Socialist journalist Paul Foot – who died in 2004 – was one of my earliest and strongest political inspirations. If he were still around, I’m sure he would be subjecting the present government to just the same level of scrutiny he exercised with such devastating precision against the Tories.
Paul (pictured) was kind enough to contribute a foreword to Labour Party plc, my book on how Labour became a party of business. Yes, it's the ideal Christmas present for the New Labourite in your life, and can probably be found in a remainder bin somewhere near you.
After the events of the last few days, I thought I’d post a few paragraphs that sum up his thoughts on its transformation ‘from a social democracy into a party that has dropped every vestige of commitment to socialism or democracy’:
Shortly before the 1997 general election I was chatting confidentially to a senior politician in the Labour Party, who told me the following story.
Quite recently, he said, he had addressed a huge meeting of ecstatic Labour Party members. His theme was the scandal of corruption and patronage in the Tory government.
To illustrate the extent of the scandal, he revealed that when Labour took office the Prime Minister and the leading Secretaries of State in the new government would have at least 10,000 jobs entirely at their disposal.
He studied his audience as he spoke, expecting a deep sense of shock and outrage. To his horror, the chief reaction seemed to be one of eager anticipation and delight. Thousands of jobs for us! What a thrill! …
New Labour has striven to tear up the roots left by Old Labour and to turn itself into a business party every bit as credible and friendly to big business as the Tories have been.
In the course of this endeavour, Labour’s historic commitment to the trade unions and to socialists has been erased. Not a single one of the anti-union acts passed under Thatcher or Major has been repealed. As for socialism, the very word has effectively been banned from Labour circles …
Where there is no difference between the two big political machines paid for by big business, ordinary people’s interests in and involvement in politics collapse. Fewer people vote and fewer people care. All politics becomes contemptible, and the way is open for the racist and the dictator.
The Abrahams affair underlines just how right Foot was.
Comments (7)
CRAP
Paul Foot was an SWP Hack, whose legacy was destructive, not constructive,
As one example he spent years trying to tell us that Hanraty (Sic) was inocent. Much to the distress of the victims, and thier famillies.
I find it very convicting about the silence on Hanraty (Sic) now that DNA samples have been examined.
Or put it another way !
Yes! Hanraty was guilty !!!!!
Do I need go any further ???
GW
GW
Paul Foot would have been asking the same questions as Gareth Williams.
Yeah, but he was right about Colin Stagg.
I forgot, Free Gillian Gibbons!!!!!
Sorry folks, but in my experience (okay – yeah) Paul Foot was just a vile middle class tosser with no redeeming features whatsoever.
"Sorry folks, but in my experience (okay – yeah) Paul Foot was just a vile middle class tosser with no redeeming features whatsoever."
It is always refreshing to hear a contrary view. Generally, however, they take the form - "I don't like, agree with etc X because....". Unfortunately, John, you have left out the bit following the 'because'.
Here's an example of sensible writing, John:
"I don't like John Gray because he makes assertions without supporting them."
Hope that helps.
The late Paul Foot was middle class?