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Regional secretary with the National Education Union
Independent surge: where next for the left?
Former North of Tyne mayor JAMIE DRISCOLL outlines his vision for a new progressive movement, highlighting the need for infrastructure and skills to turn popular policies into electoral success
ENERGY AND ACTIVISM: Jamie Driscoll (third from right) joins a UCU picket during his mayoral campaign

IF Keir Starmer fixes the NHS workforce crisis, I’ll forgive him for taking donations from US private healthcare donors. If he ends destitution, I’ll forgive the lies he told to become Labour leader.

But I’m not holding my breath. Competence and honesty are inextricably linked. If you’re not honest about the results of austerity, you can’t rebuild public services. And if you’re not honest about the difficulties you’ll face, you won’t get anything done.

As someone who has run a branch of government — successfully — I know how important clear principles are. You have to lead a complex organisation, build teams, draw up budgets and plans. Overcome legal and procedural hurdles. Deal with vested interests and parochial concerns.

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