Comments
Take heart from a win in Lambeth
2009-06-06 18:46:40
Staring at the depressing blue map being painted as a result of Thursday's elections, I thought I would share with you a story that bucked the trend, and which illustrates what a difference strong local campaigning, issues based, can make.
The story is of a by-election in Princes ward in Lambeth, where turnout was almost 43 per cent, and where Labour candidate Mark Harrison earned 1,726 votes, with a 330 majority over the Liberal Democrats. My congratulations to Mark and the team who supported him, bucking the trend as Labour did in Lambeth in 2006, when the borough was Labour's only gain in the country, led to victory by Cllr Steve Reed.
What is also interesting about Thursday's vote is that parts of the ward are traditionally Tory, yet the Conservative candidate trailed in third with 707 votes, showing that Cameron's followers have yet to engage voters in inner city areas like Lambeth.
I hear a fair bit about the politics of Lambeth from Cllr Mark Bennett, who used to work for me at Downing Street, and is now in Lambeth's Cabinet, where he holds the crime portfolio. As those of you who are involved in Go Fourth will know, he's also a tireless Labour campaigner - as are many in Lambeth.
So for the past couple of months I've been getting regular texts and emails from the frontline as the by-election was fought. Knowing how hard Labour members in Lambeth were working on the by-election, I was pleased to see their hard work rewarded. I was also pleased to hear that the ward was buzzing with Labour activists on polling day.
It was a bright spot for Labour on an otherwise pretty dark day, a by-election won despite difficult national circumstances and the MPs' expenses scandal in Parliament, which is just across the Thames (you can see it from some of the council tower blocks).
It shows that Labour can still win when we have a clear message about what we are offering, defend the record, show the dividing lines between us and our opponents and, crucially, work hard on the doorsteps to get these things across. Particularly now, with the media creating a constant wall of noise around politics, mostly to Labour's disadvantage, there is no substitute for face to face contact with voters.
Labour activists in Lambeth held firm to their local campaign, despite all the current turbulence of national politics and a typically shameless Lib Dem campaign - I've seen some of the leaflets, and Nick Clegg should be ashamed. Indeed, I've suggested sending them to Saint Vince Cable to see what he thinks.
So it seems that despite everything, residents in Princes ward chose to vote on local issues, for a good new candidate and in support of a dynamic Labour council that has invested in schools and youth services, cut crime and kept the council tax low. Along the way Lambeth under Labour has repaired the shattered finances they inherited from the Lib Dem-Tory coalition they ousted, who put up council tax by 40% over four years.
In fact, Labour has stabilised Lambeth's financial position to the extent they have been able to freeze council tax for this year and next to help people through the recession, which must have helped too.
Their priorities - young people, crime, value for money - are the priorities of residents. They know this because they have surveyed residents on the doorstep. Lambeth is a Labour borough in constant touch with Labour voters, with a good story being told by councillors and MPs hard at work within their communities, and now something of a beacon shining out on a day when so many council elections, often for national reasons, went in the opposite direction.
So take heart, I say. All is not lost. There were a few 'what planet are you on?' type comments when I said here yesterday that I did not detect any great enthusiasm for the Tories, as there was for TB in 1997. That remains my view, however, even after the drubbing Labour took around the country on Thursday, which will be underlined when the European election results are announced.
An economic crisis and a Parliamentary scandal, with a few ministerial resignations thrown in, are about as bad a backdrop as you could have for a governing party. Frankly, the Tories should have done better. So take heart from that too, I say.
Meanwhile, you have to admire GB's resilience. He goes through all he has gone through in recent days but can still pull out a superb speech at the commemorations of the D-Day landings.
And finally, having tweeted on the excitement last night, a word of congratulations to the Dutch for winning the cricket against England last night. For half an hour, I thought Kazakhstan were going to do something equally miraculous on the football front today. That really would have been crisis time.
