So far at this Labour conference, most of the fireworks have been on the Blairite side of the party, with figures such as Chuka Umunna, Ivan Lewis, Liz Kendall and John Woodcock making their displeasure known at events last night. But when it comes to Jeremy Corbyn’s frontbench, and some of the issues on which Corbyn himself has strong and controversial views, the conference has seemed surprisingly well-behaved: so far, at least.
The party’s frontbenchers are almost continuing as though nothing has changed: last night at a schools fringe Lucy Powell set out an education policy that sounded roughly familiar to the one the last party leadership pursued: no support for further academisation, a different form of oversight for existing academies and free schools, and a greater emphasis on the early years and post-16 education. At a fringe organised by Sinn Fein, Vernon Coaker stuck to Labour’s long-held position on Northern Ireland.
Many people had turned up to the Sinn Fein event because Corbyn was billed as one of the guests, but Coaker stepped in, giving an impassioned speech about the importance of the Good Friday Agreement and the importance of no side giving up in the current crisis. Corbyn himself had sent this statement to be read out at the start:
‘I would like to send my best wishes to the meetings, apologies that due to the large number of other events at conference, I am unable to join fringe meetings this year, however, I would like to convey my deeply-held view that the issue of the peace process is extremely important and even more so given the current difficulties, the Good Friday Agreement remains one of Labour’s greatest achievements, and it is vital it and the subsequent agreements are fulfilled and that the process continues to move forward positively. The British government has a key responsibility in this regard.
‘Current government economic policy is creating a huge strain on the political institutions, on both sides of the Irish Sea, austerity is having a devastating effect on our communities, welfare cuts are hitting the most vulnerable, this has a particularly negative effect on communities in Northern Ireland emerging from the effects of decades of conflict. So we urgently need to see a different approach which fulfils the promise of a new beginning in all aspects, which can cement the peace, offer hope and real progressive change and deliver the social, political and economic equality which remains at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement.
‘The peace we have seen for the past decade and a half cannot be taken for granted and all of us who support the Good Friday agreement can and must work together to support its continued progress. Vernon I know will be doing all he can to support the efforts, resolve the current difficulties and to press the government on this. I extend my best wishes to you and to all the parties dedicated to a long-term peace settlement in Northern Ireland.’
As Coaker reminded the audience, there is nothing wrong with being in favour of a united Ireland so long as you are committed to the Good Friday Agreement. But he did, after a rather irritated audience member complained about media representation of Corbyn’s views on this matter, suggest that some reporting of Corbyn’s position had been unhelpful:
‘There is a need for the political leaders to explain some of this as well and be, not brave enough is the wrong word, but to be confident in the argument that they’re making and explain it but you know if you pick back over every single thing somebody has said, then it will be really difficult.’
The main takeaway from that fringe was that Corbyn is incredibly fortunate that Coaker agreed to take the Northern Ireland brief. This is not a job for a novice at the best of times, but especially right now when your party leader – and even more so your Shadow Chancellor – has in the past expressed views not just about a united Ireland, but about those terrorists who tried to use violence to pursue that goal. Coaker was passionate but also firm – and he understood what people were talking about, which isn’t to be underestimated. That he and other Shadow Cabinet members are continuing with business as usual while Corbyn settles in is a huge help to the new leader.
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