Labour Party

Labour Party

NEWS

2020

Keir Starmer arose to the Top of the Alternative Pile to Jeremy Corbyn, and is currently settling into the Seat of Leadership in the Labour Party. He is already turfing out anyone remotely loyal to Corbyn, to have a Cabinet of His Cronies. The mainstream newspaper media in the UK is gleefully ‘reporting’ on the happenings eagerly picking over every titbit, to cover with relish the dismantling of any trace of what they consider to be ‘Corbynism’ within the Labour Party. Through the political hiatus during and following the 2019 General Election the Conservative Party were fair game, for a concerted and determined opposition to exploit their electioneering. But instead where were the Labour Party in all this? To be fair to Corbyn he and his supporters were trying the level best, to make the most of every opportunity available to them.

However within the Labour Party the right wing were using their usual tactics of disseminating misinformation, showing their notion of ‘Party Unity’ as derailing Corbyn and replacing him with their own choice. When this failed then they used ‘Dirty Tricks’ claiming Corbyn was anti semitic, dredging up old comments about Israel as their “Proof Positive”. They had no trouble in locating allies within the zionist fraternity, who fell over themselves to help in this demonisation. And of course the tory rags could be relied on, to publicise anything and everything that in any way denigrated Jeremy Corbyn. All this continued up to and through the 2019 General Election, and the consequences? Tories back in power again with a bigger majority and even, squeezing working class votes from former Labour Party voters. The Labour Party right wing were thus prepared to remain in opposition, sooner than bother to unite behind Corbyn to achieve victory.

After the election they merely stepped up their campaign within the party, to achieve their devious ends, lining up in a disorderly stampede to be the next party supremo. End Result Keir Starmer, wither the Labour Party now?

Watch this space, but don't hold your breath.

2019 General ELECTION

Voting Labour with No Illusions

Was a far left adage of voting for the Labour Party as the de-facto 'Party of the working class', being the only party to vote for in the bourgeois political system of capitalism.

I saw the Referendum as pointless but finally voted, the same way I had over entering the Common Market that is against the institution. Now I feel that there is no choice for me no party on the left, in this general election that directly represents my views. I see it as really Hobson's Choice despite the interior problems that there may be, the Labour Party has potential to rescue something out of this Brexit farrago.

Before contemplating the future it’s relevant to make a summation of the past and hopefully draw some conclusions to help make sense of today’s predicaments. In taking a retrospective view it’s easy to assume knowledge of a subject and indeed commence writing in that sense. Because within living memory of at least this observer the Labour Party has assumed prominence within the greater labour movement as the party of the working class, its all too easy to simply assume that it’s never had any noticeable opposition in that respect. Within the present political climate it’s difficult to imagine this possibility let alone probability, but for people disenfranchised from all aspects of society hope is sought from any quarter then available however implausible these may now appear to us. People short of the staff of life to sustain their existence, will look to those with food for help even to accept the merest crumbs from their table. Those left bereft of representation for their ills in the halls of the high and mighty will at least glance in the direction of those who appear to give a monkies for their existence. So it was in the development of society from Feudalism to Capitalism ‘The Managers’ evolved, those with a vested interest in this evolution in insuring not only their own survival but a means of profiting from it.

Karl Marx coined them the Petty Bourgeoisie, as distinct from the Bourgeoisie whose system it was or at least owned and/or controlled it, the best the Petty could hope for was to be allowed to manage it and thereby wrest some comfort and position out of it. Through necessity they developed their own political representative body which took somewhat different forms as the transition progressed. Indicative of this is the Whigs formalised into existence in 1784 in the reign of Charles II, adhering to constitutional and not absolute monarchy, interestingly supporting the protestant line of ascendancy. It mirrors this societal shift as it transforms itself into a party supporting amongst other things, parliament over the Monarchy, catholic emancipation, abolition of the slave trade, and suffrage the right to vote.

