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The Labour Party

 
 
No star here laces
13:51 / 31.10.02
Printed on the back of the Labour Party membership card is the following:

"The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect."

This is supposed to be a summary of the aims and purpose of the party in broad terms.

What do you think of this statement, independent of the actual achievements, style and personalities involved in the party? Are these laudable aims? Is this agenda sufficient to combat the evils of modern society in as much as any mainstream political party can do so?
 
 
Harhoo
14:51 / 01.11.02
Having been a Labour party member since before adulthood, it’s not rilly surprising that I find the words an incredibly aspiring touchstone. In a secret place inside my heart I suppose I think that if everybody lived believed and acted upon this the world would be a better place. I’d be reluctant to admit this in public mind…

As an agenda for combating the pitfalls, evils and woes of modern life? Yeah, sure. Solidarity, tolerance, respect and common endeavour must surely be currencies that need to be spent in building any Utopia. And I suppose, once you introduce the notion of Utopia into any argument you leave yourself open to the implication you’re dealing in theories not practice, that these things shrivel under the light of the rational world. To which I generally reply bobbins and start singing The Red Flag.

Incidentally, I once had an argument with someone about the Labour Party and what it stood for (as a member I complain and feel let down by the PLP all the time; woe betide a non-party member who slags them off in earshot), which ended up with me drunkenly bawling the words on the back of my membership card. Despite the fact the person I was arguing with was, apparently, doing Politics at university they were genuinely surprised at the pledge and how left-wing it was. Anecdotes are good.
 
 
Our Lady of The Two Towers
17:08 / 01.11.02
"What unites the Party are the core XXXX principles which are the foundation stones. These are;
*Freedom. XXXX stands for less interference from the state - freedom for individuals, families, voluntary groups and businesses.
*Enterprise. XXXX want to keep taxes low and set businesses free from red tape to help Britain compete in the global economy.
*Responsibility. XXXX stand for the rule of law and support for the family. We recognise our duty to protect the environment for future generations.
*Nation. Conservatives want to safeguard the Union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, maintain strong defense and uphold our right to national self-government. We want to be in Europe but not run by Europe.

These basic XXXX principles provide the basis for all policy."
 
 
Turk
02:11 / 02.11.02
Is this agenda sufficient to combat the evils of modern society in as much as any mainstream political party can do so?

Certainly not, it includes the word owe and thus today is far too unpopular in its true sense.
 
 
higuita
18:57 / 03.11.02
Damn whether the word 'owe' is unpopular, I hold this bit quite dear. If more people realised their responsibility... [insert hopelessly romantic ideal here].
And I find it a bit more stirring than that Tory crap. Bloody whigs.

'power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many not the few' - 'a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect' - 'the means to realise our true potential'
Despite whatever people might think of these ideas in the light of what actually happens in politics, I think these are pretty good goals for a modern society.

Is there anything else you could put in?

PS [I should perhaps mention, and maybe pop it down in the Barbelith register of interests, that I too have one of these cards in my wallet.]
 
 
Creepster
23:11 / 28.11.02
im guessing this is a sight frequented at best by shabby lay-about
student types with now real earning power to speak of, so im going to take
this opportunity to speak freely. leaving aside the evident hypocrasy
of the labour party "adgenda", surely the last place you want wealth
and power is in the hands of the many! would they know what to do
with it? it implies that the ends of all this wealth and power (so much power)
dont matter, all that matters is that its what the masses want. well why
dont we have a quick look and see what the masses want then, lets
see theres complacencey (beer and television mostly, yes ala the simpsons indeed)
comfort, money, meaningless crap to spend money on, pleasant
distractions form the reality that the only worthwhile endevours must
be founded on! now i know im not much of a politician, nor a man, barely
human really, some sort of spinless reptile i suppose, but i know the masses,
im basically the chief exective of a company called Australia and i
maintane this position by knowing a thing or to about market forces,
or the masses or as you would have it 'the many' and they are a pittiful
vulger lot indeed, whom if it wasnt for the epidemic distractions of
sport would no doubt turn imediatly to fascism. so in conclusion
the best that may come of democracy is individual freedom and
liberty of the very few indeed to do something worthwhile, brought about
ofcourse on the enduring distraction of the homogenious mass.
vote liberal.

JH PM
 
 
Our Lady of The Two Towers
14:49 / 30.11.02
But is it better that the many make the wrong decisions that fuck it up for mankind rather than the few making the wrong decisions that fuck it up for mankind?
 
  
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