PEPPA, ELVIS AND ME

You know the end of an election campaign is nigh when they start dragging out the novelty acts. Poor old Gordon Brown looked a bit embarrassed to be suddenly serenaded by an Elvis impersonator singing "The Wonder Of You." Other Elvis songs spring more readily to mind at present. As we continue to flounder "way down" in the polls even Peppa the Pig has bailed out.
Meanwhile, the Institute for Fiscal Studies says all the parties are telling porkies about the cuts which will follow after May 6. And they are right.
Labour is the least worst option in their scenario but of course there is little to choose between the three parties as none of them is targetting the real culprits for this crisis. The Liberal Democrats plan to cancel Trident - saving around £75B - so should we. But that is the only policy on which they can seriously stake a claim to be "left" of Labour.

And maybe it's wishful thinking but I don't believe the Clegg factor is as big as the media is oplaying it. I still do believe, vehemently, that with a different, sociaist agenda, Labour would not be languishing so badly. Imagine the money we could claw back if we targetted the fat cats and the tax dodgers.......and taxed the rich they should be taxed. Instead of asking ordinary folk with ordinary salaries to pay the price iof capitalism's meltdown
Meanwhile, the election news from West Yorkshire is pretty mixed.Constituencies with Labour majorities of less than 3,000 are unlikely to survive the rout - howver despite everything I've still been able to do a bit of canvassing for Linda Riordan and hope to be back in Halifax at the weekend. Ashcroft money has been poured into the constituency and things hang pretty much in the balance. Linda, who has opposed Trident, Iraq, and is way to the left of the Liberal Democrats, desreves all the support which can be mustered. Likewise Mike Wood in Batley and Spen and I'm sad my family difficulties have meant I've not been able to do more.
This election is one I will always remember for sad reasons which have nothing to do with politics. But I still hope to be celebrating afterwards with friends and comrades on the Labour Left who have made it back to Parliament - and I will then carry on campaigning for a change in direction. Whoever is in charge.......both locally and nationally

A FUTURE FAIR FOR ALL

The language we use in communicating ideas is desperately important. Too often, the left resorts to mantras and platitudes instead of arguing its case in terms people can understand.

The populist way in which the Tobin tax has been re-named the Robin Hood Tax is possibly deploted by purists. But , hey. taking from the rich and giving to the poor is an idea which just might catch on.

Labour's slogan for the General Election, albeit recycled from the 2003 Party confeence, is a god one.But how can people believe it when the reality is so very different.

It is patently NOT fair that bankers still get huge bonuses espite being bailed out by us.Likewise that we are told a cuts programme is inevitable when £100billion every year is lost to the economy by tax avoidance. There IS a way forward which would help bring about a fair future , and which would involve cuts.

Cuts to massive spending on Trident, cuts on military warfare in Afghanistan, cuts to tax for the low-poaid and an increase in the number of rich people paying the tax they should be paying to redistribute the wealth.

We could also cut the profits being made by the private utilities capitalising on the recent cold weather by bringing water, gas and electricity back into public ownership.

We could cut the bureaucracy in the NHS and deliver the money to front-line services. Cut the profits made by the private pharmaeceutical industry and end the gross profiteering from PFI.

Let's also cut prescription charges and tuition fees and student loans.

Including all, or any, of the above in Labour's election manifesto would bring about a turn-around in the Party's fortunes and deliver a fourth term.

Mouthing platitudes which sound good is unlikely to do that .

POLICY CHANGE NEEDED

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has predictably ditched the dividing lines between his party and the Tories which made some Labour voters switch at the last General Election. Scrapping the policy on care for the elderly and tuition fees was not "grown-up poliics." It was a white flag of surrender to neo-liberalism.

The good news for Labour is that his sharp turn to the right will do the Fibs no favours whatsoever. The bad news that Labour is still hell-bent on sticking to the Tory cuts agenda.

Last night on Newsnight doyenne politicians Prescott and Hattersley were steadfastly loyal but also singularly blinkered in their dogged assertions that Labour still stands for a different way of governing. How Mandelson, chief architect of the GE strategy, praises Thatcher and continues to bang the New Labour drum.

I think it's excellent the coup led by Hoon, Hewitt and Charles Clarke died in the water. But what we need, as left Mps and trade union leaders are pointing out, is real policy change which helps, to use the cliche, "the many not the few." and which will bring our core voters back

The PLP most move fast to make the General Election campaign one which puts clear red water between Labour and the Tories. With the Lib Dems giving up any claim to being left-of-centre, now is the time for Labour to seize the moment.

