(16 May 2015, 9:45 pm)aureolin wrote Jim Murphy takes a parting shot at McCluskey.
http://news.sky.com/story/1485277/resign...union-boss

Just to follow on from this - McCluskey's retort to Jim Murphy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-hi...s-32771657
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015...-mccluskey

...and so all voices are heard.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics...abour.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...eyman.html

...One more thing.

Whenever I hear the name 'McCluskey', I immediately think of Grange Hill. Does anyone else? 

(17 May 2015, 8:53 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Just to follow on from this - McCluskey's retort to Jim Murphy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-hi...s-32771657
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015...-mccluskey

...and so all voices are heard.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics...abour.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...eyman.html

...One more thing.

Whenever I hear the name 'McCluskey', I immediately think of Grange Hill. Does anyone else? 

I don't, but there again I never watched Grange Hill.  

...and so Len's response points to the rules conference, and possible de-affiliation. It'll be interesting to see whether the Executive Council are in favour of the move, or just more feet stomping from McCluskey. I know the issue would have been spoken about at length, if some parties got their own way when a Unite and PCS merger was on the cards. I feel that the latter would rather walk over burning coals than have any sort of connection to the Labour Party.

(17 May 2015, 8:53 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Just to follow on from this - McCluskey's retort to Jim Murphy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-hi...s-32771657
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015...-mccluskey

...and so all voices are heard.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics...abour.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...eyman.html

...One more thing.

Whenever I hear the name 'McCluskey', I immediately think of Grange Hill. Does anyone else?

I was gutted when it wasn't the Bronson that appeared in the death wish films, but some American fella instead.

Out of interest, which unions are affiliated with Labour. I always thought (or assumed) that PCS would have been an affiliate. There's always talk circulating within the internal communications of the Greens that they'd love to court union support if given the opportunity. There's also the TUSC option available so I imagine it'll be pretty easy for Unite to hitch their trailer to another waggon if push came to shove.

(17 May 2015, 9:05 pm)Andreos1 wrote I was gutted when it wasn't the Bronson that appeared in the death wish films, but some American fella instead.

I always used to get my Bronsons mixed up as a child. I thought the Death Wish Bronson was English and had managed to get himself locked up for something although, subconsciously, I knew there was something wrong as the timelines didn't tally.

(17 May 2015, 9:14 pm)MurdnunoC wrote I always used to get my Bronsons mixed up as a child. I thought the Death Wish Bronson was English and had managed to get himself locked up for something although, subconsciously, I knew there was something wrong as the timelines didn't tally.

Too many Bronsons.
Mr Bronson
Charles Bronson the actor
Charles Bronson the psychopath

All nasty buggers.

(17 May 2015, 9:11 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Out of interest, which unions are affiliated with Labour. I always thought (or assumed) that PCS would have been an affiliate. There's always talk circulating within the internal communications of the Greens that they'd love to court union support if given the opportunity. There's also the TUSC option available so I imagine it'll be pretty easy for Unite to hitch their trailer to another waggon if push came to shove.

The main ones are Unison, Unite, GMB and the CWU. There's also the likes of BECTU, USDAW and the NUM. The PCS has been politically neutral for as I can remember.

TUSC is heavily supported by the RMT and I'm sure Bob Crow had something to do with it's creation. 

(17 May 2015, 9:18 pm)Andreos1 wrote Too many Bronsons.
Mr Bronson
Charles Bronson the actor
Charles Bronson the murderer

All nasty buggers.

Yeah, Mr Bronson looks like a nasty piece of work doesn't he?



Looks like the sort of fella who'd cane you just for the hell of it. 
A true disciplinarian whose authoritative gaze makes Hitler look like Owen Jones.  

(17 May 2015, 9:19 pm)aureolin wrote The main ones are Unison, Unite, GMB and the CWU. There's also the likes of BECTU, USDAW and the NUM. The PCS has been politically neutral for as I can remember.

