Friday 29 April 2016
Police cuts in Cumbria since 2010
This is an interesting statistic, produced by the Labour Party's police cuts calculator and shows the loss of police officers sustained in Cumbria due to budget cuts since 2010. (Click to see larger version.)
Using the racism card to undermine voter confidence ahead of May 5th elections.
The suspensions from the Labour Party of Bradford West MP Naz Shah and former London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, has brought this issue to the forefront of the mainstream media (MSM) just a week away from the Elections on May 5th, and the cynical amongst us might wonder if this is a deliberate ploy from the MSM and the anti-Corbyn brigade to make Labour less attractive in the polls and give the anti-Corbyn folks a weapon to launch a leadership bid to oust Jeremy Corbyn as leader as a result.
Looking at the evidence of what has been said, it seems that some anti-Corbyn folks have jumped on the bandwagon and are happy to damage their own Party's electoral chances in order to oppose the democratically elected Party leader, something which others in the Party claim should result in the suspension of those seeking to undermine the leadership.
The biggest danger for the Labour Party is that jumping onto this bandwagon and conducting a witch-hunt against suspected or claimed anti-Semites is simply playing into the hands of those who are seeking the removal of Jeremy Corbyn as Party leader.
Looking at the evidence of what has been said, it seems that some anti-Corbyn folks have jumped on the bandwagon and are happy to damage their own Party's electoral chances in order to oppose the democratically elected Party leader, something which others in the Party claim should result in the suspension of those seeking to undermine the leadership.
The biggest danger for the Labour Party is that jumping onto this bandwagon and conducting a witch-hunt against suspected or claimed anti-Semites is simply playing into the hands of those who are seeking the removal of Jeremy Corbyn as Party leader.
Further reading:
How to Criticize Israel Without Being Anti-SemiticZionism, anti-Semitism and colonialism
Anti-whatever means what exactly?
This kerfuffle about anti-Semitism in the Labour Party is really annoying me. I wish that journalists and politicians alike would get their definitions right before they start shouting their heads off...
Definition of Semitic: (adjective) Of or relating to the Semites or their languages.
Definition of Semite: (noun) A member of any of various ancient and modern peoples originating in south western Asia, including the Akkadians, Canaanites, Phoenicians, Hebrews, and Arabs.
Definition of Racism: (noun) Hatred or intolerance of another race or other races. Also: A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others.
Definition of Zionism: (noun) A movement for (originally) the re-establishment and (now) the development and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel. It was established as a political organization in 1897 under Theodor Herzl, and was later led by Chaim Weizmann.
So anti-Semitism is not being anti-Jew or even anti-Israeli. Equally, anti-Semitism does not equal anti-Zionism. Not all Jews are Zionists. Not all Zionists are Jews. Not all Jews are Israelis. Not all Israelis are Zionists.
Definition of Semitic: (adjective) Of or relating to the Semites or their languages.
Definition of Semite: (noun) A member of any of various ancient and modern peoples originating in south western Asia, including the Akkadians, Canaanites, Phoenicians, Hebrews, and Arabs.
Definition of Racism: (noun) Hatred or intolerance of another race or other races. Also: A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others.
Definition of Zionism: (noun) A movement for (originally) the re-establishment and (now) the development and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel. It was established as a political organization in 1897 under Theodor Herzl, and was later led by Chaim Weizmann.
So anti-Semitism is not being anti-Jew or even anti-Israeli. Equally, anti-Semitism does not equal anti-Zionism. Not all Jews are Zionists. Not all Zionists are Jews. Not all Jews are Israelis. Not all Israelis are Zionists.
The criticism of the treatment of Palestinian people (who are also Semites under the above definitions) by the State of Israel does not equal anti-Semitism. It equals humanitarian concern for fellow human beings who are suffering daily attacks and deprivation at the hands of others.
Wednesday 20 April 2016
Keep the link between the Co-operative Group & the Co-operative Party
Last year Co-operative Group members sent a resounding message of support for continuing the historic relationship with the Co-operative Party, by passing Motion 10 at their AGM in May 2015. This was not just a vote in favour of the Co-operative Group continuing its subscription to the Party but also in favour of the Co-operative Group continuing to be actively engaged in making the case for a more co-operative Britain.
The case is just as compelling in 2016 as it was last year.
The historic partnership between the Co-operative Party and the Co-operative Group is vital if the Group wants to be at the heart of demonstrating that co-operatives are a better way of doing business.
The co-operative movement has always been a powerful advocate for a society where wealth and power are more equally shared.
Given rising inequality, the failure of our economy to deliver fair rewards for the many not just the few, and the potential for the co-operative movement to play an even bigger role in our society and in our communities, it is vital that the movement continues to have a voice in the rooms where decisions are made – in Westminster, in Holyrood, in Cardiff Bay and in town halls up and down Britain.
So if you are a member of the Co-operative Group, vote in favour of the motion on political subscriptions again at the AGM on 21st May or in advance online.
The case is just as compelling in 2016 as it was last year.
The historic partnership between the Co-operative Party and the Co-operative Group is vital if the Group wants to be at the heart of demonstrating that co-operatives are a better way of doing business.
The co-operative movement has always been a powerful advocate for a society where wealth and power are more equally shared.
Given rising inequality, the failure of our economy to deliver fair rewards for the many not just the few, and the potential for the co-operative movement to play an even bigger role in our society and in our communities, it is vital that the movement continues to have a voice in the rooms where decisions are made – in Westminster, in Holyrood, in Cardiff Bay and in town halls up and down Britain.
So if you are a member of the Co-operative Group, vote in favour of the motion on political subscriptions again at the AGM on 21st May or in advance online.
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