First Socialism, Now Chartism: Labour's Gravestones

You will of course not see the word (S)socialism in any Labour party manifesto since 1992. Of course this was a result of the removal of Clause 4.

There is another precursor to the Labour party through the labour movement: Chartism. The People's Charter of 1838 laid out 6 principles, in he language and context of parliament of the day they were.

1. A vote for every man twenty-one years of age, of sound mind, and not undergoing punishment for crime.
2. The secret ballot. - To protect the elector in the exercise of his vote.
3. No property qualification for members of Parliament - thus enabling the constituencies to return the man of their choice, be he rich or poor.
4. Payment of members, thus enabling an honest tradesman, working man, or other person, to serve a constituency, when taken from his business to attend to the interests of the Country.
5. Equal Constituencies, securing the same amount of representation for the same number of electors, instead of allowing small constituencies to swamp the votes of large ones.
6. Annual parliaments, thus presenting the most effectual check to bribery and intimidation, since though a constituency might be bought once in seven years (even with the ballot), no purse could buy a constituency (under a system of universal suffrage) in each ensuing twelve-month; and since members, when elected for a year only, would not be able to defy and betray their constituents as now.

Now Jack Straw and Labour's argument against the change in constituency sizes is all to do with point one. As David Miliband has just written for Comment is Free "according to the electoral commission, there are currently more than 3.5 million eligible voters missing from the electoral roll, and there is no way that problem can be significantly tackled in just six months". While it may be true that not a lot can be done about in 6 months one has to ask what had Labour been doing about over the last 13 years. Years indeed that there were boundary reviews.

While Miliband is saying that "the government intends to arbitrarily reduce the size of the commons by 50 seats" this is only a 7.7% reduction. In fact up here in Scotland for the 2005 election we did see a redrawing of the boundaries roughly on equal footing while there a 18.1% reduction of seats from 72 to 59. Miliband is also talking about "the rigidity of the arithmetical formula means that traditional communities are bound to be split up".

Maybe he would care to explain to me and Charles Dundas and the residents of Blackburn how in the recent General election I was seeking to represent the majority of the northern part of Susan Boyle's village, while Charles was seeking to represent a southern segment included the Britain's got talent singer. This was a boundary change carried out under Labour and the Boundary Commission.<

What they are all missing is in point 5. The chartist realised that the only way to have equal constituencies was based on the number of electors. Believe it or not this measure of equality is part of the Labour movement's historic fight. It is part of their history just as it is the Liberal Democrats seeing as the Liberals brought that into effect via the Reform Bills are are attempting to correct it again, now that it has got out of equilibrium.

As for the exceptions of the two island seats in Scotland and 3 most northerly mainland seats. Yes four of them are currently represented by Liberal Democrats but it hasn't always been so. Indeed Orkney and Shetland was for many years the only Liberal seat in Scotland before Jo Grimond had other hard working members to join in in the extreme conditions of those large, remote, scattered, far off (even from Edinburgh never mind Westminster) seats.

Seeing as I've had Labour MPs challenge me on the size of what STV seats would mean even in my area, which would be less than these seats are currently, it seems rather two-faced of Labour to no suggest increasing that acreage.

However, I will agree with Labour on one point, the public consultation must still be maintained for the recommendations. However, that doesn't take away from the fact that the recommendations must come up with seats of equal-ish size. That is something that can be dealt with my amending the proposals rather that scuttling the entire ship though.

PS You didn't hear anyone argue for the 6th and never fulfilled Chartist ambition o annual elections to make sure MPs would "not be able to defy and betray their constituents as now" during the expenses issue. Wonder why?

The Overlooked Man of the New South Africa

On 11 February 1990 Nelson Mandela finally walked free after 26 years of captivity. Today's Observer has an interview with Frederik Willem de Klerk the then South African President about the lead up to that day.

On the 9th Mandela was taken to Cape Town to meet the President in his office. FW de Klerk says:

"I told him he would be flown to Johannesburg and released there on 11 February 1990. Mr Mandela's reaction was not at all as I had expected. He said: 'No, it is too soon, we need more time for preparation.' That is when I realised that long hours of negotiation lay ahead with this man."

