Saturday 10 May 2008

An answer to the minimum wage.

Rachel and I are invited to a BBQ over the river - we arrive early evening after a trip to Plymouth to catch up with parents.

Miles and I have a long conversation about many things. He says he hates to be termed a "socialist" but he proposes a very radical socialist solution to the minimum wage.

I say that it is a disgrace that someone working fulltime (40 hours per week) on the minimum wage still needs to supplement their wages with Working Tax Credit. His proposal is that the mimimum wage increases at the rate of 50p per 6 month period. Perhaps employers will need a little incentive, such a slight reduction in national insurance contributions. I think he may be onto a winning idea here.

In this light, I will need to talk in greater detail about his ideas for social housing...

Thursday 8 May 2008

How does Labour win again?

Last night Compass debated the election aftermath at a packed meeting.

How does Labour win again? A poignant question after the election disaster on Thursday. It was this question that an esteemed panel - Jon Cruddas MP; David Lammy MP; Jennette Arnold AM; Steve Richards, The Independent; John Harris, The Guardian and chaired by Jackie Ashley, The Guardian - came together to discuss in front of a filled Committee Room 14 in Westminster yesterday.

The discussion was started by David Lammy MP, who stated his fear that, 11 years into power, Labour may not be hungry enough to win. He called for a wider vision, wider story and passion.

Lammy was followed by John Harris, who argued that these are new times and we need a new language. We need to decide what kind of society we want to live in.

Jackie Ashley then asked Jennette to respond to David Lammy and asked if Labour still had the appetite to win. Jennette answered confidently that of course we had the appetite and that in her constituency the Labour vote came out, because of her local constituencies dedicated campaigning. Reminding us all on the necessity of local ground level campaigning and activity.

Steve Richards went on to astutely describe what he saw as the anti-Tory coalition splintering to be replaced by a strong and growing anti-Labour feeling. Yet the electoral dynamic is dangerous and the policy opportunity interesting. It is now down to Gordon to find the language to bring this together - Bravery is needed.

Jon Cruddas MP identified the rupture between the current terms of the debate and the demands for regulation and radicalism. What happened last week didn't drop out of the sky, and we all know it. We need to ask how do we put it together again. To do this we must develop a more sophisticated understanding of the Tories - we need to understand how Boris - an Eton educated fop - beat Ken, a passionate and outstanding politician with a proven record of success. The response can't be more of the same, and like David Lammy, he said fundamentally we must define what sort of society we want to create, and if we don't, we are free fall.

Neal concluded the debate, stating we are no longer willing to wait for this vision and these policies that Brown has been promising. We need the progressive consensus he called for in 2004 now.

To achieve this Compass is simultaneously launching the a narrative, a vision, on The Challenge of Living in the 21st Century, and what will be the biggest policy and ideas creation process the country has ever seen. This will engage every section of the Labour movement and those beyond, it will work with progressives outside of Labour and political system in NGOs, pressure groups, academics, unions, communities, and other think-tanks. These policy ideas will then be put to a vote, and we will go out and campaign on those selected. This is not about the Labour party, or even the left, this is about deciding what society we want to live in, and then going out and campaigning on it.

Zoe Gannon, Compass

May Manifesto Petition

In the light of Labour's election defeat last week, John McDonnell MP is circulating a manifesto petition to Labour Party members, trade unons and MPs to gain large scale rank and file support for a new policy programme for Labour to bring about a radical change in political direction for the Laboour Government.

John McDonnell MP said:"After the serious rejection of New Labour at the polls last week assurances that the Government is listening are simply not going to be enough to restore any sense of belief in the Labour Party. What is needed is a radical change of political direction."We have to demonstrate that change by introducing a new policy programme that specifically and very concretely addresses peoples' concerns raised on the doorstep. This May manifesto petition is launched so that all our supporters can have a say in pressing for the changes we need."We believe that Labour can win back the support of our people by adopting a new 2008 May Manifesto, which should include:

  • Nailing the 10p tax mistake by the introduction of a fair tax system removing the low paid from taxation and ensuring the wealthiest and corporations pay their fair share

