Glenis Willmott: We lost the referendum, but we can’t lose the aftermath
It is just over three months since the EU referendum and although some leading Brexiters like Nigel Farage, have stepped down (only to come back again, albeit “temporarily”), Labour must not run away from the aftermath. However hard recent weeks have been for the Labour Party, Britain cannot afford for us to keep looking inwards…
It is just over three months since the EU referendum and although some leading Brexiters like Nigel Farage, have stepped down (only to come back again, albeit “temporarily”), Labour must not run away from the aftermath.
However hard recent weeks have been for the Labour Party, Britain cannot afford for us to keep looking inwards – we need to get on with the job of scrutinising the government, holding it to account and fighting for our values. This applies on all issues but especially on Europe.
We are three months on from the referendum, and though leading Brexiters like Nigel Farage and Michael Gove may have vanished, Labour cannot.
So many questions remain unanswered, so many pledges lie ground into dust. Theresa May may not be able to tell us what Brexit means, but we must try, and work to keep hold of the jobs Britain gains from its membership of the single market and the workplace and consumer rights British people currently enjoy.
In the European Parliament, Labour MEPs have worked for years to bring better rights, better jobs, and better opportunities for British people. We cannot just sit back and watch all this progress reversed.
We may have lost the referendum, but we can’t lose the aftermath.
A fast, to-hell-with-the-consequences “Hard Brexit” – which UKIP and many of the Tory Euro-obsessives are pushing for – would be a disaster.
An ill-thought-out, hasty withdrawal could lead to huge tariff barriers and regulatory obstacles for our companies, resulting in higher prices and job losses – not something that Leave campaigners mentioned during the referendum.
It is vital that Labour keeps a gimlet-eyed focus on the actions of the Tory government at every stage of its negotiations with the EU, holding ministers to account in parliament, at the despatch box and in the new Brexit select committee. And, as Labour MEPs, we will continue to shine a light on the government’s actions in Brussels.
We need to be challenging the claims of Brexit secretary David Davis, foreign secretary Boris Johnson and international trade secretary Liam Fox that Britain will simply be able to storm out of the EU and immediately strike trade deals with India, America, Australia or indeed the EU itself, without disastrous consequences for jobs, rights and our economy.
And we must ensure that the likes of Lord Lawson and the Change Britain group of Brexit hardliners do not bend the prime minister’s ear with their bonfire of regulations spiel.
Make no mistake, what they call “intelligent deregulation” means the rolling back of workplace rights, workers forced to work longer hours with fewer protections.
Look at what could be at risk: the minimum of four weeks’ paid holiday; a right to parental leave; extended maternity leave; a new right to request flexible working; and the same protection for part-time workers as full-time workers. These are rights the Labour Party and our trade union colleagues have campaigned to bring about, fought for and delivered. We cannot and will not just sit back and let them be taken from us.
The Labour Party came into existence 116 years ago to give working people a voice in parliament, to make sure they were no longer ignored by the Tory and Liberal ruling classes. Britain is now facing its toughest test in peacetime. If we don’t get it right, the consequences will last a lifetime. Labour needs to look outwards, make our voices heard and ensure our country and our communities do not suffer. We haven’t fought all our history for a better Britain just to give up now.
Glenis Willmott is currently leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party (EPLP) and Labour member of the European Parliament for the East Midlands.
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Five metal art installations and information panels will be installed this week as work progresses on the Boultham Park lake restoration project.
Contractor Ebsford Environmental began improvements to the lake in January this year. Parts of the park near the main entrance are fenced off as works continue.
The project is set for completion in early April.
The lake improvements form phase two of the restoration of Boultham Park. | Photo: Emily Speed for CoLC
The lake improvements form phase two of the restoration of Boultham Park, which includes below water aeration equipment to improve water quality.
This will increase and stabilise the amount of dissolved oxygen in the lake and stop silt building up.
The project also includes bank restoration works, lake edge and woodland under-storey planting, footpath improvements and access to occasional boating, as well as the addition of a viewing platform.
Works include bank restoration, footpath improvements and access to occasional boating. | Photo: Emily Speed for City of Lincoln Council
The recently constructed metal art installations tell the story of the lake from the history of the site to the nature and wildlife it supports.
Volunteers have also worked on the project creating bat and bird boxes for the park, as well as planting trees, litter picking and plant clearing.
The project is being funded by the £658,700 given to City of Lincoln Council by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, along with city council funding.
The project at Boultham Park is set for completion in early April. | Photo: Emily Speed for CoLC
It is being delivered in partnership with Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.
Once the project is complete there will be further opportunities for volunteering and skills building at the site.
Contract Ebsford Environmental began improvements to the lake in January 2021. | Photo: Emily Speed for CoLC
Councillor Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place at City of Lincoln Council, said: “During this current time, we are all realising the importance of open spaces and the lake restoration work will help us to provide an even better site for wildlife, and attraction for both residents and visitors, with more ways for people to get involved in the park. I look forward to seeing the end product.”
There were 899 new coronavirus cases and 34 COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire last week – compared to 1,283 cases and 35 deaths the previous week.
The government’s COVID-dashboard over the weekend recorded 155 new cases in Lincolnshire, 60 in North East Lincolnshire and 41 in North Lincolnshire.
By Sunday evening, three COVID-related deaths were registered in Lincolnshire. These include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.
NHS England also reported three new local hospital deaths – all at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust. This brings the total of hospital deaths last week to 24, a rise from 11 last week.
National cases increased to 4,228,520 while deaths rose to 124,501, however, daily deaths nationally dropped below 100 for the first time since October on Sunday.
More than 22.2 million first doses of vaccine have also reportedly been given out in the UK.
A graph showing Lincolnshire’s case numbers up to March 7.
Monday marks the return to school for millions of children in England. Many schools will phase their returns at secondary level while primary schools are expected to open for all pupils.
Last week, Lincolnshire County Council’s director of public health warned parents and carers not to forget lockdown rules on the playground.
SAGE scientists have already said this morning that it is “inevitable we will see a rise in cases” in the next few weeks, however, health bosses have previously moved to reassure that COVID is milder and less threatening in children.
From today, people in England are allowed to meet one friend outdoors but must remain socially distant.
Care home residents can also meet up with one named visitor, though they will be unable to hug or kiss them.
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Friday, March 5
54,382 cases (up 256)
38,325 in Lincolnshire (up 155)
8,190 in North Lincolnshire (up 41)
7,867 in North East Lincolnshire (up 60)
2,108 deaths (up three)
1,552 from Lincolnshire (up three)
300 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
256 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)
of which 1,247 hospital deaths (up three)
775 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (up three)
41 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
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