James Frith - "Planning For a Third Labour Government"

NW Labour Party Organiser, James Frith, addressed members on planning for a third Labour term at the Branch meeting on 3rd November 2004.

The meeting then heard from Keith Bowes, the Bolton West Party Conference delegate.

Keith Bowes - "The 2004 Labour Party Conference"

This is the text of a talk given by Bolton West Labour Party Conference Delegate, Keith Bowes, at the Branch meeting on 3rd November 2004.

Keith began by saying that, as a delegate, you feel cut off from the "real world" because of all the security checks, etc. Once you're in the conference you feel as if you're in a "bubble", away from real people.

Tony Blair said that ten of the most important areas for a third Labour Government would include:

Housing	Training	Schools	Choice in Health	Childcare
Pensions/benefits	Science	Crime	Fairness at work	Foreign policy

Keith said that the attitudes of the media at the conference were very interesting. They seemed to spend a lot of time looking for splits in the Party which, despite what you read in the papers and hear or see on radio and TV just are not there. They were especially looking for divisions between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and their supporters. But there actually isn't any such split in the Party generally and Keith had seen Brown and Blair talking and joking together.

The media, being unable to find divisions between the PM and Chancellor, turned to Iraq, again trying to find splits. However, although there was an overwhelming view amongst delegates that going to war had been wrong in the first place, there was an equally overwhelming view that it would be wrong to withdraw now as this would just result in an anarchic bloodbath. Iraq must be rebuilt and must be helped to democracy. The speech by Shanaz Rashid in support of Iraqi democracy and freedom had been electrifying, very emotional and had moved several delegates to tears. The 86% support of the Leadership on this seemed a true reflection of the hand vote in the hall. We seem much more united on Iraq now than we have been before.

Keith thought that it had been a unifying conference and the media's search for splits and divisions had been, on the whole, very unsuccessful. He had been asked by Regional Office to speak on a couple of issues but, frustratingly, hadn't been called.

Tony Blair's style had been very conversational, intimate and had been directed more at the Party delegates than the media. This had been a good contrast to Gordon Brown's speech and the two approaches had worked very well. Everyone wanted to put across that we in the Party support the Leadership and they had, although there had been embarrassingly long standing ovations.

Bono made an unexpectedly good speech, witty, self-deprecating and praising Gordon Brown in particular for his leadership in working towards the cancellation of Third World debt.

As a delegate he hadn't heard the demonstrations that had taken place outside and was completely unaware of the furore caused by the Countryside Alliance until he'd read about it in the newspapers. He had been aware of demonstrations for a new football ground by Brighton and Hove Albion FC supporters and himself supported their cause. They had been able to organise their chanting better!

Keith said that he'd attended a few of the fringe events, one with Colin Milburn but nearly all those present had been journalists. Ruth had met Amir Khan as part of the support for the London 2012 Olympic bid and Keith had been involved in a meeting with Alistair Darling and delegates from Greater Manchester regarding the extension of the Metrolink system.

He described this meeting as "very intelligent" and the case for the expansion had been put forward very well. It appears that the original money (~£500 million) is still available and it looks very likely that there will be a scheme, although not the full one that had been hoped for. What is still missing is how Metrolink will integrate with the rest of the Greater Manchester public transport system. The Government isn't convinced that a sound business case has been formulated and the GMPTE is now working on this.

Keith's talk was followed by questions:

John thanked James and Keith for their contributions, those present for their participation and Ian and Sheila for the use of their home and their hospitality. He declared the meeting close at 21:40.

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