A new Labour Party Leadership team is being put together and it would be fair to say it won’t please everyone.
The appointment of David Evans as General Secretary of the Labour Party has drawn criticism from various elements of the party. Not surprisingly a few senior trade union officials such as Matt Wrack of the FBU and Ian Hodson from BFAWU have raised their concerns very publicly when he was chosen, as a slap in the face to trade unions. Neither of these two experienced left wing campaigners believe he is trade union friendly and see problems ahead. The Morning Star carried headlines and quotes suggesting the new man will be divisive, while The Mirror provided some positive reports about Evans’ time as Regional Secretary for the Labour Party in the North West of England.
He has a reputation that can be interpreted differently depending on who you listen to. Anti union? A moderniser?
I do know he did a good job in organising the party against the BNP and other fascist groups in The North West and is a knowledgeable and firm supporter of local government. He has also been vocal in criticising the way constituency parties are run and wants a more professional approach and constructive public image when we campaign on our local streets.
He is identified as a Blairite, a winner, a democrat and is respected by both Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner for the above mentioned traits. We need a unified party in our strategies and campaigning. We need to be clever and build respect. Like all newbies everyone will be watching closely to see if he can deliver. Will he choose division and exclusion or a more constructive, tactical engagement with all elements within the Labour Party. Not an easy job but it is about attitude not just intelligence and skills and that is what will pull us together at the end of the day.
What can I say that hasn’t already been said about the Dominic Cummings fiasco? There is no doubt he has caused havoc to the government guidelines on staying safe, at home and alert. There was already diminishing trust before his trip north. The backlash from the public both in respect of disdain and anger at his arrogance and lies has been huge. Many people hitting the countryside or beaches last weekend are saying what’s good enough for government advisers is good enough for my family and friends.
But what is interesting politically is that it has uncovered a major rift within the Tory party, with MPs slagging him off and calling for his resignation or the sack. All of them extremely worried about the thousands of calls and emails from irate constituents and what that might mean for their political careers.
He has certainly created a clash within the party of government and their scientific advisers. Should he stay or should he go?
If he stays there will be trouble... look on it like having a faulty electric blanket which appears to be working, but at some stage will go on fire causing major damage. The bold Dominic has already started to cause a few sparks that can only ignite at some stage soon.
Neil Smith
Regional Political Officer
GMB Trade Union
