Comments
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weak
2009-06-05 13:47:20
I might not express myself in exactly the same way as John Prescott, but it is hard to disagree with his assessment on the Go Fourth website that there was a lack of proper campaigning in the run up to yesterday's elections. I also agree with John that the responsibility for that cannot solely be laid at Gordon Brown's door.
He, Cabinet ministers, the rest of government, the PLP all have a responsibility at election time to help the Labour Party fight and win seats on local councils and in the European Parliament. Councillors being tipped out of office today have every reason to feel that the national mood, rather than their ability or otherwise to run local services, is what has seen many of them out of the door.
Of course the expenses furore made a bad atmosphere worse, but we should not pretend these results are all down to that. The mood has not been great for some time, and the lack of a clear and strong campaign based on defending the record, (a good one) attacking our opponents (they are not that good) and consistently setting out an agenda for the future (it is there) has been evident for some time too.
When I wrote on here a while back that I had seen only one Labour poster between my home and Heathrow airport - the one in my window - messages came from people all over the country saying much the same thing about the low visibility of the campaign.
I will admit there has also been a fair bit of comment and criticism, particularly on Facebook, saying I could and should have become more involved at the centre. I have always been very clear about this - I am happy to help GB and the Party, but I decided back in 2003 that I was not going to go back into a full-time position anything like the ones I held under Tony Blair, and that remains the case.
Part of trying to help was setting up Go Fourth with John, Dick Caborn and Glenys Kinnock in the first place. I have blogged on here before about some of the campaigning we did, and like John I found that when you made the effort to get out there with a positive message, people were more willing to listen and engage than many of the MPs at Westminster were saying.
Of course personnel is important, but it is also about strategic direction. So as ministers unite around GB as he conducts his reshuffle today, there has to be real clarity about what it is they are uniting around, and then they have to step up the political fight at every level.
There is one big ray of hope in all this for Labour. The results so far show that there is no overwhelming desire for the Tories. Cameron and Co like to say they are modelling their campaign in many ways on the way Tony Blair handled the run up to power in 1997. At an equivalent stage in 1996, even without an expenses fiasco, even without ministers jumping overboard every few minutes, we were doing far better than Cameron's Tories are in better economic and political circumstances than they could ever have imagined.
JP's rage is that of a man who knows a thing or two about campaigning and who thinks the battle is still there to be won, but looks back at recent weeks and fears the fight for it wasn't there. The ministers being appointed now have been given a last chance to prove him wrong.
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Twitter NHS backlash good for ObamaPublish date: 2009-08-14 15:44:49
A lifetime's ambition fulfilledPublish date: 2009-08-08 16:59:02
Breaking the blog-a-day spell as warm up to holidayPublish date: 2009-07-20 17:44:49
No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DCPublish date: 2009-07-17 18:17:09
At last - something Obama cannot do wellPublish date: 2009-07-16 10:05:47
Will MPs take the lead in the debate on euthanasia?Publish date: 2009-07-15 12:30:01
Berlin brothel leads the way to a greener worldPublish date: 2009-07-14 10:57:25
A time for GB to explain the whole picturePublish date: 2009-07-13 12:37:54
All hail Monty, Jimmy and Collie!Publish date: 2009-07-12 20:06:36
First triathlon of the summer for me, education award for FionaPublish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06
Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
First hug a hoodie, now grab a gayPublish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42
Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20
New Parliament will look very different. The younger the betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54
Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23
By Dave's friends shall we know him?Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20
The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55
A House Divided?Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47
A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10
Can today be as frenzied as Friday?Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04
Take heart from a win in LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
Do we care more about the NHS or moats?Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23
Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33
Who says Britain can't deliver the best?Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38
Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55
How do you solve a problem like Silvio?Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21
It was the internet wot won itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
susan
2009-06-10 20:20:57can someone please tell me if kay burley has been suspended after calling gordon brown a foreign prime minister? surely some action is required! what happened to impartial news readers?
