Lewis Backon, point person for divestment within PSC’s centre team, has been discussing (at Branch Forum) pronouncements made by the Starmer government concerning divestment. One pronouncement, articulated in a 12/05/26 letter to local authorities by the then local government minister, Alison McGovern, states
“Decisions on BDS are matters of UK [Government] foreign policy thus for central government, not local authorities.”
In response to this, PSC has said their understanding is that such a stance was ruled unlawful in 2020. They have emailed the current local government minister, Florence Eshalomi to that effect.
This is important to us in WS-Divest because the WSCC head of pensions, Rachel Wood (an officer employed by the council), has recently advanced the Alison McGovern argument with the new WS administration. Hopefully PSC will be able to confirm that it is indeed unlawful and lay it to rest.
Palantir
Date for diary: Thursday October 1st, Day of Action on Palantir
In support of the Health Worker’s campaign regarding, for example, Palantir’s access to medical data.
PSC members and supporters are urged to join protests at local hospitals and there will be a protest on that day outside the Palantir Headquarters at Soho Square.
PSC can facilitate contact with health workers who are demonstrating.
A focus of the campaign is the 27/02/27 break clause in the Palestine-Government contract to put pressure on the government not to renew.
Wales
During August 1st-8th the Welsh Eisteddfod was held (one of the biggest cultural festivals in Europe). PSC organised a stall there which included images of the Gaza No Words exhibition – which the First Minister and Deputy Minister opened!
Plaid Cymru has a long history of supporting Palestine. It formally endorsed the BDS movement at its party conference in October 24.
40% of the Synod as a whole support the BDS movement.
