Lib Dems wiped out in Barnsley

Bansley Central, within South Yorkshire.  Image from Wikipedia

So, Labour win in Barnsley Central  The Pope is Catholic and bears shit in the wood, so what?

However, that Dan Jarvis, a former member of the armed service, and previously unknown outside of his party, did it with an increased majority (11,771 from 11,093 last May) on a reduced turnout (36.5% from 56.5% in May) was a either damning assessment of this government, or a ringing endorsement of Ed Miliband (whose Doncaster North constituency is the most north-easterly shown on the image above) and the Labour Party  Or, just maybe, both. 

The unceremonious dumping (and imprisonment) of disgraced former Barnsley Central. MP Eric Illsley could have severely damaged the Labour Party in Barnsley, but it appears that the direction that the coalition government has taken over the past 10 months has caused more ire up the M1 than an expenses fraud ever could.  considering the scandal that the expenses row was, this is a big statement in itself.

General Election results in Barnsley Central

The real story however, is of the Liberal Democrats, who were severely punished at the ballot box on Thursday 3rd March.  Their excuse for the defeat in  the Saddleworth by-election, where Labour increased not only their majority, but also their absolute vote, and still in the face of a decreased turnout, was that "anti-Labour" support was solidifying behind the Tories as the best means to keep Labour out - tactical voting, if you will.  No such excuse could be used in Barnsley though, where support for both parties collapsed, dropping the Tories losing over 4,000 votes, remaining in third spot, and the Lib Dems haemorrhaging over 5,000 votes and dropping from second to 6th place, behind UKIP, who jumped to second from fifth, the BNP, whose vote halved, and an independent.

If Barnsley and Saddleworth are to be believe, and we do of course need to remember that by-elections are a special case, then AV or not, the Lib Dems could be virtually wiped out in the UK at the next election.  The only way to save themselves?  They need to reassert their centre-left roots.  In the meantime however, as long as they're in this Tory-led coalition, I fear for them.  They're sure to lose some key councils this May, my own in Sheffield, currently ruled as a Lib Dem Minority Cabinet, surely will be one of them, but I feel that all of the Metropolitan Boroughs (mostly large northern towns and cities) currently under Lib Dem overall or shared control will turn red this May.

Related articles

• "Labour hold Barnsley Central as Lib Dems fall to sixth place and lose deposit" and related posts (conservativehome.blogs.com)
• Barnsley Central by-election - Shock? (bankbabble.wordpress.com)
• Barnsley Central by-election: Labour victory but disaster for Lib Dems (telegraph.co.uk)
• Humiliated Lib Dems come sixth in Barnsley Central byelection (guardian.co.uk)
• Barnsley Central by-election: Lib Dems humiliated in 6th place, Labour take it by storm (dailymail.co.uk)
• "UKIP Beat Tories and Lib-Dems in Barnsley" and related posts (anenglishmanscastle.com)
• "Dead Man Walking": Lib Dems face electoral oblivion after Barnsley (cllrstevereed.wordpress.com)
• Lib Dems brace for 5 May elections (guardian.co.uk)

Share

Sheffield Green Party speak against cuts

Anyone see Caroline Lucas on The Daily Politics recently? Sat alongside James Delingpole (yes, THAT James Delingpole, the one who was intelectually raped by Sir Paul Nurse), she was thrown the often-used criticism of the Green Party/Green Movement:  That she's a watermelon - Green on the outside, Red on the inside.  She of course, replied with the perfect repost:  "I've no problem with that James", were the last word she said before Andrew Neil had to move on to other topics.

That this is somehow a criticism is beyond me.  Socialist politics, taken to their logical conclusion, have to result in the adoption of green policies.  This week,a Sheffield Green, Bernard Little, made this speech to an anti-cuts rally.

Share

Who's to blame for Andy Gray's dismissal?

Andy Gray. Stupid, yes, but is he the victim of a bigger plot?

So, the recent sacking of Sky Sports pundit Andy Gray has perhaps raised more question than it has solved, and has led many to question the attitudes to sexism in this country.

