What Next? - Guest Post

I am lucky enough to live with the man who wrote this.



Here is where we go next.

Going to get a lot of sniping from some about how it's impossible to change things from within the Labour Party in the coming days.

Apart from the fact that the Labour Party has shifted hugely leftwards in the past five years from under Blair and Brown to Miliband (and while it's not been as leftwards as a shift as I and many other people would have liked) the process itself has shown such pessimism to be based on a myth, there is this point: change doesn't happen without action, and if you'd rather sit on the sidelines and duck a very important fight, then that's your shout, though I hope it feels nice and breezy on that high horse of yours.

I spent about 13 years trying to build socialist alternatives to Labour, and each time, history has repeated itself; TUSC is dead in the water; Left Unity, stillborn. I tried. I tried damned hard to, and it just didn't work. All of this clamour that people are crying out for a left alternative to Labour is just hot air and deserved to be consigned to the dustbin of naff history along with the Rabbit mobile network and ice cream flavoured Monster Munch.

Roll up your sleeves and join with me to build the Labour Party we need to see. Sure, it's going to be hard, and there will be setbacks along the way, but I promise that we will motivate each other, I'll try to crack a smile and a joke or two along the way, but it will be worth it.

This is long game town now. No more shortcuts. No more trying to bypass the hard struggle. Game time now.

Also, to those who are going to moan about the Labour Party not being good enough for them:

If it's broken, then fix it.

Enough with the sideshows. Time to turn lemons into lemonade. And not the Tesco Value crap that's mostly artificial sweeteners and water; the good stuff, like you had on holiday, when you sat down by the beach, and took that first sip, and it made you go, "Damn, that's some good lemonade!"

It's not going to be easy, it's going to be a long hard road, with many traffic works and caravans in it. But we'll put on some good tunes, crack some (respectful, friendly, non-discriminatory) banter, but most of all, get somewhere.

The truth is, things like TUSC, Respect etc are very fun in the thick of it. You're moving around, there are lots of noises and people seem to be having fun. It's only when you get off when you realise that you've been on a merry-go-round all of this time. And while you're moving around on a merry-go-round, ultimately you're still in the same place you were before, just a bit dizzier maybe.

On the other hand, I have a coach. It's not full at the moment, and we need more people to get on board with it, because only when it's full can it move. (It's a nice coach, really. I got us one of those posh executive coaches that footballers use, with tables, a toilet, and decent AC - oh, and I've stocked the on-board fridge with that lemonade we made.)

So, come on the coach. The sat-nav might fuck us up a bit, but we'll figure out a map as we go, and have fun getting there.

Click here to join the coach: https://join.labour.org.uk/

OK, so now that I've pretty much alienated many of my followers on here with some harsh thoughts, this is one for everyone.

The Tories are coming. They are coming for our jobs. They are coming for our pay packets. They are coming for our social security. They are coming for our pensions, our maternity and paternity pay and leave, they are coming for all of the meagre concessions we have been able to squeeze out of them over the past few years. And they will not rest until they stand aloft the mountain of broken people, closed workplaces and P45s, gorged and bloated on their own selfish greed.

If you're not in a trade union, join.

Join right now. Stop reading this status update and join one now. Click here to find the right union for you: www.tuc.org.uk/join-union

It's OK, I'll wait.

...

Joined? Super. But here's the thing; that was the easy bit, you probably had your bank details nearby. Here's the hard - but necessary bit.

Recruit your work mates. Recruit your uni mates, drinking mates, 5 a side mates, bowling mates, your neighbours, everyone. But especially your workmates. Because that's going to be the critical bit. Unions are built in workplaces because that's where our true power really is.

Once you've done that, get involved. Become a shop steward. Go down to branch meetings. Speak up in the debates. Write and submit motions. Have your say. Go to conferences. Go to seminars. Get involved in equality groups if you can. Stand for NEC. You'll win some, you'll lose some, but the union will be stronger for doing so.

