Some huge announcements this week: from Heathrow's third runway to a raft of measures designed to curb migration. What do these major government commitments mean for the Labour party - will it secure voters' backing or will they struggle to take off?
It's all here in this week's Who's Top, Who's Not.
Top: Emily Darlington, MP for Milton Keynes Central
Rachel Reeves’ growth powered package of announcements will be a huge boost for areas in the Oxbridge growth corridor. Milton Keynes stands to benefit in a roundabout way (sorry) from the funding being injected into the Oxbridge area. There will be funding for the East-West rail, with new services between Oxford and Milton Keynes beginning soon. A road running between Milton Keynes and Cambridge will also be updated, reducing journey times.
Local MP, Emily Darlington, will be absolutely jumping for joy from this news, and as a cherry on the cake she recently confirmed funding for a new local women’s and children’s hospital.
Between the £200m hospital and the growth corridor benefits for Milton Keynes, Emily Darlington’s constituents will be chuffed with their MP. But, in a few years' time when building works actually start, and the area is choc-a-bloc with HGVs, NIMBY protests and increased traffic just as Labour prepares for the next election…Darlington could have her work cut out.
Middle-ranking: Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary
The Home Sec’s newly proposed legislation includes counter-terror style powers to “identify, disrupt and smash people smuggling gangs”. Some Labour MPs have criticised the Bill because it retains the Conservative policy of disqualifying asylum seekers who cross the channel from claiming protection from modern slavery via the national referral mechanism (NRM) official support system. In opposition, Labour opposed the policy – meaning that Labour MPs who are staunchly against the policy, like Sarah Champion and Nadia Whittome, are feeling emboldened to push back. Jess Phillips was also one of the most vocal opponents of the plans; a difficult position to maintain now that she is a Home Ofice minister.
However, Cooper has been called upon to make decisive changes in the law to ease the migration crisis, and this package is undoubtedly that. With Labour facing mounting pressure from the likes of Reform, they cannot afford to be seen as being soft on issues like migration. But, with some of the draconian measures like keeping children detained for up to 28 days when their age cannot be ascertained, the legislation is bound to stir up controversy as it passes through parliament – so Cooper must be prepared for possible rebellion.
Not: John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington
Rachel Reeves has officially backed a third runway at Heathrow, cementing Heathrow’s unique role as the UK’s only hub airport that connects the whole of the UK to global markets. Good news for economic growth, not so great for MPs representing constituents who’ll be dealing with more noise pollution, traffic congestion, and HGVs clogging up local roads.
Tensions have been stoked in the cabinet, with the media finding it irresistible commenting on eco-warrior Ed Miliband being curiously missing when Reeves made her speech. Even though the project has been given a greenlight from government, it will still need to pass several government tests (for climate change, regional economic benefits and pollution) as well as various planning stages before it goes ahead.
However, it won’t be plane sailing for local residents that live where the new runway is likely to be built. One of the worst affected villages, Sipson, is in the constituency of the former-Labour-now-Independent MP John McDonnell. Residents have had the threat of airport expansion looming over them for decades. With no one willing to buy their homes, and years to go until planning permission is even agreed, Reeves might have won the Heathrow-expansion battle with her endorsement, but winning the war? That could drag on for decades and with McDonnell still to be readmitted back into the Labour Party, he is likely to continue his long-held opposition to Heathrow expansion.