Flush out the Tories and fight them on the beaches

Comment on John McDonnell article in Guardian: What have they done to our party:
also posted on John's blog: Blogger: Another World Is Possible - Post a Comment:

John wrote that: "Ambition and self-interest have become more important to many in the Labour hierarchy than the struggles of Britain's people"

"Malky x said...

John's right in his analysis - the current attempt to unseat Brown is all about a bunch of self interested careerists.

They are rebels without a coup. No policy, no agenda and no candidate.

On this occasion Brown is right about something too - don't precipitate an election now, and start getting things in place to improve the chances of defeating the Tories next year.

The Left is, and has always been correct about what needs to be done: put in place popular and effective policies which people will vote for.

John McDonnell has consistently identified a platform of such policies - Another World is Possible; the Alternative Queen's Speech; countless speeches and articles - and we have the People's Charter which can focus cross party left support.

To the extent that Brown can be persuaded to adopt the sensible, and largely democratically agreed measures in these programmes, there is the chance of beating Cameron. The Tories have a thin, right wing and actually unpopular platform of massive destruction of public services and jobs.

We could ditch Trident.
We could ditch the plan to privatise Royal Mail.
We could ditch ID cards.
All hugely unpopular and expensive mistakes.

We could ditch the Purnell assault on the Welfare State, and instead add some more tax burden to the wealthy.

If he wants a legacy, Brown could promote historic constitutional reforms: not just cleaning out the Westminster stable regarding expenses, which is essential of course - but a written constitution and bill of rights; an elected Hourse of Lords; and - why not - electoral reform for the House of Commons.

The EU election results due out tonight will be another drubbing - but also an opportunity to say Labour will listen to the voters.

Let's have a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
And ditch the UK opt-out on working hours.

Using a raft of policies like these Brown could lead Labour in flushing out the Tories and fighting them on the beaches.

We could even win.

Malky
x"