Thomas Rossetti
2009-06-06 16:40:56I have just posted a comment on John Prescott's blog, agreeing with him. The big question is: *why* wasn't there a proper campaign? *Why* didn't Gordon Brown send the troops out to fight for a party and a cause he believed in? Perhaps he knew he had to record to defend and that he'd be ridiculed.
For the good of the country, either Gordon must resign or a general election must be called. We simply can't go on like this.
Nick
2009-06-06 11:57:08Good old A.C- still as bigger stranger to the truth as ever !
"Tories still weak" - err...no, they are not. They have just won your last English 4 Councils off you. You talk about moats. Ask the Burnley Labour Party what parachute-girl Kitty Usher's snobbish comments about 'artex ceilings' did for your vote there !
And Alistair old chap.. if you have such faith in Gordon Brown...and personally I think you are being a mite dishonest here...why did you go to such lengths to airbrush out 'the real Gordon' from your best selling diaries?
Were you trying to keep something from the British people ?
Stuart Le Gassick
2009-06-06 11:02:36Alastair
I can't believe what I am seeing and hearing! The Labour party isimploding in front of our very eyes. The very obvious desperate deals of the latest Cabinet reshuffle!!
The Lack of Leadership and fundemental management!!
Can't Manage your own office!
Can't Manage the Cabinet
Can't Manage your ministers
Definatley Can't manage the Country!
Now bringing in Alan Sugar wghose only claim to fame is a TV programme! What about bringing in Nick Leesson as Chancellor! Berscolloni for Foreign Affairs amnd then Dr Crippen for Home Secretary.
What a Joke!!!
BarBar of Oz.
2009-06-06 08:54:11On my apartment wall here in Melb, Oz, I have a framed copy of the Tom Stoddart photograph of 1997 called "The Campaign Trail". From the left, it shows Peter Mandelson, Alistair Campbell, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and a woman who I can't identify. I paid for the license from Getty Images and put it up earlier this year, after seeing it in the online Graud illustrating a story of how PM, AC, TB had joined forces to pick GB up and pull knives out of his back last year.
The guy here who did the print for me was fascinated by the power of the photograph, even though he didn't know what it was about and could only identify TB.
Mention this because I believe that only AC and Mandelson would be capable of pulling off the unimaginable and achieving that fourth term, whether it is with Gordon Brown or another leader.
I think you should consider going back to the coalface at an appropriate time, Alistair. It's not over until it's over.
Kathie
2009-06-06 03:47:48I will never have the enthusiasm for Cameron that I had for Blair. I will never have the enthusiasm for anyone that I had for Blair. He with his seven homes and selective schools and illegal wars and sofa cabinets - he has killed any belief I had in British politics.
Sam
2009-06-05 22:37:54Mr Campbell - how can you claim that there is no overwhelming desire for the Tories when the local council map of the UK is now pretty much...blue?
Andy
2009-06-05 19:36:40The media including the BBC seem to be on a mission to bring down Gordon Brown. They are supposed show "due impartiality" I haven't watched a political programme all day that has shown any sort of impartiality.
The BBC & Sky correspondents sound asthough they are expressing their own views whilst interviewing and commenting on todays events.
I even heard Kay Burley on Sky News describe Gordon Brown as a foreign Prime Minister whilst interviewing Rory Bremner. I don't know whether she's since apologised.
Stuart McGowan
2009-06-05 18:47:41Mandelson? Adonis? Kinnock? Sugar? Is Gordon running out of willing elected MPs to make up his new team?
Alexandra
2009-06-05 18:12:26Its obvious that David Cameron is a first class PR man ..almost as good as AC . He knows that media manipulation is so important, and no doubt has some real saavy people working for him behind the scenes. Where on earth are labour's media men ? We need another Alastair.
To the rats I would say ..show loyalty to your leader now and you will be rewarded by loyalty from the electorate at the general election. But what do I know , I'm just a little old lady.
Alina Palimaru
2009-06-05 18:11:16Labour needs strong top-level staff managed by a person who doesn't demand loyalty but inspires loyalty. The strength and confidence would then easily trickle down to the foot-soldiers. I'm talking about you, Mr. C! I will continue to advocate for Labour, but in the back of my mind I know that without your discipline, insight, foresight, commitment, and ability to communicate the Labour story... there's no fourth term.
