Reason #352 to Renationalise The British Railway Network

The return of advertisement of state owned companies, combining poetic beauty and Sovietesque pride in industry.

Justice for Leyton

Many who read this blog will already know about Cllr Miranda Grell and what she has been through recently. Last month she was convicted of two offences against the Representation of the People’s Act 1983, she has been fined and forced to give up her seat. More information on the case can be sought here and here.

Miranda has shown herself to be a fantastic councillor and has been active in national campaigns concerning many issues close to the heart of the Labour left.

Thankfully an appeal has been launched, complete with campaign website. I urge people to offer their support to her campaign and ensure that the promising political career of a hard-working comrade is not needlessly held back.

Nuclear Reprocessing

There has been concern raised from many involved in the nuclear industry about the future of nuclear reprocessing.

Reprocessing is a central to making nuclear power environmentally viable. It is a process that significantly increases the efficiency of nuclear power, increasing the lifespan of reactor uranium by up to 60 times. Allowing concerns raised by the House of Commons Environmental Select Committee that worldwide uranium reserves could be depleted (point 13) to be overcome. Some industry experts speculate that, given the efficiency of modern reprocessing techniques and modern reactors, the worldwide uranium supplies could for 1000's of years

Also, by extending the lifespan of uranium, the need for mining new uranium ore is diminished, thus the main source of carbon emissions in the industry is significantly reduced.

Nuclear reprocessing also allows weapons grade plutonium to be recycled and employed in generating civil power rather than creating destructive weaponry or being stockpiled.

However, given the current low price of newly mined uranium, nuclear reprocessing is in danger of being deemed economically inviable by the government. Preferring instead to further deplete uranium ore reserves.

It is my belief that nuclear is the best option to power Britain in the interim whilst renewable energy bridges the technology gap. However, for nuclear to be the right decision it must be as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. Therefore. the government must affirm its commitment to reprocessing as a key component of any new nuclear build pledge.

PCoE's Musical Treat #7

BILLY BRAGG - Between the Wars

This week the Bard of Barking was presented with the Classic Songwriter Award by Q. A pretty meaningless gong, but any excuse to play one of my favourite tunes will be taken on this blog.

No Election, But The Battle Lines Have Been Drawn

Much has been made by the right on Brown's decision not to call an election. Yes, they have had some beneficial headlines and Dave was provided with plenty of ammo in today's PMQs. But, as with most superficiality, it will soon be forgotten about as the merry-go-round of Punch and Judy politics turns ever onward.

Labour can draw positives from this incident. Mainly that Dave has been force to lay some of his cards on the table far more early than he would've liked. Osborne's pledges to cut inheritance tax and, to a lesser extent, tax the non-doms may have lead to a Tory up-turn in the polls that allowed them to avoid a snap election, but it also allowed Labour to steal a march on them.

Not only are Labour's proposals on those issues fairer, more redistributive and more fiscally sound that the Tory plans, several policies that would be a cornerstone of a Conservative manifesto have been neutralised. Brown may have to take a hit for ‘stealing’ policy ideas in the short term, but it will be long forgotten by the electorate in 2009.

There are also advantages for the Labour left. Due to the political climate within his own party, Dave was forced into moving the Tories towards the right, back to the bread and butter of tax cuts.

In yesterday’s Guardian Polly Toynbee argued that Labour now has the opportunity to move away from the battle for the centre and present itself as the party intent on fairness and fighting inequality in society.

Perhaps the announcements in yesterday’s Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review of above-inflation spending in the NHS coupled with increased spending in Education, Housing and Overseas Aid are a step in this direction?

Tony Benn 4 Kensington!

The man who stood down as an MP in 2001 to "spend more time in politics", has announced he wishes to stand for Labour in the next election.

With an amazing wealth of knowledge and strong socialist principles Tony Benn would be a welcome addition to the back benches for all on the left.

The task of un-seating a senior Tory in one of their safest seats in the country is no easy challenge, but if anyone can do it, Tony can.

Here's to his selection and best of luck with the campaign.

Conservative Tax Plans: No Help to Worst Off in Society

George Osborne's conference speech had a little bit for everyone.

Despite claims that their sums do not add up, his plans to raise the threshold for inheritance tax from 300,000 to 1 million will woo back many big 'C' Conservatives disillusioned by Cameron's drift to the centre. It will also guarantee some good headlines in the 'World's Greatest Newspaper', who have had the campaign to abolish the tax as their cause célèbre for many a moon.

Osborne also announced the proposed abolition of the 1% stamp duty rate, which will raise the threshold from 120,000 to 250,000. A move which will see nine out of 10 first time buyers better off to the tune of 2,000 on average.

Many non-aligned left and liberal commentators have been rejoicing that the Tories are finally coming around to their way of thinking. In yesterday's Guardian Michael White positively cooed at Andrew Lansley's claims that the Tories are now the party of the NHS.

It was left to Polly Toynbee to point out that taxing non-domicile fat cats to fund inheritance tax relief is merely taking from the obscenely rich to give to the comfortably wealthy.

None of these policy proposals will help those most in need in society. Cameron may wish to steal some ground on Labour by offering help to first-time buyers but his proposed reforms do not go far enough. Although the abolition of stamp duty will help ease some financial pressures, much more is still needed.

Many of those looking to get onto the property ladder will still be excluded by rising property prices, including essential workers on relatively modest salaries such as teachers, nurses and emergency service personnel.

Labour must counter this move, which may be seen by many as a much needed helping hand, by pledging further to build more new and affordable homes and committing to a new build of social housing. It is a move Cameron would no doubt like to make, but has his hands tied by Tory councils and their NIMBY councillors.

Only by building new homes can those essential workers find places to live and get onto the housing ladder without taking on the risks of high-level debt. It is public sector workers such as these whom a Labour government should be helping, especially as a potential housing crisis looms on the horizon.

Tony Benn on Future of Socialism in the Labour Party

Today I came across this Guardian podcast interview with Tony Benn from last year.

As ever with Tony Benn, it makes for very enjoyable listening as he raises some important points about the future of Socialism in Labour and offers his own perspective on the history of the Party.