Our experience at the Labour Party Conference

The Do Your Duty campaign and briefing paper was launched at the Labour Party conference fringe event and set in motion the next targeted steps to seek support from others with influence, contacts and expertise. A high profile and well branded fringe event featured a panel of high profile speakers including the Labour shadow minister (Kate Green MP) and representatives from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) (Daisy Sands), Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) (Carla Clarke) and Povery2Solutions (Dylan Eastwood). The event was chaired by Ayesha Hazarika, a journalist and comedian, who also acted as an advisor to Harriet Harman during the development of the 2010 Equality Act. This event sparked a lively debate on the value of implementing the socio-economic duty with particular emphasis placed on the value of collaborating with lived experience to effectively implement and monitor the duty

Dylan on behalf of Poverty2Solutions was inspirational in his debut speech at the event:

“We may not be politicians, or experts on law and legislation, but we are experts by experience. With knowledge and expertise on our communities on what they want and what they need. This is a chance for those who have felt voiceless, who have given up on politics. In a nation arguably more divided than ever to be heard, through implementation of the socio-economic duty our involvement will hopefully lead us to feel protected and valued”

Dylan Eastwood, Thrive

As a result of attending the Labour Party conference, key contacts were made, legal advice has been offered and follow up meetings were held with members of Labour’s shadow cabinet. While fully assessing the party conference launch is difficult, overall feedback has been positive and group members have felt inspired:

“taking our project to the LPC was great, I really liked it. I had never been to such an event, meeting MPs and public figures was something special, I felt some of the people really listened to us. We really need to keep meeting people and getting the message out there.”

Angela, ATD Fourth World

“it is a sign that our words are getting taken into account. I think is important that the voices of people from the grassroots are heard by government. Putting an end to poverty is important, we hope to see positive changes implemented in many areas, but more {for me and our community} social housing in very important. It is very difficult to access social housing, private landlords are over charging us and then many struggling families fall into debt”

Seamus, ATD Fourth World

The Poverty2Solutions focus needed to then take into consideration the announcement of an early election. The group’s emphasis became that of having the policy ask in all party manifestos. The team then reached out to all party leaders making this request. Our appeal for support was backed up with a summary of need and a rationale as to the value implementing the duty. The group feel success of the work to date has been achieved with the Labour Party’s commitment in the manifesto: 

“We will put class at the heart of Britain’s equality agenda and create a new ground for discrimination on the basis of socio-economic disadvantage”

Labour Party Manifesto 2019

“Seeing this in the labour party manifesto is really important.. because we represent the forgotten voices of people in poverty. This is a sign that someone is listening for change. Now we are beginning to be listened too, it’s time that our voices and knowledge are included around the table when discussing policy.”

Amanda, ATD Fourth World

“This is a recognition of all the hard work put into the campaign (#doyourdutyforequality) and testimony to bringing together a group with diverse experience lead by people with a lived experience of poverty.”

Dann, ATD Fourth World

The work that has gone into influencing policy to date cannot be underestimated. Our Poverty2Solutions journey will not end here. We are very pleased to see this commitment and will concentrate our efforts on remaining true to our values, ensuring lived experience is at the heart of delivering this provision. We cannot predict the outcome of this election and will continue to dedicate time building relationships, seeking our policy ask and ensuring people who are affected by decisions that impact on them will lead the work going forward