Despite the endless messages from its own members that it is out of touch and too closely aligned to narrow-minded religious nutcases who no one sensible would vote for, the Western Isles Constituency Labour Party just doesn’t get it. No one is doing anything to change. Maybe there is something in the growing theory that its executive are all too old and decrepit to think for themselves.
Sadly, the younger members have had enough and won’t wait any longer. They want no part of such an organisation of hateful and useless individuals. From the chat I’m picking up, I now expect youthful but exasperated vice-chairman Uilleam Macleod to quit just like the chairman and the secretary – if he has not already done so.
So, we can probably expect another spread in the Gazette next week where a local Free Church elder aand political wannabe will declare there is absolutely no problem in the local Labour Party. He is now apparently telling people everything would be fine if only a certain blogger would just stop being so rude about him.
I hear a well-known Labour figure wanted to defend the elder. However, he has decided against as the last thing he wants is to be associated with the hateful dogmatic bigotry that oozes from his mouth. Nice.
If what I’am told is true, I believe there is a local list of things which exclude people for various reasons,.One of which is true Labour principles. Surely not!! Well maybe !! Don’t know !! Can’t be concise. IIow why I’am excluded.
rumour has it they are set to oin lib-dems
The local Labour party is currently cleansing itself, purging all the evilness of the past. It will now go from strength to strength.
TThe young Labour have now been expelled for their unreasonable behaviour by causing the Jeremy Thorpe section to keep away. They are now proposing to join the Continuing branch of the local Labour party.
Joking aside, I think it is high time that serious Labour supporters should consider setting up an independent Labour Party in the Western Isles. It has been done elsewhere with great success. Although the national party would have to support the existing association at first, it would in time realise that a democratic association untainted by undemocratic bible-bashers would be the one that should be affiliated.
Are there any open-minded Labour members and supporters out there who would help bring about this radical change by coordinating a series of meetings to gauge the strength of feeling before we open it up to the public. I think a truly unshackled and independent Labour association would restore confidence in our party in the islands.
I suspect, despite what he has said over the role of religion, Brian Wilson would procrastinate over this idea but it can be done with him or without him. AM
I would consider joing an independnt Labour party but not one supporting what Mister Crichton said before the elction
It’s not as easy as purging those that are not worthy of being called Labour, you also have to stop the party turning on anybody who tries to push it forwards. Progress will not be made until the realisation that we are no longer an insular people and that to be the broad ‘church’ that our local party must become we have to embrace socialism and social justice. This includes people we may not like or with views we may not be totally in agreement with, but they should be listened to regardless of their religion, their race, their nationality, their gender or their sexuality. Angus M. I would point you towards the Labour Representation Committee of which I am a member.
http://www.l-r-c.org.uk/
Real Socialism unfettered by bigotry and intolerance. We are building our membership and revisiting the real roots of the party. The Trade Unions, the Tenants and Residents Associations, the co-operatives and the European Young Socialist Network.
You guy’s are trying to fix a problem but you don’t know what the problem is. Being a Socialist all my life the Labour Party took a severe turn to the right and told people like myself that I was wrong and I’am not a lefty by any means. Do you think former supporters are going to flock back because you have changed a name, don’t think so. As for some of the people whom you think would be the right people to resurrect your failing fortunes you can forget that to, they are part of the problem. Scotland is changing rapidly but you guys have failed to even see it. The mood is for serious change and the Labour Party repeatedly tells the people they are wrong, then asks them to vote Labour. That’s how much out of touch you people are. The problem with the party in Lewis is no different from the problems faced across Scotland. The religious issue you have locally is a side show a symptom of a deeper problem. You don’t know the real reason why your in the party. You don#t know how the parties policies fit in with your beliefs. You don’t know what the people want. I could go on but I won’t. Kevin has some idea of the basics needed but needs a lot of help. No doubt you guys will do your usual and respond with the usual rude retorts. Inwhich case you guys will only think you need to change.
Got a tough nut to crack? Bring it to the Isle of Lewis, we can split anything here! Churches, Political Parties, Families and Communities – all free of charge – it comes with the culture.
Oh! Forgot to say – Ron, your absolutley spot on. The local labour party and/or party faithful fail to see the wider picture – as you wisely state – Scotland has moved on and left these parties and their thinking way behind.
What Ron says might be partially true but the real problem lies within and we’ve the people to sort it. The majority of the stories are way off the mark stirred up by members with their own agenda. There are a lot of sour grapes with some who need to make their minds up wheather to stay or go. If they are staying they need to drop their own personal issues and rebond with this great organisation. If we work together and pull together we can still turn things for the next election. We have over a hundred years of experience, we have good people and the people know we are the party to fight for them. Lets be positive.
