Final

FAIRER SOCIETY FOR ALLLabour Manifesto

Fair Society For AllFair Society For All

In the last 10 months we have seen scandal after scandal, resignation after resignation and legislative defeat after legislative defeat. It sickened me when I found out the terms of the Conservatives agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party. To promise not to promote LGBT rights was a big blow to all those who fight discrimination, myself included. A government that has turned the NHS into a fining machine, a government that sees repealing the hunting ban as a priority - that is not a government our proud country should be having.

Now I am hugely proud of what Labour did in office. However the British public thought we had become one of 'them', not one of 'us'. When

I took the leadership of the party I promised to change that. I promised to unite the Labour Party around our goals, and prove to this country that we are not career politicians like the Conservatives or the ILP, or the members who just left to the Respect Party. They have all made deals to enhance their careers. Us, on the other hand. The only reason I'm in politics is too make a difference.

I am asking for your trust, together we can create A Better Britain and A Fairer Society For All. In this manifesto, we have outlined how we will go about that. I hope you will like what you read.

fairer societyfor all

Simon Riley

ContentsThe Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Tax reform

Investment

Deficit and work

Home Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Police and court reform

Immigration and integration

Laws and rights

Rehabilitation and others

Defence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Mission

Budget

Modernisation and aid

Foreign Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Britain’s place in the world

Foreign aid

Trade and other

Constitutional reform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Constitution

Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Expansion

Security

Other

Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Effectivisation

Patient at the core

Funding and programmes

Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Educational reform

Teachers

Students

Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Media

Sports and other

Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

A greener Britain

Other

the economy TAX REFORM

1. Changing the nature of corporation tax: all business in the UK will be taxed no matter where the company is based but the overseas operations of any company which is based here will not be. This will attract international enterprises to London.

2. Raising the tax allowance for business to help small businesses.3. Temporary freeze of the council tax.4. A commission to look into alternative ways of replacing the council tax.5. A proper review of the current taxation.

DEFICIT AND WORK

1. The renegotiation of all government bonds to elongate the repayment term, this will lower the costs repayment and close the deficit overnight. .

2. Align the pension ages to an equal age of retirement for men and women.

INVESTMENT

1. The creation of a state investment programme prioritising infrastructure, green technology, and the technology industry in general.

2. Minimal raising of all budgets which have been cut by this Conservative government, increased spending in key areas like infrastructure, health and education.

home affairs POLICE AND COURT REFORM 1. We will hire at least 5000 new frontline police officers.2. Look towards a form of elected Police Commissioners to ensure that local people's voices are heard when

decision-making is being taken about how to tackle crime in the community. 3. We will also look at strengthening the Independent Police Complaints Commission to ensure that the IPCC

actually has the power and ability to reprimand officers for unlawful or negative actions.4. Look towards setting up a National Policing Council. The NPC would bring together Government and the

Police Service. This would allow government to hear better about their necessities, problems and requirements.

5. Create a new National Offender Management Service to ensure that every offender is individually case-managed from beginning to end of their sentence, both in and out of custody – with increased effort targeted on drugs treatment, education and basic skills training to reduce re-offending.

6. We will improve the way the courts work for victims, witnesses and jurors by: Building a nationwide network of witness and victim support units that provide practical help.

7. Expanding specialist courts to deal with domestic violence and specialist advocates to support the victims of such crime and of other serious crimes like murder and rape.

8. Legal aid will be reformed to better help the vulnerable. 9. We will ensure independent regulation of the legal profession, and greater competition in the legal services

market to ensure people get value for money. 10. We will vigorously oppose the inhumane move to bring back capital punishment.11. Set up a commision to look into ways of legalising assisted suicide in certain circumstances.

IMMIGRATION AND INTEGRATION

1. The creation of an Immigration Appeals Commission which will ensure and monitor whether immigration policy is being enacted and carried out.

2. Revamp the test taken by people looking to seek entry into the United Kingdom for work, with a focus on making it more relevant. We will also look to include an English Language test on people wishing to enter the United Kingdom.

