Bob Piper has been a Labour Councillor for the Abbey
Ward in Sandwell, West Midlands, for 10 years. He is a lifelong supporter of Aston Villa Football Club and a follower of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
The views expressed here are mine in a personal capacity, not those of the Labour Party, Sandwell MBC, Aston Villa or Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Get it! Mine... just mine!
Promoted by Bob Piper of 115 Barclay Rd, B67 5JZ on behalf of the Labour Party, care of 39 Victoria Street London, SW1H 0HA . Hosted (printed) by Swaithe Internet Solutions who are not responsible for any of the contents of these posts.
Please note however, that The Labour Party is not responsible for the content of this website or individual posts as, unless specifically stated, I am writing solely in a personal and individual capacity.
Promoted by Bob Piper of 115 Barclay Rd, B67 5JZ on behalf of the Labour Party, care of 39 Victoria Street London, SW1H 0HA . Hosted (printed) by Swaithe Internet Solutions who are not responsible for any of the contents of these posts.
Please note however, that The Labour Party is not responsible for the content of this website or individual posts as, unless specifically stated, I am writing solely in a personal and individual capacity.
There's an article on CiF today by a young fellah by the name of Sarfraz Manzoor. Sarfraz asks... It used to be so simple: Conservatives were there to be despised. Have they changed or have I? It's an inoffensive little piece and clearly designed to attract some responses, and in that sense it has been quite succesful. The comment that sums it up best though is from someone calling himself Gav P, who says:
Sarfaz, no disrespect, but you make it sound like you choose which party to support based on a mixture of what your peers think and which party has the more presentable image. Have you ever considered forming your opinion based on the policies?
I think the important point to pick up here is the question of whose 'ouch' it should be.
Should it it be one in the eye for Sarfraz for 'not getting politics'? Or should we really take it as a painful-but-true comment on our (Labour/left politico) failure-to-date to persuade people like Sarfraz, most likely at a local level, that Labour offers a set of policies that are genuinely distinct from those of the other parties, and which are genuinely focused on creating that fundmamental and irreversible shift I think we're both pretty keen on?
That's a big job, as the neoliberal-engineered environment of political disenchantment militates against us, and there are lots and lots of decent but disinclined-to-trust people liek Sarfraz out there, but it's the most important one we've got.
Have you seen the latest Opinion poll? A lot of people have (quite sensibly) changed their mind, because the see Labour as a spent force, devoid of ideas and with a bankrupt economy.
I bet you wouldnt be posting such tosh if this guy had been considering voting Labour.
Godzilla... if we just follow weathercocks and turn which way the wind blows, we would probably do much better in the opinion polls... and Neil Kinnock would have won the 1992 General election if they elected governments.
The Govt have done enough U turns to render your comment worthless (following public opinion and Opposition pressure). Thats exactly what Labour have been doing (bar 42 days) which will never get to the stature book(or if it does will be repealed shortly afterwards.)
How long before Car tax and Company Tax on dividends become the next u turns?
Soon, I hope, with regard to car tax. All parties, in or out of government, change their policies. Clegg has recently changed Lib Dem policy on income tax all by himself. Last year Cameron changed Tory policy on grammar schools more often than he changes his lightly perfumed boxers.
It might surprise you a bit, but it is called a) listening to people or b) bricking it when you realise it's unpopular. Welcome to the world, Godzilla.
July 23, 2008 1:23 PM | permalink
I think the important point to pick up here is the question of whose 'ouch' it should be.
Should it it be one in the eye for Sarfraz for 'not getting politics'? Or should we really take it as a painful-but-true comment on our (Labour/left politico) failure-to-date to persuade people like Sarfraz, most likely at a local level, that Labour offers a set of policies that are genuinely distinct from those of the other parties, and which are genuinely focused on creating that fundmamental and irreversible shift I think we're both pretty keen on?
That's a big job, as the neoliberal-engineered environment of political disenchantment militates against us, and there are lots and lots of decent but disinclined-to-trust people liek Sarfraz out there, but it's the most important one we've got.