henryg's Blog
The Inconvenient Truth for John McDonnell
HenryG Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 06:41:32 AM GMT 
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John McDonnell has announced that he is boycotting the Compass conference this weekend over leading Compass MPs' support for 42 days legislation. Yet he ignores the fact that it was his own Socialist Campaign Group MPs that made the key difference to the vote.
Lurch to the Right? Gosh, that's original!
HenryG Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 08:27:53 PM GMT
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In the last few days Denis MacShane has called for a lurch to the right to meet the challenge of Cameron’s new Conservatives. Writing in the Daily Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/05/27/do2701.xml
MacShane attacked the idea of raising taxes to fund our collective social obligations and instead argued 'the individual human being should be at the centre of our concerns'.
MacShane attacked the idea of raising taxes to fund our collective social obligations and instead argued 'the individual human being should be at the centre of our concerns'.
Ivan Lewis Says It How It Is
HenryG Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 03:33:48 PM GMT
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I've just read a News of the World report suggesting that Government Minister Ivan Lewis thinks Labour is out of touch. He doesn't in fact say that in those terms, but his article produced for Progress resonates with my own thoughts. It's definately worth a read.
How much silver, Martin?
HenryG Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:36:36 PM GMT
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This is one of those occasions when my fingers pummel the keys on my laptop so hard they nearly embed themselves in the circuit boards. Where do I begin?
The Ticking Timebomb of Local Government Reorganisation
HenryG Mon Dec 24, 2007 at 10:46:31 AM GMT
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I don't think there has been enough attention on the political impact for Labour of the reorganisation of local government in many rural areas. In many areas we've seen the abolition of district and county councils without the consent of voters. This appears to be well-off the radar of the London media but it's causing ripples locally and in other parts of the country too that will hurt us in May.
Cruddas Calls the Cops
HenryG Wed Dec 19, 2007 at 10:45:45 AM GMT
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I was really pleased to see that yesterday Labour's Jon Cruddas has called on the police to investigate the fascist BNP for criminal behaviour. Cruddas has provided them with a twenty page dossier detailing illegal acts by the BNP leadership. Speaking in the Commons yesterday Jon slammed the BNP for their criminal behaviour.
Brown Picks Fights With Unions
HenryG Sat Dec 01, 2007 at 07:44:39 AM GMT
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Reports suggest that Brown is to push for Hayden Phillips’ full recommendations on party finance in a speech today. This will essentially limit trade unions to donating 50k to the Labour Party. It is a reckless gamble.
Political Gamblers Back Cruddas
HenryG Sat Jun 02, 2007 at 01:05:12 PM GMT
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This week has seen some heavy betting on Jon Cruddas to be Labour's next deputy leader. Following his strong performance there was a marked movement in the money on Cruddas which was picked up on by Mike Smithson, here.
Mike wrote:
'Most of us have opinions about political outcomes - gamblers are prepared to back up their views with hard cash and that’s what these charts are showing.
Mike wrote:
'Most of us have opinions about political outcomes - gamblers are prepared to back up their views with hard cash and that’s what these charts are showing.
Harman Says OK to Private Health and Education
HenryG Sun May 20, 2007 at 09:34:11 AM GMT
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Most people remember Harriet Harman causing controversy when she as a frontbench spokeswoman she sent her children to a selective grammar school school when Labour's policy was at the time against them.
In an interview today she argues that Labour politicians should be free to use private healthcare and send their children to private schools. Is this a worrying statement from someone aspiring to be Labour's Deputy Leader, or is she reflecting the values of 'middle england'? Does it matter that our leaders' life decisions are not intune with party's policy and values, or is she again open to charges of hypocrisy?
In an interview today she argues that Labour politicians should be free to use private healthcare and send their children to private schools. Is this a worrying statement from someone aspiring to be Labour's Deputy Leader, or is she reflecting the values of 'middle england'? Does it matter that our leaders' life decisions are not intune with party's policy and values, or is she again open to charges of hypocrisy?
The Post of Labour Party Chair to be Abolished
HenryG Sat May 19, 2007 at 06:11:56 PM GMT
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In week's Tribune there was a small article which I thought was significant in light of discussions about the party's structures. I thought it worth copying out in full. What do people think - is this a welcome move ending an anti-democratic position reliant on patronage? It certainly has implications for the deputy leadership contest if the reports are true. Only Jon Cruddas and Hazel Blears come close to being able to fulfill an active campaigning role as Deputy Leader.
Cruddas on How to Rebuild a Winning Coalition
HenryG Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 10:47:41 AM GMT
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I don't often read Progress but every now and again they have a really interesting interview. Jennifer Gerber and Mark Day's interview of Jon Cruddas is one of them. In it Cruddas calls for:
- A systematic overhaul of the party
- More effort in identifying and addressing issues over for the next ten years not the last
- Replacing the unelected party chair position with the elected Deputy Leader's post
- Recognition of the integrity of people working at Number 10
- Tackling insecurities and the rise of the BNP
- Re-building a deep and wide coalition that goes beyond key marginal seats
- Brown to outline what he would do as leader
What would YOU call the Tories?
HenryG Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 11:40:06 PM GMT
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The Times reports that the Tories are so unpopular in the North of England and Scotland that they're even prepared to change their names.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article1615771.ece
Mrs Middle England and Those Focus Groups
HenryG Wed Feb 28, 2007 at 06:24:44 PM GMT
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Jon Cruddas has given an interesting interview with the BBC. As well as revealing he's given up smoking and is learning to surf, he covers the limitations of focus groups in determining policy.
What do YOU dislike most about Michael Meacher?
HenryG Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 09:56:24 AM GMT
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Michael Meacher has today announced that he will be standing for the leadership of the party.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6385285.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6385285.stm
There are a number of reasons why I dislike Meacher more than any other Labour MP I can think of. Do you feel as strongly as I do?
Is Labour Becoming a Virtual Party?
HenryG Wed Dec 27, 2006 at 11:48:16 AM GMT
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In the last two days Deputy Leadership contender Jon Cruddas MP has highlighted the significant decline in Labour membership since 2000. The newspapers have quote the sensational figure that we've lost a member every 20 minutes since then. Though a little alarmist, I feel that Cruddas is right to talk about the political significance of this and the danger of Labour becoming 'a virtual party'.
Labour's electoral college
HenryG Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 10:23:17 AM GMT
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In light of the Hayden Phillips furore, yesterday Alan Johnson confirmed that he believed in the trade union link. But a Tribune article from last year suggests that he is opposed to the electoral college he is fighting the Deputy Leadership through.
Can Johnson be trusted ensuring trade union involvement, or does he have an agenda to reduce their long-term role in the party?
Does Blair's Legacy Include Destroying The Labour-Union Link?
HenryG Tue Dec 12, 2006 at 11:50:22 AM GMT
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Two articles in the press today report that the Hayden Phillips enquiry into political party funding is reaching dangerous ground for many in the Labour Party.