TUSC is heavily supported by the RMT and I'm sure Bob Crow had something to do with it's creation. 

According to the Wikipedia page of the TUSC, leading members of the PCS are on the steering committee alongside the RMT, NUT, the Fire Brigades Union and the Prison Officers Union. Not that neutral as it turns out.

(17 May 2015, 9:24 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Yeah, Mr Bronson looks like a nasty piece of work doesn't he?



Looks like the sort of fella who'd cane you just for the hell of it. 
A true disciplinarian whose authoritative gaze makes Hitler look like Owen Jones.

After seeing him on Grange Hill, I was convinced that's what the teachers at 'the big' school (comp) would be like.

(17 May 2015, 9:40 pm)Andreos1 wrote After seeing him on Grange Hill, I was convinced that's what the teachers at 'the big' school (comp) would be like.

Our headmaster at the Catholic Comprehensive School I attended (shouldn't be hard to guess which one) was perhaps worse than Bronson. His reputation was legendary to the extent that he was well known in other schools.

(17 May 2015, 9:38 pm)MurdnunoC wrote According to the Wikipedia page of the TUSC, PCS are on the steering committee alongside the RMT, NUT, the Fire Brigades Union and the Prison Officers Union. Not that neutral as it turns out.

They've also got a cross party parliamentary group formed at Westminster, which is chaired by John McDonnell. They're politically neutral in the sense that they don't back, stand or affiliate to political parties.

Branches, groups and the national executive all have the ability to back candidates based on existing union policies, but I don't think it was used at all for 2015? There certainly wasn't a mandate to support the TUSC either.

I wonder if John McDonnell will throw his hat into the ring for Labour's leadership election. He would have been my preferred choice last time around - shame nobody backed him.

(17 May 2015, 9:49 pm)MurdnunoC wrote I wonder if John McDonnell will throw his hat into the ring for Labour's leadership election. He would have been my preferred choice last time around - shame nobody backed him.

Denis Skinner every time for me.
Just to see the look of agitation on Camerons face at PMQ's.

The party wouldn't get very far and papers like the Daily Fail would demonise him, but it may put the cat amongst the pigeons and stir something in the longer term.

(18 May 2015, 7:48 am)Andreos1 wrote Denis Skinner every time for me.
Just to see the look of agitation on Camerons face at PMQ's.

The party wouldn't get very far and papers like the Daily Fail would demonise him, but it may put the cat amongst the pigeons and stir something in the longer term.

I love it when he trolls Blackrod at the State Opening of Parliament

I heard Harriet Harman on the radio at lunchtime discussing electoral reform within the Labour Party. Apparently you can now register as a Labour supporter for £3 without actually becoming a fully signed-up member. She wants to give both members and supporters a voice in electing a new leader within the party which, in principle, is a good idea. However, in my view, if you want give grassroots Labour supporters (or members) a voice, Labour need to get rid of the rule which requires leadership candidates to obtain a certain amount of nominations within the parliamentary party before they can stand. If they got rid of this rule then perhaps MP's like Dennis Skinner, John McDonnell or Jeremy Corbyn might stand in the leadership election if the vote goes to the people - Labour's core support - not just those who politick within the parliamentary party.

http://www.london24.com/news/quirky-lond..._1_4091778

Former Lib Dem Leader dies aged 55


R.I.P

Is anybody following Jeremy Corbyn's bid for the Labour leadership? He's managed 10 backings in 24 hours, so I really hope he hits that 35 mark, and people have the chance to vote for him. He'd be a great leader, and it would bring the party back to it's real roots imo.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33024951

Politics and religion - what a mix!
Interesting though!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-33054793

It looks like two Jags has become no Jags...

Corbyn needed to be on the ballot paper for me. If not only to pull the other candidates left. It'll give Burnham something to think about, as Corbyn's attitudes are closely aligned to the trade unions.

Anyone took up the opportunity to register as a Labour supporter? Not bad for a £3 one off fee, when you get a chance to vote in the leadership elections. Perfect for the disillusioned left like myself.

