Political positions of Jeremy Corbyn

• Labour leaders have almost always presided over party divisions, many of which have spilled over into crisis.
• Corbyn’s supporters, on the other hand, adhered to his view that the scale of the problem was being exaggerated for factional reasons.
• Now Starmer is the one being accused of dithering over implementing the recommendations of an investigation that found “serious problems of discrimination” in the party.

Inquiries in the Labour party

• Labour has, at this point, been subject to five investigations and inquiries concerning antisemitism and discrimination.
• In 2019, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) launched an investigation into the party following numerous complaints of antisemitism.
• Then, some Labour party staff compiled their own dossier documenting the work of the GLU in relation to antisemitism.

Why are inquiries used by political elites?

• However, they also occur during high-stakes moments and deal with matters which pose a serious threat to the political futures of those involved.
• In these moments of political survival, what political scientist Jim Bulpitt called “crude, subsistence-level objectives” take precedence over substantive attempts to address the issue at hand.
• In Bulpitt’s famous “statecraft interpretation”, self-interested political leaders must cultivate an image of competence to maintain power and at the same time manage competing factions in the party to fend off political rivals.
• In Labour’s case, this process comes with the added challenge of needing to manage the conflicting political traditions within its ranks.

Corbyn, Starmer and the management of inquiries

• The inquiry, led by a Corbyn ally, stressed that Labour was “not overrun by antisemitism, Islamophobia or other forms of racism”.
• It did mention the “occasionally toxic atmosphere” within the party and recommended changes to procedures which predate Corbyn’s leadership.
• The inquiries were therefore used to preserve Corbyn’s authority, successfully manage internal party conflict, and present an image of competence regarding the handling of a sensitive issue.
• Starmer has styled himself as a decisive leader and distanced himself from Corbyn, who is seen as culpable for the antisemitism crisis by large swathes of the public.

The Forde report

• The report from the inquiry led by barrister Martin Forde has been less comfortable terrain for Starmer.
• Owing to the fact that the leaked report contained evidence of racist abuse targeted at black MPs by staff in the GLU, nine black Labour MPs criticised the delays for further “doubling down on the impression that the party does not take anti-black racism seriously”.
• Starmer again framed these findings as relating to a time before he came to office, arguing that the “focus of the report was 2014–19 and deflecting questions onto Corbyn.
• Martin Forde has since voiced concerns that Starmer and his staff have effectively ignored the report’s recommendations.

Today's PMQs lasted one hour, rather than the usual half an hour. 12 questions were allocated to the Leader of the Opposition and four to the SNP Westminster Leader.

Questions from the Leader of the Opposition

• Mr Corbyn asked the Prime Minister:
  • why the Prime Minister did not write to research institutes to ask for coronavirus testing machines earlier, in reference to a leaked email that showed he had asked this past weekend. Mr Corbyn asked what further actions were taking place to obtain testing equipment.
  • when social care staff will be getting tested for coronavirus.
  • how the Prime Minister plans to ensure care workers get the vital food and supplies they need for the people they are caring for. Supermarkets are now often sold out of goods.
  • when NHS staff will get the personal protection equipment (PPE) that they need. The Healthcare Supply Association has been forced to ask hardware shops on Twitter to source equipment. Mr Corbyn said that NHS chiefs have said lack of testing and lack of PPE are their biggest concerns.
  • if the Prime Minister will ban evictions for six months. Mr Corbyn said that the Prime Minister had agreed to this but "appears to have gone back on his word".
  • what the Government is doing to "bring people home" and cover medical costs accrued by those stranded abroad.
  • why construction sites for non-emergency projects were still open and construction workers having to go to work.
  • why it has taken the Prime Minister "so long" to guarantee income for all self-employed workers (who were not covered in the Chancellor's package announced last week).
  • if the Prime Minister give extra resources to boost the DWP's capacity to handle Universal Credit claims, amid reports that hundreds of thousands of people were trying to make claims. Mr Corbyn also asked him to relax the "draconian" requirements for Universal Credit and speed up the process for claimants.
  • if the Prime Minister will increase statutory sick pay and give protection and access to benefits to those on zero-hour contracts.
  • how the Government will "open itself to scrutiny" while Parliament is in recess so that the Government can be held to account.
  • This wasthe last PMQs for theLeader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn.
  • Mr Corbynbegan by thanking the NHS staff, public sector workers, supermarket staffand, particularly,cleaners working to keep up safe.
  • He closed his remarks by saying that the crisis has shown us how we depend on each other: "at times like this we have to recognise the value of each other and the strength of a society that cares for each other and cares for all."

Questions from the Scottish National Party's Westminster Leader

• Mr Blackford asked the Prime Minister:
  • why a full package of support for the self-employed was not put in place before the lockdown.
  • if, when the Chancellor announces his plans to support self-employed workers (on Thursday) there will be "parity and equality of support" between the job retention scheme announced last week and proposals to aid the self-employed.
  • that we owe it to all of the "heroes" in the NHS, including doctors, nurses and cleaners, to stay at home if we are "non-essential workers".
  • if the Prime Minister will "send out the message" that nobody should be evicted for a six month period during the pandemic.

  
  The Scottish National Party's Westminster Leader, Ian Blackford, asked about support for the self-employed, a freeze on evictions for private renters, and NHS staff.

Full list of topics and questioners 

Questions from the Leader of the Opposition

• Mr Corbyn asked the Prime Minister:
  • whether the UK should be financing oil and gas projects around the world in light of the climate crisis.
  • if we can afford to wait another 79 years before the UK reaches net zero.
  • if he will make it clear that the British Government will stand for an genuine, internationally backed Middle East peace plan.
  • about arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
  • if he will make it clear the any future trade arrangement with Saudi Arabia will be dependent on their human rights law and human rights record.
  • when he will accept that the only chance for a "truly internationalist" Britain is to work with our global partners to tackle the climate catastrophe, expand trade, fight human rights abuses and promote peace.

  
  The Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, focused his questions on the climate crisis and the Middle East.

Questions from the Scottish National Party's Westminster Leader

• Mr Blackford asked the Prime Minister:
  • on what points he disagrees with the Scottish Government's plans for a Scottish visa.
  • if he would read the Scottish Government proposal, listen to the evidence and deliver a tailored migration policy for Scotland.

  
  The SNP's Westminster Leader, Ian Blackford MP, asked about immigration after Brexit and devolved powers regarding immigration.

Full list of topics and questioners

Follow us!

Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter and @UkHouseofCommons on Instagram, for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber and more. Please fill in our quick feedback survey to help us improve our news content.