'Blair has Murdered Labour Party' Says Galloway

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=4733688

'Blair has Murdered Labour Party' Says Galloway

By Rod Minchin, PA


Respect MP George Galloway tonight accused Tony Blair of “murdering” the Labour Party.

The ex-Labour MP, who was expelled from the Party for opposing the Iraq War, said the Prime Minister had Labour “by the throat“.

Respect – founded by Mr Galloway after leaving Labour – was the only party that represented the views and interests of millions of traditional working class voters, Mr Galloway said.

He was speaking during a brief break during rehearsals for the opening night of his speaking tour entitled The Mother of All One Man Shows today.

<</SNIP>>

[rainy]

1. It sounds like our same battle, no real dems/labor/people party

just two corporate parties

[Spazito]

2. He does have a 'way' with words

I could almost hear him actually saying the words I was reading, actually hearing his scathing words spoken in that wonderful accent of his.

[mom cat]

3. The Mother of All One Man Shows{

The mother of all one man shows
12/06/2005


The 'Mother of All One Man Shows' - An Audience with George Galloway MP.



World Premiere

7.30pm Thursday 23 June Customs House, South Shields


25&26 June - Glastonbury Festival
23 Aug - Edinburgh Festival tbc
27 Sept - The Lowry Centre, Salford, Manchester
28 Sept - Fairfield Halls, Croydon
29 Sept - Glasgow Citizens Theatre
30 Sept - Lochgelly Centre, Fife, Scotland
3 Oct - Aberystwyth Arts Centre
7 Oct - Rose Hill Theatre, Carlisle
13 Oct - Bloomsbury Theatre, London
21 Oct - St George's Palace, Exeter


For further dates still to be announced visit www.celebrityproductions.info

"This is an opportunity for audiences to meet the real me – not the fictional character invented by the media. People can hear the true story of my life, about my beliefs and passions and discover the truth for themselves. I am looking forward to a lively Q & A session with theatregoers – who are free to ask me anything. It promises to be a great evening! George Galloway MP

Clive Conway Celebrity Productions, organisers of the popular and successful theatre shows An Audience with … personalities such as Alastair Campbell, Tony Benn and William Hague are delighted to announce their latest signing, George Galloway MP.

Clive Conway says "I am pleased that George Galloway has joined our prestigious list of personalities who are taking part in the theatrical phenomenon that is 'An Audience With …' where theatre goers meet major political figures hear their stories and engage in lively debate during the Question and Answer session.". Politicians and other personalities who are enjoying success with Clive Conway's An Audience with … one person shows in UK theatres include Clare Short, Ann Widdecombe, Baroness Shirley Williams, Lord Tebbit, John Humphrys, John Sergeant, Nick Ferrari, Sir Trevor Mc Donald, Sir David Frost, Michael Buerk, Martin Bell among many others.


UK theatre audiences will now have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of the controversial and charismatic MP George Galloway when he presents the Mother of All One Man Shows – An Audience with George Galloway.

Following his sensational appearance in front of the US Senate last month, George Galloway made spectacular global headlines from seasoned observers of Capitol Hill politics such as :


"If you want to give George Galloway a grilling, make sure you bring a gril!l"
"Galloway by a knockout - before round five";

* CNN's Wolf Blitzer described the British MP's evidence as "a blistering attack on US senators rarely heard" in the seat of American power.


The former Labour MP travelled to Washington after senators accused him of receiving credit to buy Iraqi oil - an allegation he has always denied.

Author of I'm Not The Only One, George Galloway is one of the most controversial figures in British politics today. A central organising force and mobilising figurehead for the Stop The War Coalition opposed to the war in Iraq – which lead to him being expelled from the Labour Party - George Galloway founded Respect a new political party becoming it's first MP for the London constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow in this year's general election. George Galloway will sign copies of his book during the evening.

George Galloway talks of his proudest achievements of the past few years "Having been a leader of the anti-war movement which built the biggest demonstrations in British history; having been right about Iraq; having made enemies like Tony Blair, Rupert Murdoch and Conrad Black; having defeated the Daily Telegraph in court; and having helped build Respect - the Unity Coalition."

I just e-mailed him to get the schedule for the US tour!

