via Do you really speak for the “working classes”?or I, Daniel Blake
about me
Why vote for me?Don’t take the … P
I’m not necessarily the best person to vote for. Why? because that’s a decision only you should make. Hopefully by now you have read the scribbles and statements, read the web pages and come to YOUR choice. I’d obviously be thrilled if that could be me.
I can only promise to be the best person that I can be, I definitely WONT be quiet or sit there demurely whilst dictated to from “on high”. If something is wrong ethically or socio-politically I will say so. Jon Lansman will not have the easiest ride if I’m successful and selected to be an NCG member. I’m an activist not a doormat.
I believe that Momentum provides hope but also insecurity, In my opinion a constitution was needed to provide focus and direction with defined objectives. Do I support Lansmans’ constitution? How it was presented to members as a “fait accompli”with no consultation NO … some of the dodgy clauses? again NO – for example to change anything you need the support of ridiculous numbers, and there are plenty of things that need changing.
I don’t like the way structures were simply done away with a dictatorial decision. That made Momentum unstable and members left feeling insecure and disenfranchised, impacting upon the Labour Party.
Lansman don’t take the piss out of members, they will drop you in the sh*t !
However, I’ve not been happy with the past set up either as it pretty much felt like a secret club that I certainly wasn’t part of. I kept wondering “What is happening?locally? regionally?” the impression that I was beginning to get- it was a London centric ego club and we were the muppets paying for it. Plenty of money for huge London rally, but as for the regions we had to scrap the money together ourselves. But it was FUN – these leadership campaigns what a jolly !!! 
Hang on, isn’t that a bad thing for the Labour Party? Yes, it was fun, but it is also destabilising so we desperately need a combination of representatives with diverse range of qualities to come together, work out the constitution issue, work out the restructuring and UNITE for our party.
WE WANT A LABOUR GOVERNMENT…. ASAP
Let’s work out how we can raise the profile of Labour through our membership of Momentum.Let’s make our CLP wards and branches strong and reflective of the feeling of our members; our communities and the population as a whole. BRexit was a protest vote in my opinion and fuelled by hate pedalling right wing Tories/ UKIP. It’s now Teresa May who has the unenviable task of sorting it out. However, I believe we need to start thinking General Election NOW and getting Labour in power led by Jeremy Corbyn.
95% of the population are being negatively impacted by Austerity measures, the uber -wealthy are getting wealthier as they purge our country not just of money into Tax Avoidance Havens but of it’s skills wealth, it’s pride. WE have to all Unite, together wage a war on inequity, start looking at ways to repair, reinvigorate and restore the deficit in our nation.
Together, We are strong.. United we are invincible
I’d like to represent you, the members of our disjointed region on the NCG. We are already more united than we realise as members of Momentum, we can bring the power back to those who already vote Labour, but the disenfranchised, the 40% non & can’t be bothered voters, young & old; members and non members, everybody needs to vote Labour.
COME ON WE HAVE A JOB TO DO ……
What role for local Momentum groups? “to obey, or have a real say?”
Probably the most important question that could be asked, but in my opinion one that is unfortunately left out as we, the wonderful people hoping to be representatives on the NCG. So what are the right answers?
I could blurt out the usual politicised, sound bites or maybe I could be truthful? WOW! that would be unexpected. I’d state that local groups are important to the continued success of Momentum, but how much genuine consideration is given to US, the ordinary member in local groups. I believe that it is about time local activists and groups stand up for themselves and the role that they play in Momentum. We know the CLP’s don’t want us, except as foot soldiers, posting leaflets and it appears of late that the Momentum hierarchy only want us to continue paying our membership fees that pay for those at the top.
Truth is; At the moment most of us, me included, do not know what the hell is happening
Truth is; members are, and have been involved in fund raising, developing profile of Momentum and those who have benefitted are at the “Top” based in their London ivory tower, who come across as a Secret no access club.
Yes, local groups provide a safe space for pro Corbyn people to meet, discuss and support each other in hostile CLPs; and members fund activities, pay for rooms but with very little support and/or training from National Office, and as for communications ?? What communications. I would want this to be challenged- I intend to play my part.
Is it a place for people new to politics or the Labour Party? or Momentum? I believe that there needs to be greater active input from the National Office, there needs to be a call for some of the money collected from our membership fees to be channelled down to local groups not used just to pay for London centric ego projects …. Also why not help with fundraising, publicity, promotion initiatives so that local groups can serve local areas better & become a viable conduit of ideas to the Labour Party and the Corbyn leadership.
