Comments for Chipping Norton Labour Party http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com Announcements, comment and debate Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:06:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on The Chipping Norton Labour Party by David Heyes http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/about/#comment-30 David Heyes Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:06:12 +0000 #comment-30 My wife and I, long time Labour activists, have come to live in Chipping Norton. Please add us to a mailing list and keep us informed of meetings and other activities. Many thanks - look forward to meeting the merry band. Regards David Heyes davidheyes@yahoo.co.uk Vivien Heyes vivienheyes@yahoo.co.uk My wife and I, long time Labour activists, have come to live in Chipping Norton.

Please add us to a mailing list and keep us informed of meetings and other activities.

Many thanks – look forward to meeting the merry band.

Regards

David Heyes
davidheyes@yahoo.co.uk
Vivien Heyes
vivienheyes@yahoo.co.uk

]]> Comment on Tribute to Brian Hodgson by Rob Evans by Yasin Qadir http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/tribute-to-brian-hodgson-by-rob-evans/#comment-27 Yasin Qadir Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:25:07 +0000 http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/tribute-to-brian-hodgson-by-rob-evans/#comment-27 I met Brian on various occasions and events (quiz and chips in chippy being among them) and was always pleasantly surprised at his vast knowledge of such diverse issues as land-mines and american cluster bombs, land value taxes and more equilibrium distribution of wealth. he always showed friendliness and concern for others and passion in what he believed and will be sadly missed. I met Brian on various occasions and events (quiz and chips in chippy being among them) and was always pleasantly surprised at his vast knowledge of such diverse issues as land-mines and american cluster bombs, land value taxes and more equilibrium distribution of wealth. he always showed friendliness and concern for others and passion in what he believed and will be sadly missed.

]]> Comment on CNLP meeting discussion by Christopher Turner http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/10/22/cnlp-meeting-discussion/#comment-18 Christopher Turner Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:36:04 +0000 http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/10/22/cnlp-meeting-discussion/#comment-18 I fully agree about the damage that the non-election has done to the party's credibility. Gordon had shown as Chancellor that he was dodgy - dodgy with double-counting and too fond of complicated schemes like tax-credits - and responsible for the widening and deepening gap between the haves and the have-nots. In the summer he appeared to have turned over a new leaf, and perhaps those of us who hoped for a different leader were wrong. But then we had the same old Gordon - double-counting in Iraq, being politically opportunistic and devoid, as Tony Blair was, of any vision. He uses the word vision because it is what we are looking for after 10 years of stabilizing the economy and undermining the traditional family. Cameron has come up with specific policies which will appeal to the floating voter; we want from Gordon policies which inspire traditional supporters of the Labour Party (or rather, people to whom the Labour Party's traditional values have appealed). Personally I want to hear an end to interference with our schools coupled with boosting the morale of the teachers; ditto with the NHS. We all need to be reassured that there is a long-term policy on Iraq and Afghanistan. We must have a policy on violence among our youth, on overfull prisons, on the treatment of people seeking asylum (and compassion for those coming from e.g., Zimbabwe), on the need to persuade people to use public transport (railways are impossibly expensive), on the protection of rural communities by subsidizing village post-offices and on the obscene incomes of too many chief executives, directors, etc. I fully agree about the damage that the non-election has done to the party’s credibility. Gordon had shown as Chancellor that he was dodgy – dodgy with double-counting and too fond of complicated schemes like tax-credits – and responsible for the widening and deepening gap between the haves and the have-nots. In the summer he appeared to have turned over a new leaf, and perhaps those of us who hoped for a different leader were wrong. But then we had the same old Gordon – double-counting in Iraq, being politically opportunistic and devoid, as Tony Blair was, of any vision. He uses the word vision because it is what we are looking for after 10 years of stabilizing the economy and undermining the traditional family. Cameron has come up with specific policies which will appeal to the floating voter; we want from Gordon policies which inspire traditional supporters of the Labour Party (or rather, people to whom the Labour Party’s traditional values have appealed). Personally I want to hear an end to interference with our schools coupled with boosting the morale of the teachers; ditto with the NHS. We all need to be reassured that there is a long-term policy on Iraq and Afghanistan. We must have a policy on violence among our youth, on overfull prisons, on the treatment of people seeking asylum (and compassion for those coming from e.g., Zimbabwe), on the need to persuade people to use public transport (railways are impossibly expensive), on the protection of rural communities by subsidizing village post-offices and on the obscene incomes of too many chief executives, directors, etc.

]]> Comment on Tribute to Brian Hodgson by Rob Evans by John & Aelfthryth Gittings http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/tribute-to-brian-hodgson-by-rob-evans/#comment-17 John & Aelfthryth Gittings Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:35:46 +0000 http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/tribute-to-brian-hodgson-by-rob-evans/#comment-17 Brian Hodgson was a socialist in the fullest sense of the word, combining political commitment and advocacy with personal understanding and compassion -- plus an unfailing humour and charm. For new arrivals in the constituency a few years ago, it was also a great tonic to meet someone who called us Comrades. His energy, enthusiasm, attention to detail, abundance of causes and above all his character set a very high standard for us all. We shall miss Comrade Brian. Brian Hodgson was a socialist in the fullest sense of the word, combining political commitment and advocacy with personal understanding and compassion — plus an unfailing humour and charm. For new arrivals in the constituency a few years ago, it was also a great tonic to meet someone who called us Comrades. His energy, enthusiasm, attention to detail, abundance of causes and above all his character set a very high standard for us all. We shall miss Comrade Brian.

