“In all the countries there are people in numbers large and small who are moved by the vision of a new social order in which democracy, egalitarianism and co-operation – the essential values of socialism – would be the prevailing values of social organization. It is in the growth of their numbers and in the success of their struggles that lies the best hope for mankind.” “Socialism is not a rigid economic doctrine, but ‘a set of values’ It is ‘a tale that never ends’. Indeed, the strange fact is that while there’s capitalism, there’ll be socialism, because there is always a response to injustice.” Ed Miliband. I watched with interest Mandelson on the Andrew Marr show this morning and agreed with just about everything he said.I DO think the state has a role to play in our lives....especially in areas of strategic importance. Surely far from being a moderate force....neoliberalism is in many ways inhuman as is its polar opposite Soviet style communism. NEITHER works particularly well and in strategic areas of the economy,society and education the state can and does often play a positive role . This is not a myth....it is a reality !...it is FACT !!!!! Regarding the centre ground in British Politics we need to redefine what that is.....any analysis which excludes the poor, the marginalised and the vulnerable does NOT uphold liberty or decency. Labour always was a union or working class and middle class people devoted to creating a better more decent future.It was NEVER a party just for one section of society but what ordinary people want to see is a balanced set of priorities and genuine deeds which prove categorically the Labour Party is on THEIR side and not just an elite over concerned with their own needs. Equality of opportunity in education in this country is a myth rather than a reality and social mobility is far lower than it has been in recent decades....this is FACT !!!!!! We also live in a Britain where ordinary working people let alone the unemployed are skipping meals and developing rickets. The Labour Party should NOT hold back highfliers but perhaps there is more that can be done to harness the enormous potential there is amongst the less well off.......just a thought!!!!!! More focus on genuine ABILITY and less on QUALIFICATIONS. Education is vital especially in areas that require it(Medicine,Law,Engineering ,Graphic Design,Languages etc etc etc)....but at the current rate going to the toilet will require a post graduate qualification !!!!!! Given that we now have to pay for an education(this overwhelmingly discriminates against the less well off who ARE able !!!!!! A better system would involve the Universities etc being paid for out of taxation which gets those with the broadest shoulders to make a contribution. The economy gains massively from having a highly trained and educated workforce. Private Capital is over focused on PROFIT in this country but are less motivated to support R & D,quality control, pay for adequate training and value that often under valued component THE WORKFORCE!!!! Made in Great Britain used to be a badge of superior quality. Germany does what we used to do !!!! Great Britain to Grot Britain....all hail the short term profit motive !!!! We need to focus on what is fundamentally important and then from a position of strength BUILD !!!! There are lots of things that could be done to improve our lives and this does NOT just include providing opportunities for the academically gifted(who are of course important)...trickle down economics does NOT work.....nor does the austerity agenda !!!!!....yes hard decisions have to be made but perhaps false positions, false empires and ineffectual positions should be cut before front line services !!!! and I also think there is room for fairer taxation which takes from those that are actually in a position to pay who show social responsibility. Too many loopholes, too many indirect taxes(which hurt the poor disproportionately hard....and YES New Labour did that too) The Labour Party was founded on 3 key virtues...Democracy....pragmatism(focusing on the practical and beneficial) and Socialism(social justice, solidarity, the promotion of potential at ALL levels of society, Equality) I am all for the TOLERANCE and DIVERSITY of liberalism but dont care particularly for an agenda which is often divisive and serves the fortunate,the affluent and the privileged and nobody else. Gary Davies Unite Member Labour Party Member
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 12:09:56 +0000
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