In the end the date was of course kept, but instead of Johannesburg at 4pm on the day the world's most famous political prisoner walked to freedom directly from Victor Verster prison, in Paarl, near Cape Town.

Four hours later he addressed a rally of supporters when he said, "The factors which necessitated armed struggle still exist today."

The following day he addressed the world's media for the first time.



De Klerk himself had launched what he called 'a new South Africa' 9 days before the release.

"There were gasps in the house, yes, but not at the news of Mr Mandela's release. The gasps came when I announced the unbanning not only of the ANC but also the South African Communist party and of all affiliated organisations, which included the armed wing of the ANC, Umkhonto we Sizwe. There were gasps then and, from the far-right party, protests and boos."

FW de Klerk had only replaced PW Botha in September of 1989 but as he says the wheels were already somewhat in motion before he took the helm. He says:

"I wanted us to take a more adventurous approach to the nation state concept, but the project ultimately failed because the whites wanted to keep too much land for themselves.

"The third phase – which coincided with my entering cabinet but was not started by me – was a shift towards reform. It focused on making separate development more acceptable while still believing it was just. But by the early 1980s we had ended up in a dead-end street in which a minority would continue to hold the reins of power and blacks, outside the homelands, really did not have any meaningful political rights. We had become too economically inter-dependent. We had become an omelette that you could not unscramble."

In 1986 the National party abandoned the concept of separate development.

"We embraced the idea of a united South Africa with equal political rights for all, but with very effective protection of minorities. Then my predecessor lost his enthusiasm. When I took over, my task was to flesh out what was already a fairly clear vision, but we needed broad support. We needed negotiation."

So it was that when he came to power de Klerk arranged to meet the man that had been the nemisis of his predecessors for years. He talks of their first meeting being a feeling out, but then as negotiations carried on the different philosophies, his National Party's free market policies and the ANC's communist centralism showed that there were difficulties ahead. But there was persuasion for the ANC to maintain free market principles for the sake of the country. The victories that he negotiated potential saved South Africa of the post-colonial void that other African states suffered.

Looking to the future de Klerk says:

"You cannot say we are a healthy, dynamic democracy when one party wins almost two-thirds of the vote. We need a realignment in politics. I am convinced there will be further splits in the ANC because you cannot keep together people who believe in hardline socialism and others who have become convinced of free-market principles."

He also points out that in some cases of affirmative action black Africans are getting more that brown or Indian South Africans. The spirit of Mandela's reconciliation he says need to be revived.

Despite the international recognition of his brave moves following his speech on 2 February those twenty years ago there are still some white South Africans who accuse him still of giving away the country. The last National Party President of South Africa realises the truth of where South Africa was and was heading when he took over compared with what has come after.

"To those people I say it is a false comparison to look at what was good in the old South Africa against what is bad today.

"If we had not changed in the manner we did, South Africa would be completely isolated. The majority of people in the world would be intent on overthrowing the government. Our economy would be non-existent – we would not be exporting a single case of wine and South African planes would not be allowed to land anywhere. Internally, we would have the equivalent of civil war."

They say it takes two to tango and that is certainly true of South Africa. De Klerk took the lead and bravely twenty years ago. Wuthout him it is hard to say what path South Africa may have taken, Mandela may have had a longer walk to freedom, or maybe none at all.

De Klerk was a key part in the new South Africa, the one that we see today. He also see yearns to see his nation grow in stature going forward.

It's Friday so....a Good Day for Our Future/Present

Well it is that time on Friday to head home for the weekend. Put away the mouse on the desk in the office, which links in very well to this weeks first clip.

On the 22 January during the Superbowl a small computer company announced the arrival of their new computer being released the following week. Directed by Ridely Scott the advert was a landmark in advertising circles as well as for the product it was announcing. It was the product that popularised the "mouse".




As all good sci-fi fans know 42 is the answer to life, the universe and everything so therefore the fact that 42 years ago Apollo 5 took off to test the lunar module in space conditions. So therefore we really were looking into the Universe.