The Liberal Party evolving out of the Whigs as the political landscape developed in as recent time as 1832, highlighting the acceptance of the Middle Class into political respectability. It also sought to reach workers with the formation in 1869 of the Labour Representation League established to register and mobilise working class voters on behalf of favoured Liberal candidates.

The fledgling Trades Unions were seeing the need for political representation, and the 1870’s saw Trades Union funded parliamentary candidates accepted and supported by the Liberal Party and in 1886 the Trades Union Congress formed its electoral committee to further these aims.

From its inception the English Labour Party was a reformist party, formed to reform Capitalism and not to challenge or change it. Its sole modus operand was to convince workers that what they really needed was not a new political system, but a chance to be represented within the old one. The Labour Party extolled workers, that their problems were not caused by the existing political system but by its mismanagement, that with the right party in charge Capitalism could at last be made to benefit all of society. In short the English Labour Party presented itself as THE only party to represent not only the working class, but also all those that remained unrepresented by the existing political parties, that Labour were intent on transforming capitalism into a system representative of all its citizens. The Labour Party was never intended as a revolutionary party out to dismantle Capitalism, it never even considered that there was anything fundamentally wrong with Capitalism, simply that Capitalism was in the wrong hands. The Labour Party was never conceived as fundamentally a Socialist party, but rather a Social Democratic party, one whose intention was to change capitalist society in a bourgeois sense. A party that never challenges the inherent nature of Capitalism, and simply seeks to mitigate its worst excesses. In truth the Labour Party never promised to be anything other than what it was. For people disenfranchised and left without hope by a political system, the Labour Party presented itself as the means for political emancipation and change. Revolutionary considerations enough for a class short of everything needed to sustain their existence and bereft of any political alternative.

I won't go into detail here about the Trades Unions keeping that for the separate Trades Unions Blog, and likewise with Society. Suffice it to say here that the working class has never been properly represented politically, parties whether the Liberals or the Labour Party have sought to garner support within them. Namely their votes at elections, with pie in the sky promises of dreams and aspirations tomorrow in return for toil and sacrifice today. Something the politicians are never keen to endure themselves, not while they can con some other sap into doing it instead.

Where does all this leave US the people in 2010 on the eve of yet another General Election? In England there are 3 main political parties the Labour; Liberal Democrats; Tory with ALL 3 of them representing merely differing shades of the same thought and opinion. I throw out this challenge to anyone who can slide a fag paper between them so similar are their policies and promises, to "Spot the Difference". Please feel free to Email me your answers here on ygwerin1@yahoo.co.uk and I will feel free to make of them what I like and if I feel like it post the comments here.

The old far left wing nostrum was always to ‘Vote Labour with no illusions’ and some still continue to dredge up this hoary old chestnut today. But quite frankly just how long can one keep ignoring what the Labour Party has become? After all I only have 4 cheeks to turn if you count my backside, and however much of a masochist I may be I no longer feel inclined to vote for someone to continue abusing me, for me it’s high time for a change.

And people have a right to ask of it what exactly has the Labour Party achieved especially for those it purports to represent. This was all the more pertinent when this was first penned in the year 2010 of the Christian calendar, at the dog end of a Labour administration with the possibility or probability of another Tory administration to follow in the forthcoming General Election.

Here in 2012 the 2010 General Election has come and gone Labour lost and the Tories won, though that is effectively the end result its not quite that straight forward. Labour's years of administration had come to nought with them having frittered away their Golden Opportunity with absolutely NOTHING to show for it, they had to scrub around for ANYONE to share the load of Government.

The LibDems desperate for Power after years in the political wilderness were eager to climb under the Political Duvet, but Labour were not prepared for the Marriage of Convenience, preferring to leave the country at the tender mercies of the Tories and whinge under their breath that 'the people' just didn't get their 'Message.

