Monthly Archives: January 2010

“Iron Lady” to “Flip-flop” Dave…Oh dear, oh dear

by maxattacks

It was announced on the 15th January, George Osborne was telling us that the Tories would bring in an emergency budget within 50 days of taking office. Now this was all very fine (except for of course, it is the wrong measure to take), but Dave himself today said that a Conservative government would not make “swingeing cuts” to public spending during its first year.

Now, in all due fairness, credit has to be given to Dave, he’s finally beginning to see sense, but this is a far flung shot from the Tory’s “Glory Days” under Maggie herself with the famous, “You turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning”. Pity for Cameron he somewhat fails to live up to her.

Max

‘Broken Society’ an excuse to batter Britain.

by maxattacks
I do not like to use isolated incidents for point scoring. So I think David Cameron’s use of the Doncaster killings is no better than populist electioneering. Tony Blair used the Bulger killings in a similar way. Not to say that these killings are not newsworthy. Truly they are horrific. But the reason that they are newsworthy must surely be because they are so shocking? If our society was broken, to the extent that David Cameron says, why would this sort of incident not occur more often. But if we take the Bulger killing in Liverpool and this latest one in Doncaster, we can see that the killings took place in similar areas. Liverpool, in 1993, was a wreckage of a place slowly struggling out of the depressing circumstances of the 1980s when its main industries were closed, communities uprooted and many families livelihoods threatened. Type into google ‘the Toxteth riots’ for an indication of how bad it was. In 1993 then, Liverpool was a down and out place, not the resurgent and confident city that it has began to be rebuilt into in recent years. Doncaster similarly is an area that had its main industry (mining) torn out from under it in the 1980s. It has had similar problems with unemployment, uprooted communities and crime. Hence we see the parallels between the two places.
Clearly there are problems when crimes such as the Bulger and Doncaster killings take place. As I said, I think it is unfair for anyone, Labour or Conservative, to use one crime for political purposes. Just as I think attributing such crimes to a “broken society” as Mr Cameron does, when these killings have taken place in communities that have been broken by a Conservative government, which David Cameron largely intends on reciprocating, and whose leader Mrs Thatcher stated “There is no such thing as society.” The angry public reaction to these killings, suggests, in my view, that while there is certainly evidence of problems within our society, it is very much in existence and is still far from broken.
 
Sean Woodcock, BULS Member

What a bunch of tossers….

by suzannahrobinson

My fellow Labour Students….

Guild Council tonight censured the President and VP Democracy and Resources for insufficient blogging, while the VP Welfare Johnny Davis refused to accept a commendation unless Ed Sparkes the VP Housing and Community was also commended,consequently both were rewarded.

The title of my post refers to the censuring of the Ethical and Environmental Officer Ed Bauer, proposed by a representative of the Law school in response to a blog written by the EEO which brought Guild Council into disrepute. After an interesting debate Ed Bauer was censured but did not receive a “no confidence” vote. Among others he was defended by Dora Meredith, who praised his enthusiam, engagement and hard work.

The motions I mentioned in my last post were passed with the exception of the National Covention Against Fees and Cuts motion, which was removed from the agenda.

Joseph Chamberlain was the first chancellor of the Univeristy of Birmingham, and gave his name not only to “Old Joe”, the clock tower, but also to our beloved Guild bar. Following a student vote Joe’s Bar will maintain its name.

The NUS’s VP for higher education Aaron Porter urged the Council to vote in the general election, but only for PPCs who pledge to maintain the cap on tuition fees. In 2005 only 35% of 18-25 year olds voted, compared to 63% in the wider population. With 7 million students in the UK we can and should have a much louder voice in the upcoming election.

Divers other issues were discussed, such as poor Virgin Media provision in Selly Oak, muddy car parks, access to exam and essay results on WebCT off site and Residential Association committees being distanced from excessive money handling and nightclub culture.

Snacks were provided as ever, the independent chairs were helpful and friendly, and there was plenty of passion, discussion and democracy.

Suzy (Guild Councillor)

My fellow Americans…

by maxattacks

Barack Obama delivers speech

Last night saw President Obama give his first State of the Union speech to Congress. His main emphasis was upon tackling the unemployment figures which have now reached around 10% (at least 2.5% higher than here in the UK), but, three sentences some up to me personally Obama’s first year in Office and the condition of the financial crisis worldwide, “If we had allowed the meltdown of the financial system, unemployment might be double what it is today. More businesses would certainly have closed. More homes would have surely been lost.”.

