With a general election likely to come within months, or perhaps even weeks, Labour activists are pushing for a series of transformative policies to be included in the party’s manifesto, to make it the party’s most radical ever.

Green New Deal

Momentum is backing the biggest policy push at conference towards a radical Green New Deal, including a target of zero carbon by 2030.

With more than 120 motions from local parties, this is the most popular policy submitted for consideration, and if adopted will result in Labour having one of the most radical climate change policies in the world. Other motions going into the same composite include ending airport expansion and re-wilding 25% of Britain’s land.

Abolish private schools

This proposal – brought forward by the Abolish Eton campaign and now backed by Momentum – would see Labour commit to integrating private schools into the state sector. It has been endorsed by the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell. More recently Angela Rayner, the shadow education secretary, said she would make no attempt to water it down. It would include a redistribution of the endowments, investment and properties held by private schools across the country’s educational institutions.

A four-day week

Backed by the campaign group Labour For a Four Day Week, Momentum and the CWU, this policy would see a transition to a 32-hour week with no loss in pay. Before the conference, a Labour-commissioned report by the crossbench peer Robert Skidelsky said working fewer hours would be good for people’s wellbeing but a rigid four-day week was not realistic or desirable.

Abolish detention centres

Backed by Momentum and Labour against Racism and Fascism, this proposal would see the closure of all detention centres, replacing them with a community-based alternative. Labour has already committed to closing two of the most notorious detention centres – Yarl’s Wood and Brook House – but not all of them. The shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, is expected to give more details of how the party would liberalise the immigration system in her speech on Sunday.

Compulsory purchase of empty houses and link rents to local incomes

Submitted by local parties, these proposals will give councils increased power to purchase empty homes and cap rents at a third of local incomes. Other policies in the same area would also affirm a community right to buy and bring into local public ownership privately rented homes owned by big landlords, management companies and housing associations.

Inclusive ownership funds

This policy, announced by McDonnell at last year’s Labour conference, would transfer 1% of the ownership of a company to its workers every year up to a certain percentage. Workers would be paid a dividend up to £500, with the remaining dividends going to a national wealth fund that benefits all citizens.

Rowena Mason

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