Tag: Devolution

How Labour showed their guts

I have criticised the government frequently, and when we discuss why they are lagging, I say it is because of their lack of a radical streak. But a couple of weeks ago, they defied the trend of so many other countries. They showed guts. They recognised the Republic of Kosovo.

The UN, has no moral credibility. Many on the liberal-left are vehemently critical of the US's attitude to the United Nations. They forget that it was the credulous, reprehensible, racist, sadist fascist that was Saddam Hussein that violated several resolutions. But back to Kosovo. The UN has more tactical voting than the Eurovision Song Contest. China uses it's veto to defend the fascist regimes, that masquerade themselves as Marxist-Leninists, Mugabe, Castro, Kim Jong-Il etc. and of course the vile regime that mixes pseudo-communism with superstitious nationalism, in Rangoon.


The last couple of weeks have descended into playground politics. Russia, has carried out the actions that Serbia can't take, by blackmailing other countries. Spain, Sri Lanka, China, Israel, Georgia have taken the credulous positions of bleeting about international law, because they are worried for their sovereignty. It is not in defiance of international law, we know this empirically: we've seen how World War 1 started. The most futile war in history, was started because Russia leapt to the defence of their good friends, the Serbs.


How dare the left-wing demagogues of Latin America, and beyond: Bolivia, Cuba, Venezuela, as well as left-wingers elsewhere (who bleet about international law, while forgetting that the Russians would block any attempt for the new secular, democratic republic, to submit their case to the Security Council) criticise the country as an outpost of "Western Imperialism", and then accuse the United States and the United Kingdom of going into the Middle East wth an 'Islamaphobic motive', while all the while helping the Serbs to be pumping anti-Muslim innuendos into the Balkans.

By the by, next time we all think of Christain Extremism, don't think of those who blow up an abortion clinic in Montgomery, or Selma, or Biloxi. Think of how Serbian Orthodox extremists, in conjunction with the Croation Catholic funamentalists, commited mass genocide of an ethnic group, for the first time on European soil, since the other western countries likewise stood idly by, while the Jewish ethnicity was systematically decimated. 

So where did Labour's radicalism come in? Well, while countries facing their own nationalist movements, took a passive, cowardly response, one government, while facing a devolved government in the north of the country, who wanted to declare independence, recognised the Republic of Kosovo. Within the first day (unlike how Canada and Belguim waited before declaring). That was our government. Labour reversed the very worst policy, of probably one of the very worst UK governments. They led the world stage, in calling for intervention in Kosovo. 4 weeks ago, we sustained our rallying call, for the self-determination of the people of the Balkans.


Salmond serves Scotch on rocks and UK's future could be at risk

IF ANYONE has ever doubted the crucial contribution that a single individual can make to the political process they need only look as far as Scotland and the Scottish National Party to have their doubts dissolved, says Ian Aitken

Is the United Kingdom breaking up?



As many of you will know, there's been a lot of talk about the future of the United Kingdom this weekend with much talk about us breaking up.

What do you think will happen? Will we go our own separate ways or stay together? And even if we do split up, could it actually be beneficial to all of us?


Mountain to climb on the Scottish comeback trail

Vince Mills says Wendy Alexander, Labour’s new leader north of the border, will have her work cut out as she bids to revive her party

Does Welsh Labour have a Plan B?

Labour's deal with Plaid Cymru in the Welsh Assembly is still unpopular with many members and MPs. But if they want to overturn it and reverse the pledge to turn the Assembly into a Parliament along Scottish lines, opponents need to come up with an alternative - or risk more infighting.


Just a Feeling - What about Paddy Ashdown?

 


 Is there a role for Paddy Ashdown in GB's Court?

The West Lothian Question

What with the recent elections in the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assemby and NI Ireland Assembly I thought it might be the right time to open this can of worms.

Sauce for the goose ...

A lot of people (on left and right) say that Scotland should not be allowed to have independence because ...

1707-2007: A time for renewal in Scotland?

The third election to the Scottish Parliament is fast approaching. However this Labour member thinks we need a break from our hegemony to renew our vision and offer the new politics promised not so long ago

We don't need an English Parliament

We don't need David Cameron's English Parliament, writes AS Heath, but we do need more regional control

Why Labour should embrace the idea of an English Parliament

Labour should back an English Parliament

EXCLUSIVE: Leighton Andrews AM on the Blaenau Gwent result

Leighton Andrews is the Labour Welsh Assembly Member for the Rhondda. He is a former head of Public Affairs at the BBC and he acted as Welsh Labour's Director of Communications during the last General Election.