'Labour to explore historic break from trade unions'

[sledger]

it wont happen,there not going to pee off so many potential votes,this present government is finished when it goes to the polls hence it trying to rush through the rm privatisation,just political stirring in my oppinion

[borders]

I think we have to take into account Labour's readiness to work within Britain's political system rather than try to overthrow it or radically reform it . at some stage the British working class has to become fully class-conscious and converted to socialism. has this ever happened ? do we grasp the notion of Surplus Value .
for me our Political parties are just a vehicle for the elite to tread a Career path and enrich themselves along the way. they operate under the umbrella of Capitalism and they don't really challenge this system do they ? witness Austerity the poorest pay more while we will continue to pay ourselves big wages and bonuses.
the labour party has never entirely succeeded in becoming the party of the working class, many of its leaders such as Blair were from middleclass/ upper class backgrounds and really only adapted the party to Capitalism at that time to become electorable.

[El-Bandito]

So called "Red Ed" you have signed your own death warrant, goodbye!! Get ready for coalition government part 2

[Godric]

So called "Red Ed" you have signed your own death warrant, goodbye!! Get ready for coalition government part 2

labour forget their roots it was the unions that founded the Labour party to speak and fight for the working class since I first voted as a teenager in the 1980s I have never voted for that vile party as they have done very little for Scotland and they are only interested in their ain wee clique of like minded people ... mibbe this is what was neede to waken up the trade unions to what labour are now are .... tories in red rosettes

[dvbuk55]

Ah yes those heady days of union power in the 70's and early 80's currently only 23.5% of the workforce are in a trade union whereas 46% are in employment where unions are recognised - so realistically over 70% of the UK workforce aren't trade unionists so is it any wonder that the Labour party have become middle of the road in order to be electable.....no of course not. Tub thumping militant leftists have no place in modern politics.

[Godric]

Ah yes those heady days of union power in the 70's and early 80's currently only 23.5% of the workforce are in a trade union whereas 46% are in employment where unions are recognised - so realistically over 70% of the UK workforce aren't trade unionists so is it any wonder that the Labour party have become middle of the road in order to be electable.....no of course not. Tub thumping militant leftists have no place in modern politics.

I ain't a leftie by any sort I have both left and right wing views

[Danelectro]

it wont happen,there not going to pee off so many potential votes,this present government is finished when it goes to the polls hence it trying to rush through the rm privatisation,just political stirring in my oppinion

Judging by the announcement today its far from the historic break Miliband is trying to make out ,I was more interested in why even the most moderate alternative to Ed Balls austerity is dismissed out of hand as lunacy,the same reply was given to anyone who questioned the likes of the private finance initiative and bank deregulation during the golden years of Blair.Even a big idea like the land value tax looks a dawdle to punt in comparison to those two.

If its really all about getting votes then why arent Labour promising to fight for a cap or more controls on the movement of citizens within the European union? the answer is because its not part of big business and the bond markets agenda and not because they believe in a multi cultural wonderland and a living wage.

[dvbuk55]

If its really all about getting votes then why arent Labour promising to fight for a cap or more controls on the movement of citizens within the European union? the answer is because its not part of big business and the bond markets agenda and not because they believe in a multi cultural wonderland and a living wage.

They want to govern, to be in power they aren't interested in the working masses - so yes it is all about getting votes - promises to keep is no longer an option for the politicos.

[borders]

Ah yes those heady days of union power in the 70's and early 80's currently only 23.5% of the workforce are in a trade union whereas 46% are in employment where unions are recognised - so realistically over 70% of the UK workforce aren't trade unionists so is it any wonder that the Labour party have become middle of the road in order to be electable.....no of course not. Tub thumping militant leftists have no place in modern politics.

why use that word " Militant " when describing someone leaning to the left ? why is George Osbourne not described as " Militant " or any other Tory that protects and furthers his Class. using the public to bail out the Banks and allowing his cronies to pay themselves massive bonuses while the rest of us face these so called Austerity measures. is that not militant , extreme , unfair behaviour. the Tories do look after their class , unfortunately Labour was hi-jacked years ago and does not . however , I am up for anyone who tries to change the status quo, Militancy really ??

