tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post4975773482477076625..comments2024-03-27T09:14:27.496+00:00Comments on All That Is Solid ...: On Ed Miliband's "Weakness"Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-48966247267628885062013-09-17T08:02:38.162+01:002013-09-17T08:02:38.162+01:00Yes I know, but even so I would like to see it &qu...Yes I know, but even so I would like to see it "tested" - ok i came up with these in a "speedy" manner but not without thought: these improve the condition for the squeezed middle. <br /><br />They hit the 5 per cent who wouldn't vote for them anyway. <br /><br />They are radical without bringing national issues in to play, like nuclear disarmament or even nationalisation - policies that would have a "national" knock on one way or anther. <br /><br />Therefore they are radical but popular (if presented well - and aggressively. I particualrly liked turning Eton into a "centre of excellence" say open to national competition). Of course they won;t change everything - the bourgeois will still win the postcode lottery etc, but they would go a long way to making a more equal society. <br /><br />Although I agree no one would dare take the risk of offending the Daily Telegraph. However, they'll be against them anyway...Speedynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-16899620518007135682013-09-16T21:14:09.255+01:002013-09-16T21:14:09.255+01:00You might like that, I might like that. But what&#...You might like that, I might like that. But what's the point in "boldness" if it doesn't win?<br /><br />So goes the electoral calculus argument anyway.<br /><br />Whether Ed is weak or not is ultimately a pointless exercise as it will get nowhere. What I am interested in is that a) he is clearly a more substantial and risk-taking leader than Dave, and b) the Tories are desperately flogging any negative meme they think will win them votes.<br /><br />The new one today doing the rounds is vote UKIP, get Labour. You can smell their desperation. Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-76976254347700591942013-09-16T07:41:37.511+01:002013-09-16T07:41:37.511+01:00I disagree, I think Ed's weakness is real as i...I disagree, I think Ed's weakness is real as it is reflected by his indecisiveness. Labour needs to come out with a clear, headline grabbing manifesto NOW and then defend it up until the next election. It needs to be along 1945 lines, in so much as it needs to be radical and give people the hope they are crying out for, and the change - one they can imagine.<br /><br />It needs to be based on one idea - let's call it The Fair Society - and needs stand out policies like:<br /><br />1. Defence of NHS from privatisation forever and reversal of Coalition policies<br />2. Phasing out of private education and health, retaining schools and health services themselves but "nationalising" them and making them places of excellence, like the old grammars. <br />3. National work service for 18 to 25 year olds out of work<br />4. Separation of religion and state, banning of religious schools<br />5. A written constitution along the aspirational lines of the US <br />6. House of Lords full election (but keep the name - continuity also counts)<br /><br />And achieve all this in 5 years. BB may no longer give a damn, but we still need to build a New England because the old one's fucked and the people can see it even if the politicians cant. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Speedynoreply@blogger.com