Land of the Rising Sun
Tom H Mon Jun 25, 2007 at 10:15:18 PM GMT 
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A short blog from my university labour club homepage to which I contribute.
Land of the Rising Sun
Finally democracy in the party; democracy in Government; and democracy in policy setting. The agenda of Harman is one for the real “progressive left” to be proud of, and one that the party should embrace in order to win a fourth Labour victory in the general election. Social housing, democracy, human and civil rights, massive increases in education spending and achievement, poverty eradication and a strong and effective NHS look set to be the future ambitions of government. An agenda any Labour government would be proud to pursue.
On a day of change, I am happy that the ‘soul’ which Gordon Brown mentioned has never really left the party. In rejecting Johnson, Benn and most spectacularly Hazel Blears (who finished last in the ballot); and having both Cruddas and Harman in the final 3, I believe the Labour party has spoken with a voice not heard in a long time. The voice of a progressive, but most importantly, Social Democratic Party. An Observer Mori/Ipsos poll (cited at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6234048.stm) shows the Labour Party as gaining 4% in the public opinion to 39%, whilst the Tories slipped one point to 36%. This is not in fact the sun setting on the Labour era of government; it is but morning and we haven’t yet had the dawn chorus!
As the Labour Party staggers blinking and wavering into a new dawn, it appears that yes… the sun will in fact rise again tomorrow. Brown’s first speech today as a leader of the Labour Party, and the election of Harriet Harman was a stirring moment. Contrary to right-wing scare mongering, the election of Cruddas or Harman (both of whom gained my first and second preferences respectively) has not bought about the apocalypse, but in fact we may in fact have been given the chance to redeem the party in the eyes of the public by having elected a new, sincere set of leaders, and as Gordon Brown pointed out, from now on the party's deputy leader would also be its chairman has promised to give party members more of a say in policy, with "one member one vote" over the government agenda.
Finally democracy in the party; democracy in Government; and democracy in policy setting. The agenda of Harman is one for the real “progressive left” to be proud of, and one that the party should embrace in order to win a fourth Labour victory in the general election. Social housing, democracy, human and civil rights, massive increases in education spending and achievement, poverty eradication and a strong and effective NHS look set to be the future ambitions of government. An agenda any Labour government would be proud to pursue.
On a day of change, I am happy that the ‘soul’ which Gordon Brown mentioned has never really left the party. In rejecting Johnson, Benn and most spectacularly Hazel Blears (who finished last in the ballot); and having both Cruddas and Harman in the final 3, I believe the Labour party has spoken with a voice not heard in a long time. The voice of a progressive, but most importantly, Social Democratic Party. An Observer Mori/Ipsos poll (cited at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6234048.stm) shows the Labour Party as gaining 4% in the public opinion to 39%, whilst the Tories slipped one point to 36%. This is not in fact the sun setting on the Labour era of government; it is but morning and we haven’t yet had the dawn chorus!
Land of the Rising Sun | 5 comments (5 topical)
Land of the Rising Sun | 5 comments (5 topical)
