Category: Politics

Labour, Politics, Thoughts

Syria air strikes

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Vote on air strikes in Syria is due tonight 10pm by MPs [Members of parliament] from House of Commons of the United Kingdom.  United Kingdom is already part of air strikes in Iraq, conservative party failed in 2013 to win support for air strikes.  Situation within middle east is now much worse, civil war in Syria has become frozen conflict.  Declining influence result power vacuum extremism groups taking hold with terror attacks across the middle east.  Soft power with hard power only way of fixing this issue.  Does mean economic action with major soft power and troops.  Economic action forcing parties to the table would be useful start.  Overconfident we can fix this this issue with just air strikes.

Russia is willing to play role within middle east we should let them help.

Do not support air strikes without action in other areas just wishful thinking air strikes creates frozen conflict.  Home growth terror is created by social issues at home economic mainly with social. What we can do is help create more peaceful solution to the middle east.  Language of war is not helpful should not be doing what opponents want.  Want war with unrest with highly emotionally language.

Reality sometimes problems don’t have solutions.

Actions so far in Iraq have proved that half measures like air strikes only get you so far.   Argument for air strikes based on somebody else doing the heavy lifting with wishful thinking.  Hope Labour MPs don’t vote in favour…

If I was Labour MP would be voting against the motion.

Politics, Thoughts

Gun politics outsider view

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Gun control bring up some questions about the society you want to live in.  Want to live in society which mass shootings are normal move to a war zone.  When prevention could have stopped these mass shootings you have to ask did was no action taken. Prevention policy common place for many elements of government policy.  Example seat belts helped cut deaths from car accidents some how with guns we can’t take any action.  Firearm death are now almost more common compared to car accident deaths in America.  Data from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/injury.htm 2011 is latest data.

Motor vehicle deaths 33,804

Firearm deaths 33,636.

Cost benefit for prevention on many issues creates saving in the long-term.  Issue at hand has many factors but gun control changes could have big short-term impact on reducing these numbers.  People seek quick fix avoiding other options which they don’t agree with.  America has this issue which sadly the evidence backs up from most of the world. Only places which have far more firearm deaths, failed states, war zones and poverty with high crime.  Evidence around the world tougher gun control results in less deaths.  Harder for criminals to get hold of weapons and use them.  However we’re trying to close the stable door after horse has bolted.  Lessons learnt from around the world when it comes to solving that problem.

Far more people die from firearms every year over terror attacks yet we respond to unlikely events.

More guns!!!!

War zones are known for being safer over average neighbourhood.  Don’t understand why you want more guns to solve problem created by access to weapons.  Only argument one can make is these events keep happening. America is only nation which decreases gun laws in response to these events every other nation has harsher laws. Case for stronger background checks and even restrictions.  Could be something simple or big restrictions. Standardize gun laws could be part of the solution.

Argument on the changes which could happen over not needing them.

Last point healthcare provisions mainly mental health standardize and free to support people who need it.  That is leading onwards to another debate which badly needs to happen.

As an outsider I find the debate interesting along with saddening. American society appears unlikely to ask hard questions against some very powerful vested interest groups.

Journal, Politics, Thoughts

Train platform politics

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Social media helped me get interested in politics months talking about it online couple months ago decided time to help out.  Talking only gets you so far you need action in order to get your way. Longest period of time noticed voter apathy about issues.  Big shock seeing voter apathy and jumping into the deep end with people who do care.

My generation has voter apathy on an epic scale being less likely to vote compared to any other group.  Incomes of this generation have suffered likely to become first generation to be indebted OAPs.  Result is lower incomes, less wealth and indebted with kids indebted once we die. Gaps between the have not and haves is likely to grow as wealth is passed down to generations.  Suffering with lower incomes likely to suffer from public service cuts all for tax cuts.  Inequality is set to expand between generations with wealth being the main driver.

Older generations have gained so many benefits from past growth gained wealth, massive increases incomes and lower taxes.  Older voters are more likely to voter compared to any demographic. Most members of political parties are older.

