Suspended

It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that I have discovered that a letter sent out by me to members of the general public included within it positive comments about an individual who is also a member of a main stream political party.

Although this was done in a true spirit of cooperation and support and the utmost respect for the electorate at large, I also have to take full responsibilty for my own actions and be aware of the consequences of them.

I have therefore this morning held a full investigation into the circumstances which led to the said document being produced and distributed, and as a result I have decided that I have no alternative other than to suspend myself and my whole corporate body from political activity for a period of 4 days from March 27th to March 31st 2009.

During this time I will go away to the peak district (The Cobblers are playing at Carlisle on the Saturday) and then visit Scotland in order that I might reflect fully on my crimes over a few glasses of Guinness and single malt whiskey chasers.

..............................................................................................................................................................

Have I gone completely mad? No but it seems the Labour Party have.

http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/Investigation-over-Northampton-byelection-leaflet.5030305.jp

London Labour, Poplar or Popularistic? and how the poor still suffer

Clyde Loake's (Labours Candidate for Northampton South) well publicised local difficulties as Leader of the Council in Waltham Forest are well documented on the web and have led some to surmise that his lack of campaigning activity to date in Northampton is maybe down to the national party holding him back and keeping him out of the picture until the matter is concluded?

If you haven't caught the gist of the story you can do so here:

http://www.lordtobyharris.org.uk/will-waltham-forest-labour-group-finally-take-proper-action-to-deal-with-the-neighbourhood-renewal-fund-scandal/

and here:

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/3943112.WALTHAM_FOREST__Council_cohesion_spending_reported_to_police/

But this incredible inquiry into funds for the poor allegedly being mismanaged by Labour Councillors made me think how very far away from Labours original ideals the party has come in its 109 year history.

Some of you may recall the history of the proud London Labour Councillors of Poplar. This newly-elected, post world war 1 Labour Council built houses; expanded provision of libraries, parks, swimming pools and wash-houses; established a TB officer and dispensary; improved street lighting and cleansing; distributed free milk; and brought electricity to the area. The council instituted a minimum wage of £4 per week for its own employees, with equal pay for men and women.

And then in 1921 they were imprisoned for promoting public works to create employment and setting an illegal rate of 4/4d for the poor in Poplar against the wider rate of 6/10d in outer London.

Five women Councillors were sent to Holloway prison; 25 men to Brixton. The picture below shows Cllr Minnie Lansbury (daughter in law of George) on her way to be arrested


Prison conditions were appalling, but outraged protests soon yielded improvements. On 11 September, the Councillors were given permission to meet. They did so a total of 32 times in prison, with, from 27 September, the women Councillors brought from Holloway to Brixton to join the meetings. They discussed prison conditions, Borough business and winning their release. Demonstrations were held outside the two prisons on most evenings.

On 21 September, public pressure led the government to release Nellie Cressall, who was six months pregnant. Embattled Ministers conjured up the 'Official Solicitor' to order Nellie's release. This little-known functionary seems to appear only to get governments out of the tight spots they are forced into by working-class struggle. He was to appear again in 1972 to release the Pentonville Five, dockers imprisoned for opposing anti-union laws.

Eventually all were released again under some conveniently found ancient act of law and the Daily Herald described their homecoming:

'Joyful reunions inside their homes and joyful demonstrations without, the Councillors must have felt a sense of triumph that compensated for the bitterness of the past few weeks.

'In the crowd that followed the band round the streets faces were smiling as they seldom smile ordinarily in that poor borough.

'Men took off their caps and waved them in the air, women shouted and laughed, and the children made sympathetic noises. The whole babel was a spontaneous outburst of working-class sympathy with its self-sacrificing champions.'

Minnie Lansbury however did not celebrate for long, she died on 1st January 1922 of pneumonia as a direct result of her prison treatment

Poplar Council's fight casts a light of inspiration on the potential of direct action and mobilisation; but also a shadow of shame on Labour Councils since then which have failed to show the same courage.

I wonder what the then good folk of Poplar would make now of the alleged missing £250,000 from the BNI fund? Money for the poor which dissapeared under the stewardship of Labour Councillors? Probably the same as the good folk of Waltham Forest do now according to their comments in the local newspaper.

Meanwhile word reaches me of more alleged wrongdoings at another London Council by a London Council Leader, this time in the early 1990's The information involved a Mrs S Porter. (and it's not Dame Shirley) and the unsolicited and anonymous 300 page bundle of papers which arrived on my doormat the other week kept me amused for hours. It has probably been circulated elsewhere, given the intent stated in the accompanying letter, and I hazard to guess may lead to further questions being asked in the future as to how London's Labour Party together with the NEC really does conduct it's "internal" business.

How I wish the ideals of those elected to office today lived up to those of our early predecessors.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ud3-s6z8UiI/SbF7OfF0_RI/AAAAAAAAAGA/3qEQI-rq6nU/s1600-h/minnie+Lansbury+on+her+way+to+arrest+1921.jpg

Greased Lightbox - Update available (v0.18) - Update available (v0.18)

→←+-↻

Loading image

Click anywhere to cancel

Image unavailable

View image in its original context