Saturday, 15 May 2021
"Washminster" - from J David Morgan: May Elections 2021 - United Kingdom
"Washminster" - from J David Morgan: May Elections 2021 - United Kingdom: As ever, the House of Commons Library has produced a detailed picture of the election results. They can be accessed (and downloaded) at ht...
Saturday, 28 July 2018
An open letter to those who claim to be on the Left -
I believe that the State (whether it be national or a group of nations working together) should intervene to stop capitalist excesses - and uphold workers & consumer rights : step on anti-competitive carving up of markets : uphold standards in medicines : invest in infrastructure projects : promote and help finance cultural activities - which is why I am opposed to the hard right, ultra-libéral forces who have been pushing for Brexit for so long. Their success would undermine so much of what we on the left, and in workers movements across Europe have fought for and achieved.
I’d also recommend that you read this - A long article - but worth reading. It blows to pieces the casual optimism of the Brexiteers and addresses some VERY hard truths.
Monday, 17 July 2017
Serious words....
On Sunday I listened to President Macron's moving and challenging speech at the Commemoration of the round-up of Jews at the Vel d'Hiv, Paris in 1942
It is available in full (and in French) at http://www.elysee.fr/declarations/article/discours-du-president-de-la-republique/
His words speak to us....
My friends, barbarism does not advance with open face. She does not wear a uniform.
And when the Nazi boots strike the pavement of Paris, it is already too late. Barbarism is first forged in people's minds. It is the ideas and the words that gradually break the dykes of our consciences, push back civilization, which accustom us to listen, to accept words that we should not even hear.
HITLER,
First the Third Reich? It is not 1933!
HITLER is first and already Mein Kampf!
None of this was born with Vichy and it was the weakness of France to allow this cancer to thrive.
But none of this either died with Vichy. I know well that all of us, we are strong to fight against anything that could lead to the same situations. But we must open our eyes, look at reality in the face.
In France today*, this corruption of minds, the moral and intellectual weakness of racism and anti-Semitism are still present and present. They take new forms, change faces, choose more sneaky words.
It is enough to stop there for a moment to break through the new appearances, - old racism, the most concealed anti-Semitism. Ordinary racism... It closes the labor market to young people who are stigmatized because of a surname or a first name.
Conflicts of the world are being invoked in certain territories of our Republic, creating divisions that chase Jewish children from certain schools or lock up immigrant families in their communities.
And then one day, because we You, because we did not want to see, the passage to the act intervenes.
So what was words, which was only some hatred formulated differently and in others a form of cowardice or a complaisance not to want to see, then it becomes mowed lives and gestures that kill.
Every synagogue, every mosque, every church, every temple, every desecrated or vandalized cemetery must alert us. The theory of the planetary plot, fantasies about world finance, insidious iconography, identity anxiety mobilizing the most toxic clichés At high speed it reaches gullible or permeable minds.
Racism and anti-Semitism have the means to carry out their work of undermining - there are now unprecedented means of propaganda.
Social networks are the biggest providers and we have not yet seen the extent of their influence in this regard.
* we can substitute the UK
It is available in full (and in French) at http://www.elysee.fr/declarations/article/discours-du-president-de-la-republique/
His words speak to us....
My friends, barbarism does not advance with open face. She does not wear a uniform.
And when the Nazi boots strike the pavement of Paris, it is already too late. Barbarism is first forged in people's minds. It is the ideas and the words that gradually break the dykes of our consciences, push back civilization, which accustom us to listen, to accept words that we should not even hear.
HITLER,
First the Third Reich? It is not 1933!
HITLER is first and already Mein Kampf!
None of this was born with Vichy and it was the weakness of France to allow this cancer to thrive.
But none of this either died with Vichy. I know well that all of us, we are strong to fight against anything that could lead to the same situations. But we must open our eyes, look at reality in the face.
In France today*, this corruption of minds, the moral and intellectual weakness of racism and anti-Semitism are still present and present. They take new forms, change faces, choose more sneaky words.
It is enough to stop there for a moment to break through the new appearances, - old racism, the most concealed anti-Semitism. Ordinary racism... It closes the labor market to young people who are stigmatized because of a surname or a first name.
Conflicts of the world are being invoked in certain territories of our Republic, creating divisions that chase Jewish children from certain schools or lock up immigrant families in their communities.
And then one day, because we You, because we did not want to see, the passage to the act intervenes.
So what was words, which was only some hatred formulated differently and in others a form of cowardice or a complaisance not to want to see, then it becomes mowed lives and gestures that kill.
Every synagogue, every mosque, every church, every temple, every desecrated or vandalized cemetery must alert us. The theory of the planetary plot, fantasies about world finance, insidious iconography, identity anxiety mobilizing the most toxic clichés At high speed it reaches gullible or permeable minds.