Trains and politics

At the train station waiting on the platform I had the pleasure to bump into an older Scottish gentlemen.

Rare to see somebody willing to be friendly to random people but so welcoming and warm.

What voter apathy?

Within 30 seconds about 5 people was talking about politics. Makes me wonder if we do have apathy or politicians are hard to reach. Language is another factor with avoid answering the questions language turning people off.

Soon the subject of travel came up due to being a train station.  Before long range of subjects was being talked about on the platform.  Gentlemen was confused by voter apathy, why people did not vote but would vote for x factor.  Gentlemen viewed himself as Left wing socialist but as somebody pointed out most voters don’t.  Certain parties have been efficient in making their language even policy appear neutral to win over people. Centre political parties do just that swing to suit the mood with some ideology direction pushing them in a certain direction.

People did agree with some of his socialists values, new Labour had some socialists values along with policy bundled with it.

Direction

We all want the same thing just don’t agree on the same direction.  Travel destination for both of us was different along with ideology but shared the same values.

 

Journal, Labour, Politics, Thoughts

Tom and Jerry: Labour leadership thoughts

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Labour leadership election has ended, Jeremy Corbyn winning with 59.5% of the vote.  Race was meant to be closer however Corbyn was able to win out right just like Tony Blair did.

Speechless victory nothing short of outstanding given Corbyn just reached the requirements.

Jeremy supporters created a powerful coalition over number of years, needed a candidate his supporters sealed the deal.  Tom Watson supporters had only one candidate in mind with his supporters working on building a coalition within the party.  Membership has picked Tom and Jerry to lead them.

Old coalition of New Labour or centrists is defeated.  Different shades of Labour but share some common ground.  Both in the past have been rebels, Jeremy avoiding front bench with Tom serving only to leave. Profile wise Jeremy bold radical against the standard, Tom is tradition, focused on grass roots.  Common ground both ran on platforms which was positive and focused on change. To win Labour needs a grand coalition of voters.  Remains to be seen if the Jeremy can bridge the gap between PLP to membership or build a coalition of voters.  Tom should be able to help massive network of connections within the party which was able to help win.

Result now means the party is going to be change both want to see radical changes.  Movement roots being efficient in how it campaigns.  Party of government in the waiting with the power to move the membership.

Whatever the result task of victory in 2020 is massive with major forces to beat.  Party needs to avoid giving extra ammo to the conservative focus on being ruthless. Challenge for Corbyn is keeping his platform without giving ammo.  Expect to see certain policy dropped in favour of debate within the party.  Compromise key for Corbyn to keep hold of power his supporters don’t hold control of key parts of the party.  Mistake for anybody who did not vote for Corbyn to be purged from the party.  Opinion is useful along with their knowledge even experience.

Corbyn should move towards a more moderate centre left platform but keeping his core platform.  Purged people from the party would be a mistake instead should be open to debate and compromise. Centrists have not disappeared they should not be side lined like the left of the party was. Repeating mistakes made by them would be a mistake failure to answer the political winds has resulted in this victory.

 

Corbyn needs sound advice from all sides in order to build a successful platform and reform the party.  Labour is a big church just like United Kingdom you need to win over massive group of voters to win.  Questions over Corbyn ability to win over these groups within the party and beyond.

Whoever was going to lead the party in 2020 would be facing an impossible task.  If Corbyn can help win over 50 more seats growing the movement victory in 2025 could be possible.  I don’t think he can win in 2020 but think he could be the start of something which makes 2025 victory possible.  Labour could turn from being a passive party into a real road block forcing landscape to change.  All sides of the political spectrum should be looking forward to towards the same goal. Little bit of criticism is required with massive amount of debate.   Look forward to working for the party to bring about the change required.

Forces against Labour are going to be moving quickly neutralize the party that is why we need the old guard for advice.

Old guard should not seek to remove him at the first sign of failure his supporters are powerful allies for the party.

Keeping your principles with compromise makes you far stronger as a leader.