3. Look into a 'points system' for immigration, where people seeking work would have to gain a certain amount of points based on their potential ability to find suitable work, for people to remain in the UK and seek employment.

4. To fund more, not cut the funding towards the UK Border Agency.

LAWS AND RIGHTS

1. Legislate for Minimum Alcohol Pricing. 2. Introduce the Sexual Offences Act to

Parliament. The bill will clearly define all forms of sexual assaults and outline the tough sentences that shall await those who commit them.

3. We will introduce a Violent Crime Reduction Bill to restrict the sale of replica guns, raise the age limit for buying knives to 18 and tighten the law on air guns.

4. Head teachers will have legal rights to search pupils for knives or guns. At-risk pubs and clubs will be required to search for them and we will introduce tougher sentences for carrying replica guns, for those involved in serious knife crimes and for those convicted of assaulting workers serving the public.

5. We will tackle the compensation culture – resisting invalid claims, but upholding people’s rights.

REHABILITATION AND OTHER

1. Increased investment in drug rehabilitation programmes. To set up a Drug Advisory Council which will help us formulate future drug policy such as whether we should move to legislation or reclassification.

2. We will introduce an amendment to the school citizenship programme in which anti-discrimination lessons will be taught to both primary and secondary school children. This will hopefully teach children at a young age not only why it is wrong, but what the victims feel.

3. We will fight racial discrimination tooth and nail.

defence MISSIONS 1. Continue with the plans to withdraw from Iraq.2. Support the growth of an Afghan government that rejects violent extremism and is able to deny terrorists a

safe haven by maintaining its own security.3. Develop a plan to commence the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan when their government is able to

stand on its own two feet in the fight against terrorism. We are aware of the risks of premature withdrawal but at the same time want our troops back home sooner, rather than later.

4. Increase the number of Helicopters in Afghanistan meaning our troops will not have to be targets for the increasing number of IED attacks.

BUDGET 1. We will not cut the defence budget whilst our

troops are serving in a war zone.2. We will increase armed forces pay in line with

inflation.3. Reform the compensation scheme for injured

troops.4. Give personel serving in a war zone a tax break.5. Reduce administrative costs, review all

contracts to ensure the MOD gets value for money.

6. Look into lowering the cost of running the armed forces by looking into ways we can merge the support staff whilst maintaining the tri-services.

MODERNISATION AND AID 1. Listen to our troops when it comes to

equipment. They need the correct tools and we plan to deliver them.

2. We are committed to a strong, hi-tech Army; a Navy based around strong modern ships and aircraft carriers; and an Air Force based around two state of the art fighter fleets as well as additional helicopters, Reaper drones, and strategic air lift.

3. Remain commited to producing a Nuclear free world.

4. We must act to reduce the terrorist and piracy threat in countries.

foreign affairs BRITAIN’S PLACE IN THE WORLD

1. Develop new and maintain existing international alliances.2. To work with our allies to defeat international terrorism.3. To push for a more democratic United Nations.4. Make sure our voice is heard inside the EU.5. To build better relationships, and promote democracy through soft power in Africa, Asia and the

Middle East.6. Fight to continue to be a member of the European Union however make sure that we stand up to

Brussels to ensure Britain gets the best out of the EU.7. A clear commitment to the United Nations, and work towards EU recognition of Kosovo.

FOREIGN AID

1. Review all foreign aid ensuring that only those who need it get it.

2. Work to reduce poverty by redirecting foreign aid to those who need it and ensuring it actually reaches them rather than funding corrupt governments.