Think you're in a well paid, decent job with a nice boss? Work for an NGO or for someone like Google where you think you don't need unions? Join a union, because that's the only way you'll still have a well paid decent jobs. Unions are not for 'other people who have it harder'. They are for you too.

Are you an unemployed worker? There's a place in the union family for you too. Join Unite Community, join a union (many will accept unemployed members) and get involved in their community and campaigning work.

But most of all - don't run to the union when there is a problem. Be the union. Wear your union badge with pride, and get others to be a part of the change Britain's workplaces need to see.

Grown Man In Consensual Sex Shocker!

Ed Miliband apparently wasn't always married. No I am not linking to the fucking Daily Fail but they this week made much fuss over the fact that Ed had OTHER GIRLFRIENDS!!

I wish I was making this shit up.

I like that Ed had girlfriends and (assuming) sex. Makes him seem human. Tbf he wasn't exactly prolific was he? Not like he was swinging the lead with every woman he saw.

But even if he was as long as it was consensual, I don't have a problem with it.

I've lost count of the amount of times I did the Strut of Slut. (refuse to call it the Walk of Shame like I had anything to be ashamed of) If sex is consensual Ed has nothing to be ashamed about.

Not like he was paying for sex and snorting coke while dressed as a nazi is it?

(I would only really have a problem with the nazi bit, being pro autonomy but you get my point)

I'm not sure Cameron has ever had sex. I always think Sam Cam lays an egg and Dave sends a butler to fertilise it.

I find this idea more tasteful than the idea of Dave on the vinegar strokes red faced and picturing Thatcher in his final throes.

So Ed had sex before he married Justine.

If that bothers you, this may well blow your mind... He may well have had sex with her before they got married! (The kids may give this away. Not for Ed and Justine egg laying and butlers).

What next Daily Fail?

ED MILIBAND SCRATCHES HIS BALLS IN THE MORNING!

EXCLUSIVE: ED MILIBAND PICKS NOSE WHEN ITCHY!

MILIBAND IN NEEDING A POO IN THE MORNING SHOCKER!!!

Seriously, if Sexy Ed is the best they can come up with they need to

a) take better trolling lessons
b) go back to journalism school
c) meet me round the back of the bike sheds for a 'quiet word'

Vote sexy. Vote Labour.

People Who Can Fuck All The Way Off

Happy New Year everyone who marked it on 1st Jan!

For the rest of you, happy January!

One of my resolutions this year is to try to blog weekly. I'm feeling this might be the year it takes off...

I said as a (sort of) joke that I might start the year with a big list of people who can fuck off. This seemed to be popular with regular readers so here we go.

This list is neither exhaustive nor in any order. Buckle up, it's gonna get sweary and I'm putting a content warning for rape, transphobic bullshittery and general abusive fuckwittery right here.

TERRY WOGAN
Do us all a favour and fuck off. Serial scab and didn't report Jimmy Savile. And you know what, this scared thing cuts no fucking ice with me. A group of you would have an impact. Children got fucked. And you said nothing.

ESTHER RANTZEN
I truly hope you choke on your New Years Honour. Childline is an awesome, wonderful thing but you too kept quiet. Fuck off.

RICHARD DAWKINS
Your a dick.

TONY BLAIR
War criminal.

LADY GAGA
Assange apologist and professional Madonna tribute act. Fuck off.

JULIAN ASSANGE
Go to Sweden and face trial. Your hiding in a fucking embassy of all places while acting like a Lidls fucking version of the FOI Messiah makes me sick.

CHED EVANS
NOPE. Convicted rapist that refuses to believe he has done anything wrong has encouraged the doxxing of his victim so she has had to move five fucking times. And football 'fans' chant that he shags who he wants. Fuck all the way off you rapist slime. Or come round and I will kick you till my feet break.

NIGEL FARAGE
There aren't enough words to describe how I feel about you. Scaremongering, nasty, slimey, vicious piece of shit. Fuck all the way off.

CATHY BRENNAN
Dangerous nasty woman hating piece of shit. Trans women are not chicks with dicks. Fuck off. Forever.

