Afternoon:
10°c
Blears rallies the party for 'the fight of your lives'
Pippa Crerar23 Sep 2008
Hazel Blears told Labour supporters they face the "fight of their political lives" to keep the Tories out of power but that they should not be daunted by the task.
The Communities Secretary told Labour activists today that they should be proud of their party's past and have faith in its future in government, despite David Cameron's huge lead in the polls.
Her upbeat assessment at the party's conference clearly echoed David Miliband's call to the party yesterday to end its "defeatism".
Ms Blears betrayed her concern that many MPs - some of whom face wipeout in marginal seats - were prepared to give up without a fight.
In a rallying speech, she said: "Are we really going to let the Tories get away with it? Stroll into Downing Street without a fight? Not in a million years. We are Labour. To win, we must be proud of our past. Confident about our future. Building on our success.
"And we are ready to take on these Tories, scrutinise every claim, test every argument, let no lie go unchallenged. This will be the fight of our lives, but I wouldn't miss it for the world."
She conceded that Labour politicians-were "a little odd at times" but insisted that "underneath we get it".
She strayed dangerously close to the discredited "class war" strategy against the Tories by suggesting Mr Cameron's team felt they had a divine right to power.
"Every single thing the Conservatives have done since 2005, every speech, policy launch, photo-opportunity, has been with one simple, cynical aim: to get the Conservatives back into power," she said.
"Power because they believe they have the right to it. Yes, power because they believe they were born to it. Power, not because they can use it to help people but power because they can't bear to be without it."
Ms Blears praised London Mayor Boris Johnson for dismissing Mr Cameron's talk about "broken Britain" as "piffle".
"How dare Cameron dismiss all the efforts of the councillors, community groups, churches, charities, all the people who are active in their neighbourhoods," she asked.
She said Labour should do more to get young people into polling stations, adding: "The next election will be about the future."
Reader views (8)
I,m not surprised there out of touch just look at their sense of fashion and hairstyles which not changed since the 1950s.
This could be at the heart of the problem, most of the major parties are stuck in a time bubble and still think we have the same Britishness today as we did 40-50 years back.
- Gordon, UK, 24/09/2008 07:24
Report abuse
"The Communities Secretary told Labour activists today that they should be proud of their party's past and have faith in its future in government, despite David Cameron's huge lead in the polls."
Ummm - isn't that why Cameron has such a huge lead in the polls? Their party's past?
- Rogan, DFW TX, 23/09/2008 23:46
Report abuse
She's not fighting for her principles, which don't seem to exist. All she's worried about is her excessive salary, and outrageous expsnses, and the fact that she might have to join us peasants, and actually work for a living.
- Lezli Taubler, London/UK, 23/09/2008 17:33
Report abuse
Every government, as it nears the end of its natural life, the public being frustrated and bored with it, faces the 'fight of its life'. This sort of spouting of cliches demonstrates the intellectual contempt politicians have for the public. However, it will not prolong their stay in office by one day. Bereft of new ideas, it reverts to the usual old mud slinging. New Labour's divisive policies have poisoned the political scene and society in the UK to an extent that they deserve to be thrown out for good.
- Peter Haldane, London, 23/09/2008 16:58
Report abuse
I have a feeling that with Brown, Labour's challenge come next election is to hold a majority over the Lib Dems. The race against the Conservatives was lost a long time ago. Without Brown and provided they have the wisdom to select the right leader (which they only did once, in Blair, in the past decades), they may lead the opposition.
- Giuzeppe, New Malden, UK, 23/09/2008 15:22
Report abuse
If Ms Blears and her friends worried about the country as much as she does the Tory’s they would not be in such a mess.
If only the people in this country were allowed to vote for someone to go to parliament and represent them - not the ego’s of the political elite.
- Ian, Reading, England, 23/09/2008 14:11
Report abuse
Good Lord! Never have I seen such hypocrisy crammed into one article.
Perhaps she should ask the public what they want. And when she gets the resounding "Labour, out, NOW!" she still won't get it.
She isn't battling the Tories, NuLabour are battling the entire electorate. Bring on the general election and you will see what we think of you Ms. Blears,
- Jimbob, Kensington, 23/09/2008 13:11
Report abuse
How much longer do we have to put up with this woman?
- Phil Jones, London UK, 23/09/2008 12:31
Report abuse
