http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jun/21/labour-radical-change-austerity-ed-miliband
Labour can achieve radical change amid austerity, says Ed Miliband
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| Ed Milliband |
Almost with every passing day, Milliband confirms that the Labour Party of today, is a party almost indistinguishable from the other political parties of mainstream politics in the United Kingdom. His comparison with 1945 demonstrates that his knowledge of history is severely limited or at best patently selective. The Labour Government of 1945 did indeed achieve radical social change in this country in a time of austerity, but such change was brought about by a complete programme of reform social, economic and political which totally transformed society and reversed the imbalances between working people and their employers which had plagued Britain for generations.
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| Clement Attlee |
Today, Milliband accepts the coalition spending plans, offers no plans to reverse the destruction and privatisation of the NHS which has been taking place over many years and now accelerates at an alarming rate, offers no relief or reversal of the pernicious policies of Iain Duncan-Smith and remains silent on the anti trade union legislation of Thatcher and since, which has castrated the trade union movement and returned working people to the position which in many cases is similar to that of the 1930's. The sop of the minimum wage reforms, bears little comfort to anyone standing in a foodbank queue reflecting on how politicians of all political parties have allowed the fabric of society to be dismantled and be replaced by corporate greed and the distortions of the "market" system. Milliband should be planning on how to return to public ownership, those industries which are too important for society to be left in private (and often foreign) hands, where the motivation of profit is of infinitely greater importance than that of public service. Industries where planning can only be efficient under one body, should be the norm, rather than be left to numerous competing factions each with their own separate motivations and objectives. Gas, water, electricity sewage, road and rail transport, postal and telecommunications services and more, are prime examples of industries where privatisation has, contrary to assurances given at the time, driven prices up and services down despite huge injections of taxpayers money year on year since being privatised. Labour, must be made aware that taking only one aspect of the economy for focus and ignoring the complete socioeconomic picture, again calls into question their motivations and agenda for the country and its people.
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| 1945 Labour government. |
Milliband is no Clem Attlee and is impertinent in claiming some comparison between his shadow cabinet and the 1945 Labour Government. From his actions and words to date, Milliband seems more intent on maintaining the status quo rather than embarking on a programme of radical reform. It is deceitful of him to claim otherwise.
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