thank you very much herb afternoon everybody
everybody
everybody apparently what what my voice will be
apparently what what my voice will be
apparently what what my voice will be telling you now from the last
telling you now from the last
telling you now from the last presentation so bear with me as I just
presentation so bear with me as I just
presentation so bear with me as I just get my my notes in order it’s a real
get my my notes in order it’s a real
get my my notes in order it’s a real honor actually to be invited to speak to
honor actually to be invited to speak to
honor actually to be invited to speak to you as herb said not many politicians
you as herb said not many politicians
you as herb said not many politicians are asked to do that also quite
are asked to do that also quite
are asked to do that also quite intimidating I have to say although I
intimidating I have to say although I
intimidating I have to say although I should start with some thanks to Donald
should start with some thanks to Donald
should start with some thanks to Donald Trump because he hasn’t asked lowered
Trump because he hasn’t asked lowered
Trump because he hasn’t asked lowered the bar of what counts for a a
the bar of what counts for a a
the bar of what counts for a a thoughtful political contribution these
thoughtful political contribution these
thoughtful political contribution these days it’s a pretty low bar now and I’m
days it’s a pretty low bar now and I’m
days it’s a pretty low bar now and I’m sure hopefully can get over it I’ll
sure hopefully can get over it I’ll
sure hopefully can get over it I’ll start with something that you may not
start with something that you may not
start with something that you may not expect to hear from somebody like me and
expect to hear from somebody like me and
expect to hear from somebody like me and that is I’m disillusioned with politics
that is I’m disillusioned with politics
that is I’m disillusioned with politics now some of you might think oh yeah sour
now some of you might think oh yeah sour
now some of you might think oh yeah sour grapes because he lost to korban and I
grapes because he lost to korban and I
grapes because he lost to korban and I can assure you it’s not I’ll just share
can assure you it’s not I’ll just share
can assure you it’s not I’ll just share with you one anecdote from the
with you one anecdote from the
with you one anecdote from the leadership contests of 2015 you know
leadership contests of 2015 you know
leadership contests of 2015 you know herb you mentioned being the
herb you mentioned being the
herb you mentioned being the front-runner or the favorite well I’ve
front-runner or the favorite well I’ve
front-runner or the favorite well I’ve been in that position before and that
been in that position before and that
been in that position before and that didn’t go too well but I was in the
didn’t go too well but I was in the
didn’t go too well but I was in the middle of that rate and I knew I was
middle of that rate and I knew I was
middle of that rate and I knew I was kind of struggling but I’m still
kind of struggling but I’m still
kind of struggling but I’m still fighting there was two weeks to go you
fighting there was two weeks to go you
fighting there was two weeks to go you know Jeremy was getting all the support
know Jeremy was getting all the support
know Jeremy was getting all the support but I was in a church in Sheffield
but I was in a church in Sheffield
but I was in a church in Sheffield packed house and I’ve was kind of going
packed house and I’ve was kind of going
packed house and I’ve was kind of going for broke really knowing that I really
for broke really knowing that I really
for broke really knowing that I really had to cut free and really try and win
had to cut free and really try and win
had to cut free and really try and win people over and I gave what I thought
people over and I gave what I thought
people over and I gave what I thought was a pretty good speech I’m really kind
was a pretty good speech I’m really kind
was a pretty good speech I’m really kind of spoke from the heart and at the end
of spoke from the heart and at the end
of spoke from the heart and at the end of it the hands went open the chair said
of it the hands went open the chair said
of it the hands went open the chair said okay well first question Jeff at the
okay well first question Jeff at the
okay well first question Jeff at the back and it was bare minds of the church
back and it was bare minds of the church
back and it was bare minds of the church just to remind you Jeff says I Andy I’ve
just to remind you Jeff says I Andy I’ve
just to remind you Jeff says I Andy I’ve been listening to you for the last 20
been listening to you for the last 20
been listening to you for the last 20 minutes and um yeah really agree with
minutes and um yeah really agree with
minutes and um yeah really agree with everything that you’ve said and the way
everything that you’ve said and the way
everything that you’ve said and the way that you’ve said it as well so but do
that you’ve said it as well so but do
that you’ve said it as well so but do you realize that you’ve been speaking
you realize that you’ve been speaking
you realize that you’ve been speaking for the last 20 minutes under a sign
for the last 20 minutes under a sign
for the last 20 minutes under a sign that says repent JC is coming
and I can’t win Oh Alec Hannah felt at
and I can’t win Oh Alec Hannah felt at that point it was the game was the game
that point it was the game was the game
that point it was the game was the game was kind of the game was up but to come
was kind of the game was up but to come
was kind of the game was up but to come back to that point why am i
back to that point why am i
back to that point why am i disillusioned with politics I’m
disillusioned with politics I’m
disillusioned with politics I’m disillusioned because I’ve come to the
disillusioned because I’ve come to the
