UK Parties: The Labour Party

[T_i_B]

A thread on the governing party in the UK.

http://www.labour.org.uk/

The Labour Party was set up in 1900 to fight for representation for the Labour movement - trade unions and socialist societies - in Parliament. Its first leader was James Keir Hardie, one of the earliest Labour MPs.

Though Labour was only in government for three short periods of the 20th century, its achievements revolutionised the lives of the British people. The values Labour stands for today are those which have guided it throughout its existence.

And since this is very much Tony Blair's party, I thought I would link to the Labour page on Tony Blair

http://www.labour.org.uk/primeminister/

[Brian Morans]

1. What about New Labour?

That's Blair's Labour. The old Labour Party doesn't really exist anymore, or at least it seems to have been neutralized by Blair's drive to the center.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. That website is 'New Labour'

since they control the party at the moment. The Socialist Campaign Group is probably more representative of 'old' Labour.

http://www.poptel.org.uk/scgn/

[T_i_B]

3. Yep

I thought I would provide the info on what the labour party is from the labour party website. Since the labour party has become new labour it's a good place to start.

Oddly enough, whenever I try typing in http://www.newlabour.co.uk I get redirected to a very funny place indeed!

[D-Notice]

4. Bout time someone did that!

After all there's no real difference between the two!

[ukrespect]

5. UK Parties: RESPECT - The Unity Coalition

Since Labour abondoned all pretence to be a truely socialist party, I think it might be useful to highlight the main socialist party in the UK.

RESPECT - Respect Equality Socialism Peace Environment Community Trade Unionism

A new political party born from the massive Stop The War Coalition movement that brought 2 million people onto the streets of London in February 2003. RESPECT was formed in February 2004 and in recent European elections established itself as the main progressive socialist party in the UK.

http://www.respectcoalition.org/

[LondonAmerican]

6. And one that welcomes anti-gay bigots as well

[non sociopath skin]

8. I have to say that that's an aspect of Respect which worries me.

Perhaps someone could reassure me that Respect takes a firm line on such matters with its membership. While I accept that I have to share the Earth with hard-line Islamic fundamentalism, I suspect that it has about as much in common with socialism or social democracy as has hard-line Deep South Christian fundamentalism.

I have to admit to some trepidation about George Galloway too. While I despise the way in which he was treat in the right-wing press, I fear that he was a little too close to Saddam for my liking.

All through my unflinching opposition to the war, I have never lost sight of the fact that Saddam is a pretty objectionable human being and I have little time for his apologists.

The Skin

[T_i_B]

7. kick

:kick:

[T_i_B]

9. UK General Election Kick

:kick:

Probably the last one, although I'm surprised that this thread has got so few replies on it given that it's Labour who run the country at present!