New Labour Orwellian 'Double Speak' Over Schools
"Then the face of Big Brother faded away again, and instead the three slogans of the Party stood out in bold capitals: 'WAR IS PEACE', 'FREEDOM IS SLAVERY,' and 'IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH'." -- From George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four
Here in drought-struck Lambeth our new Socialist masters have tied themselves up in knots over the future of our secondary schools. First 'Brother McGlone', the diminuitive Cabinet member for regeneration, spakes his wisdom and declares that the former Lilian Baylis School will become a 'community trust'. In a frantic round of the print media and radio stations, he utters this mantra, designed to please the local MP for Vauxhall. Only days later, his Cabinet colleague for education - 'cross-the-floor' 'Sister' Sally Prentice - appeases the Brixton Hill parents lobby by telling the Evening Standard that a new school for Brixton Hill could be funded - you've guessed it - by selling off the former Lilian Baylis School site.
A rival blog site operated by a Labour cabinet member who belongs to the Arthur Conan Doyle Society would naturally find this contradiction a "two pipe" problem, although he describes Cabinet meetings as "comradely".
So where do they go to have their rows? Those ace reporters from the South London Press, who have come to us from places as far away as Paignton and Huddersfield, will no doubt be putting away their buckets and spades soon after the August holiday season and getting back on the case. We need to be told the truth or have our new masters found a way to have their cake and eat it?
While we await yet another 'exclusive' from the SLP one of their top wordsmiths is beavering away on a 'story' about political blog sites in its circulation area. Thinking about the South London Press, who are nice people always up for a jar or two, reminds me of that old maxim: 'It's impossible to bribe or twist, Thank God, the British journalist. But, seeing what the man or woman will do, unbribed, there is no reason to.'
Thankfully, our Socialist masters have not as yet abolished the free press, although why bother to kill the patient provided you've got enough spin doctors.
And finally, before taking a short summer break with my bucket and spade, speculation is running rife about the race to succeed veteran Labour MP Keith Hill as the next Labour Parliamentary candidate for Streatham. The smart money is on GLA Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark Val Shawcross at 4-1. Leader of Lambeth Council Steve Reed is another contender, but may be ruled out on the basis of being a white male (youthful though) at 8-1. Livingstone's recently slimmed down right-hand man Lee Jasper is another fancied name at 15-1, but the right-wing dominated Labour Executive in Streatham may not like the cut of his political jib. An outsider might be the highly likeable Donatus Anyanwu, who is Cabinet member for adult services and has BME credentials - he's a good each way bet at 33-1.
One thought for the bookies to ponder is the timing of Mr Hill's 'retirement' to the House of Lords, which is likely to be when his master Tony hands over to Gordon. However, if Labour leave this too late the party can, it is said, impose an all-woman short list. One thing you can be sure of - it'll be done in the traditional smoked-filled room and not as a Cameron-style primary where people from all parties can cast a vote.
posted by Cllr John Whelan on Thursday, August 10, 2006
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