James Austin
@jamesdaustin.bsky.social
8.1K followers 1.8K following 2.3K posts
This again. Outdoors. Politics. Sport. Not always in that order. Labour. Trade Unionist. Trying to do community things. Views entirely my own
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jamesdaustin.bsky.social
I think you are also wrong.
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
Yeah, I've tried that. Doesn't work well
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
Yeah, and then his broader reflections on Englishness... eeesh.

You've just advocated creating a brand new country! Maybe think about what that would mean
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
I think not having that ideology or a set tradition leads to you... where we are now, to a extent.

It may not matter to voters but it massively matters to how successful and coherent you are in govt
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
Of course - and plenty in Labour who aren't exactly in a tradition or deep thinkers. But I do think we should want more from our leaders!

And there are Labour approaches and traditions which should be more open, pro-trans and pro-migrant - which is where, I think, we should be.
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
He does speak a bit about that in the interview
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
I'd just like the heart to involve a little bit of the brain as well
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
It did. But I think that was, frankly, burying the lede a bit and that Blairism was quite deeply ideological!
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
Quite - in fact quite a few of us are saying it'll work! And I agree with him on some bits, and not on others, were just saying it doesn't have much depth
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
Yes, i agree. But im not convinced many of those who have entered the Greens with him have that heuristic
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
Well, yes. Tho I dont think thays what Drow is saying
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
Well, it rather depends how that goes and how he deals with it. I agree it makes it easier for him to cut people loose if they become a liability
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
They have some tax raising powers - tho limited. There are a number of things in this statement which are incorrect.
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
i dunno, I think New Labour had a very clear theory of change and ideology behind it. One of the reasons it worked (even if I disagree with that)
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
He may not do... his wider party however....
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
There were a real run of very class concious, huge acts throughout that period: Weller, Heaton, Manics...
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
Also: he's only a fantastic MP in a very limited sense
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
A hundred lonely housewives clutch empty milk
Bottles to their hearts
Hanging out their old love letters on the line to dry
It's enough to make you stop believing when tears come
Fast and furious
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
Potentially - tho I think you run into big issues when you have as unequal regionsa s you get in the UK.

I'm a big fan of devolution (including some tax devolution) but it's a big stumbling block
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
Yes, he is also wrong on fact
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
If you're arguing for a independent Wales/Scotland, as a Englishman, then what you are actually arguing for is a Independent England - and all that comes with it.

And given how many progressives reject the English identity etc etc that's a question
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
Nope, it's very much navel gazing.
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
It's why I think the Hypnoboobs story is quite revealing beyond the amusement: it shows a man who'll tell people what they want to hear provided it gets him publicity - no matter the damage or truth
jamesdaustin.bsky.social
I'd slot it between The Clash and London Calling