Johnson revises EU bill to limit parliament’s role in Brexit talks
19 Dec 2019
Protections for workers and child refugees also cut out of withdrawal agreement bill
Boris Johnson’s EU withdrawal agreement bill has been published, with protections on workers’ rights, unaccompanied refugee children and parliament’s say over the future relationship stripped out.
MPs are expecting to vote on the EU withdrawal agreement bill for the first time in this parliament on Friday, as Johnson aims to rush it through its first stage before Christmas.
The new bill scraps or waters down a number of key protections that were in the last one published in October, when Johnson was trying to get the support of some backbench Labour MPs to get it through parliament.
Read more at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019
Editorial Defend working-class interests against the Tory wolves in sheep’s clothing
WITH all the false humility he can muster — which is a great deal indeed — Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been talking of the votes he received ‘on loan’ from former Labour supporters.
Attracted by the Tory slogan to “Get Brexit Done,” their protest against Labour’s disastrous move towards a “Stop Brexit” stance played a major part in deciding the outcome of this month’s general election.
Many such switchers have not suddenly become loyal Conservatives. They still agree with Labour’s policies for massive investment in public services, renationalisation of the railways and energy utilities, a substantial increase in the statutory minimum wage, a more progressive taxation system and much else besides.
Read more at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/e/defend-working-class-interests-against-tory-wolves-sheeps-clothing
Rail workers call for ‘partisans of workers’ to fight ‘side by side’ with them
By Marcus Barnett
RAIL workers today called for “every partisan of the working class” to fight “side by side” with them against the government’s new anti-strike laws.
Scores of RMT union members staged an angry demonstration outside of the Commons today as Parliament met for the Queen’s Speech.
In the address, which lays out Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s agenda for government, there are passages that will make railway strikes illegal unless a “minimum service provision” is in place.
Read more at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/rail-workers-call-for-partisans-of-workers-to-fight-side-by-side-with-them
NHS underfunding cannot be fixed with ‘sticking plaster,’ unions warn following Queen’s speech
By Ceren Sagir
CHRONIC underfunding of the NHS can not be fixed with a “sticking plaster” on the service, unions warned today following the Queen’s speech.
Elizabeth Windsor’s speech, described by PM Boris Johnson as the “most radical in a generation,” said steps would be taken to “grow and support” the NHS workforce with a new visa to fast-track qualified doctors, nurses and health professionals into Britain.
The speech said the government promise of an additional £33.9 billion per year to the service by 2023/24 will be enshrined in law, and hospital parking charges will be “removed for those most in need.”
Read more at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/nhs-underfunding-cannot-be-fixed-with-sticking-plaster-unions-warn-following-queen-speech
