ON August 8, I spent a very pleasant couple of hours at
the Ruardean Carnival. During that time a dozen or so
friends and acquaintances spoke to me to commiserate
over the loss of my county council seat.
Almost all said that I shouldn't take it personally,
but that it was a reflection on the national standing of the
Labour Party.
It is certainly true that after 12 years in government,
and in the throws of the worst global recession for 90
years, the opinion polls offer grim reading for Labour
supporters.
I remember, however, that when I was first elected,
as parish councillor in 1987 and a district councillor in
1991, it was because I stood as a Labour candidate. As a
loyal and contributing member of the Labour Party, I
expect to share its fortunes.
Whilst recognising that my party has made mistakes
in government, I fervently believe that Britain in 2009 is a
better, more tolerant, more compassionate country than it
was in 1997.
The Labour governments since 1997 have
transformed our public services, particularly health and
education, for the better. The national minimum wage,
especially in a low wage economy like the Forest of Dean,
has transformed the lives of thousands of families.
I am proud also to be a member of Labour's sister
party, The Co-operative Party, the political arm of the Co-
operative movement. Deregulation under the
Conservatives allowed the carpet baggers to decimate the
mutually run building society movement. However, the
recent banking crisis showed the benefits of mutuality and
the strength of the Co-operative Financial Services,
owned and run for the benefit of its members, not for
shareholders.
Yes, my party is facing difficult times, but I remain
convinced that the Labour movement offers the best hope
of a brighter future for Britain's people. – Cllr Bruce
Hogan, Proudly Labour and Co-operative District
Councillor, Labour Party PPC.