disillusioned because I’ve come to the conclusion after 16 years in Westminster
conclusion after 16 years in Westminster
conclusion after 16 years in Westminster the Westminster is incapable
the Westminster is incapable
the Westminster is incapable institutionally of solving the issue
institutionally of solving the issue
institutionally of solving the issue that I came into politics to fix and to
that I came into politics to fix and to
that I came into politics to fix and to tell you what I mean by that I have to
tell you what I mean by that I have to
tell you what I mean by that I have to tell you my my story if you like my
tell you my my story if you like my
tell you my my story if you like my journey is hope said I was born in
journey is hope said I was born in
journey is hope said I was born in Liverpool don’t hold that against me
Liverpool don’t hold that against me
Liverpool don’t hold that against me those of you who were sent you have a
those of you who were sent you have a
those of you who were sent you have a vote in in May but when I was one my dad
vote in in May but when I was one my dad
vote in in May but when I was one my dad got a job in Manchester so I moved
got a job in Manchester so I moved
got a job in Manchester so I moved halfway I’ve classically been at both
halfway I’ve classically been at both
halfway I’ve classically been at both both cities my earliest political memory
both cities my earliest political memory
both cities my earliest political memory was watching boys from the black stuff
was watching boys from the black stuff
was watching boys from the black stuff with my mum and dad they weren’t
with my mum and dad they weren’t
with my mum and dad they weren’t political activists in any way we
political activists in any way we
political activists in any way we weren’t particularly political family
weren’t particularly political family
weren’t particularly political family they were just ordinary labour voters
they were just ordinary labour voters
they were just ordinary labour voters but it kind of planted a seed that there
but it kind of planted a seed that there
but it kind of planted a seed that there was something wrong really the unfair
was something wrong really the unfair
was something wrong really the unfair about the way people were treated
about the way people were treated
about the way people were treated through the 80s the miners strike I was
through the 80s the miners strike I was
through the 80s the miners strike I was living in there in the lis area where
living in there in the lis area where
living in there in the lis area where there were lots of coal mines so that
there were lots of coal mines so that
there were lots of coal mines so that that you know built that feeling that
that you know built that feeling that
that you know built that feeling that something wasn’t quite right
something wasn’t quite right
something wasn’t quite right 1987 to my great surprise somebody at
1987 to my great surprise somebody at
1987 to my great surprise somebody at school suggested I apply for Cambridge
school suggested I apply for Cambridge
school suggested I apply for Cambridge and I didn’t think I could go to
and I didn’t think I could go to
and I didn’t think I could go to Cambridge but then I applied and somehow
Cambridge but then I applied and somehow
Cambridge but then I applied and somehow got in and went to Cambridge 1988 you
got in and went to Cambridge 1988 you
got in and went to Cambridge 1988 you know it was kind of the first kind of
know it was kind of the first kind of
know it was kind of the first kind of for me the first real awakening that
for me the first real awakening that
for me the first real awakening that there were two worlds here in this
there were two worlds here in this
there were two worlds here in this country really two worlds and I couldn’t
country really two worlds and I couldn’t
country really two worlds and I couldn’t really relate one to the other the one
really relate one to the other the one
really relate one to the other the one where I’ve grown up and the one that I
where I’ve grown up and the one that I
where I’ve grown up and the one that I was now in in Cambridge I wasn’t used to
was now in in Cambridge I wasn’t used to
was now in in Cambridge I wasn’t used to being in supervisions
being in supervisions
being in supervisions in Cambridge where these people the same
in Cambridge where these people the same
in Cambridge where these people the same age as me would stride into the room and
age as me would stride into the room and
age as me would stride into the room and just hold forth with these opinions on
just hold forth with these opinions on
just hold forth with these opinions on everything you know it took me a year to
everything you know it took me a year to
everything you know it took me a year to work out they were talking complete
work out they were talking complete
work out they were talking complete rubbish but it sounded a lot brilliant
rubbish but it sounded a lot brilliant
rubbish but it sounded a lot brilliant for that for that year and I always had
for that for that year and I always had
for that for that year and I always had that kind of imposter syndrome you know
that kind of imposter syndrome you know
that kind of imposter syndrome you know I’ll get the tap on on my shoulder and
I’ll get the tap on on my shoulder and
I’ll get the tap on on my shoulder and you know I struggle to kind of find my
you know I struggle to kind of find my
you know I struggle to kind of find my feet in that world but then we get to
feet in that world but then we get to
feet in that world but then we get to 1989 in the Easter holiday from my first
1989 in the Easter holiday from my first
1989 in the Easter holiday from my first year in Cambridge Hillsborough happened
year in Cambridge Hillsborough happened
year in Cambridge Hillsborough happened and I was back at home I’m an Everton