Economics, Journal, Politics, Thoughts

Uncertainty, fairy tales and economic myths

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Uncertainty, fairy tales and economic myths

Uncertainty, fairy tales and economic myths three main themes which have become core parts of UK politics. Uncertainty helped win the Scottish referendum, defeat Labour and block military action.  Fairy tales around European union with immigration. Economic myths demonize debt, public spending has become limited as a tool due to political myths.

Uncertainty

Scottish referendum uncertainty around economic policy.  Labour fiscal policy [spending policy] which leads to issues with other policy areas.  Both suffered from a failure to defend records and vision.  SNP controlling Labour line divided Scotland and England.

Uncertainty allowed to grow used to great effect in winning battles but it has created a couple issues which won’t disappear.

Fairy Tales

European union has been turned monster when reality is it not.  Same could be said for immigration and spending policy.

Economic myths

Government borrowing should be reduced any spending should be from the private sector.

All three are linked together uncertainty leads to fairy tales and economic myths.  World at the same time is full of uncertainty geopolitical risk is high with economic.  Established ideology is under attack with powers behind it. Reward behind winning each of these battles is massive remains to be seen who is going to win.

Journal, Labour, Politics, Thoughts

Labour leadership 2015: Impossible choice!

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UK Labour party leadership selection is drawing closer to an end with leader position and bunch other senior positions up for grabs. Labour suffered quite a heavy defeat after the general election in 2010 with 2015 being just as bad.

Labour party suffered a defeat in ideology given the image of being incompetent for the last 5 years.  Party did not have much time for soul searching to review the defeat.  Candidates have to deal with many threats dealing with the Tories claim of fiscal incompetent being the most important.  Problem is only one candidate is willing to tackle the claim of fiscal incompetent. Jeremy Corbyn is the only one willing to challenge the fiscal incompetent claim.

Candidates if they want to be taken serious they need to deal with the claim of fiscal incompetent.  Impossible choice Corbyn or another candidate with more experience on the front bench.

Corbyn is asking the right questions but has the wrong answers. Other leadership candidates need to start asking the same questions but with better answers.  Party should not seek to make the same mistakes as in 2010.  Anybody with a vote is being faced with a impossible choice do we start to tackle the lies or go with the flow.

Which of the candidates can offer with Corbyn does come up with better answers and reach out to Tory swing voters.

Andy Burnham along with Yvette Cooper have started to see this and changed strategy. Now faced with a impossible choice does my first preference to towards Corbyn or Cooper.

 

 

Journal, Labour, Politics

Labour Leadership candidates quick thoughts

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Labour Leadership candidates

Here some quick thoughts on leadership candidates so far.

Liz and Jeremy have made clear their platforms with Andy and Yvette being vague.

Liz Kendall

Part of the Blairite clan but appears the Blairites have disowned her.  Get the feeling she would be able to bring back Tory swing voters and couple other voters groups.  Problem is unlike Tony Blair lacks the same level of charisma and support.  Core focus of her campaign devolution and unions.

She could be a nightmare to fight against however would need support from Blairites clan in order to win.

Jeremy Corbyn

Supporters include anti austerity voters and young voters. Which is amazing given his current age that he has been able to gain support from younger members.  Problem he would face would be convincing parts of New Labour to support his platform.  Many think that anti austerity is a death wish with U turn should happen nearer the time.  Not sure he would be able to swing over Tory voters from 2015 and other groups like SNP block.  However he does appear that he wants to make Labour a movement against with grass roots being most important part.

Core focus of the campaign greenroots and anti austerity.

Andy Burnham

Supporters from the Blairite fraction of the party with his focus being on austerity lite.  Trying to win over swing Tories and core Labour voters with a mix of policy that borrowed from Ed millband.  I don’t think he would lead the party to victory but just more of the same result over Ed Millband.

Maybe he could win but I don’t think he would be able to win based on the method Ed Millband tried.

Core focus is on the NHS and sounding tough on austerity.

Yvette Cooper

Silence so far but a strong women against austerity but won’t shout about it.

Supporters from a range of areas but lacks a clear platform bit like Andy.