Wise man, that Harold Wilson. A week is a long time in politics. I see from the NEC / NPF ballot paper I have got just over two weeks before I have to make up my mind.
There is always a risk of forgetting. But thanks to modern communications devices I have set an alarm in my calendar to remind me of the deadline a few days beforehand. In the meantime what could possbly change? In 2008, I was a successful member of the Centre Left Grassroots Alliance (CLGA) slate. But in 2010 there was a comradely disagreement about the composition of that slate. I ran as an independent, did no campaigning and duly failed to get elected. Selfishly, I only voted for myself. But that was the only way as an individual to optimise my vote. Silly really, and I digress.
The CLGA slate is a fix, just like the Progress/Labour First state. LabourList's editor, Mark Ferguson has done the Labour Party a great service today by asking: Is the Labour Party addicted to “fixing”? http://bit.ly/K6PDWq
It is a highly pertinent question. A lack of trust in each other has poisoned our democratic socialist politics, and will continue to do so until a better understanding of the importance of openness and accountability, checks and balances and the critical role of open, free elections is respected.
It is reasonable to suppose that I will not be voting for any members of the Progress/Labour First slate who mouth worthy sentiments about members and members' rights, but most of whom have form to the contrary.
Nor will I be voting the CLGA slate. Pete Willsman is at the heart of the CLGA fixing, too fond of the sound of his own voice and prone to shout at anyone who has the temerity to disagree with him. Ken Livingstone is another machine politician. Has anyone seen a report of an NEC meeting from Ken since he was elected in 2010? Ken was, of course, a victim of fixing when Labour selected its candidate for the 2000 election. Initially he was opposed to the idea of an elected Mayor for London, then having won twice, he couldn't stop himself. Ann Black by her own omission has made some shocking mistakes. But no one could accuse her of not wanting the best for members and making heroic efforts since she was first elected to the NEC to make sure we all received her regular reports. Similarly, with Christine Shawcroft - she and I were the only CLP representatives on the NEC to oppose the Labour Party machine's shameless fixing of the nomination for elected Mayor in Tower Hamlets (together with BAME rep Keith Vaz). Then there are the two new names: Darren Williams - is no stranger to anyone in the Labour Party who has followed the affairs of Welsh Labour Grassroots and their steady progress in promoting Labour values, winning seats on the Welsh executive and representing Wales on the NPF. Kate Osamor is unknown to me so I shall be reading her candidate statement, with interest - along with the independents.
Lastly, there is the sitting independent NEC Johanna Baxter. No one could fault her commitment. But, and this 'but' is targetted at all sitting members - to what purpose?
This takes me back to an issue that has been troubling me for nearly 10 years as a member of the Labour Party. Are we really wanted? Are we part of its future? Or are we just a nuisance to be managed by the fixers?
Evidence of a deeper appreciation/understanding and commitment to the role of members will be my main focus before taking the ballot paper out of my pending tray.