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/85247

MARCH 25 - WATCH THAT DATE

A March election is on the cards according to the BBC - and according to many at Westminster.
Interesting times........
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8410502.stm

MASS CANVAS IN HAYES AND HARLINGTON - RE-ELECT JOHN McDONNELL!

With only months to go until the General Election, it's absolutely vital that left activists rally round the socialist MPs who are at risk of losing their seats. So well done to Stroppy and comrades for organising mass canvassing every other Sunday in Hayes and Harlington. Starting Sunday October 18. Details on the Facebook group below.



http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=160143531011&mid=13e5a3bG1fabec62G3b7697bG7

BUILDING THE RESISTANCE IN THE LRC

Chilling, isn't it, to watch the Tories in Manchester? Chilling because we know that in a year's time these chumps ( to use Mandelson's favourite, ahem, swear-word ) are likely to be in charge of the country - and Labour will be consigned to Opposition.
Such thoughts are not defeatist. They are realistic.And maybe our only hope of escaping this fate worse than death is to draw up the battle-lines now and make it clear what the difference is between us and the Tories. The problem is of course that cuts are also on Labour's agenda - what a difference it would make if we came out fighting instead of bowing to the demands of the CBI and IMF.
The LRC AGM on November 14 has the theme of Building The Resistance. And where we can, we MUST campaign against the threats we face to working people and the trade union movement.
Internal victories like having grassroots control of the NPF will mean precisely nothing if we're in the throes of a Tory Government. So in the months ahead it is absolutely vital that we campaign to retain as many Labour MPs as we can. promote socialist policies in and outside the Labour Party, and do not get so pre-occupied with navel-gazing that we lose sight of the bigger, terrifying picture.
On Wednesday night I'll be talking to the Greater Manchester LRC on the implications, politically, post-Labour conference and the week after I'm going over to Hazel Grove CLP to do something similar.
In my year as LRC co Vice-Chair, I've done my best to encourage others to mobilise and form local groups to give LP members a bit of hope that there is a progressive alternative. I hope to be re-elected in November to carry on that work.
The juggernaut of a Conservative Government is staring us straight in the face and now is not the time to abandon the radical policy changes we've called for in recent years. Policies like nationalisng the banks under democratic control, taking back control of the private utilities, defending union activists in struggle, could yet save us. Platitudes won't do it. Principles might. Now is the time... to come to the aid of our Party. And the Mps who are now fighting for their political lives. Here's what one of them, Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, has to say on the matter
http://l-r-c.org.uk/news/story/five-steps-to-the-return-of-labour-jeremy-corbyn/

CAN LABOUR SURVIVE IN THE CALDER VALLEY?

I was down in London yesterday for a meeting of the LRC's National Committee and discussing Parliamentary selections. A well-intentioned comrade said to me, if you put in the work, you will get selected. I disagree rather in the light of my own experiences but this was certainly true in the case of Calder Valley's Janet Oosthuysen, who was selected after a hard contest only to be unendorsed in the light of stories which appeared in the media which the NEC judged would harm Labour's chances at the General Election. We said they were wrong.
I've blogged at length about the reasons why, so I will not repeat them again. Suffice to say my Branch lobbied the NEC and several individuals also made complaints- to no avail.
Today, the Mail On Sunday is running a quite separate story about our current PPC , Steph Booth. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the matter, it should be investigated by the NEC as a matter of urgency.
Calder Branch Labour Party has a public meeting on Thursday at the Hole In The Wall pub in Hebden Bridge on the general topic of the General Election. I hope Party members and non-Party members locally will turn up and tell us what they think.

ELECTION SPIN BACK ON THE AGENDA

I don't mind admitting when I'm wrong and I couldn't have been more so about the trajectory for Gordon Brown. In September, it looked as though he would be out by Christmas but politics is a volatile game, his stock has risen over the Government's handling of the economy and today the pundits are yet again predicting a snap General Election in June.
Which means Downing Street is seriously considering the scenario.
They did so of course in September 2007 when a snap GE was called off at the last minute. Brown lived to rue the consequences but now things superficially seem to have turned around. That superficiality would IMHO be a reason for deterring.
If Brown has re-gained public confidence that could easily dissipate if he is seen once more as an opportunist
Thousands of jobs are going down the tubes, repossessions are rising every day and we are on the cusp of the depths of winter with many too scared to turn their central heating on in case they can't afford the bills. Frankly, the Government should be concentrating on thise issues rather than encouraging more election speculation. UPDATE: Gordon Brown now "vehemently" denying the rumours. I hope that's true as a snap election just might rebound on him.