Racism and anti-Semitism have the means to carry out their work of undermining - there are now unprecedented means of propaganda.
Social networks are the biggest providers and we have not yet seen the extent of their influence in this regard.
* we can substitute the UK
Oh dear!
“Under EU law, there is no cap on the amount an employer found guilty of discrimination can be ordered to be pay in compensation.
This could change after Brexit.
The last government commissioned a report on employment law, by venture capitalist Adrian Beecham, that recommended introducing a cap on compensation payments for discrimination.
Until now, EU rules have prevented UK government ministers from doing so.”
Sunday, 16 July 2017
How Rights are Killed Off
UK laws banning discrimination on the grounds of age, religion or sexual orientation come directly from the EU’s Equal Treatment Directive.
EU laws have also made it easier for people claiming discrimination to get justice, by placing the burden of proof in discrimination cases on the alleged perpetrator rather than the alleged victim.
To lose those rights, EU law has to be changed - that requires a long process where Members of the European Parliament (representing all strains of political opinion); Ministers from each of the EU member states and the European Commission have to agree to repeal these rights - OR a country like the UK can withdraw and the Government which controls most of the time in the House of Commons - can push through secondary legislation (not even requiring the limited parliamentary scrutiny available to Bills).
Saturday, 15 July 2017
As you may know I have been writing and posting pieces on Facebook about the impact of Brexit on our rights. This morning I woke to the news that my Facebook account has been disabled - and therefore am silenced. I'm going through the procedure to have it restored. It seems that the complaint is that I'm not a real person!!!
I had prepared the following post - and if you feel able - can you post you - and by all means make it clear that it is from me - and that someone has sought (albeit temporarily) to silence the legitimate expression of political argument
All the very best
David
--------------------
Many of the funders of Brexit have a long record of complaining about the burdens forced on us by the EU.
Most of us welcome the fact that EU law guarantees women a minimum of 14 weeks maternity leave.
The 1992 EU Pregnant Workers Directive also gave women the right to take time off work for medical appointments relating to their pregnancy. It placed a duty on employers to look after pregnant women, including putting them on paid leave if the nature of their work was unsuitable during pregnancy – for example, if it was overly physical and potentially dangerous.
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has made clear any discrimination towards a woman because of her pregnancy or maternity leave is sexism and should be treated at such. The ECJ also ruled that employers must give women on maternity leave the same contractual rights as they do to other employees, for example by continuing to pay in to pension schemes.
Well that “burden” could be lifted when the UK leaves the EU.!
If you are serious about protecting rights - what are you doing to stop these rights being lost?
Saturday, 8 July 2017
Blogging, Tweeting and Facebook
As well as my activity on my blogs - I also tweet
@jdm_progressive
and am active on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jdavidmorgan
Recently I've been taking to social media to highlight why leaving the EU is very bad news for progressives.Please feel free to to use social media to spread that message around.
Here are some recent posts
@jdm_progressive
and am active on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jdavidmorgan
Recently I've been taking to social media to highlight why leaving the EU is very bad news for progressives.Please feel free to to use social media to spread that message around.
Here are some recent posts
Monday, 26 June 2017
Brexit - a challenge for Progressives
I have friends in the Labour Party who genuinely believe that Brexit promises opportunities for the advancement of progressive ideas.
I however have grave doubts about their strategy and the likely consequences of Brexit.
For one -
Britain faces a number of challenges to her economic future. Already some companies are preparing for to move (back) inside the EU to enjoy the full benefits of free movement of goods, persons and capital. They want to avoid any new tariff barriers that may be erected. That's bad for jobs in the UK, and bad for tax revenues. Some ideologues of the hard-right want austerity, not so much to reduce debt (which has been a huge failure in recent years), but to cause a reduction in the role of the State. With the UK Tories still able to attract millions of votes, and win more seats at Westminster, progressives who think that Brexit will unlock the keys to a greater role for Government expenditure are likely to be sorely disappointed.
My view is that we need to hold on to the rights already enjoyed - not sacrifice them to the Brexiters who want all EU regulations and rights annuled. I don't believe in giving up achievements, in order to refight battles already won. If, as some seem to believe, other EU countries want to halt socialism in its tracks - then withdrawing our role in EU decision making will strengthen "them". I'd love to know how socialism is achieved by shooting ourselves - and British workers - in the foot. For more on the rights protected by the EU (which Member States cannot unilaterally abolish) see here.
