Tag: Gordon Brown
This Notional Labour-Tory Switch
The sum of all changes in voter choice in limited local government elections, plus a much closer run thing in London, is clearly a swing from Labour to the Tories. But this simple sum hides a multitude of calculations.
Loyal out of necessity, not conviction
Let's not fool ourselves. Our Leader says he's listening...so it's all going to be alright? He says he is going to give us a say...so it's going to be alright? Much of the media commentary implies that we (mere mortals) are hapless bystanders of the bubbling Westminster cauldron.
We need Brown to change direction!!
1) We need to win the next election!!
2) We need to think of our core vote!!
3) We need less privatisation !!
4) We need to raise the minimum wage!!
5) We need to stop hitting the poor with tax changes!!
6) We need the temporary workers bill!!
7) We need to withdraw from Iraq!!
8) We need more equality!!
9) We should admit shame on remploy!!
10) We need to be the Labour party!!
John Wiseman
PPC Westmorland and Lonsdale
2) We need to think of our core vote!!
3) We need less privatisation !!
4) We need to raise the minimum wage!!
5) We need to stop hitting the poor with tax changes!!
6) We need the temporary workers bill!!
7) We need to withdraw from Iraq!!
8) We need more equality!!
9) We should admit shame on remploy!!
10) We need to be the Labour party!!
John Wiseman
PPC Westmorland and Lonsdale
42 days... the next problem
At times like these we do not need further self-inflicted wounds, but the 42 days legislation promises to be just that.
After May 1st: what needs to change?
At least Labour has got the first thing right – not trying to talk up the result. And these results should persuade MPs that they can not afford the indulgence of a headless chicken tailspin.
Everybody knows there will be no change of leadership. Nobody serious wants to reopen the question, and the party’s big hitters will make that clear. The political challenge which Labour faces arises from the accumulated grievances of having been in power for eleven years, exacerbated by an economic downturn. None of that would change with a different personality in charge.
So what needs to change?
Everybody knows there will be no change of leadership. Nobody serious wants to reopen the question, and the party’s big hitters will make that clear. The political challenge which Labour faces arises from the accumulated grievances of having been in power for eleven years, exacerbated by an economic downturn. None of that would change with a different personality in charge.
So what needs to change?
Policy consultation - Open or opaque?
Gordon Brown has been asked by LabOUR Commission members and others to support an open and transparent policy consultation from now on. The letter can be seen here.
Policy consultation - what do we want?
According to the Guardian, policy documents are winging their way to CLPs and union branches immediately after the elections, and we will be given full opportunities to submit as many amendments as we wish. I'm not 100% sure what happens then (NPF members care to enlighten us?) but it sounds like a positive step.
26%
Woo! Go New Labour!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/24/npoll124.xml
10p Scandal parked for now - re-unite around New Labour
Frank Field MP and many others throughout the Party almost got the job done, as thankfully Gordon Brown finally had the sense to promise to compensate those poorest people losing out from the abolition of the 10p tax rate. Time will tell if they get anywhere near adequately compensating the lowest earners. People are right to be sceptical and we must be vigilant after this catastrophe.
The public has changed, and so must Brown
Every twenty-thirty years, the general tilt, politically, shifts on its axis. PM's have responded to this. Gladstone, Disraeli, Asquith/Lloyd George, Attlee and then Thatcher. The fourties had a country that was in ruins. Labour's socialism was their reward. In the seventies, unions were bringing the country to a halt. Thatcherism was their (punishment, in my opinion, although some of her reforms were necessary). Now, the public has gone to the left again, and Brown must heed the call.
Here is my reasoning for this. A couple of years ago, the furore of private equity, non-doms, and those in the 10p tax band, would not have been as potent. But the middle-classes are getting angry about the unfair taxation system in this country. This is a chance for progressivism, that can change a generation.
I would like to hear from any of you, as to any policies to suggest.
Here is my reasoning for this. A couple of years ago, the furore of private equity, non-doms, and those in the 10p tax band, would not have been as potent. But the middle-classes are getting angry about the unfair taxation system in this country. This is a chance for progressivism, that can change a generation.
I would like to hear from any of you, as to any policies to suggest.
10p or not 10p: Ask Gordon on live webcast tonight
Gordon Brown is conducting a live webcast at 7 pm tonight. Why not focus on the one issue increasingly dominiating the airwaves? Tell him what you think about the cost of the 10p income tax band cut on 5.3 million hard-working people, and ask him to fix it.
Details of how to send in your question either by eMail or text are set out below.
Peter Kenyon
chair, Save the Labour Party
Has the new General Secretary resigned?
A flurry of phone calls this morning has shone light on the possibility that the new General Secretary, David Pitt-Watson, has changed his mind about the wanting the job before he has even started.
Brown enlists first lady to give Britain style
Well known journalist Avril de Poisson has written today in the Guardian about Brown bringing in Carla Bruni to encourage more style in Britain
"Blair Force One" proposal scrapped
Gordon Brown has announced that he will not buy an aeroplane for state use.
While the headline is one of frugality - and perhaps a minor sideswipe at his predecessor - the proposal for a dedicated plane was actually a Gershon suggestion for a long-term saving, negating the need for charter flights and wholesale bookings of first-class sections of commercial flights.
Mirror Video: Cameron's Cycling Shame
Two great videos from the Daily Mirror in recent days. One of Gordon Brown giving a great short speech to open the Black Britannia exhibition. And another of David Cameron cycling wrong-way up a one way street and thru red traffic lights on his way to the House!Brown: There will be an Iraq inquiry
The Prime Minister is committed to an inquiry " to learn all possible lessons from the military action in Iraq and its aftermath".
The commitment came in a reply to my letter, to him, arguing that the 5th anniversary of the war would be the appropriate time to announce an inquiry, Gordon Brown wrote that "there will come a time when it is appropriate to hold an inquiry" however he also states his view "that time is not now".
Brown has to listen to the unions
It seems to me with this lastest policy over the 3 year pay deals, Brown must listen to the trade unions. In real terms most public sector workers are losing money. We have brought in good policy such as the minimum wage as well as paterenity and maternity rights. We must make sure that our public sector workers are paid for the great job they do!
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