WHEN we disrupted Rachel Reeves’ speech at the Labour conference, we were calling out Labour’s betrayal of their core values. Our banner (reading “Still backing polluters, still arming Israel — we voted for change”) was a reminder that Labour promised something different.
Instead they’ve stuck with corporate interests and political complacency. Reeves may say “this is not a party of protest” but maybe it should be. Right now, Labour look more like a party of polluters and arms dealers than one of the people.
READ MORE: I'm the Labour conference protester – here's what really happened
Why the Labour conference?
Labour conference is supposed to be the heart of a movement for justice, equality, and solidarity. Yet this year’s conference, like much of the party’s recent trajectory, was the opposite. The conference was sponsored by Drax, the UK’s largest carbon emitter, showing how deeply Labour have aligned with corporate polluters. Instead of holding Drax accountable, the party supports it with subsidies and allows it to sponsor their most important political event.
Worse, Labour refuse to cancel oil and gas projects like the Rosebank oilfield, one of Europe’s largest new fossil fuel developments. This goes against scientific consensus from the International Energy Agency and the UN, which warn that no new fossil fuel projects can be greenlit if we’re to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
Why target the Chancellor?
Rachel Reeves has been central to Labour’s retreat on climate and justice. In February, she scrapped Labour’s £28 billion green investment plan—just after accepting a £10,000 donation from climate sceptic Lord Donoghue. This is political convenience, not moral leadership.
Still arming Israel, still complicit in genocide
Labour’s moral failure extends beyond the climate crisis. Labour refuse to halt arms sales to Israel, with £400 million worth of arms licences granted within days of Israel’s bombardment of Palestine. A report from the Campaign Against Arms Trade revealed that BAE Systems, a major arms dealer, enjoys more meetings with ministers than any other company.
The same industries that drive climate devastation – like BP, which supplies fuel to Israel – are also profiting from colonial violence. Climate crisis and the genocide in Palestine are two sides of a system prioritising profit and power over life on this very precious earth.
Growth at what cost?
Reeves and Starmer wax lyrical about “economic growth,” but growth for whom? The wealthiest 1% produce double the emissions of the poorest 50%, all the while profiting from fossil fuels and arms. Meanwhile, working-class communities face the brunt of climate chaos and austerity. Labour are more willing to scrap heating allowance for pensioners and keep children in poverty than to even consider taxing the super-rich. We can’t afford this type of “growth.”
READ MORE: What young Labour members think of Keir Starmer amid freebies row
What we’re demanding
Labour must stop arming Israel and commit to cancelling oil and gas projects like Rosebank. They need to invest in renewable energy and green jobs, especially in communities hardest hit by deindustrialisation and austerity.
Lastly, Labour must end their cosy relationships with polluters like Drax and BP and hold them accountable by taxing the wealthiest to funding public services.
No justice, no peace
Labour’s leadership has failed to meet the challenges of our time. The climate crisis and the genocide in Palestine are not separate struggles; they are linked by the same capitalist, imperialist system that treats land, resources, and human lives as disposable.
We disrupted the Chancellor’s speech because enough is enough. Labour must stop backing polluters and arming Israel, and start living up to the values they claim to stand for – for the planet, for Palestine, for all of us.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here