Jonathan Ashworth closed the NHS Debate urging support for Composites 1 and 2, namely reform of Mental Health Act, real parity of mental and physical health, address drug and substance abuse to combat cuts to addiction recovery services which need a public health approach. Labour will provide a LEGAL right to independent living (following a recent Court case which decided that issue was political and not justiciable). Air pollution kills 40,000 people annually and Labour will deliver a Green New Deal across all services (NHS Forests), a tree for every staff member. Training bursary will be brought back and will welcome migrant nurses/doctors/staff.Training will be put in place for additional GPs. Overwhelming standing ovation on repeal of the National Health Act. A new Wellbeing Act will replace it, prioritising children’s health issues malnutrition, obesity, and abolish ALL prescription charges.

Motions from Women’s Conference have been very impactful: decriminalization of sex work, closures of detention centers, reinstate legal aid, criminal assault against women in the home (domestic violence). It has to be recognized as a crime to be punished. At the moment men are being punished for violating non-molestation orders, not the assault itself.  Next item will be Votes on Democracy Review. This involves the main administrative issues around establishing BAME and LGBT groups.

As far as card votes concerned, Votes 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, were all carried. This includes Democracy review, Disciplinary powers, CLP Officers, Local Government Committees, Multiple Consistency CLPs, and BAME Representation in selections. Those that were NOT carried: Devolved Cornish Labour Party, Election of Labour Group Leaders, plus the important Votes 9, and 19 on Aims and Values which CLP Guildford had voted against. Clearly theres been pre-negotiations with trade unions on one hand and NEC on the other….The weight of Trade Union votes is massively important. I have noted that in most of the London areas, theres tug of war between councils and selection processes of Labour candidates through Labour Groups especially on issues of eligibility, length of time as a paid up member.