Meanwhile back in 1952 on this day the first Jets went into service for B.O.A.C. (British Overseas Airways Corporation). So here is a pre-service look at the de Havilland Comet.

2010: Living in the Future (38 Years On)

In 1972 Geoffrey Hoyle wrote a children's book called 2010: Living in the Future.

Well 2010 is now the present, so take a look at the book on Tumblr courtesy of Daniel Sinker and see how close and far out some of the predictions are. Also see how some mix futuristic ideas with old school technology. You can even add a comment if you want.

A interesting thing to have stumbled upon on a Sunday afternoon. Indeed reading it I have a feeling that I actually have read this before, back in the 70s. It would have been the sort of book I would have picked up at my local library.

UPDATE: It gets better Daniel has managed to track down the author and has sent him an email to find out how he thinks the real 2010 compares with his vision of it. There is a Facebook group that was set up to find him, I look forward to hearing any potential response.

It's Friday so...a little fun with history

It's 5 o'clock on Friday time for the weekend to kick in.The 8th of January is the inspiration for the links this week.

On this day in 1790 in New York George Washingston gave the first State of the Union. It will hardly surprise you that coverage of that speech is not available on YouTube. So what am I to do. The answer is obvious as I cannot show you that piece how about an extract of a State of the Union speech that also never made it. That's right the Sam Seaborn passage about curing cancer.



1297 on this day was the day that Monaco gained its Independence. So what better way to celebrate that this tribute at the way most of us see the Principality.



My final link to this day is that in 1877 Crazy Horse and his warriors fought their last battle at Wolf Mountain. So Although I don't quite get to Montana where Wolf Mountain is situated how about some lads from Utah.



As a bonus Donny sining it at Edinburgh Castle.

Happy 25th Mobile Phone is the UK: A Wise Move? You Decide

Helen Duffett, on LDV's 2x2, has reminded me that today is the 25th Anniversary of Ernie Wise making the first mobile phone call in the UK (pictured). He is dressed that was as he is in Panto, this is January the first after all.

What the picture is sadly missing is the battery pack in his left hand. This truly was the age of the brick as a mobile phone, they that to the kids today and they will just laugh at you. The phone he is holding is actually one of my former clients Motorola, I'm not sure what film stock (yeah kids no digital cameras then either) the image was captured on, but the chances are high that it is my current client.

Indeed as Mr Alex Wilcock was kind enough to link to my H2G2 articles on William Ewart Gladstone the other day he may also be interested to know that I also wrote one on the phone that is most probably in Ernie's hand. The DynaTAC 8000X was the World's first mobile when it first appeared on 6 March 1983. The generation of new mobiles wasn't as rapid back then as it is now so 21 months later the phone that Vodaphone released on the UK was either exactly the same 'state of the art' model.

Helen has done a little further post as well including the following.

Is this History Debate Bunk?

We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.
George Bernard Shaw

Regular readers of this blog will be aware that none of my formal education actually occurred in Scotland. My primary and secondary stages of education happened in Northern Ireland while my tertiary level education took place at what became Kingston University. So therefore I have no personal knowledge of what is taught in Scottish history classes.

I did however learn about the unfair English landlords in Ireland who continued to export choice crops from their land while their tenants' meagre potato crop from their own plot was blighted. Seeing as my family at the time appear to have been largely tenant farmers to a variety of such landlords and didn't all survive. Does that history cloud my thinking in a certain way? More to the point does it have to cloud it in one direction by my merely learning about it?

Both nations were in personal union with England long before the respective Acts of Union were passed. The Irish had been in personal union since 1541, and Scotland since 1603. The Irish Parliament had passed a Crown of Ireland Act in 1542 to declare Henry VIII King of Ireland. Of course when Henry's last child Elizabeth died the crown passed to his Great Nephew who was already James VI of Scotland.

Of course us Irish had our Battle too, indeed it was a whole 55 years before Culloden had its turn, a date that is inescapably embossed in my brain. Culloden was not of Scots vs English but of Jacobite Scots, French and Irish vs Other Scots and English when it took place in 1745. Like the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, it was a continuation of the Catholic v Protestant contest for the throne of the United Kingdom. Although unlike the Boyne this happened after the Anglo-Scottish Act of Union 1707, rather than a long time before the Anglo-Irish Act of Union in 1800.

