There needs to be a credible alternative movement to counter the inexorable drag to the right that Blairism has engendered for the last 18 years. Contrary to many media commentators, I believe that there is more of an appetite for more left wing ideas than many believe, especially amongst the young who are being systematically disenfranchised by the ruling regime, unfortunately enabled by the current labour leadership. (As far as I am concerned HH's stance on the welfare bill was shameful, and AB's equally risible).
I work for a local housing charity/association and I can see how support for those most vulnerable in society is being corroded systematically on a daily basis, dressed up as the war on "scroungers", (despite more than 50% of housing benefit being awarded to those in work). This narrative really needs to be challenged but I don't see that happening under YC, AB or LK, therefore JC has my vote as things stand. I just want to see a true opposition and just do not see that happening under "Torie-"Lite".
Cheryl Herriot
East Hoathly
I too work and serve on committees of housing charities and Associations - have done for the past 40 years and couldn’t agree more with the writer about the treatment of those vulnerable, sick and less able in our society. It chills me to see what is going on now.
ReplyDeleteHowever I cannot agree with the answer. I do not want another five years (or more) of the Tories. I don't care about Blairites, Brownites or left wingers or anything like that. I just want a fair and just society and a party that will deliver most (its never perfect) of the policies and programmes that are fair, equitable, caring and help provide a foundation for a society where social injustice is a thing of the past. I would love to say that JC could deliver this. In so many ways he reminds me of the socialist heroes I had in the 50s and 60s but I am a realist.
I have witnessed too much suffering and social deprivation to risk inflicting even more because of a dogma. That is what Tories do.
You wouldn't vote Tory would you? Well then you cannot vote for JC. It is just not going to lead to anything other than disaster. We must learn the lessons of the past. One of my greatest ever heroes Michael Foot (behind Bevan) was voted leader and you just have to look at what happened next.