Clare Short Resignation

Dermot Fri Oct 20, 2006 at 08:23:26 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

I am genuinely sorry to see Clare Short's departure form the Labour Party as no one can contest that she really means it, a true Socialist who is in politics for all the right reasons.



However I have found her behaviour increasingly bizarre over the last few years and I fear that she is suffering from being in politics for too long, losing touch with the real world outside the Village and the news studios.

Her motivations for defection stem from wanting the Party to be more Left Wing, so how does that square with her wish for a Hung Parliament where we could only form a Government by being in hock to mickey mouse Parties such as the Lib Dems, complete with barmy policies such as legalisation of drugs and giving rapists, murderers and paedophiles the vote? Not to mention even more privatisation of the NHS and punitive taxes that only encourage rich people to shirk their responsibilities?

As for Iraq and all the other things she disagrees with. Why not do what Tony Benn did? Be part of the Cabinet and make yourself such a pain in the neck that Blair simply has to listen just to get a bit of peace. You never know, some of it may actually go in and be reflected in Government policy.

Tough work, but Tony served for 12 years in the Cabinet helping drive true policy debates and keeping Wilson and Callaghan honest and grounded. That's making a real difference.

This way only serves to make her look like a self serving martyr, looking for cheap headlines and credence with the Loony Left.

Unlike Clare, it will be her constituents that will be hurt if we lose the next election.

And tell me, how does it forward the needs of the victims of Blair's criminal War now that Clare is out of the loop, not even being able to argue her case at the weekly PLP meetings?


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Clare Short Resignation | 9 comments (9 topical)

Re: Clare Short Resignation (#1)

by red flagger on Fri Oct 20, 2006 at 09:16:57 PM GMT

I agree very much with the last part. Anyone can become an independant or flounce off to some nutty far-left group because they disagree with Labour policy, but in the end the only way to make a difference is to stay in the party and express your views there. You didn't see Tony Benn, Dennis Skinner or Jeremy Corbyn leaving when Blair became leader- they stayed and fought for their beliefs.


Re: Clare Short Resignation (#2)

by Andrea on Fri Oct 20, 2006 at 09:52:32 PM GMT

The "amusing" thing of Clare Short is that she entered the Commons in 1983 along with Blair and she'll probably leave it at the same time.


[ Parent ]

Re: Clare Short Resignation (#3)

by Algypalgy on Fri Oct 20, 2006 at 11:43:53 PM GMT

I really rated Clare, but not anymore. I don't care what anyone says she is the worst kind of traitor, and I for one will never ever forgive her for what she has, and is, doing to my Party.

Algypalgy


Re: Clare Short Resignation (#4)

by Harry Perkins on Thu Oct 26, 2006 at 09:47:12 AM GMT

Good riddance, I say. She has been a string of political contradictions for some time now.

I think that any MP elected on a party ticket who chooses to cross the floor or sit as an independent (Shaun Woodward, Paul Marsden et al) should first face an affirmative ballot of their constituency electorate. If they obtain a certain % support in the ballot they remain as the local member, if not then there is a by-election in which they could be a candidate.

Very few MPs are elected on the basis of the individual they are. They are elected under a party banner and the electorate should be entitled to have an MP of their political preference for the full parliamentary term in question. Same should apply for council elections where this is a more prevalent problem.


Re: Clare Short Resignation (#5)

by Antonio on Thu Nov 02, 2006 at 06:46:52 PM GMT

I'm not so sure about some of these views. If someone was leaving the Tories to go independent I wonder if we would be nearly so hard-line on the points of principal.

Its actually very sad and very poor judgement following a great many years working for Labour.

It must be frustrating for her constituents, but it think the best thing for us is to have a bit of good grace, express our disappointment and move on.


Re: Clare Short Resignation (#6)

by Harry Perkins on Thu Nov 02, 2006 at 11:39:05 PM GMT

Yes, I am sure if the defector were a Tory we would spin it to our favour. But the point of principle remains. The UK electorate vote principally for the candidate of their preferred political party. If a candidate is elected on personal rather than party basis then my suggestion of an affirmative ballot would work to their favour.

Clare Short's actions are a slap in the face to every Labour member and voter in Birmingham who worked or voted for her re-election. The same applies to Shaun Woodward, Paul Marsden and every other defector, Labour or otherwise.


[ Parent ]

Re: Clare Short Resignation (#7)

by Antonio on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 04:49:28 PM GMT

Good point, though I reckon the mechanism for achieving it may require primary legislation.

Since the government already has to pick and choose because of the practical limit to the number of bills it can be put through in any session  it would need to come pretty high up on the list of public priorities airing.  Maybe interesting to flag it up as an Early Day Motion though, just to see how many MPs are into it?

While we are at it, does anyone fancy starting a story about favourite bills that never stand a chance of getting a reading. One of mine would be the Horizontal and Vertical Letterbox Reform Bill - perhaps co-sponsored by the PCW - to make all leaflet delivery less dangerous.

This would seek the transitional phasing out of  all `hinged at the top' type letterboxes and removal of all those bog brushes from inside the box, so you don't have to choose between crumpled leaflets or sticking your fingers within reach of someones rabid dog. I reckon MPs of all parties owe this one to their campaign teams :-)


[ Parent ]

Re: Clare Short Resignation (#8)

by HOWLERMONKEY on Sun Nov 05, 2006 at 07:41:30 PM GMT

Get the dog fully on the end of the leaflet,give a good sharp pull and "persto"-A dog with a sore nose.. That'll teach the bugger to bite my leaflet!!


[ Parent ]

Re: Clare Short Resignation (#9)

by Anonymous on Sun Nov 05, 2006 at 07:43:51 PM GMT

Yes. That works.


[ Parent ]

Clare Short Resignation | 9 comments (9 topical)