  • An increase in the basic state pension, immediately restoring the link with earnings, lifting people off means tested benefits and providing free care for the elderly

  • An immediate start on a large scale council house building programme and assistance for those facing repossession

  • Immediate end to programme of local Post Office closures and liberalisation of postal services

  • An end to the privatisation of our public services

  • A new pay deal for public sector workers to protect their living standards and tackle low pay

  • Abolishing tuition fees and restoring maintenance grants for all students

  • Scrapping ID cards and abandoning 42 days detention

  • Introduction of a trade union freedom bill and measures to protect temporary and agency workers

  • Rejecting the proposals to renew Trident

To sign up, mailto:info@l-r-c.org.uk with the word 'petition' as the subject heading and add your name and CLP or trade union.

Grassroots survey

Labourhome is:
"A pro-Labour, group-blogging effort, that gives the like-minded the chance to have their say (under a mask of anonymity if they choose to wear it), and which promotes the most highly rated articles to its front page." --Bloggers4Labour's description of Labourhome.

Labourhome is a popular political collaborative multiblog specialising in British politics started by Alex Hilton and Jag Singh. Launched in June 2006 with the tagline, "Back to the roots," the site targets supporters of the Labour Party, attempting to reinvigorate the party's base and grassroots. Labourhome is not in any way financed or controlled by the Labour Party. The way we (Labour supporters) communicate to the outside (non-Labour) world is via the Prime Minister and the government. No blog or site can take that away, period.

Now Labourhome in itself is an experiment to reach out to the millions of Labour supporters and voters who want their voices heard. Every now and then, leaders ought to know what exactly their supporters are thinking and feeling, and that’s where web-based social network-enhancing sites like Labourhome and Bloggers4Labour come in.If you wish to get involved with Labourhome, send an email to us via support [at] labourhome.org.

In response to Gordon Brown's promise to listen more, they are runnning a survey and will make sure the party's leadership is presented with the results. I invite you to pass the link on to all Labour supporters you know...

Below are my answers to Q6
What message would you send to the Labour hierarchy, given the party's performance on May 1st?

We need to re-engage with our core support. Too many activists left the party over issues like the Iraq War. I could not - the ideals of the Labour Party are too strong.

How did we get the 10p tax thing so wrong? We've admitted a mistake - but our natural voters are showing us their past and current payslips, showing us how this policy is affecting them NOW. The solutions need to be NOW.

Listen...on the doorstep...not advisors in Westminster.

Consult…with activists who know what is happening in the real world...not policy advisors.

Act...to help the less well-off...not the affluent middle-classes.

Wednesday 7 May 2008

Two Jobs BoJo

Why are all the papers full of anger that the writ for the by-election for Crewe and Nantwich has been published?

As I understand it the family of Gwyneth Dunwoody are happy -indeed her daughter Tamsin is the Labour Party Candidate.

What, to me, is more worrying is that BoJo will continue to represent the constituency of Henley after his recent election as Mayor of London. Many commentators estimate that it might be up to a year before he is appointed Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead - a procedural device to effect resignation from the House of Commons.

Purnell: "Let's fight on child poverty"

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions James Purnell outlined the Government's fightback strategy following the local elections in a speech to the Fabian Society, declaring "ideological confidence is the way out of this week's political setback."

In his Progressive Manifesto Lecture, "Creating an Open Society", Purnell Purnell took on the harbingers of electoral doom, who have likened the political situation to the Conservatives disastrous showing in 1995, saying that although "voters are spooked by the economy, they do not blame the government - they realise it has global routes."

But Labour cannot afford to coast on a promise of stability and a reliance on its record. In order to guide people through difficult economic times, the government needs to build an "Open Society" built on the idea of a "fair chance" he said.

"My argument today is that the goal is simple. To create an Open Society, the kind of society that is best placed to take the opportunities of globalisation."

"An Open Society, most of all, for everyone in Britain - giving them the chance to climb as far as their ambition takes them. But with that ladder rooted on the solid ground of a fair chance for all."

"That is why child poverty matters, and that is how we can make the best case for it."

