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March 30th, 2012
07:27 am - A pivotal point
George Galloway has taken Bradford West from the Labour Party. Although I dislike Galloway and support Labour more than the other parties, I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. It is much better for people who want change to vote for it, than to disengage completely from democracy. This gives Labour a motive to change too, so that they speak for the poor with a stronger and more confident voice.
More broadly the welfare state developed for a reason, and that reason has not gone away. The rich used to go along with the NHS and pensions (etc) because they knew - back then - that the alternative would be worse. Now the Tories have forgotten, and think human welfare is an unnecessary luxury. They think spending and employment are barriers to prosperity rather than its foundation.
We are at a crossroads. Either the establishment bends, and becomes something which meets the interests of all people, or it will break. I am very hopeful that our country will change not break. The change I am hoping for is that Labour rises to this challenge and that the Tories and the Lib Dems are beaten fair and square through the normal processes of democracy, channeling the needs of all the people.
This is a very dangerous point but I am hopeful that it will lead to good things.
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SC is very concerned that the Labour posts on Facebook suggest they aren't rising to the challenge. He thinks they need to come across as more than 'Not the Tories' and are failing. Too many vacuous sound bites, not enough substance... That is disappointing. Labour becoming more radical and getting power is the least painful type of transition we can hope for (I think). If they can't adapt then it becomes much more traumatic. ![[User Picture]](https://l-userpic.livejournal.com/42357008/4625841) | | From: |  zornhau |
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| Date: | March 30th, 2012 07:45 am (UTC) |
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Just reading "Tragedy of Riches" which I think is more or less saying the same thing. We can be Sweden or America, but not both. Pick one. I think we are actually to the right of America now: they are moving towards universal health care, we are moving away from it. Obama is promoting employment, we are promoting unemployment. I never thought I'd see the day. | | From: | zornhau |
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| Date: | March 30th, 2012 08:59 am (UTC) |
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It's the damn baby boomers! Granny Tax be damned, we need a "collecting on all those costs you externalised in our direction, you smug had a great time in the 1960s bastards Tax". ![[User Picture]](https://l-userpic.livejournal.com/112258555/1363749) | | From: | hano |
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| Date: | March 30th, 2012 07:45 am (UTC) |
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Labour needs to break, the sooner the better. There absolutely has to be a shift back to the left or we're doomed. Surely the message here, is that if the likes of George can overturn a 10K majority by being leftwing, then so can the rest of the party. I haven't looked at any of the reaction yet, but I'm betting that the usual shills (Luke Ackhurst et al I'm looking at you) will be desperately spinning this as an aberration, a one off that in no way represents the disaster it actually represents.
If I get a minute, I may even y'know, write a proper post or something. (Don't hold your breath :) ) if the likes of George can overturn a 10K majority by being leftwing, then so can the rest of the party
But which party? Labour can win and win again by being left wing. It may not be a disaster. It may be like a dam of ice melting and letting the waters through. Sorry, waxing a bit lyrical there. Bradford West is my old constituency and Marsha Singh was the first person I ever voted for so it is hard not to be saddened that this collosal shitehawk has won the seat.
On your wider point, I don't think this is anywhere near enough and I don't think Labour will even start to change until they lose the next election. I haven't disengaged entirely with democracy but I will be spoiling my ballot at the next general election. Labour are miles ahead across the country at the moment, 30% ahead of the Tories in the North, and come the election I don't think people will piss about voting for twits like Galloway. It's all fun and games at the moment. Really, really hope that trend continues into the general election, and people don't get all coy and sentimental about Cameron and his cronies. Good lord I hope not, I think things will have gone way beyond that by then. ![[User Picture]](https://l-userpic.livejournal.com/24324796/5633598) | | From: | gair |
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| Date: | March 30th, 2012 11:30 am (UTC) |
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Respect - is that the SWP spin-off? I think it was an umbrella organisation that included the SWP until Galloway kicked them out and made it the GG show. |
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