Labour: what is it for, what does it stand for
This incredible loss, both in London and across the country is an opportunity for renwal, not for more of the same. Its certainly what the conservatives have done.
Gordon Brown has made an excellent chancellor but he is not PM or leadership material, its time we faced it, if you dont look good for the media you just wont be successful, he can be intelligent, clever, politically astute and so on but the media must love you, better to have Gordon as the man behind the throne than on it.
But who ever leads the party, the Labour Party needs to decide and understand what its for. Blairs unity and policy as well as Tory corruption got us back and allowed us to hold power, but we have lost our way, nothing in what we do gives clarity to who we are and what we feel about how society should be.
Nothing could make this clearer than the 10% tax debacle.
The face of politics has been changed by the overload of information via tv and now mainly the internet. Appearing in some awful video on you tube is not going to change that, it is self delusional to think this will make us popular with the "kids". A young man at my place of work who is 18 in the middle of May said to me the other day "I wish they would stop calling us kids".
It seems to me, after a period in power politicians at the top are surrounded by the wrong people, and they make decision based on a misguided view of holding onto power rather than policy that will be to the benefit of a fairer society.
So what is labour for, what do they stand for, at the discussion, there was a desire for radical policy that made for a fairer society, the gap between rich and poor was mentioned a lot. Education was mentioned, not just in schools, but a civic education, that stressed our social and community responsibilities. People did mention our history of representing the working class and there was debate around the word socialism and whether it could be reclaimed in a positive way.
Some mention was made of real politic and the desire of national politicians , to be at the seat of power and the fear that if we really put into practise some so called "left wing" policy that we would be removed in a Chris Mullin "very british coup" sort of way. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
So we have 2 years in which to reestablish an identity and a direction one that looks good in the media and is backed by a radical substance. Labour needs to be seen to recognise the everyday needs of a population, and their everyday concerns, to provide services and support that meet those needs and concerns.... all those at a disadvantage, however unpopular this might seem, need to prioritised, at the same time, middle england must be persuaded that the disadvantaged are their responsibility too, because their is no society unless we create it together, and we badly need a fairer society.
2 years, in which to create some radical policy, we need to challenge poverty and challenge the causes of poverty, to stand up for those that work hard and want to be party of a caring community, and be seen to support those that support the fabric of our community from nurses to roadsweepers, prison officers to firefighters and the police to small business.
Stand up for those that can't do it for themselves, and bind them to gether, Labour for me has always been about the power of the collective, speaking a truth to power,
2 years, to get it right, because otherwise come 2010 we will lose and lose big, maybe we will lose anyhow, but at least we can say we finished the job.
I remember the empty shops and mass unemployment where I live, I remember being our of work, I remember the changes Labour brought, but I am also aware of what they did not do, nows the chance to do it.
(and one small question, why did we not bring in PR in the national elections when we had a chance, )
So what are Labour for and what do we stand for...at the moment not alot, the past is gone, a handful of dust, we must move forward, with radical steps to create a fairer society, do I beleive browbn is the person who can do this.....YES, but can he front it....I am not sure, an ideas man but not a leader.
Labour: For a Fairer Society
Lost in the forest
I am lost in a forest
being shot by the trees in a war of attrition
Perhaps I call out
I can't quite remember,
In dreamy filled voice
Of my own volition.
And I follow the path
that I've followed before
Watching patterns of sun on the forest floor
Perhaps I turn round
and I beg on my knees
and they place the blindfold
as Im shot by the trees.
Setting out a civil marriage ceremony
Marriage of Jonathan Spencer and Elaine Coady
Music: As people are coming in a musician (our friend phil ...see www.jomojames.com ) is playing and then after seating sings (Van Morrison: Crazy Love)
Elaine and Jonathan come in to Trumpet March/Voluntary
Jonathan will have his two older children Freya and Roland standing by him with the rings as ring bearers
8th March 2008
Please be Seated
Greetings and Welcome from the conducting Registrar....