Viewing/listening to the tapes, it is clear that Andy Gray's attitudes to women are , shall we say, less than enlightened.  The first to be revealed, was the rant about referee's assistant Sian Massey not knowing the offside rule, due apparently, to her having double the number of X-chromosomes as they did (and arguably three time the humility and four times the intelligence).  The fact that it was Richard Keys, and not Andy Gray who was arguable leading the discussion seems to have passed most people by.  Who amongst us, except maybe the most ardent supporters/critics of a point of view, can truly say that we have always stood up to an opinion we disagree with?  I am ashamed to say that barely ten months ago, in a discussion anout the looming election, a colleague of mine said "I'm gonna vote BNP this time.  I'm sick of all these fuckin' pakis round 'ere" and I didn't challenge her, merely mumbling some non-committal nothings in response.  Sure, when my friend attacked her opinion I joined in, but I had it just been me and her, I'd have just sat and listened to her racist tirade.  Didn't want to rock the boat you see?  How very English of me.

Then we learned on a second tape, apparently recorded off-air last December, in which Andy, whilst arranging his audio equipment in preparation for the live broadcast, asks if co-presenter Charlotte Jackson would mind tucking his into his trousers.  Again, this, to me, seems to be banter, although it must be said, Charlotte doesn't appear to be too happy about these comments.

Then, further footage was leaked from before the Wolves vs Liverpool game, in which Andy Gray and Andy Burton were seen discussing the physical appearance of Sian Massey, and finally, we saw an off-air discussion about one of Jamie Redknapp's ex-girlfriends, in which Richard Keys remarks that "you'd definitely smash it" and that you could "go round any night to find Redknapp hanging out the back of it".

However, the backlash which has followed (more on that later) is far more dangerous, and threatens to set back much of the progress that has been made in recent years.  Much of it centres on television programmes like 'Loose Women':  "99% of men would talk that way in the presence of other men (in Key's instance)" says Lee (Swansea) - the highest-rated comment on this Daily Mail article.  "so women are not sexist then? May i suggest you go and watch Loose Women" says Shane (south east) the second-highest rated comment.  This is to cloud the issue.  Whilst these day men are discriminated against in some areas - child custody being one area - overwhelmingly, it is women who have the rougher deal - lower pay, poorer standard of living etc.

All of this footage thought seem to have somehow been leaked by Sky, so I guess the only real lesson to be learned from this whole situation is this:  If the company you work for and the company you're suing have the same Parent Company - keep your nose clean.

Related articles

• Sky chief speaks out against Andy Gray and Richard Keys (telegraph.co.uk)
• Andy Gray: Football Pundit Fired By Sky Sports (bleacherreport.com)
• Richard Keys quits and blames "dark forces" at Sky for forcing him and Andy Gray out (mirror.co.uk)
• Sky Sports fires Andy Gray for sexist remarks (usatoday.com)
• Sky Sports sexism row: Andy Gray and Richard Keys both say 'sorry' (menmedia.co.uk)

Share

Johnson out, Balls in!

Well, it's been said many times before that a week is a long time in politics, and that being the case, the past five weeks I've neglected this blog seem even longer!

Since my last post, we've learned that the Culture Secretary is a cunt (please do listen again!), Some people do indeed still want to be Lib Dems, Tunisians are not the same as those other mad democracy-hating arabs, and the NHS would be far better off privatised (well, it may at least stop all those consultants playing the system by daring to work overtime).  Good good!

However long a week may seem though, a day can seem even longer, and over the past 24 hours, Alan Johnson has resigned from the Shadow Cabinet (to be replaced by Ed Balls and necessitating a reshuffle), Andy Coulson has quit as David Cameron's spin doctor, and Tony Blair is again giving evidence to the Chilcot Enquiry, almost a year after his first appearance.

Alan Johnson is the biggest shock for me.  Tabloid-style lurid affairs aside, I'd like to concentrate on the real issues here.  Will Johnson's replacement help or hinder the opposition Labour Party?