The Labour Party have always relied on achieving enough MP's in Wales and Scotland to make up for those they could never manage to achieve in 'Normal Circumstances'. These being under their assumed identity of 'The Party of the working class'. The change occurring during the advent of 'New Labour' with the 'Scottish' leader of the English Labour Party Tony Blair and his 'Scottish' bagman Gordon Brown as their Chancellor of the Exchequer at their helm. The 'Change' being simply the miraculous one of the previously Tory heartland of the English Home Counties, switching allegiance to New Labour, sweeping them to an unprecedented Labour landslide, not just once but repeatedly over the next decade. The 'Key' to this 'Miracle' being Maggie Thatcher, during her infamous Reign, the Labour Party had sought to distance themselves from any association with her or or legacy. However after Blair and Brown's inauguration matters changed dramatically, Thatcher was invited to Number 10 Downing Street and she broke bread with them. We are supposed to believe that this is simply a matter of irony rather than a meeting of 'Minds'. But on the contrary Thatcher was there to be reassured that 'Thatcherism' had not ended with her, it was indeed to be the cornerstone of New Labour's very existence. Thatcher herself not only accepted this as fact she welcomed New Labour as the 'Natural Heirs' to her political legacy.

The Labour Party has always believed in 'The Union' of the United Kingdom/Great Britain, this had to endure for them to get enough MP's to have any hope of ensuring their political survival in the English Parliament in Westminster. Which is why their decision to allow Wales and Scotland to have more devolution astounded me, it lacked any modicum of common sense or rationality. It has I think rebounded on them in regard of Labour’s political future north of the border.
My deliberations on this, and on ‘Devolution’ I leave to my separate Google Web Pages for, Wales; Scotland; and for the 6 Counties of Northern Ireland, in the Ireland web page.

This is not by any means intended as a definitive history of the Labour Party, merely of my own rumination’s of it.

The Labour Party has continued to remain central to the thoughts, aspirations and considerations of the working class, even unto today, 14th September 2018. The struggles within and without continue to reverberate through the

working class and wider society in general.

The ‘LEFT’ both in and out of Labour, continues to suffer a turgid existence, seemingly singularly incapable of learning any of the lessons, of either its past or present, so what hope for the future of itself or for the working class?

I won’t bother wasting my time in reiterating any of this sordid tale.
But regrettably some of the consequences remain, and continue to reverberate today, so they have to be considered if only to be ultimately discounted, as ultimately irrelevant. Some do so personally, impinging on my own life and times. Where these are relevant to an understanding, of either the ‘Left’ in general, or of societal developments, I’ll reiterate them later. Here or more likely elsewhere, on this Sites web pages, or on my separate Facebook Group Y Gwerin.

The Labour Party has suffered opposition within its ranks, throughout its history, indeed unto today. I say suffered, as its existed as a consequence of Labour being fundamentally a broad political church. Really an untidy

coalition of disparate ideas and notions, of what to do about Capitalism, and other interpretations of ‘Socialism’. As its not a ‘Revolutionary’ Party, and its origins owe more to non conformity in the widest possible sense. The Labour

Party has remained separate from, political ideas and organisations, that have literally exploded in Britain, over the decades. Separate as a Party, but despite its best efforts it could never remain totally isolated from the effects of outside influences.

The Labour Party has never to my knowledge officially proscribed, ‘Factions’ within its ranks, rather its reacted to their apparent existence. Preferring to consider that difference of opinion and debate over issues, should by welcomed as a sign of healthy internal democracy. Where reaction has resulted, its been as a consequence of perceived opposition to, either the Party leadership, or more tenuously, of “undermining the core belief system of the Party” of “Seeking to usurp, or fundamentally change its nature, or intent”.