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Labour should put minister up against Griffin on Question TimePublish date: 2009-09-06 12:39:56
School speech the latest source of right-wing frothing at ObamaPublish date: 2009-09-05 08:23:02
More horse's mouth, less Beeb blah pleasePublish date: 2009-09-04 22:49:20
Real respect for sport can be Olympic legacyPublish date: 2009-09-04 09:27:34
First ladies watch out for Japanese bombshellPublish date: 2009-09-03 10:47:19
TV debate - good idea in theory, but ...Publish date: 2009-09-02 15:37:43
'No worries' - the new response to thanksPublish date: 2009-09-01 12:25:19
Tremors of Japanese political earthquake will be felt far and widePublish date: 2009-08-30 15:50:54
Pressure on Ed Miliband can help get a climate change dealPublish date: 2009-08-28 13:39:08
Why Tories and media cannot stomach GCSE success storyPublish date: 2009-08-27 16:03:34
Exposing the absurdity of Chris GraylingPublish date: 2009-08-26 13:20:19
Joy and beauty and a night of magicPublish date: 2009-08-20 10:55:11
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
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20
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 Brown
2009-06-08 12:15:14You can also take heart from good results in Oxford. Labour made 5 gains in Oxford City (yes really) including gaining a councillor in a division that includes a ward that hasn't had Labour representation for about 40 years. This is down to extraordinary hard work, excellent candidates and the involvement of large numbers of party members and volunteers. The Oxfordshire county group is now larger than it was before these elections, even though we lost every Labour seat (all 4 of them) outside Oxford City. Astonishingly, it is also the third largest county group in the country which is appalling.
Jane A
2009-06-07 10:25:23This just shows that if people make the effort and knock on doors, promote the message, answer the no doubt very difficult questions, it works in influencing the vote. I just wish more candidates had done it. But good for Lambeth.
Nick
2009-06-07 09:55:57Who is the better leader, Owen Coyle or Gordon Brown ?
Watch out for a Lib Dem MP in Burnley next time BTW, Kitty Usher can then spend more time with her artex ceilings :)
David Barrett
2009-06-06 21:53:15Hmmm Well no one turned up on my doorstep and I haven't heard of anyone doing else getting a visit in the street, which is just at the top of Steve Reed's patch. May be it was because of the vociferous outrage at the prospect of a controlled parking zone in the area (completely unjustified and a blatant tax by the council to raise revenue), the state of the streets which can only be compared to a third world shanty town at times (you've them on news reports, well come to South London, it's not too dissimilar at times), pointless road 'improvements' and complete refusal to impose 20mph speed zones in residential areas (offering instead electronic smiley faces when cars stay below 30 (if only!) - do you know how much 30mph looks like when a car is traveling down a gap between cars parked on either side of the street?
Local issues count as well. Labour still got my vote though - Can't change the habit of a lifetime.
Jonathan Evans
2009-06-06 21:44:59As someone who stood (unsuccesfully) for the Labour Party in last year's Welsh County Council elections, I agree that efective local campaigning is essential if we are to rebuild the Labour vote in national, UK and European elections. Deep roots in local communities can help us to withstand wider shifts in public opinion and hostile media coverage. However, I would make a couple of obvious, if sometimes overlooked, points.
1. Local campaigning should be based on clear principles, shared values and a cogent manifesto. People need to have a clear idea about what a Labour-run council would deliver. What are the essential principles underpinning the policies?
2. A good local media management strategy then needs to be put in place. In my experience we could do this a lot better than at present. I'm sure there is good local practice out there, but this needs to be shared more widely.
I spent some time earlier this week trying to get the Labour vote out for the European elections. Whilst there were predictable comments about expenses and a disunited party,people also brought up local issues and the distance they felt existed between themselves and the professional political classes. We have to nurture our local roots.
Sukhpreet Hothi
2009-06-06 21:30:33Nice job with sorting out the Iraq war you heartless bastard.
Chrissy
2009-06-06 20:50:30I'm also wondering if anyone has actually sat and analysed the expenses scandal that has caused this debacle. This information did not come out until we were in the middle of an election. Nobody had the time to actually analyse what was being said, but we should have done. Now that the election is over, I've been looking properly at these HEADLINE figures. Second home expenses - David Cameron is claiming close to the mazimum but just calling it interest, despite using it to pay off a main home loan. Our lot have gone into great detail. Silly buggers.
But take out the second home allowance, take out the travel expenses and look at the admin expenses (everything else). David Cameron - leader of the opposition is claiming a lot more than the Prime Minister - leader of the country - can that be right? and Nick Clegg is claiming more than either of them. Why can't they just have a budget to keep within. Surely, the Prime Ministers budget should be higher, he's leading the country for crying out loud, and the lib dems, they truly must have the smallest one. Or am I missing something? Please explain
wyrdtimes
2009-06-06 20:17:32"a superb speech at the commemorations of the D-Day landings." lol yes superb! Booed by the war veterans and calling Omaha beach "Obama" beach.
