Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Labour needs more NI input…
I recently heard Kate Hooey speak on a formal occasion at Queens. She was one of the early movers in the Civil Rights movement as a member of the Northern Labour Party and spoke very warmly of student leader Michael Farrell. Now she’s in the forefront of calls to Labour’s NEC to allow local people not simply to organise, but put up candidates in Northern Ireland.
Mick Fealty @ 04:30 PM
It would split the unionist vote even more so I would say go for it.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 04:38 PMIt really should be allowed to happen.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 04:55 PMIt should indeed. It’s definitely not ‘hooey’.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 04:57 PMI am glad to see this move by the NEC. This is the first I have heard of it.
Labour has therefore now agreed to organize in Northern Ireland, for the forst time, which is the next logical step from Labour accepting NI members.
It’s an important milestone and the 200 member threshold is quite reasonable.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 04:59 PMThe lack of a Labour party to vote for has been something of a gap in the local political scene.
I imagine that this step does not mean that there will be Labour candidates - is that retained in NEC hands? But but it is a step towards that.
I have no doubt that a party with labour values and linked to the trade union tradition would have a lot to contribute to policy discussion, at a time when we need informed policy discussion.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 05:02 PMAnother sad attempt to provide an acceptable face for the Union - will they never learn?
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 05:11 PM(Slug)I have no doubt that a party with labour values
LOL are we talking about the same Labour Party here !!
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 05:21 PMlib2016
No it is about being able to vote for or against a political party that, in the real world, actually governs this place.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 05:21 PMThe right to stand candidates will still lie with the NEC, as it does with all regions and for all elections contested by the Party. The NEC met on the 30th, appropriately, as the NEC agreed to review such decisions at each January NEC.
There would be no sense in standing in elections until we are in a position to be competitive.
Negotiations will now open with the Irish Labour Party to agree some form of joint approach. The focus will be on the Labour movement and building Labour values.
I am sure that Andy will understand the desire of Party members to move forward.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 05:33 PM“I have no doubt that a party with labour values and linked to the trade union tradition would have a lot to contribute...”
Perhaps it would indeed, Slug. The only problem is that New Labour holds labour values in contempt and while it has links with trade unions for purposes of retaining financial support it would be laughable indeed to suggest that it has any connection with trade union tradition.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 05:44 PM“It’s definitely not ‘hooey’”
Now, now, BG, don’t be taking the Michael out of Mick ....
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 05:44 PMLabourman
Thanks for the info. Seems a sensible approach. As I said, the most important thing is to have a party that stands for labour values. Something we lack.
Can I ask whether you are confident that the 200 number threshold will be no problem?
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 05:45 PMRory
Although one can criticise Labour under Blair, it’s also trus that the next leader, Brown, has been very protective of the welfare state and the health service while combining government investment on those key public services with the longest sustained period of economic growth in the last 200 years. That is not a record to be sneezed at.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 05:47 PMKate has been tireless is arguing that Labour should organise here and contest elections. If they did they would have to think rather more about their policies for here at a devolved level and at Westminster. By not organising they can behave like colonialists. But at least one national party aspires to govern the whole of the UK. The Conservative Party locally has already announced 6 candidates in the forthcoming Assembly elections and will be announcing more soon. And we require none of our candidates to sign a pre-nuptial agreement.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 05:48 PMJeff
Interesting to read the Conservatives profiles on your website. These are largely fresh faces - good to see new people coming into NI politics.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 05:56 PMPS my hope is that Labour could bring a lot of fresh faces into NI politics too.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 05:57 PMThe 200 will not prove a problem once we have something for people to join locally. While it will not translate in whole, there are already over 10,000 Trade Unionists in NI paying the political levy ( and that does not count Unison for some reason ).
This will be about a new vision for our society, moving away from the continual sectarian zero-sum politics. It’s up to everyone to turn their disaffection into action.
If you want to be part of the future, I would invite you to visit https://www.labour.org.uk/joinbydirectdebit .
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 06:16 PMFor petes sake stop the tories getting a foothold in Ireland, what do they have to offer you over there. After all Scotland got rid and do not seem in any great hurry to welcome them back. Can you imagine in the far distant and hellish future the leader of the Tories, some woman with crash helmet hair do and the screach of an NI accent waving a handbag. Dear lord I think I will have to go and have a lie down
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 06:51 PMI am also sorry to say that every thing Hoey has touched here seems to go down the swanney like her opposition to the hunting bill.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 06:52 PMLocal Labour would not have got where we are today if we were relying solely on Kate Hoey, supportive though she may be.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 08:03 PM“Another sad attempt to provide an acceptable face for the Union - will they never learn? “
No, just the right to vote for the government which takes ourn taxes. Its called democracy.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 11:45 PM“Can you imagine in the far distant and hellish future the leader of the Tories, some woman with crash helmet hair do and the screach of an NI accent waving a handbag.”
A mature contribution. Well done.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2007 @ 11:48 PMThank julia nice to see a sense of humour breaking free now and again naval gazing can get so depressing at times
Posted by on Feb 07, 2007 @ 10:37 AMSeveral posts refer to Labour as just anothes unionist party thats why progress needs to be maid so the old two communites model can be confrunted labour ideals are bigger and better than current politics in deed members of british and irish parties are looking to the time when issue politics are the norm.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2007 @ 10:47 AMThis would be an excellent development. If only it had happened 60 years ago…
There is a strong union tradition that includes many people who - rightly - don’t feel at home with any of the local parties. While Rory is correct in criticising New Labour, many from this tradition still believe that Labour is the only viable left-of-centre option.
I also have a lot of time for Hoey - including her stand on hunting, health cuts and spending on sport. However, I think her memories of Michael Farrell’s role are a little rose-tinted.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2007 @ 11:09 AM
