Corbyn confirms
Looks like Jeremy Corbyn (pictured) probably is going for the Labour number two job, if this story on Guardian Unlimited is anything to go by. Asked directly if he is considering standing, the Islington North MP answered:
“Nothing’s decided until the new year. But there needs to be an anti-war candidate.
“None of the existing ones are. [...]
Jeremy Corbyn to run for Labour deputy leadership?
Blogging Brownite MP Tom Watson has just posted this tit-bit:
‘Friends tell me that Jeremy Corbyn – pictured – is on the verge of throwing his hat into the ring for the deputy leadership. I don’t know why he doesn’t go the whole way and stand for the leadership. He has more humour than John McDonnell.’
If [...]
Trotskyist chat-up lines, part two
After the huge success of Saturday’s post on Trot chat-up lines – inspired in large measure by a drinking session with the Stroppies, it should be said – it turns out that earlier this year the libertarian communists over at libcom.org.uk were thinking along similar lines.
Here’s some of the best cheesy gags that contemporary representatives [...]
New Labour: perverting the course of justice?
The front page splash in morning’s Times must have made uncomfortable reading for some Number Ten Staffers. According to the newspaper, unnamed Downing Street aides and Labour Party officials are being investigated on suspicion of perverting the course of justice during the investigation into the ‘cash for peerages’ scam. It appears some of them have [...]
Clean politics: open goal for the democratic left
New Labour is institutionally corrupt, in much the same sense that the Metropolitan Police is institutionally racist. In a week that has seen both a Labour prime minister questioned by Scotland Yard detectives and the shameful decision to drop the Serious Fraud Office investigation into BAE’s Saudi slush fund, that contention surely stands unquestioned.
As a [...]
Top ten Trotskyist chat-up lines
Now that I don’t need chat-up lines anymore, I am happy to share the secrets of past successes with younger leftie bloggers. Please note that what follows is objectively non-sexist and designed to be adapted from each according to his/her ability, to each according to his/her gender of choice.
(10) You mean you share my critique [...]
Tony Blair: what did he know and when did he know it?
Detectives today spent two hours questioning Tony Blair – pictured left – on his role in the cash for honours affair. But the interview was not under caution, suggesting that he is seen as a witness rather than a potential suspect.
In other words, the prime minister is effectively off the hook, although somebody further down [...]
D Notices: the British press and self-censorship
One of the many restrictions on press freedom in this country – which include the Official Secrets Act, Prevention of Terrorism Act, Police and Criminal Evidence Act, Contempt of Court Act, and laws relating to obscenity, libel, race relations, sedition, incitement to disaffection and treason, that is – is the ‘D Notice’ system.
Basically, this is [...]
John McDonnell on the Labour-union link
Labour leadership contender John McDonnell has his say over the Phillips proposals on party funding:
‘I have today tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons in opposition to the Hayden Phillips proposals on party funding.
‘These proposals are a threat not only to the historic link between the Labour Party and the trade unions [...]
More on New Labour and the union link
Today’s Guardian has more details of how Sir Hayden Phillips’ review of party funding will impact on the Labour-union link:
‘All 3.5 million workers who opt to pay an annual £3 levy to the Labour party will have to be publicly registered as individual donors under plans sent to the three main parties by Sir Hayden [...]