The way that hard-right Brexiters have been prepared to cynically play on progressive wishes is highlighted by the episode of the NHS bus. Deliberate lies were told to encourage progressive voters that the NHS would be strengthened by a vote to leave. Yet many of the leading Brexiters - who funded the dissemination of this lie - are no friends of a National Health Service. Their ideology dictates that privately funded, for profit provision of health services are a "better way"
There were people who backed Brexit within the Labour Party - but they were a minority in the campaign. It was driven by the hard-right - Arron Banks, Paul Sykes, Stuart Wheeler, Nigel Farage, Ian Duncan Smith, Michael Gove, Andrea Leadsom. The break up of the EU, because it represents to them a body interfering with business' right to do as it pleases - and imposing rights of workers and consumers, is also supported by the likes of Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, many of the tea-party tendency within the US Republican Party, Marine Le Pen and other right wing extremists. The Leave campaign - and today's shrill calls for a hard Brexit - have their cheerleaders in the Mail and Express groups - never friendly to progressives - but with a history of sympathy to the fascist leaders of the 1920s and 1930s.
They want Brexit - specifically a hard Brexit - to let them establish their ideological goals in one country - the UK - and then to spread their ideas by undermining the EU and the UN.
Progressives give them aid and assistance at their peril.
I however have grave doubts about their strategy and the likely consequences of Brexit.
For one -
Britain faces a number of challenges to her economic future. Already some companies are preparing for to move (back) inside the EU to enjoy the full benefits of free movement of goods, persons and capital. They want to avoid any new tariff barriers that may be erected. That's bad for jobs in the UK, and bad for tax revenues. Some ideologues of the hard-right want austerity, not so much to reduce debt (which has been a huge failure in recent years), but to cause a reduction in the role of the State. With the UK Tories still able to attract millions of votes, and win more seats at Westminster, progressives who think that Brexit will unlock the keys to a greater role for Government expenditure are likely to be sorely disappointed.
My view is that we need to hold on to the rights already enjoyed - not sacrifice them to the Brexiters who want all EU regulations and rights annuled. I don't believe in giving up achievements, in order to refight battles already won. If, as some seem to believe, other EU countries want to halt socialism in its tracks - then withdrawing our role in EU decision making will strengthen "them". I'd love to know how socialism is achieved by shooting ourselves - and British workers - in the foot. For more on the rights protected by the EU (which Member States cannot unilaterally abolish) see here.
The way that hard-right Brexiters have been prepared to cynically play on progressive wishes is highlighted by the episode of the NHS bus. Deliberate lies were told to encourage progressive voters that the NHS would be strengthened by a vote to leave. Yet many of the leading Brexiters - who funded the dissemination of this lie - are no friends of a National Health Service. Their ideology dictates that privately funded, for profit provision of health services are a "better way"
There were people who backed Brexit within the Labour Party - but they were a minority in the campaign. It was driven by the hard-right - Arron Banks, Paul Sykes, Stuart Wheeler, Nigel Farage, Ian Duncan Smith, Michael Gove, Andrea Leadsom. The break up of the EU, because it represents to them a body interfering with business' right to do as it pleases - and imposing rights of workers and consumers, is also supported by the likes of Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, many of the tea-party tendency within the US Republican Party, Marine Le Pen and other right wing extremists. The Leave campaign - and today's shrill calls for a hard Brexit - have their cheerleaders in the Mail and Express groups - never friendly to progressives - but with a history of sympathy to the fascist leaders of the 1920s and 1930s.
They want Brexit - specifically a hard Brexit - to let them establish their ideological goals in one country - the UK - and then to spread their ideas by undermining the EU and the UN.
Progressives give them aid and assistance at their peril.
Friday, 16 June 2017
No Blank Cheque!
The recent General Election in the UK was fought on many issues - but looming large over it was Theresa May's vision that "Brexit means Brexit". She kept telling us that she was fighting the election to get a mandate for the negotiations which are about to start.
She lost many seats, AND her majority in the House of Commons - based on that campaign. She has NO mandate for a 'hard Brexit'.
The other truth is that the referendum of June 2016 resulted in a huge "blank cheque" - and the right wing Europhobes
[actually it's not the Europe part they hate - but that the EU insists on what they assert is the "burdening" of business by regulations (and we've had a tragic reminder this week of the results of watering down regulations) and enforceable rights for workers and consumers]
have filled in that cheque.
We should be demanding the right to say what is written in that "cheque", before it is irrevocably cashed.
She lost many seats, AND her majority in the House of Commons - based on that campaign. She has NO mandate for a 'hard Brexit'.
The other truth is that the referendum of June 2016 resulted in a huge "blank cheque" - and the right wing Europhobes
[actually it's not the Europe part they hate - but that the EU insists on what they assert is the "burdening" of business by regulations (and we've had a tragic reminder this week of the results of watering down regulations) and enforceable rights for workers and consumers]
have filled in that cheque.
We should be demanding the right to say what is written in that "cheque", before it is irrevocably cashed.
Thursday, 15 June 2017
Magna Carta Day
802 years ago, King John was forced to do a deal with rebel barons on the meadows of Runnymede. They had become exasperated with his abuse of executive power - and demanded a halt.
