Category Archives: Elmet and Rothwell

Labour’s manifesto must commit to repealing the Bedroom Tax

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On Thursday we had an all members meeting of Elmet and Rothwell Labour Party. Former MP Colin Burgon gave an interesting talk on what we could learn from the left in South America. But it was actually far more than that and he explored how the world and history is interconnected.

The meeting also discussed my motion calling on the Labour Party’s 2015 general election manifesto to include a clear commitment to repeal the the bedroom tax. I know from my local case work and talking to people at community meetings that this is one of the Tory cuts that people hate the most. It effects a surprising number of people as many people who aren’t hurt directly still know someone who is.

I fully understand Ed Miliband and Ed Balls arguing that we can’t make spending commitments yet without knowing what the economy will look like in 2015. However, the bedroom tax is different. It is one spending pledge amongst many. But it is one that we are campaigning strongly on and people feel strongly about. If people are to believe and trust that we will be different then we have to make this one small step to show that we are.

The full text of the motion was:

This constituency notes:

a) On April 1, 2013 the Coalition Government brought in reductions to housing benefit payments where tenants are deemed to be under-occupying their homes. This has been called the ‘bedroom tax’.

b) The restrictions are estimated to affect 1,857 households in council and social housing in Elmet and Rothwell.

c) The estimated average annual increase for one extra bedroom is £473 or £845 for two or more bedrooms.

d) There is insufficient supply of social housing in both Leeds and Elmet and Rothwell to enable most people to move into smaller properties.

e) The bedroom tax is one of a number of changes to social security provision that will hit the most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged hardest.

f) And applauds the efforts of Leeds City Council’s Labour group to help alleviate the worst effects of the bedroom tax.

g) That it is concerned that the Labour Party shadow cabinet has not yet made a clear statement that Labour will repeal the bedroom tax.

Elmet and Rothwell CLP will write to Liam Byrne, the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, requesting that the Labour Party 2015 manifesto contains a clear commitment to repeal the ‘bedroom tax’.

It would be great if you could consider putting a motion through your own constituency also requesting that our manifesto contains a commitment to repeal the bedroom tax.

Elmet and Rothwell workers will be hit by abolition of Agricultural Wages Board

Mary Creagh MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsToday Conservative MPs voted to block a motion in the House of Commons to prevent the abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB). The AWB was set-up in 1948 to provide essential protection for agricultural workers and ensure they had fair wages and conditions.

The motion was proposed by Wakefield MP Mary Creagh who is also Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. One of the facts that I find most shocking is that the AWB was one wages board that the last Tory government tried to abolish in the 1980s, but was a cut too far so they couldn’t get away with it. This is a cut that even Mrs Thatcher daren’t go ahead with. So much for Cameron’s ‘caring’ Conservatives!

According to the government’s own estimates the abolition of the AWB will take £260 million out of the rural economy over 10 years in lost sick pay and holiday entitlement. This won’t just hurt the agricultural workers, but will also take money out of villages shops and pubs, hurting many small businesses and their workers. Many small farms will also be burdened with extra bureaucracy and red tape as they will be forced to negotiate pay and conditions themselves, which many farmers aren’t experienced enough or trained to do.

It could also cost hard-working tax payers money as if the incomes of rural workers fall then they could need tax credits, housing benefit and council tax benefit. The Conservative/Liberal Democrat government increasing the size of the welfare benefits bill when we are meant to by trying to save money!

The abolition of the AWB has been opposed by the Labour Party and trade unions. Unite the Union’s national officer for agriculture Julia Long said: “Supermarkets and the growers, who supply them, are behind the Agricultural Wages Board’s abolition proposal as they want to drive down workers’ wages to poverty levels.”

Despite large parts of the Elmet and Rothwell constituency being rural with many farms and agricultural workers our local Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke today failed to speak up or vote for the people he is meant to represent.

If I’d been Elmet and Rothwell’s MP today I’d not only have voted for the motion, but would also have spoken in the debate to defend the rights of hard-working local agricultural workers. I think the government should be helping rural families deal with rising living costs, not driving wages and conditions down.

Stop the bedroom tax rally in Leeds

What better way to spend a glorious spring day than to join Labour Party and trade union colleagues at a rally in Leeds city centre against the bedroom tax? This is an ill-thought out policy that victimises some of the most vulnerable people in the community and will have a devastating effect on many people throughout Elmet and Rothwell.