An Audience with George Galloway
All enquiries to Wendy Bailey 07770 665512


Wendy Bailey Celebrity PR


mob: [phone] tel: [phone]



e: [e-mail]
www.celebrityproductions.info

14 June 2005

News Release



Clive Conway Celebrity Productions presents


the 'Mother of All One Man Shows'

An Audience with …

GEORGE GALLOWAY MP



World Premiere

7.30pm Thursday 23 June Customs House, South Shields



25&26 June Glastonbury Festival

23 Aug Edinburgh Festival tbc

27 Sept The Lowry Centre, Salford, Manchester

28 Sept Fairfield Halls, Croydon

29 Sept Glasgow Citizens Theatre

30 Sept Lochgelly Centre, Fife, Scotland

3 Oct Aberystwyth Arts Centre

7 Oct Rosehill Theatre Whitehaven, Cumbria

13 Oct Bloomsbury Theatre, London

21 Oct St George’s Palace, Exeter



for further dates still to be announced visit www.celebrityproductions.info

CELEBRITY PRODUCTIONS:

http://www.celebrityproductions.info/

“This is an opportunity for audiences to meet the real me – not the fictional character invented by the media. People can hear the true story of my life, about my beliefs and passions and discover the truth for themselves. I am looking forward to a lively Q & A session with theatregoers – who are free to ask me anything. It promises to be a great evening! George Galloway MP

Clive Conway Celebrity Productions, organisers of the popular and successful theatre shows An Audience with … personalities such as Alastair Campbell, Tony Benn and William Hague are delighted to announce their latest signing, George Galloway MP.

Clive Conway says “I am pleased that George Galloway has joined our prestigious list of personalities who are taking part in the theatrical phenomenon that is ‘An Audience With …’ where theatre goers meet major political figures hear their stories and engage in lively debate during the Question and Answer session.”. Politicians and other personalities who are enjoying success with Clive Conway’s An Audience with … one person shows in UK theatres include Clare Short, Ann Widdecombe, Baroness Shirley Williams, Lord Tebbit, John Humphrys, John Sergeant, Nick Ferrari, Sir Trevor Mc Donald, Sir David Frost, Michael Buerk, Martin Bell among many others. www.celebrityproductions.info

UK theatre audiences will now have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of the controversial and charismatic MP George Galloway when he presents the Mother of All One Man Shows – An Audience with George Galloway.

Following his sensational appearance in front of the US Senate last month, George Galloway made spectacular global headlines from seasoned observers of Capitol Hill politics such as :



· “If you want to give George Galloway a grilling, make sure you bring a gril!l”

· "Galloway by a knockout - before round five";

CNN's Wolf Blitzer described the British MP's evidence as "a blistering attack on US senators rarely heard" in the seat of American power.


The former Labour MP travelled to Washington after senators accused him of receiving credit to buy Iraqi oil - an allegation he has always denied.

Author of I’m Not The Only One, George Galloway is one of the most controversial figures in British politics today. A central organising force and mobilising figurehead for the Stop The War Coalition opposed to the war in Iraq – which lead to him being expelled from the Labour Party - George Galloway founded Respect a new political party becoming it’s first MP for the London constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow in this year’s general election. George Galloway will sign copies of his book during the evening.

George Galloway talks of his proudest achievements of the past few years "Having been a leader of the anti-war movement which built the biggest demonstrations in British history; having been right about Iraq; having made enemies like Tony Blair, Rupert Murdoch and Conrad Black; having defeated the Daily Telegraph in court; and having helped build Respect - the Unity Coalition."


News Release
News coverage 8 June 2005

Guardian Unlimited

Bagdhad, Washington, South Shields

Tom Happold and agencies
Tuesday June 7, 2005

After stealing the limelight from some of Washington's most senior senators last month, George Galloway is to take to the stage for what he has billed as the mother of all one-man shows.

The anti-war Respect MP, who overturned a 10,000 Labour majority to take his new east London seat after being expelled from the party, is to follow his Washington debut with an opening night in the north-east of England.

The Customs House in South Shields booked the premiere of An Audience with George Galloway for June 23 after the former boxer Chris Eubank had to cancel his own show for that evening.

Pay to see the real me, says Galloway

Michael White
Wednesday June 8, 2005
The Guardian

George Galloway is to join Tony Benn and Alastair Campbell on the list of celebrity politicians who make live speaking tours, with admirers paying to hear the kind of views with which he stunned a US Senate committee.

