left by the Tories.
Despite only one Labour MP voting removing the up to £300 payment, members rejected the Prime Minister’s plan after trade union bosses warned it was akin to “pickpocketing pensioners”.
Trade unionists from Unite staged a protest this morning, urging Starmer to “save our winter fuel”.
Speaking on stage, Unite’s general-secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is not what people voted for. It’s the wrong decision and it needs to be reversed.”
Graham’s intervention was met with loud applause from delegates, with many going as far to give her a standing ovation.
Unite put forward the motion, with the Communication Workers Union seconding the vote.
A Conservative Party source said: “Starmer has lost support of the Labour Party, his MPs and paymasters.”
Russia treating own citizens as ‘bits of meat to fling into grinder’ – Starmer
Russia is treating its own citizens as “bits of meat to fling into the grinder” in Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer said as he urged Vladimir Putin to end the conflict.
The Prime Minister, speaking at the UN Security Council, said Russia was responsible for “colossal human suffering” as a result of the conflict.
He said Russia, like the UK one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, was behind the “greatest violation of the (UN) charter in a generation”.
“I wonder how Russia can show its face in this building,” he added.
Sir Keir said: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal. It threatens global security. And it has caused colossal human suffering.
“Over 35,000 civilians have been killed or injured, six million forced to flee and almost 20,000 Ukrainian children forcefully deported. Kidnapped, to put it bluntly.”
SNP urged to U-turn on Winter Fuel Payment cut as THOUSANDS to be without life-saving help
Rail workers vote to accept pay offers
Workers have voted overwhelmingly to accept pay offers from train companies and Network Rail.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) backed a one-year rise of 4.5 per cent at Network Rail (NR) and increases at train operators of 4.75 per cent for the last year and 4.5 per cent for 2024/25.
Almost 99 per cent of train company members voted in favour while NR workers backed their pay rise by 88 per cent.
The RMT said the ballot results mean that the long-running national rail dispute is now over.
A statement said: “This outcome reflects the collective efforts of our membership in defending their jobs, working conditions, pay, and pensions from the attacks of the previous Tory government and their private contractors.
“We thank our members for their efforts during this long but successful campaign.
“Their resolve has been essential in navigating the challenges posed during negotiations and in particular the previous Tory government’s refusal to negotiate in good faith, alongside relentless attacks by sections of the media and the employers.
“RMT remains focused and committed to supporting public ownership as a path to building a stronger future for the rail industry for both workers and passengers.”
Escalation in Israel-Hezbollah war ‘deeply troubling’, Swinney says
Scotland’s First Minister has said the escalation of violence in the Israel-Hezbollah war is “deeply troubling” and that any Scots caught up in the “awful conflict” should have safe passage out of Lebanon.
UK citizens are being urged to leave Lebanon as Israel launched an intense series of air strikes earlier this week.
On Wednesday, Hezbollah fired a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv, the first time it has targeted central Israel since the exchanges broke out around Israel’s northern border.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, John Swinney said the Scottish Government would work with the UK Government to ensure any Scots in Lebanon can leave safely.
He said: “I’m deeply concerned about the situation in Lebanon, as I have been about the situation in Gaza for almost a year.”
Swinney added: “The escalation in violence is deeply troubling and the loss of innocent life is unconscionable.
“So, we need to have a solution to the Middle East conflict. We need to have a de-escalation of the conflict.
“Obviously, if there is a threat to any of our citizens in Lebanon, the United Kingdom Government has responsibility for ensuring the safe passage of those individuals.
“We will work constructively with the United Kingdom Government to make sure that any of our citizens that are caught up in this absolutely awful conflict are able to be assured of their safety.”
'We'll keep the red flag flying here!'
Labour's 2024 annual conference in Liverpool has concluded with a rendition of The Red Flag followed by Jerusalem.
Delegates continued with the tradition as senior MPs were filmed singing the socialist anthem, including Angela Rayner.
Wes Streeting insists Labour must reform 'broken' NHS
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has insisted Labour must reform the UK's "broken" NHS.
Speaking on the final day of Labour Party conference, Streeting said: “I know the doctor’s diagnosis can sometimes be hard to hear. But if you don’t have an accurate diagnosis, you won’t provide the correct prescription.
"And when you put protecting the reputation of the NHS above protecting patients, you’re not helping the NHS – you’re killing it with kindness.
“So I say respectfully, but unequivocally, I won’t back down.
“The NHS is broken but not beaten, and together we will turn it around.”
Reform will take Red Wall seats, MP claims
Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has claimed the populist party will snatch a number of Red Wall seats in the next General Election.
Speaking to GB News, Lowe said: “What we represent is reality for the British people. And I frankly think that whilst nobody condones violence, if Yvette Cooper, Keir Starmer and the other gift receiving Labour Party front bench, ultimately, if they don’t listen to the public...
“The public, quite rightly, is concerned about mass legal and illegal immigration, which is the root cause of all our problems.
“And if they don’t address that, then we will be doing to Labour what we did to the Tories last time, and Red Wall seats will all go to Reform.”
'Save winter fuel!' Unite protest Starmer's decision to axe pensioner perk
Trade unionists from Unite have protested Starmer's decision to axe Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners.
In a protest staged in the ACC, Unite's general-secretary Sharon Graham was joined by other trade unionists chanting against the decision.
The group repeatedly chanted: "Save winter fuel."
Starmer urges Israel to 'step back from brink' as PM sends troops to Cyprus
Sir Keir Starmer has urged Israel and Lebanon to "step back from the brink" as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East.
The Prime Minister instructed British troops to head over to Cyprus as the UK Government draws up "contingency plans" for UK nationals leaving Lebanon.
Fears of an overspill in the war between Israel and Hamas arose this week after Benjamin Netanyahu launched the country's biggest offensive against Lebanese group Hezbollah since 2006.
Defence Secretary John Healy yesterday chaired an emergency Cobra meeting as tensions soared.
Healy later urged British nationals to leave Lebanon, warning: "British nationals should leave now."
The Prime Minister echoed Healy's comments, adding: "It is important that we be really, really clear: now is the time to leave."
Two British warships are already in the region and would be used if any evacuation operation is ordered.
Royal Air Force planes and helicopters are also on standby.
It has been reported that RAF Akrotiri, a UK military base in Cyprus, would be used as an important staging post.
Discussing heightened tensions in the Middle East, Starmer said: "I think we need to be clear we need de-escalation, we need a ceasefire, we need to pull back from the brink."
Israel launched a series of strikes against Lebanon on Monday as Benjamin Netanyahu urged civilians to "get out of the way" to ensure the IDF can take on Hezbollah.
The strikes reportedly resulted in 490 people being killed and another 1,600 sustaining injuries.
Starmer speech heckler says he spoke about Gaza and Lebanon
The lone pro-Palestine protester who heckled Sir Keir Starmer has spoken about why he staged his intervention to raise concerns about Gaza and Lebanon.
Daniel Riley, 18, said: “Everyday we’re still sending British bombs and British bullets that are being used in Lebanon and in Gaza right now and the prime minister – he could stop that, he could stop that right now but he doesn’t.
“And he says that he wants things to stop but he won’t lift a finger to actually stop it.”
Asked if he had planned to disrupt the leader’s speech, Riley added: “No, I was a delegate, I’m a Labour Party member, I hoped I’d be one for life but I suspect not now.”
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