I|n doing so they forced him to concede a principle which is central to the modern British Constitution - that the Executive must operate within the bounds of its legal authority.
It was a start - and although John sought to renege on it (and provoked a civil war which ended with his death)"., the principle remains. It has been developed further.But today we can rightly celebrate what happened on those Surrey meadows over eight centuries ago.
I|n doing so they forced him to concede a principle which is central to the modern British Constitution - that the Executive must operate within the bounds of its legal authority.
It was a start - and although John sought to renege on it (and provoked a civil war which ended with his death)"., the principle remains. It has been developed further.But today we can rightly celebrate what happened on those Surrey meadows over eight centuries ago.
Wednesday, 14 June 2017
A City Shining on a Hill?
There has been much to admire about the United States
- a revolution based on the principle of "no taxation without representation"
- a Constitution which enforces a strict separation of powers
- a Constitution, as amended, which includes rights that Citizens can enforce
- the assertion in their 'Declaration of Independence' that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed"
- fantastic technical innovation - including sending men to the moon; playing a leading role in the development of and use of computers and information technology
- its' "can do" attitudes
- some excellent academic institutions and think tanks.
I have loved visiting the United States, especially Washington DC and NoVa (Northern Virginia). I'm an American Football fan; and an addict of American politics.
John Winthrop, in a speech made as the Pilgrim Fathers approached their new land, is credited with applying this phrase taken from the Bible to the role that 'America' could play in the world. Presidents, including John F Kennedy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaXt7GE0aUo and Ronald Reagan have made stirring speeches on this subject.
Yet, I write this post in great sadness. In recent years there has been coming out of certain quarters in the USA a poison which we in the UK and Europe need to protect ourselves from. It was prompted by the news that a gunman had opened fire in an area I deeply love, the Del Ray area of Alexandria, Virginia - injuring (as far as we know as I write this) a number of people, including the Majority Whip of the House of Representatives. It is reported that between 50 and 100 shots were fired from a set-automatic rifle (The Hill : Rep Mo Brooks [quoted in a BBC Report]).
The effort to weaken gun control has been part of the poison - each time I stay in Virginia, I hear of new changes to the law of that State which make it easier for anyone to get hold of some deadly lethal weapons - I've sat in gallery of the House of Representatives as very limited measures to improve safety were opposed and thrown out. THE NRA has been on the offensive - and despite the number and frequency of mass shootings, have gained the support of some Members of Congress, and of State legislatures - not only to reject sensible restrictions, but to push away restrictions that had existed.
We've seen the rise of a rabid populism - and fake news, culminating in the election of a man wholly unfitted to be the President of the United States. Last night I was appalled at the poor performance of the Attorney Officer of the United States - as he displayed a worrying inability to remember certain things as he testified before a Senate Committee.
We've seen a determined push to make it more difficult for certain parts of the American electorate to register to vote - for purely party political objectives.
We've seen the World Economy (as well as the American economy) taken to the brink by some Congressmen who threatened to let the USA default on its debts. We've seen the USA pull out of the Paris Climate Accord - and restart activities which threaten to further degrade the state of our planet.
There is a common theme. The push towards these developments has come from a particular part of the American political spectrum. A movement calling itself "conservative" has been behind a determined effort to push very radical ideas. Fifty-three years ago Barry Goldwater was their standard bearer - and he was given a beating at the Presidential Election. But the movement kept on planning, and spending, and removing Republican moderates. The election of Donald Trump was the, perhaps inevitable, result of their activities. Moderation was hunted down - some very black (political) arts were used to achieve the takeover of the Republican Party - and the country. Some of its fellow travellers were even overtaken by the monster they fed (Eric Cantor, John Boehner). - as Kennedy said in his inauguration speech - "those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside."
The damage to the American system is vividly described in the books of Norman Ornstein and Thomas E Mann ("The Broken Branch" 2006, "It's Even Worse Than It Looks") and many others.
But why does it threaten the UK and Europe? The same crazy ideology is being pushed over here. So called "conservative" ideas have gained a foothold in the British Conservative Party. While the Conservative Party has given public support to the continuation of the National Health Service for over sixty years - there are some now suggesting that the market based approach of US health insurance would be better (!?!?!?). Brexit has its strong supporters - and funders - amongst the American 'conservatives'. We've seen the advocacy of similar barriers to voter registration,
As progressives - we need to look closely at the tactics they have used to push their ideas to such prominence and power in the USA. We also need to prepare our counter-offensive. Progressives in the US failed to take them seriously - we must not make the same mistake.
- a revolution based on the principle of "no taxation without representation"
- a Constitution which enforces a strict separation of powers
- a Constitution, as amended, which includes rights that Citizens can enforce
- the assertion in their 'Declaration of Independence' that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed"
- fantastic technical innovation - including sending men to the moon; playing a leading role in the development of and use of computers and information technology
- its' "can do" attitudes
- some excellent academic institutions and think tanks.
