Me with Emily Thornberry's tour bus in the days when I still had illusions.
Did you watch the feed from the Democratic National Convention the other night? Did you watch the Obamas and marvel at the rhetoric, the fluency, the passion, the intellect? And did you conclude, reluctantly, that there is no equivalent in the UK; that the apparatchiks of this new manifestation of New Labour have no desire to enthuse or inspire the electorate with ideas and policies?
More than fifty years ago, when I was already a seasoned campaigner and voter for Labour, a favourite (and effective) canvassing line was “Vote Labour with no illusions”. This thought has kept me going through every election since 1970. With no illusions, I have voted for Labour under the leadership of Harold Wilson, James Callaghan, Michael Foot, Neil Kinnock, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Ed Miliband, Jeremy Cornyn and Keir Starmer.
Why do we do this time after time, with and without illusions?
Because a Labour Government will reverse the child benefit cap.
Because a Labour Government will protect pensioners’ winter fuel allowance.
Because a Labour Government will never suspend MPs for voting according to their conscience.
Because a labour Government will never expel the likes of Faiza Shaheen just because they can.
Because a Labour Government will never select the likes of Luke Lakehurst to represent the party.
Because a Labour Government will protect the green belt against development.
Because a Labour Government will stop sending arms to countries occupying other countries.
Because a Labour Government will make refugees welcome and create safe and legal routes.
Because a Labour Government will never appoint disgraced dinosaurs such as Milburn and Smith to government.
Because a Labour Government will renationalise the water companies.
I could go on and probably will on another occasion. Meantime, I am beginning to recognise that after these five decades, I misunderstood the advice.
I was voting Labour with delusions.
Today from the everysmith vaults: Playing right now (rain has stopped play in Manchester) is The Grateful Dead on the 24 August 1972 at Berkeley. A brilliant and generous recording (the Monday and Tuesday shows also) from John Hilgart. Thanks.
More than fifty years ago, when I was already a seasoned campaigner and voter for Labour, a favourite (and effective) canvassing line was “Vote Labour with no illusions”. This thought has kept me going through every election since 1970. With no illusions, I have voted for Labour under the leadership of Harold Wilson, James Callaghan, Michael Foot, Neil Kinnock, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Ed Miliband, Jeremy Cornyn and Keir Starmer.
Why do we do this time after time, with and without illusions?
Because a Labour Government will reverse the child benefit cap.
Because a Labour Government will protect pensioners’ winter fuel allowance.
Because a Labour Government will never suspend MPs for voting according to their conscience.
Because a labour Government will never expel the likes of Faiza Shaheen just because they can.
Because a Labour Government will never select the likes of Luke Lakehurst to represent the party.
Because a Labour Government will protect the green belt against development.
Because a Labour Government will stop sending arms to countries occupying other countries.
Because a Labour Government will make refugees welcome and create safe and legal routes.
Because a Labour Government will never appoint disgraced dinosaurs such as Milburn and Smith to government.
Because a Labour Government will renationalise the water companies.
I could go on and probably will on another occasion. Meantime, I am beginning to recognise that after these five decades, I misunderstood the advice.
I was voting Labour with delusions.
Today from the everysmith vaults: Playing right now (rain has stopped play in Manchester) is The Grateful Dead on the 24 August 1972 at Berkeley. A brilliant and generous recording (the Monday and Tuesday shows also) from John Hilgart. Thanks.
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