I've not blogged much in the last few days because I don't know where the combination of optimism and anger will take me - and in recent years I've been taken to task for calling strike breakers by their given name and for being honest in public about how I felt about the death of a former Prime Minister who hated and despised everything I hold dear.
But today.
Today the press reports that this Government wants mothers seeking tax credits for a third child to prove to officials that they were raped.
Today that same Government was exposed for inventing fake benefit claimants with fake quotes to justify their antediluvian benefit "reforms".
And today the two leading "mainstream" candidates to lead the Party into which I was born can do nothing other than squabble about which of them can defeat the socialist candidate for whom I am incredibly proud to have voted.
Now is a time to be angrier than I have ever been, than you - if you care for humans - have ever been. This Tory Government is intent upon undoing every little bit of good we have done in the past century (and more) whilst magnifying all the harm.
Now is also a time for greater optimism than we have ever known. Jeremy Corbyn is on the brink of achieving more than Tony Benn hoped and failed to achieve in 1981, more than the forever disempowered Labour Left has ever imagined we might achieve.
No rule of political or trade union life which any of us has learned applies any longer. The certainties of those accustomed to power are as solid as mist. The firm cynicism of those who know exactly how and by whom we shall be betrayed is a soft as a marshmallow.
All we can be sure of is which side we are on.
As workers.
As trade unionists.
As socialists.
Our enemy are the Tories.
Our leader is Jeremy Corbyn.
We are angry and optimistic in equal measure.
And everything is changed.
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network.
3 comments:
Well said sir, I've not yet had my vote when it arrives it will be Corbyn of course I'm to the left socialist and now pretty dam ill and disabled.
I'm sad to see labour split like this, and the horror of Cooper saying that Burnham should go so she could sort out the left, she has been pretending to go to the left now she is heading back to the right , at least we now know.
Burnham is again trying to confuse us with his I'm the center left, if anything Corbyn is closer to the center left then you mate.
It great to see the left return
Hi Jon, I too have voted for Jeremy Corbyn, I recently left my job in the council and am no longer a unison member but have a new job as the branch organiser so am spreading the word. I heard Yvette Cooper at the womens conference and she disappointed myself and companions in what she was saying squirming in fact when she was asked pertinenet questions about what labour would do if they won the election in May, like would they carry on with austerity measures, unfortunately the right of Unison were controlling the questions and the microphones, says it all really. It's good to see you on the NEC along with Roger and others we may be able to influence what happens within the union after all, good luck.
Hi Jon, I too have voted for Jeremy Corbyn, I recently left my job in the council and am no longer a unison member but have a new job as the branch organiser so am spreading the word. I heard Yvette Cooper at the womens conference and she disappointed myself and companions in what she was saying squirming in fact when she was asked pertinenet questions about what labour would do if they won the election in May, like would they carry on with austerity measures, unfortunately the right of Unison were controlling the questions and the microphones, says it all really. It's good to see you on the NEC along with Roger and others we may be able to influence what happens within the union after all, good luck.
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