Alan Quinn
2009-06-05 17:44:02AC, Gordon has dithered and not been pro active enough on the expenses scandal.
When he was pro active on the G 20 Summit, on measures to help the economy, when he went for it he was good. he needs to at least go out with all guns blazing, I thought Ken was again correct on Newsnight when he accused the ginger poison dwarf and the Hyde lizard of putting themselves before the party and the thousands of activist and trade unionists who still work for this party.
Labour held a council seat in Bury South last night in a by election by 9 (nine)votes. This was down to the graft of local councillors and very few others (myself not included) who worked hard.
The tories thought that even though it was a traditional Labour seat that it was a matter of how many they would win by. It shows that if others and I include myself in that had got out more the margin of victory may have been bigger and it show that if you do work and are organised you can win.
Jane A
2009-06-05 17:37:31It was a campaign-under-Invisibility-Cloak out here, and I still can't get my head around that. If the tipped-out Councillors blame the PLP and vice versa, Cameron will be hopping and skipping because he gets his five minutes in front of the cameras doing his "Labour-implode" spiel. Again.
On the detail, I am thrilled to get Andy Burnham (back) as SoS for Health, and I say that as a firm fan of Alan Johnson who has done nothing but good as Health Minister.
Mark 'Elvis' Wright
2009-06-05 17:05:28Agreed. The clarity of message has been woeful if not non-existent.
I don't understand why GB took 10 days to give a major television interview (the 'Andrew Marr Show' last Sunday) whilst Cameron was popping up on any channel that would give him airtime. I'm not convinced GB's receiving the best advice.
Put it another way: when you're waiting for a train that's been delayed you want constant updates and information as to the progress of the situation, not just an apology when it finally turns up.
If GB isn't comfortable with doing this (and that's fair enough) then PM should be the media point of contact on behalf of the government. I've always thought GB should have a strong Deputy PM. Perhaps PM?
Never has the analogy that 'government's lose elections' been more starkly revealed that in the results of these elections.
Mark/Elvis
(Another thought: The day Ed Balls becomes Chancellor then we'll really know we're out of the woods!)
Thomas Binns
2009-06-05 16:37:25Your comment that "There is one big ray of hope in all this for Labour. The results so far show that there is no overwhelming desire for the Tories" shows you have not lost the art of dark spin.
Michael Foot was more popular than Gordon Brown. How can a party I have been proud to serve that is based on socilaist ideals have become so self serving.
The only penance voters will accept is a period on the opposition benches while we sort out our morals and values. We have forgotten we are servants of the people.
Tom
Janet
2009-06-05 15:00:54The problem has been the Westminster bubble forgetting that there is a world outside of activists campaigning hard in other elections. They forgot their duty to us and looked to their own self-preservation.
What we now need to do as a party is to re-group at grassroots level and pay more attention to members than MPs.Party volunteers are feeling very let down. We must now reassess our strategy in light of the new situation of lots of MPs from both major parties standing down and build up far more local campaigns.
Georgie Hall
2009-06-05 15:00:47Joanna Lumley setting policy on Ghurkas ... Gordon Brown calling Simon Cowell to check on Susan Boyle's health ... now Alan Sugar in the house of Lords as an enterprise 'tsar'. Does anyone tell Gordon how comical it looks? Pathetic and gimmicky. He should be challenging the media celebrity mania not pandering to it the whole time
Frank Wallis
2009-06-05 14:58:28Just read your comment, then John Prescott's. Saying the same thing in different ways, but I do respect your obvious reluctance to slag off individuals in the Party. I also agree with your last point. People positively wanted Blair in 97. They don't want Cameron in the same way. Just saw him on the news with his little strut up to the camera and his carefully crafted soundbite. It is all he does. there is nothing else there
Angry Labour member
2009-06-05 14:46:23Such self-serving rubbish. There was "no overwhelming desire for the Tories" in 1992 either but they still won hands-down because voters were not prepared to trust Labour.
