‘At this country’s time of need, the Labour movement has always stood up’ – Labour and TUC launch Let’s Vaccinate Britain campaign
Keir Starmer today commits the Labour Party to a ‘national effort’ to roll out the Coronavirus vaccine across Britain, as the party launches the Let’s Vaccinate Britain Campaign alongside the Trades Union Congress and the Daily Mirror.
The Labour Leader has joined with union chief Frances O’Grady to issue a rallying cry for hundreds of thousands of Labour members and millions of trade unionists to be “getting involved, volunteering and helping out in every village, town and city.”
Speaking ahead of a visit to a vaccination centre in East London, Starmer drew on the history of the Labour movement: “Whenever our country has been at a time of need, the Labour movement has always stood up, moving heaven and earth to help in the national interest. The roll-out of the vaccine is a crucial moment – we are all invested in getting this right.”
Labour’s analysis lays bare how crucial effective and efficient roll-out of the vaccine over the coming weeks will be. Every single week of the pandemic has cost the NHS £1 billion, the UK economy £5.3 billion and working people 23,000 jobs. Starmer says that every person who volunteers is helping to “secure our economy, protect our NHS and rebuild our country.”
He also calls on the Government to work closely with trade unions. “The trade union movement – of which many Mirror readers are a part – is the backbone of this country. Between us, we can make a huge difference to delivering the vaccine and making Britain the first country in the world to roll it out successfully.”
Labour plans to reach out to people across the country and Starmer says every Labour MP and council will be encouraging as many people as possible to get vaccinated. The campaign will push for a successful roll-out using family, community and local networks to reach out, support and encourage vaccinations and tackle disinformation.
Today, Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Frances O’Grady will be writing to millions of trade unionists and Labour members asking them to join the campaign. Labour will in the coming weeks hand over its social media accounts to NHS workers, those tackling misinformation and those involved in the vaccination effort.
Keir Starmer MP, Leader of the Labour Party, said:
“Whenever our country has been at a time of need, the Labour movement has always stood up, moving heaven and earth to help in the national interest. The roll-out of the vaccine is a crucial moment – we are all invested in getting this right.
“The trade union movement – of which many Mirror readers are a part – is the backbone of this country. Between us, we can make a huge difference to delivering the vaccine and making Britain the first country in the world to roll it out successfully. That means everyone getting involved, volunteering and helping out in every village, town and city.
“Our analysis today shows how every week in this fight is crucial. It means that every single person who signs up is helping to secure our economy, protect our NHS and rebuild our country.”
Frances O’Grady, General Secretary, Trades Union Congress, said:
“Getting everyone vaccinated is how we can get everyone back to work, in safe workplaces, and get all our lives back.
“Trade unions always step up in times of national crisis. So I am asking every trade unionist to get behind our brilliant NHS professionals – and get behind the campaign to get everyone vaccinated as quickly as possible.
“We can all help by getting the jab, when it is our turn – and by encouraging friends and family to.
“I know trade union members will step up to help run the vaccination programme locally. Our workplace reps across the country will negotiate with their employers for paid time off to get vaccinated. And we will hold this government accountable for delivering a fast and inclusive vaccination programme that reaches everyone.
“We can do this – together.”