The former Labour MP, who won the London seat of Bethnal Green and Bow for the Respect party on May 5, will preview his "Audience With" at the Customs House in South Shields on June 23 - ahead of what is being billed as "the mother of all one-man shows" touring the country.

"This is an opportunity for audiences to meet the real me - not the fictional character invented by the media. People can hear the true story of my life, about my beliefs and passions and discover the truth for themselves. I am looking forward to a lively Q&A session with theatregoers - who are free to ask me anything. It promises to be a great evening," Mr Galloway says in the handout from Clive Conway Celebrity Productions.

The Customs House management said yesterday that the MP's "world premiere" would fill a gap in the programme created when the celebrity boxer Chris Eubank pulled out. Tickets for the show cost £12.50.

The former No 10 communications chief Alastair Campbell used the same theatre to launch his own "Audience With" tour, but the new form of political engagement was successfully pioneered by Mr Benn, the 80-year-old former Labour cabinet minister.

Iain Duncan Smith was less successful when he tried out in Liverpool, though Lady (Shirley) Williams, William Hague and Lord Tebbit, all Conway clients, did better.

Mr Galloway is also expected to tour the US.

GALLOWAY GETS SHOW ON ROAD

Daily Record

Jun 8 2005

MAVERICK MP George Galloway is launching a speaking tour called The Mother Of All One-Man Shows.

He will speak about his political achievements, fresh from his bullish appearance before the US Senate last month.

And the audience will get their own opportunity to grill the 50-year-old, from Dundee.

The former Labour MP will preview his show at the Customs House in South Shields, South Tyneside, on June 23 before a national tour in July

He follows Tony Blair's spin doctor Alastair Campbell, who premiered his show at the same venue in January last year.

Galloway ousted Labour MP Oona King from the safe London seat of Bethnal Green and Bow at the General Election.

Before founding the Respect Party, he represented Glasgow Kelvin for Labour until he was thrown out of the party for his opposition to the war in Iraq.

Galloway recently gave a fearsome performance in Washington to fight claims that he had profited from Saddam Hussein's regime.

Customs House director Ray Spencer said: 'George Galloway has an incredible story to tell

Galloway coup for Customs House

Jun 7 2005

By The Journal

Controversial mp George Galloway will kick off his speaking tour of the UK with a preview in the North-East.

Fresh from denying claims he profited from Saddam Hussein's regime, the Respect leader is launching a series of theatre appearances.

The tour begins in July, but he is staging a premiere at the Customs House, South Shields, this month.

It will be a unique opportunity for the audience to question one of the most outspoken figures in British politics.

Mr Galloway, new MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, speaks of his greatest achievements in politics with a list of his most combative moments.

It reads: "Having been the leader of the anti-war movement which built the biggest demonstrations in British history; having been right about Iraq; having enemies like Tony Blair, Rupert Murdoch and Conrad Black; having defeated The Daily Telegraph in court; and helped build Respect - the Unity Coaltion."

He stunned the US Senate last month with a fierce defence of his reputation in which he attacked his accusers in the House.

Last month he ousted Labour MP Oona King in what he described as one of the most remarkable results in modern British electoral history.

He was expelled from the Labour Party in 2003 after comments on the Iraq war. Securing the premiere of his tour, entitled An Audience With George Galloway marks a second political coup for the Customs House.

Tony Blair's spin guru Alastair Campbell started his own speaking tour of the UK at the theatre, in January last year.

Customs House director Ray Spencer said: "We are delighted to be bringing yet another exclusive to the region. George Galloway has an incredible story to tell and I am delighted the audience in South Shields will hear it first."

Tickets for the 7.30pm June 23 show are £12.50 (£11.50 concessions). Tel: [phone]

Tue 7 Jun 2005

12:06pm (UK)
'Gorgeous' George to Continue his One-Man Show

By Tom Wilkinson, PA

Firebrand MP George Galloway is to embark on a speaking tour called “The Mother of All One-Man Shows”.

The controversial former Labour Party member will preview his “Audience With” at the Customs House in South Shields, South Tyneside, on June 23.

He will follow in the unlikely footsteps of Tony Blair’s spin master Alastair Campbell, who premiered his own one-man show at the same venue in January last year.

Mr Galloway, who ousted Labour’s Oona King from the traditionally safe seat of Bethnal Green and Bow, will speak about his political achievements before answering questions from the audience.

Before founding the Respect Party, he represented Glasgow Kelvin for Labour until he was thrown out for his outspoken opposition to the Iraq War.

