Within The Party

Lord Sainsbury's latest, and its review by Lord Adonis, join several other signs that Progress is relocating itself, if it has not already done so, within the mainstream of the Labour Party. For example, it is campaigning against the privatisation of the East Coast Main Line.

Dan Hodges is out, or as good as out, and doubtless formally so in the near future. Whereas David Lindsay is in. Naming no names, they have been in touch to say just how "in" I am, fully aware of my history and of my views. You should be in it, too.

All doubt about the position of Progress could and should be dispelled by affiliation to the Labour Party, after the manner of the Fabian Society.

The same is true of the Labour Representation Committee. I am also in that. Naming no names, they have been in touch to say just how "in" I am, fully aware of my history and of my views. You should be in it, too.

The LRC's affiliates, which are by definition constitutionally committed to its aim of the election of a Labour Government, would thus be in a sort of indirect affiliation to the party.

Including the FBU. Including the RMT, which with the equally LRC- affiliated ASLEF is campaigning against the privatisation of the East Coast Main Line.

And including (extremely small, although highly committed) activist bodies with heritage names, but which already do not stand against Labour candidates for election.

Or else they would be ineligible for LRC affiliation. Just as individual membership is open only to members of the Labour Party or of no party that contests elections. Like the Fabian Society.