Friday, 11 May 2007
Word for the Week - John 16v24
"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete" John 16v24.
Long the live the King
Hello,
Well, we are being told that Gordon Brown will inevitably win the now 'official' contest for the Labour Party leadership and the 'crown' is of course the job of being Prime Minister.
Uncle Arthur happened to hear Gordon Brown speak today in Harlow, completely by accident as I happened to be working there. Yes, I know, it's just one of those things. I heard him speak to around eighty Labour activists gathered by local MP Bill Rammell and I have to say Brown got a very warm reception. Most Labour members and voters I think, are, given the opportunity well disposed to the 'Son of the Manse', of course we shall see if this appeal will spread to the rest of the nation. Why don't we give him a chance though?
One thing that is needed most in the nation is a time of healing and a leader who can in particular bind up the wounds of society, and restore the bond between communities and elected politicians. That task is most neccesary, it may not inspire the scribblers and spinners of Westminster but is is central to the job of Prime Minister today, in 2007; for the hopes and needs of 1997 seem a generation away.
Well, we are being told that Gordon Brown will inevitably win the now 'official' contest for the Labour Party leadership and the 'crown' is of course the job of being Prime Minister.
Uncle Arthur happened to hear Gordon Brown speak today in Harlow, completely by accident as I happened to be working there. Yes, I know, it's just one of those things. I heard him speak to around eighty Labour activists gathered by local MP Bill Rammell and I have to say Brown got a very warm reception. Most Labour members and voters I think, are, given the opportunity well disposed to the 'Son of the Manse', of course we shall see if this appeal will spread to the rest of the nation. Why don't we give him a chance though?
One thing that is needed most in the nation is a time of healing and a leader who can in particular bind up the wounds of society, and restore the bond between communities and elected politicians. That task is most neccesary, it may not inspire the scribblers and spinners of Westminster but is is central to the job of Prime Minister today, in 2007; for the hopes and needs of 1997 seem a generation away.
The King is Dead
Uncle Arthur only has a few comments on the departure of an extraordinary and enigmatic Labour Prime Minister.
The fact that Tony Blair has won more successive elections and been in power longer than any other Labour leader should not be overlooked. However, in the long term this will merely be a fact cherished by those esoteric people who love Labour history and obsess over political figures; an infinitesimal section of the UK population.
As the obituaries roll in, in differing forms I think it is worth noting a few points made in Blair's speech.
1) He called the UK 'blessed' - is this not a reflection of his christian worldview?
2) He was as honest about his shortcomings as he could be. Indeed this Prime Minister has actually apologised for a number of things and correct me If I am wrong, other PM's have failed to show such contrition.
3) He re-iterated his view that he acted in good faith when framing his stance on Iraq.
Sadly, it appears that Iraq will cast a shadow on his legacy, and Uncle Arthur, believes he acted in good faith. There was certainly much wrong with that decision, but does he deserve the pernicious and twisted narratives that have impugned that complex and it has to be said disastrous decision in 2003?
The bible tells us not to place our trust in 'princes' and rightly so, in the end they will all fail, none more so than the ones that have promised so much. However, the bible also implores us to pray for leaders and those in authority. Tony Blair is going, all Prime Ministers go eventually, but he has been a leader, who has made courageous decisions and had the humility to admit where he fell short. Will his successors have the same qualities?
The fact that Tony Blair has won more successive elections and been in power longer than any other Labour leader should not be overlooked. However, in the long term this will merely be a fact cherished by those esoteric people who love Labour history and obsess over political figures; an infinitesimal section of the UK population.
As the obituaries roll in, in differing forms I think it is worth noting a few points made in Blair's speech.
1) He called the UK 'blessed' - is this not a reflection of his christian worldview?
2) He was as honest about his shortcomings as he could be. Indeed this Prime Minister has actually apologised for a number of things and correct me If I am wrong, other PM's have failed to show such contrition.
3) He re-iterated his view that he acted in good faith when framing his stance on Iraq.
Sadly, it appears that Iraq will cast a shadow on his legacy, and Uncle Arthur, believes he acted in good faith. There was certainly much wrong with that decision, but does he deserve the pernicious and twisted narratives that have impugned that complex and it has to be said disastrous decision in 2003?
The bible tells us not to place our trust in 'princes' and rightly so, in the end they will all fail, none more so than the ones that have promised so much. However, the bible also implores us to pray for leaders and those in authority. Tony Blair is going, all Prime Ministers go eventually, but he has been a leader, who has made courageous decisions and had the humility to admit where he fell short. Will his successors have the same qualities?
