This is just to say that I am having a short break after the European elections before we go back. Normal service will resume next week when the European Parliament reconvenes in Brussels.
Needless to say I will not be doing anything on twitter, though that will start again soon.
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Since elections are the very stuff of democracy it ill behoves politicians to complain about them. However, I am angry that the fascist BNP have gained two seats in the European Parliament ousting my hard working, intellectual heavyweight colleague Richard Corbett in Yorks and Humber and preventing the election of the excellent Theresa Griffin in the North West. It is indeed a sad day for this country when racists gain elected office, and something on which we should all reflect.
In particular we need a considered analysis as to why the BNP have gained this foothold, and the steps we should take in future to regain the seats lost to them for the democratic political mainstream. Since I don’t believe the British people are basically racist and that the overwhelming majority of the voters are decent and fairminded, ousting the BNP by democratic means is definitely achievable. We should define our strategy sooner rather than later to prevent the racists and fascists gaining further momentum.
As well as Richard Corbett, sad farewells to Glyn Ford and Neena Gill. Both were good colleagues and will be sadly missed. It is unfortunate that elections are lost as well as won, and although all of us who put ourselves forward for elected office know that things will go down as well as up, it doesn’t make losing any easier. My sincere wishes for the future to Richard, Glyn and Neena. I’m sure all of us Labour MEPs fortunate enough to be returned to the European Parliament are thinking of you.
Just a final word about London. The Labour result in the capital was significantly better than most other parts of the country. My thanks to everyone who voted Labour, to Ken Clark, the London Labour Party Regional Director, all the staff at the London Labour Regional Office and to those many Labour Party members who worked so hard campaigning to return Labour MEPs. It may not have been a great result, but we can be proud in London that we bucked the national trend and maintained our share of the vote at virtually the same level as at the last European elections in 2004.
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I am appalled to see the election of a BNP MEP in Yorkshire and the Humber. Even worse, my marvellous colleague Richard Corbett has lost his seat. This overshadows the London result where I am pleased to say the BNP were kept out. Elected were
Conservatives 3 Charles Tannock, Syed Kamall, and Marina Yannakoudakis
Labour 2 (Claude Moraes and myself)
UKIP 1 Gerard Batten
Liberal Democrat 1 Sarah Ludford
Green 1 Jean Lambert
Filed under Labour Party
I am in City Hall, London at the Count and I will post results as soon as I have them, sorry to hear of losses for my French and German Socialist colleagues.
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“Window dressing” indeed was my verdict on ex-Europe Minister and ex-Cabinet hopeful Caroline Flint as I opened today’s newspapers to be confronted by her dIsporting herself on the front pages in poses more suited to Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham or Katie Price than a member of Her Majesty’s Government. (My apologies to these three women if they find the comparison offensive).
But someone who has spent her entire political life fighting for more women in senior positions, be it in politics, finance, the law or any other profession, I was truly shocked to see one of my own, a former Minister of the Crown no less, behaving in such a way. As politicians we are professional women and therefore should uphold certain standards. Above all, women in the professions have a duty to be dignified, to do the very best they can and to set an example. In general that is the only way to succeed and provide role models for young women in the future.
Women at the top in serious jobs should not therefore pose like what a male colleague of mine calls “dolly birds”. I would go further and call Caroline Flint’s antics on display to the entire nation overtly sexual, something which is fine for her to do in private, but not all over the newspapers. But, in any case, it would be misleading to identify Caroline as an example on shining intellectual brightness.
It is perhaps unfortunate that we are not yet advanced enough for women in politics, and men to some extent, to be obviously sexual in public while retaining their ability to be taken seriously. I wish this were not so, but since it so clearly is, I believe women should play by the rules.
Caroline Flint, I have no doubt, has set the cause of women’s equality back some few years. It was an unnecessary and egotistical exhibition which I, for one, found offensive. I hope no other “sister” will act in the same way.
And finally…..rather than posing for suggestive photos, Caroline Flint as Europe Minister would have been better employed talking to us, the Labour MEPs, about European policy and the European election campaign. It would also have helped had she read the Lisbon Treaty rather than admitting her ignorance and laziness.
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Congratulations to Glenys Kinnock on being appointed Minister for Europe. It’s an inspired choice by Gordon Brown and a great one for British MEPs. As an ex-MEP Glenys knows and understands the European Union. She is also an accomplished media performer and will be able to answer tricky questions on Euorpe from a wealth of experience not, sadly, in evidence since another ex-MEP Joyce Quinn was Europe Minister when I first entered the European Parliament nine years ago.
Glenys has also spent her entire political career doing her very best for the developing world. As an MEP she was Chairwoman of the Influential African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Committee which dealt with relations with developing countries. Glenys therefore understands international issues and has worked directly on some of the most intractable problems of our time.
For me, Glenys Kinnock’s appointment was a ray of sunshine in what was otherwise a grey, but not thunderstorm weather, day. Glenys, all the very best. I know British MEPs will see you in Brussels very soon.
Filed under Labour Party
Since I didn’t blog yesterday, I am posting these pictures taken in Ilford on Wednesday, the eve of the Euopean elections. Sorry Ilford for putting them up late. My thanks to local MP Mike Gapes for joining us and to the Labour Party Branch Secretary Ali Younis.
Although I didn’t blog, I did appear on the Islam TV Channel yesterday with Sarah Ludford, Lib Dem MEP and Jean Lambert, the Green MEP for London. They have both stood again and, like me, are waiting for Sunday evening. And yes, we are all technically MEPs until 12 July when those standing down or not re-elected cease to be Members.
It’s high time Britain voted on Sundays like the rest of Europe, which I believe would help increase voter turnout. It really is a bit ridiculous to go to the polls on a working day. It’s not as if it’s an ancient tradition, being a post war innovation, the reasons for which appear to have been completely lost.
I also did a short interview on the CNN programme “Connect” yesterday evening, talking about the County Council election results and Gordon Brown’s leadership. We must never forget that Gordon is our Prime Minister and that he is the leader who has prevented the economic recession becoming a full blown depression, and who also has the standing to be successful in world forums such as the G20. I believe Gordon’s position has been enhanced by yesterday’s reshuffle.
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