[dvbuk55]

Ah yes those heady days of union power in the 70's and early 80's currently only 23.5% of the workforce are in a trade union whereas 46% are in employment where unions are recognised - so realistically over 70% of the UK workforce aren't trade unionists so is it any wonder that the Labour party have become middle of the road in order to be electable.....no of course not. Tub thumping militant leftists have no place in modern politics.

why use that word " Militant " when describing someone leaning to the left ? why is George Osbourne not described as " Militant " or any other Tory that protects and furthers his Class. using the public to bail out the Banks and allowing his cronies to pay themselves massive bonuses while the rest of us face these so called Austerity measures. is that not militant , extreme , unfair behaviour. the Tories do look after their class , unfortunately Labour was hi-jacked years ago and does not . however , I am up for anyone who tries to change the status quo, Militancy really ??

Intrinsically there is absolutely no difference, except of course one set are tub thumping leftists and the other tub thumping rightists

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Ah yes those heady days of union power in the 70's and early 80's currently only 23.5% of the workforce are in a trade union whereas 46% are in employment where unions are recognised - so realistically over 70% of the UK workforce aren't trade unionists so is it any wonder that the Labour party have become middle of the road in order to be electable.....no of course not. Tub thumping militant leftists have no place in modern politics.

why use that word " Militant " when describing someone leaning to the left ? why is George Osbourne not described as " Militant " or any other Tory that protects and furthers his Class. using the public to bail out the Banks and allowing his cronies to pay themselves massive bonuses while the rest of us face these so called Austerity measures. is that not militant , extreme , unfair behaviour. the Tories do look after their class , unfortunately Labour was hi-jacked years ago and does not . however , I am up for anyone who tries to change the status quo, Militancy really ??

Intrinsically there is absolutely no difference, except of course one set are tub thumping leftists and the other tub thumping rightists

But look where mediocrity got us - 2 main parties which are hard to tell apart and 35 years of Tory and Tory Lite rule.

[dvbuk55]

Ah yes those heady days of union power in the 70's and early 80's currently only 23.5% of the workforce are in a trade union whereas 46% are in employment where unions are recognised - so realistically over 70% of the UK workforce aren't trade unionists so is it any wonder that the Labour party have become middle of the road in order to be electable.....no of course not. Tub thumping militant leftists have no place in modern politics.

why use that word " Militant " when describing someone leaning to the left ? why is George Osbourne not described as " Militant " or any other Tory that protects and furthers his Class. using the public to bail out the Banks and allowing his cronies to pay themselves massive bonuses while the rest of us face these so called Austerity measures. is that not militant , extreme , unfair behaviour. the Tories do look after their class , unfortunately Labour was hi-jacked years ago and does not . however , I am up for anyone who tries to change the status quo, Militancy really ??

Intrinsically there is absolutely no difference, except of course one set are tub thumping leftists and the other tub thumping rightists

But look where mediocrity got us - 2 main parties which are hard to tell apart and 35 years of Tory and Tory Lite rule.

Ad infinitum and ad nauseum I'm afraid...........we aren't a nation of barricade builders and our military and judicial systems don't lend themselves to civil war - we are far too civilised for that.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I do like a chance to quote Dune in Context.

“Most civilisation is based on cowardice. It's so easy to civilize by teaching cowardice. You water down the standards which would lead to bravery. You restrain the will. You regulate the appetites. You fence in the horizons. You make a law for every movement. You deny the existence of chaos. You teach even the children to breathe slowly. You tame.”
― Frank Herbert, God Emperor of Dune

[Danelectro]

we aren't a nation of barricade builders

'Caution' Barricade Tape, 1000' Roll, Yellow

From United States
£8.73
+ £28.89 postage

I think that great barricade Hadrians wall should be reintroduced only this time the barbarians will be on the south side.

by the way you thump a pretty mean tub yourself so goose and gander and all that

[Godric]

Ah yes those heady days of union power in the 70's and early 80's currently only 23.5% of the workforce are in a trade union whereas 46% are in employment where unions are recognised - so realistically over 70% of the UK workforce aren't trade unionists so is it any wonder that the Labour party have become middle of the road in order to be electable.....no of course not. Tub thumping militant leftists have no place in modern politics.

why is George Osbourne not described as " Militant " or any other Tory that protects and furthers his Class.

George Osbourne and his ilk are not militants they are more like Mutants