TRADE AND OTHER

1. Build trade agreements that will benefit the UK's economy.

2. Issue hard sanctions on those whose actions present a threat to the UK.

3. To work towards a nuclear free world.

constitutional reform CONSTITUTION

1. We will offer you a referendum on the voting system we use.2. We will look seriously into lowering the voting age to 16.3. We will rid the House of Lords of heridatry peers.4. We will introduce a new ministerial code for minister, and if it is broken voters will have a chance

to force a by election in their constituency.

transport EXPANSION

1. We will continue to invest in local road improvement and highway development.2. We will invest in a network of high speed rail lines to connect our nation.3. Seek the opinions of the people of London, before looking into Heathrow expansion.

SECURITY

1. We will continue to revamp our airport security systems and redouble our efforts to protect against possible terrorist threats.

OTHER

1. Labour will continue to reduce congestion.2. Our future Government will continue to

protect all transportation subsidies.

health EFFECTIVISATION

1. More beds in our Emergency Departments to ensure speedy processing of those who present themselves to emergency departments.

2. Implement a My Hospital website, which gives the patient the ability to see which hospital has the highest efficiency rating and even how many people are sitting in the emergency department waiting room.

3. Ensure that everyone has the right to visit a GP within 48 hours of making an appointment. 4. We will give grants to local health boards to give hospitals the right to apply for extra equipment. 5. We will reduce unnecessary spending in the health system to reduce bureaucracy and increase

efficiency.

PATIENT AT THE CORE

1. We will focus the health system back on the patient, instead of profit.

2. We will place the patient at the centre of our decision making.

3. We will immediately repeal the NHS Fines Act.

FUNDING AND PROGRAMMES

1. Increase funding for mental health. 2. Implement extra early intervention

programs for children with disabilities.

education EDUCATIONAL REFORM

1. Introduce Politics as a GCSE so that students have the opportunity to learn more about how vital decisions are made in our country and the world around them.

2. Introduce Philosophy classes from the beginning of secondary school, allowing children to debate and consider their own opinions on important issues - increasing in substance as they get older and closer to own age when they could make an impact on our society.

3. Reform SATs tests so that teachers can teach a wider and more educationally beneficial range of topics without having to constantly "teach to the test".

4. Guarantee training/apprenticeships for students who want it if they leave school at 16.

TEACHERS

1. More protection for teachers from false allegations by students - teachers do not deserve to have their lives and careers ruined when they are only guilty of doing their job.

2. Ensure that teachers have an acceptable work-life balance to relieve stress, which will improve their performance in the classroom and ensure that students get a higher standard of education.

STUDENTS

1. Aim to keep classroom sizes at 25 pupils and below, so that teachers can give each child the attention and support that they need.

2. Create Student Advisory Councils to ensure that senior leadership in schools are aware of what the school experience is look from the student end, so that any necessary or beneficial changes can be made as a result.

culture MEDIA

1. We shall work to preserve a free and open media through a policy of non censorship. 2. We shall also work to ensure that no single company holds too great a share of the UK media.3. We will look into media ethics.4. We will vigorously oppose the government decision to replace the BBC license fee with a

government grant; fighting for a BBC free of political intervention.

SPORTS AND OTHER

1. We will prepare the nation for the 2012 Olympics through appropriate sports facilities, whilst fighting for more sporting events to take place on British soil like the 2018 World Cup.

2. New Historical Site Funding Increase/Preservation Plans

environment A GREENER BRITAIN

1. Institute and strengthen incentives for greener living measures, including “pay as you save” insulation, water conservation, and solar heating for houses, among other programs.

2. To radically cut fossil fuel consumption and create thousands of new green sector jobs.3. Direct more budget monies away from petroleum and other fossil fuels and towards greener

energy alternatives.4. Encourage the development of renewable energy in solar, wind, and geothermal sources, among

other sources.5. Implement the steps for a “zero waste” Britain–––eliminating recyclable and biodegradable

materials from landfills.6. Maintain the Green Belt.7. Higher VAT on electrical appliances with poor energy efficiency.

OTHER

1. Efficiently manage Britain’s wildlife and woodland areas.

2. Keep the Hunting Ban in place, and look to banning more types of ruthless animal hunting.

3. Support the re-nationalisation of the railway service.