Left

• 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.

• Data shared by the World Health Organization indicates that globally between 250,000 and 500,000 people are injured or diagnosed with a spinal cord injury each year.
• Within the UK alone, there are 50,000 people living with a life-changing spinal cord injury according to the Spinal Injury Association.
• The team is also looking to partner with spinal cord injury associations and sports injury organisations to bring awareness to advancements in treatments.
• Aidan said: “There is a huge level of support and eagerness across the spinal cord injury community to advance recovery therapies.

• Swisslog Healthcare , a leading supplier in transport automation and medication management solutions, has been named the co-winner of the 2023 Excellence in Business Award from the Westminster Chamber of Commerce alongside Elevate Dance Center.
• View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230630304205/en/
  Amanda Costanzi (Left), Head of Marketing and Communications at Swisslog Healthcare, holding the Westminster Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Business Award (Photo: Business Wire)
  The Westminster Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards recognizes and celebrates the work of Colorado companies, organizations and individuals with awards nominated and chosen by Chamber member business leaders.
• The Excellence in Business Award looks at the holistic picture of an organization and recognizes businesses that have distinguished themselves by fostering growth, innovation, marketing strategy, and consumer excellence in their industry.
• Swisslog Healthcare has now been awarded by the Westminster Chamber of Commerce for the second consecutive year, having been recognized with the National/Multinational Business of the Year award last year.

• Votes during the IMCO meeting of 22 - 23 May 2023
  22-05-2023 - 11:27
  At the committee meeting of 22 - 23 May 2023, Members will vote on a provisional agreement, one draft report, and two opinions.
• - Provisional agreement on the Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on consumer credits, Rapporteur: Kateřina Konečná (The Left);
  - Draft Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and repealing Regulation (EU) 305/2011, Rapporteur: Christan Doleschal (EPP);
  - Draft Opinion on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Health Data Space, Rapporteur: Andrey Kovatchev (EPP);
  - Draft Opinion in letter form on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations [...] to improve the Union's electricity market design.