 One area that certainly caught my attention was that of Obama saying “This year, I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are.”. It is such a shame that a law discriminative has been able to stay in force in country that is prided on its tolerance and now progressivism will hopefully win through against conservative dogma.

 Max

Upcoming events including…the AGM 2010

by maxattacks

Informal General meeting

Meeting befor the Michael Cashman talk on civil liberties at this Friday 4pm Mandela Room in the Guild with snacks! We need to discuss the term ahead, and if there are any particular things we’d like to work on/improve
National Labour Students conference is at the end of February and we have 4 delegate spaces which we think we should hold an election for (It is in Glasgow so I also think we need some serious talk about subsidising tickets/rail fare!!!) We also need to talk about if we want to submit any motions etc…

 

Michael Cashman talk on civil liberties

Labour MEP, Michael Cashmon for the West Midlands is coming to give a talk on civil liberties. This is a joint event with the Joint event with the LGBTQ society and after which we will probably go for a drink after. The talk will be held in the Mandela Room in the Guild of Students Building at 5pm on the 29th January.

 

AGM 2010 (Annual General Meeting)

Now confirmed to be Wednesday 24th February 6.30-8pmevery Committee position bar Fresher’s Officer and Guild Council Representative will be up for grabs. This should be held in the Guild Council Chambers unless said other wise. We also have the positions of women’s officer, bme officer, lgbtq officer and disabled officer but these really need to be held in caucuses which if possible, we will hold in side rooms but if not we can hold at a later date.

Anyone is encouraged to stand for any position and please feel free to contact us at committee@bulsonline.org if they have any questions. We would recommend writing a short speech to read and if anyone wants flyers or manifestos printing then send them to the BULS account and we’ll sort it. However, this is optional and we would want to reiterate that we encourage anyone to stand and get more involved!

Preliminary position descriptions:

Chair

The chair liases with the National Organisation of Labour Students as well as the Guild of Students.  Organises events and chairs committee meetings and full member meetings.  Organises speakers and writes speaker-request forms.

The Chair is a financial signatory on the clubs accounts.

Vice-chair

Assists chair in organising events. Organises transport for all events necessary, eg. Trains to national events. Assumes duties of the chair if the chair is temporarily unable to carry out his or her duties or if a complaint is made against them until it is resolved.

The Vice-chair is a financial signatory on the clubs accounts.

Secretary

This Secretary takes charge of the organisational side of the club and, along with other members of the committee, helps to organise events.  Assumes duties of the chair if the chair and vice-chair are temporarily unable to carry out their duties or if a complaint is made against them until it is resolved. Also writes the minutes for full member meetings and committee meetings.  Writes the risk assessments for events.

The Secretary is also a financial signatory on the club’s accounts.

Treasurer

Has full-responsibility for the management of accounts.  Decides on levels of subsidies when appropriate.  Organises fundraising and Workers Beer Company summer work.

The Treasurer is a financial signatory on the clubs accounts.

Communications Officer

Writes weekly email, to be sent to all members.  Uploads member email address onto email account at start of term (with assistance if needed).

Website Editor

Has editorial responsibility over the website; http://www.bulsonline.org also jointly responsible for updating the pages on the website along with the Editor of Social Resources.

Editor of Social Resources

In charge of regularly updating the facebook group and twitter account. Has joint responsibility for updating the website, along with the Website Editor.

Women’s Officer

Elected in a seperate caucus (i.e. chosen by Women only). The Women’s Officer has the job of liaising the views and grievances of all Women of the BULS ot the committee. The Women’s officer is also encouraged to organise campaigns on women’s issues such as eqaulity in the workplace, maternity leave, etc.

Black and Ethnic Minorities (BEM) Officer

Elected in a seperate caucus (i.e. chosen by Black and Ethnic Minorities only). The BEM’s Officer has the job of liaising the views and grievances of all Black and Ethnic Minorities of the BULS ot the committee. The BEM’s Officer is also encouraged to organise campaigns on Black and Ethnic Minority issues such as rascism, equality, etc.

