Prove me wrong, Gordon.

Has 39 become 45?

Commons rumours are that five additional backbenchers have joined the 39 ‘rebels’ who have signed Franks Field’s amendment to give compensation to those who have lost by the abolition of the 10p tax band.

The whips have failed dismally in their attempts to peel off individuals. Their main plea is again the threat that the Government will fall and an immediate General Election will result. The whips believed this was a clincher argument at the Iraq war vote. The hope is that the fear of the possibility of the P45 will terrify MPs into submission.

The threat did not work then when Labour was riding high in the polls. All that would precipitate a General Election would be a vote of no confidence in the Government. No Labour MP would be so manically suicidal to vote for a General Election when Labour is at rock bottom in the polls.

Any pressure the leadership and whips can impose is trivial compared with the storm of e-mails, letters and phone calls from Labour loyalists who feel that the Government has betrayed them. It not just those who are affected. Messages are coming from friends, relatives and neighbours of the large number of low paid who believe they have been cheated.

Frank Field is seeking the compromise we all want. If it is not found we will vote against the Government. The 39 are tough seasoned campaigners who will not be bribed, bullied or bamboozled.  Money can always be found for other unexpected contingencies. The Iraq War and Northern Rock were the two most recent examples. The leadership can emerge with honour if they announce the £1billion deal with a thunderous declaration of Labour’s brilliant record of moving money to the worst off.

How about a ‘Stealth Socialism unveiled’ declaration? That will begin to restore our shattered morale. There are rumours of a statement 10 minutes before PM Question Time. That would be the best way to keep the opposition guessing. One of the most painful calls I have had yesterday was from a lifelong socialist who reminded me that in 1996, I said that Labour would win the election but lose the Party.

Prove me wrong, Gordon.

Green transport

Stranded in the rain last night, without a taxi in sight and then blessed relief trundled along in the shape of Polish muscle power.

I hailed it and glided majestically across Westminster Bridge in a rickshaw expertly pedalled by a Polish basketball player. It was a first for the  police on carriage gates. They applauded as I trundled through. Getting across the security glass-well was tricky. The rickshaw has a small wheelbase. Having successfully manoeuvred that, it was a dawdle to take me a foot away from my car parked in Palace Court.

This was a far better pollution-free service than the taxi. The £5 cost was the same with the added satisfaction of contribution to the Polish economy.

Comments

[Tony]

Looks like GB listened - nice one !

[valleylad]

To a large extent Nu-labour need to decide where they want to go now. Are they going to remain the "tory lite" party or start on the long and difficult path of engaging with their traditional supporters?

I don't know a single "lifelong socialist" who would contemplate voting for this government. As a comment on a different blog put it - "Anyone earning under 100K would be mad to vote Tory or Labour" - I agree.

Three suggestions for raising the money to restore the 10p band:
1. Remove all tax breaks on BTL
2. A "moral hazard" tax on banks
3. A new tax band for income over 100K

Obviously, I'm dreaming!

[Baneswell boy]

It's a 'u-turn' but it's the right decision.

[Chris]

One of the problems is that this country is (sadly) quite right wing and improving the lot of the poorest can only be done by stealth.
Compared to what went before this government is far far better. In many ways its constrained by the very nature of society.

The 10p issue should never have come about but hopefully it will now be sorted.

The Tories going on about their concern for the poor is totally pathetic, given the misery they inflicted for years.

[Nick]

"He accepted that not all those who've lost from the 10p tax rate cut would benefit. Not all losers, indeed most of them he believes, are anything like poor.".....

"He still believes that his last budget as chancellor was right and fair; that the number of poor people who lose has been exaggerated; that he's only made a minor change to his policy, costing a relatively small sum of money. And, finally, he is outraged at being lectured on poverty by the Conservative party.

Nevertheless, deep down, he must know that this political mess is largely of his own making."

The above from Nick Robinson's blog on the BBC. I don't know Gordon says he gets it but after reading the above i'm not quite sure. What is it going to take for him to see the light!

This U-turn could yet turn out to be the beginning of a 360.

[paulflynn]

Oh that we had a bit of redistribution from the top. there is certainly scope for it with the £1millions bonuses paid in the city.

This has been a good day.

[Occasionally Jolly but currently pissed off Roger.]

Your compromise helps me, not at all.
You really have the utmost gall.
What do I do from now 'til November?
I'll still pay double tax, remember?
Immediate 10p restoration's needed,
To ensure that I continue to be feeded.
Undo this stingy and niggardly move.
Labour has lost the Nation's love.

Jam tomorrow, but exactly when?
What am I supposed to do 'til then.
I know, I'll subsidise the better off.
And maintain your monthly £400 trough.
NuLabour? As per Jim Royle, my arse!
Protect the weak? It's just a farce,
To keep the poor in their proper places.
Down on their knees and flat on their faces.

Labour's done simply nowt for me.
Down here at the bottom of the tree.
I just struggle day to day.
To keeps the wolves and poverty at bay.
And if you think that I exaggerate.
Just let me know and I'll relate,
To you the sorryness of my situ.
I can wear the cap, it just won't fit you.

[Paul Flynn]

Valleylad, what is the alternative?

AQt least 39 MPs who would have been at least 70 on Monday if nothing had changed.