Thanks to UNISON Scotland, Labour Against The War and Tribune
I just want to give out my thanks to the support that the campaign has received in just the past few days.
I know that everyone involved in the campaign was delighted to read the kind words in Tribune: "But by a simple measure of what they stand for in defining the task ahead, their representation of what the left and the party wants and desperately needs and their tireless campaigning around the country to both listen and convey their message of hope and renewal, John McDonnell and Jon Cruddas deserve a place on the ballot paper." I want to pass on my thanks to the Tribune team.
Yesterday, UNISON Scotland's LabourLink decided to unanimously endorse the campaign. Once again, a huge thanks for the support. I promise to continue fighting for key UNISON policies - such as for an end to privatisation of our public services, an end to pay freezes, support for a real living wage, and the restoration of trade union rights.
Today, I attended leadership hustings organised by Labour Against The War, Labour CND, and Labour Action for Peace. It was great to meet so many activists who have fought with such determination over the years for a foreign policy based on peace and solidarity. I was also extremely pleased that the campaign received the near-unanimous support of those who attended. The fight for an end to the occupation of Iraq and against renewal of Trident goes on.
From the beginning, this was always supposed to be a grassroots movement. I think that we've all achieved a lot over the past few months. After so many years of defeat for the left and for the labour movement as a whole, I am really beginning to sense a new mood of confidence out there.
Once again, my thanks for everyone's support.
I know that everyone involved in the campaign was delighted to read the kind words in Tribune: "But by a simple measure of what they stand for in defining the task ahead, their representation of what the left and the party wants and desperately needs and their tireless campaigning around the country to both listen and convey their message of hope and renewal, John McDonnell and Jon Cruddas deserve a place on the ballot paper." I want to pass on my thanks to the Tribune team.
Yesterday, UNISON Scotland's LabourLink decided to unanimously endorse the campaign. Once again, a huge thanks for the support. I promise to continue fighting for key UNISON policies - such as for an end to privatisation of our public services, an end to pay freezes, support for a real living wage, and the restoration of trade union rights.
Today, I attended leadership hustings organised by Labour Against The War, Labour CND, and Labour Action for Peace. It was great to meet so many activists who have fought with such determination over the years for a foreign policy based on peace and solidarity. I was also extremely pleased that the campaign received the near-unanimous support of those who attended. The fight for an end to the occupation of Iraq and against renewal of Trident goes on.
From the beginning, this was always supposed to be a grassroots movement. I think that we've all achieved a lot over the past few months. After so many years of defeat for the left and for the labour movement as a whole, I am really beginning to sense a new mood of confidence out there.
Once again, my thanks for everyone's support.
posted by John at 8:13 PM
29 Comments:
Hi John
Will Jon Cruddas be nominating you?
Comradely
Ian
Manchester MP Graham Stringer is nominating a "centre-left" candidate. Read it here.
Yours was a fantastic performance on The Politics Show, John. 'Tis a pity that the Paxman wannabe, Sopel, kept trying to interrupt you, but I think he surrendered in the end.
Wish I could see you conquer the opposition in the Fabian debate tonight - perhaps someone will film it!
Good one on the Poltitics show John, Sopel didn't have a clue and was completely unable to bait you like he may a usual politician becuase you were being honest, good humoured and brought reality outside of 'meedja land' into the discussion - excellent point about the 150bn in tax avoidence by the corps under brown as well.
average performance on the PS today, thought you looked somewhat tired, your campaign seems to be taking it's toll on your health, take care don't want you doing a John Smith...
Great stuff on the Politics Show.Hope lots more to come....Good luck for tomorrow!
Saw John on Channel 4 (?) last night and on the Politics Show today.
He did well, considering the presenter last night kept interrupting and not allowing him to answer. My brother was watching and although he doesn't bother much with politics, he noticed that the interviewer was being funny.
I hope John is the left candidate who gets the nominations...so good luck! I nearly joined the Labour Party a few years ago, and i have nearly numerous times recently to support this campaign. If John is nominated i WILL join to support, but if there is only Brown i most likely will not. I also most likely would not support Meacher if he was 'chosen one'.
Good Luck for tomorrow!
Jon
Also a good performance on Sky News this morning, John. Was watching it with some hungover, fairly non-political people who all agreed that - from what they saw - they'd like you to be Prime Minister!
Good luck with the debate this evening.
What a surprise... the rush of the media to gush praise on Brown from all sides, now he's the "PM in waiting". They're all making a great deal of these apparently eye-catching initiatives that Brown's rolling out, whilst the BBC news report on the debate was mainly dedicated to Brown policy and how it's certain that Brown will become PM.
With a media (even the public one!) so clearly immersed in their own political agendas, it's going to be a long hard march for the left. I really hope you get on the ballot John, and I really hope you pull out a painful shocker for Brown... but I know one thing - it's going to take all of our resources and commitment to get it done.
