A special fund to fight the Tories???

This certainly smacks of desperation on the part of the Labour Party.

I have never for one moment seen Starmer as Prime Minister material.

I don’t think Lisa Nandy would have a chance of winning a general election.

I have canvassed for many years, not only in Wales, voters don’t like accents. I heard it said about Kinnock and Brown
and she looks fragile

Why is that farview?

Do you think he has less skill and integrity than our current PM?

Well I'm sickened re the goings on at Downing street...but I think if Keir Starmer was voted in..I would want to leave this country...?‍♀️

Whitewavemark2

trisher

I do wish people would stop accusing me of things and explain their own point of view. I am in fact seriously worried that the LP will not only fail to run a decent election campaign simply because they are so strapped for money but that in doing so they will effectvely make this country a single party state. I think instead of begging for money there should be a massive effort to create unity, to make peace with the Unions and to readmit those dismissed from the party, so that a large party, a broad church party can fight a proper election. Unfortunately I don't think Starmer is a big enough man to do it.

Who would be?

I've said before I think Lisa Nandy could lead the party by the next election. She's to the left, she's a woman, she's served her time under Starmer although she's more left than he is.

I don't think every member who has been excluded should be returned but I think those who lost their membership for ridiculous reasons, like discussing Corbyn's suspension, or belonging to a group Starmer decided to outlaw, should be.

trisher

I do wish people would stop accusing me of things and explain their own point of view. I am in fact seriously worried that the LP will not only fail to run a decent election campaign simply because they are so strapped for money but that in doing so they will effectvely make this country a single party state. I think instead of begging for money there should be a massive effort to create unity, to make peace with the Unions and to readmit those dismissed from the party, so that a large party, a broad church party can fight a proper election. Unfortunately I don't think Starmer is a big enough man to do it.

Who would be?

Trisher, I respect you, and have said it many times. We are probably a lot closer than our respective comments demonstrate.

Personally, I am left of centre, and I am not living in the past, au contraire! And I would be very happy and prepared to shift a little to the left, for sure. But I do not wish to go back to Unions controlling the Labour Party, and many who oppose Starmer do not want to 'shift a little to the left- but take us so far back to the left we will fall off, again.

Trisher, these 'begging' emails didn't start with Starmer. I have been a member since the 1960s and I have received requests for money every year I have been a member. The Labour Party constantly needs funding as we do not have the 'big money' the Tories have. The unity of the Party depends on everyone making an effort. Would you admit everyone who has been dismissed from the party regardless of the reason? That doesn't create unity. The Unions enjoy a unique place in the Labour movement because of their long-term association. It will take a lot to convince them to sever that link.

So once again the only response is that I and anyone left of centre is living in the past. I'm not even going to bother to answer that ridiculous falsehood. But here's my problem. If the LP is begging now who is going to fund it when a general election comes? Because donating small sums is very laudible but there is no way that will fund a proper campaign. So why not shift a little to the left. It seems to me that it is the self styled centrists (who are actually to the right) who are willing to chuck the party under the bus.

If you can post one thing I have said which refers to coal mines, iron works, a past world or any ghosts please do so. But you can't because the policies I believe in are modern and would build a proper future.

trisher

I do wish people would stop accusing me of things and explain their own point of view. I am in fact seriously worried that the LP will not only fail to run a decent election campaign simply because they are so strapped for money but that in doing so they will effectvely make this country a single party state. I think instead of begging for money there should be a massive effort to create unity, to make peace with the Unions and to readmit those dismissed from the party, so that a large party, a broad church party can fight a proper election. Unfortunately I don't think Starmer is a big enough man to do it.

Having read many comments on FB made by the 'purist' LP supporters (that wasn't meant to be derogatory, I don't know what else to call them), I think unity is nigh on impossible between the Left and the Centre of the party.

The anger and bitterness towards Starmer is too intense - the Left see him as a "traitor" and the Centre see the Left as "idiots" who won't compromise to get the Tories out. That's roughly the lines taken.

I'm not sure that the problem is Starmer's lack of moral strength, it's more that battle-lines are drawn and nothing is going to unite the two factions.

It cannot be a 'broad church' - one group will not tolerate the other. And the bickering and in-fighting will continue indefinitely. Starmer will not bend, and the 'purists' will not either. In the end, one group will have to split from the other completely.

There cannot be unity, a broad church party reaches out to all
parts of the country , I repeat - the days of coal mines, iron works are gone.

Yes, thank you Iam64. You can't create unity with a section which is living totally in the past, in a world that no longer exists, and its ghosts.

