Why Labour are Scum

[Wilf]

From within the labour perspective:
1) A sustained labour lead in the polls after their worst post-war election performance.
2) Ensured that the post-leadership election battles were minor and kept internal.
3) Held onto the core labour vote that many thought would walk away after 2010
4) Attracted and kept lib-dem defectors

Not quite the worst post-war performance in terms of %vote (2nd worst) or seats (3rd worst) - and the poll leads have virtually dried up, which is what all this is about of course. The rest is true though. I suspect he's kept the party together by simply doing nothing, taking no risks. That was adequate at the onset of austerity, but he just hasn't got it to construct a narrative to win in May. He might get there on the unreformed electoral map, but it's looking less good.

 

[butchersapron]

There's space to talk about the first bit - combined. The polls have been here before and two weeks later a healthy labour lead.

What other options other than keeping the thing rolling were there after 2010? Why does he need this PR narrative bollocks speak - he's got a solid 30% Forget fucking narratives.

 

[Wilf]

There's space to talk about the first bit - combined. The polls have been here before and two weeks later a healthy labour lead.

What other options other than keeping the thing rolling were there after 2010? Why does he need this PR narrative bollocks speak - he's got a solid 30% Forget fucking narratives.

There weren't any other options that Labour could do in 2010. Miliband emerged out of what Labour were at the time, the attempt to deceive themselves they were moving away from Blairism. They are what they are - but it might not be enough to win. Narratives, ducky? Well, call it what you want, he's got to say something, the party has to propose something between now and May. Voting's about real experiences, but how that maps onto parties and who is encouraged to vote or stay at home will in part hang on the politics of the next 6 months. I can imagine what Cameron will say, but not what Miliband can say. That's not a good position to be in.

 

[butchersapron]

There weren't any other options that Labour could do in 2010. Miliband emerged out of what Labour were at the time, the attempt to deceive themselves they were moving away from Blairism. The are what they are - but it might not be enough to win. Narratives, ducky? Well, call it what you want, he's got to say something, the party has to propose something between now and May. Voting's about real experiences, but how that maps onto parties and who is encouraged to vote or stay at home will in part hang on the politics of the next 6 months. I can imagine what Cameron will say, but not what Miliband can say. That's not a good position to be in.

Stop. First sentence. What

 

[butchersapron]

The rest of that, i'm glad you had a nice time in the park.

 

[Wilf]

Stop. First sentence. What

You seem to be thinking I'm arguing there is/was another path to glory for Labour. I'm not.

 

[treelover]

Peter Hain was on Today this morning defending Ed, he was very good, attacking the state of the country, zero hours, etc, he also described one of his constituents who has terminal liver disease who has lost all his benefits and others*, the shadow cabinet, etc, have been largely silent, etc, lets hope they all wake up.

*leaving aside Hain helped create ESA, etc, sinner repenteth.

 

[belboid]

Peter Hain was on Today this morning defending Ed, he was very good, attacking the state of the country, zero hours, etc, he also described one of his constituents who has terminal liver disease who has lost all his benefits and others*, the shadow cabinet, etc, have been largely silent, etc, lets hope they all wake up.

*leaving aside Hain helped create ESA, etc, sinner repenteth.

 

[brogdale]

1 = Not enough

 

[treelover]

I'd rather Hain stick up for his constituents now, rather than not.

 

[butchersapron]

I'd rather Hain stick up for his constituents now, rather than not.

Show us your workings. Show us the repentance. Lest you be thought an easily bought fool.

 

[rekil]

David Lammy: Highly selective schools have a role in London

The Tottenham MP said there was “obviously a role for highly selective schools” and argued that the private and state sectors should work more closely. He called for new powers over education and skills policy to be devolved to the Mayor and for a London schools commissioner to be appointed.

 

[ViolentPanda]

David Lammy: Highly selective schools have a role in London

Hardly surprising from Lammy. He's trying to get middle-class Londoners on side for the mayoral elections, plus his ideological background is firmly in this sort of non-socialist Blairite wankery.