LGBTQ Officer

Elected in a seperate caucus (i.e. chosen by LGBTQs only). The LGBTQ’s Officer has the job of liaising the views and grievances of all LGBTQ of the BULS ot the committee. The LGBTQ Officer is also encouraged to organise campaigns on LGBTQ issues such as discrimination, right to marry same sex marriages, etc.

Disabled Officer

Elected in a seperate caucus (i.e. chosen by Disabled only). The Disabled Officer has the job of liaising the views and grievances of all Disabled members of the BULS ot the committee. The Disabled Officer is also encouraged to organise campaigns on Disabled issues such as discrimination, etc.

Max

Oh, what’s occurring at Guild Council?

by suzannahrobinson

Here are the motions which are coming up at Guild Council on Thursday:

a) For the February National Convention against tuition fees and cuts to higher education to be advertised and transport organised within the Guild and on my.bham, and for Brigid Jones and other members of the council to attend and report back.

b) To sign the pledge against sourcing minerals from the Congo and lobby the University and electronics firms to do the same. For more on the ratinale behind this see http://www.raisehopeforcongo.org/conflictminerals_pledge This motion may prove controversial with students who are hoping for a career in electronics, or those who consider global conflict issues to be outside our remit.

c) For Fairtrade Fortnight 22nd February – 7th March to be observed this year and every year by the Guild, through quizzes, events and  promotion of fairtrade drinks in Joes.

d) For fairtrade products to be promoted to a greater extent in general.

e) For mitigations to be extended to those who have trouble attending their classes at Birmingham University due to visa delays.

f) For the student body to have a say on the democratic structures within the Guild through a referendum.

I have the option to star any of them (ask to have them discussed), and essentially vote yes or no. I can also make speeches in favour or in opposition oif any, and submit my own motions. I’m there on behalf of you guys, so let me know what you want me to do!

Suzy (BULS Guild Councillor)

Welcome news

by maxattacks

Unemployment recently fell by 7000, making this recession the quickest to see a rise in employment. Correct me if I’m wrong but this seems to be something the Tories are skimming over…..who are we to judge. This has now left unemployment figures back under 2.46 million. Yes there is the good chance it may start to increase again, but it is forecast (albeit not by the Met office) to peak at a mere 2.8 million which 1. is half a million lower than the previous two recessions and due to population growth, far proportionally lower than either of the past two recessions. There is also the interesting fact that we are dealing with long term unemployment, rather than leaving a generation on the dole with over the past year, 70% of claimants have come off benefits within six months, compared with 63% in the downturn of the early 1990s and 60% in the recession of the early 1980s.

Money well spent don’t you think?

Max

Ironic…

by maxattacks

In the wake of Obama proposing new curbs on banks, the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, (Boy) George Osbourne has quickly followed suit. Now this is all very…very…..nice, correct me if I’m wrong though, but around about 3 years ago didn’t (Boy) George call for greater deregulation? He also recently stated that “This is a welcome move by President Obama that accords very much with our thinking,”….well, despite that Obama supported helping the economy when it was in dire trouble, but surprisingly enough, he didn’t. It seems…just seems that (Boy) George is trying to cuddle up to “Mr President” (don’t believe me, check the BUC”F”s blog on the “special relationship” between Britain and America at the moment)…..just a thought.

Max

Teachers are for all students, not just for high achievers

by suzannahrobinson

As a recent school finisher with two teachers for parents I would like to take issue with recently announced Conservative plans to limit PGCE funding to those with a second class degree or higher on two particular points:

1. Academic achievement is no indication of charisma, sensitivity or ability to engage with young people.

2. Teachers are hugely important as role models, and as such must have a certain amount in common with students or at least an understanding of pupils’ different backgrounds. As people from predominantly privileged and caucasian backgrounds are more likely than others to receive an upper second or first from a Russell Group university, make teaching a “prestigious” occupation by limiting funding will not encourage mutual understanding between teachers and pupils. Male teachers particularly may serve as father figures in areas with few male role models, and can be treated as confidants by pupils.

Borderline students who are uncertain of their desire to enter further education, observing a dichotomy between unemployed, low achieving adults in the community, and high achieving Russell Group graduates at school, may fail to identify with either, wishing to become employable but uncertain as to how this is to be done without getting  three As at A level, as the evident message will be: “go to one of the top 20 universities, or don’t bother at all”.

3. Another way to increase the prestige of teaching without limiting applicants to a certain demographic is to raise wages and increase schools funding, as Labour have already done and the Conservatives are threatening to reverse.