]]> Comment on Tribute to Brian Hodgson by Rob Evans by Neil Homer http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/tribute-to-brian-hodgson-by-rob-evans/#comment-16 Neil Homer Fri, 31 Aug 2007 09:02:24 +0000 http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/tribute-to-brian-hodgson-by-rob-evans/#comment-16 I only saw this in leafing through last week's Oxford Mail in a cafe yesterday and was very shocked. I only spoke to Brian a couple of months ago about Community Land Trusts, another campaign that he was energised by and enthused me about a few years ago. I think he thought I was a Blair-ite when we first met but we soon discovered much greater mutual political interests. A very sad loss and he'll be much missed. I only saw this in leafing through last week’s Oxford Mail in a cafe yesterday and was very shocked. I only spoke to Brian a couple of months ago about Community Land Trusts, another campaign that he was energised by and enthused me about a few years ago. I think he thought I was a Blair-ite when we first met but we soon discovered much greater mutual political interests. A very sad loss and he’ll be much missed.

]]> Comment on Tribute to Brian Hodgson by Rob Evans by Frances Ashworth http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/tribute-to-brian-hodgson-by-rob-evans/#comment-15 Frances Ashworth Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:21:05 +0000 http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/tribute-to-brian-hodgson-by-rob-evans/#comment-15 Many people will feel a real sense of loss at the death of Brian Hodgson. He stood for so much - from fairness - witness his views on property taxes as they affect the poor - to just simple friendliness and concern for individuals. His parting leaves a tangible hole. Many people will feel a real sense of loss at the death of Brian Hodgson. He stood for so much – from fairness – witness his views on property taxes as they affect the poor – to just simple friendliness and concern for individuals. His parting leaves a tangible hole.

]]> Comment on Tribute to Brian Hodgson by Rob Evans by Gina Burrows http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/tribute-to-brian-hodgson-by-rob-evans/#comment-14 Gina Burrows Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:03:58 +0000 http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/tribute-to-brian-hodgson-by-rob-evans/#comment-14 Brian has been a great and faithful friend to Chippy Labour Party for as long as I have been active here. He has canvassed for all of us whenever he hasn't had an election of his own to fight and since the sad day when the County Council lost both him and Rob as active, lively and committed councillors, he has been here at every election - out in pouring rain ('We'll get the sympathy vote here' he promised), dripping on doormats till some kind person lent us another umbrella, in a slot of 30 minutes before another meeting, or last May in considerable pain from his arthritic hip but still knocking on doors and chuckling when he discovered another 'yes'. And afterwards, on Polling Day, supping tea in the Committee Rooms as he crossed off numbers and prepared data for the Hodgson election analysis we all looked forward to. Brian was also a stalwart at the Chippy Quiz and Chips, ready to argue the toss on some element of political history and there will be sadly an empty place at our Christmas dinner. As County Party observor of the Labour Group meetings of OCC it was clear that he was always the pragmatic politician, always polite, always observing the rules but razor sharp in noting when to intervene and when to remind everyone of first (Socialist) principles. Personally he was for me a great friend. Always making me feel better with words of encouragement for whatever venture was on hand. He loved his food and with Rob and sometimes other councillors, we had many very jolly meals after Group meetings - often accompanied by a little sweepstake on the outcome of a football match on behalf of Adopt-a-Minefield. He is a great loss to us all and although small and slight he will leave a huge hole in the progressive politics of Oxfordshire. Brian has been a great and faithful friend to Chippy Labour Party for as long as I have been active here. He has canvassed for all of us whenever he hasn’t had an election of his own to fight and since the sad day when the County Council lost both him and Rob as active, lively and committed councillors, he has been here at every election – out in pouring rain (‘We’ll get the sympathy vote here’ he promised), dripping on doormats till some kind person lent us another umbrella, in a slot of 30 minutes before another meeting, or last May in considerable pain from his arthritic hip but still knocking on doors and chuckling when he discovered another ‘yes’. And afterwards, on Polling Day, supping tea in the Committee Rooms as he crossed off numbers and prepared data for the Hodgson election analysis we all looked forward to.
Brian was also a stalwart at the Chippy Quiz and Chips, ready to argue the toss on some element of political history and there will be sadly an empty place at our Christmas dinner.
As County Party observor of the Labour Group meetings of OCC it was clear that he was always the pragmatic politician, always polite, always observing the rules but razor sharp in noting when to intervene and when to remind everyone of first (Socialist) principles.
Personally he was for me a great friend. Always making me feel better with words of encouragement for whatever venture was on hand. He loved his food and with Rob and sometimes other councillors, we had many very jolly meals after Group meetings – often accompanied by a little sweepstake on the outcome of a football match on behalf of Adopt-a-Minefield. He is a great loss to us all and although small and slight he will leave a huge hole in the progressive politics of Oxfordshire.