Such paranoid interpretations have occurred more than once, and have found similar expressions within the broader left in general. Of continued activity outside Labour rather than in is Militant, and now of its current incarnation as the Socialist Party. Militant was the face of an ‘Opposition’ of the left, within the Labour Party. They debated and organised both within the Party itself, including I believe within the Labour youth. Also within the broader working class communities, including at Council level, standing and getting elected as Labour Councillors. Their views were expressed through their own newspaper Militant, operating as far as I could tell both within and outside of the Labour Party. These political views were generally far left of centre, verging on ‘Revolutionary’ in at least their rhetoric. Which was more than enough for the Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock to use as his excuse to react in really spectacular fashion. Kinnock accused Militant as being the ‘Reds under the Party bed’ he castigated Militant as “Militant Tendency” being alternately both “Marxist” and or “Trotskyist” in their politics, and as such they were a direct threat to both his leadership, and of the Labour Party’s very existence. Kinnock sought to expunge Militant and all of its “fellow travellers” form the Labour Party. As well as using Militants very existence as an excuse to cleanse the Labour Party of all left wing ideas and individuals. Militant’s problems then became those of the Labour Party left, who possibly felt in a double bind, but had to in general support Militant, if only for the sake of their own long term survival the Party. Militant hadn’t however made it that easy, in at least the attitude of some of its leading members of arrogance towards other left wingers. Causing in some instances downright hostility. I won’t bother to delve into the political mire that resulted, not least because I don’t hold any brief for the Labour Party in general. The same problems and consequences existed outside the Labour Party, certainly within the ‘Far Left’, of which I had become a part. Overall I would consider that Militants broad principal objectives, were to improve the lot and situation of working people in general. I won’t bother to dive into the mire of the media propaganda that was the ‘News coverage’ of the day. Suffice it to say that the general feeling towards Militant, certainly from the Left section that I was involved in, was one of disappointment, of great opportunities missed. By their complete inability, or unwillingness to work collectively towards a common objective, that of opposing and replacing the Conservatives and Capitalism. Militant’s arrogance came from its blind self belief, in its own self importance. Things that it had in common with the Labour Party, and of far too many other mainstream and radical political groups and parties. Militant’s arrogance within the Labour Party crystallised into the formation of the Socialist Party, on the complete expulsion of Militant from the Labour Party. Militant's new project of the Socialist Party, initially manifested itself as an endeavour to build ‘The Party’ of the working class, to ultimately replace the Labour Party. That idea seems to be held in abeyance, as presently they appear content to build the Socialist Party, with this being presumably ‘The Workers Party’ in at least an embryonic form. While Militant/Socialist Party remain indicative of a struggle of the Left within the Labour Party, the Left outside of Labour have reacted to a similar extent around it. Examples of this has been the attitude known in the Far Left as ‘Entryism’ that term referred to the objective of a Far Left group of gaining influence in the Labour Party from within. The strategy such as it was, involved the Group getting some of its members to join the Labour Party, and to form a ‘Section’ around this Groups politics. They would involve themselves in Labour Party activities, gain acceptability as an activist, and seek to get Labour members to join them. The long term objective being to form a ‘Party within a Party’ creating a ‘Schism’ which of course would ultimately be expelled from the Labour Party. The desire being to take so much of the main Labour Party with them, that the Party itself could no longer function, and the breakaway element would form the new ‘Workers Party’. A grandiose scheme possibly modelled on the Independent Labour Party though presumably hoping to learn from what happened to the ILP.

One such Far Left Group that I not only recall, but one which I became involved with was the IMG, the International Marxist Group. I won’t bother to describe what actually happened to them, I refer instead to the linked article. The lessons from them seem to be that the Labour Party appeared to have a mesmeric effect on the IMG. It started life within and around Labour, it

existed as I knew them as a Far Left Trot Group, [one of the Groups to consider themselves as The British Section of The 4th International {Setup by Trotsky, as he considered that the previous 3rd International had been taken over by Stalinists}And moved past my involvement with either the Group or its members, back to being ‘Entryists’ vainly imagining that they could ‘Transform’ the Labour Party. But as can be seen their fate was to disintegrate, being totally absorbed within the body of the Labour Party, leaving no discernible trace either within nor without the Party itself.