Suzy, BULS Guild Council Rep

A year for change?…the change has been here for 13 years Dave

by maxattacks

Unless you’ve been living in a cave for over a year you will have somewhat have guessed that the Tories logo has been “Year for Change”, now in all due fairness, very original idea there Dave, there hasn’t been any other politicians that have used “Change” as part of their campaign, especially not across the Atlantic.

In response though, Lord Mandelson at a speech to the Fabian Society coined something a slogan in return ““Change for good, change with Labour”, well personally I think could be interpreted wrong, but either way, it shows where the real change is. This can be told by the fact that well, the Conservative and Unionist Party, unlike Labour in the mid and late 1980s, had no radical internal struggle between the old and rising new factions from within the party. All it seems that Dave’s done is slap new logo on (which frankly looks like it was drawn by a 7 year old), hug a few hoodies and ironically branded a totally contradictory slogan.

Mini rant over!

Max

Earthquake Disaster

by suzannahrobinson

I think I can speak for BULS in expressing sympathy for the people of Haiti, admiration for the aid workers, belief that Gordon Brown will deliver on his promises of assistance, and hope that the people of Haiti can not only rebuild their lives but eventually benefit from a country stabilised by international efforts.

I also hope that aid will be given intelligently in a sustainable manner, and that the emotional trauma undergone by survivors will be attended to. A small first step would be to allow families to view the bodies of loved ones and be involved in their burial in marked graves.

Suzy, BULS Guild Council Rep

A peek into the future

by maxattacks

I was talking to fellow BULS member in the Goose after the first meeting of the new semester last Wednesday and he struck up an interesting point. If Labour looses the next election and is forced into opposition for let’s say, 10 years, what is the party’s ideological future? Will then be a revert back to “Old” Labour or break with the “Old”/”New” and Blairite/Brownite divisions?

Obviously, if the election is lost by a substantial margin, Brown will be out and so effectively ending the Blairite/Brownite divide, however, this could still potentially lead to a Miliband divide, now that would be something in British politics.

Ideologically though, I do believe Labour would initially move back to its roots, as did the Tories in the last three elections. But, there would be a break with the “Old” and the “New”, from there on, it would be hard to tell. Many would try to establish a break from the two sides. Personally, in this potential eventuality, Labour should move to somewhere between the ideological grounds, more to help those down trodden in society while retaining electoral effectiveness.

Max

Society Constitution

by maxattacks

Now, I wouldn’t normally blog on a change to the format to the Website, but in the name of transparency (and due to the fact barely anyone will have seen it), I have finally, after 3 and a half months put the Society’s Constitution (well, its most up to date form since the People’s Revolution of ’86) up under the new heading “About us and Society Constitution”.

Try to enjoy,
Max, Website Editor

The grill

by maxattacks

Putting aside the Iraq War and Tuition Fees, I have always seen (contrare to many BUC”F” blogs) Blair as quite a good PM. However, these two issues have been so dominant, particularly (and even more so in recent months) Iraq’s legitamity. Now before any Tories pop up and start hurling abuse, don’t forget your party supported it as well (and still do).

Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former communications chief, told the inquiry he would defend “every single word” of the 2002 dossier on Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, Lt Gen Sir Richard Shirreff said the British Army was effectively providing “no security at all” in the southern Iraqi city of Basra by mid-2006, Peter Watkins from the Ministry of Defence said that one lesson learnt was that the coalition allies should have sought a single agreement with the Iraqis, etc.

But more importantly what’s your take on all this?

Max

Coming events

by maxattacks

Canvassing on the Vale with local MP, Gisela Stuart

As a part of the BULS BIG CAMPAIGN PUSH for this term we have a target of making 500 contacts on the Vale by canvassing with Labour MP for Edgbaston, Gisela Stuart. We will be canvassing on two seperate occasions, Tuesday from 5pm where we will meet outside the Guild where there will be a chance of a Curry after and Wednesday afternoon from 1pm. If you live on the Vale, you can meet up with us then to save walking to the Guild, call Dora (Chair of BULS) on 07958327889 and she will let you know where we are. So whether it’s 20mins or and hour, we’d love all of you to come along and give us a hand in the build up to the general election.

