Labour deputy leadership contest

Having spent some time on Supervoc and her ways, time to begin the appreciation of other contenders.  IN late January Peter Hain confirmed his intention to run for the post of Labour deputy leader.  Here is a picture of him entering the fray.  I am still trying to work out which Doctor Who villain/monster he looks like (suggestions gratefully received)

 Hain sets out five key areas in his campaign:

“• Saving Our Environment – and ensuring we are the greens not just the reds of British politics
• Extending Social Justice & Equality – and narrowing the gap between rich and poor
• Protecting Civil Liberties – and getting the balance right with security
• Renewing Our Democracy – including devolving power wherever possible
• Restoring Our Place In Europe – and ensuring our foreign policy is rooted in our place at the heart of Europe”

To a liberal these sound quite interesting, especially the third.  However, when pursued further it is the same old same old: “while remaining tough on security, we need to ensure we do not sacrifice hard fought for civil liberties, and get the right balance between the power of the state and the freedoms of the citizen.”  Perhaps Mr Hain would explain if this would involve stepping back from control orders, detention without charge or trial, and the other delights so reminiscent of apartheid South Africa (which Hain so vehemently opposed) introduced by his party while he has sat in the Cabinet .

He has elucidated the fourth point further and has a ten point plan available on his website to renew democracy.  The ten points are:

Agree a new settlement between the executive and parliament
Complete Lords reform and create a democratically elected Senate
Ensure a more representative parliament 
Introduce votes and automatic voter registration at 16
 Introduce a fairer voting system (before 

burkesworks

 gets excited he means the Alternative Vote not STV)
Introduce compulsory voting
Strengthen local government
Encourage neighbourhood democracy (the Jim Hacker option)
Promote English regional government
Increase regional accountability to parliament

Some of these things sound quite appealing.  However, Hain’s good work is undone with two words.  Under the list of supporters it says “Shaun Woodward”.

 

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