PLP surprise

Victimising the victims

This is always tricky.

 

Parliamentary Labour Party meetings are confidential, so I cannot tell you everything that happened. However, I am sure tomorrow’s papers will have gleaned every interesting morsel and will publish them in full.

 

What I can say is this was an unusual meeting. Probably unique. The atmosphere is usually purring in agreement with the leaders. Those who dare to speak against the platform are often howled at. It’s a bit like heckling a preacher in church. Not tonight. The atmosphere was cordial and 'rebels' were heard in silence.

 

In the past I have sometimes been the only dissenting voice. ‘Rebels’ tend to give the PLP a miss. I was the first to challenge Jacqui Smith's line and I thought for a while that I would be the last. Remarkably, five other senior respected figures made cogent points against the 42 days. This is worrying for the Government. For every one who makes a stand at the PLP,   there are probably 10 others who agree but remain silent or absent. That would be enough to defeat the proposal.

 

Gordon Brown has been told by journalists of goodwill to stop compromising and make a stand on his principles. He feels he has done that. Sadly he is courageous when he is wrong.

 

My contribution will be familiar to blog readers. I recalled I had a phone call from a young Muslim from my constituency on the 90 days proposal. He said, ‘Mistakes will be made. Innocent people will be locked up. They will not be white Christian boys.’ I am always wary when Government claim they are being ‘tough’. Internment in the past  was a very ‘tough’ policy, applauded by all the tabloids. What we need are  not brash 'tough' policies but carefully crafted ‘intelligent’ policies.

 

Jacqui had said she has moved a million miles to amend this policy. In fact, she has not moved a single day. The headline story is ’42 days’ on which there has been no compromise.

The test for this vote is whether it will increase or reduce the threat from terrorism. I am convinced that the perception of further victimising those who are deep into victim-hood, or further aggrieving the already aggrieved will act a recruiting agent for terrorism.

 

I hope minds can be changed. Otherwise defeat is possible.

Certain confidence

There was confirmation tonight that all Labour MPs had the same phone calls from the press that I had after the recent awful by-election result.

 

The press really are nincompoops. Their simple minded conclusion was that all MPs would be panic stricken about possibly losing their seats. Like headless chickens we would be demanding the head of the Leader.

The Chief Whip congratulated the MPs for not rising to this bait. Another press myth is that the Government will fall if Gordon loses the vote on the 42 days. It will be a blow. But Gordon will be sustained by the adulation from the moronic tabloids that are hooked on ‘tough’ policies. If a vote of confidence is proposed by the Tories, not a single Labour MP will vote for it.

 

There is still two years to go. Enough time to get back on track.

Dai's Boob

Instant access to all MPs also means instant embarrassment. Independent MP for Blaenau Gwent Dai Davies sent an e-mail to all MPs saying he wanted to set up an All Party Parliamentary Group on Family Courts.

 

Within minutes he had a response  from the Vice Chairman of the existing APPG on Family Courts. Should have checked, Dai, before reinventing the wheel.

Comments

[Peter Chambers]

Dai is good at that. If something is not “fit for purpose”
He’ll start something that is. Just as he did when The Labour
Party abandoned Socialism and he started Blaenau Gwent People’s Voice.

[valleylad]

My only problem with 42 days (or any other number plucked out of a hat) is that the a) the government has defined "terrorist" so widely and b) the government are totally untrustworthy.
If I thought anti-terrorist legislation only applied to suspected real terrorists as opposed to climate change or G8 protesters or people who heckle the PM - I'd support it!

[Tony]

I agree there - it may well be intended to catch real terrorists but just as the current terrorism laws were used to evict some from the Labour conference who disagreed with Jack Straw so the temptation will be too great - 42 days withour charge is a good way just to get someone out of the way - and it will get used

[Paul Flynn]

'Tough" is the only adjective that matter to top politicians these days. But often 'tough' means stupid, dangerous and counter-productive, like the Tories' tough policy on Khat.