Evaluation - and who I will support for Deputy
Well thats it then - im gonna take a leaf out of Stroppy's book now, and im not apologising for this rant.
But first let me thank John McDonnell for a hard fought principled campaign that has inspired thousands - the PLP have let us down mate not you - you could not have done any more, and I have been proud to be part of your campaign team.
You know what Im angry and so are many others I have had nothing but phone calls tonight from SYN members and trade unionists who are angry that the PLP have behaved in this manner and denied us a contest.
But you know what as well as being angry they are determind - determind to fight this bunch of unprincipled careerist hypocrites (and yes I mean you lot in the campaign group and Cruddas campaign team)
Despite how some grumps spin it - this has been a huge breakthrough for the left. Even though were not on the ballot paper we have had mopre media coverage this week than the left has had for years (Political coverage not catsuits and sex scandals)and the profile of the Labour Left is at its ighest for more than 10 years.
We have a vibrant new youth movement in SYN that is not going away and is already making plans for its next conference and campaign.
Trade Union labour lefts, Branches and CLP's have been revitilised and I cant wait to see the membership figures because thousands have re-joined all thanks to Johns campaign centered on the grassroots of our movement.
So much to celebrate and be thankful for - but im still angry.
I am angry at Meacher, Simpson and Hopkins.
Yes Meacher withdrew yesterday and was gracious as I acknowledged and Simpson has done all he can to help the campaign in the last 2 days.
But we have spent months arguing and concentrating on Meacher when we should have all been working for John - everyone knew Meacher wasn't going to get more than a handful and he didnt!
As for the behaviour of some of his staff well they frankly have been disgraceful and no matter how much some of our comrades insist they are part of the left and good comrades I cannot believe it because they have done all they can to undermine Johns campaign and stab us in the back even after Meacher withdrew.
As for Hopkins well he didnt have the bottle to stand up to trade union bureacrats who were saying nominate Meacher not McDonnell.
If we had had a united front before or even on the day Blair resigned we would have had all that time to work on the PLP instead of a few days.
Which leads me onto the role of the union bureaucracies and Union MPs - why are they at the forefront of our movement??
What exactly are they doing for us - selling us out over Pay/NHS/Pensions, not using the labour/union link at all (let alone effectivly!) Ive mentioned before that so much attention is put on having access that they havent realised (or dont care as long as theyve got their seats lined up) about influence!
They would rather sit silent and by proxy endorse Brown than challenge the Brown machine - even though they know this means more privatisation, more pay cuts and attacks on their own members.
Next up on my hitlist - those campaign group MPs that nominated Brown - really now what is the point of your existence? surely you realise your never gonna get a job with Brown! Unless he's promised you something!!
Union MPs - why are you linked with unions when you wont support what their members want?
Now as for Cruddas and Trickett - your behaviour has been perhaps the hardest for me to stomach, all the wavering and indicating that you want a challenge and we should hear the left wing policies that you are in favour of. The claims that you are the campaign that will stand up to Brown on the issues that matter like privatisation housing etc - Ha what a laugh - well I tell you what I'd rather spoil my ballot than vote for you! But its ok I wont need to because Benn will get on the ballot paper and thats where my vote will be going1
I would suggest that anyone who wants a decent deputy do the same - of course I have different views than Hilary on many of his policies (as you'll see from my post from Labour Youth Conference) but my vote wont be going to anyone whose stabbed the left in the back in this way, and Benn is by far the most able articulate and clever candidate than ive seen.
Obviously all of the above is my personal opinion and my personal judgement on how the campaign has unfolded and if ive offended anyone - then tough live with it.
The PLP (- the 29 that nominated John of course!) should be completly ashamed of itself.
I'm off now to watch John on Newsnight!
Rant Ends!
13 comments:
Good rant. Its a huge shame the PLP didnt allow a leadership election with many MPs not voting how their unions or CLP members would like them to.
However, as you say, the campaign provided a huge step forward for the left. We should not now let feelings of disappointment get in the way of what is best for the left.
I think Cruddas is the best candidate for deputy leader. His pledge to involve the grassroots more in the party would be great benefits. Its a shame he didnt nominate John, but dont let it skew your judgement on who to vote for
Keep fighting sister.
I've launched the John4Leader write in campaign on my blog.
Keep fighting sister.
I've started the campaign for the John4Leader write in option here.
I will vote on the basis of what they say in their election address, mind you some them may not even get on the short list what ever they say!! One day the Trade Unions will fight in the Labour Party, one day the left as a whole will realise that’s how we will win by forcing the trade unions to fight in the Labour Party, that is the day the Battle really begins.
Hi, you're right about Cruddas. And it looks as thought the Meacher supporters eithernever existed or were Brownites all along. Which is what we all thought.....anyone else realised that the ploy of posting the number of nominations also killed what little chance we had of getitng the 45.It meant people like Cruddas and so on didn't have to make their minds up till it was all over. I'm seeing my MP on Friday and she will be getting some gyp.Very angry and sad.