The 50-year-old from Dundee, nicknamed Gorgeous George, appeared before the US Senate last month and gave a fearsome performance to fight claims that he had profited from the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Ray Spencer, Customs House director, said: “We are delighted to be bringing yet another exclusive to the region.

“George Galloway has an incredible story to tell and I am delighted the audience in South Shields will hear it first.

“This major coup really does show that when it comes to events that matter The Customs House is the first choice for political figures.”

The venue arranged the preview after the former boxer Chris Eubank pulled out of a similar show for that evening.

The controversial MP’s show will go on national tour in July.

Tickets for the South Shields show cost £12.50 and £11.50 for concessions.

GALLO' HAWAY

SOUTH Tyneside's top arts venue has scored a massive coup by attracting rebel MP and leading anti-Iraq War activist George Galloway.

The firebrand former Labour Party MP is never far away from controversy.
And his talk at the Customs House in South Shields on Thursday, June 23, is expected to be a huge draw among supporters and opponents of the war.
The talk is the first date of a UK tour entitled An Audience with George Galloway and is bound to attract media attention both regionally and nationally.
Mr Galloway, 50, who achieved a shock win in the previously safe Labour seat of Bethnal Green and Bow in London at the general election, has also become a cult figure in the US.
His fame comes after he appeared before the US Senate last month to give a forthright rebuttal of claims that he profited from Saddam Hussein's regime.
Now representing the Respect Party in Parliament, the Scottish-born politician – nicknamed "Gorgeous George" – is never afraid to take on authority.
He was thrown out of the Labour Party over his stance over the war and his personal attacks on Tony Blair. And speaking
after he ousted sitting Labour MP, Oona King, in May with a 26 per cent swing of the vote, he said: "Mr Blair, this defeat is for Iraq. All the people you have killed and all the loss of life have come back to haunt you."
Mr Galloway has agreed to speak at the Mill Dam venue after former world Middleweight boxer Chris Eubanks backed out of "an evening with" event.
It is expected he will reflect on his political life and then take part in a question and answer session.
The visit is the second time in recent years that the Customs House has pulled off a coup involving a top political figure.
Labour "spin doctor" Alistair Campbell visited the venue in the midst of the fall-out from the Iraq war.
Customs House director, Ray Spencer, said: "We are delighted to be bringing another exclusive to the region. George Galloway has an incredible story to tell and I am delighted the people of South Shields will hear it first.
"This major coup really does show that when it comes to events that matter the Customs House is the first choice for political figures."
Tickets for the show cost £12.50 and £11.50 for concessions and are available by calling the box office on 454 1234.

By PAUL MYLES-KELLY



Clive Conway Celebrity Productions presents


the 'Mother of All One Man Shows'

An Audience with …

GEORGE GALLOWAY MP



World Premiere

7.30pm Thursday 23 June Customs House, South Shields



28 Sept Fairfield Halls, Croydon

29 Sept Glasgow Citizens Theatre

30 Sept Lochgelly Centre, Fife, Scotland

3 Oct Aberystwyth Arts Centre

13 Oct Bloomsbury Theatre, London



for further dates still to be announced visit www.celebrityproductions.info



“This is an opportunity for audiences to meet the real me – not the fictional character invented by the media. People can hear the true story of my life, about my beliefs and passions and discover the truth for themselves. I am looking forward to a lively Q & A session with theatregoers – who are free to ask me anything. It promises to be a great evening! George Galloway MP

Clive Conway Celebrity Productions, organisers of the popular and successful theatre shows An Audience with … personalities such as Alastair Campbell, Tony Benn and William Hague are delighted to announce their latest signing, George Galloway MP.

Clive Conway says “I am pleased that George Galloway has joined our prestigious list of personalities who are taking part in the theatrical phenomenon that is ‘An Audience With …’ where theatre goers meet major political figures hear their stories and engage in lively debate during the Question and Answer session.”. Politicians and other personalities who are enjoying success with Clive Conway’s An Audience with … one person shows in UK theatres include Clare Short, Ann Widdecombe, Baroness Shirley Williams, Lord Tebbit, John Humphrys, John Sergeant, Nick Ferrari, Sir Trevor Mc Donald, Sir David Frost, Michael Buerk, Martin Bell among many others. www.celebrityproductions.info

UK theatre audiences will now have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of the controversial and charismatic MP George Galloway when he presents the Mother of All One Man Shows – An Audience with George Galloway.