and I was back at home I’m an Everton
and I was back at home I’m an Everton supporter by background I was at the
supporter by background I was at the
supporter by background I was at the other semi-final on that day
other semi-final on that day
other semi-final on that day and I was sat in the pub that night
and I was sat in the pub that night
and I was sat in the pub that night April 15th 1989 as my friends came home
April 15th 1989 as my friends came home
April 15th 1989 as my friends came home from Hillsborough and these stories of
from Hillsborough and these stories of
from Hillsborough and these stories of horror were just then laid before us and
horror were just then laid before us and
horror were just then laid before us and obviously as you know within a matter of
obviously as you know within a matter of
obviously as you know within a matter of days those same people were being blamed
days those same people were being blamed
days those same people were being blamed for what happened the newspapers started
for what happened the newspapers started
for what happened the newspapers started to blame them and when I got back to
to blame them and when I got back to
to blame them and when I got back to Cambridge
Cambridge
Cambridge I was then back in that world and people
I was then back in that world and people
I was then back in that world and people start is repeat what the newspapers were
start is repeat what the newspapers were
start is repeat what the newspapers were saying in these kind of rarefied rooms
saying in these kind of rarefied rooms
saying in these kind of rarefied rooms and and I was like no you’ve got all
and and I was like no you’ve got all
and and I was like no you’ve got all wrong you don’t understand and it’s the
wrong you don’t understand and it’s the
wrong you don’t understand and it’s the frustration of those two worlds really
frustration of those two worlds really
frustration of those two worlds really kind of you know it’s hard you know I
kind of you know it’s hard you know I
kind of you know it’s hard you know I really kind of found it hard to kind of
really kind of found it hard to kind of
really kind of found it hard to kind of reconcile one from the other the country
reconcile one from the other the country
reconcile one from the other the country very very divided and act I suppose it’s
very very divided and act I suppose it’s
very very divided and act I suppose it’s that kind of sense of injustice of
that kind of sense of injustice of
that kind of sense of injustice of things aren’t fair for people from a
things aren’t fair for people from a
things aren’t fair for people from a certain part of the country that in the
certain part of the country that in the
certain part of the country that in the end politicized me and took me on a path
end politicized me and took me on a path
end politicized me and took me on a path towards politics and eventually I was
towards politics and eventually I was
towards politics and eventually I was elected came into Parliament 2001 and
elected came into Parliament 2001 and
elected came into Parliament 2001 and while I’m very proud of many things that
while I’m very proud of many things that
while I’m very proud of many things that we did when I was in the government and
we did when I was in the government and
we did when I was in the government and an MP I became aware that these two
an MP I became aware that these two
an MP I became aware that these two worlds still existed and the Cambridge
worlds still existed and the Cambridge
worlds still existed and the Cambridge world was basically the Westminster
world was basically the Westminster
world was basically the Westminster world as well there was a connected
world as well there was a connected
world as well there was a connected world a world of people who knew each
world a world of people who knew each
world a world of people who knew each other and knew how to get things done
other and knew how to get things done
other and knew how to get things done and knew how to make things work for
and knew how to make things work for
and knew how to make things work for them and an unconnected world back at
them and an unconnected world back at
them and an unconnected world back at home where people didn’t have those
home where people didn’t have those
home where people didn’t have those doors opened for them and didn’t know
doors opened for them and didn’t know
doors opened for them and didn’t know those people in positions of power and I
those people in positions of power and I
those people in positions of power and I kind of thought while I was still very
kind of thought while I was still very
kind of thought while I was still very proud of lots what Labour did that we
proud of lots what Labour did that we
proud of lots what Labour did that we would change that world we’ve challenged
would change that world we’ve challenged
would change that world we’ve challenged that privileged world and we would start
that privileged world and we would start
that privileged world and we would start to open it up and to be honest what I
to open it up and to be honest what I
to open it up and to be honest what I saw as a backbencher then as a junior
saw as a backbencher then as a junior
saw as a backbencher then as a junior government minister was basically what
government minister was basically what
government minister was basically what New Labour was doing which was trying to
New Labour was doing which was trying to
New Labour was doing which was trying to ingratiate itself with that world rather
ingratiate itself with that world rather
ingratiate itself with that world rather than challenge it really if I’m
than challenge it really if I’m
than challenge it really if I’m absolutely honest with you and that
absolutely honest with you and that
absolutely honest with you and that constantly posed a problem for me
constantly posed a problem for me
constantly posed a problem for me because I kind of as I say always live I