Loads of people have been saying this today. As such I expect to be swamped by the Hard Left, here: http://newerlabour.blogspot.com/2007/05/reflection-on-john-mcdonnell.html
Noses, spite and faces, I'm afraid.
Hi Commissar I dont agree Im afraid one of my fist posts on the deput yleadr highlighted the probelms I would have voting Cruddas - I just dont trust him.
I was being won around to the idea that he was the only candidate you could vote for and despite his past and blairist tendancies he was now left and he proved that I was right all along.
I would not be surprised (if he does get elected - which he wont) to find he turns out more rightwing than Blears and Johnson put together.
No I have heard 2 lots of hustigs now and I have a third hustings debat I am going to next wednesday and Benn is by far the best candidate he is also speaking about the democracy issues, and how he wants a more open party that listens to the grassroots etc (and yes he voted for Brown to - something to ask him about next week)
El tom your arguments are flawed John has run a great campaign based on the grassroots - we knew the only way to get MPs to nominate was if they had pressure from their constiuents like Ann Cryer who was supporting Brown but nominate John as that was the wishes of the grassroots.
Unfortunatly most of the PLP ignored what their constituents said and it wil cost them in the next election.
As for blaming Cruddas - o one has done that my post does not say Cruddas stopped JOhn from getting on the ballot paper.
My rant highlights where I feel disappointed and angry with people who should do better.
My main objection with Cruddas and especially Trickett was the 2 faced stab you in the back manner with which they worked in the PLP.
My vote for Benn is in no way cutting off my nose to spite my face I think he will make a much better DL than Cruddas and so do manyu of the campaign group - Like Jeremy Corbyn for example who has nominated him.
Hey Marsha,
Very disappointing isn't it. I almost joined the labout party a few years ago, as from 20 onwards i started to get more and more interested in politics (27 now), but the policies put me off. The Mcdonnell campaign was the first 'movement' that i thought: 'i agree with that'. I'd say i was left orientated - not ultra left, but quite far that way: making the greedy city pay their fair way so that the poor in society are looked after and increasing equality, and also that the main structural enterprises for such as Transport, power, water etc should should be nationalised as a matter of public good - and also to combat environmental problems. It always puzzles me that if private firms can make a profit out out these industries, surely if they were publically run then they too could make profit that could be put into social programmes, rather than someone pocket. Anyway, John's campaign would have given me a good reason to go out and convince people of its merits, without having to go out and grudgingly do it. I always find it quite sad to think that people are so greedy!..
Anyway, the reason for this message, which i don't expect you to actually approve for your site, is that i want to ask you a question. What now? what will happen with the SYN as i was tempted to join that too. Will it still be going? Will it actively go out to recruit new menbers? I think there is tremendous appetite out there for the type of policies that John was talking about but problem always seems to be that the left is always split into small, un-united groups. If you asked a psychologist i'm sure they'd say that the right always appears more united, even though they fight between themselves, because they have a natural drive for power - so even though they fight they generally move forward togeather, and i think that's the problem with the left. As for the SYN, an organisation like that can have power and influence if it recruits enough number to make it a organization with some clout. I found it and John's campaign because i actively looked on the internet, but i think it needs to reach out to get the people who are natural supporters but my not actively look.
Oh, and do you have any idea what John will be doing? Will he still chair the LRC? I noticed he is due to speak at the trades council in Newcastle, do you know if he still will now? And lastly, let me know what plans there are for the SYN when you get a chance, my e mail is joncarr@inorbit.com or jc9377@student.open.ac.uk if that's not working.
Thanks
Jon
Ahh, I'm interested that you'll be voting Benn. I probaly won't decide until I fill in the ballot.
Currently hovering around Benn and Cruddas. But really want a women.
I'm off to the Hustings on Saturday in Coventry which should help.
I'm also trying to sort with labour link and NYMF to support members going to the Youth Hustings in Oxford.
Marsha, not one of the deputy leader candidates has made any positive difference to the Labour Party up until now. The ones who've talked about making a difference, especially Cruddas and Benn, have been exposed completely by John's campaign.
The reality is that the deputy leader position is, these days, either meaningless or worse - Prescott was used as an escape valve for discontent in the party, and whoever wins the deputy this time round will, at best, be the same.
Why do you want to legitimise that with serious deliberation over the various candidates as though it makes any kind of difference which one of them wins.
Bollocks does it. A plague on all their houses.
The reality is that the deputy leader position is, these days, either meaningless or worse - Prescott was used as an escape valve for discontent in the party, and whoever wins the deputy this time round will, at best, be the same.
Why do you want to legitimise that with serious deliberation over the various candidates as though it makes any kind of difference which one of them wins.
Bollocks does it. A plague on all their houses.
Good lad, Nick. With you all the way.
I think I'll spoil my deputy ballot paper (although I'm occasionally hovering back towards Benn who I had considered supporting before). I just want to express my disgust through the ballot box in some way - and a spoilt paper is the only way I can think of at the moment.
Well done for all your hard work, and the rest of the team. The campaign must have been excellent for Brown to have been so terrified of it.
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