So.. I am pondering joining the Labour party, I am doing it to vote for the person best placed to stop David Miliband from becoming leader, I guess at present that is Ed Miliband, oh the varied choice, ahem. But, bottom line DM has been part of the party that committed war crimes and he has actively worked to cover up torture. So with the onslaught of the ConDems Austerity Doctrine we need a Labour party (in opposition) that at least is not lead by what will be the third in a row of war criminals. And as

Anyone joining the Labour Party before 8 September 2010 will be entitled to vote in the Leadership Election.

I and indeed you if you are a UK citizen and fulfil the loose criteria can join and vote to stop a human rights abuser become the leader of party political opposition to the ConDem program of cuts to the poor and gifts to the rich. Certainly I would be no party stooge and in fact some of the best criticism of the New Labour debacle have come from members such as Harpymarx & Very Public Sociologist. So -I suppose- it is possible to be in it and retain independence and principles, but even more I would only see it as one small thing, the part of what I do that is related to political parties at the top table in Westminster, but only that small part, I would still be giving more money and time to Amnesty and smaller human rights groups and campaigns. Also if DM wins I would resign immediately, if not I would review membership after the 12 months were up regardless. So… while it feels purer and less troubling not to join, I see a small amount of influence to prevent a human rights abuser from rising higher is offered by joining and voting. Now none of the candidates exactly set my heart aflame, I met Ed Miliband, I have not met the others, ideally a capable and courageous left winger would be on offer, but they are not allowed out of the basement lest they frighten the horses or something. As it stands EM seems the second place guy so that’s who I would vote for, I know Balls has some admirers but his shit on immigration/asylum is disgraceful. Diane Abbott is much better on that issue but, well bottom line this is about basic tactical voting to deny DM the gig and DA is not going to trouble the race. And er, Andy Burnham.

At risk of repeating myself- there are no good choices but the ConDems are set on some truly vicious polices and we need an opposition party that could do something about them and that party cannot have yet another torture & war™ leader, two is enough. So should I bite the bullet and see if we can get someone not -quite- so compromised by the bloody hands of Blairism. Also practically I would say this to realist (ie sod morals we want power) DM supporters- At some point Cameron will have his torture enquiry, it will be to find the odd scapegoat, protect the SIS and embarrass the opposition, if David Miliband is leader you will have the spectacle of an enquiry into torture making massive political capital out of the involvement of the leader of the opposition in the cover up which would also mean supporters would then find themselves arguing a pro torture position, so seriously you really want to do that? Really? You think party tribalism and win at any cost is ok there? Arguing for torture against a Tory government that can then paint itself as a defender of human rights? You lose both ways, both any vestige of human decency (no, not that kind of decent, though…probably an overlap of morons on that tip) and the political game.

Oh yes, and fuck Jon Cruddas. Talking the talk demands you walk the walk, you fail again Jon Boy.

So… What to do, what to do? I do feel that if DM is leader and I am criticising him and someone says- What did you do to stop him? Is my answer weak if I do nothing, or is that just bullshit, expecting criticism has a price of entry and if you simply expect Labour party members not to vote a human rights abuser into power that is expecting too much of them?

Ok, so I have a few days to ponder this, please help me in comments if you wish.

PS. Having lived off very little money under both Tories and New Labour I can categorically tell you both absolutely shat comprehensively all over ‘the poor’ so I am under zero illusions about the neoliberal nature of the parties, I am a pariah to them all as I don’t worship profit or killing brown people. This is about a small act like signing a petition to achieve a less worse outcome, however its cost is higher than just signing your name, a party will get some money from me, a party that when in government committed war crimes. I am not ‘looking forward’ I am just pondering is this act worth it? In the world of many not good choices is it not too appalling a one to take?