Michael Cashman talk on civil liberties

Labour MEP, Michael Cashmon for the West Midlands is coming to give a talk on civil liberties. Other societies have been invited including Warwick Labour Club and after which we will probably go for a drink after. The talk will be held in the Mandela Room in the Guild of Students Building at 5pm on the 29th January.

AGM 2010 (Annual General Meeting)

Suspected to be around the end of February, all Committee positions bar Fresher’s Officer and Guild Council Representative are up for grabs, more info to come soon.

Preliminary position descriptions:

Chair

 The chair liases with the National Organisation of Labour Students as well as the Guild of Students.  Organises events and chairs committee meetings and full member meetings.  Organises speakers and writes speaker-request forms.

The Chair is a financial signatory on the clubs accounts.

Vice-chair

 Assists chair in organising events. Organises transport for all events necessary, eg. Trains to national events. Assumes duties of the chair if the chair is temporarily unable to carry out his or her duties or if a complaint is made against them until it is resolved.

The Vice-chair is a financial signatory on the clubs accounts.

Secretary

This Secretary takes charge of the organisational side of the club and, along with other members of the committee, helps to organise events.  Also writes the minutes for full member meetings and committee meetings.  Writes the risk assessments for events.

The Secretary is also a financial signatory on the club’s accounts.

Treasurer

 Has full-responsibility for the management of accounts.  Decides on levels of subsidies when appropriate.  Organises fundraising and Workers Beer Company summer work.

 The Treasurer is a financial signatory on the clubs accounts.

Communications Officer

 Writes weekly email, to be sent to all members.  Uploads member email address onto email account at start of term (with assistance if needed).

 Website Editor

 Has editorial responsibility over the website; http://www.bulsonline.org also jointly responsible for updating the pages on the website along with the Editor of Social Resources.

Editor of Social Resources

In charge of regularly updating the facebook group and twitter account. Has joint responsibility for updating the website, along with the Website Editor.

Response to the “Blair rich project”

by maxattacks

Recently the BUC”F” had a blog published on their website called the “Blair rich project” (http://bucf.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/the-blair-rich-project/) somehow making Blair’s career success (£12 million earned after 2007) after resigning as PM a political issue.

Now yes he’s done well for himself, but lest you forget that according to the Sunday Times Rich List, David and Samantha Cameron’s combined family wealth is more than £30 million. Doesn’t that say something against “compassionate” Dave? Osborne also has a similar “excess” of money with many Tory MPs holding second jobs on the side at some point in their political careers.

The post then went onto say that:

“Presiding over an unprecedented taxing, borrowing and spending binge which has achieved paltry improvements to the public services and left the country in the worst position of almost any industrialised nation to face the global economic downturn”…Correction, the UK prior to the financial crisis had the second lowest level of borrowing in the G7, most independent financial organisations (CBI and IMF) supported the fiscal stimulus which without would have seen the banks collapse and unemployment skyrocket and even now the UK is under the EU average for proportional budget deficit.

“Taking us to war on a lie – something which he has now all but admitted”….Whether or not it was “a lie” it was “a lie” the Tories supported and still do

“Allowing an unprecedented increase in immigration “swamping” communities and leading to a further erosion of British identity”….Sound like anyone in particular?

“Fostering the breakdown of society, family and marriage”….Yet we fail to hear a coherent policy on marriage tax breaks which also is highly discriminative against same sex civil-partners

“Bringing parliament and politics in to total and utter disrepute by presiding over the worst scandal to grip the Commons in living memory in the form of parliamentary expenses”….Funny, didn’t the Tories claim for outrageous expenses as well?

Rant over now, lol!

Max

Why haven’t we done that yet?

by maxattacks

It was in today’s Gaurdian that same-sex marriages are soon to be legalised in Portugal, a deeply Catholic country. Now what gets me is that not only Portugal but South Africa, Spain, Holland, several South American countries and six US states have also done the same, why are we not joining them already?! Granted Civil Partnerships was a great start, but more is needed, we are the party for progress and equality after all.

Max

No thanks Dave…

by maxattacks

As you probably will have heard, the Tories have recently “promised” tax breaks for married couples. Obviously this is supposed to be an incentive for people to marry and stay married, but, correct me if I’m wrong, don’t you marry someone because you love them? Another shortfalling (not including whether or not these plans are going to be proposed or not) is that it discriminates quite explicitly against couples in same-sex civil partnerships and not to mention unmarried couples who well, might not like the idea of marriage.

