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I am, above many things, a political animal.
I knocked doors canvassing for the Labour Party in April/May 1979 -- probably not that useful in Kensington/Chelsea where I lived as a student (although a different sort of education in the run-up to my finals) but I had principles which I supported by joining the party as soon as I was 18 and so had money to spare (and could vote (1976).
The Thatcher victory was a blow -- I remember drowning our sorrows in a pub with the other activists and hoping for a relatively-rapid reversal. Although it was positive for my career as she wasted money privatising the industry I joined and it was bonanza-happy-holidays-payola for anyone working there (as long as they were white-collar/one of 'us' -- not so much for the blue collar workers who were tossed onto the dole).
I stayed a member though Callaghan (well, somebody had to do it until a useful person turned up) and Foot (see my icon). Kinnock and then Smith rekindled my hope. And if Smith had not died, I have every expectation that the world would be different and better today.
Blair made me cancel my membership -- electable but... I believe that being elected is the prerequisite to implement change. However, some things should never happen.. like the Irag War.
I voted to remain in 2016 (in the avoidance of doubt).
So we are where we are. Corbyn (repeat my icon) -- steeped in principle as he is -- will never win an election. I've not a lot of confidence in the alternatives but they can't be worse than Jeremy.
So, I just returned to my roots (although my father was a card-carrying member of the Conservative Party, he was also a Trade Union Steward at his works; and Mum was raised in an ardently Trade Unionist family although she was a Liberal voter (as she didn't want to upset Dad - a whole story in a nutshell).
I've re-joined the Labour Party.
I knocked doors canvassing for the Labour Party in April/May 1979 -- probably not that useful in Kensington/Chelsea where I lived as a student (although a different sort of education in the run-up to my finals) but I had principles which I supported by joining the party as soon as I was 18 and so had money to spare (and could vote (1976).
The Thatcher victory was a blow -- I remember drowning our sorrows in a pub with the other activists and hoping for a relatively-rapid reversal. Although it was positive for my career as she wasted money privatising the industry I joined and it was bonanza-happy-holidays-payola for anyone working there (as long as they were white-collar/one of 'us' -- not so much for the blue collar workers who were tossed onto the dole).
I stayed a member though Callaghan (well, somebody had to do it until a useful person turned up) and Foot (see my icon). Kinnock and then Smith rekindled my hope. And if Smith had not died, I have every expectation that the world would be different and better today.
Blair made me cancel my membership -- electable but... I believe that being elected is the prerequisite to implement change. However, some things should never happen.. like the Irag War.
I voted to remain in 2016 (in the avoidance of doubt).
So we are where we are. Corbyn (repeat my icon) -- steeped in principle as he is -- will never win an election. I've not a lot of confidence in the alternatives but they can't be worse than Jeremy.
So, I just returned to my roots (although my father was a card-carrying member of the Conservative Party, he was also a Trade Union Steward at his works; and Mum was raised in an ardently Trade Unionist family although she was a Liberal voter (as she didn't want to upset Dad - a whole story in a nutshell).
I've re-joined the Labour Party.
