Comments on: Alan Simpson MP

By: AidanWard

AidanWard — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:02:24 +0000

I have been reading through all the position statements and comments looking for any glimmer of a politics I can buy into. The closest I have come is Alan's use of the cliche “in government and not just in office”. I look at the democratic deficit and long for anyone who is prepared to take on the challenge.
It is easiest to see with the banks: is the behaviour of the banks compatible with left of centre political ambitions? It never has been and never will be but no politician is prepared to say so even now.
To be left means to know first hand, intelligently and in practical detail what the effect of policies are: not their intended effect, not their reported effect, not their effect once it has been spun, their effect on citizens as reported by citizens. Education can be hugely damaging, the health service kills people in droves, housing policies cause homelessness. Anyone can mess up but to mess up and not to listen doesn't belong to anything I want to be part of.
Left politics used to be participatory. Solutions were built by citizens for citizens aided by whatever policy changes or funding was possible. Now politics is done to people. Where is the sense that any future worth having has to have the energy of people's passion behind it?

By: 1atatime

1atatime — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:04:10 +0000

I agree with Alan when it comes to green issues and I share his views about 19th and 20th century ‘gas and water socialism’. It was a period when even Tories and Liberals saw the advantages of municipal ownership. Local government has been emasculated by successive governments (both Labour and Conservative) for far too long, yet this is where, historically, all the real innovations in policy and public services have come from (eg. health care, education, housing, transport, parks). So it can again. Power has to be returned to local councils and local communities. It is not about foisting executive mayors or insisting on 'cabinet style' local government. It's about letting local communities govern themselves. Public money is wasted on local 'partnership' quangos, when it would be far better managed and spent if it was placed in the hands of more directly elected local councils based around neighborhoods and small urban townships. We need more localism, but it has to be politically and socially embracing. It also has to be pluralistic when it comes to management and delivery. To exclude public or private provision is to be dogmatic.

By: annandrews

annandrews — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:37:44 +0000

At last Labour is starting to be relevant but it must stop thinking about growth and money. Harold Wilson said to nationalise the banks and he was right. We must live within the means of the planet and share and share alike. Labour is just getting over its birth pangs, it is just beginning.

By: chrismatthews

chrismatthews — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:38:15 +0000

I've read all the ideas on this website and this is by far the most coherent, contemporary and functional. It currently works a treat in Germany and should be implemented here as soon as possible.

Here's an example of that model which Alan has been encouraging in his constituency:

http://www.nottenergy.com/
http://www.nesta.org.uk/energy-man-launches-not...
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/MP-s-gai...

Alan's idea really could bring about what everyone else on this website is only eluding to; a fairer society, decent housing, green jobs and a better eduction for the poorest. I think the same could also be said of high speed rail, light rail and social housing