I have loved visiting the United States, especially Washington DC and NoVa (Northern Virginia). I'm an American Football fan; and an addict of American politics.
John Winthrop, in a speech made as the Pilgrim Fathers approached their new land, is credited with applying this phrase taken from the Bible to the role that 'America' could play in the world. Presidents, including John F Kennedy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaXt7GE0aUo and Ronald Reagan have made stirring speeches on this subject.
Yet, I write this post in great sadness. In recent years there has been coming out of certain quarters in the USA a poison which we in the UK and Europe need to protect ourselves from. It was prompted by the news that a gunman had opened fire in an area I deeply love, the Del Ray area of Alexandria, Virginia - injuring (as far as we know as I write this) a number of people, including the Majority Whip of the House of Representatives. It is reported that between 50 and 100 shots were fired from a set-automatic rifle (The Hill : Rep Mo Brooks [quoted in a BBC Report]).
The effort to weaken gun control has been part of the poison - each time I stay in Virginia, I hear of new changes to the law of that State which make it easier for anyone to get hold of some deadly lethal weapons - I've sat in gallery of the House of Representatives as very limited measures to improve safety were opposed and thrown out. THE NRA has been on the offensive - and despite the number and frequency of mass shootings, have gained the support of some Members of Congress, and of State legislatures - not only to reject sensible restrictions, but to push away restrictions that had existed.
We've seen the rise of a rabid populism - and fake news, culminating in the election of a man wholly unfitted to be the President of the United States. Last night I was appalled at the poor performance of the Attorney Officer of the United States - as he displayed a worrying inability to remember certain things as he testified before a Senate Committee.
We've seen a determined push to make it more difficult for certain parts of the American electorate to register to vote - for purely party political objectives.
We've seen the World Economy (as well as the American economy) taken to the brink by some Congressmen who threatened to let the USA default on its debts. We've seen the USA pull out of the Paris Climate Accord - and restart activities which threaten to further degrade the state of our planet.
There is a common theme. The push towards these developments has come from a particular part of the American political spectrum. A movement calling itself "conservative" has been behind a determined effort to push very radical ideas. Fifty-three years ago Barry Goldwater was their standard bearer - and he was given a beating at the Presidential Election. But the movement kept on planning, and spending, and removing Republican moderates. The election of Donald Trump was the, perhaps inevitable, result of their activities. Moderation was hunted down - some very black (political) arts were used to achieve the takeover of the Republican Party - and the country. Some of its fellow travellers were even overtaken by the monster they fed (Eric Cantor, John Boehner). - as Kennedy said in his inauguration speech - "those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside."
The damage to the American system is vividly described in the books of Norman Ornstein and Thomas E Mann ("The Broken Branch" 2006, "It's Even Worse Than It Looks") and many others.
But why does it threaten the UK and Europe? The same crazy ideology is being pushed over here. So called "conservative" ideas have gained a foothold in the British Conservative Party. While the Conservative Party has given public support to the continuation of the National Health Service for over sixty years - there are some now suggesting that the market based approach of US health insurance would be better (!?!?!?). Brexit has its strong supporters - and funders - amongst the American 'conservatives'. We've seen the advocacy of similar barriers to voter registration,
As progressives - we need to look closely at the tactics they have used to push their ideas to such prominence and power in the USA. We also need to prepare our counter-offensive. Progressives in the US failed to take them seriously - we must not make the same mistake.
Monday, 12 June 2017
Toxic
We shouldn't be squeamish about the conduct of politics. Throughout history power has been distributed and used by the force of arms. Rivals have been killed, and opponents silenced. The peaceful resolution of disputes has not been the norm. We are privileged to live in a country and a time when elections and argument have replaced the brutal use of power.
Yet all is not well with our democracy. There are signs that parts of our system are turning toxic. The last year has illustrated this - but the roots go back further. In this post I'd like to highlight some of my concerns - and suggest ways that we can drain the swamp.
FALSE NEWS - It is often asserted that politicians always lie. Sometimes this is unfair - at elections claims are made about intentions, which may are genuine - though optimistic. Events can foil those intentions. Yes, politicians should be more realistic about what they can actually achieve. But this is very different from the cynical statement of a falsehood. In both the US Presidential Election and the UK's referendum on the EU we saw a significant rise in deliberate falsehoods being produced and repeated. And it's not only politicians - some parts of the media are regularly poisoning the minds of their readers. We need to call out the liars.
NO COMPROMISE - Politics is the art of the possible. It usually requires negotiation and compromise. The Trump approach is ultimately destructive. It can often end in violence.
