These are my personal reflections as the former Labour and co-operative MP for the marginal constituency of Loughborough which I held between 1997 and 2010.
The Blogs are largely about understanding the Labour Party since 2010 and plenty of unsought advice for how to win a marginal ‘Middle England’ seat!
I have shared my frustration with the Miliband years and the horror of the Corbyn period leading to the disastrous 2019 General Election defeat.
At times I have been too timid for the fear of upsetting friends and being accused of undermining the Party and candidates – whilst at the same time being accused of doing that! So maybe I got the balance about right. I have certainly not held back on what I thought of Corbyn since day one.
As we move through the 2020’s I will reflect on what a Johnson Government means, how Brexit will unfold and what will happen to the Labour Party. Is it the end or just another long period in the wilderness. Will Labour members ever learn about the importance of winning elections?
I am sure the next decade will be as eventful at the last. Except this time we don’t have a home Olympics to cheer us up a little as we did in 2012!
- We are now in the Trussonomics experiment – the Chancellor is gambling on the failed dogma of trickle down economics.We knew what was coming at the ‘Mini-Budget’ yesterday. Despite a hiatus in politics for the death and mourning of the Queen the Budget was well trailed. From the Bankers Bonus cap being lifted to the reversal in NI (which they all voted for a few months ago) it was all there in plain sight. Yes of course there were a few ‘surprises’ as any Chancellor feels they need up their sleeve. The early cut in income tax and the 45p higher rate amongst them. But they were all part of the same narrative.
- Angry, Depressed, Fearful or hopefulI have become a a big fan of the Rest is Politics Podcast with Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart. As they continually top the Podcast charts it appears I am … Continue reading Angry, Depressed, Fearful or hopeful
- This isn’t normal!If you haven’t watched Emily Maitlis deliver her speech to the Edinburgh TV Festival here is the link to the full text. It is worth a few minutes of your … Continue reading This isn’t normal!
- Summer Silly Season Suspended for 2022 as harsh reality bites.August is traditionally known as the Silly Season in Fleet Street. Its the annual jamboree of silly stories made up by journalists when Parliament is in recess and the country … Continue reading Summer Silly Season Suspended for 2022 as harsh reality bites.
- Labour takes biggest poll lead in ten years as cost of living crisis bites | News | The TimesLabour hold their biggest poll lead over the Conservatives for almost ten years amid mass dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the cost of living.A YouGov poll for The Times … Continue reading Labour takes biggest poll lead in ten years as cost of living crisis bites | News | The Times
- Opposition stepping up pressure on Government to act over energy pricesThe weekly stories about the probable energy price cap for this winter are genuinely scaring families across the country. I will be honest, whilst the current cap is pretty expensive … Continue reading Opposition stepping up pressure on Government to act over energy prices
- Radical Solutions Required in a Crisis for Millions. Things can only get worse..These are extraordinary times as we head into a winter crisis on all fronts. The Tory leadership candidates are fixated on culture wars and fighting the Thatcher battles of the 1980’s Now is the time to offer a radical alternative of a brighter future.
- Policy Promises that will never be delivered? We Pray!The Tory leadership campaign rumbles on and each day we are introduced to a new policy initiative from each candidate telling us how they will undo the damage of the … Continue reading Policy Promises that will never be delivered? We Pray!
- Tory Party members choosing our Prime Minister?The Tory leadership election campaign rumbles on and daily seems to throw up new horrors and ‘policy’ promises that seem out of touch with the problems facing the country. The … Continue reading Tory Party members choosing our Prime Minister?
- Listen to The Rest is Politicspodcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-rest-is-politics/id1611374685 If you want your politics summarised and brought to life the Rest is Politics with Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart is a must listen. This week on Trimble, Africa, … Continue reading Listen to The Rest is Politics
View from the Margins 