INFAMY, INFAMY......

Former Tribune editor and Conference rabble-rouser Mark Seddon has an interesting piece in today's Guardian. I don't concur with his view that one must always be loyal to the Leader. Sometimes, Leaders don't deserve our loyalty ie Blair and Iraq. But as he says the attempted putsch by the Blairite cabal smacks of nothing else but self-preservation. It will also do nothing to improve Labour's chances at the next election. For that reason, I do not support the essence of what they are doing. Which is - to ensure another Blairite replaces Brown . There are muddy waters here because as I understand Party rules they have every right to demand those nomination papers. But the only reason they want them is to get rid of Brown - and stop the Left taking part in a future contest. If by some chance they get the 70 MP names needed for a contest then frankly we are stuffed. Because no left challenger be it John McDonnell or Jon Cruddas or anyone else can get those numbers. Step forward Miliband or Purnell in a bogus "no contest" v Gordon Brown. In those circumstances, who would you vote for ? Preferably, none. In reality, even Brown is better than either Miliband or the oleaginous Purnell. Policy? No difference.The only way forward is this. To continue to press for policy change. To campaign for and defend "real" labour MPs and trade unionists now facing annihilation because of New Labour's mistakes . And, if Brown goes after the Glenrothes by-election ( still my prediction) to try and ensure a left canddiate on the ballot paper, a proper debate and the final nail in the coffin of Blairism. Janet Anderson and co are like dying wasps at the fag-end of summer. But, frankly, not as appealing.