Personally, I think that the main issue here is the realignment of power within the shadow cabinet.  There was never any doubt that Mr Balls was better qualified for the Treasury portfolio than Mr Johnson - he had served under Gordon Brown's Chancellorship as his main aide and as Junior Minister, so one would have to assume that the initial appointment by Ed Miliband was a political decision in an attempt to hold more of the power (Miliband himself having studied economics, graduated from LSE and worked as Chairman of HM Treasury's Council of Economic Advisers under Brown's chancellorship), as he did not want a strong economist competing with him.

However, this reshuffle, whilst seemingly bad news to Mr Miliband, is probably good for the Labour Party as a whole.  Mr Balls is certainly a strong character, and will not be prone to some of the gaffes we had to endure from Mr Johnson.   Whilst he is also a divisive character, not well liked by even some within his own party (although one would suspect he'll be reasonably well liked by the Shadow Home Secretary!)  he has a strong fiscal brain and ought to provide the stiff opposition to George Osbourne that Mr Johnson could not.  Let Ed Miliband deal with the business of PR and winning over the public, and Ed Balls take battle on the economic ground.

Related articles

• MP's Ex-Guard Suspended Over Affair Claim (news.sky.com)
• Labour reshuffle: Ed Miliband unveils Continuity Gordon Brown Party (libdemvoice.org)
• Alan Johnson Quits Amid Wife's Affair Claims (news.sky.com)
• Alan Johnson resigns as shadow chancellor (guardian.co.uk)
• Alan Johnson: what they said (telegraph.co.uk)

Share

A Very Public Sociologist: A Revolutionary Idea

An excellent point, and well made. The anti-cuts movement need to unite together.

A Very Public Sociologist: A Revolutionary Idea: "Following the angry protests on the streets outside of Parliament tonight and the pathetic capitulation of LibDem MPs who either abstained o..."

Share

They came first...

They came first for the Public Sector Workers,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Public Sector Worker

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Students,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Student.

Then they came for me
and by that time no one was left to speak up.

 So please, please, don't be like me...

Share

Student protest: Tories are the real vandals

Sorry for the repost guys, but I feel I have to post this:

Clearly, a very left-wing perspective, but a good piece of background on what's happening, and what may arise on November 24th:

The student march and occupation of the Tories’ Millbank Tower has forced people to take sides over whether they back radical protest. Sadie Robinson takes on the arguments.

Arguments are still ­­raging over what happened as students’ seething rage at Tory plans to treble university fees and slash education budgets burst onto the streets of London last week.

Last Wednesday saw more than 50,000 students and workers from universities and colleges across Britain marching in the biggest and angriest protest yet against the Tories.

The demonstration was young, confident and furious. Activists blocked roads, hurled eggs at the Treasury and held an angry protest outside the business department.

Then thousands laid siege to Millbank Tower, which houses the Tory headquarters. Some occupied the building and around 50 got onto the roof—to deafening cheers from the protesters below.

The day sent a clear and defiant message to the government—we won’t stand for your attacks and we will fight.

The Tories and the right wing media—and disgracefully some Labour MPs—denounced students for breaking a few windows at Millbank.

The president of the students’ own NUS, Aaron Porter, rushed onto the news to “absolutely condemn” the “violence”. And UCU lecturers’ union general secretary Sally Hunt said it was “the actions of a mindless and totally unrepresentative minority”.

But as one student rightly put it, “I’m not really bothered about a few broken windows. I’m more concerned about the broken lives that will result if the Tories increase tuition fees.”

Socialist Worker thinks Millbank was fantastic. Far from involving just a handful of left wingers, it attracted thousands of university, college and school students who were determined to give the Tories hell.

Organised socialists played a key role. First through the doors of Millbank Tower were members of the Socialist Workers Party and students from the London School of Economics.

Hundreds went with them while thousands more banged on the windows and doors outside, trying to join them. Students successfully fought police to let a second surge through the doors.

“I’m not one of those black-mask anarchists,” said Tom, one of those protesting at Millbank. “I just think this is right. We voted for people who promised to change things for the better, and they broke all their promises.

