Trade union members need a Labour Government

Labour's civil war comes to a head on Tuesday when the party's National Executive meets to discuss the terms of the leadership challenge and who will be on the ballot paper. It's clear that the division between the Parliamentary Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn is irreversible and so the future of Labour hangs in the balance.

A poll published in the Scottish newspaper the Herald reports:

LABOUR’S popularity would be boosted significantly if the party dumped Jeremy Corbyn as leader, according to a new poll.

The UK-wide BMG survey for The Herald, carried out before the shock Brexit result, found that just over one-third, 36 per cent, said that they could vote for a Corbyn-led Labour party.

But that figure jumped to almost half, 48 per cent, if the veteran socialist was no longer in charge – a 12 point boost.

That gives the sort of level that Labour would require to beat the Tories at the next election. A message that so many veteran Labour activists have been saying since the far-left entered the party en-masse during last years leadership election. Momentum and their supporters may have grown in the party's ranks but simply uniting the rent-a-mob demonstrators, most of whom don't believe in democracy has proved toxic to the voters that are needed to bring about a Labour government.

In these circumstances the trade union leaders have to reconsider their support for Corbyn and in the case of UNITE their own members who a poll shows do not support Corbyn

The first question we asked the Unite members we polled was: “Do you think that Jeremy Corbyn is doing well or badly as leader of the Labour party?”. Almost two-thirds (65%) of the Unite members think Mr Corbyn is doing badly.Similar proportions feel the same regardless of the age, region and voting behaviour of the respondent. Only amongst female Unite members was this trend different, with fewer (53%) of them thinking Mr Corbyn was doing badly. On Thursday a Times / YouGov poll reported that almost a half (48%) of Labour party members thought Mr Corbyn was doing badly.

The second question we asked the Unite members we polled was: “Do you think that Labour currently is or is not on course to be in Government after the General Election in 2020?” Over two-thirds (69%) of the respondents thought that Labour were not on course to be in government. Once again this is consistent across the demographic groups with the eception of female Unite members; although even here the clear belief is that Labour is not heading for government.

The third question we asked the Unite members we polled was: How likely or unlikely do you think it is that Jeremy Corbyn will ever become Prime Minister?. Again the large majority (79%) think it unlikely that Mr Corbyn will ever become prime minister.

The fourth question we asked the Unite members we polled was: If Jeremy Corbyn remains leader of the Labour party, how likely or unlikely do you think it is that they will win the next general election? Over two-thirds (69%) think it unlikely.

The fifth question we asked the Unite members we polled was: If Jeremy Corbyn was replaced as leader of the Labour party, how likely or unlikely do you think it is that they would win the next general election? Replacing Mr Corbyn does appear to increase the likelihood of Labour winning the next general election according to the respondents, but even still over half (54%) of the Unite members we polled still thought it unlikely Labour wins in that scenario.

The sixth question we asked the Unite members we polled was: Do you think Jeremy Corbyn should or should not continue as leader of the Labour party and fight the next general election? Almost half (49%) of the respondents thought Mr Corbyn should step down now; as did those Unite members which voted Labour in 2015 (48%).

(Source: Election Data Base)

Len McCluskey is ideologically motivated to support Corbyn, but his members are clearly not behind him.

Meanwhile another General Secretary, Mark Serwotka a recent recruit to the Labour Party, only allowed membership after the personal intervention of John McDonnell has committed his (non-affiliated) PCS union to back Corbyn.

A statement on the PCS website from their NEC reads:

Following the EU referendum, elements of the Parliamentary Labour Party have embarked on a systematic and pre-planned attempt to unseat Jeremy Corbyn, using the result as a smokescreen. Events are unfolding daily.

It is deeply disappointing that some in the Labour party are choosing to attack Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership instead of ensuring that the official opposition is united in protecting the interests of those depending on them to set out an alternative political vision during such an uncertain period.

....while PCS is not an affiliated union and we continue to remain independent of any political party, we believe PCS members' interests are best served by Jeremy's continued leadership and offer our support in preventing his opponents from unseating him.

The claim that "PCS is independent of any political party" is highly debatable given that it's been controlled by a cabal of the far-left (Socialist Party/SWP) over the last decade. Serwotka and his allies have at various times supported Galloway's Respect party and at the last election the Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition. The PCS has used it's resources to back every far-left campaign regardless of it's own members interests.

