Webchat with Labour leadership contender Sir Keir Starmer MP on Monday February 3 at 1.30pm

[AnnaCMumsnet]

Hello

We’re pleased to announce a webchat with Labour leadership contender Sir Keir Starmer MP on Monday 3 February at 1.30pm.

Keir Starmer is Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras (and is thus, importantly, the MP for MNHQ) having been first elected in 2015. He served as Director of Public Prosecutions from 2008-13, focusing on increasing prosecutions for violence against women and girls (see our previous webchat with him for our We Believe You campaign back in 2012), and seeking justice for Stephen Lawrence and his family. He was also involved in controversial cases (including the prosecution of the former LibDem MP Chris Huhne and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce over their creative approach to speeding offences). Before that he was a barrister specialising in human rights law, working with the defendants in the ‘McLibel’ case and working on environmental protections, workers’ rights and challenging the death penalty.

Keir is named after the first Labour leader, Keir Hardie, and is regarded as the frontrunner in Labour’s leadership contest. He is currently Shadow Brexit Secretary.

Please do join the chat on Monday at 1.30pm or if you can’t make it, leave a question here in advance.

We've invited and are hoping to have all of the contenders on over the next few weeks.

As always, please remember our guidelines - one question per user, follow-ups only if there’s time and most questions have been answered, and please keep it civil. Also if one topic is dominating a thread, mods might request that people don't continue to post what's effectively the same question or point. (We may suspend the accounts of anyone who continues after we've posted to ask people to stop, so please take note.) Rest assured we will ALWAYS let the guest know that it's an area of concern to multiple users and will encourage them to engage with those questions.

Many thanks,
MNHQ

@LoonvanBoon

Hi Keir,

Many people felt the Labour manifesto in the last GE was overloaded and the promises unbelievable. I read it and didn't actively disagree with much, but it did seem insanely overambitious - more of a manifesto for 20 years of government than 5.

If you had to produce a manifesto with, say, just five top priorities / pledges for a first term in government, what might they be?

Thanks!

Thanks LoonvanBoon. I agree with you about the manifesto and having campaigned with 44 teams across 44 constituencies in the General Election, I know that pretty well everyone out campaigning agrees too. The manifesto was overloaded. But that does not mean that it didn't have really important commitments. For example, the Green New Deal - the impact on the climate now needs to be hard-wired into all decisions we make, regional investment banks (of which I'm a massive fan), a pay rise for the public sector (long overdue), and the building of council houses (secure and affordable accommodation should be a basic human right). The 2017 manifesto which was more focused was more popular and should be a foundation stone going forwards. The manifesto that now matters more than any other is the next manifesto, which will probably be for 2024, which needs to be radical and relevant, and meet the challenges of the late 2020s and 2030s.

@Cismyfatarse

Hi.

If you do win, beating three female candidates, will the Labour Party finally acknowledge the misogyny at its heart?

Thanks. I'm proud of the fact that we have really excellent candidates putting themselves forward in this leadership contest. I don't think anyone is standing because they're a woman or because they're a man. I genuinely think all of us are standing because of what we sincerely believe is right for our party, our movement and our country. We are making different arguments and we are doing it in a constructive spirit and in the end it will be for our members to decide. However, whoever leads, me or one of the others, this is not about one individual, this is about building the strongest possible team in parliament and across our movement. And that's why I'm asking people to be alongside me in this rather than just supporting me.

Many members have commented to me during this leadership election contest that it is filling them with hope because they see the future leadership team of the Labour party in all the candidates.

@DustyDiamond

Hi Keir,

I'm a blue collar working class voter.

I and many within my social/friendship/family/work circle have been of the opinion for some time now that Labour is the party of the middle-class graduate & that yous took our votes (the working class) for granted under Tony Blair & since.

Not only taking us for granted, but also apparently keen to 'keep us in our place' & crush aspiration - keep us in check & subservient, like good pets.

As someone from a working-class background who has forged a hugely successful career & life, you are an aspirational figure to people like my teenage sons - yet your party does not speak for or to them & they said they'd have voted Conservative in Dec if they'd been able (they both voted Tory in the mock election at school).