because I kind of as I say always live I
because I kind of as I say always live I always felt I’ve kind of been in a
always felt I’ve kind of been in a
always felt I’ve kind of been in a bridge between these two worlds of our
bridge between these two worlds of our
bridge between these two worlds of our country kind of living in both of them
country kind of living in both of them
country kind of living in both of them simultaneously and you know it always
simultaneously and you know it always
simultaneously and you know it always produce these conflicts within me but
produce these conflicts within me but
produce these conflicts within me but these two worlds of mine came into
these two worlds of mine came into
these two worlds of mine came into absolute direct collision in 2009 when
absolute direct collision in 2009 when
absolute direct collision in 2009 when as herb says bike
as herb says bike
as herb says bike quirk of fate I was invited as the
quirk of fate I was invited as the
quirk of fate I was invited as the culture secretary to go to Anfield on
culture secretary to go to Anfield on
culture secretary to go to Anfield on the 20th anniversary now I was advised
the 20th anniversary now I was advised
the 20th anniversary now I was advised by the government not to go and I
by the government not to go and I
by the government not to go and I agonized about whether I should go
agonized about whether I should go
agonized about whether I should go because I knew the government had
because I knew the government had
because I knew the government had nothing to say and I knew what all of
nothing to say and I knew what all of
nothing to say and I knew what all of those 30,000 people in that stadium
those 30,000 people in that stadium
those 30,000 people in that stadium would think but on the same hand the
would think but on the same hand the
would think but on the same hand the personal side of me couldn’t not be
personal side of me couldn’t not be
personal side of me couldn’t not be there knowing what I knew and knowing
there knowing what I knew and knowing
there knowing what I knew and knowing how my friends thought I was at school
how my friends thought I was at school
how my friends thought I was at school with still felt you know the thought not
with still felt you know the thought not
with still felt you know the thought not being there through cowardice was like
being there through cowardice was like
being there through cowardice was like impossible for me to kind of contemplate
impossible for me to kind of contemplate
impossible for me to kind of contemplate but then the thought of being there was
but then the thought of being there was
but then the thought of being there was also impossible because I knew I had
also impossible because I knew I had
also impossible because I knew I had nothing to say so it’s like the ultimate
nothing to say so it’s like the ultimate
nothing to say so it’s like the ultimate dilemma the clash of these worlds in
dilemma the clash of these worlds in
dilemma the clash of these worlds in which I’ve kind of constantly lived
which I’ve kind of constantly lived
which I’ve kind of constantly lived between and in the end I kind of sat
between and in the end I kind of sat
between and in the end I kind of sat down with my brothers and my mum and dad
down with my brothers and my mum and dad
down with my brothers and my mum and dad as I always do in these difficult
as I always do in these difficult
as I always do in these difficult occasions and I kind of said we went
occasions and I kind of said we went
occasions and I kind of said we went through it and I said look I want to be
through it and I said look I want to be
through it and I said look I want to be there but what can I say
there but what can I say
there but what can I say and my younger brother said to me look
and my younger brother said to me look
and my younger brother said to me look it’s quite simple really go if you’re
it’s quite simple really go if you’re
it’s quite simple really go if you’re gonna do something for them if not stay
gonna do something for them if not stay
gonna do something for them if not stay away because it would be worse and it
away because it would be worse and it
away because it would be worse and it was at that moment basically I kind of
was at that moment basically I kind of
was at that moment basically I kind of resolved to go and in the end do
resolved to go and in the end do
resolved to go and in the end do something I kind of knew that something
something I kind of knew that something
something I kind of knew that something was going to happen that day but I
was going to happen that day but I
was going to happen that day but I almost kind of wanted it to happen and
almost kind of wanted it to happen and
almost kind of wanted it to happen and then when I came back to Westminster
then when I came back to Westminster
then when I came back to Westminster when everyone had seen what had happened
when everyone had seen what had happened
when everyone had seen what had happened on the 20th anniversary I then went into
on the 20th anniversary I then went into
on the 20th anniversary I then went into this process of trying to set up the
this process of trying to set up the
this process of trying to set up the Hillsborough independent panel and I
Hillsborough independent panel and I
Hillsborough independent panel and I can’t tell you what that was like and
can’t tell you what that was like and
can’t tell you what that was like and how hard that was given the personal
how hard that was given the personal
how hard that was given the personal feelings I had about the issue and the
feelings I had about the issue and the
feelings I had about the issue and the people I knew who were still traumatized
people I knew who were still traumatized
people I knew who were still traumatized by it when I was in meetings with
by it when I was in meetings with
