The pointlessness of Ed

Dan Hodges at Labour Uncut has been one of the discoveries of the year. Terrific writing and fine political analysis (transl: I agree with him). He is on fire about not being on fire today, quoting an anonymous female shadow minister:

When I’m in the room with Ed Balls or David Miliband, I want to listen what they have to say. I think I’ll learn something. But when I’m in a room with Ed I’m just bored. It seems pointless.

Hodges concludes his article, entitled “The left is losing its marbles”:

What is happening in the party at the moment represents not a political divergence, but a divergence of reality. It is as if a collective madness is taking hold. I cannot see how anyone can seriously believe that tying Labour to a high tax, pro-student, anti-police, anti-consumer, anti-business programme is the right path for the party to pursue.

But some do. And with equal passion and clarity. They see a permanent 50p tax rate as appealing successfully to people’s sense of social justice, while I only see “Labour Tax Bombshell” posters. They see a vibrant, spontaneous movement of young voters and their parents, where I see the re-birth of a dangerous, hard left factionalism. They see a popular anti-capitalist backlash, where I see our reputation for economic credibility draining down a Regent Street gutter.

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• http://twitter.com/charlesbarry Charles Barry

  Even in the worst case scenario, the Lib Dems will have more than 25 seats.

• http://www.facebook.com/people/Ryan-Brighton/695995895 Ryan Brighton

  “UKIP will be the main benefactors of that disaffected Tory vote, which I expect to cut Tory poll returns by at least 20%. ”

  Probably still won’t result in the poor sods getting a single seat. FPTP really has been the pits for them. Would be humourous if they get the same amount of the vote as a decimated Lib Dems though..

• http://twitter.com/DickSocrates Dick Socrates

  Ed did win. Correct. And so far he’s doing a terrible job. That’s why people are worried. The coalition is an open goal and Ed isn’t even on the pitch. Like Nick Clegg last year, when Ed speaks many people have the overwhelming urge to tell him to shut up because nothing he says ever feels the slightest bit important.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_PZCIZSSNFRIQOGPJS4S5A6EDD4 Kamal

  A bit to early there John, maybe you shouldn’t judge him 3 months into his reign. I bet the anonymous minister in question is just upset that her chosen one didn’t win.

• Jake_K

  Generally agreed, except Iraq id not a dead issue. Granted, we cannot bring the hundreds of thousands back to life, but what we can should and could still do is set a precedent for future leaders by trying Blair and his US equivalents for war crimes in the ICC.
  Since the lies and decipt over Iraq, other countries have started wars using the exact same tactic: See Ethopian invasion of Somalia:

  Ethiopia’s prime minister, Meles Zenawi, said “Ethiopian defense forces were forced to enter into war to protect the sovereignty of the nation,” he said. “We are not trying to set up a government for Somalia, nor do we have an intention to meddle in Somalia’s internal affairs. We have only been forced by the circumstances.”

  Sound familiar? Trials now – Pour découragent les autres.

• desertratinwales

  “They see a popular anti-capitalist backlash, where I see our reputation for economic credibility draining down a Regent Street gutter”

  Yeah, cause ever pro-capitalist America’s credibility is so sky high right now…must be the way to go then…
  There must be a middle ground that can be found and worked. Open capitalism only works for those who can take advantage of everyone else. But none can stall everything. Must be a happy medium somewhere.

• Jimbo2010

  Yes Ed won under the Labour party constitution. How can he do a ‘good’ job when most of the media are still giving the Coalition a honeymoon period? Please don’t send me your opinions Dick. I disagree and I don’t want to see them as replies in my inbox.

• http://www.facebook.com/people/Kenny-Jenkins/1317771508 Kenny Jenkins

  We have a reputation for economic credibility?