Gwyn Prosser: I'm old Labour not New (Dover Express 7 April 2005 - edited by SS)

Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser fired the opening salvo of the 2005 general election campaign with a message to his core voters: 'I'm not New Labour - I'm old Labour.'

Mr Prosser's remarks came during a public meeting arguing for rail nationalisation, set up by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union on Monday 4 April 2005 with general secretary Bob Crow as star guest.

He told around 40 people in the auditorium at the Dover Discovery Centre: "I have never professed to be a member of New Labour - I'm old Labour and certainly never signed up to the Blair project."

Mr Crow had poured withering scorn on Tony Blair and John Prescott, especially on their record over transport.

Mr Prosser did not defend either the PM or his deputy, and was praised by the union for his commitment to its aims.

He prefaced the remarks on the eve of the general election being called by saying it was 'no secret' about his true affiliations within the Labour movement. Ironically, Mr Prescott was in the Dover constituency the very next day for a visit to the Triangles centre in St Radigund's to rally the party faithful.

Comment by Smelly Scrote:

I feel a wind as from another planet blowing. Having read Prosser's 'Dover Express' articles since 1997, I am at a total loss to understand his claim to be "Old Labour". For sheer electoral cheek, this takes the biscuit. Does he think the electorate have got a low IQ and very short attention span?

His voting record in Parliament indicates that he is 'New Labour' fru'n'fru. Just look how often he has rebelled. In fact, he is such a threat that they put him on the Home Affairs Select Committee! Surely only loyal New Labour suckers get planted there? He is not affiliated to either the Tribune or Socialist Campaign groups of Labour MPs. I felt physically sick when I heard the claim from the horse's mouth at the public meeting last Monday night.

The RMT people there seemed to accept what Prosser was saying, in spite of all the evidence to the contrary. Some of those present were members of the Communist Party of Britain who still accept the silly myth that the Labour Party can serve the ends of the Revolting Proletarian Masses. Their left social-reformist claptrap and servile sucking up to careerist politicians really sickens me.

Is anyone impressed by this posturing any more? How many people take seriously the claim that these Communist groups are truly revolutionary? Do they have IQs above room temperature? Does anyone really believe that the Labour Party was EVER socialist?

After the meeting, Bob Crow was seen tearing the flesh off two small animals he had just purchased from KFC in Dover's Market Square with his teeth. I loved Bob's finger jabbing and shouting routine during the meeting, but does anyone take it seriously apart from those who love sentimental theatrical performances?

It seems to me that the two wings of the Labour Party are those of a bird that cannot fly. The anarchists have got it right. Erecting leaders, brown-nosing politicians and sucking up to clowns like this makes no sense. If you love capitalism, go out and vote. If you hate it, then RESIST!

Nurth! Nurth! The straight-jacket please!

Apologies for this. Er...rant over for now.