ROB TICHENOR
Yes I know you are a fictional character. However, you are based on real life abusive, gaslighting bastards and I would happily hit you in the face with a chair until I got bored. Which would be never.

DAVID CAMERON
You and your ilk are watching people starve on your watch. You have no humanity. I'm not sure you are even human. Your welfare reforms are akin to eugenics and I will not rest until you are gone.

ED MILIBAND
It is not enough to be witty at PMQs. Pledge to reverse all cuts and then you will win a landslide. Until then it's back under your rock for you.

NICK CLEGG 
Student fees. Bedroom tax. Fuck off. Liar.

GAMER GATERS
It isn't about ethics in games journalism actually, it's about hurting and silencing women.

(and here is where I switched from my phone onto my netbook. It has totally fucked up the formatting. Apologies for that.) 

NADINE DORRIES

I fucking loathe you. You call yourself a feminist and then try and restrict access to abortion. Go fuck yourself. Or eat some kangaroo testicles or whatever. You have no business in my uterus. 

LOUISE MENSCH
I loathe you too. You are all that is wrong with white middle class feminism. And you glory in death.

WOODY ALLEN
I believe her. 

JOAN RIVERS
Yes, I know she is dead. She can still fuck off.

ADAM BLOOM
You are racist, sexist, homophobic and just not fucking funny. 

RUSSELL BRAND
When you stop calling women 'love' at the end of a sentence I might have a bit more time for you. Till then, you know the drill, fuck off.

DAPPER LAUGHS
Nope.

ANYONE WHO HAS EVER THOUGHT THAT 'JOKES' ABOUT RAPE, TRANS PEOPLE, RACE, GENDER OR SEXUALITY WERE EVER FUNNY. 
IF YOU THINK THAT WOMEN ARE BITCHES, CRAZY, HARD WORK OR HIGH MAINTENANCE. IF YOU CATCALL WOMEN. IF YOU THINK CHED EVANS DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE.
Fuck all the way off. Yep, you too. You are what I am fighting against. You make it hard for me to walk out of the door in the morning.

Fuck off. All the way off. And when you get there, come back here and fuck all the way off again. 

Wow, that was cathartic!

Will probably add more to the list as the year goes on. Until then, take care and try not to end up on my list!

         

On Why PCS MUST Not Be Neutral On The Right To Choose

It's back. It is bloody back. The motion that made my blood boil enough for me to write about it here in 2011 is back.

This time it is A78 but it is nearly identical in text and again wants PCS to disaffiliate from Abortion Rights and go to a position of neutrality on the subject of a woman's right to choose.

Oh hell no.

Not on my watch!

I wrote before about why I was against this. Briefly:

• I am not very good at being patronised. This motion pats me on the head and says 'don't worry dear, we're not going to pressure you to be anti abortion just to have no opinion on it at all'. NOPE.

• Disaffiliation to Abortion Rights would deny Equality, Choice and support to those who need help. 

• Any call for a return to neutrality is an invidious thing that may well be the thin end of a slippery slope. Want to discuss a domestic abuse policy? Sorry, bit to close to interfering with deeply held beliefs on women being chattel. Want to debate paternity leave for familial adopters? Equal marriage? Sorry, would love to but there are a few people who have deeply held beliefs about it. So we can't.

• Despite of all the hard work being done by PCS to have a union beauracracy that it more representative of its membership, most of the delegations will be men.I WILL not let a group of men decide for me whether or not my Trade Union will have a neutral stance on what is essentially a women's issue.

I REFUSE to let men decide on what is a women's issue.

I REFUSE to be fobbed off with a position of neutrality.

You know what neutrality means in practice?

Neutrality means that when someone asks me what my union thinks about a fundamental freedom I would have to say "nothing". It's a cop out designed to silence all of us engaging on a crucial topic and worse  taking us back 50 years where women who have abortions are silenced so bringing about a sense of shame which is wholly unwarranted. (not being sarcastic here).*

Neutrality means I cannot go and spend my saturday shouting at anti choicers in the name of my union.

