Labour is not asserting its commitment to a Green New Deal, peace and disarmament

To Ed Milliband, shadow secretary of state for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

We note that ADS, the main representative body for UK companies in the “stricken” aerospace, defence, security and space sectors, are warning that 30,000 jobs are potentially at risk. More than half these jobs are in the “red wall” sector seats won by Conservatives from Labour at the last election. (Observer, 26 July). 

We also note that you are quoted as saying

“Ministers have left our world-leading aerospace sector in a downward spiral. High-quality, well-paid jobs are being lost in communities that simply cannot afford to lose them because of government inaction.

The government must bring forward a support package for aerospace which protects jobs in our world-leading sector and helps it to lead the low-carbon future. The failure to act is a betrayal of so many people who were promised this government would be on their side.’ 

We support the reference to the need to protect jobs but question why Labour is not asserting its commitment to a Green New Deal, peace and disarmament as part of its response. As part of the UK Ventilator Challenge, the Airbus site at Broughton in North Wales showed how it could turn its production line around to rapidly produce ventilators but is now facing nearly 1500 job cuts. This is in line with the New Lucas Plan to switch production from armaments to socially useful jobs. We question therefore why there was no mention of such a much needed and transformative initiative in your comments? 

There is a significant opportunity to repurpose or create jobs in the aerospace sector that will enable the transition to a zero carbon economy such as in wind turbine manufacture or mass public transport, or in providing ongoing much needed support for the NHS, and wider health and social care services.    

The minimal response you outlined appears to be a betrayal of both these workers and of wider society. It is also an own goal if we are looking to bring “red wall” constituencies back into the Labour fold.

Yours sincerely

Peter Murry, Secretary,

 pp Green Party Trade Union group