But this also confuses me, doesn’t Cameron whant to rapidly cut the deficit rather than promise more tax cuts?

There’s a better way to this than tax breaks Dave!

Max

Was that it…?

by maxattacks

Well in the wake of yesterday’s “grand” Coup d’etait, well, nothing really has changed. Brown himself called the plot a “storm in teacup” and quite rightly so. The plot would’ve been understandable if it had been in the wake of disasterous local or by-election results, but at time when Labour’s fortunes  are (albeit slowly) improving just shows where some people’s priorities. It is a huge pity as for at least the next week the media will be focused on the “grand” plot rather than policy announcements on either side of the political divide.

Max

Coup d’stupid

by maxattacks

Gordon Brown

Breaking News!

Here we go again. Despite the recent narrowing of the polls, the PMs improving performance since the party conference in PMQs and the Lord Mandelson coming out in favour of the government’s measures, two former Cabinet Ministers, Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon have written to Labour MPs calling for the leadership issue to be sorted out “once and for all” and for a secret ballot to be held.

Well I’m sorry, but this is completely ridiculous, I was watching Politics Today (as I’d just heard the news) and a BBC reporter in Westminster was asking respective Labour MPs and even those who would rather see Brown hung drawn and quatred admitted that the “dynamic duo” didn’t have enough support with also the blatant fact that Brown wont go out without a fight will just reverse all our gains we have achieved over the past few months.

Stop this stupidity before it really is to late!

Max

Return of the BULS

by maxattacks

A long time ago, in a University far far…..nah, lol!

The BULS is returning (obviosuly when you return to University as well) on Wednesday the 13th January….2010. We will be meeting in the Thompson Training Suite at the Guild of Students building at 7pm for a couple of hours to discuss plans for this terms and effectively our campaign action in the build up to the General election this coming spring. All are welcome! Hope to see lots of you there!

Require any more info, email us at committee@bulsonline.org

Max

Living up to our stereotypes

by maxattacks

This blog would’ve been a bit funnier (and more eye catching) if I had a couple of particular photos, however, I can’t, not pointing my fingure at anyone though! Oh and please, don’t take this the wrong way it’s all (hopefully) in good humour.

Well, it’s something that was pointed to me (by I think Pippa) on my first “do” with the BULS. In the backdrop of this apparent “class-war”, eton jibe, I just realised, even at our level, we do play into those stereotypes (well our side of the “class-war” respectively). I joke about this to a friend who is also a member of the BUC”F”, but they do love to dress up don’t they. You have to give the BUC”F” credit though, black bow-ties in a night club in Sheffield (after William Hague’s dinner speech a couple of months back), I’ve still yet to see a BULS member wear a tie yet.

On the other side of the “class-war” rift, BULS lack the grand sophisticated settings the BUCF regulary accounters, being regulars at the Chamon curry house on Bristol Road (fresh from the pits, of course) and often having dead rats pointed out to them by local kids (Redditch for you there Dan!) while campaigning.

Ultimately, this is what I find brilliant about student life, you do sometimes, meet your own narrow-minded pre-conceptions of people and organisations…..though most of the time you are in fact, proved wrong.

Max

Good ol’ Nick

by maxattacks

Nick Clegg

 

Recent talks of what the Lib Dems would do in the event of a hung Parliament have got me thinking, what would we allow the Lib Dems in the event of a minority Labour Government following the general election next spring? Cetainly there will be greater and faster constitutional reform (as the Tories would probably not grant that part) and Nick Clegg and Vince Cable (at least) will be given Cabinet positions. But what else? Cameron’s claims that the two parties are more similar than ever is obviously utter rubbish really, I don’t mind the Lib Dems too much and cetainly think we are closer to them ideologically than the Tories.

So, what else do you think would they want in return for their support?

Max

The challenges and responsibilities that face the Labour Party over the next decade

by maxattacks

Over the next decade the United Kingdom faces challenges of an extraordinary magnitude. Slowly, but surely limping out of the worst recession in living memory, this country must continue to modernise itself, as it has always done, in order to make itself fit for its time. In the spring of 2010 the people of the Britain will have a choice; whether to retain the Labour Party as their government, or to change to the Conservative government, a party whose ideals and policies deserve to remain where they belong – the past. It is our party’s duty to challenge the tried and failed dogma that the Conservative government so readily presents to the electorate.

