Our Notion of Disability Equality

Labour Party MPs must not fear their constituency general committee if they vote no on green paper.

Each constituency branch of the Labour Party has a published constitution. The constituency structure includes provision for a forum of disabled members. This is because the party wants to represent their interests but also wants disabled people to represent the party especially in local and general elections. The green paper on disability is an affront to its constitution. This is why some commentators such as Ed Balls have described the green paper on disability as an "unLabour" thing to do.

The Disability Resilience Network offers to meet with the disability forums to brief them on the proposed changes. We ask them where they have influence to pass resolutions supporting their MPs, where they decide to vote against or abstain when it comes to a vote.

The DRN message is to the constituencies is simple, it is this: You also have forums on gender, race and youth. The most disadvantaged in these forums are women with disabilities, BAME with disabilities and young people with disabilities.

Equality for these groups requires their MP to resist deep fissures in the branch and its constitution and to vote no when parliament votes on the issue. "It isn't simply a disability issue its an equality issue" said Philip Connolly the founder of the Disability Resilience Network.  

Stay connected with DRN at www.disabilityresiliencenetwork.com and join our community.