If Harman Wins...Will The Last Member To Leave The Labour Party, Please Turn Off The Lights!

As an enthusiastic Labour Party member, I am looking forward to receiving my ballot papers to vote in The Labour Deputy Leadership election. The party of course needed a proper leadership election for the top job. Brown needed to be taken on fiercely, solely for the sake of democracy if nothing else. Despite Brown's scandalous disloyalty to Tony Blair over the years, I have warmed to him recently, and would have 99% voted Brown anyway, but it would not have done Brown any harm to have seen a heavyweight challenge. David Milliband, Alan Milburn or John Reid would have done the party a service by standing. A really big debate was needed.

There was however a really good substitute debate on Newsnight last night (29th May) when the increasingly comical Jeremy Paxman interviewed all six candidates for the Deputy Post. All candidates debated against each other, and there were signs of acrimony to come.

I learned one thing from watching the debate. I will now vote for the candidate who has the best chance of stopping Harriet Harman.

Harman's vicious verbal behaviour last night, left an ugly taste in the mouth. It was more like watching Medusa (pictured above) from Clash Of The Titans, rather than the usual cosy preachy persona she has presented to the public over the years. In a desperate and unhinged attempt at grabbing power, she used every opportunity to rubbish Tony Blair and New Labour, when wasn't she originally an arch moderniser. Emperor's New Clothes, Harriet. It will not wash.

Harman was particularly vocal over Iraq. It's funny, I do not remember her saying much about this, when the Late Robin Cook took his principled stand. Her argument that if she had known there were no WMD, then she would not have backed the war, smacked of glib opportunism. Hazel Blears correctly informed her, that if the Government had known that, then the war motion would not have even gone before the house.

Harman seems to believe the ludicrous populist nonsense, that Blair went to war solely out of of poodle like loyalty to George Bush. Come on Harriet, do not believe everything you read in the papers.

All those appeasers in this country, including Harriet must realise that Saddam was a genocidal madman. Look up the poison gas attack of Halabja, on the web, if you cannot remember. After reading of such atrocity, we must then, be rightly proud that Britain helped topple him. Harriet's cynical stance on Iraq was just one example from an overly aggressive performance that really offended me.

It looked manufactured, and a touch desperate. Trying to win over leftist pacifist CND badge wearers who left the party over the war, and get attention grabbing headlines from anti Blair newspapers who worship Cameron. She even managed to woo over the left's official candidate Jon Cruddas on the programme. What are excellent Labour people such as The Kinnocks doing, backing such a crude campaign.

As for whom I would like to see win, on the strength of the Newsnight hustings, I thought Hilary Benn was really excellent. He inspired with his emphasis on social justice, fighting poverty and using the role of deputy leader to re-engage with the whole movement. His serious no nonsense approach could be a real asset to Team Brown, in the fight against the lightweight and gimmicky notting hill Tories.

Id like to vote for Hilary, if he has enough support to stop Harman. If the polls suggest this, then I will do so. Otherwise, my cross will go to Blears, Hain, Johnson or even Cruddas (in that order).

Medusa must be stopped.

A Ray Of Sunshine

I have been humming "Sunny Afternoon", all week which is surprising, as its been hammering down with rain. Typical isn't it? when the first Test of the summer is looming large, this very Thursday.

On May 10, I saw the song's author, Ray Davies play The Royal Albert Hall, London. I have watched this musical legend play live seven times over the last decade, and he never gives a disappointing show.

If you wonder why your young correspondent, i,e not of the baby boomer generation, is such a fan, I got into The Kinks via listening to Blur, in the Britpop explosion of the 1990's. Blur were obviously big fans or big plagiarists, if you are less charitable than myself.

The Kinks front man and father of Brit-pop has to be seen live. Ray's stage show could go down as the ideal way to construct a concert. All the Kinks classics including the song that contains the very first heavy metal riff, "You Really Got Me" get an airing. Some rarer Kinks songs like 'Celluloid Heroes' add to the atmosphere for the hardcore fans. Due to the celebratory tone, Ray can even get away with adding some of his new solo songs, which are actually very good. There are also plenty of anecdotes about his Kinks heyday and much banter with the audience.

It is a great night out and shows why he should be regarded as Britain's greatest songwriter. What about Paul McCartney I hear you cry. 'Pullmycock off' more like, as Ray Davies affectionately refers to him in his autobiography, XRay. The Beatles are good, but a poor man's Kinks as every sensible britpopper should realise. Name one Beatles song that is better than "Waterloo Sunset" if you do not agree.

