By Peter Mandelson
John Prescott is putting me to shame. I met him on my way to the PLP meeting last night and he was chiding me for my lack of posts. Quite right too.
He is setting a pace with his blogging exploits that some of us are finding it hard to keep up with.
It was my first time speaking to the PLP since Gordon decided to re-nationalise me last year.
And I enjoyed it very much. I have to say I am receiving a warmer welcome from party gatherings now than in my previous Cabinet incarnations.
It wasn't quite the showdown on Royal Mail it was being billed as in some parts of the press. I think the general mood was that we weren't going to fall into the rather obvious trap the Tories have set in their Opposition day motion this week.
There will be plenty of opportunity to debate the Royal Mail when we bring the legislation forward and our party's policy and timetable is not going to be dictated by the opportunism of the Tories.
What no-one can doubt is the scale of the financial challenge Royal Mail faces. It is being hit by a triple whammy at the moment. It has a huge pensions deficit which is draining its resources. The volumes of letters being sent is falling year on year. And, like every company in the land, it is not immune to the downturn which is accelerating the change to the letters business. So the status quo is not an option and action to meet these challenges is needed.
As you would expect, the bulk of the meeting was concentrated on what we need to do to provide real help for people and businesses now, across the economy.
But what really struck me was how much people had their sights on the future and what we need to do to prepare for the upturn when it comes.
This is where I think the new Labour opportunity lies. For all the talk of change, the Tories are nowhere on this.
David Cameron's announcement yesterday of an 'economic recovery committee' effectively to shadow the work of the National Economic Council is just the latest example of the Conservatives belatedly following in an area where Labour has shown itself to be first movers.
We must continue to be so. Our task is clear. Remain resolute in providing real help now, confident that the action we are taking will make the recession shorter and less painful than it would otherwise be. And, at the same time, show that we have the plans for the future and continue to be the changemakers in British politics.
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
The major problems facing Royal Mail ar largely of the governements making: You allowed it to take a long continued pensions holiday under New Labour, and expected the company to remain profitable after opening the profitable business mail sections to rival companies, and leave Royal Mail the unprofitable service section of the company, of hand-sorted post.
It is the same kind of wooly thinking that proposes polyclinics as a cost-cuting exercise. In primary care the young, healthy and cheap to care for patients effectively subsidise the old, very young and infirm. It is the young who can travel larger distances to the large polyclinics: thos unable to are left to their local GPs, who, with their patient listless and less profitable will relocate or not replace retiring GPs in such areas.
For polyclinics, as for Royal Mail, thes government's approach shows a basic failure to grasp the difference between a service and the market economy. By treating both as being interchangeable it is inevitably those who require the service most that will ultimately suffer. And all this from the party that is supposed to share the same ideals as that which gave birth to the welfare state!
Perhaps it is "dull" to people like yourself, but pointing out the terrible state much of this country is in is hardly "irrelevantQ".
Perhaps a look at a dictionary, before your next critique?
Convince us, of both your leadership credentials and a demonstrable commitment to change. Not one mention from anyone (in the Rogues Gallery to
the right)of confronting the singular, most important challenge that is global warming. Mark a new chapter reflected in your actions, not your soundbites and slogans. The stakes are too high.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvG2XptIEJk
Welcome to the blogosphere.
Big Kisses
Ivor Dunmoanin XX
PS When you feel like blogging off try
http://wannabepm.blogspot.com/2009/02/in-search-of-puff-and-magic.html
for some light relief!
It's difficult cramming what could easily be a series of essays into a single post but if people take a step back from the bullshit and ass kissing it can give room for a better alternative to develop.
Proper form and attitude, and precision and context can help create the circumstances for mastery to develop. Sword saint Miyamoto Musashi comments: "this cannot be taught". Once this is understood, the rest follows.
Goals and outcomes are the low hanging fruit. The real meat is in the process, and that comes from within. Once this gets traction the change has effectively happened. The rest is merely a matter of time.
Hey ho, that's edukashun today.
In that case why have you failed to reply to any of the posts/questions that I have posted on your blog? Can I ask you again here?
What are your feelings on the transparency of MP's expenses. Do you think it is right that you and your colleagues skim off huge amounts in expenses and perks from taxpayers money. My wife and I survive on a meager pension and yet we still pay tax each month which subsidises your Champagne lifestyle.
Anyway I have taken your advice - although it seems Alan Giles would prefer not to hear from me again.
The debate here seems to reflect some of the wider political argument at the moment on the merits of doing something versus doing nothing.
Of course, I agree with Jag Singh that doing something is not always better than doing nothing, if it's the wrong thing.
Politics too often demands quick fixes. But Government deals in complex reality. Its role and its resources are not limitless. That's why the help we are offering is targeted and focused.