VOTER SUPPRESSION - This is not a new phenomenon - last night I was listening to (the first part of) the audiobook of Robert Caro's "Master of the Senate". The introduction describes the 'voter suppression' rife in the South during the 1950s to stop black voters registering. But it is back today. Political consultants advise their clients how to achieve it - and we saw it in the media during the British General Election. Voters were led to believe that it was pointless voting for anyone but the Conservatives - the intention being to keep potential progressive voters at home. In both the US and UK we've seen it made more difficult for people to register. This is a worrying trend.
We have to call out, and stand against, these toxic tactics. Progressive parties and politicians have not been innocent of using such tactics - but the powerhouse has been the so-called 'conservative movement'. It has infected the Republicans in the USA - and they have been imported into the UK.
We need to restate the basic values of our democracy - the "Rule of Law"; fairness in elections; a willingness to deal fairly, negotiate and compromise.
Yet all is not well with our democracy. There are signs that parts of our system are turning toxic. The last year has illustrated this - but the roots go back further. In this post I'd like to highlight some of my concerns - and suggest ways that we can drain the swamp.
FALSE NEWS - It is often asserted that politicians always lie. Sometimes this is unfair - at elections claims are made about intentions, which may are genuine - though optimistic. Events can foil those intentions. Yes, politicians should be more realistic about what they can actually achieve. But this is very different from the cynical statement of a falsehood. In both the US Presidential Election and the UK's referendum on the EU we saw a significant rise in deliberate falsehoods being produced and repeated. And it's not only politicians - some parts of the media are regularly poisoning the minds of their readers. We need to call out the liars.
NO COMPROMISE - Politics is the art of the possible. It usually requires negotiation and compromise. The Trump approach is ultimately destructive. It can often end in violence.
VOTER SUPPRESSION - This is not a new phenomenon - last night I was listening to (the first part of) the audiobook of Robert Caro's "Master of the Senate". The introduction describes the 'voter suppression' rife in the South during the 1950s to stop black voters registering. But it is back today. Political consultants advise their clients how to achieve it - and we saw it in the media during the British General Election. Voters were led to believe that it was pointless voting for anyone but the Conservatives - the intention being to keep potential progressive voters at home. In both the US and UK we've seen it made more difficult for people to register. This is a worrying trend.
We have to call out, and stand against, these toxic tactics. Progressive parties and politicians have not been innocent of using such tactics - but the powerhouse has been the so-called 'conservative movement'. It has infected the Republicans in the USA - and they have been imported into the UK.
We need to restate the basic values of our democracy - the "Rule of Law"; fairness in elections; a willingness to deal fairly, negotiate and compromise.
Saturday, 10 June 2017
The Future Belongs to Progressives.....
If we make it happen.
I was at the counts for the two Milton Keynes constituencies - what an atmosphere. Labour, Lib-Dems and Greens were thrilled - and the Tories were as miserable as sin. The result wasn't ideal - the two Tories got back in - but with wafer thin majorities. The writing is on the wall. All their money; their powerful allies in the media; and their scare tactics failed to dissuade people to vote for progressives.
Further analyses of the results nationwide are also encouraging. Young people came out in great numbers - and voted overwhelmingly for progressive parties. Older voters looked backwards with a rose-tinted view of the past - and backed the Tories. I'm thrilled that the next generation is standing up and taking its own future into their own hands. They are more tolerant, better educated, less affected by older prejudices.
But the task is incomplete. Those who have their privileges to protect will fight hard to keep them.
They try to scare people by warning that the better provision of education, health services and infrastructure will cripple us economically. The reverse is true - a nation that invests in health, education and infrastructure is better able to perform well economically in the future.
Their campaigns rely on fear to motivate people. It's the stock-in-trade of papers like the Mail and Express - their profits come from making people fearful - because fearful people buy the goods they profit from pushing. It's now a well known joke that the Express runs its "this is predicted to be the worst winter for decades" every year - not to inform, but to push people to buy things to prepare for the awful tempests coming; it's why they seek to promote fears about being overrun by hostile, criminal immigrants - you do need that security camera system promoted on page 5! And they try to frighten people against voting for progressive parties - not because they want to inform - but, to use the political term - they want to promote "voter suppression" - amongst supporters of their opponents (character assassination of the leaders of the parties opposing them : "X can't possibly win - so why bother" : TINA - There is no alternative : Vote for X and your taxes will soar through the roof)
Progressives offer hope - and opportunity. Education is a way to empower people - as is a Health Service. There is a great truth in the belief of the Labour Party that "by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone."
But progressives have often been outmanoeuvred by the forces of conservatism. We need to think - and act - in a way that foils their efforts. I am not proposing that the Green, Lib-Dems & Labour parties should merge to form a super-party. There are different traditions and priorities. But each of those parties (as is the Conservative Party) - is a coalition of like-minded people. Monolithic parties are not the answer - the strains are too great, and progressives are - commendably - not prepared to remain silent when there are disagreements. But we need to be more open to co-operation for common ends.