Will you work towards shifting the focus of the Labour Party away from the identity politics, politics of envy & graduate/university obsession that has consumed it this decade?

If so, how?

Thank you for this really important question. I think one of the things I learned most from my own background and upbringing was about values. And whatever I've gone on to do in my life I've never forgotten those values. The Labour Party is of course the party of solidarity, standing with people when things don't work out but it is also the party of opportunity - ensuring that whatever means or resources anyone has they will have an equal opportunity. In the last three years, I have spent a lot of time across the whole of the United Kingdom in lots of areas talking to community groups, individuals, trade unions and businesses. And listening to what they have to say. Listening is a key part of leadership. The compelling arguments across the country that are made to me, are that we need better infrastructure and transport, we need better jobs with more security, and that people want more control and influence over what happens in their lives. I think we should act on that. I would also very much like to meet and discuss this with your sons, I'm a big believer in face to face conversations. Not only so that I can explain my thinking but also so that I can hear what people have to say to me. There's no conversation I've had with people which hasn't helped me form views about what we need to do next.

Hello Keir

Mumsnet has been running a campaign to get employers to publish their parental leave policies, so that people planning families don't have to guess what pay and leave they'll be allowed if they take maternity, paternity or other parental leave. Our users have told us they don't like to ask this question during the recruitment process because they fear it would make a job offer less likely.

We think publishing this policies is a really easy, cost-free thing for businesses to do, and could drive a race to the top for those employers who really value committed parents on staff.

Do you agree with us it should be compulsory for big employers, as with gender pay gap reporting?

@eggsandham

Hi Keir - thanks for coming on to Mumsnet and very best wishes with your campaign. I was a bit alarmed earlier in the contest to hear Rebecca Long-Bailey's comments on abortion. Can you give us a categorical reassurance that if you are Leader of the Labour Party that you will absolutely defend a woman's right to choose?

Thanks eggsandham, you have my assurance that as leader of the Labour party I will absolutely defend a woman's right to choose. I think the abortion laws are long out of date and need to be changed. This should not be a matter of criminal law but of health. A related issue is of course the intimidation that goes on around abortion clinics. I've been working with Marie Stopes in my constituency where we have been trying to deal with protesters who intimidate users of the centre. It's completely unacceptable and I'm a supporter of the initiatives Ealing council and others have taken. But in the end I think there needs to be a change in the law to deal with these protests and have proper provision for buffer zones. I have supported those changes in law and will continue to do so.

@StealthPolarBear

Hello Keir More than 200 of us are worried about gender issues and the conflict with the rights of women and children. These are issues that affect the fundamental rights of half the population. They are across every conceivable layer of public policy, and affect us from cradle to grave. The issues are varied, ranging from men on women's sport, the impact of self ID on women's safety, the spousal exit clause and the emphasis on transition of children, including puberty blockers. Are you concerned about any or all of these issues? How do you plan to ensure the rights of natal women and children?

Thank you for this question - I know it’s a really important topic on Mumsnet and for parents.
Trans rights are human rights. I have met with members of the trans community and I know this is a group of people who have been subjected to incredible abuse and discrimination for a very long time.
But this conversation has become incredibly heightened, and I do understand the points being made on all sides. But if we just treat this as a political football, we are not being fair to anyone. I do believe we need to update the Gender Recognition Act. But what we need right now is a respectful dialogue that doesn’t pit one set of concerns against others. If elected leader, that’s a dialogue I would want to help facilitate.

Thank you, please ignore my repeat.

What does 'trans rights are human rights' mean in this context?
There are competing rights here.

@rogdmum

Hi Keir

My 14 year old daughter recently announced that she identifies as a boy. She falls under the loose description of Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD) where adolescents who did not show any signs of gender identity issues as children, develop gender confusion as adolescents. Many of these adolescents are autistic or have suffered from trauma or have serious mental health issues.

Referrals to the Tavistock clinic have skyrocketed from around 100 a decade ago to 2600 last year. The Government agreed to carry out an investigation into the sudden rise, but it appears to have vanished into some hole somewhere.

