Tom Chidwick wonders what would have happend if Scotland had voted Yes in the 1979 referendum...... As the country’s first referendum campaign drew to a close, Gordon Brown, the chairman of the Labour Party’s official ‘Labour Movement Yes’ campaign, warned that ‘to be swayed now by the scaremongering and false fears peddled by the money... Continue Reading →
In 1999, Labour won the battle to introduce the minimum wage. The change gives a pay rise to over two million people - more than half of them in the service sector The Conservatives maintain it will add to business costs and lead to job losses. Labour claim it is a key step in combatting... Continue Reading →
The party insiders urged him to call it. David Cameron challenged him to it. Gordon Brown tried to play politics with it for a short term gain. Eventually the hesitancy destroyed a carefully crafted reputation, and Labour have looked like the opposition ever since. So why didn’t Brown call that General Election of 2007? As Gordon... Continue Reading →
On the morning of September 11th 2001, Tony Blair was on his way to the TUC conference in Brighton, for a dramatic showdown with the trade unions. Emboldened by another landslide just 3 months earlier, the prime minister was determined to make the most of his second term by pushing through with controversial public service... Continue Reading →
20 years ago today, New Labour marked their 100th day in office. In contrast to the current stagnation we are experiencing under Theresa May, Labour oversaw many radical changes within the first few months. But how have other recent prime ministers fared? Tony Blair – May 2nd– August 8th 1997 On election night, Tony Blair... Continue Reading →
Hugh Gaitskell, Barbara Castle, Harold Wilson, James Callaghan, Tony Benn, Neil Kinnock, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Jeremy Corbyn all have one thing in common. They have all advocated withdrawal from the EEC/EU at some point in their long political careers. But only Jeremy Corbyn can see it through to fruition. It begs the question, why... Continue Reading →
After the sudden death of John Smith in May 1994, Tony Blair defeated John Prescott and Margaret Beckett for the leadership. The real battle had already been won, when Gordon Brown pulled out. I discussed this in That’s Michelle Fowler – Perhaps we should go over and say hello as well as the end of the Smith... Continue Reading →
Granita, Islington - May 1994 The dinner date between the two front benchers was always destined to become the stuff of political legend. It was here, next to Jeremy Corbyn’s Islington constituency, that the future Prime Minister and the Chancellor thrashed out the future of New Labour. The following day Brown, the once heir apparent... Continue Reading →
