I have always had a deep respect for, and have aspired to be more like, politicians who just tell it like it is. In politics, a place which is meant to be an arena of morality and truth, so often becomes an inward- looking cirlce, where a buck never stops. The existence of politics itself often comes before the people which it exists to help. That's a real shame, and while we try to renew our party and re-engage, we must be aware of the fact that we exist to be the drivers of change. An organisation not there to be respected or liked, but there to do good. If we take our responsibilities seriously and stay true to our values, respect and a like towards our people and party will follow.
I was so pleased with conference this year in Aviemore.
As you will know, I am new to this blogging enterprise. It is a harsh environment of which I am trying to be a part. An environment in which opinion and ideas will win the day. An environment much like politics, in which bloggers try to grasp people and encourage them to agreement by their content and persuasion.
I will, however, always say what I really feel, and not lie or muffle my own drum of conscience in order to put my party first.
Many other bloggers of different parties and political persuasions will, I am sure, do the same.
I feel that at conference this weekend my party may have followed.
I was not very excited about going. Is that a terrible thing to say? I just couldn't really be bothered with another weekend of 'Nat- bashing' as it has become widely known. Another weekend of highlighting the weaknesses in others because we were too scared to look at the weaknesses deep within ourselves. But, my goodness, it went well.
I love it when I'm wrong...
Wendy has not had an easy time as our leader. Some of that has been her fault, but a lot of it hasn't.
The conference was towered by our anchor, leader and Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. Isn't it annoying when you know you prove that you can do something, but then the cooler kid in the class steps up, with all the girls watching, their pig tails catching the breeze, and then does it better than you did? I was never that cool kid, (just incase you couldn't guess... I mean, come on, I'm doing a blog for God's sake...). Well, that's how David Cameron would have been feeling.
Gordon called Cameron's bluff, and went that extra mile.
The speech he did with no notes proved that he is the rock in times of trouble, and the fire and warmth of ideas when we get cold.
He buys us back when we get sold.
He made me very proud to be a member of the Labour Party, and his speech which did not consist like Cameron's of petty policy differences, but of the strength of our cause, was moving and inspirational.
Wendy's speech the next day was one I was quite frankly anxious of. But she lifted herself above the politics of the press and the hope of the Nationalists. She grounded herself. Some said it was a speech which would have been better a month or two before an election, but I disagree. She spoke of socialism, true socialism. A Scotland which exists not to build up borders, but to see who cares enough to tear them down. And there is no doubt in my mind that that message of change and equality could not have come soon enough.
