By election and aftermath

The Oldham by-election was a bit of a non event. Labour retained what was a safe seat . The li Dem vote vote didn't collapse largely because of tactically voting by Tory voters. The Tory vote subsequently dropped, perhaps because their voters realised that they weren't really trying. a "gentle campaign" in the words of Eric Pickles. Sadly UKIP and BNP took 4th and 5th spots, leaving the Greens in 6th with just over 500 votes.

Now Oldham is not natural Green territory, but I'm still bewildered that those who oppose the cuts don't see through the Labour alternative. On Sunday Ed Miliband was interviewed by Andrew Marr, here was an opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with those who are likely to lose their jobs as a result of cuts, and he blew it. Still more "we are a responsible opposition " " we won't oppose all cuts" etc etc.

There is a need to present an alternative to the cuts agenda and Labour isn't offering it. Last week the debate to privatise the " Royal Mail", an extreme case of selling off the family silver. A chance for Labour to ally itself with the postal workers. Deafening silence, why ? Because Mandelson had wanted to do the self same thing a few years back.

Miliband did talk of "a good society" as one with "a village post office" and a "zebra crossing".
Yes people want to play an active role in their communities, but they expect leadership from government.

This week the political battleground will turn to reforming the NHS. Cameron during the 2010 election campaign said that he had no desire to tamper with the NHS. Well he has no mandate for these reforms. The BMA are exposing the strain that health practioners are being placed under. Let's hear some opposition in Parliament.