Hope for the Labour Party?

richardhutton.wordpress.com/2016/12/10/the-right-minded-view-sleafords-by-election-another-terrible-result-for-corbyn/

Thanks Ginny42 , I don't know how I omitted the mention of schools. I worked in a number of areas of high deprivation (not as a teacher) and the difference in the community schools in those areas was dramatic. So many parents talked to me about their desire to send their children to the new community school, where in addition to nursery/primary, there was a health centre (midwives and health visitors available), a library and often a community centre. These things made significant positive differences to deprived communities. As well as providing practical support in a welcoming environment, they made people feel they mattered. I have a particular former mining community in mind - where grandparents/aunts/uncles stepped in to care for the children of former miners where drugs had left the parents incapable of providing safe care. The support at the community school was invaluable.

A lot of good was done during Blairs time as PM, mention them and in comes 'the Iraq war' often thus comes from the far left supporters here.

Blairs time as PM was a labour government running the country, minimum wage, sure start, tax credits , improvements in the NHS and schools

The Iraq war was wrong, Blair won three elections

...and massive improvements in schools. Well said Iam64. I'm with you. Credit is never acknowledged where it's due to the TB years in office. Let's not forget either that he didn't make that invasion decision alone.

I've been away and missed TB reports on the news daphnedill. Like the rest of the world, I remain angry about his lies leading to the war in Iraq as well as the lack of support/kit for troops or any planning about what would happen once Saddam was deposed. I do wish though, that the LP hadn't taken the line that nothing his government did was in the interests of the party. I don't want to resurrect TB or give him any influence over current politics but the LP seems to have been unable to claim any credit for positives like Sure Start, improvements in health/social care etc. during that period.

...or falling for bread and circus bribes!

You sound like Tony Blair! That's what he's been going on about over the last few days with his talk of chasm in the middle (or some such thing - can't remember his words). He's absolutely correct, but he's so toxic he's more likely to have people scurrying off to the extremes.

Agree daphnedil. The danger from the right is one of the reasons I wish Labour had a leader and leadership team that could instil confidence in more than their core supporters. The country needs a more compassionate government, committed to improving opportunities from cradle to grave. That includes health, education, housing, employment

@ab

I can't think of one country in the West where the 'far left' has any prospect of seizing power. As you keep telling us, Labour under Corbyn is highly unlikely ever to be in government. In any case, it's difficult to know what his policies actually are. They certainly don't seem 'far left'. If there's such a thing as an after-life, Marx and Engels will be looking down and laughing.

There is, however, a very real danger that the far right will be in power/influence governments in the very near future. Trump is only the start. I really fear what's going to happen in the US over the next few years. I would bet that there are going to be tears and even bloodshed. If only we had a crystal ball! (And a magic wand when things go wrong.)

Austria isn't voting for a government, but a president. Historically, the president is a figurehead, as in Germany - I bet most people couldn't even name the current President of Germany (it's not Merkel).

Constitutionally, the President of Austria could appoint a new chancellor and ministers. If Hofer wins, it will be interesting to see whether he tries to influence the government. It would be a bit like the Queen trying to influence parliament.

I think we can assume that Austria will vote in a right wing government. Italy, who knows. What is more important is the potential collapse of the oldest bank in the world ( Italian) They need a loan of 5 billion euros within the next few days. The only people who have come forward is the bank of Qatar, but that loan is dependant on the vote tomorrow.

I agree Rosesarered, far left are as frightening as far right

Jen, I critcise him for dodging questions, and I criticise him for being the weakest leader the party has ever had and for driving the Labour Party into the wilderness

So not at all mixed up, I do not trust him

This is what is being voted on in Italy. It would be like a referendum on the House of Lords losing its power to veto the Commons. If it gets a no vote, the PM will resign and trigger a general election.

'Constitutional reform. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is campaigning for a "yes" victory in an effort to make it easier to govern the nation moving forwards.

The reforms would remove power from the Senate and mean that proposed laws would only require the approval of the lower house of parliament, as opposed to the current system which requires approval from both houses.

Renzi has even gambled his political future on the referendum having said he would resign if a "yes" vote is rejected.'

Not only to Socialists....far right governments are a worry for a lot of us.As are far left ones.

It was grumppa who criticised Corbyn for saying he was going to Czechoslovakia, roses, not me. He hadn't actually said it.

Annie, if you don't want to know what he says, stop criticising him for not speaking! You are getting very mixed up in your feelings about Corbyn.

This weekend there are two elections, in Austria and in Italy, both of which could end up with far right leadership.
That's very important to me, and should be to all socialists, in my opinion.

Thanks Rosesarered,

Have no wish to read his speech thanks Jen. He needs to be here sorting out the mess he has got his own party into before he starts lecturing the world

If everyone jumped on a poster for an error ( especially one that hardly matters) we would all be leaping up and down continually.

....and you are a bit too quick to jump in with sly digs Djen

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-corbyn-socialist-centre-left-leader-eu-party-of-european-socialists-a7453066.html

Here's the speech he's going to give, in Prague.

He doesn't like to speak to reporters ( very odd in a leader, or any MP) but only likes to give prepared speeches to the faithful.

By the way, where is he going?
The Czech Republic, or Slovakia?

Another error, Annie? He doesn't speak, oh, now he's making a speech.. You are a bit too quick to condemn.

He is now making a speech ,on a platform with four women .

No Jen, he doesn't answer questions , he considers a question harresement