Neutrality means abandoning women. It is not conducive to any trade union I want to say I belong to.

Neutrality means abandoning women. Worth saying that twice I think.

Neutrality means that the motion A92 calling for equal abortion rights in Northern Ireland will fall.

Neutrality means abandoning women. I don't think we can say that enough.



*Credit to M. Bosman for that paragraph. Sometimes someone just sums it up better than you could.

PCS GEC Election Special - On Who I Am Voting For And Why

It's silly season again. By which I mean that PCS is having it's annual love fest they call elections.

Do not get me wrong, I am a great believer in democracy. I am passionate about it. I vote in everything I am eligible to vote in. I have done since I was old enough to vote.

However, this doesn't mean that I don't recognise the game playing at this time for what it is.

I used to be amused by it. These days I am dismayed by it. And yes, I recognise that by blogging I am part of that but sometimes you know, you just have to speak out.

Before I get going, I should point out that I am not a member of any faction, despite the rumours, nor am I standing for election this year as I am on my way out on a voluntary exit.

It is no secret that I have had a falling out with some of the Group Executive. Believe me when I say that this is not an act of revenge, but an act of honesty about what I think of the candidates.

This is not anything to do with any other group either just my own. I don't know enough about the other groups and wouldn't want to be dishonest.

So, who did I vote for?

President: 

Jake Wilde.

Hang on to your hats people, there is a very VERY good reason for this.

When I was negotiating the domestic abuse policy the team asked for five minutes to get it through the GEC. It was a no brainer and we had been working on it for a very long time. The VP at the time fillibustered so that we had no time to debate it. Not even the five minutes it would take. This, after being told in caucus that it was just an unimportant HR paper.

Jake saved the day on it. He came up with a solution that meant that PCS had endorsed the policy before the department published it.

For that, and for not dismissing women's concerns over domestic abuse he gets my vote.

DGS:

Gerry Noble

Let me say that this isn't an anti Margi vote, far from it. Margi has been a great DGS and has had to put up with a lot of shit and non co operation from certain AGSs just because she broke away from their faction.

Gerry gets my vote for two reasons.

1. I have known her since we were trainee delegates together back in Hove Town Hall and I have always loved her passion and committment.

2. This blogpost. Gerry sets out what she would do differently and that is refreshing and honest. I like refreshing and honest and I think our members will too.

Treasurer:

Jeanette Brooke.

You know why? She is a fucking brilliant treasurer. She has brought down spending members money year on year since 2009 and while I am not sure the belt can be tightened any more, I want to see her try and give it a go.

Assistant Group Secretaries:

Tim Coxon.

A few years back Left Unity did something really shitty to Tim. They (we, I was part of it then) used voting strength to get him shunted off a portfolio he was doing really well on to replace him with someone else. The grounds were spurious to say the least. I am not proud of that, I have always felt a bit dirty about it and I have always regretted it.

Tim took it as well as expected but didn't actually kick off. He showed then, and continues to show more integrity than anyone else did that day. He grafts hard, has the members' interests at the forefront of his mind and I would vote for him a hundred times if allowed.

John Davidson:

There are many who think that all he is interested in is Scottish Independence. Those people are wrong. John is a good man. He is committed and hard working and even when I left he still showed loyalty and integrity. He threatened bodily damage to my ex if he came near me last year and I will always have a lot of time for him.

Hamish Drummond:

Another great activist, Hamish is not only committed to his role but I have personally seen him defend members' interests above his own. Hamish has a big heart and will always do his best. Always. He talked me into standing for the GEC all those years ago and his loyalty means will always have mine.

Mark Leopard:

Mark is passionate about everything he does and has been amazing in his equalities work. I have worked closely with him for 5 years and he never ever lets either me, the equalities committees or the members down, even to the detriment of his own health. Another grafter and one I am proud to know and to have worked with.