We disagree . In my view it isn’t about whether Starmer “is a big enough man to do it”. It’s whether the LP can become a modern, centre left part with a much broader appeal than it had at the last election. Johnson didn’t win thst 80 seat majority single handedly. Ask anyone involved in canvassing for the LP at thst time. Here in this red wall seat, we know that all too well

I do wish people would stop accusing me of things and explain their own point of view. I am in fact seriously worried that the LP will not only fail to run a decent election campaign simply because they are so strapped for money but that in doing so they will effectvely make this country a single party state. I think instead of begging for money there should be a massive effort to create unity, to make peace with the Unions and to readmit those dismissed from the party, so that a large party, a broad church party can fight a proper election. Unfortunately I don't think Starmer is a big enough man to do it.

We do know you'd rather scupper the country and let the Tories again, than to support Keir Starmer who has a real chance to win, with clever alliances.

This is tragic to my mind- but there you go. No-one is forcing you to contibute.

MayBee70

trisher

I've had two e-mails today one from Keir Starmer and one from Team Labour both asking me to chip in and donate more money to help them fight the Tories. Now I thought that was the whole purpose of an opposition party. So is this just another indication that the LP are skint? And would you do it?

Yes. I’ve rejoined the party and, as I only pay pensioners rate have given extra money.

Same here.

Devorgilla

Come what may, Trisher, we, in the Labour Movement, will be out there door-stepping in all weathers if need be to deliver a Labour Government. Small contributions, feet on the ground, can make a difference. The last thing people who support the Labour Movement want, is to wake up the morning after the election, to another massive Tory majority. If we get that, just watch how everything the workers' have won since the foundation of the movement goes straight down the drain.

Devorgilla sadly I think these e-mails represent the start of the movement going down the drain. Do you really think a decent and succesful campaign can be run without proper funding?

Iam64

Exactly. Thanks for contributing to helping the electorate see the Labour Party as unfit to govern. As if Starmer abs his front bench are worse fir the country than Johnson and co

The Labour Party is perfectly fit to govern and Larry the cat could do better than Johnson. Starmer isn't and never has been the Labour Party although he obviously thinks he is.
I do think at some point he will have to go.

MayBee70

Nobodies forcing you to give them money.. But you are doing your bit in turning people against them as much as possible.

But I didn't turn the Unions against the LP nor did I tell all the people who cancelled their membership to do so. I don't think any money they can collect from ordinary people will in any way compensate for that huge loss.
I think it is very unfortunate that an opposition party is having to beg. But if you are suggesting that I am responsible in some way for their financial situation I think that's a bit inaccurate. Responsibility rests firmly with the leader and his cronies. I think if they really had any credibility they would be working to restore proper financing and not passing the begging bowl.

Come what may, Trisher, we, in the Labour Movement, will be out there door-stepping in all weathers if need be to deliver a Labour Government. Small contributions, feet on the ground, can make a difference. The last thing people who support the Labour Movement want, is to wake up the morning after the election, to another massive Tory majority. If we get that, just watch how everything the workers' have won since the foundation of the movement goes straight down the drain.

Exactly. Thanks for contributing to helping the electorate see the Labour Party as unfit to govern. As if Starmer abs his front bench are worse fir the country than Johnson and co

trisher you must do whatever you feel right doing. Personally I would never donate to any political party, but that’s just me, and what’s right for me. If you feel you want to donate, do so, but if not, then don’t. You sound as if you’re veering towards not donating.

Nobodies forcing you to give them money.. But you are doing your bit in turning people against them as much as possible.

I don't think I want to give money to an organisation I very much fear is going to fail. I can't see a few quid here or there is going to compensate for the Union money or the lost membership fees. Particularly when Starmer paid out so much in compensation, against legal advice. The e-mails have made me really fear that the LP is not going to be able to fight another election and I can't see my cash helping them that much.

I had the emails too and I will be contributing. I am a member but I also send money at election times as elections are very expensive and the Labour Party has never had anything like the funding the Tories have. We have had three elections in rapid succession - 2015;2017;2019 - when normally they are approximately every five years. The Tories changed the rules so that Union members had to opt in, not opt out, of the political levy and state, I think, to which Party their levy should go. Most people who join Unions are deemed to be Labour-inclined but not all members want to pay, or remember to pay, the levy. Hence, Labour suffers with the new change. It is my great hope that all the Unions will recognise the need to pull together to deliver a Labour Government at the next election, or, at the very least slash that massive majority.