tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31588679.post4335849314698958582..comments2023-10-21T16:25:58.899+01:00Comments on Three Score Years And Ten: I Had A DreamHarry Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600933854461096745noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31588679.post-8772358319141359322007-05-15T10:06:00.000+01:002007-05-15T10:06:00.000+01:00Peter's error is to try and have his cake and eat ...Peter's error is to try and have his cake and eat it. He likes to give coded messages to show that he is still a libetarian socialist, but he accepted the serious confines of office with its form of collective responsibilty which was essentially a New Labour dictat. But in today's Labour Party we have to try and judge what would be the best option for democratic socialists in alien circumstances. From seeing Peter in action over the years, I judge that he is the best hope that is on offer. But he has restrict he move to that of a possible Deputy.<BR/><BR/>In politics you can't always have the ideal. For instance I am a member of Compass, but recognise that it is essentially a Left New Labour Grouping and not the form of Democratic Socialist body I would favour. "The Good Society", for instance, rejects "anti-capitalism"(page 18). But we can't use even a mild democratic socialist rhetoric without it having anti-capitalist implications. I think that Peter knows that - and it gives him problems in the modern Labour Party!<BR/><BR/>But I have now had to move into the John4Leader camp even though he pushes the boat out too far in our current circumstances (see the post above this on Gordon Brown).Harry Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01833380054575757928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31588679.post-10487102635255175862007-05-15T00:42:00.000+01:002007-05-15T00:42:00.000+01:00"I was also unimpressed by Cruddas's failure to ma..."I was also unimpressed by Cruddas's failure to make an impression or show any significant radicalism in the 2001-5 Parliament."<BR/><BR/>As opposed to Hain, who...<BR/><BR/>Hmm.Compass Youth Grouphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08444873735405948218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31588679.post-1816781014648889512007-05-13T06:44:00.000+01:002007-05-13T06:44:00.000+01:00I go for Peter for Deputy because we are likely to...I go for Peter for Deputy because we are likely to loose the next General Election and are then likely to have a fresh Leadership Election. If Peter was then Deputy, he would be well placed to become Leader. I was also unimpressed by Cruddas's failure to make an impression or show any significant radicalism in the 2001-5 Parliament. I feel that he has just worked out a career pitch.Harry Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01833380054575757928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31588679.post-15441314286972519712007-05-12T21:33:00.000+01:002007-05-12T21:33:00.000+01:00Hey Harry,I read this post - as well as the one co...Hey Harry,<BR/><BR/>I read this post - as well as the one concerning the "13 wasted years" of New labour - with attention and interest.<BR/><BR/>It's good to see that see that there is alighter side to current events (as shown in this post).<BR/><BR/>Though pyour argument in favour of Peter Hain does make quite some sense - Hain is by far the least "new" of all cabinet members - but I still don't know, frankly.<BR/><BR/>If you had time, could you please tell me what it is that makes opt for Hain over Cruddas, now that the former will settle for the Deputy Leadership race and, thus, fails to walk the whole distance? <BR/><BR/>Thanks Comrade,<BR/><BR/>MikaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com