Smoothly.
BBC NEWS | World | Middle East | Former Iraq vice-president hanged: "Former Iraq vice-president hanged
Former Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan has been hanged on the fourth anniversary of the US-led invasion which overthrew Saddam Hussein.
The execution happened before dawn at a prison in northern Baghdad. An Iraqi official said it had gone smoothly."
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
Saturday, 17 March 2007
I, Pod. Ha ha ha
Look what they have done to my town | Special Reports | Guardian Unlimited Politics:
I usually pass over Julie Burchill these days, on the basis of her last couple of decades worth of drug crazed overpaid rantings. But here, she's hit the nail. And about real old fashioned politics as well. In a book about Brighton Council and it's typification of New Labour shiny shiny; and in this extract in today's Grauniad. Check it out. Here she uses my own favourite metaphor about NuLab - the bodysnatchers...
"The Labour council that took power over this town in the mid-90s and still has power today is a very New Labour council, led by thwarted idealists, among others, who in the political wilderness of the Thatcher years mutated into strange, free-falling beings to whom power was not a means to an end, but an end in itself. In short, they became Pod Politicians: like their big brothers in government proper, they still went on about social justice and the brotherhood of man, but inside they'd gone all cold and creepy. Peter Mandelson is the greatest example, and in his irresistible rise from Lambeth councillor to Chief European Commissioner for Straight Bananas he serves as a lesson to all ambitious local bean-counters. They say politics is show business for ugly people, and in not one word or deed of Randy Mandy's have I ever been able to discern exactly why he chose to be in politics, apart from the fact that he isn't personable enough to make it in showbiz, which is obviously his first love. Every time I see Dale Winton I want to shout, 'You've got Peter Mandelson's life - give it back to him!'"
I usually pass over Julie Burchill these days, on the basis of her last couple of decades worth of drug crazed overpaid rantings. But here, she's hit the nail. And about real old fashioned politics as well. In a book about Brighton Council and it's typification of New Labour shiny shiny; and in this extract in today's Grauniad. Check it out. Here she uses my own favourite metaphor about NuLab - the bodysnatchers...
"The Labour council that took power over this town in the mid-90s and still has power today is a very New Labour council, led by thwarted idealists, among others, who in the political wilderness of the Thatcher years mutated into strange, free-falling beings to whom power was not a means to an end, but an end in itself. In short, they became Pod Politicians: like their big brothers in government proper, they still went on about social justice and the brotherhood of man, but inside they'd gone all cold and creepy. Peter Mandelson is the greatest example, and in his irresistible rise from Lambeth councillor to Chief European Commissioner for Straight Bananas he serves as a lesson to all ambitious local bean-counters. They say politics is show business for ugly people, and in not one word or deed of Randy Mandy's have I ever been able to discern exactly why he chose to be in politics, apart from the fact that he isn't personable enough to make it in showbiz, which is obviously his first love. Every time I see Dale Winton I want to shout, 'You've got Peter Mandelson's life - give it back to him!'"
Monday, 5 March 2007
Articulating the Labour left is possible...
Another malky post on John4Leader site in comments under post "Saturday, March 03, 2007 Brown Sets Private Sector on Attack on Unemployed"
John McDonnell campaign site
An anonymous troll was mentioning a poll in the Telegraph by Yougov which seemed to indicate poor support for alternatives to Brown as leader of the Labour Party.
malky x said...
Here's the link for the telegraph poll http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/05/nlab105.xml
I agree with Matthew, it's not that gloomy...
...even though the online graphic of the results (you need to click on it to enlarge it on the telegraph site) has McDonnell and Meacher both on 6% in an unlikely hypothetical 4 way contest with Brown and Miliband.
Here's that part of the poll result:
"In any contest for the labour leadership, who would you vote for if the following candidates were nominated?
Brown 52%
Miliband 14%
Meacher 6%
McDonnell 6%
Not sure 18%
Would not vote 5%"
Meacher and McDonnell are not going to be on the same ballot (in my view it should be McDonnell, on the merits of the campaign and platform outlined on this blog) - so on this poll there is a 12% left vote and a 14% right/ultra Blairite.
One important question is: what about the 18% not sure and the 5% who say they would not vote for any pf these? Large numbers of don't knows/won't says are often indicative of shifting ground.
(I couldn't see a result showing McDonnell 10%, with Meacher behind on ?% - can anyone post a link or a copy of that result?)