(17 Jun 2015, 6:36 pm)aureolin wrote Anyone took up the opportunity to register as a Labour supporter? Not bad for a £3 one off fee, when you get a chance to vote in the leadership elections. Perfect for the disillusioned left like myself.

I have been looking to see if my union membership would result in active encouragement, in an effort to see me enrolled as a member - yet to hear owt.

(17 Jun 2015, 6:41 pm)Andreos1 wrote I have been looking to see if my union membership would result in active encouragement, in an effort to see me enrolled as a member - yet to hear owt.

You can join as an affiliated member for £1.96 a month on the normal join page. The supporter probably remains the best option for most though, if they have no desire to get actively involved in the party at present.

(17 Jun 2015, 6:44 pm)aureolin wrote You can join as an affiliated member for £1.96 a month on the normal join page. The supporter probably remains the best option for most though, if they have no desire to get actively involved in the party at present.

Hopefully the people who join as supporters or members, don't have ulterior motives.
For the sake of a few quid, a lot of people can afford to join and have an influence - regardless of their political allegiances.

Is your twitter feed full of Sharon Hodgson rt's? Pretty clear who she thinks should be leader!

(17 Jun 2015, 7:01 pm)Andreos1 wrote Hopefully the people who join as supporters or members, don't have ulterior motives.
For the sake of a few quid, a lot of people can afford to join and have an influence.

Is your twitter feed full of Sharon Hodgson rt's? Pretty clear who she thinks should be leader!

Pretty much. Surprised she's got time, in amongst campaigning for the Metro to Washington..............

(17 Jun 2015, 7:03 pm)aureolin wrote Pretty much. Surprised she's got time, in amongst campaigning for the Metro to Washington..............

As well as writing articles and posing for photos, for the Washington Star .

(17 Jun 2015, 7:05 pm)Adam wrote I was watching the Daily Politics on BBC2 at lunchtime (was channel hopping between that and Bargain Hunt), and the journalist Toby Young was being interviewed, and he has "joined" the Labour party so he can vote.

There's also rumours that some Tories (MPs and non-MPs) have paid £3 so that they can vote for Jeremy Corbyn, as they think his direction will lead the party to another loss in the 2020 election, should he be elected leader.

Just said earlier about the fee being affordable and possibly attracting people with ulterior motives.
Who mentioned the phrase 'delicious irony' on the forum? Cos I would love it if their votes actually led to a tory defeat next time out.

#deliciousirony
#hashtagsonNEB

(17 Jun 2015, 7:05 pm)Adam wrote I was watching the Daily Politics on BBC2 at lunchtime (was channel hopping between that and Bargain Hunt), and the journalist Toby Young was being interviewed, and he has "joined" the Labour party so he can vote.

There's also rumours that some Tories (MPs and non-MPs) have paid £3 so that they can vote for Jeremy Corbyn, as they think his direction will lead the party to another loss in the 2020 election, should he be elected leader.

There's a 'Conservatives for Corbyn' campaign I believe. 

He'll be getting my vote. We need a proper left wing and working class alternative again in this country. In the 2015 election, it turned out we had a choice between Austerity (Tories) and Austerity-lite (Labour), yet in Scotland, they overwhelmingly voted to reject Austerity (SNP).

(17 Jun 2015, 7:17 pm)Adam wrote Oh, I can't remember now. I remember it being mentioned though.


'Conservatives for Corbyn'. Rings a bell that...

Careful what yous say about Sharon mind! Don't think I've mentioned this before, but I'm good friends with her daughter. We went to school together.

Must say as well, Sharon does make a decent Chilli con Carne. Had the pleasure of sampling it when the Hodgson's hosted an A-Level results day party last year

I toned down my original comment about posing for photos - thank goodness for that.

You know too many people. First it emerges you know pne of our sleepy commuters and then you tell us you are in the click with local MP's!