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Labour Party, Politics

Diary of a Frustrated Labour Supporter – Week 6

Saturday 13th June

Keep remembering that only 24% of the electorate voted Tory and now we need to live through a Conservative MAJORITY for the next 5 years. All those things they are doing, including £12bn welfare cuts, and they justify it by saying the country voted for it; well, the majority of us didn’t. But they don’t care.

And thankfully Jim Murphy has stayed on for a few weeks to look at plans to modernise the way the Labour Party operates in Scotland; they appear sensible and realistic and hopefully will encourage people to vote labour again, because if they don’t, we will never win another general election.

Sunday 14th June
It really feels like some of Cameron’s backbenchers dislike him as much as I do; his approach, how he runs his government, his views on Europe. This could be good for us!

With one day to go before the nominations close I continue to move more towards supporting Yvette. Her priorities seem to be business, jobs and women…all of which are critical to the success of the country and of individuals. Andy’s coming across as a bit smug and, with support coming from the likes of Luciana Berger; that is a worry! And Liz might as well be a Conservative – supporting ‘free schools’ should not be Labour Party policy.

However, I do like Andy’s suggestion of a UCAS style application process for technical, non-university based apprenticeships; it would raise the profile of apprenticeships, help young adults gain skills and knowledge whilst at work, ensure that apprenticeships are open to all and ensure that those who do not want to go to university have a high quality alternative.

Monday 15th June
Pleased that Jeremy has enough nominations to get him onto the ballot paper. I don’t want him to win, but I do want him to be part of the debate. I want his view of the Labour Party and of Britain to be debated openly and then those who are eligible can vote for whoever they feel is best to run the party and be a potential Prime Minister – although those two things do not always sit comfortably together.  His supporters will get the opportunity to vote for him and the country may understand a little more about the Labour Party; there is a risk to that, but I believe it is worth it. Unless you follow politics or have been brought up with an appreciation of what the Labour Party is about, most people either link it to ‘the unions’ or to ‘Blair’; there is more to supporting the Labour Party than unions and Blair and this is our opportunity for a national debate with all the nominated leaders participating truthfully. I have to admit I’m quite looking forward to it – can’t wait for the first set of televised hustings on Wednesday.

And finally, please don’t start thinking about changing the rules about ‘how to get rid of the leader’. We had the opportunity to change the rules when we changed the rules for picking the leader; this is not the right time.

Tuesday 16th June

The EU debate is being given a significant focus. It’s a critical issue, and when 27 Tory MPs vote against their Government that is always interesting, but Labour should be taking the lead on continuing to focus on other, domestic issues which should not be forgotten. For instance, why isn’t Labour talking about the report from Citizens Advice Bureau that shows spiralling rents for substandard accommodation are causing increasing health problems? The report shows an increase in the number of people the CAB are seeing who are getting into debt due to rent arrears and the initial deposits and rent advances required by many landlords. These are the kind of issues our shadow cabinet should be discussing; they may not yet have all the answers but they can say ‘this is wrong, it should not be happening, the Conservative Government is not helping everyone, it is not a One Nation Government and people’s lives should be better than this’; fundamentally it’s quite an easy message.

Wednesday 17th June
So we now also have our 5 deputy leadership nominations; it’s been a low key campaign to date but one which I think will become quite interesting. I’m glad Stella Creasy has got through; she is the one I’m keen to see if she develops over the next few months into a potential deputy. In fact it’s quite a strong field and might make the leadership campaign appear a bit dull.

Good news about earnings and unemployment…the former is up and the latter down! The huge grin on Osborne’s face whilst he’s eating his muesli this morning is too much to picture. He even got the chance to stand in for Cameron at Prime Minister’s Questions today – part 1 of his interview to be the future leader of the Conservative Party. Osborne’s ‘Bennite’ quip was misplaced and not funny but, other than that, he did well – I quite liked his style; at least he actually answered the questions and did not do ‘a Cameron’ – answering a question with a question! Hilary Benn was very good; his focus on ISIS, terrorism and refugees was clever and demonstrated Osborne’s slight discomfort on non-economic issues; his concise questions, sensible and constructive follow-up comments and calm, knowledgeable manner was refreshing. Why is he not standing as leader?