Saturday, 5 May 2007
Election Aftermath - the irreducable core
Hello,
It seems impossible to analyse election results without appearing partisan or being accused of 'spin'. Every party tries to put a brave face on their results or exaggerate their performance.
Once again, Labour has had a tough local election experience, no-one is surprised there. The Lib Dem's didn't do that well, but did win some councils off the south and are cock-a-hoop over winning Hull council. David Cameron's party have had an encouraging set of results, yet in claiming they may have broken through in the north, Uncle Arthur thinks they are being a wee bit speculative.
I would just make one point on Labour's vote. The total overall vote nationally was 27%, compared to 26% nationally. Ok, translated into a General Election result that would equal a bitterly disappointing result. Yet, it is not a General Election and what it may say is that Labour's core vote is relatively solid and people should not talk about melt down. Of course to win an election Labour needs fresh ideas, faces and renewed purpose, but it has a base to build on.
It seems impossible to analyse election results without appearing partisan or being accused of 'spin'. Every party tries to put a brave face on their results or exaggerate their performance.
Once again, Labour has had a tough local election experience, no-one is surprised there. The Lib Dem's didn't do that well, but did win some councils off the south and are cock-a-hoop over winning Hull council. David Cameron's party have had an encouraging set of results, yet in claiming they may have broken through in the north, Uncle Arthur thinks they are being a wee bit speculative.
I would just make one point on Labour's vote. The total overall vote nationally was 27%, compared to 26% nationally. Ok, translated into a General Election result that would equal a bitterly disappointing result. Yet, it is not a General Election and what it may say is that Labour's core vote is relatively solid and people should not talk about melt down. Of course to win an election Labour needs fresh ideas, faces and renewed purpose, but it has a base to build on.
Out on the Stump
Uncle Arthur was campaigning in the Black Country, with a hard working Labour councillor in an area which used to be rock solid Labour. The Labour vote is still relatively bouyant there but the seat has been less certain territory in recent years because of a number of 'independents' who have stood. (Thought: can anyone really be independent?).
I have been in this particular ward, every local election for the last three years (plus the General Election). It is a worrying sign that the only people who have done any work have been myself and the ward councillors themselves, this does not bode well for the Labour Party. However, no matter how difficult things are for the Labour Party nationally it is always worthwhile to go out and campaign, to be on the 'stump' and talk to people. You always learn something and in this area of all areas Labour voters speak your their mind and they always surprise you.
We bumped into a voter, adamant that he could not vote Labour at this election, he had a heavy heart in saying so but he was utterly disillusioned. Well, Labour voters have been fed up for a while now but this was instructive. He was not happy over Iraq, but that was not his main beef. He was genuinely concerned that Eastern European immigration was placing pressure on public services and undermining workers earning power.
This man was not a racist, he was not a winger or malicious. He was an honest Labour voter who in many ways was making a valid point. The extent of immigration, in the context of weakly regulated labour markets is having a disconcerting effect on Labour's core vote. It is ok for wealthy people to praise the virtues of multi-culturalism and free labour in the EU if it benefits their businesses, but working-class people don't all reap these benefits. This issue needs to be addressed. Labour should not patronise people making these points or ignorantly dismiss them as racist. For it is the avoidance of these problems that have allowed the BNP to exploit people's insecurities.
Uncle Arthur did make the balancing point that some Labour MP's had seen this danger and were raising these matters, Jon Cruddas MP, in particular being the most prominent. It is also necessary to remind people that the UK is an aging country and to address labour shortages we need some measure of immigration. Yet, the balancing point has to be made that we need robust regulation and a sensitivity to the genuine fears of working people, who are more vulnerable than most to these pressures. Liam Byrne MP's plans to introduce an Australian style points system may go some way to beef up the necessary regulation. We shall see.
It may have a long way to go to re-assure alienated Labour voters that their party is for them, but going out and talking to labour voters and listening to their fears will always be the first place to start.
I have been in this particular ward, every local election for the last three years (plus the General Election). It is a worrying sign that the only people who have done any work have been myself and the ward councillors themselves, this does not bode well for the Labour Party. However, no matter how difficult things are for the Labour Party nationally it is always worthwhile to go out and campaign, to be on the 'stump' and talk to people. You always learn something and in this area of all areas Labour voters speak your their mind and they always surprise you.
We bumped into a voter, adamant that he could not vote Labour at this election, he had a heavy heart in saying so but he was utterly disillusioned. Well, Labour voters have been fed up for a while now but this was instructive. He was not happy over Iraq, but that was not his main beef. He was genuinely concerned that Eastern European immigration was placing pressure on public services and undermining workers earning power.