TUFTY TIMES FOR LABOUR

As a woman of a certain age (you have to be to understand the reference) I was highly amused to learn that a Labour MP had likened Brown's young advisors to cliquey members of the Tufty Club in their inexperience and ill-advised push for a General Election. Not so amusing to learn Labour may have squandered over £500,000 on the Election That Never Was.

IT'S OFF!

As I predicted, the BBC is now reporting the general Election is OFF! Why oh why didn't I go and place a bet.....

INTO THE VALLEY OF DEATH?

Roughly speaking there are about 600 MPs which is why as the will he/won't he nonsense continues I am reminded of the Charge Of The Light Brigade......... Apparently the leaflets have been printed, MPs have been told to tidy up their offices and we're all ready to rock and roll , Except that we're, er, not.
I know NOBODY who wants there to be an election. It is, in short, utter madness. I am even wondering whether it's a trap set for Gordon by what's left of the Blairites. But no, the Prime Minister has brought this all on himself. In the past seven days, the public mood has changed spectacularly. People saw through the "troop reduction" announcement, they liked the way Cameron stood up to Brown and challenged for an Election HE most certainly does not want. The most crazy thing of all is that Labour could well find its majority slashed or even out of government..... with three years to go before an election has to happen. OK, if we don't have an election then Brown will be damaged. Frankly, he will be a lot more damaged if Labour is crucified at the polls. The way they are going, nothing is predictable. He should listen to the voices of reason ( if there are any) think about those marginal seats and call the whole thing off. Leaflets can be recycled. MPs, generally speaking, can't ( there are exceptions like Mr Galloway)

TOO CLOSE TO CALL, GORDON

Iain Dale reports an extraordinary turnaround in Tory fortunes. Tonight's Channel 4 YouGov poll apparently gives Labour only a 3 per cent lead. Another, in tomorrow's Guardian, puts the TORIES in the lead by three per cent. Yes, he would say that wouldn't he. But if it's true, surely too too close to call for Gordon. People have been comparing him to Macbeth, "in blood steeped so far" that he has no option but to go on. As I have said before, Gordon is more like Hamlet, the eternal procrastinator. I really don't think he's going to risk all on such a slender pre-requisite.

I'M NOT A GAMBLING WOMAN BUT.....

I might just nip down the bookies and put money on there NOT being a General Election. Just a hunch.....

THE PLOT THICKENS..........

At the risk of being inconsistent, I now get the feeling an election may not be quite such a dead certainty after all. Why? Brown's people are suddently briefing their pals in the media that it might not happen after all . Today's Independent sticks its neck out and suggests Brown's inner circle " is understood to have become more cautious about an election after studying Labour’s private polling in key marginal seats which is described as “patchy and extremely tight”. MPs in Scotland are also understood to be horrified at the prospect of a poll and anyone who has spent ( as I have ) much time there in the depths of winter will understand why.By November, it's getting dark at 3pm.
In the marginals , there is little cause for triumphalism. And, worst of all , in many constituencies candidates will be imposed - so don't expect activists to be rushing out to knock on doors. With a low turn-out, that could be a disaster.
Yesterday, Cameron's speech steadied Tory nerves and the "it's messy, but it's me" approach was in stark contrast to Gordon Brown's utterly stage-managed Conference.So this could be another "Gordon steps back from the brink" moment.
Remember last year's failed coup against Blair? The big Brownite rebellion over top-up fees? On many occasions, Gordon Brown has stood on the edge of the cliff - and scurried away. This time, he may have left it too late to do that. But don't bet on it.......

CAMERON RAISES THE STAKES

So David Cameron has raised the gauntlet. An hour-long speech without notes and a call to arms for a General Election. It would be gripping stuff - if it wasn't just posturing on both sides.But Brown's bluff has now been well and truly called. And he has boxed himself in so much I really do not see how he can get out of it. As I sit at my computer, the West Yorkshire skies are truly glum, the leaves are rapidly disappearing and the prospect of traipsing round with leaflets truly does not appeal. Thoughts, I'm sure, echoed round the country......

