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?
Thanks for the link.
Well, make it quick as you have until 8th September to join the LP.
I understand your arguments re tactics to stop David Miliband from getting the gig (they should rename it “Stop David Miliband” campaign) But…. yet….well….. I have spent far too many years voting for the least worst option, I remember Kinnock being seen by the Left as the great leader but look what he turned into…witchfinder general…. Plus you have people who believe, wrongly and that I can’t stress enough, that in order to win an election you need an “electable” candidate who will have a right-wing agenda and that’s why people look towards Miliband the elder… by using Blair 1997 but that wasn’t an endorsement of NL but an anti-Tory vote as people were sick to the back teeth of those vicious b’stard 18 yrs of ‘em…Tories.
And this leads me to the next thing Ed Miliband… has sounded more critical but nothing of substance in terms of an alternative vision of politics has been forthcoming. What’s his strategy? How will he fight the ConDems? When the cuts bite from this austerity budget you will need an opposition leader who can confront this head on…. Ed Miliband? He’ll capitulate esp. as the global bourgeoise want to cut the public sector Miliband the younger won’t stray from that specific cuts hymn sheet.
What would Ralph Miliband think…maybe we should hold a séance..
Oh, and why were so many lefties shocked by Cruddas backing DM? Just look at the voting record, don’t be swayed by his so-called left rhetoric as the man has consistently voted right (Iraq war, 42 days and welfare reform…and every other gawd awful NL policy)
Thanks for the comment. I guess I am being one of the self fulfilling prophecy types- DA won’t win so don’t vote, and enough people think that and it becomes real. If I was in the party I would maybe feel your way, but I have avoided it (yes, that’s the word I think) now it looks like a truly awful DM victory could happen and I really really do not want another NL criminal in the job and I see a small chance to add to not making that happen. If we have five years of Condems and DM doing his professional opposition role I just can’t see any part of that concerns or represents me in the slightest way. A total alienation from the party power blocs that, ignore them all I like, they will affect my and all our lives. I am expecting a great deal of disappointment but DM would not be a disappointment, he would be terminating any sliver of engagement with the mainstream process for me, ConDems are bad enough but Blair II as the alternative, close to country leaving levels of disgust for me, or taking to the woods with a bow and arrow and some green tights.
If you are considering it then you are already half way there. I couldn’t do it and instead joined the Green Party which is ‘ideologically pure’ apparently.
From the Independent:
Voters for DM are not only disgusting in terms of morals but are also fools in political terms.
No argument about DM supporters, (and to ref back to Harpy, Cruddas!!!!!! Sick of the man).
Greens are a good choice, and really I don’t see this as joining so much as having a small say in who leads the opposition in a nominally left (ish) party, a leader who will also set a lot of the context for other opposition parties and movements, in a way I think all left/prog/greens should get a say, the ConDems are radically serious Shock Doctrine, I think there will be terrible crime rises and give a couple of summers maybe riots, we need better than DM.
Take it from a dude that knows: Ed Balls is not a better alternative
So from experience you are saying Balls sucked?
(I am a very bad man and I apologise unreservedly for that puerile and predictable gag)
How about Ed Wood?
He, I would vote for. Real vision and determination and…zombies from outer space.
Personally, I think political parties should be tools to express one’s views and push one’s political agenda. I’m a registered Democrat here in the US, but this year I’m voting all Green. Just because you become a Labor Party member, doesn’t mean you can’t become a swing voter between Labor and farther left parties.
Thanks, that’s helpful, still feels icky but possibly useful for this issue, we shall see.