I don’t entirely agree with the new decision that members of Momentum now have to be members of the Labour Party because there are millions of people out there who don’t want to be in any party but may want to attend a local Momentum group and support activities.
Momentum could and should be a means of really getting the grass roots message across to our neighbours. I personally feel this excludes people from becoming engaged in politics.
Jeremy Corbyn has appealed to people in a way no leader has, because he appears “normal” and “like one of us”. He rides a bicycle, catches a bus etc.. When 40% of the population do not vote we need to secure the future of our local groups. We need to provide support and training so that members can become local councillors, advocates and even represent our areas as MPs who are “in touch”and do represent the diversity of our population. Some people who are after the money, the fame, expenses etc will still slip through. Greed can infiltrate anywhere, are we going to continue to leave the door open for Tory propaganda? 
When I co-hosted an Anti- Trump demo at the end I called for a salute to women, a salute to the men, a salute to UNITY and I believe that Momentum locally could play a big part in actively challenging issues that impact on their lives, real lives and real people in real situations.
Locally we need to highlight and support Councils (especially Labour Councillors) in fighting cuts; asking questions at full council meetings and asking for joint delegations to lobby Parliament…. Why Not?
This is a period of change, we leave the European Union, we are challenging prejudice, hate crimes and corruption. The implementation of the Chakrabarti recommendations are taking us into a new era. It is time to bury “NEW LABOUR” and invigorate politics in a way such as Keir Hardie and the Unions did 118 years ago. That was 18 years before all men and some women got the vote. There is an amazing and exciting opportunity to transform the way politics is done; to change and democratise the Labour Party starting locally; to move us towards a fair, compassionate and more equal society.
Isn’t this what the Labour party stands for? Yes, Yes, Yes.. I’d yell (Better than When Harry met Sally)
WHAT COULD I DO? you may ask … Join Momentum? Join Labour? Join a Union? because together, We could all do lots, it’s about team work, analysing the skills available and working from our strengths to make the most of opportunities whilst minimising weaknesses and threats.
As a former lecturer and manager I could devise training and development materials that could help develop confidence etc, but this requires some input and direction from the National Office and mostly communication and transparency. I would ‘hassle’ them to get this.
I would be prepared to take some initiative let’s co-ordinate and liaise with other groups in other areas that run stalls and publish newsletters – lets get a “formula” up and running (incorporate into a sharing network program). Speak at and get involved with Demo’s, protests and highlight the positive role of the Labour Party; of the Labour party of joining a Union, I’m in Unite Communities and will be voted for Len McCluskey in the General Secretary election. 
Although, not advocating anyone being automatically deselected I do believe it is very important that local Labour Party members have more real input into the selection of the candidates that they want. To often Council and Parliamentary candidates are selected by a dominating clique.
I’d like to see disabled candidates and the DPAC stand for scrapping University Credit and the Manifesto aims supported, that equally stands for supporting the aims of Project 125 to get Disabled MPs in Westminster so that the 20%+ disabled citizens’ have a voice .
As for democratising the party so that it is not dominated by an elitist core, it is the local activists that need to do this, we know our areas, we need to educate and make politics exciting and accessible make it relevant to young people, old people allow them to speak, share opinions, form ideas, projects etc Given full support by National Office. Above all make members feel valued and not attacked.
Momentum, to me is not about being a “party within a party”, but a movement intended to galvanise people, educate and empower members, supporters and those outside of the Labour party who would vote Labour but don’t want to join…. Why should they? A positive and a return to the traditional, basic values of the party that I have supported since I took my mum to vote – A vote for Labour of course !!
I’m standing in the Midlands, Wales East & West group, we have an Independent candidates page i.e. anti slate not promoted group – Please read all the candidates statements, web pages etc before voting. Information is power #Solidarity
link: https://www.facebook.com/Not-The-Momentum-NCG-Slate-1629494190468358/ &
https://www.facebook.com/groups/807496382784006/My links are
https://www.facebook.com/Jae4NCG2018/notifications/
There are more than “only 4”
A lot has been made of the “Lansman slate” in each of the 3 regions for (NCG) National Coordination Group election… So they have all had a push from a “popular website”. Are they all puppet candidates put in place by a Machiavellian leader? Let’s leave criticism aside of individuals, slates and even Jon Lansman as Momentum have had more than a fair share of criticism since it was established after the 2015 leadership victory of Jeremy Corbyn. Let’s look forward to a Labour Government this is something that we all want.
Recently, we have had to contend with the resignation of Christine Shawcroft from Labour Party NEC, replaced with Eddie Izzard – let’s give him a fair chance please….
