How Labour made it in Islington
Andrew Hull
Labour Councillor, Executive Member for Finance, Performance and Community Safety; Islington, London
The borough of Islington in London is an old working class residential area, a Labour Party stronghold, Jeremy Corbyn's home borough but also one of the poorest and most socially divided areas in England. Labour won between 60 and 75 per cent of the vote in the borough's various districts in recent elections.
Labour has undertaken some sensational activities in recent years to move the borough forward.
Community organising concepts are used to involve and activate the population, encourage them to formulate their needs and have them taken on board by the local city council.
One of the most spectacular activities was the establishment of an Islington Fairness Commission, chaired by Andy Hull and the equalities researcher and health sociologist Richard Wilkinson. This commission worked out what makes life in Islington unequal and unfair and implemented activities for more equality in the borough, from the health system to the school system. This also involves micro-measures that strengthen cohesion in the borough.
However, the Fairness Commission has also implemented far-reaching measures. For example, it was decided that all council employees should receive at least a „living wage“ of £10.20 per hour, and that private companies that want to win public contracts must also pay their employees such a „living wage“.
Andy Hull will report on how the Labour Party in Islington has managed to become a vibrant party again, winning back the trust of the poorest sections of the population.
Moderation Robert Misik, author and journalist
THE EVENT WILL BE HELD IN ENGLISH