So it is a case of dazed, disorientated and confused LP members meekly accepting Labour’s defeat at the next election, staring defeat in the face…But hark, what is that charging forward? Jon Cruddas riding in to the rescue clutching some ‘progressive’ policies. Hurrah! For we are saved!
Jonny-come-lately along with his new intellectual friend, James Purnell. They have ventured forthwith out of the ivory towers they had retreated to and have come to spout the word of re-cycled NL.
Cruddas states that we have lost our language, our empathy, our generosity, because we have retreated into a philosophical framework of the right.
Deja vu… I recall him saying that at Compass conference 2008, just a couple of days after he supported the government on 42 days yet the Cruddas cheerleaders gave him such a thunderous applause.
The problem with Cruddas (and he is still on course to morph into some hideous Kinnock clone) is that he spouts left but votes right. Reading his vision for the Labour Party along with this championing of social democracy are just …words. The man has had so many chances to severe his ties with the NL leadership but when it comes to showing some backbone he fails. Why would anyone have any faith in him? Why would anyone trust him? I certainly didn’t vote for him regarding Deputy Leader as for me he was still a war monger who claimed he was ‘misled’ over war in Iraq (ah, c’mon Jon…millions of people globally saw through the lies, lies and more damn lies over WMD so why couldn’t you?!). Many assumed he had a road to Damascus conversion with his seemingly ‘left turn’ in the Deputy Leadership contest but he has time and time again proved himself to be a loyal courtier of NL. The litmus test for me was his support for the Welfare Reform Bill (see his voting on the various amendments)
And now have we the nightmare scenario of the Cruddas/Purnell ticket to look forward to? Is this the best last hope we can look forward to…? I can feel my gag reflex kicking in already….
Oh, and I like this post by Dave on the media intelligentsia and especially the Toynbee One.
