This is an abridged version of the speech by Billy Hayes to yesterday’s conference and AGM of the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy (CLPD) It is a privilege to address your conference. CLPD gives coherence to everything the left stands for inside of the party – to be practical, effective and principled. There is no difference […]
On austerity, the Labour-union link and the threat of state funding political parties
Mar 1st, 2015 by Billy Hayes.
Uniting against Islamophobia, antisemitism and fascism in Europe
Feb 22nd, 2015 by Billy Hayes.An ugly situation in Europe is turning nastier. In recent years we’ve seen a growth of racist and populist right wing parties across the continent. Many mainstream politicians have pandered to this development, choosing to blame migrants and the Muslim community for the economic and social problems that austerity has created. On top of this, Western […]
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Unions have united for Labour victory. The party must respond to union concerns
Sep 14th, 2014 by Billy Hayes.All the signs are that Labour can form a majority government in 2015. Lord Ashcroft’s larger opinion polls all indicate that the Tories and Lib Dems are going to lose a lot of seats to Labour. David Cameron seems to agree. This realisation forced him into a large Cabinet reshuffle in an attempt to find […]
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Legal loophole used to exploit agency workers must be closed
Mar 31st, 2014 by Billy Hayes.Day-in, day-out agency workers doing exactly the same job as their colleagues are receiving up to £500 less in their pay packet every month. Why the gaping disparity? Because employers are using a clever legal loophole to undercut permanent employees and exploit temporary workers. This week is part of Fair Pay Fortnight and the Communication […]
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Stand up to racism – support March 22nd rally
Mar 8th, 2014 by Billy Hayes.In the run-up to the European elections it is vital that the labour and progressive movement takes a stand against racism. The Tories are adapting to UKIP’s efforts to make immigration the central question in the election. Large sections of the media are only too happy to fuel and facilitate this agenda. Yet the whole […]
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Trident: the establishment has a delusional approach to our role in the world
Oct 15th, 2013 by Billy Hayes.The CWU is proud to be affiliated to CND. We regard the struggle for a nuclear free world as essential for humanity’s survival. Your work gives us hope that we can secure our common future. Now, this year at the TUC, the CWU moved composite motion 2 on the economy. The general line of the […]
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Dangers of the Collins review
Aug 6th, 2013 by Billy Hayes.Just two years away from the General Election, the priorities of the Labour Party ought to be obvious. These surely need to be to strengthen our campaign against the Coalition government’s failing policies; sharpen our alternatives in anticipation of government; and preparing our internal organisation for the elections in 2014 and 2015. Yet for some […]
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Forty years of CLPD – a cause for celebration
May 14th, 2013 by Billy Hayes.This article first appeared in the CLPD’s Campaign Bulletin 40th Anniversary issue which was published last week, and can be downloaded here. The Campaign for Labour Party Democracy’s fortieth anniversary is indeed cause for celebration. Our campaign has registered a number of important successes in its existence. Yet surely its importance really lies in its […]
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The changing relationship between Labour and the trade unions
Mar 17th, 2012 by Billy Hayes.Tony Blair once said that the split between the Liberals and Labour had been a historic mistake that had allowed the Conservatives to dominate twentieth-century Britain. The logic behind this position was that a merger with the Liberals was still necessary, and this in turn required a split from the affiliated trade unions. This, baldly put, […]
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Postal workers support students because their struggle is right
Dec 12th, 2010 by Billy Hayes.Billy Hayes, General Secretay of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), was due to speak to a London rally organised by the National Union of Students (NUS) and the University and College Union on 9th December 2010. Because of crowds and road closures Billy could not reach the rally. This is what he would have said… […]