The lecture was reported on-line by the Guardian - "End of child poverty is still aim", says Purnell.

The article states that Labour is making the fight against child poverty a central aim because the party feels "outrage" at the waste of lives, unlike the Tories who pay "lip service" to the government's commitments.

Seen as a rallying cry to the Labour party to unite behind Gordon Brown after "grim" local election results, the work and pensions secretary, James Purnell, claimed that the fight against poverty binds old and New Labour, and allows the party to expose the Tories.

Speaking to the Fabian Society, he said: "When Tony Blair and Gordon Brown committed us to the goal of eradicating child poverty they spoke for everyone in this party. They also hit its nerve centre. The child poverty target links old and New Labour. The outrage we feel at the waste of lives lived in poverty is what links the Labour party of 2008 with the Labour party of 1908."

He added that the Tories had accepted the need to tackle poverty - but he questioned their commitment. They had spoken of the need to look at the poorest people who earn 40% of median income - the official definition of poverty is people on 60% of median income.
"The Tories don't want to eradicate poverty," Purnell said. "They want to redefine it. All of a sudden, 2.5 million children are no longer poor, as if by magic."

The government has faced criticism in the labour movement because it is unlikely to meet its 2010 target for halving child poverty. Blair and Brown, as Purnell said, promised nearly 10 years ago to abolish child poverty by 2020. It is now accepted that it will be almost impossible for the government to hit even the interim 2010 milestone of halving child poverty.

Purnell said the government had taken 600,000 children out of poverty and he outlined further steps. A lone parents programme, which has ensured that participants earn 24% more than parents who do not sign up, will be intensified, with a £40 weekly bonus for single parents who return to work, advice on how to stay in work, and a £300 payment for people who run into trouble in the first six months after their return to work. "That is the mark of a government that has a real energy," he said.

Election thanks

The "Express and Echo" have published my letter thanking the voters.

ELECTION DEFEAT DID NOT DISCOURAGE ME
I would like to thank, through Points of view, all the 384 people who turned out to vote for me last Thursday.All these people believed in my views and Exeter Labour group's 63 manifesto pledges, which resulted in a swing of nearly three per cent to Labour in the St James ward - in the face of the national trend of swings away from Labour.

I am certainly not downhearted and hope to be standing for Labour in the eventual elections for the unitary council.Until then, to all electors in the St James ward, I will remain your Labour contact and please feel free to contact me with any concerns or issues that you feel should be brought to my attention. I am around for the long-haul, not just election time.

I would like to pass on my commiseration to the former councillors of Exwick, Pinhoe and Polsloe. All three were excellent ward councillors, doing vital work on behalf of their residents. I am sure their presence will be missed over the coming term of office.

Tuesday 6 May 2008

Is listening best?

Have spent the past weeks of my election campaign with the pledge "to listen...to consult...to act...and to report back", I was annoyed to read the article "Listening' politicians are a menace" by David Aaronovitch.

He heard the Prime Minister on Sunday telling Andrew Marr: “I am listening to what people have said; I have heard what people have said,” and Aaronovitch thought “Oh bugger.” And this is why. He feels that "If a politician does what I want and not what is best, that is not what I pay my taxes for"

But who says that listening equates to submission to the electors point-of -view? David Aaronovitch seems to think so. He thinks that "a 'listening' politician is one who decides that discretion is the better part of valour" but that isn't the case. By listening I am hearing the views of the electorate (they are the ones who do, or do not, put me into power). And then I can act in their best interest on those concerns.

National Fabian Society lecture

National Fabians Event
Invitation to Fabian lecture with James Purnell MP12.30pm, Tuesday 6th May 2008A rundel House, 13-15 Arundel Street, Temple Place, London WC2(close to Temple tube station)

James Purnell MP will give a major lecture for the Fabian Society. The new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions will outline how the Government can sustain progress towards meeting their child poverty targets. The lecture is part of the Fabian Society’s ongoing “Progressive Manifesto” series which was launched by Ed Balls MP last autumn.

Monday 5 May 2008

Low pay or fair pay?

Madeline Bunting talks about the recently released report from of the TUC's Commission on Vulverable Employment in today's Guardian.