Of course some are saying that studying such history will lead to a narrow minded indoctrination if that were the case it would be as a result of a narrow minded curriculum. To experience where something happened, to learn about its history does not lead to one set of answers.

What is worrying is that both sides are politicising the issue. It was Goethe who said that 'patriotism ruins history', Henry Ford said 'history is more or less bunk' and as Mark Twain points out:

'A historian who would convey the truth must lie. Often he must enlarge the truth by diameters, otherwise his reader would not be able to see it'

So is it a fallacy rather than a fact that Ted Brocklebank MSP the Conservative culture spokesman thinks:

"It is vital children learn about history but they must also learn the truth, not some narrow nationalist viewpoint. For example, Culloden had little to do with Scotland versus England and everything to do with religion."

If taught properly that is exactly the tale that should be told. But both sides are playing at the game of claiming history for their own ends. Yet the one thing that has been shown time and time in the past in that history is an interpretation of those that look into it. It is constantly shifting as either more of the truth is unveiled, or as more of it is lost a mist of mythology (even that which is spread by the victors or the strong).

In my view there is nothing with with funding schools trips to historic locations what the soundbites ignore is that the Burns' Heritage Museum is also included in the funding, and that they will be under the auspices of the National Trust for Scotland.

However I'll give my closing thought to George Santayana the Spanish born central figure of Classical American Philosophy, as possibly a warning to us all.

"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

Life's Meant to Begin Afresh at Forty

The Times carries an article today looking back over the 40 years since the Troubles, which was the phase Northern Ireland entered in this week in 1969. The battle of the Bogside had occurred in the area just below the City walls in August, so the Times is looking at a tale of a city (and of course a nation) divided. The tale of the divides of Northern Ireland's northern city is often visually displayed more easily than Belfast because if the course of the River Foyle, but from my personal experience of the last 40 years that is only part of the story.

Northern Ireland's second city used to be known to all and sundry by the shortened version Derry. The football team, which is unique in having won the Irish League (Northern) and League of Ireland (Republic) titles is called Derry City. It was the team my father grew up supporting taking the short walk to their ground without having to cross the Foyle. But one side of the conflict objected to the word London incorporated in the official title by the Guilds men who traded with and from the capital of England. So the other side became more precious about the name (at least in public). Local DJ Gerry Anderson came up with the comedic solution of calling the place Stroke City (short for Londonderry/Derry City).

The city already was somewhat divided even when the troubles started. The western shore of the Foyle the Cityside was largely, though not exclusively Catholic. Across the bridges was where the Protestants had expanded the city into new builds, and the Waterside was to become a safe haven for them. Indeed names were important and woe betide the unfortunate given a name that was even remotely associated too heavily with one side. Trust me trying to point out that Patrick brought Christianity not Catholicism to all Ireland doesn't help.

However, at some point in the 1910s my Grandmother's family had moved in from the countryside into a two up two down terrace in the Fountain area of the City. It's just to the south of the city walls and there she was to remain until she could no longer live in the house by herself in her late 80s. Now it's the remaining protestant enclave on the Cityside of the city. It is the other side of the walled city from the infamous Bogside area, just up the hill from the hands across the divide statue. The conditions in the 1960s weren't much better on this side. Even in the 1990s a trip to the toilet in my Grandmother's house involved going out into the yard.

The City truly was divided quite sharply a walk along the walls over the Bogside leads from my Father's and Grandparents' church First Derry past his first first primary school to the Apprentice Boys Hall. All of which are right there on the wall. The Church was so often a target for petrol bombs it was constantly boarded up and the stained glass lost all its lustre. For me I know the divides, I've walked along those boundary lines demarcating territory. I also know that there are more similarities that many people want to let on.

It is sad that on this the 40th anniversary, slightly longer than I've been alive, that the Real IRA are using violence and terror once more. As Patrick Kealty said the other day on the Michael McIntyre roadshow from Belfast "It's hard to explain that the Real IRA aren't the 'real' IRA. The Real IRA are doing the new bombing but the 'real' IRA are in Government."

