LENIN'S TOMB

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

A note to Labour delegates posted by Richard Seymour

Mandelson. Peter Mandelson. Lord Peter Mandelson. Seriously? This man told you only a few days ago that he was ready to work for the Tories. And you give him a standing ovation? No one could seriously believe that this applause was actually in response to what Mandelson actually said. Click on that link, watch his speech, and find a single thing in it that isn't pathetic and creepy. It wasn't even a competent delivery, what with the off-timing, wierdo expressions and sudden squeaking noises. What you admired, delegates, what you whooped and cheered about, was Mandelson's reputation as an electoral tough guy. You probably despise everything about him, but given a moribund leadership and a looming election that looks like a date with Pol Pot and his merry henchmen, you'll cower behind any charlatan selling a bit of psephological black magic. You even laughed at his revolting in-jokes about how much he'd reduced politics to spin. You laughed, and you clapped it up. 'At last,' you thought, 'the Prince of Darkness! We've hated him and his kind for so long, but he can save us!' But it's all a cruel hoax, I'm afraid. Not only can't Mandelson save you, but the second he sees his chance he'll drop the lot of you like a ton of hot shit. Face facts, delegates: you've had it. You're about to get trampled by a bunch of spivvy public schoolboys who by rights should be watching their venture capital firms sink, not preparing to lead the country. And the sad thing is that when that does happen, and you're all lying face down in the mud, you will collectively sigh with your last breath: "Mandelson was right - we should have privatised the Royal Mail!"

Labels: neoliberalism, new labour, peter mandelson, tories

Monday, May 04, 2009

Labour's crisis is quite useful posted by Richard Seymour

The weakness of the Labour leadership, with its associated faction-fight, turns out to be quite useful:

Doubts about the political viability of Lord Mandelson’s plans to part-privatise Royal Mail are spreading through government, as the recent bout of Labour indiscipline underlines the political risks of confronting backbenchers.
The business secretary’s team are “proceeding as planned” with the core proposal to sell a 30 per cent stake in the state-owned postal operator to a foreign rival, which MPs are due to vote on before the summer.
But Gordon Brown’s recent Commons defeat over Gurkhas and the part-climbdown over MPs’ expenses has intensified concerns about the Royal Mail stand-off, convincing some senior ministers the government must give way.
Lord Mandelson believes the reforms are essential. He wants the chance to press his case to Labour backbenchers in the Commons, after seeing the positive effect that a “convincing argument” has recently made in the Lords. He still has the backing of Mr Brown, who remains convinced the reforms are urgently required.
But Lord Mandelson is not expected to take it to the wire if opponents were to win their case to delay or to redraw the plan because of the inability or unwillingness of whips to bring round rebels.
The call for a rethink by figures closely involved in pushing the Royal Mail bill reflects fears it will be impossible to pass the proposals without the support of scores of Tory MPs, which will be a heavy blow to Mr Brown’s authority.

Labels: gordon brown, new labour, peter mandelson, privatisation, royal mail, trade unions