Having Their Cake And Eating It. In todays Labour Party {Saturday 21st September 2019}

Jeremy Corbyn is in a personally unenviable, though not an entirely surprising or new position for a Labour Party leader. Corbyn is a long term loyal and dedicated party member, as such he has worked tirelessly within the party’s constraints endeavouring to develop and further socialism within the party.

The problems he has had to endure are now increased exponentially, with his position of party leader. Fundamentally it revolves around the Labour Party consideration of its purpose, whether or not it considers itself to be a

social democratic party. The party’s right wing bangs on about party unity but only on its own terms, preferring for the Labour Party to remain in perpetual opposition rather than even contemplate socialism. Under successive party leaders including Blair and Brown the party’s left has been constrained, to prevent any consideration let alone administration of socialism. The Labour Party right wing claim to uphold party democracy, yet it continually denies

the eligibility of Jeremy Corbyn as party leader. And continues to work tirelessly to undermine him, and consequently any opportunity of the Labour Party to act as an effective opposition to the Conservative Party. Corbyn’s continual dilemma is what to do about it, he is desperately trying to appease both wings of his party, resulting in playing into the hands of the Labour Party right wingers and of the tories. Jeremy Corbyn must come off the political fence and use his leadership to promote socialism, economically, politically and socially. If as I think that he does believe in socialism, then he must say so in no uncertain terms, within the party and the broader trades union and labour movement. Despite my reservations about it the Labour Party can make a difference, if it works together in common cause with progressive forces and, groups and parties within society towards a common objective, of social justice and equality for all.

1979: GENERAL ELECTION; LABOUR PARTY DEFEATED

4 Prominent Labour Party members publicly vented their displeasure both within and without the Party. These were: David Owen; Shirley Williams; Roy Jenkins; Bill Rogers. They all served under the Party Leadership of James Callaghan, and these were their Party Posts leading up-to 1981.

DAVID OWEN: SHADOW FOREIGN SECRETARY, becoming moved to SHADOW ENERGY SECRETARY

SHIRLEY WILLIAMS: Under the 1976 James Callaghan Labour Cabinet she was the Secretary of State for Education and the Paymaster General. But in the 1979 General Election Williams lost her Parliamentary Seat of the constituency of Stevenage, and became a member of the Labour Party National Executive.

ROY JENKINS: Had no Labour Party post and from 1977 to 1981 was the President of the European Commission.

BILL RODGERS: Between 1979 and 1981 he was the Shadow Defence Secretary.

These 4 Labour Party members became known as THE GANG OF 4, after their public denunciations of the Labour Party and left in an acrimonious split. They then formed the SDP the Social Democratic Party. Frankly this is all rather academic as had they decided to stay within the Labour Party for but a bit later until John Smith emerged on the scenes to assume Leadership, they could have settled their supposed political differences and remained members. Apart that is from David Owen who I still feel had leadership ambitions which would have lead to him challenging John Smith for party leader.

The SDP then went into party talks with the Liberal Party forming a Party Alliance the SDP-Liberal Alliance in June 1981, under the Joint Leadership of Roy Jenkins [SDP] and David Steel [Liberal Party Leader]. 1983 David Owen

became SDP Leader and felt they should be independent and not aligned with the Liberal Party. However this SDP-

Liberal Alliance came under the scrutiny of the TV satirical comedy show Spitting Image, that depicted the David Owen and David Steel partnership, with Owen being the prominent figure while Steel was portrayed as his puppet forever seeking his approval. This caused upset in the Liberal Party especially the skit that had David Owen proposing a Party Union between SDP and Liberal Party under a new name thus. David Owen, "From our side we'll take 'Social Democratic' and from your side we'll take 'Party'. And indeed a new leader 'From your side we'll take 'David' and from ours 'Owen'".

SPITTING IMAGES