I would like to ask you to take a few moments of silence to remember those who are
important to us who cannot be here today, for Elaine that is her mother NORRIE and for
Jonathan his father Raymond. (this period of silence to be not too long)
The first piece that elaine and jonathan have asked for will be read by Roger
Reading:
Ann Morrow Lindbergh - A Good Relationship Has a Pattern Like a Dance
A good relationship has a pattern like a dance and is built on some of the same rules. The
partners do not need to hold on tightly, because they move confidently in the same
pattern, intricate but gay and swift and free, like a country dance of Mozart's. To touch
heavily would be to arrest the pattern and freeze the movement, to check the endlessly
changing beauty of its unfolding. There is no place here for the possessive clutch, the
clinging arm, the heavy hand; only the barest touch in passing. Now arm in arm, now face
to face, now back to back -- it does not matter which. Because they know they are
partners moving to the same rhythm, creating a pattern together, and being invisibly
nourished by it.
The room is sanctioned and the Law explained
You are here today to witness the joining in marriage of Jonathan Spencer and Elaine
Marie Coady but before proceeding with the ceremony, I must ask that if any person
knows of any lawful reason why these two may not be married, he or she should declare it
now.
Here we will pause and Camilla will read
Reading: Gabrielle Garcia Marquez - If I Knew That Today
If I knew that today would be the last time I’d see you, I would hug you tight and pray the
Lord be the keeper of your soul. If I knew that this would be the last time you pass through
this door, I’d embrace you, kiss you, and call you back for one more. If I knew that this
would be the last time I would hear your voice, I’d take hold of each word to be able to
hear it over and over again. If I knew this is the last time I see you, I’d tell you I love you,
and would not just assume foolishly you know it already
The Ceremony
Before you are joined in matrimony, I have to remind you both of the solemn and binding
character of the vows you are about to make. You will be making vows firstly that you are
free to marry; and secondly that you take each other as partners in marriage to love, care
for and support one another in the years which lie ahead. Do you both feel ready to make
these vows? (Jonathan and Elaine stand)
Jonathan and Elaine, you have gathered about you people who are part of your lives. You
have invited them here to receive their encouragement and support and to celebrate with
you at this special time.
I ask you now in the presence of this company...
Jonathan will you take Elaine to be your lawful wedded wife. Will you be loving and
faithful to her for the rest of your lives together (I will)
Elaine will you take Jonathan to be your lawful wedded husband. Will you be loving and
faithful to him for the rest of your lives together (I will)
I will now ask each of you to declare that you are free to marry
Starting with the groom, please repeat after me...
I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I Jonathan Spencer
may not be joined in matrimony to Elaine Marie Coady
I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I Elaine Marie Coady
may not be joined in matrimony to Jonathan Spencer
We now come to the heart of the ceremony in which you take each other as partners in
marriage ( All stand; bride and groom face each other)
I call upon these persons here present to witness that I Jonathan Spencer do take thee
Elaine Marie Coady to be my lawful wedded wife.
I call upon these persons here present to witness that I Elaine Marie Coady do take thee
Jonathan Spencer to be my lawful wedded husband.
Reading
Finally we come to the exchange of rings...A ring is a never ending circle which traditionally
symbolises marriage.
EXCHANGE RINGS:
I give you this ring as a symbol of the promises I have made to you today. May you wear it
with love and happiness, now and always.
I give you this ring as a symbol of the promises I have made to you today. May you wear it
with love and happiness, now and always.
You have both made the declarations required by law and have made solemn and binding
promises to each other before us all here today. It gives me great pleasure to declare that
you are now husband and wife.
Please be seated....
For the final reading from Bella...
READING:
From the inauguration speech of Nelson Mandela
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are
powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask
ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you
not to be? You are a child of the Universe. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure
around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest
the greatness of the life that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do
the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates
others.
(followed by)
Patrick Hawes: music (no words)”towards the light” (first track) whilst signing the
register
after
the best is yet to come by michael buble
Finis