But equally, none of the businesses I am speaking to are urging the Government to sit on their hands. Quite the opposite.
They want their Government to act to stimulate demands in the economy here and now. With all due prudence, that is what we are doing and will continue to do.
PS - It's a Blackberry since you are asking.
Maybe a little more real life experience rather than endless rounds of focus groups and chicken dinners as a proper grounding would help.
The blogosphere must be a good tool to communicate. I feel hugely let down by Labour (and not just with respect the economy and Iraq). I am not a natural Labour supporter - but I admire what you have been doing on the net.
With respect the issue of bankers bonuses - I had thought that you were just against all banking bonuses at the moment - thanks to the blog I now discover that your campaign is with respect RBS bonuses specifically. I am now officially in two minds and will seriously consider signing up and supporting your campaign.
r Hardwige I put it to you that Mr Mandelsons "new found maturity and ease" is just part of his act (the stage lost a great man in him). I have no doubt that the plotter is still in there, looking to annoint the new leader after the 2010 election defeat.
Though some of the New Labour diehards ion this site appear to love him, it is no more than a matter of fact that he is very much disliked by great parts of the Labour Party.
And I bet this post gets censored like a previous one: well done to Mr Draper - if something upsets him or is inconvenient to him, he deletes it. can't have many patients in that psycotherapy clinic of his!
when I use the phrase I would like it to mean that it appears that the person concerned has no policy suggestion to improve the situation that we are in. It also means that it appears that the person concerned likes to criticise for the sake of it. which is not very constructive.
and on that basis I think it is very reasonable to use this phrase. don't you?
I commented in an earlier topic on blogging that the approach could be improved and that PR departments would be unwise to think they own blogging. The same is true with politics, religion, and business. All of these domains are merely a perspective on the whole. Better to play with all the strings than be a one note orchestra, hmmm?
Mandelson has made mistakes and experienced a few difficulties, and I'm almost shocked at his new found maturity and ease. His statesmanlike approach to Labour's earlier internal issues and general savvy is a wonder almost straight off the pages of The Dummies Guide to Zen. If he didn't exist you'd have to invent him.
Some plan.
This is typical of a Labour party which acts like it is in opposition. It just does not matter what the Conservatives say. They can't actually do anything. I'd rather that my undemocratic, sorry, incredibly talented and wonderful and totally legitimate leaders would actually spend more time working and less time bitching about an immasculated opposition.
And so much for the party that was all for "saving our post offices" in 1995. U turn. Furthermore using an opposition day motion isn't opportunism. It's their only option to actually do something.
We have the PO making money. We have a requirement for a people's bank, including perhaps a mortgage bank, perhaps a small business bank, and we have a savings bank linked with the Post Office. Oh and we have quite a lot of prime banking sites across the nation too in wholly or partly owned banks.
Why would be need to let a Netherlands mail company - with something of a monopoly in their own land - stride in and take over the business(es) now?
And if we're going with banking too, would they really be the right partner even if we supported part privatisation?
No ash it really isn't. Please grow up.
.
.
Perhaps some of us are not into social networking sites (Twitter and all that) but still want to support you...and more importantly your cause...would you consider giving us updates on this site and also take advantage of our support in this way.
we are all unable to read your mind.
This issue here is not the article. The issue is whether yu have any proposals for the country in our hour of need.
no? did not think so.
Welcome to the blogosphere. I've found this to be a great place to engage with people of all political views.
Couple of tips. When you leave a post, it's good to reply to people's comments. It starts a debate and I've found it
to be a revelation. It's a true conversation.
It's also a brilliant campaigning tool as our campaign against the RBS bonuses has shown - more than 23,000 signed
the petition at www.giveupthebonus.co.uk since Monday - more than 10,000 signed up today alone and the demand actually
crashed the website at one point. We've now printed the signatures off so far and presented it to John McFall an hour ago.
Hopefully Stephen Hester will sit up and take notice when he appears before the Treasury Select Committee at 2.45pm.
I'll be watching.
Finally, if you want to Twitter, Facebook or blog, you need a good phone. For me, it was between the Blackberry
or the iPhone. I went for the Blackberry because you need a light touch for the iPhone. Have you got a light touch Peter?
Anyway, well done for blogging. But I warn you - it is addictive!
And I do hope a little crab doesn't stop us from becoming dotcomrades!
JP
It is the job of leaders to do something. That is the sole reason for their existence.
What's the difference between 'real help' and normal 'help'. Is it the same sort of difference between 'honestly believe'[ref T. Blair] and 'believe'?
You should be chided for failing to respond to the comments on your previous post, as you said you would last time.
