Do the interventions of former Ministers help us to move on?

I posted a blog a couple of days ago about what New Labour stands for. And let me just say, I was glad to see that New Labourites like snowflake and Northern Monkey clearly believe we should be a Labour party, and even if they are on the right of the party, would prefer us to be left-of-centre, rather than just slap bang in the middle.

I've been reading over old threads, and it shocked me how much to the right many in the party were. Particuarly JR *shudders*. A guy who supported Sarkozy because of his position on working hours, said that the unions were enemies of the party, and who praised Brown as delivering a budget in 2007, that was excellent politically. Well, we all know how politically successful it ended up being for him...

It occured to me, that when the government searches for a triangulating policy, even generally loyal supporters are ready to criticise. And, they seem to genuinally believe in New Labour, rather than saying that they don't want to be, but it's just that any social-democratic policy like maternity pay, or flexible working hours, or tax cuts for the poor, and tax rises for the rich, is horrible Bennite.

I suspect JR left Labour after his scathing attacks on Harman, even though she then went on to win. It was ironic that he accused her of being far-left after she called for redistribution of wealth, considering this government has redistributed more than any government ever.

Luckily, when I now debate with people who I'm slightly to the left of, the main achievements they list of this government are worthy of any social-democratic party. The NHS in its best ever health, increased childcare, tax credits, devolution, abolition of hereditary peers, minimum wage, and other fine achievements.

Actually, once the rediculously right-wing New Labourites left, I became more sympathetic to this government. And I don't doubt the loyalty of New Labourites anymore. Mainly because they take the time to debate with me, and I started hearing the arguments from the right of the party for the first time, rather than simply, "But we'll lose if we follow your way".

So I only hope we all have international loyalty, and can support Obama in November, unlike New Labour support for Sarkozy last year...

Quick questions:

What do we stand for?

And for New Labourites, what does New Labour stand for?

Follow up question, on what areas are New Labourites on here to the left of the government on?

It is often said that New Labour are just Tories. I'm disappointed in the government for not showing its left-wing policies. Furthermore, they too often make right-wing noises on welfare, taxation, the uber-rich, prisons and immigration.

But if you want a more accurate defenition of this government, I suggest to you what I've done: don't listen to anything the government SAYS. Ever. Look at what they do.

There is an older group in our party, who can maintain Campaign group style scepticism of American foreign policy, or Europe, but who have firm anti-fascist credentials. People like Harry Barnes, Ann Cryer and Dave Anderson can maintain scepticism of our foreign policy, but do not pretend that even when a repugnant Republican administration is in power, that the United States is the enemy. They do not fail to criticise both sides, and understand that Islamic jihadism is a form of modern day Naziism. They understand that sectarian warfare wouldn't just be solved with a United Ireland, or giving Bin Laden "what he wants" (does that include Spain? Will a misogynist, gay hating anti-semite who says that the worst act commited in the West is Clinton's affair with Lewinsky suddenly declare peace if we withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan?). They seek to make sure that we defeat Islamic fundamentalism with aggression in our hearts, rather than through weapons. They care more deeply about rebuilding Iraq, and defeatin World Bank neo-liberalism than saying "See? Told you."

It seems to me, that because of our foreign policy, the left will not endorse any left-wing domestic policy (or they endorse it quietly, or worse, ignore it). It perhaps gives a justification to the government, to continue with triangulation. But let us run through why this government, while it can be more left-wing in many areas, is still on the left.

Losing to the Conservatives in Henley was not a surprise; the sheer scale of the defeat was. Can there really be any further demonstration required of the need to change direction?

It's not often that the Left is front-page news but today's Mail On Sunday is seething with speculation that John McDonnell  MP is to mount another challenge to Gordon Brown.

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.

 I think that's what you call a result....,  backbench Labour MPs have backed Andrew Miller's bid to end the two-tier workfirce and give equal rights to agency workers. Which will make it very, very difficult for the Government to listen to the hysterical voices of the CBI and try and weasel its way out of ensuring that the growing number of temporary and agency workers enjoy the same rights as permanent staff. We don't need a "Commission", we just need this long overdue legislation to be implemented ASAP. And here's the full list of MPs who backed it , which I notice includes Peter Hain......Alun Michael, Fiona MacTaggart and EVEN Sion Simon. Way beyond the "usual suspects", Gordon..... so you'd better start  listening. 
The message couldn't be clearer......here are the MPs who at last are giving us some hope things   may change  in the future......

Time for the brand to change? Is it finally time to drop the 'New'? What shall we call ourselves now? Vote in the Poll Should we drop the 'New'?

Dont you think its about time that England should have their own Parliament, to make decisions on their own about education, NHS, and welfare, without the voices of Scotland and Wales.

Speaking from Miami (Robin Gibb's views were not reported), Tony Blair urged the Labour Party not to abandon New Labour's agenda. He said New Labour's "ambition and compassion" could bring it a fourth general election victory and despite facing its most difficult time in government, the party was dominating the battle of ideas.

Without starting a standard discussion about balancing core values with reaching out to swing Middle England voters, how should we handle any change of terminology for a change of leader? Can we seriously be "New" Labour after 10 years in power? How do we ensure we are the party that represents change and improvement, not the embodiment of disastisfaction with the status quo? Can we Renew Labour, Renew Britain?

The Tories just don't get it.