The version of Days, he played on Thursday was particularly memorable. He sings the first part without accompaniment and it is incredibly beautiful. Also played was '20th Century Man' a quite extraordinary track off one of my favourite albums 'The Muswell Hillbillies'.

This Kinks album from November 1971, is just ripe for rediscovery like their Village Green Preservation Society album was a few years ago. There are no hits on it, just some awesome unusual songs. Some of which sound more like Bob Dylan style folk music rather than the moddish pop sound they are known for. The Themes covered on it are different as well. Davies is in angry mood, writing about Alcoholism, The complicated nature of life, regeneration of post war London. A Scathing dislike of bureaucracy also comes across in the song 'Here Come the People in Gray'.

In typical quirky style, the mood is lightened with songs about Tea, and the joys of English Holidays. Years before Mr Albarn and Co, sung about similar such parochial matters on their rather good albums, Parklife and The Great Escape. Unlike Parklife, this CD is rarely seen in record shops, but you can buy it for a very reasonable price on Amazon.com.

One other thing about Ray Davies concerts, is their sheer length. No wonder, he always has an interval. Ray always plays over two hours and gives more than one encore. Good to see one artiste who does not treat his fans with contempt.

Sometimes, his gigs are cancelled due to recurrent ill health issues relating to getting shot, in New Orleans earlier this decade, but he always reschedules the gigs. That Sun headline still raises a smile, due its bad taste, 'You Really Shot Me'. Ray Davies of course, hates it.

Wouldn't it be good if the rumours turn out to be true, and that the Kinks reform next year. Current guitar bands like The Artic Monkies and Razorlight seem so very poor in comparison to Ray and Dave Davies. Where are today's songwriters to match such talent?

It's not Bloody Cricket. Bring him back!

Whilst fully appreciating that a new broom will want to do things his 'way'. I think the English Cricket Selectors including new coach Peter Moores have not got off to a good start. It's high time that David Graveney is forced to walk the plank for a series of bad selection decisions that just seem designed to annoy the fans.

Dropping Paul Nixon (pictured above) from his role as English Wicket Keeper straight away is simply absurd. His heroic batting against the West Indies in the final match of the World Cup was brilliant to see. In nearly every match, from when selected (in the Commonwealth bank series) he gave his all to his batting as well as keeping wicket. He also deserves full credit for keeping everybody's spirits up during a very difficult time in English Cricket.

Who could forget Nixon facing the Aussies for the first time, and telling everybody that "Gilchrist was going to nick it". Great confidence and great sledging. England so badly need a character like this, behind the wicket to get the team going. The ticket buying public have also taken him to their hearts, it was brilliant when Nixon jumped in the barmy army crowd after winning the commonwealth bank series, against the odds.

I don't know much about Matt Prior, the Sussex player chosen to replace him, he may or may not be England's long term answer to the wicket keeping role which has never been the sole property of anyone since Alec Stewart. Despite this dilemma, I do think Nixon was owed the first test of the summer as a reward for his endeavours in the Caribbean.

The haste to remove Nixon, shows that the ECB have not learnt from the age-ist attitudes that have cost the team dear of late. Leaving out Mark Ramprakash, who was in magnificent form last summer because he was considered too old was one such mistake. Who could also forget their shameful treatment of Mark Butcher, and the great bowler, Andrew Caddick. So what if Nixon is in his thirties, if he is playing well, keep him in! .

Still, looking on the bright side, at least the woeful Sajid Mahmood has been dropped. Hopefully, his England shirt will be sent to Room 101, never to be worn again. Arguably, the worst player to have ever played for England.

Come on Moores, correct your mistake and bring back Nixon for the Headingly Test.

This Cult Hero should be allowed the chance to show what he can do in the Test arena.

Terror In Bath.....

I have always loved horror films, television and novels ever since I was little. While some boys preferred Cars, and Football, I was into Dracula, Frankenstein and anything else macabre I could gleefully consume. Much to the annoyance of my family, it has to be said.

I particularly enjoy a good Ghost story, probably because they are always at the classy end of the genre and have a proud literary tradition. Gathered around the fireside on Christmas Eve, to hear the terrifying words of M.R. James as the mist gathers outside. Marvellous.

Last night, I had the great fortune to watch "The Woman In Black" on stage at The Theatre Royal, Bath. I have seen this play three times in the last two decades, and it never fails to bloody terrify. This wonderful play is based on Susan Hill's chilling novel, and I would rate it as the finest example of the Ghost-Story genre, bar none.