Once upon a time you would have laughed at people who came up with such derisosry excuses as "no overwhelming desire". This is politics - there are no prizes for coming second.
We're in the same position as 1992 now. GB has abandoned the centre - mainly because he has no policy on anything very much and as far as the voters are concerned dislike has hardened into contempt.
Getting rid of Gordon Brown is sure as hell not sufficient for Labour to have a hope but it is absolutely necessary.
I bet you even know that yourself, you just haven't the courage any more to say it in public. You've lost it.
Pete B
2009-06-05 14:36:09"the lack of a clear and strong campaign based on defending the record, (a good one) attacking our opponents (they are not that good) and consistently setting out an agenda for the future (it is there) has been evident for some time too."
I agree with this completely - particularly what you say about the agenda for the future. Indeed, it is very revealing that you have to parenthetically state that there actually is an agenda for the future - people just don't know what it is.
Whenever anyone gets close to outlining the agenda, it just seems vague and a little half-hearted. No one ever gets to the essence of what it is. They don't state clearly and consistently what the single overarching goal of the government is. Nor do they set out a clear set of policies which are each necessary, and together sufficient, to reach that overarching objective.
The ultimate aim of a Labour government should be something like this - A fair, sustainable and prosperous Britain in which all enjoy a good quality of life. All government policymaking should then be focused on trying to achieve this.
Des Currie
2009-06-05 14:28:30As a founding member of the nonarchial society it pleases me to see such an obvious end to the systems of governments around the world, not least that of the British people, who seem to be oblivious to the fact that they are not governed by the will of the people, only the will of some people. Trying to prop a failed system will only lead to more failure in the future. Its time to move on.
Des Currie
Des Currie
Em
2009-06-05 14:16:53This is a fascinating situation from a dramatic point-of-view. The hero who, some believe, could have saved the country from tyranny remains in half-shadows...
I'm not entirely joking. The NHS, access to education, civil liberties (although Labour does not have and unblemished record in this) are all at risk here. The economic crisis would give Dave justification for scrapping all manner of programmes which the vulnerable rely on for survival. Non-white and East European newcomers who are already victim of animosity will have an even harder time under a Tory government.
It's important to note that the BNP began to rise in the early nineties, long before Labour came to power. There is no reason to believe that the so-called BNP protest vote would ever move back to the Conservatives. A UK move to the right with the Conservatives might not damage the extreme right at all. Au contraire...
All sources confirm that GB and yourself were never as close as you were to TB and after the Kelly affair, no one can blame you for not getting back in to the fray. I don't want to make you accountable in any way for the present situation but I do believe that Labour would be well on its way to a fourth victory with you in your old role. So this is my vote of confidence in you, a vote which is surely academic with regards to this present crisis ("crisis" seems suitable now) and the coming election.
Zelo Street
2009-06-05 14:10:42The point about showing some fight is spot on.
What was clear during the last week of the Crewe and Nantwich by-election campaign was that Labour had given up the fight: the Tory victory was therefore that much greater, and now we are lumbered with Edward Timpson (the man with marginally more charisma that a Burton's dummy).
It's interesting that James Purnell, despite his calls for new leadership, is still talking about winning the next General Election. That suggests he believes his party still has enough fight left in it.
And if Labour can't muster some fight, the Lib Dems certainly will.
Andrew Bell
2009-06-05 14:02:24I was out from 5 am yesterday morning doing leaflets, phone canvassing and walking the streets, i got home at ten past 10 last night then got changed, washed and went to the count.
I got home at twenty past 4 this morning, absolutely shattered. But if more people did the same maybe we wouldnt have such a poor rating.
Ofcourse Gordon isnt solely to blame, but he is the figurehead and the tone setter. Its clear the public dont want him, alot of the members dont want him and I would think that alot of MP's dont want him-but havent got the balls to stand up and something about it.
Having weighed up the pro's and the cons of Gordon being PM iam in no doubt he has to go...then and only then will we have a fighting chance of winning the general.
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