And even I forgot to watch the leadership debate…which probably means hardly anyone else was watching BBC2 at 7pm tonight. I did get round to watching it later and pleased I did, even though I probably didn’t learn anything new. But it was interesting to see what role they wanted to portray -they reminded me of a family – the passionate, grumpy granddad, the sensible, boring mum, the cheeky, down to earth son (and head boy) and the lucky, smarmy daughter (and head girl). They all responded to type but I did enjoy watching them -Andy was a bit too pushy and had too many stock answers he wanted to get out, Jeremy answered the questions truthfully demonstrating his labour party values, Liz was clear and honest (you get what you see ie. a Tory) and Yvette was dull and a bit too reserved. The audience was interesting though; by picking people who may vote Labour in the future or who have voted Labour in the past then maybe I shouldn’t be surprised about the cheers and claps for Jeremy; they appeared to be an audience of ‘sympathetic socialists’ who they want the party to be more distinctive…setting ourselves apart from the Tories. They certainly weren’t the average person on the street and a typical member of the public – those who do not have any socialist leanings, who have hardly ever voted Labour (although they may have voted for Blair) and those who we really need to understand.

Could Jeremy really end up our leader? If all the conservatives are really joining up to be able to vote for him to be leader and, seeing how well he was received tonight, I am worried. If he did get elected he would have to withdraw or turn it down…wouldn’t he?

Laura K for leader!

Thursday 18th June
Tactics, tactics, tactics!

It was tactical to ensure Jeremy got onto the ballot paper but now so many people are worried about Jeremy getting all the limelight and that voters may realise that some people in the Labour Party support what he is saying! Horror! Is that really a problem? A leader must be authentic and say what they really believe, however, they also need to listen to those they are there to lead. So is the leader of the Labour Party there to lead the party, be a potential leader of the whole country or both? I know it’s both, but if what the Labour Party wants is not what enough of the country wants then the leader either has to shift the party’s thinking or the country’s thinking or bring them together on common ground. I am not convinced that any of the potential leaders are willing to do that. We will have to see.

Also, I hope the tactical voting that appears to have happened in relation to the chairs of the Parliamentary Select Committees doesn’t reduce the quality of their work. They have often been the only place where real scrutiny and accountability has taken place; it certainly doesn’t happen in the main chamber.

And finally, what a clever tactic to get Alan Johnson to head up the Labour Party YES campaign for the EU Referendum. He will be seen as a normal person with normal concerns with clear answers. Hopefully he will attract a broad spectrum of people who will vote YES in 2017 and will hopefully be attracted to vote Labour in 2020.

Friday 19th June
Still waiting for Tristram to comment on the OFSTED inspector ‘sackings’. I assume the Labour Party does have a view? If the quality of inspectors has not been good enough then the quality of their reports may not have been good enough which could mean schools have been wrongly rated, parents and children provided with false information and teaching careers affected. If we don’t have a view on that then what do we have a view on? The Labour Party must speak up and speak out.

He also may want to think about the future of GCSEs…the comments from the CBI has made me think about alternative examination systems so hopefully the Labour Party are doing the same! I’m beginning to think that exams should take place throughout a child’s upper schooling (from 14 years) culminating with focused exams at 18 (not 16) when they leave the secondary education and training system. This system would provide young adults with qualifications in subjects they have been taught in, combined with skills and knowledge in subjects they no longer want to take any further. A range of qualifications would capture what they have learnt, and the skills they have acquired to that level, rather than just allowing them to give up subjects with no demonstration of what they have achieved in their first 10 years of education. As young adults move up towards their exams at 18, they would begin to specialise but maths, English and some type of computing/IT subject would need to be compulsory up to 18 (but not necessarily up to A level). A range of qualifications, reflecting what children have learnt up to 14 and onwards, allowing some specialisation at 17 and 18 is a one possible option. Come on Tristram, put on that creative hat, challenge the status quo if it is not working for all children and come up with a forward looking examination structure that is right for children and their future employers. That is what Labour should be here to do!

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Politics, Uncategorized

Diary of a Frustrated Labour Supporter – Week 3

Tuesday 26th May

2 ½ weeks is a long time. Tomorrow will be the Queen’s Speech. 2 ½ weeks ago many thought we may not get to this point. They thought the political parties would be in the midst of trying to form a government that could get a Queens Speech voted for. Little did we know!