]]> Comment on This is the time to say goodbye… by John Gittings http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/05/10/this-is-the-time-to-say-goodbye/#comment-13 John Gittings Wed, 04 Jul 2007 19:44:59 +0000 http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/05/10/this-is-the-time-to-say-goodbye/#comment-13 In response to the Secretary's appeal, at yday's AGM, for more use of this website, here is a delayed reaction to the election for Deputy Leader. In short, I thought it a great success not just for Harriet Harman but for Party democracy. As it turned out, she won -- narrowly, on the basis of the popular Party vote. If John Cruddas had won instead of being eliminated in the previous round, his win would have been due to the union vote. This in my opinion would have been less satisfactory not least because such a small proportion of eligible union members had voted at all. There is no doubt that Alan Johnson (our constitutuency's choice) was also very popular, hence the narrowness of Harriet's victory, but I am personally glad she made it instead of him. Together with the unqualified rejection of Hazel Blears, it sent a very clear signal from the rank and file to our new leader to maintain our values. We should also approach new -- and especially LAPSED -- members arguing strongly that the Party is about to get into better shape again, on the basis b oth of this election and the more consensual politics already being adopted or at least floated by Gordon Brown. In response to the Secretary’s appeal, at yday’s AGM, for more use of this website, here is a delayed reaction to the election for Deputy Leader. In short, I thought it a great success not just for Harriet Harman but for Party democracy. As it turned out, she won — narrowly, on the basis of the popular Party vote. If John Cruddas had won instead of being eliminated in the previous round, his win would have been due to the union vote. This in my opinion would have been less satisfactory not least because such a small proportion of eligible union members had voted at all. There is no doubt that Alan Johnson (our constitutuency’s choice) was also very popular, hence the narrowness of Harriet’s victory, but I am personally glad she made it instead of him. Together with the unqualified rejection of Hazel Blears, it sent a very clear signal from the rank and file to our new leader to maintain our values.
We should also approach new — and especially LAPSED — members arguing strongly that the Party is about to get into better shape again, on the basis b oth of this election and the more consensual politics already being adopted or at least floated by Gordon Brown.

]]> Comment on This is the time to say goodbye… by John Gittings http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/05/10/this-is-the-time-to-say-goodbye/#comment-12 John Gittings Sun, 20 May 2007 19:43:29 +0000 http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/05/10/this-is-the-time-to-say-goodbye/#comment-12 So its the coronation of Gordon, without us having a chance to vote. The system designed to ensure the Party (and the unions) has a voice in the selection of a leader turns out to have a rather serious flaw: it depends on the PLP to make a proper election possible. So the result in this case is simply that the MPs and no one else decide. I also think that Gordon's future position as leader would be much stronger if he had "facilitated" a real contest: the lefties like myself would have been more willing to accept the fact of his victory in a properly contested election. So its the coronation of Gordon, without us having a chance to vote. The system designed to ensure the Party (and the unions) has a voice in the selection of a leader turns out to have a rather serious flaw: it depends on the PLP to make a proper election possible. So the result in this case is simply that the MPs and no one else decide. I also think that Gordon’s future position as leader would be much stronger if he had “facilitated” a real contest: the lefties like myself would have been more willing to accept the fact of his victory in a properly contested election.

]]> Comment on This is the time to say goodbye… by Charles http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/05/10/this-is-the-time-to-say-goodbye/#comment-11 Charles Sat, 12 May 2007 11:31:32 +0000 http://chippylabblog.wordpress.com/2007/05/10/this-is-the-time-to-say-goodbye/#comment-11 I'd tend to agree with Gina, although I think that TB has a high opinion of himself (who could do that job who didn't?). I think the conduct of the war in Iraq will be a lasting blot on TB's record, but I still think on balance he's been a brave and good PM. The risk of having a "leader who listens" is that they get portrayed as swaying in the wind. In my view a leader needs to set the pace, TB and Labour's problem is that they tried to not just set the pace, they also wanted to be in every position in the race (clumsy metaphor I know) and I think GB will have to trust his ministers more to make mistakes. As Bobby Kennedy said: "There is a Chinese curse which says, "May he live in interesting times." Like it or not, we live in interesting times..." I’d tend to agree with Gina, although I think that TB has a high opinion of himself (who could do that job who didn’t?). I think the conduct of the war in Iraq will be a lasting blot on TB’s record, but I still think on balance he’s been a brave and good PM.

The risk of having a “leader who listens” is that they get portrayed as swaying in the wind. In my view a leader needs to set the pace, TB and Labour’s problem is that they tried to not just set the pace, they also wanted to be in every position in the race (clumsy metaphor I know) and I think GB will have to trust his ministers more to make mistakes. As Bobby Kennedy said: “There is a Chinese curse which says, “May he live in interesting times.” Like it or not, we live in interesting times…”

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