The loss of Christine is a blow to many of us suspended Labour party members, who were looking forward to a fair hearing and an end to spurious suspensions and expulsions.
I believe that Momentum needs to do things better and much more inclusively to involve members, we want improved channels of communication rather than a secret “clique” at the core of an Ivory Tower that wants the rest of us to sheepishly obey. There needs to be some acceptance of what can’t be changed and look towards what can be in the future but in saying that ion order to survive Momentum needs to recognise and value its membership or it will slowly disperse. Likewise it may be argued that Momentum may have a significant role to play in producing a Corbyn focus “ginger group” (that promotes like thinking party members as “parachuted” parliamentary candidates) in labour to balance the influence of “Tony Blair” supporting Progress, established in 1996.
I don’t see myself as NCG representative for West Midlands, Wales, West & East but I do sincerely wish ALL candidates the best. I’d like to ask that members voting, read statements, look at Facebook, twitter and/or web pages before making a better informed selection. Some of the web sites that I have looked at are brilliant and stand out as candidates worthy of standing officially as Labour Parliamentary Candidates never mind Momentum, a path that I hope they take. We need some amazing Labour MPs that think of others before their financial well-being.So apart from myself
JAE ROBINSON (Birmingham) other candidates that are not among the chosen 4 are;
Terry Deans Paul Knaggs Nabila Ahmed Ian Quance & Darren W Round Allyssa McIntyre Sean Leggatt- Bulaitis Ben Timperly Jack Witek Sarah Taylor
Momentum NCG Statement
Momentum provides a unique opportunity via Jeremy Corbyn leadership campaigns, to invigorate the Labour Party. Placing the membership of the party at its core having a genuine role in OUR party.… M…
Source: Momentum NCG Statement
Do you really speak for the “working classes”?or I, Daniel Blake
“Reclaiming the Labour as the political voice of the Working Class“ (Andy you said this from a quote of Len Mccluskey) as part of a discussion on disengagement and the maccinations within Momentum – the lauded “New Movement” that was going to bring the Labour Party to the masses, I smiled to myself as brown shirts, Father Christmas and the idea that the working classes don’t understand what is happening nor understand the language that is being used. Comments all found within the same discussion.
PAY YOUR TAXES.
I smiled, as I thought what utter patronising B *** crap, together with the tears shed in sympathy at screenings of I, Daniel Blake, demonstrates what exactly is wrong with politics and why so many are disillusioned with it. 
Too many well meaning people are deciding what is the best for everyone without actually hearing what is being said to them. When was the last time local Labour party hierarchy allowed anyone “inferior” to actually become one of the club? It’s ok to pound streets, delivering leaflets as yet another “trendy” is parachuted in over a local, well deserving candidate that doesn’t live in the right kind of neighbourhood or went to the correct school.
My MP claims to be working class, left wing socialist getting down with the babs and cultivating a “chaved up local accent”.In reality is from a rather well off family that made the most of opportunities from employment connections and privatisation !! But I’m not going into listing stupid lies or fanciful claims made by some …
My dad was a lift engineer and so is my brother both raised 4 kids without claiming poverty or hand outs. Real working class people, got on with it and made the most of what we had, I’ll admit that things are different now. Margaret Thatcher for all her opposition to dependency on benefits and getting people to work for what they had created the opposite a culture of greed. Many young working class people of the 1980’s found it difficult to find work as traditional industries were smashed – the miners, the dockers etc. As a result a sub society emerged based upon the “black market”, (would it be the “black economy”? ) We lived on Council Estates and constantly hassled , easy pickings for loan sharks and opportunists ready to take advantage of the glut of young female single parents for free sex in lieu of that weeks payment. (“Free carpet if I let some man look at me naked” was an offer that I actually had). Our children would often follow suit with all the aspirational greed that would do Margaret Thatcher proud with a “sense of entitlement” that fuels their existence. Friday night for my dad after work was a pie and a few pints in the local now it is coke (cocaine) and cocktails and credit debt. It’s not their fault just the way life is now. Plus not every young family living on a council estate fits into maligned stereotypes. I wonder does Owen Jones really understand what a “Council Estate Chav is? What it’s like to be a single parent balancing the meagre amount of money they have?” Not all of them are smoking, drinking, dressed in Burberry etc. 
The majority of the “working class” are struggling to live, pay bills, feed kids, hide from loan sharks (yes they still exist and they are not Grannies off TV). There is not a single MP they identify with in all honesty. Jeremy gave them a bit of hope that things might change but the PLP marched in Hob nailed, gold plated Jimmy Choo boots on, worried about their bank balances and have virtually kicked the crap out of that.