However, the most interesting part of the poll for me was this:
"To go on winning elections, Labour needs to govern from the Centre, not to adopt more Left-wing policies
Agree 55%
Disagree 35%
Don't know 10%"
Implication being that even after ten years of members leaving because they are disillusioned with Blairism, there is still over a third who wish policy was more left wing than it is, with a further 10% undecided. The "Centre ground" (Blair/Brown/Mandelson-speak for right wing!) strategy commands a majority, but it is not overwhelming - far from it.
Indeed, this corresponds with our own view that there is a much broader base of support for sensible (even democratically agreed, and socialist) policy than is often supposed or spun.
That is why Brown doesn't want a credible left candidate. That is why there appears to be almost visible pressure being brought to bear on MPs who might otherwise support or even nominate McDonnell (I don't really think Brown fears Meacher).
John's campaign is clearly designed to articulate the views of that large minority of party members.
It is based solidly on democratically agreed policies of the Labour party and its trade union affiliates, and has touched grassroots parts of the party other candidates find it difficult to reach.
Personally I think that if John McDonnell can get on the ballot paper, the pundits would be surprised at the high level of support he will get in the party (ie amongst constituency and union members).
Getting on the ballot paper depends to a large extent now on getting on the telly, on the radio, in the papers and in the blogs.
More exposure for McDonnell in the media! It can only be of benefit to ordinary, loyal and sensible Labour Party and trade union members like myself, and the majority of ordinary working people who out party should represent but has been so sadly failing in so many ways through the Blair years.
Go on yoursel' John!
9:06 PM
John McDonnell campaign siteAn anonymous troll was mentioning a poll in the Telegraph by Yougov which seemed to indicate poor support for alternatives to Brown as leader of the Labour Party.
malky x said...
Here's the link for the telegraph poll http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/05/nlab105.xml
I agree with Matthew, it's not that gloomy...
...even though the online graphic of the results (you need to click on it to enlarge it on the telegraph site) has McDonnell and Meacher both on 6% in an unlikely hypothetical 4 way contest with Brown and Miliband.
Here's that part of the poll result:
"In any contest for the labour leadership, who would you vote for if the following candidates were nominated?
Brown 52%
Miliband 14%
Meacher 6%
McDonnell 6%
Not sure 18%
Would not vote 5%"
Meacher and McDonnell are not going to be on the same ballot (in my view it should be McDonnell, on the merits of the campaign and platform outlined on this blog) - so on this poll there is a 12% left vote and a 14% right/ultra Blairite.
One important question is: what about the 18% not sure and the 5% who say they would not vote for any pf these? Large numbers of don't knows/won't says are often indicative of shifting ground.
(I couldn't see a result showing McDonnell 10%, with Meacher behind on ?% - can anyone post a link or a copy of that result?)
However, the most interesting part of the poll for me was this:
"To go on winning elections, Labour needs to govern from the Centre, not to adopt more Left-wing policies
Agree 55%
Disagree 35%
Don't know 10%"
Implication being that even after ten years of members leaving because they are disillusioned with Blairism, there is still over a third who wish policy was more left wing than it is, with a further 10% undecided. The "Centre ground" (Blair/Brown/Mandelson-speak for right wing!) strategy commands a majority, but it is not overwhelming - far from it.
Indeed, this corresponds with our own view that there is a much broader base of support for sensible (even democratically agreed, and socialist) policy than is often supposed or spun.
That is why Brown doesn't want a credible left candidate. That is why there appears to be almost visible pressure being brought to bear on MPs who might otherwise support or even nominate McDonnell (I don't really think Brown fears Meacher).
John's campaign is clearly designed to articulate the views of that large minority of party members.
It is based solidly on democratically agreed policies of the Labour party and its trade union affiliates, and has touched grassroots parts of the party other candidates find it difficult to reach.
Personally I think that if John McDonnell can get on the ballot paper, the pundits would be surprised at the high level of support he will get in the party (ie amongst constituency and union members).
Getting on the ballot paper depends to a large extent now on getting on the telly, on the radio, in the papers and in the blogs.
More exposure for McDonnell in the media! It can only be of benefit to ordinary, loyal and sensible Labour Party and trade union members like myself, and the majority of ordinary working people who out party should represent but has been so sadly failing in so many ways through the Blair years.
Go on yoursel' John!
9:06 PM
Friday, 2 March 2007
Kilda the opera
The Herald : Europe unites to stage St Kilda the opera:
PHIL MILLER, Arts Correspondent March 02 2007
"It was known as the isles at the end of the world.