What will you do to raise awareness of this issue and ensure a proper investigation is carried out?

Thanks rogdmum for this question and for sharing your family's experience. I'm acutely aware of the anxiety and distress that this causes to individuals and families. This has to be seen as a human rights issue and we need to ensure that this debate is conducted respectfully and calmly, and with the best interests of children at heart.

Does 'trans rights are human rights' mean the right to access facilities, shortlists and sporting events reserved for those of the opposite sex, though?

If so, why does gender trump sex?

I can see the sense in occasional division by actual sex but not the argument for division by gender; and when you are one of the physically smaller, liable-to-pregnancy half of humanity, those rights matter.

I have met with members of the trans community and I know this is a group of people who have been subjected to incredible abuse and discrimination for a very long time.

Have you met with (biological) women or women's groups (supportive of biological women) to discuss these matters? Do you think biological women are also a group who "have been subjected to incredible abuse and discrimination for a very long time"? If so, why do you think that is? Do you believe women identify into their own oppression or is biological sex a factor?

We think that's enough follow-ups on the gender/self-ID topic now; as explained in the OP we're keen to ensure Sir Keir gets to answer as wide a variety of questions as possible (there are still lots of qs to be answered), and we don't want this webchat to be dominated by any one issue. We'll be deleting follow-ups from now on.

Thanks
MNHQ

@ChoccyJules

Hello Keir,

In the last election, when I looked at Labour, I couldn’t pin down what they actually stood for anymore. I knew what the Tories were doing (more of the same but worse) and the LibDems were all about Remain. In order to be an effective Opposition and somewhere floating voters can consider coming over to, what do you see as the overriding ethos of the party going forward? I guess I am looking for the core message, so I can see if I agree with it or am still lost...

Thanks ChoccyJules, core messaging is really important and I don't think we got this right at the last election if I'm honest. We had a manifesto which did include really important policies but which was overloaded and people couldn't see the wood for the trees. The Labour party has always been a party of values including solidarity and opportunity and we need clear messaging on both fronts. Given the scale of inequalities across the country: income, wealth, health, influence, you name it, fundamental change is needed. I didn't meet anybody in this general election who didn't want change, they just didn't trust the Labour party as the party capable of delivering that change. So we shouldn't shy away from being radical but we must make sure that our message is relevant and credible. Labour wins when it glimpses the future and is able to persuade people that a better future is possible if they vote Labour. When that happens we are capable of achieving incredible things. And that has to be our unrelenting focus over the next few years.

@RowanMumsnet

Hello Keir

Mumsnet has been running a campaign to get employers to publish their parental leave policies, so that people planning families don't have to guess what pay and leave they'll be allowed if they take maternity, paternity or other parental leave. Our users have told us they don't like to ask this question during the recruitment process because they fear it would make a job offer less likely.

We think publishing this policies is a really easy, cost-free thing for businesses to do, and could drive a race to the top for those employers who really value committed parents on staff.

Do you agree with us it should be compulsory for big employers, as with gender pay gap reporting?

Thanks - I completely support this. In fact I'm really surprised that it hasn't already happened. Knowing Mumsnet, no doubt what they campaign on will bring about change pretty soon. But I will wholeheartedly support this. I set out my position in a previous answer and so not only would I like to see the policies published, but I'd like to see statutory paternity leave increased, so parents can share more of the responsibility.

Thank you for the Publish Parental Leave support, Sir Keir (more details here). No doubt we will be bothering you about this again

@SleepDeprivedElf

What will you do to address the UK housing crisis? It's negatively impacting so many people, and also the economy as houses soak up so much money that could be circulating.

If you do allow developers to build new homes, how will you police standards effectively? The leasehold scandal and poor building practices have been all over the media but home owners are still struggling.