The late Stephen Mallatratt who adapted the story for the stage, achieved something rare, actually improving on a great book which is probably a first.

I will not spoil the twists,turns and horror of the piece, because you have to experience it live, so just a brief taste...

It tells of a young junior lawyer who is sent to the creepy town of Crythin Gifford, to attend the funeral of a client and to settle her remaining affairs. It is there, where he nearly looses his sanity by staying in the client's remote and very haunted house. It lies in the middle of tidal marsh land which is cut off at certain points of the day. During his time there, he encounters the dreadful phantom of The Woman In Black. Although unusually for the genre, the haunting is not confined to the house. That is Susan Hill's basic story, but those concerned, bring it to life on stage in quite a unique way.

The Lawyer in question, hires an actor to act out his nightmarish story, to get rid of his nightmares and what we effectively see is their rehearsal/reconstruction. This allows for some surprising humour, as the two men interact. The play only stars two people ala Anthony Shaffer's Sleuth and both actors were sensational in demanding roles. There is also a really sad sense of tragedy to the piece that plays on the mind, long after.

The terrifying tale is bought to life on a minimalist set, but there is some terrific use of sound effects, and visual trickery. If you don't like 'jump scares' like the head in the boat scene of Jaws, this is probably best avoided....you have been warned.

There were a lot of teenage girls, and young women in the theatre last night, and the shrieking coming from the aisles was akin to being at a Beatles concert. But they were not fooling about, just utterly freaked out by a wonderfully realised piece of theatre. Although they made a hell of a lot of noise in the right places, I did not hear one silly comment or mobile phone going off. It was as if they were transfixed by it's power. Quite something in the age of Hollywood Blockbusters, Ipods and DVD.

One girl was actually in tears outside the theatre, saying it was "too horrible" but you do not see one lopped off limb or spurt of blood in the whole two hours duration.

I would rate this play as one of the most frightening entertainments of all time. Freddy Kruger, Jason, Pinhead and Hannibal Lecter, all seem like horror lightweights compared to Susan Hill's Woman In Black.

If you too, would like to be reduced to a quivering wreck, the play is in permanent residence at The Fortune Theatre, London.

Ten Years of Tony

Ten years of Tony Blair today as Prime Minister. Yes, there have been some controversies. Yes ,The Labour Party has not been whiter than white, and Yes, the Iraq War was hugely divisive (but still the correct, only option in my opinion). However, I still think Tony Blair has been an amazing, inspirational leader for our country. A Very Great man indeed.

Yesterdays Independent said in their poll, that most would remember him for Iraq, but despite this, 65% of those polled, also said he would be remembered as a good PM. Staggeringly, 45% of Tory voters also said he was a good PM. This is quite something considering the level of ugly vitriol thrown at him on a daily basis by the disgusting Tory press.

The only real mistake of his tenure was commited on Thursday 30th September 2004 when he said he would not contest the 2009/10 General Election. This was a monumental error of judgement. It allowed the Brownites to dominate the agenda, effectively holding the Government to ransom on a regular basis, and causing trouble in the media for maximum destabilisation.

If Tony had vowed to stay and fight the next General Election, I think the British people would have given him another term. As an intelligent people, we do not vote out proven winners. Imagine Blair vs "call me" Dave Cameron during a General Election campaign and you know who the smart money would be on.

However, when the great man announces the timetable of his departure (probably next week), Gordon Brown will have to take note. The sometimes dour Scot has to sharpen up his act, and take the fight to the odious media dahling Cameron, and his ghastly band. Woo back Middle England with a new-New Labour agenda.

Tony Blair put billions into health & education. He also won Labour, three elections in a row,destroying four Tory leaders in the process, Major, Hague, IDS, and Michael Howard.
Over to you Gordon, up the fight against the Tories. Get your "team" to use the same energy, they employed against our great Prime Minister, and we just might save our country from the nightmare of a Tory government.

To all you pious Lefties, who have left the Labour movement over Iraq, just imagine the nightmare alternative reality of John Major having won the 1997 Election. The utter disaster of no minimum wage, no huge investment in health & education, and no stable economy either. Add together, anti european-ness and prejudice running rampant, and no Trade Union rights and you have a horrible nightmare.

All people of the left have to forget about Iraq, and wipe the slate clean. Look back over the whole Blair decade and rejoice, rejoice, rejoice - Tony, you made us so proud to be British.

Get back on side, fall in line and vote Labour as a tribute to our great departing Prime Minister, hopefully averting a blue nightmare in the process. Carpe-Diem Gordo!