The members themselves have not been consulted. PCS is an "activists" union where this distinction has been promoted against a "representative" organisation. 

In other words a "top down" hierarchy has been imposed in true Marxist fashion.

PCS has lost members on an unprecedented scale over the last few years and not just because of government cuts. One whole department, the Serious Organised Crime Agency split away and formed a successful independent new union. Others left the HMRC with another, smaller breakaway. Many opted to join an existing union, Prospect.

One thing is clear. Trade union members need a Labour Government and Corbyn will never deliver.

It's time for ordinary union members to speak out against the activist castes in organisations like UNITE and PCS.

Corbyn is the Tories best asset. In order for a Labour Government to be elected the man and his Momentum Tendency must go.

Too many Zealots

Photo: James Bloodworth: Twitter

With shootings in Dallas, beheadings of footballers by ISIS in Syria and increasing numbers of racist incidents in even our own country the world is seemingly heading backwards at an alarming rate. Even the mainstream political parties, the bedrock of British democracy are developing into places where bigotry and zealotry seem to be in ascendency.

One of the former contenders for leadership of the Tory Party, Stephen Crabb believes in "cures" for homsexuals, whilst one of the remaining contenders for Prime Minister Andrea Leadsom thinks gay marriage "hurts christians". Not sure how, it's not compulsory but that's her view.

Meanwhile the world of social media continues to bring out the worst in people with supporters of Jeremy Corbyn calling anyone that does not agree with them a "traitor" and indulge in behaviour towards Jews normally associated with the far right.

Meanwhile at the Durham Miners Gala where "moderate" Labour MPs have been told they are "not welcome" find a place for the fanclub of mass murderer Joseph Stalin to have a stall at their bash.

No wonder the nickname Maomentum has stuck firmly.

The rise of Islamo-fascism following the collapse of communism continues unabated with even Turkey, a former bastion of modernisation and secularism has fallen to the rantings of it's quite obviously deranged President Erdogan.

Former socialist paradise of Venezuela has fallen to the inevitable failure of it's corrupt leaders as it's own people are forced to cross the border into neighbouring Columbia just to to buy basics such as flour, bread and rice.

The anti-colonialist leader Mugabe has led the "breadbasket" of Zimbabwe into penury.

When the "Cold War" came to an end we had leading thinkers like Francis Fukuyama claiming we were seeing the "end of history" and we all looked forward to a better world. Maybe not over night, but in time.

Now with "Brexit", Islamic fundamentalism and the far-left's "Strasserite" turn the world slowly sinks back into barbarism.

Back at the beginning of the sixties, a small group of left-socialists around Cornelius Castoriadis organised around the slogan "Socialism or Barbarism" (a phrase that originated with Rosa Luxemburg) they got it wrong.

Today the struggle is for reason not barbarism.

The zealots are at our gates.

Time to stand up and fight back. 

The Trump and the Clown

The battle for  the heart and souls of Britain's two main political  parties continued in earnest today as the Tories whittled down their choices to just two, ready for the membership to make the fianl choice. Interestingly both candidates are women, so this country will shortly have it's second female Prime Minister. From the right.

At least the awful Michael Gove is out but Theresa May is more than a wee bit right-wing and as for that Andrea Leadsom, the words "Mrs" and "Trump" come readily to mind.

The future is far from bright.

Meanwhile the Labour Party is incapable of providing an alternative with the battle to remove Corbyn having seemingly reached an impasse. The party is divided like never before and constituency parties are taking sides as the rift continues. Some MPs like Alan Johnson have found themselves isolated from their constituency parties.

According to an e-mail sent out by Labour First this evening:

As you will have seen in the media, there is something of a temporary stalemate between the PLP and the people around Jeremy Corbyn, with the unions attempting to broker a way forward.

Please be patient while the attempt to negotiate a solution goes on. This will only continue for a few more days – by next week either Corbyn’s departure will have been negotiated or a leadership election will have been triggered and we will all be in a big fight to save the Labour Party.

Can the Labour Party be saved? 

One thing is certain, Corbyn will never win an election so whoever wins the Tory Party leadership election will see themselves in power for a long time to come if he doesn't go.

That will be Corbyn's legacy. 

