LunchtimeList No.71 – There’s a newer edition than this. To receive our free daily digest of the news and views in the papers and online, sign up at the top right of the site!

Anand Menon
LabourList.org - Lunchtime List
Issue No. 71 – Monday, 20th April, 2009

You will be the ones who do it

COMMENT OF THE DAY

“You know what – my son worked on the Obama campaign (he’s only 18) as a volunteer, and he was bowled over the enthusiasm and savvy of the young volunteers, their brilliant use of peer to peer networks, and their tireless campaigning. He arrived in PA in the run up to the election, and was immediately given reponsibility for out of state volunteers, and for the first time in his life he worked his a**e off. It was inspiring to see.

So please don’t let any of the crabby negative commentators round here put you off. They’ll resent your enthusiasm, try to dent your idealism. The people want others to become cynical and apathetic, because it suits the status quo.

You’re the future of the Labour Party, and given the inspiration of a revitalised Democratic Party after Obama’s smart, dedicated and awesome campaign, there’s no reason you can’t use to those same grassroots motivating tactics in the future to come back from the current slough of despond.

Believe me, it was worse in the democratic party in 2000 and 2004. Labour can reinvent itself, and you will be the ones who will do it.”

Peter Jukes, on This is our time.

NEW! ON LABOURLIST

As we come to the end of our Young Labour series Michael Harris asks “what exactly is the point of Young Labour?”

Emily Richards picks up the question and runs with it – and says she’s proud of her involvement.

Sam Burt brings us Supportive Economics: The layman’s guide.

George Disney supports Jessica Asato’s call for a new openness to fresh ideas but says “now or never”.

Tulip Siddiq on the Muslim Council of Britian and how we can better engage minority ethnic communities in Britain.

Richard Lane sets out the challenges we face globally, and laces his piece with Hope.

Luciana Berger says Labour banks its hard fought victories, but dwell on our mistakes and reminds us how far we’ve come since ’97.

Jack Tunmore says young people can and do make a difference – and not just on Youth issues.

Estelle Hart says Labour’s young members are being patronised – and gives a guide for CLPs’ improvement.

After 12 years of Labour, Daryn McCombe gives the prognosis for the NHS.

Steve Longden asks why we’re being priced out of our national game – and calls for Government action.

FROM FRIDAY’S YOUNG LABOUR TAKEOVER

Theo Grzegorczyk on why online campaigning needs to be a key part of our legislative process.

And Waheed Alli takes this theory to the test with the new EqualityBill.com website.

Katy Dillon on why young people have taken so strongly to Europe.

And Kevin Peel says Britain’s youth need to change the terms of debate in Europe.


We’ll have more posts going up throughout the day, so stay posted!

SHOW ME THE MONEY – BUDGET 09

In a new video, The Chancellor prepares his budget to help people now and prepare for the upturn.

George Osborne says this is Labour’s “Day of Reckoning”.

Details (or speculation?) of the Budget are beginning to emerge…

Including £15billion of spending cuts for Whitehall.

But the CBI says the worst of the recession may now be over in the UK, and that growth may begin again by 2010.

FINALLIST

The Guardian leader says Brown’s Labour is running on empty – the buzz and positive energy must be rekindled to survive and regrow.

Neil Kinnock calls for increased funding for the Child Poverty Target – Labour’s most fundamental commitment.

Jackie Ashley says the mess is because too many in Labour are thinking of the Great Thereafter – and offers some advice to the Prime Minister for the present.

Peter Mandelson says Market Forces must now make way for Interventionism.

Staunchly pro-life Sarah Palin on why she considered abortion.

Files on the Hillsborough disaster could be released ten years early.

The BNP is rebranding – but the message of hate and division remains.

William Rees-Mogg in the Times on the damage done in the polls by the smearing nonsense.

Alice Mahon on why she could fight no longer for the Party.

The debate over Erith and Thamesmead continues – and the infighting and tampering only further tarnishes the Labour Party.

And the Telegraph is in defence of Georgia Gould – kind of.

VIEW LUNCHTIMELIST ARCHIVE

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