Behind closed doors ... |
Editorial |
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“…And no one knows what goes on behind closed doors”. Charlie Rich, Dolly Parton and Tom Jones have all crooned. A Scottish Executive media campaign against domestic abuse brought home a more sinister perspective on this romantic country and western tune. The shameful domestic bust up between Blair and Brown in Downing Street at the beginning of September was another sinister abuse taking place behind the closed doors of power. The national media salivated over whether Gordon Brown could punch a knockout blow and throw Tony out on the streets. Yet Labour members watched aghast that at the degrading arrogance displayed by both the Brown and Blair camps that they would be “fixing” not only the date of Tony Blair’s departure, but also the coronation of Gordon Brown. Whilst they fight over the carcass of the New Labour project, members of the Party are becoming further and further aggrieved at the what is going on. We didn’t need an apology on behalf of the Labour Party from the Prime Minister. Labour Party members deserve an apology for what is being done in their name. For too long we have been witness to anti-socialist behaviour from the current tenants of both numbers 10 and 11 Downing Street. In the democratic traditions of the Labour Party, members must now be given the authority to serve eviction notices on both. The Citizen has long argued that Blair must go. His sycophantic kowtowing to the US hard-right Republicans had led us into an illegal occupation and has brought a new terrorist threat to our country. To justify his actions he was caught lying to the Party, lying to Parliament and lying to the country. Tony Blair is not fit to lead our Party. The problem is then, that Gordon Brown is no alternative. He might drizzle a dressing of labour movement history in his speeches, but he still serves up a neo-liberal dish. It is Brown who has driven privatisation of public services, PFI, housing stock transfer. It is Brown who has introduced a complicated array of “tax credits” for the poor, rather than directly addressing the inequalities through progressive taxation. It was saddening to see some trade union leaders behaving like ostriches with their heads in the sand throwing support behind Gordon Brown, whilst he said quite clear to the TUC general council dinner that he agrees with everything Tony says. What sort of an alternative is that? New Labour is dead. Yet it’s stink still shrouds our Party. We need a Leadership contest to re-engage members in directing Labour policies. Alternative policy aims are articulated in this issue of the Citizen by Michael Meacher, John McDonnell and others. Brown and the emerging Anyone-But-Brown camps are two sides of the same coin, and will in themselves not bring about any policy differences. John McDonnell is the only candidate to declare his intention to stand for Leader. Whilst the Brownites and the Blairites continue to squabble amongst themselves over personalities, the John4Leader campaign is rolling out to packed meetings up and down the country. Real Labour members are reemerging and re-engaging with policy debate and arguing for progressive alternatives to New Labour policies. It does look as though another world is possible. Comrades, the opportunity for renewal of our Labour Party is finally upon us. Let’s get busy. Lynn Henderson |
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