With the discovery of a massive 600 pound discovered yesterday for which the Real IRA are the chief suspects its a shame. They say life is supposed to begin at forty, it's not meant to repeat itself. For those of my generation from Northern Ireland that is all we would hope for as our fortieth birthdays come and go. We like the new era of co-operation, we want it to stay for our children. We've seen a peace, given it a chance and want it to continue.

Women Died for the Right to Make their Own Decision

Admittedly when he was doing his fantasy Liberal Cabinet meme Irfan Ahmed said he didn't know a lot about history, so sadly yet again this morning we see a need to educate him a little about this. He writes:

'Many women don’t have a clue about politics so they need someone to make their decisions for them and for that reason its OK for the man to decide who the women votes or is it? I don’t see anything wrong with a man making the decision in the household to who everyone votes but then that is just me.'

Ouch! For a start many people of both genders don't have a clue about politics it is not restricted by gender, but we have allowed universal suffrage to both men and women on equal terms since 1928. Yet we don't ask people before they step into a ballot booth can they name all the leaders of the main parties (if we did we'd have even lower turnout). So that is not a valid reason to say it is alright for anyone not to vote, nor is it justifiable to hide the sexism or misogyny of his statement above. It does suggest he himself doesn't have a clue about certain aspects of life.

However, Irfan may be interested to know that that great Liberal mind John Stuart Mill was one of the early male advocates for women to have the right to cast their own vote back as far as 1865 when he presented just such a platform to the electorate.

Women hassled Asquith and Lloyd George in the streets of Westminster in the early part of last century after the women on New Zealand were given the right to vote in 1893. The chained themselves to railings, set fire to mail boxes, set off bombs on occasions, were imprisoned for their direct actions, went on hunger strike. In 1913 on Epson Downs Emily Davison even threw herself bodily and fatally in front of the King's horse Anmer as it ran in the Derby.

It took almost 60 years from when the movement started for women to get equality with men and their own voice at the ballot box. It is not a right they should give away to a husband of father to tell them how to cast it.

Irfan if you really want to describe yourself as a 'political commentator' you really are going to have to learn a little about the political, governmental and social history of the politics and country you are commentating on. Otherwise a lot of what you say is just shallow, ill-informed vitriol.

Yabba Dabba Och Aye the Noo Time

Archaeologists have unearthed evidence of Scotland's earliest man in a field in South Lanarkshire.

Flint tools similar to those known to have been used in the Netherlands in 12,000 B.C. it predates the earliest evidence of human occupation in Scotland in sites such as Cramond by some 3,500 years. Stepping the MacFlintstones back in to the Mesolithic period from the Neolithic where the Cramond finds had resided.

The previous finds of this period in the UK had all previously been south of the Humber. Tom Ward of the Biggar Archaeology Group said:

"To push Scotland's human history back by nearly 4,000 years is remarkable.

"We didn't set out to do that. What we wanted to do was tell the story
of the landscape.

He warned that "a lot of people won't believe this. Not until they see
the hard evidence.

"But it'll be great fun proving them wrong. We've got the physical
objects, so we can just put them down on the table and say argue with that".

So Jock and Sheila MacFlintstone and Boab and Elsbeth Rumble may have been around for longer than we realised. Or at least where here in Scotland maybe for a bit some time before they were previously thought to have set up home.

Happy Birthday Dufferin County

Coming from Bangor, County Down I was surrounded by places named after the Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, Frederick Hamilton-Temple Blackwood. He was a major landowner all across the County Down and has locations and plagues in buildings all over the place.

He served as Govenor General to Canada from 1872-8 and it was interesting to stumble across the news that Orangeville, Dufferin County, Ontaria is to honour the 125th Anniversary of the naming of the county with a statue of the man who did a great influence of the advancement of Canada.

Back home you can play golf at Blackwood Golf Club, drink at the Ava Bar next to the train station, walk along Dufferin Avenue or Hamilton Road where you'll find Dufferin Hall attached to Bangor Parish Church, or further along to Hamilton House.