Now St Kilda, the lonely archipelago whose last inhabitants were evacuated in 1930, is to be the focal point of a new £1m opera which will unite five European countries.
On June 22 and 23, St Kilda, A European Opera, will be performed simultaneously in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and in Studio Alba, in Stornoway."
The kids are alright, eh?
Citizens Theatre : Productions
THE CHICAGO PROJECT
Directed by Neil Packham
Steppenwolf Theatre’s Cross Town Ensemble and Citizens’ Young Co. team up once more to present new work by young American playwrights. Continuing to forge international links in a mutual exchange of talent and ideas, young Glaswegians perform new contemporary plays written by young Chicagoans. CITIZENS YOUNG CO. is sponsored by Fairway Forklifts Ltd and supported by The W.A. Cargill Fund
Dates: Thu 5 April - Sat 7 April
Ticket prices: £6 full price, £3 all concessions
THE CHICAGO PROJECT
Directed by Neil Packham
Steppenwolf Theatre’s Cross Town Ensemble and Citizens’ Young Co. team up once more to present new work by young American playwrights. Continuing to forge international links in a mutual exchange of talent and ideas, young Glaswegians perform new contemporary plays written by young Chicagoans. CITIZENS YOUNG CO. is sponsored by Fairway Forklifts Ltd and supported by The W.A. Cargill Fund
Dates: Thu 5 April - Sat 7 April
Ticket prices: £6 full price, £3 all concessions
Thursday, 1 March 2007
Get on the ballot paper John!
My comment on John4Leader site under post about "New Labour Privatises the Probation and Prison Services tonight - Wednesday, February 28, 2007"
John McDonnell campaign site
Malky x said...
Of course, probation in Scotland was not being privatised last night, and it's not run the same way here anyway. But the New Labour ideologues in charge of the party here are still forcing through their privatisation drive - and indeed it's now fronting the Scottish Parliament election campaign.
Under the heading "Nationalists warned over PPP" today's Herald (biggest Scottish quality daily paper, published in Glasgow) reports:
"Labour clashed with the SNP yesterday over funding for new schools and hospitals, with ministers claiming that Nationalist opposition to private finance would result in cancellation of hundreds of projects."
http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/news/display.var.1226688.0.0.php
Yep. We're aguing privatisation is good. They're arguing that it's not (there are plenty of problems with what the SNP is arguing for, but that's for another discussion).
Unfortunately for NuLab and McNuLab, privatisation is still obviously putting voters off in droves. The same issue of the Herald contains the latest poll results:
"On the constituency voting intentions, covering 1004 people between 23 and 26 February, ICM put the SNP on 34%, Labour on 29%, and the Liberal Democrats and Tories each on 16%.
"That represents a change on ICM's findings from January of a one point gain for the SNP, two points down for Labour, with the LibDems down one and Tories up three. The smaller parties shared 4%."
You can read that again. Labour 29%. In Scotland.
Our election campaign here is in crisis. The usual scare tactics about breaking up Britain are no longer working; the First Minister's top backroom election adviser quit last week to spend more time with his family; and high profile visits by Blair and Brown seem (how strange) to have only confirmed the SNP lead in the polls.
And here is what the actual MSP candidates think, according to Herald Political Editor Douglas Fraser: "Labour may wheel out big election guns but MSPs want it local"
"...ask those MSPs hoping to return to Holyrood after May 3, and many say they'll be running local campaigns. Would they like a visit from Tony Blair or Jack McConnell? Er, thanks all the same, they say, but that really won't be necessary.
"Instead, they want to play on Labour loyalties, firming up a vote that feels soft. Reminders of the current leadership won't help."
http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/holyrood/display.var.1220774.0.0.php
Indeed talk and planning now appears to be for damage limitation. The Labour vote *is* now incredibly "soft". Even in Scotland "our people" are ever less enthused about voting Labour. The usual expectation would be for the Labour vote to firm up as polling day approaches. But the candidates are nervous, more nervous than ever. We might be about to lose comprehensively in Scotland for the first time in generations.
John's analysis on this blog is spot on, and confirmed in what is often supposed to be natural labour territory up here in Scotland. NuLab has squandered the opportunity of 10 years ago, yet marches blindly forward towards its self willed precipice.
