Now -read the book!

Here is a link to my memoirs which, if you are a glutton for punishment, you can purchase online at https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/an-obscure-footnote-in-trade-union-history.
Men fight and lose the battle, and the thing that they fought for comes about in spite of their defeat, and when it comes turns out not to be what they meant, and other men have to fight for what they meant under another name. (William Morris - A Dream of John Ball)

Friday, May 09, 2014

I am the Walrus (not)

‎Who needs a tusk?

An Elephant? A Walrus?

Well, when it comes to TUSC, the sad answer is, no one.

No one needs this least persuasive, least popular and least convincing of all the unpopular and unsuccessful attempts to launch a socialist electoral alternative to Labour.

In many ways I wish Labour faced a credible electoral challenge to our left. As a Brightonian I almost wish the Greens had emerged as such (as they have not).

However, as a trade unionist I must stare reality back in the eye. And, as I do, I see that there is no other option for a progressive voter than a Labour vote. My friends who are engaged in the (lego-like) construction of a new ("Left Unity") political alternative need to find the courage and confidence to face this harsh reality too.

As a Labour Party member I urge every trade unionist not only to vote Labour but also to join the Party as an individual member, to try to gain a voice about what the Party should do.

Politics is often horrendous, but to make it a little less horrendous is a sound ambition - and to fight for our beliefs even inside today's Labour Party is a worthwhile fight.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.

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