However the manner in which the Labour Party goes about this will be vitally important to the future of our country. For I believe that to pursue the policy of mindless partisanship and class war against the Conservative Party will not only serve unsuccessfully for our party, but more importantly for the country. It is our duty to offer the citizens of this country a choice. We must continue to stand by the liberal, progressive principles on which the Labour Party is established on.

Robert Kennedy once said, ‘Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.’ I believe that it is these words that should drive and motivate us, as young people to deliver change and hope to a nation, which has suffered years of partisanship between the two main parties, and scores of broken promises. But we can be the generation that alters this status quo. I am convinced that there are many talented individuals from all racial, religious and economic backgrounds who can come together and make change happen, thus writing another illustrious chapter in the history of our country. Change can only happen if we embrace each other’s differences, celebrate the values we share. If we can do this, we will be able to create the sort of country we want.

The responsibility that we have is the direction that our country intends to move in the next decade. We must be ready to offer not only rhetoric, but solid policies to the British people. Progressive tax systems, a national care system for the elderly; education reforms, including raising the age of starting formal education to seven years old, and doing away with up-front fees for university students, replacing it with a graduate tax – these are just are some of the possible policies that the Labour Party should be presenting to the electorate. Only progressive, radical thinking will show the British people that we remain restless and eager for change. That although we are the party of the NHS, the minimum wage, equality legislation for minority groups, as well as so many other successes, we also seek to continue the reforms that we have often initiated. The work of the progressive liberal is never complete. We must not tire to challenge those who believe that change cannot happen.

Our country needs a political party who will stand up for people who think that all is lost. Whether they are Black, White, Indian, Pakistani; man, woman; young, old; poor or more affluent; gay, straight; disabled or not disabled; whether from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, we need to show the people that we are the party of equality. That we are the party of diversity and fairness and ambition, and all the other inspirational values that this country shares. As was highly publicised last year, the expenses scandal affected British politics deeply; it is the job of all the main political parties to begin to rebuild the trust with the electorate. Never again should the House of Commons be so hideously undermined. This institution should be the foundations on which our democracy is built upon. It is essential that we make our politicians realise how much damage they have inflicted on our political system; we, in the Labour Party, must spearhead a decade of democratic empowerment to all our citizens, but especially those who feel they have already been forgotten – ethnic minorities, the working classes and young people.

However it is a mighty task, one that cannot be solved by any one person or programme, but by a collective and common effort. Our lives are too short; this should not be the time for hopelessness or austerity. This should not be the time for division and conservatism. What we need in this country is hope, a desire for change; Britain needs a government who is determined to all that is possible to make life better for its people. We, in the Labour Party, must be the bastions of the progressive and liberal advancement that our country will undoubtedly need, if it is to keep its place in the world.

BULS member, Callum Anderson

2009 economics summed up, quite brilliantly

by maxattacks

I was reading through the Observer today and found an article from Will Hutton, that essentially summed up 2009 economically (find the main article here http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jan/03/uk-economic-recovery). The main points being if you can’t be bothered reading:

  • A booming stock market at the end of the year
  • The quickest ever unemployment fall in post-war history
  • Unemployment half a million less than it would’ve been under the Conservatives
  • Labour giving £5bn to Jobcentre Plus Network meaning 10,000 vacancies were found per day
  • The bank bail out and subsequent deficit being the only choice available at the time
  • With a potential Bank collapse had the Tory’s been in power

Max

So it begins….well for some

by maxattacks

Chris Riddell 03.01.10

Within a few days I know at least the Conservatives will be firing up their campaign for the 2010 election. There will be soon a vast forray of PR and soundbites from the blue camp, nothing new there. But we need to remember, as always, that this is a mask, despite pledges of NHS cash boost for most deprived areas and a “War Cabinet” (which pointed out by the Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw, would be rather pointless as Ministers often inform their shadows of events), there is always the same Tory party as also argued by  Liberal Democrat frontbencher Danny Alexander who said Mr Cameron “needs to be honest with people about his real priorities rather than simply parroting lines from spin doctors”.

How do we know this? Yes, there’s all the contradictory policies like the cartoon shows, but there is also the clear fact that, there never was any internal party upheval when “change” was implemented to the Conservative and Unionist Party, no internal struggles between the old and new factions. So take heed of this, only constant reminders can help the British public see though the smokescreen of PR.

Max