Jeremy Corbyn visits Warwick for Young Labour Conference

Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn came to Warwick’s Slate on Saturday afternoon for a Q&A session at Young Labour’s annual conference.

The weekend-long event also featured a speech from Cat Smith, MP and shadow minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs, as well as debates on the 40 motions proposed by various delegates and party members.

What Warwick did

Warwick Labour Club chair Julia Pearson told the Boar: “The conference has been a brilliant place for Young Labour members to propose and debate motions to be considered on a national level. There has been a forward-thinking, optimistic vibe to campaign for a brighter future with Labour in government.”

“There were excellent progressive speeches from Cat Smith and Jeremy Corbyn, and it was an honour to represent the Welsh Young Labour movement at this conference.”

“A number of good motions on mental health policy were passed, as was one I spoke in favour of; for making public transport more accessible, affordable and green. Other great motions included those on fairer apprenticeships and living wages.”

I proposed a motion on public transport largely because it’s a massive issue for young people that live in more rural areas.
Fraser Amos

Julia spoke in favour of a motion proposed by first-year Global Sustainable Development student Fraser Amos, a Labour member since 2014. Last year, he set up a Young Labour group in his home constituency of Taunton Deane, in Somerset, and worked on campaigns and policy.

Last month, he became his Constituency Labour Party (CLP)’s delegate to the Annual Labour Conference in Brighton, where he spoke for and won a policy vote.

Warwick Labour chair Julia Pearson speaking for Fraser’s motion. (Image: Twitter)

Speaking on the motion, he said: “I proposed a motion on public transport largely because it’s a massive issue for young people that live in more rural areas like Somerset and young members there.”

“The privately run buses are not affordable for young people, they don’t run into the evening and they are often not accessible. I also think the environmental crisis is not being treated as seriously as it needs to. It needs to be at the heart of transport policy, so wanted to emphasise that too.”

Other motions

Jewish Labour’s motion to support unaccompanied child refugees passed unanimously, as did Durham Labour’s motion, “Why Britain needs a genuine living wage,” and Unite the Union’s “Invest in the Future.” The latter mandated support for manifesto commitments such as more investment in housing, transport, energy and a £10 minimum wage.

UNISON’s proposal to end age banding in the national minimum wage, and include this commitment in the next election manifesto, was voted for almost unanimously.

Warwick Labour Club social secretary Alex Delameilleure speaking at the conference. (Image: Twitter)

Meanwhile Lancaster and Fleetwood’s MP Cat Smith said she would fight “tooth and nail” to ensure the voting age falls to 16.

The conference passed a motion to support leaving NATO, while one supporting the two-state solution of mutual recognition for Israel and Palestine was voted down. The motion avoided any mention of boycotts or sanctions.

Other motions included supporting trans rights, tackling islamophobia and extending abortion rights to Northern Ireland.

Don’t make jokes about it; support that person.
Jeremy Corbyn

The Labour leader emphasised the importance of mental health. He called the issue a “key priority” and criticising the Conservative response, adding: “Don’t make jokes about it, support that person.” The conference saw the launch of Young Labour’s new campaign to prioritise the problem: “Mental Health: It’s Time for Action.”

He also spoke about being election-ready, visiting marginal seats and sharing the Labour message.

Young Labour’s Women’s officer and Liverpool graduate Charlotte Nichols received loud applause on calling for a Labour government to nationalise Greggs. Corbyn responded that nationalising rail, mail and utilities were his priorities, but did not rule out nationalising the popular UK bakery chain.

The University will also be visited by Labour peer Andrew Adonis, who will be making a Freshers’ address this Friday at 5pm in the science concourse.