Poemranker [Replying] Sat May 04 11:31:58 PDT 2024

Replying to a comment on:

Sometimes I can be honest with myself And look for explanations in my past - No socialist commitments can destroy My guilt at being of the middle class. Some people dig for coal far underground While I write footnotes that are thesis bound I contribute no economic gain, Secure nothing for the workers by hand or brain - I know the fourth clause always was the best But joined the party after it was lost.

Nicholas Jones

30-Oct-02/2:11 AM

Nobody asked, but it'll please me to explain it. The original Clause IV of the Labour Party constitution read:

'To secure for the producers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry, and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible, upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry and service.'

Now, in 1994 Tony Blair chose to entirely change this clause, because he did not want the party to be committed to public ownership - in other words, this was symbolic of the abandonment of traditional left wing thinking in the party. However, I joined the Labour Party after this - either Clause IV was lost, oor the party itself was lost through jettisoning its principles. I know nobody cares about this, but I wanted to say it. And I love the bit about by hand or brain.

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