NEW LABOUR'S GROUNDHOG DAY

The disparity between the Labour Left grassroots and the Party in Government has never been greater. So much so I am at a bit of a loss what to say about it all.
One of my LRC comrades said something the other day about his "scissors hovering over the Party card" and as far as I'm concerned the rehabilitation of Mandelson has also left me appalled and horrified. But, with a weary sigh, I conclude yet again that tearing up one's Party card is not the thing to do.
In a parallel universe, the one many were expecting to inhabit in June 2007, Brown would have spurned New Labour, reinstated the "broad church" approach and brought some lefties back into the Government, brought the troops home , re-nationalised the railways. Yeah, yeah, and changed his name by deed poll to Harry Perkins..... sadly that is not where we are.
It is in fact , Groundhog Day. Mandelson and Brown ( with Blair lurking somewhere in the background) running things their way and the trade unions and the rest of the left-of-centre labour movement can go to hell in a handcart. In case you're wondering Compass supporters, that also includes you.
New Labour has returned from the dead. And it's time to come out fighting. The LRC National AGM on November 15 will give us an opportunity to discuss where we go next. At the moment, the path ahead is not exactly obvious.

COMMON SENSE IN SCOTLAND

Common sense has prevailedc in Scotland,where Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has scrapped plans for a £100 million prison to be run by the private sector .
The 700-cell jail, to replace Low Moss near Bishopbriggs which closed in May, will instead be run by the Scottish Prison Service.
Mr MacAskill said: "Prisons are for public safety, not for private profit. So we are drawing a line in the sand. If only this Govt, still hell-bent on PFI and privatisation, would take a similar view.
PS: On another note good to see Ian Davidson MP piling up the pressure on the PM for a referendum on the new EU constitution. However, will this (yet again) be a rebellion which peters out pathetically when push comes to shove. I hope not. Brown really can't get away with this one.....

TITLEY BY NAME.......

Just been watching Gary Titley defending the indefensible on Newsnight. He is aptly named.......The Greater Manchester MEP was holding forth on why Brown doesn't need to have a referendum on the new EU constitution. Despite the fact this was of course promised by Labour and previous PM Tony Blair. His behaviour towards RMT leader Bob Crowe, putting forward the case FOR a referendum, was typically dismissive. But remember, Titley is a man who already has plenty of form when it comesto arrogant behaviour towards union representatives. Titley it was who last year switched Dave Prentis's microphone off during a key debate on the NHS at Labour Party Conference. And all I can say is, he made a right t** of himself again tonight.

DIGBY WATCH

Fair play to Sir Digby Jones. he makes absolutely no bones about the fact he is a pro-business Tory. The only problem is he is in a Labour - a LABOUR - Government.In today's Telegraph, he spells out his unashamedly Thatcherite agenda. It's about time Labour MPs and union leaders started speaking out on this scandalous appointment. The only voices of dissent so far have been stalwarts of the Left like John McDonnell MP and UNITE General Sec Tony Woodley. What is the matter with the rest of the Labour Party?????
Digby Dastardly says: ""If I'm overseas, banging the drum for Britain, and they tell me they are worried about our rate of tax, I can promise you as soon as the wheels hit the tarmac in the UK I will be over to Number 11 to tell [chancellor] Alistair Darling. "I'd like to see more competitive corporate taxation. I don't mind if it's used to stimulate economy and business profitability, to encourage R&D and small businesses." PS: Competitive means "less tax."