by it when I was in meetings with cabinet colleagues and senior civil
cabinet colleagues and senior civil
cabinet colleagues and senior civil servants who were trying to block every
servants who were trying to block every
servants who were trying to block every single thing that I was doing and I was
single thing that I was doing and I was
single thing that I was doing and I was looking at them impassively just trying
looking at them impassively just trying
looking at them impassively just trying to do this and then I was thinking of
to do this and then I was thinking of
to do this and then I was thinking of the people I knew back home and on more
the people I knew back home and on more
the people I knew back home and on more than one occasion I went back to my flat
than one occasion I went back to my flat
than one occasion I went back to my flat at night and out of sheer frustration
at night and out of sheer frustration
at night and out of sheer frustration just wept because I just couldn’t
just wept because I just couldn’t
just wept because I just couldn’t reconcile what was what was unfolding at
reconcile what was what was unfolding at
reconcile what was what was unfolding at more than one occasion I considered
more than one occasion I considered
more than one occasion I considered resigning from the cabinet over it but
resigning from the cabinet over it but
resigning from the cabinet over it but eventually we did establish it in the
eventually we did establish it in the
eventually we did establish it in the way that I wanted it to be established
way that I wanted it to be established
way that I wanted it to be established and eventually the truth was told I’m
and eventually the truth was told I’m
and eventually the truth was told I’m telling you this story just illustrate
telling you this story just illustrate
telling you this story just illustrate my main point which is what what I’m
my main point which is what what I’m
my main point which is what what I’m coming to really a question is I just
coming to really a question is I just
coming to really a question is I just asked you all to ask us if we had
asked you all to ask us if we had
asked you all to ask us if we had a proper political system this country
a proper political system this country
a proper political system this country how could it possibly how could it
how could it possibly how could it
how could it possibly how could it possibly leave an entire city 30 miles
possibly leave an entire city 30 miles
possibly leave an entire city 30 miles from here
from here
from here crying injustice for 30 years 20 years
crying injustice for 30 years 20 years
crying injustice for 30 years 20 years sorry with nobody listening how could it
sorry with nobody listening how could it
sorry with nobody listening how could it how could a representative democracy let
how could a representative democracy let
how could a representative democracy let that happen
that happen
that happen and then you know how if you then take a
and then you know how if you then take a
and then you know how if you then take a step on from that you know how can this
step on from that you know how can this
step on from that you know how can this system still represent us properly if
system still represent us properly if
system still represent us properly if that’s the way that it works where it
that’s the way that it works where it
that’s the way that it works where it hears the voices of some people the
hears the voices of some people the
hears the voices of some people the connected world but not that unconnected
connected world but not that unconnected
connected world but not that unconnected world you know the rooms of Parliament
world you know the rooms of Parliament
world you know the rooms of Parliament the committee rooms are even used for
the committee rooms are even used for
the committee rooms are even used for the cover up on Hillsborough and that
the cover up on Hillsborough and that
the cover up on Hillsborough and that shows you how in my view Parliament is
shows you how in my view Parliament is
shows you how in my view Parliament is incapable of of dealing with with an
incapable of of dealing with with an
incapable of of dealing with with an issue like this and it kind of brings me
issue like this and it kind of brings me
issue like this and it kind of brings me to my kind of central contention really
to my kind of central contention really
to my kind of central contention really and it’s that Westminster politics as it
and it’s that Westminster politics as it
and it’s that Westminster politics as it is the Westminster system is absolutely
is the Westminster system is absolutely
is the Westminster system is absolutely incapable of responding to the challenge
incapable of responding to the challenge
incapable of responding to the challenge of our times it’s responsible in my view
of our times it’s responsible in my view
of our times it’s responsible in my view for the referendum result because the
for the referendum result because the
for the referendum result because the communities that that kind of fought
communities that that kind of fought
communities that that kind of fought back through the referendum they’re the
back through the referendum they’re the
back through the referendum they’re the ones that have never had a true voice in
ones that have never had a true voice in
ones that have never had a true voice in the parliamentary system if you think
the parliamentary system if you think
the parliamentary system if you think about Westminster and Whitehall it’s
about Westminster and Whitehall it’s
about Westminster and Whitehall it’s three institutions the House of Commons
three institutions the House of Commons
three institutions the House of Commons the House of Lords and the government
the House of Lords and the government
the House of Lords and the government Civil Service and in two of those
Civil Service and in two of those