They are all down in Glasgow on an outward bound course where they are learning how to use the natural terrain by Iain Gray. If you think you’re in trouble hide in a sandwich shop.
They have all put on their dark suits, red ties and white shirts and are working as bouncers in a BB in Uig
OK Duncan, who are these members with their own agenda? And the “sour grapes” over what? As a member I am very interested to hear your opinions and as the last ELECTED chair of the WICLP I am very very interested to hear what these “personal issues” are.
Kevin you only need to look in the mirror, remember the rants on this blog earlier. What benefit did that bring to the party, it was for your selfish ego which gained anything. Where were you Mr Labour Party during the election campaign and what about this rebellion you are advocating. When in the chair was your motto ‘party first, person second’ ? We have democracy already within and we should use it.
I would like you to point out my “rants” in fact there are very few rants on this blog and I would say my motto was Western Isles first party second. That is why I set up a monthly meeting at the Parliament with our MSP’s in which I discussed the issues affecting the Western Isles, and how we could best keep the party involved. What rebellion? I pointed out that there was a group within the Labour Party already advocating what Angus Murray was asking the Labour Representation Committee, which is a Labour Party affiliated organisation whose first chair was Keir Hardy.
During the election campaign I was mostly up ladders putting up corex boards around my area and taking them down again which is why I have a shed full of them. I would have liked to have done more but I did everything I was asked to. Check my posts again Duncan. But I will say this do not stop questioning peoples motives, but do also try to keep a balanced state of mind whilst doing it. Email me if you want to chat [email protected] I am a very open person. I will check my posts for any rants.
Duncan I have been right through my posts on this blog and am really struggling to find any that are even rantlike could you point me towards them please. Oh! and I never post anonymously as I don’t see the point.
The news from Norway rather overshadows anything posted here.
I totally agree with Kevin, these posts are only views and opinions.
Why would a Christian fundamentalist go mad with a gun in Norway? Let’s see what the Holy Bible says.
1. You must kill those who worship another god. Exodus 22:20
2. Kill any friends or family that worship a god that is different than your own. Deuteronomy 13:6-10
3. Kill all the inhabitants of any city where you find people that worship differently than you. Deuteronomy 13:12-16
4. Kill everyone who has religious views that are different than your own. Deuteronomy 17:2-7
5. Kill anyone who refuses to listen to a priest. Deuteronomy 17:12-13
6. Kill any false prophets. Deuteronomy 18:20
7. Any city that doesn’t receive the followers of Jesus will be destroyed in a manner even more savage than that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Mark 6:11
8. Jude reminds us that God destroys those who don’t believe in him. Jude 5
There is no doubt that there is a strong call for serious changes to economic policy across Scotland which is reflected in the last Holyrood election. The lack of acknowledgement of this by the three main UK parties has resulted in a situation where there is probably a majority of people like myself who have become indifferent towards independence. So much so we are approaching the point of no return if we have not reached it already. There has been very little change in the attitudes of the main parties yet the calls for reform policy grows. I have read the entries in this blog by Kevin Patterson and Angus Murray calling for change within the Local Labour Party. How far do their reforms go, do they accept there is a serious issue and how far does their proposals go ? I fully understand if they don’t want to respond after the actions of others on this blog.
I am sorry Bible Reader but have difficulty believing it was anything to do with his “Christianity” that drove this madman I think it was more about hate. I don’t think any Christian however fundamental or extreme their views would ever defend his actions.
Kevin, There are plenty of fundementalist Christians who would do or advocate doing what he did. The Bible is a very rich source of material for these people. Their Cristianity is not the sort of Christianity I grew up with but it is their sort of Christianity. Fundementalism of any sort is very dangerous. Hatred of the unbeliever is not only condoned it is encouraged. It will be interesting to hear his story and why he did it.
Edward/Bible Reader this is all rubbish. The man was a deluded individual who had many labels put against his name (including Christian) – the overidding fact is that the man was deluded and anyone who truely believes his motives can be labelled as pertaining to any group are as deluded as the man himself.
The only thing for certain was the man was deluded, misguided and mentally unstable. Nothing else is relevent of matters. The guy was a simple nutcase.
Mr Placid, of course he was deluded and a nutcase. However you seem to completely disregard the evidence that fundamentalist religion is like a magnet to such people. There was a university study a couple of years ago which showed the high numbers of people with mental problems – including an inability to question any outlandish assertions – who attend churches which take extreme interpretations of the Bible and the Koran. Dont deny the facts.
Bible Reader have you a link to that I would be very interested to read it.
So you know the facts of this case already before the trial?
I don’t deny that there are some nutters around who attend various groups of extremism both religious and non-religious.
Some of the blogs, yours included though have jumped in too soon regarding the reasons behind this particular nutters reasons which currently, according to the news, are more right wing political than religious.