“I’m working class”, is a great tag overused by too many Labour politicians who think it adds credibility …. it doesn’t, it makes them liars and untrustworthy.
Many can NOT afford to pay to be members of the Labour Party (nor want to) as even the tiniest sum of 50p /wk if unemployed or £1 if in low income job is often how much they may have for a meal …. AND I AM NOT JOKING nor EXAGGERATING … (That’s my voice raised for unbelievers). They now think why should they vote as that lot in Westminster are all the same, too busy clocking up the expenses, book royalties or TV appearances on top of their hefty salaries. This is not a new perception it has been thought to be like this now for decades and it is being passed down to new disenfranchised families. No point=No vote.
Labour with the help of Momentum need to break this cycle of disillusionment, reclaim their natural voting base, but not at the exclusion of anybody else. Labour need to start sorting out their own house first.
Take a look at all the accusations, where are they coming from? Why do you think they are being made and who is making them? What have they got to achieve? Then by being proactive and thinking outside the box recapture the non voting lower income earners . As someone having seen this and lived in this cycle. How do we do it? Start hearing what people are saying rather than listening to what you wish to forget. Then as with everything it’s about Selling the Product from a base line that meets aspirational needs but that’s one of my little secrets …..being a lowly council estate working class lass,obviously I wouldn’t understand and a disabled single mother to boot.To finish, please let me make the following very clear for those wonderful people who are speaking for, and deciding what to do regarding the disengagement of the so called “working classes”. (Low Income families please) Why not listen to what they are actually saying, try empathy not sympathy but most of all be honest with yourself and your own motivations and intentions and,
GET REAL & GET A GRIP
Momentum NCG Statement
Momentum provides a unique opportunity via Jeremy Corbyn leadership campaigns, to invigorate the Labour Party. Placing the membership of the party at its core having a genuine role in OUR party.… M…
Source: Momentum NCG Statement
About me (it’s not all about the wheels!)
I grew up & raised children on Council Housing Estates, I’m grateful for having the opportunity to have lived in secure, safe and a decent home. It saddens me that too many do not have th…
Solidarity against Trump
“GOD SAVE OUR GRACIOUS QUEEN, FROM A RACIST TANGERINE, GOD SAVE OUR QUEEN” On 4 February 2017, I was honoured to co- host with Geoff Dext… Source: So…
Source: Solidarity against Trump
Jae Robinson “Keeping it Real” for Momentum NCG
My priorities are honest and straight-forward.
- As a single mum, living on Council Estates I’m very community minded and aware of problems faced at grass roots 40% “non voting” communities.
- I want our country to be a more prosperous, and progressively challenge tax avoidance.
- Safer and innovative places to live.I will campaign tirelessly to get the best (BRexit) deal & value from our local authorities and effecting changes in Government.
- I joined Momentum to progress these values and work towards a Labour Government and an inclusive “Movement for progressive & inclusive change”.
- Together let’s make our UNITED KINGDOM a great place in which there are opportunities available to each and every resident,
- When Labour win the next general election.
Bedroom Tax Protest
My MOMENTUM STATEMENT.
“Momentum provides a unique opportunity via Jeremy Corbyn leadership campaigns, to invigorate the Labour Party. Placing the membership of the party at its core having a genuine role in OUR party.…
Momentum, I believe is the springboard for a new, inclusive and exciting Labour Party ready for Government in 2020 or sooner placing Corbyn’s 10 point plan at the forefront of people’s minds.
A disabled woman, I’ve fought for decades re Equalities ; remembering the young child vilified for looking Irish,my campaigning for justice knows no barriers from Rocking against Racism, anti violence, anti austerity and combating the rise in hate crime due to accusatory vilification of minorities by unfeeling Tories. Let’s
– Put aside squabbles
– Promote equalities, fairness and justice in all areas of party activities.
– Develop grass roots campaigning to attract new Labour party voters, 40% population don’t vote.
– Collaborate with CLPs, Unions and Public Services e.g. NHS, fire, education
– Move away from staid “board room” politics, to one that listens and hears people.
– Promote socio-political education recognising diversity and barriers to voting.
– Speaking up for the person in the corner, forgotten, feeling voiceless.
Not forgetting I’ll be speaking up for YOU. “
https://www.facebook.com/Jae4Momentum/
https://jae4ncg.wordpress.com/momentum-ngc-nomination-statement/
Jae 4 NCG 