Having promised it would "make work pay", Labour still hasn't delivered.

Brown makes much of his commitment to poverty. Even his most grudging critics concede that some headway has been made on child poverty even if it has not been enough. Many poor families may now have an earner, but it has not got them out of poverty: the number of poor children living in working households is 1.4 million - exactly the same figure as it was in 1997.

Half of all children living in poverty have a parent in work. The advances in child poverty have been among those on benefits, while the number of poor working households with children has actually increased by 200,000.

One in seven of all working households are poor; one fifth of all workers, 5.3 million people, are paid less than £6.67 an hour (two thirds of the median), the worst low-pay rate of any in Europe. It works out at less than a £12,000 salary.

In some regions, the proportion of low-paid is well over 25%, while in some constituencies (in Wales, Birmingham, the West Midlands, even the rural West Country) it is comfortably over 40%.

Labour has made much of bringing in the minimum wage and the working time directive (which gave many workers their first rights to paid holiday) but after these advances, the reality is that progress in tackling Britain's chronic problem with low-paid, insecure work stalled. Increases in the minimum wage are not keeping pace with average earnings, and it is set at a considerably lower rate than in other countries.

This is an issue that any Labour government worthy of its name should have sorted out by now and yet it has devoted a fraction of the effort and energy required. If Labour cannot ensure that at the end of a hard week's work, someone has earned enough to keep themselves and their children out of poverty, then it doesn't deserve power.

The Government announced in March that the adult minimum wage rate will rise from £5.52 to £5.73 an hour in October. The youth rate for those aged 18 to 21 will be increased from £4.60 to £4.77. The Government has also said that the rate for workers aged 16-17 years should increase from £3.40 to £3.53.

So for someone currently working 40 hours a week this means they earn £220 per week or nearly £11,500 a year. A single person, with no dependants, earning this amount and receiving no other benefits is entitled to an annual Working Tax Credit of £504.05 (calculated using the HM Revenue and Customs Tax Credits caluclator). Surely the whole point of the Minimum Wage is that it should be enough to remove single people from the need for benefits?

Eliminate short-term errors and adopt a new long-term strategy.

Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP, the former Home Secretary, writes for Progress on how Labour recovers from its election defeat.

In his article he says:
Throughout the dreadful Thatcher years we had a poster in our house called ‘What Does Labor Want?' The answer was a quote from Samuel Gompers of the American AFL/CIO trade union confederation written in 1893: ‘We want more school houses and less jails; more books and less arsenals, more learning and less vice; more constant work and less crime, more leisure and less greed; more justice and less revenge; in fact more opportunities to cultivate our better natures.' Prehistoric Labour, perhaps, but no less powerful for its values and sense of purpose. They should still be central to Labour today.

The aim of Labour's progressive politics is to build a fairer, more equal society which improves the lives of millions of people in this country and elsewhere. And it's this group who were the greatest losers from Labour's disastrous defeat last Thursday. They are now vulnerable to Conservative values, Conservative practices and Conservative people, including those who have disguised their reactionary ideology under flaxen hair and unthreatening buffoonery.

Ahead of every other consideration, Labour's all-consuming priority must be to ensure that we do not repeat this defeat at the 2010 general election.

So, first, he believes we have to change the conduct of our politics. We should discard the techniques of ‘triangulation', and ‘dividing lines' with the Conservatives, which lead to the not entirely unjustified charge that we simply follow proposals from the Conservatives or the right-wing media, to minimise differences and remove lines of attack against us.

Instead we need to be authentic, frank and direct as we answer questions and explain what we are doing; we should respect politics and elected politicians with proper transparent funding arrangements and accountability for what we do; and we should govern openly and confidently on the basis of a programme which properly expresses Labour's values and beliefs.