What a statesman!
McCampbell you are living in a fantasy world. Everyone hates Brown.
And onto your other silver lining...
I bet as a proud Scot born and raised in England and having lived in England all your life you would have enjoyed the Holland win and would have enjoyed England losing to kazakhstan even more - tough luck there.
It seems that even a plastic Scot gets pleasure from England losing. Probably because thy'll never get any pleasure from Scotland winning.
Steven Walsh
2009-06-06 20:17:25Just finished reading your book (Diaries) Alistair and thought I would just post to say what a fantastic read it was. Thanks for several hours of both entertaining, enlightening and thought provoking reading. Reading it has persuaded me to take a more active part in our political process than has been the case in the past ....... well almost! Maybe you can Swing me with the next edition. My Thanks and Congratulations once again on producing such a cracking read!
Boudicca
2009-06-06 19:58:51This country is supposed to be a Democracy yet Gordon is relying on unelected members of the House of Lords to prop up his Government. And this is the man who tells us he intends reforming our Constitution and electoral system. He appears to be deranged.
Labour Ministers and MPs of the past must be turning in their graves.
As for today's speech .... OBAMA Beach! And he nearly said it twice. His infantile obsession with the US President is as bad as Bliar's was with Bush.
For goodness sake Labour MPs, get rid of him. He is a national embarrassment.
Charlie
2009-06-06 19:34:02http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/elections/local_council/09/map/html/map.stm
Hmmm....
Mike
2009-06-06 19:27:16Brown's just delaying the inevitable. The backbenchers surely realise they must remove him as leader if they are to avoid total catastrophe at the general election. Thereafter, the party needs some radical, progressive policies. Until that time, I will continue to vote for the Green Party.
Charlie Watson
2009-06-06 19:24:39Alan Sugar as a peer advising on enterprise? It is beyond parody. Brown should be the star of his own reality tv show -- I'n not a prime minister get me out of here
Brian
2009-06-06 19:24:18Alistair, don't you lose the plot as well as all the others. You are the only remaining icon of society. What is your furure move?, i am interested to know.
Steph Marshall
2009-06-06 19:22:14I can see why you want to find a silver lining somewhere but it is blindingly obvious you want to say GB should go but are too loyal to the party. Real loyalty demands more of the Purnells and less of the Milibands
Harry Jones
2009-06-06 19:20:19I agree GB's speech good today but all we will hear about is his mis-speak
James Wildbore
2009-06-06 19:13:56Really????
Poor people of Lambeth. As shown by Glasgow East and other Labour heartlands - voting Labour will not do them any good. I live over the border in Wandsworth council and have tried to avoid Lambeth where the tax is way too high.
Campbell - you are associated with the old successful Blair regime. Speak-out and put Brown out of his misery. He can't forcus on the issues as he is has no authority -= this country will go to the dogs as he fights for HIS own survival. Disgusting!
You always struck me as a brave man - do the right think - shoot this lame Prime Minister and quick.
Plus I have seen the bit of the speech where GB fluffs his line and renames Omaha beach as Obama beach - it's just getting embarressing. Shoot the idiot before we lose anymore credibility as a nation.
David Boycott
2009-06-06 19:07:11"superb speech"?!?
"Obama beach"?!?
Humpty_Dumpty
2009-06-06 18:56:00'Meanwhile, you have to admire GB's resilience.'
Er, no, I don't; it's not resilience, it's pig-headed stubborness. He's like a spoilt little boy, with his fingers in his ears and his tongue stuck out, saying 'Shan't, can't hear you!'. If he really thinks he's the answer, God knows what the question was. I despair.
morph366
2009-06-06 18:55:23Are you referring to GB's superb speech on Obama Beach?
Humpty_Dumpty
2009-06-06 18:55:06'Meanwhile, you have to admire GB's resilience.'
Er, no, I don't; it's not resilience, it's pig-headed stubborness. He's like a spoilt little boy, with his fingers in his ears and his tongue stuck out, saying 'Shan't, can't hear you!'. If he really thinks he's the answer, God knows what the question was. I despair.
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