Blog archive - March 2012

This is a free blogging space for LRC members. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the LRC.

Challenging New Labour

Michael Chewter
17th March 2012 at 10:13
32 comments
The New Labour succession has gone almost unnoticed. With John McDonnell effectively excluded from the leadership contest by the PLP, the election of Ed Miliband as some kind of nebulous compromise candidate was almost welcomed. Of course, everybody knew that he would have to work with the Blairite majority in the PLP and he had been a Brownite himself and they were right at the heart of New Labour themselves, weren’t they. Still, there was some slight hope of a new beginning. [continue/comment...]

This is a free blogging space for LRC members. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the LRC.

Afghanistan: a futile conflict

Mike Phipps
15th March 2012 at 20:14
4 comments
As the US soldier accused of shooting dead sixteen Afghan civilians is spirited out of the country to the safety of Kuwait, new evidence has emerged that more soldiers may have been involved in what could have been a premeditated attack.  [continue/comment...]

This is a free blogging space for LRC members. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the LRC.

Ummuna Shows His True Blue Colours

Aaron Kiely
13th March 2012 at 09:15
3 comments
Chuka Ummuna, who likes to be called Britain’s Obama, and the first black UK PM in waiting, is either more rash or honest than his leadership. Aping Peter Mandelson’s famous statement, Ummuna reveals that he is “totally relaxed about bosses getting huge pay”. In a piece in which he hails Michael Heseltine as his role model, and speaks warmly about Mandelson (the latter, something he has done many times), he lays out the claim that he is even more pro-City than the Tories. Based on his many years posting on Compass and his performance since his election and appointment, this is entirely unsurprising to me. I have always known that he is on the far right of Newlabour, as well as being Bluelabour’s representative in the shadow cabinet, and close colleague of Bluelabour’s creator, Jon Cruddas. [continue/comment...]

This is a free blogging space for LRC members. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the LRC.

“Welfare not Workfare” report

Louise Whittle
7th March 2012 at 13:38
0 comments
It was an extremely productive and useful meeting yesterday in Parliament on “Welfare not Workfare” which was organised by the LRC in conjunction with DPAC and Boycott Workfare. My task was to chair the meeting. Speakers included Boycott Workfare, Adam from DPAC, John McInally (PCS Vice President) and John McDonnell MP. [continue/comment...]
Tags: disability activism, welfare reform, workfare

This is a free blogging space for LRC members. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the LRC.

“Welfare not Workfare” report

Louise Whittle
7th March 2012 at 13:37
0 comments
t was an extremely productive and useful meeting yesterday in Parliament on “Welfare not Workfare” which was organised by the LRC in conjunction with DPAC and Boycott Workfare. My task was to chair the meeting. Speakers included Boycott Workfare, Adam from DPAC, John McInally (PCS Vice President) and John McDonnell MP. [continue/comment...]
Tags: disability activism, welfare reform, workfare

This is a free blogging space for LRC members. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the LRC.

Oil and War in Somalia

Mike Phipps
5th March 2012 at 11:34
3 comments
The “failed state” of Somalia is back in the news as a haven for terrorists. But relentless and ill-informed western interference is making matters worse, argues Mike Phipps. [continue/comment...]