I think Bible Reader is correct that the guy is deranged and has extreme religious beliefs. The level to which he is disposed and the infuences upon him are the things which will come out at his trial. Bible Reader is suggesting that there is a study which proves a strong correlation between that type of person and fundemental religious groups. I think in this case the study is correct according to the information that we have been given and I would be very very surprised if the reports are not true.
The events in Norway are extremely sad, but what does it have to do with the local Labour Party – The topic for this section of the blog. Iain a possible suggestion for you, is it possible to create a separate section for this.
Change is needed now rather than later. The youth are the future but under the current situation that future is highly doubtful. Let’s take our minds back to the Holyrood Election of 2011.. What really could we offer our young folk? Nationally not alot, but locally alot. That’s neither here nor there, one of the main reason I got involved in politics was to give youth a voice…was it heard? maybe a little… it’s as dated as the polices and that’s something that needs to be looked at before any steps are taken. I don’t agree with blogs and never have, but when you look at it there is an urge just to write something…basically because the comments written are a load of rubbish most of the time. I can tell you now the piece on our ex candidate was ludicrous and was very dangerous. Nobody is breaking the labour party and it has nothing to do with people resigning. The labour party was hurt by the national result, but lessons are being learned and that’s how we move on.
Uilleam, Can you clarify the point you make re the article(s) written after the hustings. What do you mean by ridiculous and dangerous? Are you saying that the candidate didn’t say the things that were universally atributed to him? Not having been at the hustings I didn’t hear it from the horse’s mouth so to speak, so a clarification of what was actually said as opposed to what was reported would be useful for many people. TIA
Edward
“i dont agree with blogs and never have”
just amazing
I wonder what Uilleam means when he says that the local Labour Party had a lot to offer the young people. I voted for the first time last year and felt that Labour locally were totally out of touch with young people. Iain Gray was just a joke. My parents are LibDems but like Labour and Tories have nothing to offer the people of my generation. When you talk to the SNP they are positive and listen to young people. Labour made me feel that they just wanted my vote with nothing to offer and have awful lot to learn.
When Labour came to power in 1997 they adopted all of Thatchers policies with very few changes during their time in power. Child, fuel and pensioner poverty rose at alarming rates which Brown ignored. He also raided pension funds then told us we needed to make better provisions for our retirement. UK workers have to wait longer than our European neighbours to retire. We are told there is not enough young people yet 25% cannot get a job because older people cannot afford to retire. We have much longer working day for less money than our neighbours. The number of good skilled jobs lost to the far east was incredible with some low paid part time work as a replacement. The introduction of the minimum wage was of little benefit as those on it needed tax credits to support their families. Even with this it was still a major struggle for many. Someone working full time should be able to support their family without top up’s. I could write scripts on this, Labour done nothing for working families other than to make them poorer. Mr Macleod talks about being able to offer something to the young people, what ? In 1997 Brown and Blair said that Labour were no longer socialists, so who do they represent.
It’s hard to believe that the numerous Labour members and supporters who visit this blog don’t know who the Labour Party represent, most certainly it’s not the working class.
After reading Councillor Macormack’s letter in the Gazette it appears he is a committed capitalist. If this is typical thinking within the Labour Party it is a sad reflection on what was once a great party.
I can’t speak for Angus or indeed for the Labour Party but I do have to say that whilst I agree in part with what you say, I think that without the policies you outlined Tax Credits and Minimum Wage think where the working class would be then. Tax Credits are not hand outs they are exactly that a credit against the tax you pay and they are to level out the system where people with families will get help those without families will not. The Labour Party lost its way when it abolished the original Clause Four, this took away the real means of maintaining social equality by ensuring that the commitment to the workers sharing in the fruits of their labour became abhorrent to the New Labour elitists and their champagne quaffing followers.
The only way the Labour Party can return to its real core values is to commit to Nationalisation of those industries and services which are essential to peoples wellbeing and quality of life. The power generation and distribution industry, the public transport and national rail along with mutualisation of the failed financial institutions. Only then can we ensure that fatcat capitalists do not grow rich on the backs of the tax payer when these institutions are re-privatised. The introduction of the financial transaction tax will discourage the continual round robin fake internal investment, where one arm of a company invests in another arm and so on to avoid paying tax.
When we stop running the country to please the stock market and force companies to invest profits in its infrastructure and its employees or have it taken away in tax, when we chase the tax avoiders and the procurement millionaires who make millions by charging us the tax payer £50 for a screw and £150 for a lightbulb then and only maybe then will we see some social justice.
Labour may not be perfect but with the rise of the co-operative movement within it is a better bet than what is occupying Westminster now.
