Democrats should worry about British Labour's terrible showing in elections last week. It has raised once again the urgent questions on the state and future of not only the ALP but of the centre left itself - see for example this good US commentary by John Judis of Talking Points memo. [Read … [Read more...] about Democrats should worry about British Labour’s collapse – by John Judis Talking Points Memo 8 May 2021
Readings & listenings
Albanese demands party fast-tracks preselection – by Sumeyya Ilanbey, The Age 3 May 2021
Anthony Albanese demands the party’s top decision-making body fast-tracks preselection for federal seats... Meanwhile, Labor’s Socialist Left and some elements of the Right have reached a so-called “stability deal” in the fallout of the branch stacking investigation. [Read external link] … [Read more...] about Albanese demands party fast-tracks preselection – by Sumeyya Ilanbey, The Age 3 May 2021
What is the point of Labor? by Noel Turnbull, Pearls & Irritations 17 Feb 2021
What is the Point of Labor? Noel Turnbull reviews Barry Jones’ new book What Is To Be Done, and provides some answers, citing Jones' policy list: [External link to article] Barry Jones' policy list Renovate the Constitution.Have an Australian head of state.Adopt a Bill of Rights.Create an … [Read more...] about What is the point of Labor? by Noel Turnbull, Pearls & Irritations 17 Feb 2021
What are Labors factions & who’s who – by James Massola SMH 14 Feb 2021
What are Labors factions, what is a faction, what do they do and why do they matter so much, and who's who in the federal parliament. [External link to Sydney Morning Herald - may be behind pay wall] Related reading Locking out the Left: the emergence of national factions in Labor – … [Read more...] about What are Labors factions & who’s who – by James Massola SMH 14 Feb 2021
Don Watson in conversation about America, speechwriting, and modern politics – Radio National podcast, 10 Feb 2021
Don Watson in conversation about America, speech writing and modern politics on ABC Radio National - podcast Historian Don Watson left academe to write satire for comedians such as Max Gilles. He has written many books, as well as Prime Ministerial speeches (including Paul Keating's Redfern … [Read more...] about Don Watson in conversation about America, speechwriting, and modern politics – Radio National podcast, 10 Feb 2021
Is Labor still the party of initiative? – by Paul Strangio, The Conversation, 5 Feb 2021
Strangio asks: 'Is Labor still the party of initiative in Australian politics ... the past two years seem only to have deepened the party’s uncertainty about its mission. The ALP seems as nonplussed as ever about a finding a formula for speaking simultaneously to workers from the inner cities, … [Read more...] about Is Labor still the party of initiative? – by Paul Strangio, The Conversation, 5 Feb 2021
Big political parties struggle to compete with grassroots campaigns – by Anne Davies, The Guardian, 13 Dec 2020
In her article 'Party hardly – why Australia's big political parties struggle to compete with grassroots campaigns' Anne Davies looks at the numbers. She says the independent movement is gathering steam as disaffection with traditional politics grows. “Either way, there is an untapped reservoir … [Read more...] about Big political parties struggle to compete with grassroots campaigns – by Anne Davies, The Guardian, 13 Dec 2020
VIC Labor expels hundreds after review into branch-stacking – by Richard Willingham ABC 26 Nov 2020
An initial ABC report on the recommendations arising from the Macklin-Bracks review into branch-stacking of the Victorian ALP notes more than 1,700 Victorian Labor members have been expelled in an attempt to clean up the branch stacking. The audit 13,000 Victorian members is not yet finished. … [Read more...] about VIC Labor expels hundreds after review into branch-stacking – by Richard Willingham ABC 26 Nov 2020
Barry Jones on What Is To Be Done – an interview by Troy Bramston, The Australian 31 Oct 2020
A long interview with Barry Jones warning of retreat from reason and the need for Labor reform follows re-publication and update of his book What Is To Be Done - Political Engagement and Saving the Planet. Jones says: "Labor lacks boldness and conviction, the capacity to develop detailed … [Read more...] about Barry Jones on What Is To Be Done – an interview by Troy Bramston, The Australian 31 Oct 2020
Somyurek’s Labor branch memberships crash – by Paul Sakkal & Nick McKenzie, The Age, 8 Oct 2020
Adem Somyurek goes 'dark' as his moderates Labor branch memberships crash following the federal Labor intervention into the Victorian ALP Branch [External link to article] Springvale branch went from 95 to 5, Casey Central branch from 111 to 41 and Endeavour Hills branch from 112 to … [Read more...] about Somyurek’s Labor branch memberships crash – by Paul Sakkal & Nick McKenzie, The Age, 8 Oct 2020