A March for Peace Not Hate

For the first time the pro-Hezbollah march in London faced a counter demonstration on Sunday. Aa appeal for peace which was in such contrast to the march of hate sponsored by the Iranians and their useful fools as Lenin might have described them.

One of the placards held on the al-Quds march told people to "Learn the truth about Zionism" and directed them to David Duke's website. Duke is of course the leader of the racists of the Ku Kux Klan who fight for "white power" and don't like Jews, Blacks or for that matter Muslims very much, not that seemed to concern the stupid woman who held the placard.

In stark contrast to the demands for "boycotts" and "destruction" the British Zionist Federation and others such as the Sussex Friends of Israel simply called for peace.

This is the way forward for everyone concerned with the continued conflict in the Middle East.

End the Hate. Build the Peace!

Photos courtesy of David Husband & Melanie Laban

Fighting back against hate and Hezbollah

The annual hate fest sponsored by the Iranian fascists and supported by the anti-imperialist brigade of the far left marched through London yesterday. This comes at a time when at last the actions of the anti-Zionists has finally begun to be exposed as simply another form of racism.

This year Jewish people stood up, took to the streets and said enough.



One man who usually addresses this unsavoury festival of extremism was absent this year despite the organisers tweeting Corbyn would be "leading their march".

He wasn't. Corbyn was in hiding or as some who have us believe imprisoned by his own supporters as a "duty of care" to the senile old man.

Here's Corbyn showing some contrition but far from enough for the damage he has done over the years with his "friends" and allies who apparently aren't his "friends" after all.



For the good of the Labour Party country" (and my people's safety) go man. And please take your Momentum "friends" with you.

Musical Interlude: Band-Maid

Taking a break from politics tonight so here's a number from Band Maid who are planning to come to the UK in the near future.

Divided like never before

Boris has bottled it, Jezza has lost the plot, Gove quite rightly tells us he's not fit to be Prime Minister, but still goes for it, the markets are unstable and to top it all we left the EU after the most divisive political debate in this country's history.

It's not going to end there.

Next week the Chilcot Report is due to be published. This couldn't have come at a worse time for this country. The war is history, but the divide between people is greater than normal and is going to cause unnecessary ructions. And guess who's going to take advantage of it?

That's right. "Comrade" Corbyn is believed to be waiting for the Chilcot Report to use it cynically, so he can latch on to a rise in "anti-war" feeling. Opportunistic not "principled" as the man, politician and his supporters would have us believe.

Meanwhile the Tory party has it's own, slightly more restrained leadership contest. I say almost because after the referendum Boris seemed to be set to become the next Prime Minister. Then came the back stabbing. Michael Gove acting as the executioner.

One of the most divisive people in government, Gove does not appear to have any redeeming features. He admitted he has no charisma (except that perhaps of a snake) or personality to speak of. He does however have the most slappable face of any politician as those of you have played the game on Facebook will know.

Theresa may looks like the most likely Prime Minister, but not being a betting man.....

There's worse to come. It'll take two years (minimum) before this country actually leaves the EU which will inevitably see a period of economic uncertainty. This country will have serious problems and the Chancellor despite all his austerity will not reach his surplus target by 2020.

There can be no second referendum, such a proposition goes against the whole notion of democracy. I didn't want this result either but there are no grounds for overturning the vote. Thats it. We have to deal with it.

Brexit has had an effect elsewhere in Europe with growing calls for referendums in not just France but the Netherlands, Italy and led to an East-West split within the remaining nations of the EU. There is the possibility other nations will leave.

Uncertainty across Europe.

The Scottish Nationalists are using this to great advantage and are pushing for a second referendum on Independence. One they may well win. It's not certain as it seems they may have to accept the Euro as their currency rather than the pound which is what the Scots want. Such a move may put voters off.

Again not a betting man. Just saying.

In the midst of all this there is no opposition party. Labour is divided like it has never been divided before. Well since Ramsay Macdonald anyway.

One thing is for certain. Labour is not electable in it's current state. Even if the rebels hadn't voted to get rid of old man Steptoe, not enough voters could have been won over to make a difference, especially with Scotland now frankly lost forever.

The Liberals are still around, with some support but have themselves lost the confidence of a huge swathe of people after their coalition with the Tories. They are going nowhere.

For the time being politics has become more interesting, but at the same time far more dangerous for us ordinary folk than in living memory.

Things will improve, but when?

Sorry I'm not a gambling man.