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The ideals and the vision to deliver
Aslef leader MICK WHELAN welcomes the news that Sir Keir Starmer has been elected leader of the Labour Party
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer

SIR KEIR and his deputy, Angela Rayner, are ready to rebuild Labour as an electoral force in Britain. 

They have the ideals, the vision, the organisational expertise and the determination to deliver for all the people of this country.

The result of the general election in December was a low point for the party, but Keir and Angela understand what needs to be done to win back the hearts, the minds, and, yes, the votes of those who turned their backs on Labour.

These are difficult times, but while we have all come together to work through this coronavirus crisis, with the fewest number of victims, it is vitally important that the government is held to account for the decisions it makes. Particularly when the number of people being tested for Covid-19 is far lower than it should be, when it is clear that we were not properly prepared for this pandemic, and when those on the front line in the NHS have to play catch-up every day without the proper equipment.

I know that Keir, Angela and shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth will hold the government’s toes to the fire to ensure the government makes the right decisions in the best interests of everyone in this country.

After that, we look forward to helping Keir and Angela rebuild the party ready for the next election, in 2024 or whenever it comes, to return the Labour government this country so desperately needs.

And we look forward to playing our part in preparing proposals not just for the railway but for an integrated transport system in this country and to help rebuild Britain’s battered economy.

Aslef was the first trade union to back Sir Keir when he stood to become the Labour candidate for Holborn & St Pancras in 2015. And Aslef endorsed Angela when she ran for deputy leader.

Mick is chair of Labour Unions, the organisation that represents all those trade unions affiliated to the Labour Party, and a member of Labour’s NEC, as well as general secretary of Aslef.

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