We know some of the things it will contain…EU Referendum, devolved power to Scotland, more money for the NHS, more free childcare, reduced welfare cap…but it will also include some more controversial proposals…..the right to buy housing association houses, the ‘snoopers charter’, tighter rules on trade union strikes, the abolition of the Human Rights Act (possibly).

And Nicky’s back on TV saying all the right things for now, and for her future Conservative party leadership challenge that will come around pretty quickly…I feel.

And how did I miss the announcement that Chris Leslie was the Shadow Chancellor? I actually think he’s quite good so I’m keen to see how he responds to the Queens Speech. If I don’t know who’s holding what shadow job then I am sure the public don’t know…could the Labour Party out some ‘comms’ please?

Mary Creagh sounds like she’s being interviewed for a job by Evan Davies. I know she is going for a job…sort of…but she sounds like she has learnt her answers t o the expected questions rather than portraying what she really feels and thinks. I think I prefer what she writes than what she says in person.

Finally…Chukka’s come out to support Liz. That won’t do her any harm and it now looks like it will be a straight battle between the post 2010 and pre 2010 camp…how they will work together after the vote who knows.

Wednesday 27th May

Pleased that Cameron has decided not to go full steam ahead on abolishing the Human Rights Act. It demonstrates that it is the wrong thing to do and that Cameron hasn’t got the guts to go ahead with such a controversial change. It could easily still be his ‘poll tax’ moment but not right now…although it would have been good to see how he handled a backbench revolt and public anger…it may mean he would have to go! Only time will tell.

And from what I can see Cameron hasn’t explained how all this is going to be funded. Where is the money coming from for the NHS, childcare, selling off housing association houses…without raising taxes? Financially incredible.

Making it harder to strike is just going to make the union members more active, more engaged and more likely to vote rather than the inactive, unengaged, uncommitted members so many of them currently are. If they know they need to get a 50% turnout they will work so much harder to achieve it. It may also mean union leaders will need to spend more time communicating with their members rather than trying to influence leadership elections. Good things all round! Probably not want Cameron thought he’d get.

Thursday 28th May

Bribery in FIFA has knocked politics out of the news! At least we don’t have a day of conservatives telling everyone how lovely they are and how much they are on the side of ‘working’ people…I feel we all need to resign from our jobs so there will no one working and they won’t be able to use that phrase again.

Friday 29th May…the day of 3’s!

Has it only been 3 weeks since the election? It feels so much longer. 3 weeks gone 257 weeks to go!

And 3 (out of the 4 labour leader hopefuls) were out and about today. Andy singing the praises of business, Liz talking about how important education is and Yvette’s going on a walkabout around the UK to listen to people…ahhh, how lovely!

Maybe Andy’s strap line should be ’embrace an entrepreneur’. I’m not convinced he spoke so fervently about how brilliant business was when he was in the shadow cabinet, but, like everyone else…in hindsight/now they have listened to what they heard on the doorsteps/looked at where we are…he now realises business contribute a lot to the UK and the economy! They always have and always will do so not too sure what’s changed! Oh yes…we badly lost an election 3 weeks ago!

And Liz, I actually agree with you that education is a key way to improve a person’s life chances and provide people with more opportunities. But she must stop supporting free schools. Last year figures showed that 30% of free schools inspected by OFSTED were marked inadequate or in need of improvement compared to the 20% of state schools. Even Sweden are falling out of love with them and want to tighten the quality controls over them and return control over to their local authorities. Since introducing them Sweden’s educational standards have reduced and now lag behind the UK and the USA. Even our own education select committee is unclear on whether free schools are effective and worth the money…and that committee is lead by a Tory! Are they really the right solution to improving standards when money is scarce? I don’t think so and Liz should not promote them.

And Yvette should carry on listening because I haven’t heard much from her yet,

So the 3 key words for the contest seem to be ‘business, education and listening’.

All very well, but what they must all remember is that people vote based on which party they feel will give them what they want as individuals and how that government will help their own lives; we don’t vote altruistically based on whether the party will help the country as a whole. So, however good or right our policies may be for the country if people don’t think they will help them personally, sadly, they don’t really care.

And, they still need to watch out for UKIP…they haven’t gone away. Whether the Labour Party likes to believe it or not, many potential and previous labour voters in England voted UKIP because UKIP said what they wanted to hear! Labour need to do a lot to ensure they start to say what these people want to hear…which will be hard for the party.

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