Europe needs to get real on defence; Britain needs to get real on Europe
13 February 2025
Post
9 November 2010
5 minute(s) read
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It was a truly great evening – moving, funny and inspiring. Michael Foot, along with Tony Benn, was my Dad’s political hero and he became mine. He would have absolutely loved to be there last night, but he is, unfortunately, too ill. I’m glad you commented on that quote from Michael’s first speech about the absurdity of fat men forcing thin men to tighten their belts. I left the theatre with the timeliness of that line ringing in my ears.
Yeah, those horrid personal attacks by the right wing are soooo low.
Stil, you have the champagne on ice for when the ‘evil’ Thatcher dies though right?
No champagne on ice, but I have got a little quatrain ready, based on one Lord Byron wrote after the death of Castlereagh.
GOTCHA!
Posterity will never see
a nobler grave than this.
Here’s what’s left of Mrs T.
Coachload, stop – and p***’!
Michael was devoted to the cause of supporting working people and would respond willingly to any request to speak. Our local party asked him to come and speak and he travelled to the depth of North Wales to the George Edward Hall in a former mining village to speak to us. He had a stick and his dog with him. He was inspirational speaking humour and without notes. He gave us hope for the future and his writing still does that
Alastair, thank you for that description of the event. Sadly, just after you posted this, Argyle capitulated to that northern mob up the A38 (Exeter City) in the JPT. Although it’s painfully sad he’s no longer here to excoriated those who deserve it, I’m glad he’s not witnessing Argyle’s race to the bottom.
In 1983 Labour got 27.6% of the votes with Mrs Thatcher winning a 144-seat Commons majority. Much have been made of the 1983 election manifesto. But what was in it?
First Labour called for nuclear disarmament by unilateral action. This was supposed to bring about worldwide disarmament, peace and co-operation. But the Cold War was ongoing, and the voters did not like the idea.
It is now OK for politicians to say that Trident should not be renewed.
On Europe Labour in 1983 wanted withdrawal from EEC. But there were divisions within the party.
Nowadays the Lib Dems are the most pro-European party. Labour´s position has, of course, reversed. But Ukip wants withdrawal.
On banks Labour wanted the Bank of England to have close direct control over bank lending. After 2008 this sounds somewhat sensible. Labour also considered taking some banks under public ownership!
Labour also wanted to have National Investment Bank.
And Labour promised to start discussions with TUC about minimum wage.
The odd thing is that Labour´s 1983 election manifesto does not feel so outlandish today.
Tribalism – great, isn’t it ? One one side of the line heroic figures who can do no wrong. On the other side, the scum of the earth.
Why are you guys, including Kinnock, lauding the man who last led the Party into the wilderness, from which Kinnock, John Smith and Blair rescued it?
Oh, I forgot, that is where Moribund and you are headed again isn’t it?
PS Why have you nothing to say re the Woolas affair? Surely you cannot stand by and watch the lamb get slaughtered, merely for telling lies?