Final Demand?

Not for the first time, Ben Sellout has quite some nerve. But the anger over stitched up Labour parliamentary selections continues to grow. "How do they get away with it?" Well, it is almost never mentioned, but in addition to the individual moneybags who hang around the Labour Right, it also has a large and independent fiscal base, enforceable on pain of imprisonment.

The media have a recurring obsession with "left-wing Labour Councillors", but out of six thousand Labour Councillors in the country, no more than about one in 10 could realistically be so described. The Right, and the people who being fundamentally apolitical will side with the Right as required, continue to control pretty much the whole of Labour local government.

That includes the great majority of the most populous local authorities. With their Council Tax. With their business rates. With their pension schemes, looking to invest. With their opportunities for backhanders and freebies, such as the outright corruption of at least one person who has been longlisted for one of the nominations that is arousing controversy. And so on.

Most Labour MPs have emerged from that little world, and it has become clear this week, as if there had ever been any doubt, that most of them will continue to do so. Another hung Parliament is coming, however, and we need our people to hold the balance of power in it. A new party is now in the process of registration.

After nearly 30 years of suggestion, speculation, and even a sort of preparation, I will stand for Parliament here at North West Durham. The crowdfunding page is here, and buy the book here. Please email davidaslindsay@hotmail.com. Very many thanks.