 

[Pickman's model]

David Lammy: Highly selective schools have a role in London

it's back to the status quo ante 1990 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inner_London_Education_Authority

education was of course a function of the london county council and the greater london council.

 

[brogdale]

Perfect example of a focus-group derived, 'dog-whistle', budget-neutral, non-political, short-term and non-sustainable "policy".

Labour is calling for a billion pounds in bank fines to be handed to the NHS as the party seeks to move on from the political damage of a tweet by the former shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry...

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/nov/22/use-bank-fines-fund-national-health-service-labour

FS

 

[binka]

was talking to my dad yesterday. he's life long labour, union rep in the factories and warehouses he's worked in, always goes to labour, union, co-op conferences and is out and about every election. has been a councillor previously and god knows how many tens of thousands of hours of his life he's given to the party. anyway he wanted to put his name forward for nomination to stand for councillor again at the next local election but some regional full timer is essentially trying to make it impossible for him to stand again. apparently they are really keen to make sure that no 'union people' are allowed to be candidates - they want all candidates to be from the professional middle clas. to say he's annoyed is putting it mildly!

of course i don't think it's surprising to many people here but i've never known him so disillusioned

not sure if anyone's interested but speaking to my dad this evening he's now on administrative suspension from the party (along with his two friends) while the party investigates accusations against them of bullying. they haven't been bullying of course it's just a way to stop them attending any meetings while the regional full timers complete the process of essentially disbanding the branch and making sure all the undesirables know their place. funny thing though is my dad is actually quite popular and this has caused massive protest within the town with many complaining about their treatment.

this is in a marginal which labour will be targeting next year and six months before the election the party has managed to alienate all the people who actually put the time in to knock up, deliver leaflets etc. all the stuff that actually helps win an election!

anyway my dad is still kicking up a fuss (they're sending a full timer from london to investigate all the complaints they've received about his shitty treatment) but his heart is probably gone from it now. i think he sees that the labour party is happy to take his time, his money and his vote but they don't want people like him having any actual say in how things are done

 

[J Ed]

What?

 

[SaskiaJayne]

Excellent! this is what we want.

 

[goldenecitrone]

What?

Time for a 'Why the Morning Star is going down the pan' thread?

 

[Bernie Gunther]

I think it'd be a very good thing if Labour had quotas for people who didn't go to public school.

 

[weepiper]

'Street-fighter'? Miliband couldn't KO a wet paper bag.

 

[The Boy]

What?

Meh. I reckon even I could take Ed in a square go and I'm soft as shite.

 

[treelover]

His speech just now was quite impressive, there seems to be a genuine anger there, I think Osborne's speech and plans(back to the 30's) have galvanised him.

a bit anyway...

 

[SpookyFrank]

His speech just now was quite impressive, there seems to be a genuine anger there, I think Osborne's speech and plans(back to the 30's) have galvanised him.

a bit anyway...

I reckon some strategist has told him to appear galvanised.

 

[danny la rouge]

I reckon some strategist has told him to appear galvanised.

I'd be happy to coat him in zinc, if that's what he wants.

 

[Pickman's model]

I'd be happy to coat him in zinc, if that's what he wants.

i read that as 'i'd be happy to castrate him, if that's what it takes'

 

[danny la rouge]

i read that as 'i'd be happy to castrate him, if that's what it takes'

He appears to have done that himself.

 

[Pickman's model]

What?

i think it fair to say labour would be given a bloody nose on the doorsteps

 

[DotCommunist]

can't really see miliband as ken or ryu. Maybe one of the crap novelty ones like vega

 

[Looby]

Did anyone see Ed Balls on BBC news? He was asked about Russell Brand calling him a clicky wristed, snide cunt and he responded by calling Brand a pound shop Ben Elton. [emoji1]

I laughed.[emoji33]