Skip to main content
Advertise with the Morning Star
Labour's crackdown on internal dissent means unions must step up as real opposition, NEU leader tells socialist fringe meeting
Daniel Kebede speaking at the Socialist Campaign rally, September 24, 2024 [Neil Terry Photography / neilterryphotography.co.uk]

TRADE unions must become the most effective opposition if Labour keeps attacking the poorest, National Education Union leader Daniel Kebede said on Tuesday night.

Addressing a standing-room-only Socialist Campaign Group-Labour Assembly Against Austerity fringe meeting, Mr Kebede said Labour needed to reverse its decision to means-test the winter fuel allowance and roll out free school meals for all.

Lifting the two-child benefit cap was a “no-brainer” that would lift 300,000 children out of poverty at a stroke, he said. “What sort of government continues that [cap]? It’s absolutely abhorrent.”

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Telling ‘Silk Road stories’ for a multipolar world
Features / 19 September 2025
19 September 2025

Morning Star editor BEN CHACKO reports from the start of Kunming’s Belt and Road media forum, where 200 journalists from 71 countries celebrated a new openness and optimism, forged by China’s enormous contribution to global development

Protesters marching in Epping, Essex after a temporary injunction that would have blocked asylum seekers from being housed at the Bell Hotel, was overturned at the Court of Appeal, August 31, 2025
Anti-Racism / 13 September 2025
13 September 2025

Morning Star editor BEN CHACKO reports on TUC Congress discussions on how to confront the far right and rebuild the left’s appeal to workers

Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC speaking at the TUC congress at the ACC Liverpool. Picture date: Monday September 11, 2023
Workers' Rights / 10 September 2025
10 September 2025
Similar stories
LEADING FROM THE FRONT: Daniel Kebede, Fran Heathcote, Holly Turner And Leanne Mohamad
No More Austerity / 31 May 2025
31 May 2025

Here are the voices of DANIEL KEBEDE, FRAN HEATHCOTE, HOLLY TURNER and LEANNE MOHAMAD explaining why they will be taking part in the People’s Assembly No More Austerity demo next weekend 

Zarah Sultana MP speaks during a strike rally in Trafalgar S
Britain / 5 February 2025
5 February 2025
Labour continues suspension of Apsana Begum, Zarah Sultana and John McDonnell
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, September 25, 2024
Labour Conference 2024 / 25 September 2024
25 September 2024
RMT president Alex Gordon speaks at a protest outside the La
Labour Conference 2024 / 22 September 2024
22 September 2024