Perhaps a future article (assuming you get on the ballot - and I don't want to imagine tomorrow evening any other way!) could discuss future strategies on spreading grassroots support. Many of us have friends to the left who are against extreme authority and the toils of capitalism - but many of those are hesitant to join or rejoin Labour for the sake of this contest. Understandably they feel uncomfortable with potentially filling the coffers of a Brown-led Labour Party.
Just an interesting matter for discussion anyway, either in the comments box or otherwise.
Well done on the politics show John.
Good luck for tomorrow in gaining the required nominations. The whole of the Labour left is behind you.
Just read Brown's ludicrous (and breathtakingly hypocritical) claims that we "cant afford" John's or Michael Meacher's "dangerous and failed" policies.
This from the man who approved and funded the Iraq war - and who has made it clear that he'll keep British troops there while Cheney gears up for war on Iran - and refuses to say he wouldnt back war on Iran.
Are our troops in Iraq safe? Are the sons and daughters of British military families who never come back alive safe?
Is that an affordable policy?
Then there's PFI - taxing low and middle income earners to subsidise exhorbitantly priced PFI contracts for big firms so their investors and chief execs will bankroll Brown's election campaigns like they did Blair's , Major's and Thatcher's before them.
British taxpayers can't afford that - neither can NHS patients as staff numbers are cut to fund handouts to the PFI trough. Nor can over-worked nurses and junior doctors being made to work 12 hour and longer rotating shifts so they struggle to be fully compus mentus when making life and death decisions.
We can't afford Gordon Brown's dangerous and failed policies any more.
They're not prudent and they're not affordable in money or in lives.
I hear the debate went well, and that's presumably the toughest and most New Labour audience going (despite one BBC reporter suggesting that Brown did well to get enthusiastic applause from the sceptical, left-leaning Fabians...)
Have got fingers crossed for good news later this afternoon!
Hi Damien,
That's a good idea, having a strategy to spread support is a must! from my very limited experience, people with left policies are never adquately organized, even when there are large numbers to who they appeal to. The right are nevr 'united' but maybe because they pursue power they grudgingly are, even though it's a slow and painful process - like competative employees each working on their own agenda!
The more people the left has to express its view, the more influence it would have so a positive approach to attracting new supporters is imperitive. I found i had to go out and actively look for like minded people on the internet whereas is more accessible for other groups... i think we need to make is easy for people to meet/discuss these views and to join organizations who would represent them... the left need to be more assertive!
Fingers crossed for this afternoon!
Jon
Announcement is at 5pm, acording to the Guardian.....This is worse than 24......
I agree, Jm came across very well on the media, despite the cynical sneering tone from many of the interviewers/reporters. Imo, its a sign of the crap/bias that will come JM's way when the real contest starts. I do think, given the opportunity, he has a gift to connect with the 'ordinary person in the street' and this will come across if he becomes the candidate.
I was disappointed not be able to go to the debate last night, but glad it went well.
Today is the day to get on the ballot paper, so bring it home John!!
Q/A with John in todays Indie
http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article2539341.ece
god, i can't cope with the waiting1
Come on PLP, vote for JM - you know it makes sense...
I agree with comments re media and debate, John has come across well whenever he has had the opportunity to make the case.
I hope that today the magic number can be achieved, and look forward to helping continue the camaign when it is.
And even if it isn't, or even if it's Michael Meacher who goes forward - neither are my preference - John has over the past year led what should and will be seen by future generations of socialists as a remarkable and crucially important shift forward for the left. A solid base on which we will continue to build for the sake of the Labour party, and all of the people it should (but sometimes fails to) represent.
Well done comrade. Hasta la vittoria siempre.
The Guardian is reporting that John will be on the ballot paper. Wonderful news if confirmed. Sadly, we don't have a vote, but all your supporters in the Irish Labour Party pass on our solidarity and best wishes in the campaign to drive Labour left and forward!
I have just seen the BBC webpage and it says that Michael Meacher has backed down!!!!!
This is great news hopefully this will mean a fair showing of yourself on the TV!!!!
Very good news! So when do the PLP nominate their candidates then?
Well i said i'd join the LP if there was a debate so this is very positive!
Jon
Vote for JM here
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6644717.stm?dynamic_vote=ON#vote_labour_leadership
Vote Dick Cheney in 2008!
Incidentally John had a good Q&A piece with readers' questions in the Independent 14/5/07 too... http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article2539341.ece
Congratulations John - now this will be a real contest.
I think we should give some credit to Michael Meacher too. He put the interests of the people of this country first and kept his word.
He's told his supporters to back John now its clear John has more MPs (not to mention more party members , trade union members - and voters inside and outside the party) backing him.
I've always said Michael is a decent person and i think this proves it.
i hope you do get it.
I agree Duncan, Michael acted in a very dignified manner and strengtherns the campaign by being on-board.
I made my brother watch John on YouTUBE and he feel he comes across as a genuine guy - he's even started noticing John on the news - and he is completely non-political...the more coverage the more people he can win across!
Jon
where to now?
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