Let's focus on what we agree on - and fight for those priorities. Sometimes that will mean tactical voting - sometimes we need to save resources by not pitting progressive against (slightly different) progressive. Most of all we need to acknowledge publicly that politics is not a constant battle between rival institutions (the parties) - but the art of the possible - negotiating and compromising in order to achieve a result that most would be happy with.
I was at the counts for the two Milton Keynes constituencies - what an atmosphere. Labour, Lib-Dems and Greens were thrilled - and the Tories were as miserable as sin. The result wasn't ideal - the two Tories got back in - but with wafer thin majorities. The writing is on the wall. All their money; their powerful allies in the media; and their scare tactics failed to dissuade people to vote for progressives.
Further analyses of the results nationwide are also encouraging. Young people came out in great numbers - and voted overwhelmingly for progressive parties. Older voters looked backwards with a rose-tinted view of the past - and backed the Tories. I'm thrilled that the next generation is standing up and taking its own future into their own hands. They are more tolerant, better educated, less affected by older prejudices.
But the task is incomplete. Those who have their privileges to protect will fight hard to keep them.
They try to scare people by warning that the better provision of education, health services and infrastructure will cripple us economically. The reverse is true - a nation that invests in health, education and infrastructure is better able to perform well economically in the future.
Their campaigns rely on fear to motivate people. It's the stock-in-trade of papers like the Mail and Express - their profits come from making people fearful - because fearful people buy the goods they profit from pushing. It's now a well known joke that the Express runs its "this is predicted to be the worst winter for decades" every year - not to inform, but to push people to buy things to prepare for the awful tempests coming; it's why they seek to promote fears about being overrun by hostile, criminal immigrants - you do need that security camera system promoted on page 5! And they try to frighten people against voting for progressive parties - not because they want to inform - but, to use the political term - they want to promote "voter suppression" - amongst supporters of their opponents (character assassination of the leaders of the parties opposing them : "X can't possibly win - so why bother" : TINA - There is no alternative : Vote for X and your taxes will soar through the roof)
Progressives offer hope - and opportunity. Education is a way to empower people - as is a Health Service. There is a great truth in the belief of the Labour Party that "by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone."
But progressives have often been outmanoeuvred by the forces of conservatism. We need to think - and act - in a way that foils their efforts. I am not proposing that the Green, Lib-Dems & Labour parties should merge to form a super-party. There are different traditions and priorities. But each of those parties (as is the Conservative Party) - is a coalition of like-minded people. Monolithic parties are not the answer - the strains are too great, and progressives are - commendably - not prepared to remain silent when there are disagreements. But we need to be more open to co-operation for common ends.
Let's focus on what we agree on - and fight for those priorities. Sometimes that will mean tactical voting - sometimes we need to save resources by not pitting progressive against (slightly different) progressive. Most of all we need to acknowledge publicly that politics is not a constant battle between rival institutions (the parties) - but the art of the possible - negotiating and compromising in order to achieve a result that most would be happy with.
Monday, 29 May 2017
An inspiring speech - from 1976
Back in 1976, a Congresswoman called Barbara Jordan made an inspiring speech at the Democratic Convention. I listened to it last night - and though it is 41 years old, and made across the Atlantic - it is a speech that every progressive should listen to. It is really relevant to the UK General Election currently in progress.
Wednesday, 24 May 2017
What's a progressive?
I've slightly amended a definition given in "Winning Your Election the Wellstone Way"
Those who hold Values such as a belief in economic justice and equality of opportunity, the primacy of educating our children and supporting families, and making sure we progress as a country to the point where good physical and mental health care is not just a privilege for some.
We believe homes should be safe places for women and children and should be free of violence....We believe that we move our country forward in this new global economy by focusing as a country on the goals of a good education, good health care, and good jobs for all"
Those who hold Values such as a belief in economic justice and equality of opportunity, the primacy of educating our children and supporting families, and making sure we progress as a country to the point where good physical and mental health care is not just a privilege for some.
We believe homes should be safe places for women and children and should be free of violence....We believe that we move our country forward in this new global economy by focusing as a country on the goals of a good education, good health care, and good jobs for all"
Saturday, 20 May 2017
Why this Election Matters
I’ve alway thought it a good principle to try and leave the world a better place than it was when one was born.
What kind of legacy do we want to leave? That is what this election is about.
I was born into a Britain proud of its NHS - and I, and my parents and my children have benefited from it when we needed it most. Now it is being (not so) slowly starved of the resources needed to do its job. Private healthcare firms are looking on and salivating at the killing they will soon be making.
I was the first in my family to enjoy the opportunity of going to university straight after school - and getting the chance for better work and prospects. [Both my parents who were denied the opportunity as teenagers got their degrees later in life thanks to Labour’s initiative - the Open University]. This opportunity for me came without tuition fees - and with a grant! Now students are forced to take on debts averaging £44,000.
