Heaving fringe event for Stop the War coalition with Chris Williamson, Andrew Murray, Owen Jones, Richard Burgon and more. Free wine and sandwiches may have helped. #lab18
Chris Williamson kicks off by saying Jeremy Corbyn is the best leader Labour has ever had and he’ll be the best British prime minister ever. Predicts his government will surpass the achievements of Attlee. #lab18
Chris Williamson attacks Denis Healey for going to the IMF in 1976 and having to cut public services as a result. #lab18
On Labour’s policy to maintain Trident nuclear weapons, Williamson says “We all know Jeremy’s personal position is not that.” #lab18
Andrew Murray says this is the most packed Stop The War fringe meeting he’s been to. “We need an anti war government because we’re still at war” #lab18
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.@LenMcCluskey reveals he looked “pretty cool” in 1960s with hair down past his shoulder. He saw The Beatles live in the Cavern Club and is now a big fan of Oasis. #LabourConference2018#Britain2022L
McCluskey says he was hoping for a “damage limitation” in the 2017 election. Instead he wooped, enjoyed many beers and a good celebration. #Britain2022L#LabourConference2018
McCluskey says there will be a “vibrant” debate on Tuesday about a “very fluid” issue (Brexit). He’s not sounding supportive of a People’s Vote, doesn’t think there’s been a great shift in opinions. #Britain2022L#LabourConference2018
Some thoughts on the Migration Advisory Committee's report:
#1: It's a sensible, evidence-based liberal approach to post-Brexit migration. By arguing for clamping down on low-skilled migration it speaks to Brexit voters. But it also gives businesses what they are crying out for
#2: For years employers have called for scrapping of the Tier 2 visa cap for high-skilled migration - as has the @FinancialTimes. The MAC endorses this, ergo a policy shift away from fixed migration targets.
#3: The MAC has been very careful to state that its proposals do not take account of politics and trade talks. Hard fact is that migration will be a key part of any trade deals the UK strikes - including with the EU. So the theory is great, but what about the realpolitik?
Tend to think this is bang on. We are heading towards a Blind Brexit: the UK signs a withdrawal agreement that hands over £39bn, agrees to a two year stand still transition.
But all of the major decisions are kicked into the long grass (yet again) to after March 2019.
Ardent Brexiters will be angry at the lack of specifics in the future relationship declaration - "a transition to nowhere" as one put it to me. But they also see the clear risk of no Brexit. So they will be minded to accept the blindfold route and hope to toughen it up post May.
And of course Theresa May is going to have accept an Irish backstop in the WA. Selling it to Tories/DUP will be very tough. But there is scant chance of any deal without one. What exactly that backstop consists of is where the Brexit debate is heading next.
The Cabinet is off to Gateshead, my hometown, for an away day. If they find themselves needing a break from each other, some recommendations:
#1: Boating in the lovely Saltwell Park. A prime opportunity to settle Brexit disputes through aquatic means. gateshead.gov.uk/article/3958/S…
#2: Lunch at Eslington Vila. As a former waiter here, I can confirm many testy dining and drinking sessions have been held within its walls. It has private rooms, should they be needed. And it’s one of the north East’s finest restaurants eslingtonvilla.co.uk
#3: A bit of shopping relief at the Metro Centre, the second largest mall in the country. You can see how tax breaks in 1980s helped redevelop a de-industralised area (the House of Fraser is still open too). intu.co.uk/metrocentre