Blair is a liability. So is Brown (even up here - viz Dunfermline West by election disaster just over a year ago). It's not all about Iraq by any means, though clearly that's destroyed trust in the government; we need to start representing our people again - and we can't do that by the kind of right wing "cost of everything value of nothing" public-bad-private-good neocon market ideology that has led us to this dismal situation (and of the kind we can only imagine Clarke and Milburn will promote with their "stalking elephant" website).
John's calm, reasoned and moderate campaign, based firmly on democratically agreed policies and a wise socialist interpretation of the daily realities faced by the vast majority of people, stands in clear contrast to the swaggering but empty and vicious snake oil peddlers in charge now.
Keep it up John. You are doing a great and essential job for the Labour Party. It's a pretty messy stable to clean up, but we have to start somewhere.
Get on the telly. Get on the radio. Get in the papers. Get in the blogs.
Get on the ballot paper.
And then we'll get the public debate which we need.
12:04 PM
John McDonnell campaign siteMalky x said...
Of course, probation in Scotland was not being privatised last night, and it's not run the same way here anyway. But the New Labour ideologues in charge of the party here are still forcing through their privatisation drive - and indeed it's now fronting the Scottish Parliament election campaign.
Under the heading "Nationalists warned over PPP" today's Herald (biggest Scottish quality daily paper, published in Glasgow) reports:
"Labour clashed with the SNP yesterday over funding for new schools and hospitals, with ministers claiming that Nationalist opposition to private finance would result in cancellation of hundreds of projects."
http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/news/display.var.1226688.0.0.php
Yep. We're aguing privatisation is good. They're arguing that it's not (there are plenty of problems with what the SNP is arguing for, but that's for another discussion).
Unfortunately for NuLab and McNuLab, privatisation is still obviously putting voters off in droves. The same issue of the Herald contains the latest poll results:
"On the constituency voting intentions, covering 1004 people between 23 and 26 February, ICM put the SNP on 34%, Labour on 29%, and the Liberal Democrats and Tories each on 16%.
"That represents a change on ICM's findings from January of a one point gain for the SNP, two points down for Labour, with the LibDems down one and Tories up three. The smaller parties shared 4%."
You can read that again. Labour 29%. In Scotland.
Our election campaign here is in crisis. The usual scare tactics about breaking up Britain are no longer working; the First Minister's top backroom election adviser quit last week to spend more time with his family; and high profile visits by Blair and Brown seem (how strange) to have only confirmed the SNP lead in the polls.
And here is what the actual MSP candidates think, according to Herald Political Editor Douglas Fraser: "Labour may wheel out big election guns but MSPs want it local"
"...ask those MSPs hoping to return to Holyrood after May 3, and many say they'll be running local campaigns. Would they like a visit from Tony Blair or Jack McConnell? Er, thanks all the same, they say, but that really won't be necessary.
"Instead, they want to play on Labour loyalties, firming up a vote that feels soft. Reminders of the current leadership won't help."
http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/holyrood/display.var.1220774.0.0.php
Indeed talk and planning now appears to be for damage limitation. The Labour vote *is* now incredibly "soft". Even in Scotland "our people" are ever less enthused about voting Labour. The usual expectation would be for the Labour vote to firm up as polling day approaches. But the candidates are nervous, more nervous than ever. We might be about to lose comprehensively in Scotland for the first time in generations.
John's analysis on this blog is spot on, and confirmed in what is often supposed to be natural labour territory up here in Scotland. NuLab has squandered the opportunity of 10 years ago, yet marches blindly forward towards its self willed precipice.
Blair is a liability. So is Brown (even up here - viz Dunfermline West by election disaster just over a year ago). It's not all about Iraq by any means, though clearly that's destroyed trust in the government; we need to start representing our people again - and we can't do that by the kind of right wing "cost of everything value of nothing" public-bad-private-good neocon market ideology that has led us to this dismal situation (and of the kind we can only imagine Clarke and Milburn will promote with their "stalking elephant" website).
John's calm, reasoned and moderate campaign, based firmly on democratically agreed policies and a wise socialist interpretation of the daily realities faced by the vast majority of people, stands in clear contrast to the swaggering but empty and vicious snake oil peddlers in charge now.
Keep it up John. You are doing a great and essential job for the Labour Party. It's a pretty messy stable to clean up, but we have to start somewhere.
Get on the telly. Get on the radio. Get in the papers. Get in the blogs.
Get on the ballot paper.
And then we'll get the public debate which we need.
12:04 PM
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