I hear what you say, much of what I agree with. On minimum pay and tax credits it was set to please the stock market. As for the Labour party I have to disagree as it has not just lost its way it has totally abandoned any links with socialism. I find it difficult to distinguish between them and the tories. They basically have the same policies, the differences being the manner in which they deliver them. The outcome is the same. If you look at the coalition cabinet and the shadow cabinet it is full of middle middle class politions who have been privately educated and have attended either Oxford or Cambridge. They have no idea what life is about for the common five eight. The only insight is what they see in the passing in the home counties. There is very little influence from the TUC as they are seen as the enemy. The are three words which are no longer used south of the border, trade unions and socialism. I don’t prescribe going back to the days of the sixties and seventies. The unions modernised without abandoning their core values, the labour party became Thatcherite. I hate to say this to you, Alec Salmond has taken the SNP into a form of socialism, a position which labour is at least 10 years behind.
Kevin I am not trying to be smug or unfairly critical of your party, it is how I see it.
I never thought for a moment that you were being smug, and I don’t think your criticisms are unfair. Anybody who speaks so passionately about the party whether in criticism or support should be listened to. Labour stopped listening to its core support and those of us left who wish to return to our socialist traditions are ostracised, the link with the Trade Unions is a proud one and should be rebuilt. It will be interesting to see how eagerly the SNP embrace socialism now they have their massive majority, the links with Murdoch and Souter are worth watching. The dropping of their commitment to bus regulation came strangely just after Souter bankrolled their election campaign. The support of the ultra-unionist Scottish Sun must have been a shock for many of the ultra-nationalists.
Without the check of a strong opposition will we see the grand plans being brought to fruition or will we see the old divides return. Interesting times ahead I believe.
I would have difficulty in disagreeing with much of what you say, Salmond has the opportunity to deliver and time will tell. As for independence I’m indifferent although if there was a referendum today I would vote for it. Scotland through modern tradition is very much socialist and the only way to get fair policies is through independence. The south east is full off greed with the North of England in the same boat as ourselves. Unlike us in Scotland they don’t have a true option, unless there are major economic changes soon the break up of the UK is a foregone conclussion.
As for corruption there will always be questions, Westminster and Washington no longer try to hide it. In my opinion it has got much worse since the seventies, the UK most certainly has been greatly influenced by Murdoch since then. The problem with Murdoch being Australian is that he does not have the interest of the UK at heart. Anything that he may have going with Salmond will have no camparisson with the major UK players. As for current investigation into Murdoch it will die a death with one or two thrown to the wolves. Just like the cash for questions / cash for honours. The investigation went so far then faded away. There have been numerous scandals over the last 40 years and the politicians indirectly control the investigations. To have pushed them further would have resulted in 90% of the members in both the houses being locked up. We as a society in the UK just appear to accept it.
The UK parties are not listening to the people and the Labour party has become a top down party just like the tories. You can tell the those in the party what to do but you cannot tell the electorate what to do. The number of times I personally have been told by party members is unreal. I have been swore at, called names, and had various types of threats. The labour party is living on the reputation from its past and like all other brands in decline it is faced with the choice of change or die. I’m sure it will change but how down it has to go before it comes to terms with its failures will determine the length of time to recover. I wish you well but I don’t see me ever voting Labour again in my lifetime.
Political party funding leaves a bad taste, people like Souter have too much influence upon policy. There needs to be radical changes in how parties are funded along with strongl regulations. What is also an issue is how media moguls can influence peoples thinking through selective reporting and playing on their emotions. The manner in which the media can hold politicians to ransom is also worrying. There will always be corrupution within politics but we appear to have come to a point where we accept it as the norm.
When DJ rejoined the Labour Party the word was he would unite the party and revitalise it. Knowing DJ I believe him, a good experienced politician with a very clever mind who knows these islands. If people listen to him and use his wisdom the party will be a force again.
Macsween the man to save the Labour Party. Only a fool would believe that. He won’t even be a councilor next year. Two words to remember School Closures.
@ Donald… the only fool round here would seem to be you. I’ll have you know as a Labour party member at the age of 19. The only reason I joined the party was because of Donald John Macsween… you bad mouth him for the hard work he is putting into his community and as a councillor I dont’t know any others that are putting in as much work? your comment about him not being in council next year is also foolish of you.
It’s not DJ’s fault that the rest of the party don’t want to revitalise the look of it, do stuck in the old ways and not prepared to move on and look forward to the future..I think you should start looking up facts my friend before you start belittlng people on here.. do you know ALL the facts on the schools project and what was entailed? are you some sort of spy from MI5 that spy’s through paperwork?!
Just you wait until the pupils go back to the new term.. as soon as they enter the door at ‘Sgoil an Rubha’ their ‘Jaws will drop’ and they all will be happy with it and the facilities that they have…it will only gather votes for a man who has been a stalwart for his community!