Following his sensational appearance in front of the US Senate last month, George Galloway made spectacular global headlines from seasoned observers of Capitol Hill politics such as :



· “If you want to give George Galloway a grilling, make sure you bring a gril!l”

· "Galloway by a knockout - before round five";

CNN's Wolf Blitzer described the British MP's evidence as "a blistering attack on US senators rarely heard" in the seat of American power.


The former Labour MP travelled to Washington after senators accused him of receiving credit to buy Iraqi oil - an allegation he has always denied.

Author of I’m Not The Only One, George Galloway is one of the most controversial figures in British politics today. A central organising force and mobilising figurehead for the Stop The War Coalition opposed to the war in Iraq – which lead to him being expelled from the Labour Party - George Galloway founded Respect a new political party becoming it’s first MP for the London constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow in this year’s general election. George Galloway will sign copies of his book during the evening.

George Galloway talks of his proudest achievements of the past few years "Having been a leader of the anti-war movement which built the biggest demonstrations in British history; having been right about Iraq; having made enemies like Tony Blair, Rupert Murdoch and Conrad Black; having defeated the Daily Telegraph in court; and having helped build Respect - the Unity Coalition."

Notes to editors

An Audience with George Galloway

29 Sept Glasgow Citizens Theatre

30 Sept Lochgelly Centre, Fife, Scotland

13 Oct Bloomsbury Theatre, London



Other venues to be confirmed



All enquiries to

Wendy Bailey

tel: [phone] mob: [phone]
e: [e-mail]

www.celebrityproductions.info

[SweetLeftFoot]

12. You'd think

That given he represents some of the poorest people in Britian, he'd be more concerned with constituency work than fan-danning around bignoting himself.

[mom cat]

13. Those poorest people are the ones most likely to get stuck in the

military. The money that he is raking in is going for a good cause.

[Vladimir]

15. Except of course he has been doing constituency work

for example:

http://www.respectcoalition.org/index.php?ite=788&rlid=5

fell free to look through the site for other work that he's been doing. Galloway was elected on an anti-war ticket, and he is giving his constituents exactly what they wanted : a strong voice for their concerns.

[Oversea Visitor]

4. Any of you republican getting any ideas from this

Me think Chimp a walking disaster x(
Me take look at track record
Me see disater, born loser
Me see trainwreck of the US economy under Chimp
Me see Republican Party wreck under him
Me hear party member say Disconneted for Reality
Me see people leaving party
Me heard party member shout Bring The Troops home

Me think yes Chimp not want look at reality
Me see Chimp still at driver wheel
Me cry for USA
Me wait to see BIG BIG wrecth of Republican party
Me think Republican Party in BIG BIG Chimpshit
Me hear Chimp still laughing shouting Look No Hands
ME see smart one jumping overboard
Me see only moron left in cars with chimp as driver

Me say bye bye chimp and all moron aboard

ATTACK ATTACK THIS ALL TRUE

[rocktivity]

5. Careful, George--superstardom can be rough

Not everyone can put up with the constant after parties, photo sessions, and groupies throwing their underwear at you!

:headbang:
rocknation

[depakid]

6. He's pretty much doing to Labor what Clinton did to the Dems

the only diffeence being he's not got a strong right wing that he feels the need to pander to like Clinton- and he probably has a bit more integrity.

One can only hope that Blairs demise is good news for the Liberal Dems....

[bennywhale]

7. The lib Dems economic and privatisation policies are still a bit dubious

for many Labour voters. A wing of their party is very very free market. That means in The NHS and elswhere. Blair to go is whats needed.

[billbuckhead]

8. bLIAR's got more integrity than Clinton?

I don't recall any illegal wars in the Clinton adminsitration.

[Jacobin]

9. You won't see this guy whimpering an apology for saying that

He'll get right back in the face of any critic and challenge them to factually dispute what he said.

I love this guy.

[wookie294]

10. Mr. Blair, RESIGN NOW !!

When the HELL is Blair going to resign so that exchequer guy can take over? Stop the pretense and LEAVE NOW!

[SweetLeftFoot]

11. Wanker

Grandstanding wannabe statesman wanker. Go represent your constituents George and STFU. Blair - although not my cup of tea - and Gordon Brown, who is, have made massive changes to the lives of Britian's poorest people.