Because I left University debt free, and graduates had real opportunities for careers - like many of my contemporaries, I was able to buy my first house whilst still in my twenties - which today fewer and fewer young people are able to do.
There weren’t beggars and the homeless living in the streets, - or the need for food banks - when I was young. Now that’s a part of everyday life.
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS - we can choose the legacy we leave-
Debt for our children, and a return to the days when we there was NO effective NHS NOR the opportunities for ALL children to have a good education and be able to afford to go to university?
Or can we renew the promises that were made to us about a better future?
Friday, 12 May 2017
My vote doesn't make a difference???
The following infographic illustrates some important points
1 Non voters exceed the number of voters for any one party - we progressives should treat very carefully the conventional wisdom that parties should target their resources and efforts on getting out those who only occasionally vote, or who will vote for different parties at different elections. We need to make efforts to engage those who feel dis-engaged from politics too - and there are an awful lot of them!
2 The Conservatives benefitted in 2015 from a split amongst progressives (who are mostly Labour; Liberal Democrat or Green) - and in fact that split has been key to Conservative domination of British politics for the last century.
§
1 Non voters exceed the number of voters for any one party - we progressives should treat very carefully the conventional wisdom that parties should target their resources and efforts on getting out those who only occasionally vote, or who will vote for different parties at different elections. We need to make efforts to engage those who feel dis-engaged from politics too - and there are an awful lot of them!
2 The Conservatives benefitted in 2015 from a split amongst progressives (who are mostly Labour; Liberal Democrat or Green) - and in fact that split has been key to Conservative domination of British politics for the last century.
§Wednesday, 26 April 2017
Progressives Need to Act to achieve our common aims
For fellow progressives in the Milton Keynes area - or from elsewhere who are able to get across to our fine city.
Please come and help progressives to oust Mark Lancaster and Iain Stewart.
Please come and help progressives to oust Mark Lancaster and Iain Stewart.
Monday, 24 April 2017
jdm_progressive during the General Election
Perhaps you thought I'd gone quiet over the last few days. Far from it - my four passions are UK, US, French & UK politics (I believe in internationalism!). As you know the french elections are reaching their climax - and we have a sudden General Election thrust upon us in the UK.
I continue to write and post - but I'm currently finding - in these circumstances - that Facebook and Twitter allow for quicker responses - and a wider discussion than this blog. I will continue to post pieces on this blog up to 8th June, as and when I am able - but now is the time for progressives to leap into action - on the doorsteps, in public places, on social media....
So I apologise that I won't be posting as frequently here - but you are welcome to follow me on:
FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/jdavidmorgan
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Jdm_progressive
Unlike the 2001 and 2005 General Elections, or the 2009 European Parliament Elections - and various local government elections - I will not be standing as a candidate myself.
I will however be encouraging all progressives to back pro-EU candidates standing in parliamentary constituencies where they have the best chance of defeating the Conservative hard or passive Brexit supporters (which I think is everyone but Kenneth Clarke).
A guide to voting effectively can be found here - https://www.tactical2017.com - the spreadsheet is based on is available here.
I continue to write and post - but I'm currently finding - in these circumstances - that Facebook and Twitter allow for quicker responses - and a wider discussion than this blog. I will continue to post pieces on this blog up to 8th June, as and when I am able - but now is the time for progressives to leap into action - on the doorsteps, in public places, on social media....
So I apologise that I won't be posting as frequently here - but you are welcome to follow me on:
FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/jdavidmorgan
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Jdm_progressive
Unlike the 2001 and 2005 General Elections, or the 2009 European Parliament Elections - and various local government elections - I will not be standing as a candidate myself.
I will however be encouraging all progressives to back pro-EU candidates standing in parliamentary constituencies where they have the best chance of defeating the Conservative hard or passive Brexit supporters (which I think is everyone but Kenneth Clarke).
A guide to voting effectively can be found here - https://www.tactical2017.com - the spreadsheet is based on is available here.
Wednesday, 12 April 2017
The benefits of EU Membership
At a loss for explaining the benefits of Britain's membership of the EU? Want the facts about the costs of a hard-Brexit (or any Brexit, for that matter)?
Then use this list that I have compiled of useful websites.
The New European website is another excellent resource.
Then use this list that I have compiled of useful websites.
FULLFACT - fact-checking site: https://fullfact.org/europe/
INFACTS - https://infacts.org
JOHN McCORMICK’S BENEFITS OF THE EU - http://johnmccormick.eu/benefits-of-the-european-union/
What has the EU Ever Done for Me?
New Statesman: http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/03/eu-explainer-easily-bored-what-has-europe-ever-done-me
Patrick Stewart Sketch (The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/culture/video/2016/apr/25/patrick-stewart-sketch-what-has-the-echr-ever-done-for-us-video
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