Gotham Government Relations ’s Post

A Modernized Cromwell's Speech Addressing a Contemporary Labour Government: It is time to end this charade of governance, which has become a mockery of integrity and a beacon of dysfunction. You have betrayed the trust of the people, indulged in self-interest, and shown a flagrant disregard for genuine reform. You have become a symbol of political cynicism, driven by personal ambition rather than the common good." Is there a shred of honesty left among you? Are there any principles you haven't compromised for power or advantage? Your concern for the public good is as superficial as your campaign promises. You prioritize personal gain over real progress. Have you not all traded your values for expedient gains? Is there anyone here truly committed to the welfare of this nation? You have discredited this office, turning it into a stage for your self-serving agendas. The people’s faith in this government is dwindling because you have failed to address their needs effectively. You were elected to represent and serve the public, yet you have become the very source of their disillusionment. So! Remove those empty symbols of leadership, and clear out. In the name of accountability and for the sake of the nation, step aside!

In the heyday of American labor, the influence of local unions extended far beyond the workplace and conveyed fundamental worldviews, making blue-collar unionists into loyal Democrats who saw the party as on the side of the working man. Today, Republican-leaning groups and outlooks have burgeoned among the kinds of voters who once would have been part of union communities. In this Q&A, Lainey Newman discusses the changing identity of midwestern blue-collar union members and their changing political loyalties. https://buff.ly/3Zb65yK #LaborUnions #InformYourVote

Indeed. We *do* need informed judgement for public decision making, and our elections based system is not designed to incentivise this. Citizens’ assemblies are structured spaces where people are able to be with the complexity of an issue, learning from experts and stakeholders to leverage their collective intelligence, and to arrive at a shared public judgement. One that is free from concerns about elections, parties, or campaign financing. And by establishing them as new institutions with new rotating members every cycle, it means that power gets shared over time. Sortition, deliberation, rotation. Have a look at our DemocracyNext Assembling an Assembly Guide for details and examples 👉 https://lnkd.in/eGe2_6ES (Thanks for pointing to our work Adam Lent 🙏🏻)

Why It Matters

Last Thursday, day 97, the Government fulfilled its promise to introduce a workers’ rights package within 100 days. Unions, economists and labour market experts have argued that strong protections for workers offer an important antidote to spiralling trends of stagnant wage growth, low productivity, and rising economic inactivity. The Employment Rights Bill is a significant package of measures that will go some way in addressing the erosion of workers’ rights and the evolving nature of work over the past four decades. Most of the Bill’s 119 clauses relate to terms and conditions for individual employees and specific sectors, as well as employer obligations. Trade union law is much less central than the political discourse indicates. There are particular wins for women and ethnic minority workers, namely legislation on zero-hours contracts and the introduction of the Adult Social Care Negotiating Body, as well as measures on leave, flexible working, SSP, sexual harassment, the gender pay gap and the menopause. Ultimately, however, the Bill necessitates trade-offs between worker power and corporate flexibility, hence clashes between businesses and unions will endure. Most unions have jubilantly received the Bill, whilst others, notably the FBU and Unite, have warned that they will continue to exert pressure on the Government lest proposals are watered down. For all the effort invested to accommodate business opinion, industry response has been tepid. Some have tentatively welcomed the proposals whilst emphasising the need for careful consultation. The FSB, meanwhile, derided the Bill as a “rushed job.” Despite proclamations that the Government is pro-business and pro-worker, the extended consultation process will inflame tensions. These conflicts map onto ideological differences amongst the Labour benches and across the House. And further complex reform is on the horizon. Whilst the Bill contained few surprises, it omitted over 30 promises outlined in Labour’s original policy document. Expected additional measures include guidance on the right to switch off, moving towards a single status of worker, and a Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill. How the Government responds to the ideological and political tussles inherent in this legislation will be significant not just for employment reform but to the success of Starmer’s first term.

Initial impressions are incredibly durable (https://lnkd.in/gTvSA6nE). In this instance, the idea that people are going to suddenly believe that Joe Biden is not too old and infirm to be president is completely improbable. Moreover, as this article points out, the increasingly publicly expressed concern by leading Democrats about Biden's suitability as a candidate is itself harmful to his image and his eventual success. In other words, the concerns about his candidacy have become a self-fulfilling prophecy making his candidacy increasingly not viable. Much like a run on a bank, undoing the situation seems impossible. The conclusion: the Biden candidacy is doomed and the sooner Biden withdraws, the better. #power #influence #socialpsychology #firstimpressions #Biden #politics https://lnkd.in/grpeVSMW

Has the Labour Party reduced its collective intelligence (CQ) by its extreme purge of the left? Time will tell... Diversity is required for collectively intelligent decision-making, but this analysis by openDemocracy shows that the party has become more homogenous. This does not bode well. The complex problems we face as a society can only be dealt with by being illuminated from all sides. A political party that does not contain sufficient variety of opinions is bound to come a cropper, sooner or later. It will not have the intellectual or sufficiently socially intelligent bandwidth to cope. #collectiveintelligence #diversity #labourparty #openDemocracy

Check out strategy No.5 - societal mobilization. Yes! And it is another reason we need to pass the #ProAct if (when!) we hold the Senate. Democracy requires a strong civil society to protect it from authoritarian threats. And a strong civil society is one that includes many organizations that allow individuals to come together around their shared interests and act collectively. Countries with strong civil societies also have strong labor movements that give voice to the needs and preferences of working people. In the United States, it is practically impossible to form a new union (just ask the workers at Starbucks). The Pro Act addresses some (not all) of those barriers to organizing and collective action. It is critical to our democracy... https://lnkd.in/ewv823tg

⚡ The CHP aims to defend the rights of workers with its New Populism Program. This program offers new strategies for ensuring social justice and strengthening the working class, and…

Really cool to see Mr. Gresham featured as a key figure in organized labor in New York! As a law student and clerk focused on civil rights, I've had the privilege of getting to know George and witnessing his dedication to improving conditions for workers. His efforts to protect health care access and address health equity are truly inspiring. This article highlights how labor movements are shaping the future, not only in New York but across the nation. From unionization breakthroughs at Starbucks and Amazon to advocating for professional dancers and legal aid attorneys, it's clear that workers are stepping up to demand better conditions. Check out the full article to learn more about the impact of organized labor today. #LaborRights #UnionStrong #HealthEquity 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East