This is a big moment for the Labour Party. The election of its new leader is a fraught and complex matter. Mainly because it decides the direction the party will take over the next 5 years to the next election.

The Labour Party that got royally shafted, against all expectations, in the election last week, was a reversion to Old Labour. In accordance with Trade Union values and ideals, Miliband trod the Union line by banging on about ‘working people’ in such a way that many of us who do work felt alienated, discriminated against and persecuted by him. And I think I speak for all of Middle England when I say that.

Tony Blair won power with New Labour. Labour Lite. A nominally ‘centre-left’ party that in reality was way more centre than left but had a mass appeal to all of England.

But Labour is the party of the workers and is funded in the main part by the Trade Unions. Who fucking hated Tony Blair and his New Labour/Soft Toryism. Blair wouldn’t give in to their demands.

So now where do they go? The nation has shown that it won’t elect a government with values based in a bygone era. And now the Unions have actually threatened to withdraw financial support from the party if it reverts to New Labour once again.

Leaving a rather unpleasant decision. To either select a Union-friendly leader who will secure their continuing funding, without which the party can’t survive, but who the nation will never vote into power. Or to abandon the Unions, choose someone who might actually win an election for them, but go bankrupt in the process.

Ahhhh, Arsenal playing at Old Trafford, that’s a big one. In a big match to decide who gets 3rd place (with no need for Champions League qualifying banana-skin match) and who gets 4th with all the worries of that extra tie. So everything to fight for, and these teams have a bit of a ‘history’ which, in footballing terminology means ‘they fucking hate each other’. So all was set for a battle royal of passion, power, wonderful football and some serious temper-flaring.

It was so exciting I fell asleep twice. Only waking up to make a cup of tea. It was dull. Very dull. Were Arsenal guilty of ‘parking the bus’??? Wenger’s most often-critisised tactic in other teams?? Playing for the draw? Defending in numbers??

Oh well, at least its over.

Happy Monday

A xxxx