Civil Service and in two of those institutions they are completely
institutions they are completely
institutions they are completely unaccountable and and unelected and yet
unaccountable and and unelected and yet
unaccountable and and unelected and yet they make the vast majority of the
they make the vast majority of the
they make the vast majority of the decisions and some parts of the country
decisions and some parts of the country
decisions and some parts of the country have got hundreds of voices battling for
have got hundreds of voices battling for
have got hundreds of voices battling for them in those two worlds the House of
them in those two worlds the House of
them in those two worlds the House of Lords in the government civil service
Lords in the government civil service
Lords in the government civil service but most of the poorest parts of our
but most of the poorest parts of our
but most of the poorest parts of our country have one voice their MP and
country have one voice their MP and
country have one voice their MP and nobody else and this system that we’ve
nobody else and this system that we’ve
nobody else and this system that we’ve got is never going to deliver for them
got is never going to deliver for them
got is never going to deliver for them ever it really is not you know in a
ever it really is not you know in a
ever it really is not you know in a highly centralized political system
highly centralized political system
highly centralized political system which is what we’ve got in this country
which is what we’ve got in this country
which is what we’ve got in this country where you know we don’t have regional
where you know we don’t have regional
where you know we don’t have regional government we have one government in
government we have one government in
government we have one government in Westminster only one of the worlds of
Westminster only one of the worlds of
Westminster only one of the worlds of our country can dominate down they both
our country can dominate down they both
our country can dominate down they both can and it’s that highly connected world
can and it’s that highly connected world
can and it’s that highly connected world that dominates everything and so the
that dominates everything and so the
that dominates everything and so the Whitehall and Westminster system in my
Whitehall and Westminster system in my
Whitehall and Westminster system in my view will never give true and
view will never give true and
view will never give true and an equal representation to those those
an equal representation to those those
an equal representation to those those outlying poorer parts of the country
outlying poorer parts of the country
outlying poorer parts of the country they will forever be playing second
they will forever be playing second
they will forever be playing second fiddle to the to the to the connected to
fiddle to the to the to the connected to
fiddle to the to the to the connected to the connected world and that’s why I
the connected world and that’s why I
the connected world and that’s why I don’t believe Westminster can fix the
don’t believe Westminster can fix the
don’t believe Westminster can fix the challenge it’s responsible for the
challenge it’s responsible for the
challenge it’s responsible for the referendum because it goes far deeper
referendum because it goes far deeper
referendum because it goes far deeper than concerns about Europe this is a
than concerns about Europe this is a
than concerns about Europe this is a deep-seated anger about feeling
deep-seated anger about feeling
deep-seated anger about feeling abandoned by the kind of political class
abandoned by the kind of political class
abandoned by the kind of political class so it created it and now it can’t fix it
so it created it and now it can’t fix it
so it created it and now it can’t fix it look at what’s happened since the
look at what’s happened since the
look at what’s happened since the referendum the people campaigning for
referendum the people campaigning for
referendum the people campaigning for justice on or Greve ferry link to
justice on or Greve ferry link to
justice on or Greve ferry link to Hillsborough same police force for five
Hillsborough same police force for five
Hillsborough same police force for five years earlier they were just told to go
years earlier they were just told to go
years earlier they were just told to go away nobody died go away look at what
away nobody died go away look at what
away nobody died go away look at what else has happened we’ve had grammar
else has happened we’ve had grammar
else has happened we’ve had grammar schools introduced without an electoral
schools introduced without an electoral
schools introduced without an electoral Monday you know this this world is
Monday you know this this world is
Monday you know this this world is closing ranks again and actually from my
closing ranks again and actually from my
closing ranks again and actually from my point of view Hillsborough is the one
point of view Hillsborough is the one
point of view Hillsborough is the one that got away
that got away
that got away Hills brothers one we forced open but
Hills brothers one we forced open but
Hills brothers one we forced open but actually they’re closing ranks again now
actually they’re closing ranks again now
actually they’re closing ranks again now and it won’t the same won’t happen for
and it won’t the same won’t happen for
and it won’t the same won’t happen for others so I’ve concluded the way to
others so I’ve concluded the way to
others so I’ve concluded the way to change this world is not to stay within
change this world is not to stay within
change this world is not to stay within it and fight within it but to challenge
it and fight within it but to challenge
it and fight within it but to challenge it from the outside and that’s why I’ve
it from the outside and that’s why I’ve
it from the outside and that’s why I’ve decided to put myself forward for the