Second we should focus upon the long-term issues which will enable our country to succeed in an increasingly challenging modern world. Immediately before the 2005 general election he proposed to Tony Blair a long-term strategy which he thought Labour needed to follow after the successes of our first two terms. Those goals should be to:-
• Establish a radical, holistic commitment to sustainable transport and energy.
• increase both public and private investment in effective, fair and locally accountable public services;
• relate taxation and charging more closely to expenditure, and reduce our profligate and bureacracy-promoting public administration;
• secure a stable constitutional settlement across the UK, by completing our reforms;
• strengthen public confidence in the criminal justice system;
• reinforce the UK's relationship with the European Union to improve the EU's capacity to act on the environment and security.
He believes that the British people would support a framework for forward-looking and progressive government.

Third, we have to address the short-term errors which week-by-week erode confidence in Labour's competence and capacity:-
• The prime minister's pledge to solve the problems arising from abolition of the 10p tax rate must be fulfilled in detail and soon. The subject will resonate until there is clarity. There may now be a case for an early mini-Budget to establish a clear sense of economic direction and strengthen economic confidence.
• We should abandon proposals to increase the period of pre-charge detention to 42 days. This Parliament settled the matter in March 2006 at 28 days and, though I will support the government's proposals, I believe that it would be best not to consider them again during this Parliament.
• Patricia Hollis has put forward progressive proposals on women's pensions which are supported by the House of Lords. The government should accept them. Its current opposition will lead to defeat later this summer.
• The government should suspend the current over-bureaucratic review of post offices in order to consider properly the Postal Services Commission's proposals to give the Post Office PLC greater commercial freedom and allow subpostmasters to expand and develop their services.
• The Labour party has to end the historically unprecedented situation where we have not had a general secretary for over six months.

We do not have much time to reverse the damaging shifts in opinion against Labour which we have seen both in opinion polls and in last Thursday's elections.

We must robustly reject those who say that defeat in 2010 is inevitable. Such people - often relatively comfortable themselves - have no right to condemn whole communities to a decade or more of Conservatism. However their predictions could come true if Labour does not clearly resolve its direction and approach well before this year's party conferences. Everyone in the Labour party and outside will be constantly alert to progress we are making in this respect.
We should start immediately by winning the Crewe and Nantwich by-election. Some seem to have accepted defeat already but I think that we can most certainly hold the seat if we
communicate a clear and attractive sense of political purpose.

Friday 2 May 2008

The results

Arrive home to check the websites. Exeter City Council’s is already showing the results. Congratulations to Philip Bostock and his team for their efficiency in this matter.

The counting game

The count. Not much joy abounds as it become obvious that Labour could well have lost 3 seats.

Watching as the ballot papers in St James are first verified and then counted is a rollercoaster ride. Some basic sampling reveals that the result could be quite close – various bundles of 25 give conflicting pictures. Sometimes the majority seem to favour me, other bundles show the Lib Dems ahead, one or 2 even show a majority for the Green. Even the Tories have a look in from student areas. Not many UKIP though. At one stage I estimate it could be down to 50 votes, but Eddie isn’t convinced.

One of my candidates arrives in the hall with a drink (can't really say anything, as Philip Bostock - the Returning Officer - has just walked by and said nothing) and can't quite work out with table she's looking at St James or St Davids. She exclaims to her friens, "I'm not sure what's happening..I'm terribly confused"

However as the bundle stack up a quick estimate gives me around 380 (close the same number as polled by Catherine Dawson last year) whilst the Lib Dem number is significantly down. The majority is around 150, giving something like a 3.8% swing to Labour. When viewing the nationwide results later, this appears impressive.

Best moment of the day is when Philip Bostock takes to the stage to announce the result. I'm standing by the St James table with Peter Edwards. When Philip reads out "Bull, Paul David 384 votes", Pete lets out an almighty cheer - so much so to confuse the press pack who are spinning around trying to work out what's happened, is it a major upset in St James? They look like startled rabbits caught in the headlights.

Thursday 1 May 2008

Come on your Grecians

Can’t believe how quiet the streets of St James are – no not quiet, as there is a lot of noise coming from St James Park. The correct term must be empty – the streets are deserted as football fever takes over. Very few people are now interested in making the journey to the polling station, although I am gladden by a couple in Velwell Road are about to go off to vote now their babysitter has arrived.

Where do you live?

