Sunday, June 24, 2007

Congratulations to Gordon and Harriet – Commiseration to Alan

Still , a winner is a winner. Well done Gordon, well done Harriet. Nearly there Alan. Only 0.8% short. Overall, a good result for the Labour Party and the affiliate trade unions (Particularly UNISON Labour Link – who I think can show that they can deliver, not enough this time obviously, however we need to build on how we communicate with our Labour Link members). I am convinced that Gordon and Harriet will be a winning team for Labour.

I haven’t seen a proper breakdown yet on how the MP’s, unions and Party members voted. There are already some bizarre interpretations of the results. I think that the polite term for this is “wishful thinking”. The Ultra Left (stress “Ultra”) has been completed marginalised and it has been demonstrated that is it has no meaningful support in the Party or its affiliate’s.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Really glad you highlight the need to review how labour Link members are kept in the loop. Certainly room for improvement if it is to engage with members and actually mean something.Hope you will take that to the London Region LL committee and London Region UNISON generally.

John Gray said...

Thanks Anon

Always willing to review things. Lots of things to be done? How about all candidates declaring their membership or support of political parties or organisations?

Anonymous said...

Clearly the only reason for backing Johnson was because u fear the influence of unite

Sean said...

John ultra left marginalised no support within the affiliates or the membership? Not sure what would be viewed as "ultra" left these days to be honest. More importantly of course neither of these 2/3rd's of the electoral college had an opportunity to vote for a candidate espousing such views due to the actions of the third part of the troika the M.P.'s. Of course one might argue that many of the views seen as ultra left were espoused by all the candidates except Johnson and Blears. ( Ironically enough of course one the UNISON favoured candidate and the other a UNISON sponsored MP) By which I mean issues such as Council housing, rethinking Trident and Iraq. And of course John Cruddas did spectacularly well on what was a clear left facing agenda. A shame our Union didnt back him instead of Johnson or he might have even won. Will be very itnerestign to see how the unison votes breakdown

John Gray said...

Hi Anon
Not really sure about this argument. The GMB, who it is rumoured we will try and merge with, did not I think recommend anyone? Merger talks maybe, due to comradely competition from Unite” but not over Alan?

John Gray said...

Hi Sean
No, I don’t think that the Ultra left has any meaningful (not none as you suggested) support in the Party. I think that MP’s tend to careful of their GC’s, and you should note the CLP nominations for Brown.

None of the DL candidates are of course Ultra left (another sign). They all supported the War and a mixed economy, Parliamentary democracy under the rule of law.

This is Blair’s enduring legacy. I have no doubt that Jon would have been slagged off by the pure if he had won for supporting Brown and getting involved in that messy creature called politics.