Progress not Perfection
We're in a strange place after that election. Shit will be going down in Conservative Party HQ and across the country, but most of us on the left are buoyant - although we only came close to a draw it was so much better than we believed it would be just six weeks ago when the election was called.
Supporting Jeremy in the first leadership election felt like a mad but principled protest to keep the flame burning for an alternative to neo-liberal capitalism.
I took some stick before the second leadership election particularly by people who saw their grip on the party fading, but I had seen him in person and could see what he and John McDonnell were trying to do and the different style of leadership that has provided such a counterpoint to Theresa May.
I did have a quiet wobble at the start of this campaign. The task ahead (even getting to where we are now) seemed impossible in the face of a vicious press, but despite all that we've come together as a party and reminded people what solidarity means.
I remember the 18-year-old I was at the 1983 election. It was dark and we didn't know then how much darker it could get. But I experienced the amazing fraternal bonds that held us together despite everything the next two Thatcher governments threw at us.
If we'd had this sort of hung parliament at that stage, nothing would have stopped me fighting immediately for a majority as soon as possible and I trust that there are many young people who have found their political feet during the last 50 days who won't accept this result as the best we can manage and will be carrying on the conversations and action to bring us peace and justice.
Love and hugs x
It's a good result then? I hope it's a good news for the NHS.
It's in the right direction, and it's not the disaster that was predicted when the election was called, but there's plenty of fighting to be done to really make the NHS safe and help it back to what it really could be.
People need to come together and fight for the NHS. It is the envy of the world and worth every taxpayers' money. We the nurses are leaving because of the pay too. Wether the people like it or not, nurses are needed and more.
I'm a teeny tiny bit disappointed because for a second there I dared to dream that Britain could elect a Left government that would stem the neoliberalism tide (unlike Syriza which promptly betrayed its constituency and itself).
But as you say, baby steps, and in the right direction, so can't complain.
Rather buoyed by the reaction to Mrs. May's decision to utilise a dodgy group of nutters to make a government. Many seem to see the hypocrisy in it. (Possibly a bit harsh, I dunno much about the DUP but what I've heard ain't exactly encouraging).
Cheers!
IKEM.
There's hope on both sides of the coin. The May government depends on a party that can pull together, but is fundamentally split still over Europe and there was a lot of discomfort with how the election was run. They will need a tight whip in the House of Commons to get business done and they won't be able to do lots of things that were in the manifesto based on the hope that they'd have a big majority.
On the other hand, the Labour party is greatly buoyed by the result. Many believed the lie that nobody would vote for Corbyn. Now that they've seen millions voting that way, they will be encouraged to do so too. People like to do what other people are doing.
The hard work starts here.