CWU at Labour party conference

Day 4: Wednesday, 28th September 2011

Today's events at the Labour Party conference centred on crime, education and health. The keynote and best received speech was delivered by shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, who attacked the Conservative record on crime.

"Tories shouldn't be sacking the police," she said, "they should be backing them". Adding: "Cutting police numbers is a reckless risk", Ms Cooper went on to rubbish Tory claims that they are the party of law and order by saying: "Crime numbers have gone up. It's simply not true that Conservatives are tough on crime."

Yvette Cooper also said that Labour had an excellent record in reducing crime but suggested that not all initiatives worked. "ASBOs simply didn't work, they became a fashion accessory," she said.

CWU general secretary, Billy Hayes, addressed a lunchtime fringe meeting on Pluralising Politics: are progressive alliances the key to Labour's future? Read the speech in full on Billy's blog.

CWU delegates will get the opportunity to input to policy in the afternoon session as the conference breaks into seminars for more detailed discussions on education, culture and creativity, local government and housing, constitutional reform and equalities.

The day closes with a Q&A session with the Labour leader, Ed Miliband.

The conference ends on Thursday morning with a session on housing and local government and a closing speech from Harriet Harman, deputy leader.

Read more on the rest of the week so far ....

Source: CWU