Month: November 2014

And so to the surprise of, well, no-one, we last week learned that Tom Watson MP had decided to stick the boot into Jim Murphy as the bookies’ favourite to be Scottish leader. Just as his former flat-mate, Len McCluskey did a couple of weeks before, as we reported here, and seemingly by pretending, somewhat disingenuously, to admire him: “Don’t get… Continue reading Jim Murphy hatchet jobs: a short series to cut out and keep

Last week, a member of the party’s governing body, the NEC, encouraged a crowd of people to go round to the homes of public servants (£) and “peacefully” demonstrate outside. Presumably as Unite “peacefully” demonstrated at the homes of Grangemouth oil refinery managers, during last summer’s botched industrial dispute. It is a technique latterly championed… Continue reading The case for party discipline

Two thoughts for this day, on which Europe commemorates the sacrifices of millions during the first half of the last century, to defend the continent from the oppression of dictators.As luck would have it, today is also a quarter of a century since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Last night Germany celebrated the most… Continue reading Two thoughts for Remembrance Sunday in Europe

Last Saturday, after some days of deliberation, Jim Murphy announced his candidacy for the Scottish Labour leadership. Within hours, Unite had put out a statement: “Unite’s representative members will soon decide who to nominate on behalf of our union. On the basis of this speech, it is extremely difficult for them to find much to… Continue reading Unite’s reaction to Jim Murphy’s candidacy tells us all we need to know about why it’s important

…Lutfur Rahman is finally banged to rights and central government has taken control of council finances. I cannot imagine that his position will be tenable for much longer.For those not familiar with the reasons for my joy, I invite you to read these pieces. UPDATE 06NOV: It is also worth – for the humour value… Continue reading Ring out the church bells…