This man was not a racist, he was not a winger or malicious. He was an honest Labour voter who in many ways was making a valid point. The extent of immigration, in the context of weakly regulated labour markets is having a disconcerting effect on Labour's core vote. It is ok for wealthy people to praise the virtues of multi-culturalism and free labour in the EU if it benefits their businesses, but working-class people don't all reap these benefits. This issue needs to be addressed. Labour should not patronise people making these points or ignorantly dismiss them as racist. For it is the avoidance of these problems that have allowed the BNP to exploit people's insecurities.
Uncle Arthur did make the balancing point that some Labour MP's had seen this danger and were raising these matters, Jon Cruddas MP, in particular being the most prominent. It is also necessary to remind people that the UK is an aging country and to address labour shortages we need some measure of immigration. Yet, the balancing point has to be made that we need robust regulation and a sensitivity to the genuine fears of working people, who are more vulnerable than most to these pressures. Liam Byrne MP's plans to introduce an Australian style points system may go some way to beef up the necessary regulation. We shall see.
It may have a long way to go to re-assure alienated Labour voters that their party is for them, but going out and talking to labour voters and listening to their fears will always be the first place to start.
Word for the Week - John 8v32
"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, if you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free"
Wednesday, 2 May 2007
Ten Years - Yesterday
Hello,
Uncle Arthur decided not to post something about the tenth anniversary of the 1997 General Election on the precise date for a plethora of reasons. One of the reasons stems from the fact that I was very busy indeed at work and it just wasn't feasible to post a comment.
However, on reflection this blog and the objectives it is seeking to pursue are not just about Labour being in power and marking off the years, although Labour in power -for the longest ever period - is not to be sniffed at. In all the reflections and of course assessments of Blair's record (very few of them truly objective) Uncle Arthur has one abiding memory of that day.
Uncle Arthur was campaigning for most of the day in a seat somewhere in Lancashire, a marginal seat that returned a Labour MP, who is now a minister. At the end of that
sweltering (and yes, glorious) day he and a colleague spoke to some women outside some flats at about 8.30pm who did not know it was election day and they could still vote. Ok, seems a bit hard to believe, but not everyone lives in the weird and frenetic world of Westminster politics and all the 'sterile fuss' it generates. They were assured that they could vote and as they were Labour voters arrangements were made to chaperon them to the nearest polling booth.
That was the last bit of work Uncle Arthur did that day before returning to Manchester for the celebration and man it was a celebration. Uncle Arthur had one thought as those Labour voters were assured they could cast their vote. The thought was 'I just hope we don't let these people down'
I am not going to be rehearsing the arguments of what has and has not been done for Labour's core vote; that will be repeated ad nauseum in the next few weeks. My point is simply this; it would be good if every election we have a quite and poignant thought for those whom most Labour folk went into politics to serve in the first place. People will be let down by the system but striving to ensure that this experience is the rarity and not the norm is a worthy goal.
Uncle Arthur decided not to post something about the tenth anniversary of the 1997 General Election on the precise date for a plethora of reasons. One of the reasons stems from the fact that I was very busy indeed at work and it just wasn't feasible to post a comment.
However, on reflection this blog and the objectives it is seeking to pursue are not just about Labour being in power and marking off the years, although Labour in power -for the longest ever period - is not to be sniffed at. In all the reflections and of course assessments of Blair's record (very few of them truly objective) Uncle Arthur has one abiding memory of that day.
Uncle Arthur was campaigning for most of the day in a seat somewhere in Lancashire, a marginal seat that returned a Labour MP, who is now a minister. At the end of that
sweltering (and yes, glorious) day he and a colleague spoke to some women outside some flats at about 8.30pm who did not know it was election day and they could still vote. Ok, seems a bit hard to believe, but not everyone lives in the weird and frenetic world of Westminster politics and all the 'sterile fuss' it generates. They were assured that they could vote and as they were Labour voters arrangements were made to chaperon them to the nearest polling booth.
That was the last bit of work Uncle Arthur did that day before returning to Manchester for the celebration and man it was a celebration. Uncle Arthur had one thought as those Labour voters were assured they could cast their vote. The thought was 'I just hope we don't let these people down'
I am not going to be rehearsing the arguments of what has and has not been done for Labour's core vote; that will be repeated ad nauseum in the next few weeks. My point is simply this; it would be good if every election we have a quite and poignant thought for those whom most Labour folk went into politics to serve in the first place. People will be let down by the system but striving to ensure that this experience is the rarity and not the norm is a worthy goal.
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