Gordon Brown Speech

I listened with some emotion to Gordon Brown's speech today. In his own way - and with the scene set so powerfully by Peter Mandelson yesterday - I think he has delivered a defining political moment, in the same way as Kinnock did with his attack on Miltant back in the 80s.

Until you hear it listed out, we risk forgetting what we have achieved since 1997. And at long last there was some vision of what more we can deliver. To pick out a few things that really matter to me, clamping down on the dangerous behaviours of investment bankers, electoral reform and a focus on citizen safety. Asking the most well off in our society to pay a bit more in tax is the right thing to do. So is our approach to maintaining investment in public services and manufacturing, training for our young people, and climate change.

The difference between us and the Tories is getting clearer and clearer by the day. It really is time to ask them questions about their priorities. Exactly how does giving £200k back to the 3000 wealthiest people in the country create a fairer society?

I loved the line about "change has consequences". Electing a Tory government will take us back to the despairing days of the 1980s when - for most people - life was about living with public service cuts, unemployment and dead end jobs whilst the self-selecting few prospered. And at last week's LibDem conference we finally got to see what their alternative offered - "savage cuts" - going further than even the Tories so far.

Jack Straw got it absolutely right in his fightback comment to Labour's critics on Radio 5 yesterday: "..... be careful what you wish for."

I'll not be leaving it to wishful thinking. My team will be out campaigning in Merkinch at the weekend. Maybe see you there.

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Raigmore Campaign

I had mixed feeling about starting to campaign in August, with so many activists and voters on holiday, but this weekend's experience made it worthwhile. Only a small team, but we put out 300 leaflets round the Raigmore Estate on Friday afternoon and followed it up with some door knocking on the Saturday morning.

Talking to people on their doorsteps on Saturday was encouraging. Labour voters were still Labour voters and a good few were pretty dismissive of Danny Alexander, who they think is "all talk". There was a lot of support for Gordon Brown, who many seemed to feel was getting an unjustified pillorying from the media, whilst he was just trying to do the right thing.

Maybe we are doing more right than we think?

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Nairn, Brown and the Royal Mail

We took our campaign to Nairn on Saturday. An hour handing out leaflets outside the Town House and then delivering the rest door to door in Fishertown. Of all our "meet the voter" activities, so far, this was by far the most difficult. Maybe it was just the aftermath of an election day, but there did seem to be a lot more people who wanted to put us in the "all you politicians are ****" category. The expenses scandal was the issue rather than Labour itself. And we did meet a some locals - including one former party member - who stopped for a good long talk. Despite the abuse, this did feel like a real community with a potentially strong Labour support. If we can motivate them to come out and vote.

I wanted the photo of me next to the post box, to use in my coming campaign to keep the Royal Mail public. However, I was enthused today to read that the government may indeed finally be listening and will decide to delay the Bill (even if its on the ground of stock market values, a delay is a delay). I said as much to some Coop Party members last night; Gordon Brown deserves our support to lead us through till the spring, when I believe the economy will be much better. Our voters may be prepared to come out and support us then, but he needs to help motivate party workers by kicking policies like this into the long grass. ID Cards next?

Cameron, the Tories and the Telegraph know the economy is going to be better by spring next year as well and I am sure this is why the Telegraph's expenses campaign was timed to de-stabilise us now, to try and panic us into an election now rather than in 6-12 months time. I have no time for those Labour cabinet members who put their own interests before the party and our people. Strong hearts and minds have seen us through this. Things CAN only get better.

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Dear Gordon.........

This isn't a great time to be a Labour PPC (Prospective Parliamentary Candidate). At best, most of our friends and colleagues think we are mad. And many others think much worse of us. But we all know what is motivating us to stand, so we do feel a bit like a particular "band of brothers" (and sisters) right now, but a very determined band. Many of us have been talking by phone and email today about how best to show our support for Gordon Brown in these difficult time. Along with many other PPCs, I have tonight signed and sent this letter.

Dear Gordon

As Labour's parliamentary candidates for the next General Election, we wanted to make clear our view on the current political events. Over the last 12 years in Government, and before, you have made an enormous contribution to this country and the Labour Party and this is very widely acknowledged. However what we also recognise that in the current economic crisis, you have been the only party leader with a real plan for how we can help people through these difficult times.

In particular, your work with President Obama and others to bring together the world’s leaders to address collectively the global economic crisis has ensured that Britain – and indeed the world – is better placed to emerge quickly from the current situation. Our constituents need to know that in contrast to the do-nothing Tories, our Labour Government will continue to take the steps necessary to protect our country’s interests.

To this end we are asking you to restate your commitment to continue as our Prime Minister and to remain focused on what really matters to the people of Scotland.

Now is not the time for rocking the boat, now is the time for a steady hand at the wheel of the ship. The actions of a handful of rebels cannot be allowed to derail the economic recovery that you have led. We look forward to working with you in the months ahead as we take our case to the country whenever the General Election is called.

With best wishes

So tomorrow, we will be out on the streets of Nairn. No hiding.

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