Thanks SleepDeprivedElf for raising this. As I said in a previous answer, secure and affordable accommodation should be a basic human right. Unfortunately it's the complete opposite across the United Kingdom. I can't tell you how many cases I have in my constituency of families in acutely overcrowded accommodation because there is simply not enough social housing available. And it's not just a question of cramped living conditions, it very quickly affects the education of children. Frequently parents will arrive in my surgery with letters from their school expressing concern about their child's development because there is simply not enough space and room for the child to sleep, let alone do homework. We need to address this across the whole of the United Kingdom. Building housing is obviously the right thing to do but they've got to be affordable in the true sense of the word. Councils should be given greater powers and we should admit that selling off housing stock has had profoundly negative effects for many people. I also think we need to have a new framework around renting that improves conditions in rented accommodation and safety and keeps rent at affordable prices.

@GCAcademic

What will you do to protect academic freedom and open debate in universities when so many institutions are failing to meet their legal obligations in this regard? To be clear, I am not talking about Tommy Robinson-style extremists being welcomed onto campuses, but professional people, including academics, lawyers, prison reformers, artists, etc, being prevented from contributing to events on matters of public policy, or such events being cancelled altogether due to pressure from lobby groups. There have also been numerous physical threats to speakers and academics, resulting in speakers being assaulted at two universities and a female academic currently requiring protection from two security guards at all her lectures at a third institution. The silencing of people who have the expertise and experience to contribute meaningfully to public debate on difficult issues is extremely concerning to many of us in academia, and is not a situation which is consistent with liberal democracy.

Thank you - I'm becoming increasingly concern by the shutting down of political discussion, whether in meetings or on social media by abuse and intimidation. It must be possible to have a political discussion where people profoundly disagree in a constructive and respectful way. I have long been a champion of free speech and always adopted the approach set out in international human rights instruments (which I spent my time as a lawyer promoting), which treat freedom of speech as a right and not a freedom, and sets out the limited circumstances in which free speech can be curtailed, which is where it's lawful, necessary and proportionate to do so.

Sorry but you and Labour have lost me, Keir. I come from a family of socialists and feminists. What is Labour planning to do to appeal to both of these groups?

@AmazingAardvark

If elected, what would be your biggest weakness as Labour leader and what would you do about it?

Thanks AmazingAardvark. There are many. The tendency people have when answering a question like this is to pick what they think is a strength and say it's a weakness. Eg. I take too much on. I think, if i'm honest, I can sometimes jump to conclusions where a moments reflection might actually be better. You will be pleased to know that I do ask my team for honest feedback. You'll be even more pleased to know that they give it. That isn't always comfortable if I'm honest, but in the long run it is a good thing.

@serraserra36

Hi Keir Politics in recent years has been so divisive. I've lost friends because they've been so furious I don't share their view of Corbyn, for example.

How do you personally maintain friendships across the political spectrum and how can we heal the divisions?

Thanks Serraserra36. I'm sorry to hear that you have lost friends because of politics. I know it sounds naff but friendship is really important. I've kept up with people over many years because they are very good friends and because to me, loyalty matters hugely. These are people who have stood by me through thick and thin. I'm not one of these people who says they hate all political opponents and to give a small example, when my dad died the year before last, not only were very many Labour colleagues extremely supportive for which I'm very grateful, but also a number of Tory politicians went out of their way not only to sympathise but to make things easier for me.

How do you intend to tackle the vast divisions in society, which have become polarised in the wake of Brexit? And how can you effectively oppose the current government, which seems on a path of destructing the country?

@BigRedFlower

On the day that Jeremy Corbett was elected as labour leader I placed a bet on you being the next leader. You were an outsider and the odds were very good.

What charity shall I donate by £200 winnings to and why?

First, let's not get ahead of ourselves. There's a long way to go in this contest and there are other very good candidates. But if you and I are both lucky enough to win, I would suggest donating to LimeCulture which is a charity I'm involved with. They train independent sexual violence advisers and independent domestic violence advisers.

@PootleandPosey

What’s your favourite biscuit?

The one in front of me right now at the end of this hour, which is a chocolate digestive, but won't be for much longer!

Time's up now, thanks for having me again. It's been a really good session and I hope my answers are sufficiently okay to be invited back.

Thanks everyone for your contributions. Apologies to those whose questions we couldn't get to but I think Keir covered masses of ground. We're going to shut this chat now. Will be back soon with further Labour candidates for interrogation, we hope.