To Left Unity

Yes, indeed.  Far better to be positive with eco-socialist, rather than negative with anti-capitalist.  Capitalism is so heavily entrenched within our society but is so deeply unsustainable and hence flawed.  Eco-socialism perfectly embraces that compassionate, caring, socially just society that puts the poor and disadvantaged first and foremost and the fit and wealthy last.

It is totally unacceptable that it "does not mention climate or environmental work."  We must be seen to be relevant and speaking to the major issues and concerns of the day.  We definitely do.  And we have to engage as we do.  By the way, the card is brilliant and I took a few on Saturday.

I am not clear what Bob is getting at here:

"Anyway, back to the NIP; anything that weakens the imperialist UK state should get a big tick, but should that also apply to within England itself, the heartland of racism, imperialism and Toryism? If the NIP was to attract growing support, the argument that 'workers need to be united, this move would divide them' sounds a bit like the arguments against Scottish independence. I am aware of the differences between a historic nation and a region, but there is an inequality issue there that has to be addressed."

Are you arguing for independence for N England, Bob for reasons of equality?  Then it will be independence for SW England ... 

I want independence for Scotland asap and Trident removed from that land.  I am not so sure about Northern England getting independence, however.  Regional devolution as we now have is good as long as we (LU members) are welcomed and valued in a partnership with other interested parties in working with the decision-makers at 16 Summer Lane.  We have to muscle in, as I do and, make the most of the opportunity to influence the WMCA Board meeting in Wolverhampton on Fri 19 Nov at 1030 hrs for their gathering at 1100 hrs at the Civic Centre.

I am shocked by the apathetic, totally uninterested, uninformed and misinformed councillors in my own borough of Dudley and of the Green Party councillor in Brum.  I'm disappointed by all the councillors, in fact, apart from Olly Armstrong who is active and a socialist and took the lead over the rally and march.  Our time has come to take over from the councillors in getting what we want in the W Midlands actually done.

I am desperate that we work with our friends in the SWP, the Socialist Party, the Communist Party, CND, Stop the War, Greenpeace, Reprieve etc and I want LU as the perfect banner and name for us all to coalesce under to counter right-wing racism, domination, greed and militarism.

Blair attacks Corbyn for turning Labour into 'glorified protest movement' and says it is 'marooned on fantasy island'

from

https://www.itv.com/news/2019-12-18/tony-blair-warns-labour-must-renew-itself-as-progressive-or-face-slow-demise/

But the report for Mr Blair’s organisation says the EU was not the “main explanation” and instead criticises the current leader “and the politics he represents”.

Only 24% of voters polled in the report believed Mr Corbyn is patriotic, with focus group participants criticising his perceived associations with the IRA and terror groups.

The fatal London Bridge terror attack during the campaign had “real cut-through”, the report says, with perceptions being that Mr Corbyn’s stance was weak.

His policies were individually popular, polling suggested, but voters felt they lacked credibility when taken together, with 22% thinking the ideas were both good in principle and that Labour could be trusted to spend the money wisely.

A Labour source defended Mr Corbyn and blamed Mr Blair for having overseen the start of Labour’s decline.

“In 2017 we saw the biggest swing to Labour since 1945 and more people voted for Labour under Jeremy, both in this election and in 2017, than Ed Miliband in 2015, Gordon Brown in 2010 or Tony Blair in 2005,” the source said.  (my emphasis)

“As with Scotland, the decline in Labour support in the North discussed in this report started under Tony Blair. While the party undergoes a period of reflection, perhaps Tony Blair should reflect on his own role.”

SELF: The UK electorate is completely out of sympathy with wishy washy, namby pamby liberals like me with our support for Corbyn, Stop the War Coalition, CND, the Prison Reform Trust, republicanism instead of the monarchy, the underdog, the crushed and marginalised (Gaza, West Bank, Palestine); and, the Campaign Against the Arms Trade.