After a fairly quiet month the chance to chew over a few political stories:
To start with the Labour leadership, there would have been a time I'dhave been waiting for the ballot paper to drop on the mat. Now I can look from the sidelines, and to quote Diane Abbott it does look like "four geeks in suits". Of course there's little to choose between them on policy, they all , bar Abbott, served Blair/Brown loyally. What should anyone make of apologies or regrets over Iraq or other contentious issues. It hasn't been a contest to light up the media, and it seems likely that it will be a shoot out between the Millibands ( son of Blair v son of Brown). Strangely in terms of fighting the coalition in Parliament , Balls has the right credentials, whether his close relationship with Brown has done for him is debatable.
Meanwhile in London , Labour members have to select a candidate to challenge Boris Johnson for the London Mayor post. While Ken Livingstone will be attacked by the Tory press he offers so much more than Oona King. king has always come over as a Blairite politician, and her defeat by Galloway in 2005 caused few tears to be shed. Ken in the last election benefitted from the 2nd preference votes of the Greens something that King could in no way guarantee. Ken Livingstone has a sound track record over more than 30 years for progressive causes, and in spite of a few indiscretions he is deserving of support.
This week should see the Bill introduced into Parliament that will ensure a national referendum next year on the electoral system. It will be FPTP or AV ? Therefore once again it has been left to Caroline Lucas to propose an amendment that give voters a wide choice than in her words " two types of vanilla". Between AV and FPTP it a tough call .
Finally on Thursday there are Council Elections in Norwich. Normally not the sort of issue to cause much of a stir, but there is a good chance that the Green party could finish up as the largest party in the City. More thoughts on this later in the week.
Key Quotes
"Anyone who believes that exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist."
(Kenneth Boulding)
"Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. "
(Raymond Chandler)
"Live simply so that others can simply live." (unknown)
"I cannot live without books" (Thomas Jefferson)
"Sport is war without the shooting" (George Orwell)
"New York is a great city to live in if you can afford to get out of it" (William Rossa Cole)
The secret of a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits (Patterson Hood)
(Kenneth Boulding)
"Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. "
(Raymond Chandler)
"Live simply so that others can simply live." (unknown)
"I cannot live without books" (Thomas Jefferson)
"Sport is war without the shooting" (George Orwell)
"New York is a great city to live in if you can afford to get out of it" (William Rossa Cole)
The secret of a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits (Patterson Hood)
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