ELECTION FEVER SHOULD BE QUARANTINED

Someone once described Clement Attlee as a "modest man with much to be modest about." The same cannot be said of Gordon Brown.The man is a political genius of formidable stature but sometimes you can be too bloody clever by half. He has spent the last three months in a determined bid to run his tanks over the Tories - not by adopting the "best when we are Labour" policies he used to espouse but actually by moving further and further to the right in his bid to persuade Tories to jump ship. Sod the rest of us......
I am so glad I was not in the Conference Hall last week when Tory defector Quentin Davies was hauled on like some prize trophy to make a speech. I know - 100 per cent - I would have done a Walter Wolfgang .
Brown also got his way with the unions on contemporary resolutions on the back of an imminent election. Now he is grandstanding in Iraq and re-hashing old policy announcements to make it seem as though another few hundred troops out is a major breakthrough. My word it's clever - but many Party members I know are sick and tired of his manoevring and posturing. The "British jobs for British workers" rhetoric sickened many of us last week. Brown , as the NUM's Nigel Pearce put it on Saturday, is suffering from "blue tongue disease."
Now it very much looks as though a General Election is imminent - or is it? Nobody I know wants to traipse the streets in the pitch-black for no reason other than to assuage Brown's enormous ego, It's unnecessary, unwelcome, and may well backfire . Above all, it's an election which will be based on the spin, smoke and mirrors which Gordon said he was so determined to sweep away. As former PM John Major says in today's Guardian: "What is pretty unattractive is the nods and winks, the hints, the cynicism, the belief that every decision is being taken because it is marching to the drumbeat of an election rather than to the drumbeat of solid proper government. " Intellectually, Major is a pygmy compared to Brown. On this occasion, he is right.

WILL IT ALL BE OVER BY CHRISTMAS?

The PM's announcement today of more troop withdrawals ( though half had already been announced) must up the ante even further of a General Election. 4500 troops WILL remain in Iraq, but this news will obviously be welcomed by an electorate desperate to draw a line under the Blair years. I'm now convinced he will announce an Election next week.......unless events intervene.

80 PER CENT CERTAINTY OF GENERAL ELECTION....

On good authority from source who is ex-Minister and former MP......a big, big mistake . Too early, too cold, and simply too much for most activists sick of being used as campaign fodder - then kicked in the teeth.

WILL HE STAY OR WILL HE GO TO THE COUNTRY?

It's not often I agree with William Hague, but his description of Gordon Brown as a "calculation politician" rather than "conviction politician" has more than an element of truth in it. And that's why I'm going to stick my neck out and say Gordon WON'T call a General Election. Why? Several reasons.
1. People will perceive it as another stunt and he may yet pay the price
2. Opinion polls can be utterly unreliable
3. In Scotland and Wales, the electoral situation is far from stable for labour and most Scottish MPs have told brown they don'twant an election
4. Elections in November are not exactly great for turn-out purposes nor for campaigners.
And, most importantly, Gordon has only just got his hands on the top job he has wanted for decades.I've always seen him as a bit like Hamlet - the eternal procrastinator. Look how long he hung on before rallying his troops to stick the knife into Blair. We shall see........

TORY AD AGENCY APPOINTED BY BROWN

I'll say one thing for the otherwise irredeemable Luke Akehurst - he knows how to spot a good story and such is the news that Labour has now appointed Saatchi and Saatchi to head up its General Election campaign.This is of course a logical step - the next phase in Brown incorporating things Tory in his big tent. S and S are not just an ad agency who had an account with the Conservatives. They are iconic - and masterminded the 1979 Thatcher victory with their famous slogan "Labour isn't Working."
Like everything Brown does, it is deliberate, wilfully designed to upset Cameron, and will no doubt annoy many on the left. However, I won't be losing any sleep particularly as let's face it all ad agencies will work for anyone as long as they are paid enough dosh.
Yes, Brown could have gone for an ethical PR company ( there are some) avoided slick media spin ( wasn't that supposed to be Brown's USP) and hey saved the Labour Party some money - but with these guys on board it will be dirty business as usual. As anyone going to this link
http://www.labour.org.uk/just_gordon will see , they have already come up with a fantastic idea "Not flash - just Gordon." Utterly cringe-making. Expect a torrent of well-deserved p***-takingfrom the Right.