Helen McFarlane:

Helen is nothing if not consistent. Consistently working hard for the membership. One of the things that makes Helen worth voting for is that she will not be told how to think. She is her own woman and if she thinks something is not in the best of members' interests she will fight against it, no matter how much pressure is put on her to do otherwise.

Gerry Noble:

Same reason that I voted for her for DGS. And you know what, the GEC needs Gerry. If she doesn't get that position she should be on the GEC somewhere!

Margi Rathbone:

I have a lot of time for Margi. She works hard and hasn't deserved the bullying she has faced since leaving Left Unity. She was a good AGS and would be again.

Karen Taylor:

Outspoken and passionate about everything she does Karen has had PMR taken off her HR portfolio by subterfuge and force and look how well that campaign is going! /sarcasm ends

Karen is another one who will not be told how to think and she works bloody hard for members. Domestic abuse policy? Karen's team. All the worst excesses that disappear from policy before you see it? Karen's team. Seriously, you should see what they start out with. And all that in an atmosphere of hostility and bullying from other GEC members.

GEC

Graham Allport:

New to the GEC last year he is always available to his members and he answers emails. With an answer, not just a fob off. He again is passionate and committed and works far harder than he should. With very little support from the AGS.

Ciaran Battle:

Ciaran has come up through the young members' network and I have always been really impressed with him. He is just what the GEC needs. Too long has it been dominated by the old guard. He is honest to a fault and committed. I want to see him in a position to change things.

Tim Coxon:

See above.

Carol Gerrard:

Carol was never, ever in danger of not getting a vote from me. Whatever she was standing for I would vote for her because she is that good. She is a proper socialist. One who ALWAYS puts members' interests first. Those votes that have members so angry over conference policy being ignored? Not Carol. She has more integrity in the tip of her little finger than most have in their whole bodies and didn't vote to sell members out.

Lorna Kennedy:

Love the bones of this woman. She is a grafter who is passionate about equalities and also has her own mind. That is reason enough for me to vote for her.

Helen McFarlane:

See above.

Helen Meldrum:

Helen is a star. She is passionate about the issues that affect members and she takes no crap from anyone. She is a free thinker who has the integrity to stand up for hers and members' beliefs. Another one who is a lover of democracy. She will be an absolute asset to the GEC.

Gerry Noble:

See above.

Marianne Owens:

Marianne has taken a lot of shit over the past couple of years but you know what, I trust her. I trust her to work hard and to stand up for workers. Marianne has been a mentor to me and has always been fair and honest. Also not to blame for the PMR debacle.

Steve Ryan:

Yes he is volatile sometimes, yes he can go right over the top but he has the courage of his convictions. There is no side to Steve, you get what you see, and I have seen him raging at caucus because members have been sold out. That he is no longer part of Left Unity should tell you all you need to know about his integrity.

Karen Taylor:

See above.

Jake Wilde:

See above.

Paul Tillyer:

Great bloke, insightful and hard working. Always had a lot of time for him and always will.

Phil Dickens:

For no other reason than to piss him off.

Margo McCabe:

Margo is actually an unsung hero as far as the GEC is concerned. She doesn't go in for plaudits, nor does she shout from the rooftop about what she does but damn, that woman works HARD. Again, she has integrity and loyalty and members' best interests at heart.

Margi Rathbone:

See above.

Rebecca Girven:

Had never heard of her before but bloody hell I liked her election statement. Give it a read, you won't regret it.

Kevin McHugh:

Kev is one of the elder statesmen of the GEC and while we didn't always agree we at least had a debate. Kev was never one of the ones who tried to tell me how to think. He didn't tell me to go away, read the fucking paper again and do the right thing with my vote. So he keeps mine.

So that is my list. I am not telling you how to vote. I think that is undemocratic and to be frank, I had enough of that when I was an LU member.

What I am saying is engage. Read the election statements. Cast your vote. Because if you don't then you will get the GEC those who bothered to do it voted for.

Next instalment, who I didn't vote for and why will be coming up shortly.

*flaps wings* *swishes tail*

This goddess is just getting warmed up.