I said last week that I would write about why I chose to support Peter Hain in any future Deputy Leadership bid. Obviously being struck down with a nasty case of the flu (although I am now informed it is merely a bad cold), and having returned to work to a full in-tray, I have been unable to write anything of substance.
However, I do have a few points I’d like to cover.
Harold Wilson famously declared of Labour that, “The party is a moral crusade or it is nothing,” yet few contemporary politicians can claim to have led such a crusade. Modern politicians are increasing career-led and ideologically moribund. Peter Hain can rightfully claim to have spent his life fighting for causes that matter.
Born in Kenya, to a South African family opposed to fighting apartheid, Hain entered a life of activism. When pressure forced the family to spirit themselves and their son out of Africa, to London, the young Hain again took up the fight, becoming chairman of the Stop the Seventy Tour Campaign. So back when young Tories were sporting “Hang Nelson Mandela†t-shits, Hain was risking life and limb challenging the racist regime in South Africa. He also supported the fledgling Zimbabwean democratic movement before turning against the policies of Robert Mugabe.
Famously Hain was framed by the South African intelligence services of a bank robbery in 1976 - he was acquitted. Not satisfied with fighting racism only in South Africa, the young Hain was also a founding member of The Anti-Nazi League, here in Britain a year later, the same year he joined Labour.
Like all the candidates standing for the Deputyship, much criticism can be levelled at Hain for his voting record (chiefly: Top-Up Fees, Iraq, and ID Cards), but he is a member of the Government in power, and, I guess, must take collective responsibility for decisions made by the Cabinet.
Who knows what a Brown government will be like? But I for one would like Peter Hain by his side. He has vast experience, genuine activist credibility, and is a statesman with gravitas. That’s why I’m supporting Hain.
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i agree.
Well, Tyger, your panegyric is so convincing that it is difficult not to be in agreement with it.
Nice word Jose,
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=define%3A+panegyric+&meta=
New to me.
“Cross-pollinization” - new one on me as well, Aaron
Wrong thread?
Wrong thread ? Depends on life’s rich tapestry which we are weaving
Anyway, Hilary Benn it is - sorry mate.
“The Romantic Left” - could catch on !
Well, if Benn wants to get rid of cluster bombs (like Diana tried to rid us of landmines), then I’m a born romantic ?
“Romantic realpolitik”, that’s me
Benn?
Well, the bloggers are splitting between Cruddas and Benn. As far as I can see only tygerland is supporting Hain (am I right?).
It may be a good gauge as to how important, if at all, the blogosphere proves. I think Hain will do ok with the MP’s (as will Benn), but I think the romantics amoung the membership will go for Benn.
Hain has gravitas.
Hain, although similar to the other candidates, lacks substance and being a genuine figure.
Seen him in action during the recording of BBC NI “Let’s Talk” last June, the man is very distant (though this would be from the job) he just seems like a robot.
Personally, John Denhem or Tessa Jowell would be my candidates. Alan Johnson is weak, Benn I am not sure Harman I have an intense dislike for because she is too much down the road of affirmitive action, John Cruddas I don’t know much about either.
Denham has a good record when at the home office, he was a principled minister, and has been a highly effective chairman of the home affairs committee.
Also, he is a fresh face in what will most likely be a tired leadership and government.
So Benn it is then.
Sorry, Richard, but Benn it isn’t. The buzz around Cruddas at the moment is phenomenal and he hasn’t even got started yet. He has a whole range of bright people around him and they mean business!
A day is a long time in politics, Jo.
Jo,
I understand that. But the elective influence of the blogosphere is unproven here in the UK. It will interesting to see if it has any real sway…
I see this “blogosphere” less as an “elective influence”, but more as a snapshot of informed public opinion…
Jo Malik Says:
November 7th, 2006 at 11:47 pm
Cruddas …hasn’t even got started yet.
=====
a) i thought that a campaign director is now in place and is pretty busy.
b) In the blog world, as part of his campaign team(?) it seems that “The Daily” are doing their bit for him.
i wonder whether they are 2 distinct roles here.
one is inwardly looking (party, grassroots and all that) and the other is (government based) outward facing.
Hi, firstly, I apologise for the error in the first message I sent.
I am in the process of starting up a new online Labour Party aimed magainze/blog/forum.
The aim of the site is to be fully representative of our diverse party and to get as many bloggers, activists and supporters involved as possible.
I am already in contact with a few other senior bloggers.
The site is aimed for launch within the next couple of weeks.
So why have I contacted you?
Well, I notice that you are backing Peter Hain for deputy.
One of the feautures I hope to get up and running is a leadership, or in this case deputy leaderhsip campaign section with different bloggers keeping the site up to date with (as regular as possible) articles on your favoured candidate. One for each.
If you would be interested in doing this for Peters campaign, I would be very interested in hearing back from you.
You can contact me at osousous@yahoo.co.uk.
Any questions, thoughts, doubts or anything positive you have to say can be directed to that email address.
Thanks.
(no need to post this comment, I couldn’t find a contact address)
Hey Laurence,
It sounds like a good idea. But, alas, you have caught me at a very busy time. I’m incredibly busy with work, and I don’t imagine I’ll have the opportunity to get involved in anything until August at the earliest.
I’m happy to be listed as a Hain-supporting blog and you have permission to reproduce any material from the blog (credited of course).
Many Thanks
Aaron
(PS. my email address is under ‘contact’ (”email tyger”) on the side bar)