decided to put myself forward for the
decided to put myself forward for the for the mayor of Greater Manchester the
for the mayor of Greater Manchester the
for the mayor of Greater Manchester the arrival of devolution in England in my
arrival of devolution in England in my
arrival of devolution in England in my view is the biggest chance we will ever
view is the biggest chance we will ever
view is the biggest chance we will ever get in this country to rebalance it from
get in this country to rebalance it from
get in this country to rebalance it from south to north and I’m determined to
south to north and I’m determined to
south to north and I’m determined to devote what remains of my political
devote what remains of my political
devote what remains of my political capital to that mission to show that if
capital to that mission to show that if
capital to that mission to show that if you give us the chance to do things for
you give us the chance to do things for
you give us the chance to do things for ourselves we will do them better than
ourselves we will do them better than
ourselves we will do them better than the rest of the country we will
the rest of the country we will
the rest of the country we will definitely make better decisions than
definitely make better decisions than
definitely make better decisions than Whitehall and Westminster wait you know
Whitehall and Westminster wait you know
Whitehall and Westminster wait you know Whitehall and Westminster is like for me
Whitehall and Westminster is like for me
Whitehall and Westminster is like for me in an era of multi-channel TV it’s like
in an era of multi-channel TV it’s like
in an era of multi-channel TV it’s like trying to broadcast four channel TV to
trying to broadcast four channel TV to
trying to broadcast four channel TV to the country you know one voice in a posh
the country you know one voice in a posh
the country you know one voice in a posh southern accent trying to speak for
southern accent trying to speak for
southern accent trying to speak for everybody it’s just not going to work we
everybody it’s just not going to work we
everybody it’s just not going to work we need to do something fundamentally
need to do something fundamentally
need to do something fundamentally different and devolution is our chance
different and devolution is our chance
different and devolution is our chance to do something fundamentally different
to do something fundamentally different
to do something fundamentally different you know a small example I would want to
you know a small example I would want to
you know a small example I would want to set a goal here in our city of saying no
set a goal here in our city of saying no
set a goal here in our city of saying no rough sleeping by 2020 and asking
rough sleeping by 2020 and asking
rough sleeping by 2020 and asking everybody to contribute in their own way
everybody to contribute in their own way
everybody to contribute in their own way to achieving that goal because when you
to achieving that goal because when you
to achieving that goal because when you get to if you achieve things like that
get to if you achieve things like that
get to if you achieve things like that we can make much that what I think
we can make much that what I think
we can make much that what I think people who wanted to be a beacon of
people who wanted to be a beacon of
people who wanted to be a beacon of social justice to the rest of the
social justice to the rest of the
social justice to the rest of the country and I think in the end politics
country and I think in the end politics
country and I think in the end politics will change more by taking inspiration
will change more by taking inspiration
will change more by taking inspiration from what happens in Greater Manchester
from what happens in Greater Manchester
from what happens in Greater Manchester rather than direction from Westminster
rather than direction from Westminster
rather than direction from Westminster that I think is how the country will
that I think is how the country will
that I think is how the country will change
change
change I think cities around the world if you
I think cities around the world if you
I think cities around the world if you look are increasingly the biggest force
look are increasingly the biggest force
look are increasingly the biggest force for social change if you look on issues
for social change if you look on issues
for social change if you look on issues like climate change this is where the
like climate change this is where the
like climate change this is where the progressive and new thinking is coming
progressive and new thinking is coming
progressive and new thinking is coming from it’s not coming out of of
from it’s not coming out of of
from it’s not coming out of of government systems which are struggling
government systems which are struggling
government systems which are struggling to make sense of this fast changing
to make sense of this fast changing
to make sense of this fast changing world change will increasingly come from
world change will increasingly come from
world change will increasingly come from the from the bottom up so what I would
the from the bottom up so what I would
the from the bottom up so what I would say to you all is regardless of your
say to you all is regardless of your
say to you all is regardless of your politics and regardless of who wins in
politics and regardless of who wins in
politics and regardless of who wins in May give give your energy to it because
May give give your energy to it because
May give give your energy to it because it will be what we all make it we need
it will be what we all make it we need
it will be what we all make it we need to build it up and we need to demand
to build it up and we need to demand
to build it up and we need to demand real change in the way this country
real change in the way this country