“We needed to make ourselves heard.”

Courtyard

The police were overwhelmed. Groups of riot police tried to get through the crowd to join the handful of police at the doors of Millbank—only to be forced back by students.

“This protest is great,” added Catia, a college student. “A load of police just came in and then ran off!

“I’m here because I have to pay £22 a week to travel to college and I get Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). If they scrap EMA I won’t be able to go any more.”

Duygu, a student at Westmister Kingsway College, pointed to parliament and said, “Those people in there haven’t got a clue what it’s like for us. Have they ever spoken to someone who’s on EMA? I doubt it.”

The first group left the Millbank foyer to re-join the mass protest outside and more students occupied it later. But for most of the time, most protesters remained outside, filling the courtyard and spilling out onto the street.

Students marching past joined them and the crowd swelled. There was a carnival mood as students lit bonfires, burnt placards, sang, chanted and let off flares.

The media could make no sense of the militancy of the action. They are used to telling us that students are apathetic.

They are wrong.

The police remained restrained for much of the day—possibly because they were so outnumbered—but at times they charged the crowd with batons.

One officer repeatedly hit a woman protester on the arm with his shield—causing a furious surge forward. There was a great sense of unity and fearlessness. People chanted, “No justice, no peace—fuck the police,” and jeered the cops with, “This is what democracy looks like.”

For all the politicians’ and media attacks on students, many ordinary people applauded them. Even on the right wing Daily Mail’s online opinion poll, more than 40 percent backed the protests.

Everyone facing Tory cuts will have seen the protest and cheered—because finally they saw people fighting back.

A millionaire government is driving through the biggest assault on the working class since the 1930s.

But just six months in, fires have burned outside the Tory HQ and it has been filled with smashed glass and rubble. 

Anyone who says ordinary people in Britain are different to those in Greece, France or anywhere else has been proved wrong.

Anyone who says we have to wait months before we can pull off a decent protest, because the anger isn’t there, is also wrong.

“Everyone has to do this—not just students,” said Richard, a student from Greenwich. “The cuts affect everyone.”

One student outside Millbank held up a placard reading, “We are your future.” Let’s hope that’s right.

---

The following should be read alongside this article:

Make student protest a turning point in battle against Tories

Students inspire the anti-cuts movement

Wave of solidarity with the Millbank student protesters

Huge anger among students at fees betrayal

The student revolt shows how to fight

Hypocrisy of crackdown on Millbank student protesters

Sussex University students occupy–you can too!

‘Education protests are a ray of hope for us all’

Where next? Nov 24 is Day X for Lib Dems

Key dates for the student movement

You should join the socialists

24 Nov: Everyone to Downing Street to back students’ ‘Day X’

© Socialist Worker (unless otherwise stated). You may republish if you include an active link to the original.

Share

More University Occupations!

Occupations have taken place today at SOAS  (100 students) and Manchester Metropolitan (150) Universities today, followed closely by the UWE (50).  I first noticed this though Lenin's Tomb's twitter page (original articles posted below, from SW).

They are protesting variously against the cuts in education, job losses and some are asking the university's vice chancellor both to speak out against the cuts and to initiate a statement for other vice chancellors to sign. 

Any one who is against these cut - to all public services in the UK - ought to support these occupations, and indeed join the students on Day X, Wednesday 24th November, the day of mass walkouts, protests and potential occupations in towns and cities around the country.

Related articles

• Student occupation against fees (bbc.co.uk)
• Students to stage fresh protests over tuition fees (telegraph.co.uk) 
• Students at Soas and Manchester Metropolitan universities occupy (socialist worker)
• UWE latest university to occupy (socialist worker)

Share

Man Uni Occupation Against Cuts: Manchester University Students Occupy against the ...

Man Uni Occupation Against Cuts: Manchester University Students Occupy against the ...: "Statement from students in occupation at Manchester University: “Students at Manchester University have peacefully occupied the John Owe..."

They have my support. We can't keep being lied to, and we all as citizens and taxpayers, have a right to know who and on whom our money is being spent.

Share