And once Blair goes - which will be sooner rather than later - Brown will take Labour back to the Left to deflect some of the excesses of the Blair era. Milburns defeat during the election campaign stooshie shows that the radical right of New Labour has been tamed.

Galloway would have preferred Major to win 1997 so he could get on his f'n sopabox and bellow, while another five years of Toryism turned Britain into a viciously unfair neo-liberal state like the US, continued the war in Ireland and gotten on board for Iraq anyway.

Any DU'er who wants to win ten points ... answer the following question.

Why was Gorgeous George Galloway the only member of the HOuse of Commons who refused to sign an early day motion condemning the Burmese SLORCS' detention of Aung San Suu Kyi?

[Nihil]

14. Says you

> Grandstanding wannabe statesman wanker. Go represent your constituents

Now if only MPs in the House of Commons would start to do that as
much as Galloway does then there would be a lot less cynicism about
politicians.

> Galloway would have preferred Major to win 1997

Bullshit.

> Why was Gorgeous George Galloway the only member of the HOuse of
> Commons who refused to sign an early day motion condemning the
> Burmese SLORCS' detention of Aung San Suu Kyi?

Maybe he was the only one who read it? Maybe he realised it was (like
most of the EDMs) a total waste of fucking time and would have no
measurable result except permitting the luvvies to look like they
cared about other countries (i.e., other than the ones they want
to bomb)? I don't know. Why not ask him? I bet you'd get the
true answer ... but there again, most critics of Galloway wouldn't
want to hear the truth - it might interfere with their rants ...

[Vladimir]

16. "Brown will take Labour to the left"

what is this based on exactly?

"Galloway would have preferred Major to win in 1997"

what is this based on?

[Jacobin]

17. I see you're from Scotland

Hey, we love Galloway over here for sticking a fork in our Senate and publicly confronting them over the Iraq Farce.

We see him as forceful, well-spoken, with his facts in order and a person who won't back down from controversies when he is right, even if the positions he takes are not politically correct.

I've seen several posts over the last few months of Brits castigating Galloway, so he must not go over well in the Islands.

PLEASE send him over here!!!!

We need him desperately!!!

Thanks

[Vladimir]

18. He is the first politician to the left of Labour

elected since 1945, and the first elected against a Labour candidate since 1935. He goes down pretty well in certain parts of these islands, controversy and all.

[geek tragedy]

23. Do you have a link for that SLORC/Kyi comment?

I'd love to see it.

[autorank]

19. Correction: By their complicity w/bLiar, Labour has murdered itself!

Labour deserves to die as a political entity, a bunch of smug, self-satisfied technocrats (and very good ones at that) who have no balance of ethics versus political success, the party has no moral justification. They could have tossed bLiar at any time as leader. They could have forced a new leader after the losses. They allowed the war to proceed despite the obvious reasons to stop it and they ignored the manifest will of the people. The British people are as bad off as we are.

[lovuian]

20. And the Labour Party has allowed him to do it!!! Get a good look

Democrats!!!

[geek tragedy]

21. The Labour party is the one holding power in the UK.

I'd say the Dems should be more like Labour, not less.

[Vladimir]

22. What, in terms of moving ever rightward,

screwing the trade unions around, demonising asylum seekers and supporting illegal invasions?

[geek tragedy]

24. If you'd prefer that John Howard was PM, very well.

Dems need to be winners. And that's the bottom line.

[Vladimir]

25. John Howard? n/t

[geek tragedy]

26. John Major. Same conservative crap, different pile. eom

[Vladimir]

27. That's what I thought, but I wasn't sure

whether you meant him or Michael Howard...

The truth is, in 1997, Labour made a pact with the devil to win the election. Most of its supporters and activists genuinely believed that the rightward shift under Blair since 1994 was just for show, and that Blair would revert to Old Labour once in power. At the time, that was a believable line - but what it has led us to is a Labour government which on health care, education, foreign policy and law and order has enacted policies even Thatcher could never have gotten away with, and they have gotten away with it precisely by guilt-tripping the left into supporting a bankrupt extension of the Labour party. Power for power's sake is not a great platform on which to build progressive policies. That does not mean preferring John Major, Blair was the best choice in 1997 by a country mile, but it does mean understanding the implications of such electoral pacts. A minimum wage, some good work on poverty domestically and the beginning of a long overdue compensation for miners are little in return for putting up with New Labour...