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As it happenedended

Labour conference conference - live updates: John McDonnell plans to nationalise key services as Jon Ashworth calls for £500m NHS cash injection

Benjamin Kentish
Brighton
,Joe Watts,Lizzy Buchan,Ashley Cowburn
Saturday 23 September 2017 16:23 BST
Comments
(Rex)

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John McDonnell has been outlining Labour's plans for widespread nationalisation of services - including the scrapping of the Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) and moves to bring existing deals back "in house".

The Shadow Chancellor made the announcement during his keynote speech at the party's annual conference in Brighton.

Mr McDonnell confirmed that Labour would nationalise water, rail and energy industries, as well as bringing Royal Mail back under public control.

Elsewhere, the party's National Executive Committee published a statement on its Brexit position after criticism that the issue will not be properly debated at the conference.

Delegates will now be given the opportunity to discuss the current policy but there will be no vote on contentious issues such as whether the UK should remain in the EU's single market.

The truce between Labour's warring factions seems to have held in Brighton so far, but it is clear that a debate over the party’s Brexit policy is looming behind the scenes. One Labour MP, Heidi Alexander, said the failure to fully debate Brexit made the party a "laughing stock".

Earlier in the conference, Jeremy Corbyn suggested he was ready to “listen” to party members who want the UK to stay in the single market. It came after 30 senior figures, including Labour MPs, signed an open letter calling for the party leadership to commit to full and permanent membership of the single market after Britain’s exit from the European Union.

Kristin Hugo25 September 2017 16:03

At Labour conference backbencher Chris Bryant appears to be holding a fringe event by himself. In three rooms at once. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DKlB2p1W4AI-Ffb.jpg

Benjamin Kentish25 September 2017 16:08

The Lib Dems have Glee Club. Labour has Keith Vaz singing Bob Marley. #labourconference2017 #jammin

Benjamin Kentish25 September 2017 16:11

Labour delegates vote in favour of NEC's Brexit statement. Not surprisingly given it expressed existing party policy. #labourconference2017

Benjamin Kentish25 September 2017 16:15

Spotted inside The World Transformed festival #lab17 https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DKlAXoKW4AAEtkX.jpg

Sebastian Payne25 September 2017 16:24

You'd think, given Labour's new love of nationalisation, that the national broadcaster wouldn't have to walk round Brighton with a bodyguard

tompeck100025 September 2017 16:45

Earlier today Dennis Skinner gave a barmstorming speech in the main conference hall. He received a standing ovation after telling members:

"There is a new zeal within the Labour movement. It can be witnessed at this conference. The place was full on a Sunday. That never used to happen, even in the days of Tony Blair and all the rest of it.

The party is alive and well and kicking."

Kristin Hugo25 September 2017 16:59

“if necessary”(says small print) twitter.com/johnmcdonnellM…

Rob Merrick25 September 2017 17:01
tompeck100025 September 2017 17:52

Paul Mason, staunch Corbyn ally, tells #labourconference2017 that Russia is one of two biggest threats facing UK. Isis the other.

Benjamin Kentish25 September 2017 18:08

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