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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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James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 43m

I think you are also wrong.

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 1h

Yeah, I've tried that. Doesn't work well

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 1h

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

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 1h

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

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James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 1h

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.

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James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 1h

He does speak a bit about that in the interview

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 1h

I'd just like the heart to involve a little bit of the brain as well

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James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 1h

It did. But I think that was, frankly, burying the lede a bit and that Blairism was quite deeply ideological!

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James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 1h

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

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

Yes, i agree. But im not convinced many of those who have entered the Greens with him have that heuristic

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

Well, yes. Tho I dont think thays what Drow is saying

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

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

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

They have some tax raising powers - tho limited. There are a number of things in this statement which are incorrect.

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

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)

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James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

He may not do... his wider party however....

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James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

There were a real run of very class concious, huge acts throughout that period: Weller, Heaton, Manics...

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

Also: he's only a fantastic MP in a very limited sense

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

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

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

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

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

Yes, he is also wrong on fact

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

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

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James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

Nope, it's very much navel gazing.

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

When he does get challenged, he collapses - as here, where he ends up arguing that being poor makes you racist (and then false counciouness theory)

'Racism comes from poverty,' says new Green Party leader, Zack Polanski

The new Green Party leader believes the 'super wealthy' are 'utilising working-class resentment and unhappiness with poverty to whip up hate against migrants'

inews.co.uk

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James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 2h

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

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James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 3h

I'd slot it between The Clash and London Calling