Tag: Opposition

Labour, what is it good for?

Hello folks, for those who’re unaware at the time of writing this here in the UK Boris is Prime Minister, his Conservative party is in power and Her Majesty’s Most Loyal Opposition is lead by Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour Party.

It’s a lovely phrase isn’t it, “Her Majesty’s Loyal #Opposition” because of course before Tony #Blair effectively legalised #Treason¹ in the UK by repealing Section 1 of the Treason Act 1795 (and for what it’s worth Section 3 of the Treason Felony Act 1848) attempting to bring down the crown and by extension the government appointed by the crown was an act of treason. By expressly emphasising the “Loyal” the opposition party in the UK Parliament can effectively challenge the government. Ideally they do so by acting as a party of conscience or by playing the role of Devils Advocate.

So far so good, but here’s the thing. The dateline is December 2020, the location is of course The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Biden take note) and the country is still apparently in the midst of an epidemic. The government has instigated lock down after lock down and now with the end in sight have called what is another lock down in all but name by a disingenuous system of “Tiers”. It’s the 1st of December and there’s to be a vote in Parliament if the government wins the UK is tied to “Tiers” if they’re voted down another solution has to be found.

People are starving, businesses are collapsing, the economy is in tatters and the government is insisting on more of the same. This is the time for Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition to act. At no time in living memory has the UK been faced with such a threat, pandemic on one side, government policy on the other a third way is needed. #Starmer’s reaction is to refuse to act. The #Labour Party will abstain.

The single most important vote in living memory and Labour do nothing:

  • Nothing to add to the debate
  • No ideas of their own
  • No morality or ethics
  • Opportunism at it’s very worst
  • No compassion for the poor or the workers
  • No compassion for the sick
  • Nothing

If lock down fails (as it probably will) Labour’s position will be, “We didn’t vote for it”
If it doesn’t fail their position will be, “We didn’t obstruct it”


The Dormouse states for the record that he believes the Lock Down to be wrong in principle, unlawful contrary to all legal precedent and ultimately self defeating. He also believes that #Boris and chief henchman Mr #Gove are behaving like spoilt two year olds who don’t want to be proved wrong. Imbecilic even. But at least they’re trying, they are doing something.

Tonight 53 brave #Conservative MPS voted against their own party and with a few Labour rebels and supporters did what Labour as a party should be doing, providing balance, conscience and holding the government to account.

The Labour MPs who defied Starmer’s instructions voted against the government last night are:

Apsana #Begum (Poplar and Limehouse)
Richard #Burgon (Leeds East)
Mary Kelly #Foy (City of Durham)
Andrew #Gwynne (Denton and Reddish)
Mike #Hill (Hartlepool)
Kevan #Jones (North Durham)
Emma #Lewell-Buck (South Shields)
Ian #Mearns (Gateshead)
Grahame #Morris (Easington)
Kate #Osborne (Jarrow)
Bell #Ribeiro-Addy (Streatham)
John #Spellar (Warley)
Graham #Stringer (Blackley and Broughton)
Zarah #Sultana (Coventry South)
Derek #Twigg (Halton)

The Dormouse hopes that folks remember this abject dereliction of duty is remembered at the time of the next election.

¹ And why did Blair legalise Treason? The truth is he’s not saying and no one knows. The best guess is that there’s an argument that any UK citizen who signed or counselled, aided and abetted etc the signing of the #Maastricht and #Lisbon Treaties for the UK (and probably the earlier ones as well) committed Treason Blair was simply looking to himself in case he got caught out.

If anyone knows the real reason give us a shout and we’ll print it here.