real change in the way this country works and a real voice for the
works and a real voice for the
works and a real voice for the communities that haven’t been heard for
communities that haven’t been heard for
communities that haven’t been heard for for many years
for many years
for many years I’ll finish on this on this point you
I’ll finish on this on this point you
I’ll finish on this on this point you know it’s easy to kind of be cynical
know it’s easy to kind of be cynical
know it’s easy to kind of be cynical about will this lead to any real change
about will this lead to any real change
about will this lead to any real change but what I want to remind you of is the
but what I want to remind you of is the
but what I want to remind you of is the fact that Manchester has a proud history
fact that Manchester has a proud history
fact that Manchester has a proud history of changing politics and changing the
of changing politics and changing the
of changing politics and changing the world it is the home of radical
world it is the home of radical
world it is the home of radical forward-thinking
forward-thinking
forward-thinking in the early nineteenth century it was
in the early nineteenth century it was
in the early nineteenth century it was the place where the co-operative
the place where the co-operative
the place where the co-operative movement was founded to make food more
movement was founded to make food more
movement was founded to make food more affordable to ordinary working people in
affordable to ordinary working people in
affordable to ordinary working people in the late 19th century the Trades Union
the late 19th century the Trades Union
the late 19th century the Trades Union Congress was founded here just about
Congress was founded here just about
Congress was founded here just about less than a mile from this from this
less than a mile from this from this
less than a mile from this from this building and that gave a voice and
building and that gave a voice and
building and that gave a voice and representation toward inari working
representation toward inari working
representation toward inari working people in the 20th century the
people in the 20th century the
people in the 20th century the suffragette movement was based here and
suffragette movement was based here and
suffragette movement was based here and that gave a voice and a vote to half of
that gave a voice and a vote to half of
that gave a voice and a vote to half of the population and what I’m saying is in
the population and what I’m saying is in
the population and what I’m saying is in the 21st century this city should lead
the 21st century this city should lead
the 21st century this city should lead the devolution movement to give real
the devolution movement to give real
the devolution movement to give real power and a real voice to the
power and a real voice to the
power and a real voice to the communities that Westminster has left
communities that Westminster has left
communities that Westminster has left behind I think we’ve reached a point now
behind I think we’ve reached a point now
behind I think we’ve reached a point now where it’s not
where it’s not
where it’s not cynicism about politics isn’t just the
cynicism about politics isn’t just the
cynicism about politics isn’t just the politicians problem
politicians problem
politicians problem it’s your problem too because the
it’s your problem too because the
it’s your problem too because the collapse of trust in the political
collapse of trust in the political
collapse of trust in the political system is poisoning the atmosphere on
system is poisoning the atmosphere on
system is poisoning the atmosphere on our streets it’s causing hate and
our streets it’s causing hate and
our streets it’s causing hate and division wherever wherever we look we
division wherever wherever we look we
division wherever wherever we look we can’t just sit back and let this happen
can’t just sit back and let this happen
can’t just sit back and let this happen we have to try something something
we have to try something something
we have to try something something different so what I’m saying I suppose
different so what I’m saying I suppose
different so what I’m saying I suppose in summary is it is time for something
in summary is it is time for something
in summary is it is time for something different
different
different devolution in England is the best hope
devolution in England is the best hope
devolution in England is the best hope that we’ve got Greater Manchester is at
that we’ve got Greater Manchester is at
that we’ve got Greater Manchester is at the forefront of it which gives us a
the forefront of it which gives us a
the forefront of it which gives us a unique opportunity for responsibility to
unique opportunity for responsibility to
unique opportunity for responsibility to show that we can make it work this place
show that we can make it work this place
show that we can make it work this place has changed the world in the past before
has changed the world in the past before
has changed the world in the past before and I believe it can do so again I
and I believe it can do so again I
and I believe it can do so again I believe it needs to do so for the good
believe it needs to do so for the good
believe it needs to do so for the good of our society and the health of our
of our society and the health of our
of our society and the health of our democracy it will be stronger the more
democracy it will be stronger the more
democracy it will be stronger the more that all of you invest your energy in it
that all of you invest your energy in it
that all of you invest your energy in it so that’s my final message today come
so that’s my final message today come
so that’s my final message today come and join the devolution revolution
and join the devolution revolution
and join the devolution revolution thanks very much indeed listen
”
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