This article is meaningless drivel, mere preaching to the converted. 'First movers','embrace and engage' you're having a laugh, aren't you?
It is "urgently" needed.
2) How long and deep will it be as a result of the measures which the government has taken and is taking?
.
.
.
a childish question. expecting perfection.
My own thought is - doing something is better than nothing. In these times, the like of which we have never seen in our lifetime and the nearest being 1929,
.
.
what is your proposal (apart from a change in the party that is governing? - i presume) about what the government should be doing?
A thought-provoking piece. The thoughts it provoked in me included the following:
1) How long and deep would the recession have been/will it be, without the measures which the government has taken and is taking?
2) How long and deep will it be as a result of the measures which the government has taken and is taking?
(i.e. What difference do you expect all these things to make? I ask, because at the PBR the chancellor said the recession would end by July this year. He now hints it might last longer. Steps being announced today - not, of course, to Parliament - would not appear to be necessary if the economy is to revive by the end of this year.)
3) How will we know whether and to what extent the £12 billion cut in VAT has worked? What will have to be achieved to justify foregoing £12 billion of tax revenue?
I look forward to some answers!
Labour's weak spots have been ideology and backstabbing. They tried too hard and shot themselves in the back but some sense and sensibility is developing which helps better things swim into focus. Now, Tories blowing off is just comment and doesn't mean a thing. More worrying for the Tories is this hardens their own perspective and undermines their own brand values in the eyes of the electorate.
I'm generally pleased that Labour is embracing a political strategy similar to the one I first advocated over a year ago. It's more mature and kind, and people respond to that. By creating an effective partnership between themselves and the electorate there's no reason to get dragged down by Boris John style squabbles. This leaves the Tories flailing at air, scared, and alone.
I've done stuff and been around. Like Mandelson, I've made mistakes and had my difficulties, and can identify with that. Anyone with a trace of honesty and empathy would say the same, and not acknowledging achievements or being kind is a bad path to go down. Labour have no reason to apologise anymore so the Tories might try getting over their self-abuse.
Zen Buddhists value metaphor. Love and learning are key values of Buddhism, and insight can be found in something as trivial as a raindrop. Dancing, or my own pet hobby of photography, requires a degree of skill. It might not be some wearisome academic paper or hand wringing rally but the practice has value and people can appreciate, learn, and connect with that.
Stop arguing. Stop whining. START LIVING.
I dislike all these obsequious and sycophantic tributes here to Mandleson - a man who had to resign in disgrace, is a thorough-going snob and who has alienated many in the party. A man who, unelected wishes to part-privatise Royal Mail and at the height of the High Street crisis kept wittering on about wishing to appear on a TV dance show - what a "great thinker".
Politics for Lord Mandelson is all about self interest and self aggrandisement. He is yesterdays man and has nothing to offer now.
Mandelson can help Labour become a mirror so the British people see the star quality within themselves. It might not be "serious politics" but people need fun as well.
But taking the mick aside - if the Royal Mail is really up the swanny as the number of letters are dropping - what about an electronic post office. The one where old folk who don't have or understand a computer can get an email address - and have letters printed off at the counter for them... and can scan a letter in to post to their relatives...
The Royal Mail needs to improvise to survive !!
Oh don't worry yourself, M'Lord. I feel I can bear your silence with fortitude. Even with pleasure.
And, if I may say so, you seem to be getting rather stale: the ungramattical "Changemakers" was used by your dear friend Tony Blair prior to the 2005 election: it didn't do him much good - the majority was cut by 100 as I recall.
In 2007 Gordon Brown said he did not want to go to the country, instead he said "I have a vision for change in Britain and I want to show people how in Government we are implementing it".
Now if there is a vision for change - it has totally passed me by.
Does "progressive politics" sum up the whole vision - if so what does that mean?
Does the country have any money left in order to pay for any change?
Hopefully you can provide some answers.
Kind regards,
Jonathan.
I don’t know if you’ve seen Peter Kenyon’s post of the 4th Feb calling for an open debate on the involvement of the private sector. You and I both know that the issue will never be entirely resolved within the party while government must get on and deliver; hence I disagree with save the labour party for calling the open debate.
The real debate is not whether we are prepared to allow the private sector to deliver public services; it’s the terms of service for users of public services that really matter.
While other public services have mechanisms that make them accountable to their users (NHS Foundation Trusts, Passenger Focus, Student’s Unions etc.) the Royal Mail is largely divorced from its user and seems only accountable to a set of principles such as a Universal Service.
It’s also interesting to note that the Royal Mail is one of the few public services’ who’s most numerous and demanding customers are businesses including businesses providing services to individuals as opposed to individuals using the service directly.
Do you have any thoughts on how the Royal Mail can become more accountable to its customers?