Karen Bruce walking behind the Unite banner at the Leeds against the bedroom tax rally

Karen Bruce walking behind the Unite banner.

Karen Bruce with the GMB bed at the Leeds against the bedroom tax rally

Karen Bruce with the GMB bed.

Councillor Alex Sobel and Councillor Karen Bruce at the Leeds against the bedroom tax rally

Councillor Alex Sobel and Councillor Karen Bruce.

Karen Bruce and Elmet and Rothwell GMB member Bob Dyson at the Leeds aganist the bedroom tax rally

Karen Bruce and Elmet and Rothwell GMB member Bob Dyson.

Former Leeds councillor and Pudsey Labour Party member John Garvarni unveils the Unite the Union banner.

Former Leeds councillor and Pudsey Labour Party member John Garvarni unveils the Unite the Union banner.

Musical light relief at the Leeds against the bedroom tax rally

Musical light relief at the Leeds against the bedroom tax rally.

Labour’s Made by the Many local election video

In case you missed it this is Labour’s Made by the Many video for the local elections that are happening in many parts of the country. We don’t have any in Elmet and Rothwell as there are no elections to Leeds City Council this year, but neighbouring North Yorkshire does have elections.

Councillor Gerry Harper backs Karen

Councillor Gerry Harper is the latest senior Leeds Labour Party member to back Karen’s bid to be selected as Labour’s candidate for Elmet and Rothwell. Gerry is the Deputy Executive Board Member for Development and Parliamentary Chief of Staff to Fabian Hamilton MP, MP for Leeds North East. Gerry said:

“I just heard that Karen Bruce is seeking selection as the parliamentary candidate to represent Labour at the next General Election. As a working mum and campaigner for our party Karen has a wealth of experience and understanding to offer the people of this constituency. She knows and understands the problems faced by hard working families in our country and I have no hesitation in supporting her nomination as the parliamentary candidate to represent Labour at the next general election.”

Karen Bruce campaigning for Gerry Harper

Karen Bruce and Esme campaigning for Gerry in Hyde Park and Woodhouse by-election.

Oulton governor Trish Bromilow endorses Karen

Oulton Primary School governor and Labour Party activist Trish Bromilow is the latest local member to endorse Karen:

Karen Bruce and Trish Bromilow

“I’m delighted to hear that Karen is seeking selection as the parliamentary candidate for Elmet and Rothwell.  We need more women MPs both locally and on the national stage and Karen, who knows the constituency well, will make a fantastic MP.  Good luck and I look forward to supporting you on the campaign!”

Garforth and Swillington member and Rothwell Councillor David Nagle backs Karen

Rothwell Councillor David Nagle the latest Elmet and Rothwell member to endorse Karen. David is a Garforth and Swillington member and former chair of Swillington parish council. Until this year he was also the long-standing treasurer of Elmet and Rothwell constituency Labour Party. David said:

Karen Bruce and David Nagle at Rothwell sports centre

“I have know Karen for many years, both as a councillor and as a friend. I have always respected her and I am happy to endorse Karen as parliamentary candidate for Elmet and Rothwell. Karen will do a great job, I am certain as our next MP.”

Jean Waite of Swillington supports Karen Bruce for Elmet and Rothwell

I want to say thank you to Jean Waite of Swillington who is the latest local member to want to announce their support for me to be Labour’s candidate for Elmet and Rothwell:

Jean said: “We need a candidate who takes notice of what constituents say and looks out for working people. A candidate who takes the Tory government to task so they get elected and we have the Labour government the country needs.”

Local community Dementia cafe stalwart endorses Karen

It’s not just local Labour Party members who are coming forward to endorse Karen as the best person for the job in Elmet and Rothwell, but also influential members of the local community.

Cllr Karen Bruce, Peter Smith and Cllr David Nagle at Rothwell Tea Cosy Cafe

Peter Smith, the man behind Rothwell’s nationally acclaimed (BBC Breakfast News no less!) Tea Cosy Dementia Cafe commented on Karen’s Facebook page:

“Good luck Karen. You have done so much in Rothwell, especially supporting local groups and organisations. Look forward to your first Prime Minister’s questions”

We’re working with Peter to help make Rothwell the first Dementia friendly place in Leeds and want local businesses and service providers to sign up to learn how to be more supportive to people with dementia.