Kelly's departure....

Think this just about sums it up

Mike

More from Labour....

Brown's speech was OK. It was serviceable and will keep him in post for the time being. But his future and that of the Government will not depend on a single speech.

As for Ruth Kelly's departure....I can't pretend to be anything other than pleased that she has gone. In my view, no-one associated with Opus Dei, essentially the voice of neo-fascism within Vatican plc, should have even been allowed on the candidates list for the Labour party. However, whether her reasons for resignation are genuine or not has raised some interesting issues about the expectations that we have of MP's and ministers. Is it really possible for them to live lives even approaching 'normality'?

I also listened to an interesting feature on the radio this morning which looked at people's choices with regard to their jobs. A number of callers noted how difficult it was to return to work after a break, and moreover, how difficult it was to get any sort of professional post on a part-time basis. I think this is something the Government could have done far more about. The negativity towards part time staff is legendary, and I'm afraid I have found the unions of very little help. If anything, in my field, their promotion of full time secure jobs make it all the worse for those of us who don't actually want to work full time....

First day of the Labour conference

Far from the bloodbath which the press were no doubt looking forward to, the conference was instead, remarkable only because of its sheer dullness. The open defiance of Brown appears to have subsided somewhat, but for how long? here doesn't seem to be very much there to inspire or excite - but really, how could there be? Other than the Government turning round and saying, yes, we got much of the last 11 years wrong, what can they say which will have any credibility?

Miliband's speech was OK, I think he may well be less of a turn-off than Brown, but I wouldn't expect the policies to change greatly. In such circumstances, who else than Labour should be sorting out the city? But they have spent so long slobbering over every word they say, would anyone believe them?

I still think the Tories would be worse than Labour. But there is nothing here which inspires, nothing which would make me want to go out and campaign again.

Well said, Baroness Warnock

Refreshing to hear someone talking sense. Whilst the medical profession insists on developing medications to keep us alive whilst being unable to deal with the effects of ageing, there is a studious inability to get to grips with the consequences. The social services play on people's feelings of guilt in order to reduce their provision, and rely on informal care. And the consequences? Generally disastrous, though again, no-one is honest enough to admit it. Thanks to Baroness Warnock for doing so, despite the whines of religionists and the self-interest groups such as the Alzheimers Society.

We need legalised voluntary euthanasia and the sooner the better.

Sucking up to the City

I don't always agree with Ian Hislop, but he was right on the money with his comment on the Government and the City - pointing out that Government had spent the last 10 years sucking up to them, and forgetting that markets are amoral and so require regulation.

Of course, there are limited measures Government can take, but quite how anyone can now regard the free market as the best way to run a modern economy is anyone's guess. Yet we have three main parties none of who are prepared to be as critical as necessary. The forked-tongue words of the other parties don't wash either. The Tories are equally wedded to the free market, and whilst Cable has warned about the danger of easy credit in the past, the LD's themselves are moving in a more market-orientated direction, not less.

Only the State can regulate these markets. Its about time that the Government started being proper social democrats. They interfere where the State should not encroach, yet they will not use the necessary regulation to prevent the charlatans of the City behaving in a completely unacceptable way. Even now these people are walking away with massive bonuses.

It is simply a disgrace from a so-called Labour government

The Liberal Democrats

Today, the Liberal Democrats, who I had considered as a possible home for my vote at the next election displayed that they have abandoned social democracy and become a fully fledged neo-liberal party. Indistinguishable from the Tories, only with a leader even more toe-curlingly yeuch. Not progressive in the least - right wing, pure and simple. The outcome of tax cuts will be service cuts. One leads to another - it's obvious to everyone else, but clearly not to these neo-liberals.

I won't be voting for Clegg under any circumstances. Let them chase Tory voters - why vote for the pretend Tories when the real ones are credible?

Boston and Cape Cod

Got back a couple of days ago from a very good holiday on America's East Coast. Boston is a great city - quieter than New York, but busier than San Fran. Lots of seafood, plenty to do - including some quite unusual attractions. Its the birthplace of Christian Science, and the Mary Baker Eddy museum is fascinating indeed. I have a copy of Science and Health, but have never read it in depth....included within the museum is the Mapparium, a model of the earth and its countries dated 1935 which you enter - its a huge globe.
Did a bit of travelling round - wineries in Connecticut and Rhode Island (two more states visited....) and a trip up the coast to Gloucester and Rockport. The latter is particularly pleasant.

Cape Cod was charming - Provincetown is delightful, and early September is a good time to visit.

Whilst we were there, the truly dreadful Sarah Palin was chosen as republican VP candidate. Loathsome woman, vile views. The thought of her as president is risible: she really does sum up everything wrong with America. But I don;t think her appeal is as great as reported - she seems to have roused democrats into action. I think that black voter turnout may be key.