Labour’s story of hope for working people

I’m Paul Mason: journalist, trade unionist and lifelong campaigner for social justice. In 2016 I quit my job as economics editor at Channel 4 News to do two things: stop Brexit and end austerity – by electing a Labour government committed to real change.

We failed on both counts. But we can’t afford to fail again.

What’s at stake in the coming election is clear: either Labour’s five missions happen – and we deliver high growth, green energy, safe streets, free and timely healthcare and a first class education for every child – or we fail, and the Tories come back, this time with overt racism and the ‘war on woke’, arm in arm with Trump and Nigel Farage.

And that’s why we need people in Parliament with a track record of leadership, activism, representing people at work and policy development.

As a union rep at the BBC, I fought dozens of cases, for people victimised, bullied, threatened with redundancy – and helped push through a major change in the way management treated the workforce. I know how real change happens: through inspiring people with a story of hope, building alliances and fostering the grassroots networks that give working people the power to enact change.

Five critical missions

My story is a Labour story. At the age of 18 my Dad went down a coal mine. When I turned 18 I went to University, for free. That happened because the post-war Labour governments gave my parents the confidence to dream of a better future and to tools to achieve it: rising wages, clean air, safe streets, free healthcare and a first class education.

And that’s what I want for every family in Britain. A chance to achieve your potential, to live in a safe community with a home you can afford and a job you are proud to do. Above all, we need to secure the future by moving as fast as possible towards a Net Zero economy.

That’s why Labour’s Five Missions are so critical: boosting workers’ rights, boosting growth, decarbonising the energy system, removing pollution from the air we breathe, attacking the multiple causes of knife crime and anti-social behaviour, transforming the NHS with an urgent skills strategy and decent pay for health workers.

Like Labour’s London mayor Sadiq Khan, I want to see rents capped, and a massive programme of social housebuilding.

I also want to win the argument with voters for a return to engagement and collaboration with the EU.

And since the invasion of Ukraine, I’ve been active in building solidarity with its trade union movement and support for its efforts to resist Russia.

Organise, communicate, inspire

The next five years are about saving democracy, kick-starting economic growth, rapid decarbonisation, up front legislation for workers rights and burying the Tories for a generation.

That will mean using Parliament wisely – the committee system, the detailed scrutiny of legislation – to make sure the polluters, the rip off landlords, and the people who scammed the taxpayer out of billions during Covid, don’t manage to lobby their way off the hook.

It will mean telling Labour’s story, simply and effectively to an electorate desperate for change. That’s what I do, week in week out as an opinion journalist on TV, radio and in print. That’s why I am currently seeking selection as a candidate in Labour’s “remaining seats” process.

I supported Keir Starmer for leader from the get-go in 2020. Since’ then I’ve played a role in helping develop Labour’s policies on defence. If you want to know more about me, and my priorities – get in touch.

My affiliations
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green CLP
National Union of Journalists
Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, UK Champion
Open Labour
Fabian Society
Labour Movement for Europe
SERA – Labour’s Environmental Campaign
Jewish Labour Movement – Ally