More glad-handing at the school. Meet 2 students who exit the polling station without voting. The first – afirst time voter - was hoping to see some election material at the polling station. She lives in a multi-occupancy house (common hallway and lots of bells) and tells me that she hasn’t seen any material from any candidate. I am surprised at this – I certainly delivered a 20mph sign letter through the common letterbox just last night. Someone must have acted like the young student in Prospect Park, Any future campaign work in areas of multi-occupancy must take this factor into account – some of our literature (the glossy election manifesto leaflet, along with contact details of candidate and links to websites and blogs) must be addressed to the relevant occupant. Her friend was also unable to vote at the school – she didn’t appear on the electoral register for St James. She actually lives in, and is able to vote for candidates in, Pennsylvania. My guess is the she lives on the opposite side of one boundary roads to her pal. Again, we must ensure voter information in this respect. Could various leaflets and campaign information, along with details of polling stations and even how to vote, is deposited in the University Library?

Students matters...again

Another stint at the School – meeting and greeting electors on their way to the ballot box…and discussing things about the election AFTER they have cast their vote. One couple are concerned about the fact that at least 2 candidates appear to be students. I am asked “How can they represent us when they could be away from Exeter during vacations?” and “How can someone who isn’t a Council Tax payer get elected”. Well, they don’t need to be a Council Tax payer. As long as they fulfil any of the set criteria, they can stand for election if they have been duly nominated by the requisite 10 electors and that nomination has been accepted by the Returning Officer. A valid nomination can come from:1) Someone on the electoral register from anywhere in Exeter.2) Someone who has lived at an address during the previous 12 months3) Someone who works within the city of Exeter4) Someone who owns a property within the city of Exeter. <<<<<<>>>>

Postal votes...in St Davids

A student from St David’s turns up with a postal ballot paper…the accompanying letter has informed her that she can deposit the ballot paper at any polling station. The trouble is that the St David’s in question is in Pembrokeshire, and the relevant paperwork only arrived 2 days ago. I am sure that the instruction only refers to any polling station within the relevant district but send her in to talk to the staff looking after the polling station. They confirm my analysis…but inform her that she can vote in this ward as she is on the electoral register for St James. A future plan of campaigning must be to inform students of this right to vote in different districts.

Laminate

As I walk around the ward, I’m seeming to get many smiles of recognition. This cheers me up and gives me confidence for the day ahead. Must say that I am pleased with the laminated “Vote LABOUR – PAUL BULL” I have hanging from a lanyard around my neck. It is visible at a distance, features my name, and can easily be tucked away under my t-shirt (Red, featuring one of Picasso’s drawings of a bull – thank you, Derren Brown) when I visit the polling stations, either to meet voters, collect numbers from tellers, or receive official figures from the polling station staff.

Dog flap?

Off to Prospect Park to deliver the letter about the 20 mph signs. As I continue on from a student house to the next letterbox, a young lady comes out and puts the letter directly into the (recycling) bin. No chance for anyone else in the household to see it. Nice to see that she believes in true democracy. Working my way back up the other side, I post a letter through a letterbox. My fingers are free as I hear a dog galloping up the hallway. My fingers are free (and thereby safe) as the dog’s head pokes out the catflap.

The camera always lies

We’re lucky in St James – the 2 polling stations are within sight of each other and only a short walk (uphill, though) back the Committee Room. There has been some confusion over one of the tellers – I was unable to get hold of Penny last night to hand over sheets and instructions. So, to make sure the polling station at the school is covered I arrive at 06:45. Meet up with John at York House to inform him.

A teller from the Lib Dems is surprised when I introduce myself as the Labour candidate. I am informed that they didn’t recognise me from my photos – they thought I was taller….

And the good news is that Penny arrives in plenty of time to cover the early shift.

0700. The polls open and the election is underway…walk up to Thornton Hill to help Rachel; set up the Committee Rooms as several voters come down Pennsylvania Road, clutching polling card in hand and ready to cast their vote. Whatever figures and statistics we’re been working on in the past months will be of no consequence. The only figure we’re now interested in will be the one announced by Returning Officer, Philip Bostock, in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Back home for some breakfast to stand me in good stead for the LONG LONG day ahead.