The Progressive

Clinton puts full weight behind Labour 4th term

I’ve never seen someone flirt with 2000 people at once before. Clinton is the best in world in communicating a difficult political message, and he does it with persuasive charm. What higher endorsement can our policies on climate change and global poverty have, than today’s speech from Bill. And he congratulated us on delivering a strong economy with progressive social reform, in contrast with the US.

He emphasised the work we are doing on improving the environmental standards in new homes. This is especially important for my South Swindon constituency where I am campaigning on the issue.

BC reminded us that we have a position of leadership in the world, that in an ever changing world we need to be the agents of change, and that the progress we are making could be easily reversed. He has seen it himself. He described being heartbroken at seeing the progressive programme halted when Bush took over from him. In a globalised world Clinton emphasised the necessity of working together. He reflected America’s disappointment at the way the Tories under Cameron have turned their backs on cooperation with the US by praising TB for maintaining a sometimes uncomfortable alliance.

After this speech it would be unfeasible to see any cooperation with a Cameron government. Support from Britain for his work on poverty and AIDS would rely on a 4th term for Labour.

NB. A quick comment on the Secretary of State for Health's speech to conference. It was a very different style. Patricia Hewitt was away from the podium, conversational and well received - despite the obvious differences of opinion there are over NHS Logistics.

Clearly we need to do some more talking on this. With £ 1 Billion at stake for the NHS front line it's a crucial debate.

Clinton address says more than he said

Bill's speech to conference wasn't really a political speech - more of an academic address. Drawing on world politics, international development, scientific endeavour, and bringing it all home to voters in Labour heartlands, Clinton showed some of his best old magic and his best new thinking.

Labour's achievements didn't happen by chance, he said. They happened through the conscious choice of the Labour Party. He warned of the dangers of the Tories. There's no guarantee that future politicans of a different party, however alluring they sound, however much they smile, will do things in the same way. Years of advancement, years of alleviating poverty, years of progress across the arc of social justice can all be swept away - by just a few ballots in a few marginals. 'I know that,' he said, to a ripple of applause in the audience.

Then, looking up and seeminly staring every delegate direct in the eye, he paused, smiled, winked, and said 'yeah', as the audience realised just what he meant and just how much it meant.

Investing money in education now will stop extremism and terrorism of the future. Tackling poverty now will save the world in the future. Addressing AIDS in Africa now will protect out plant in years to come. There is a link, he said, between what happens in a school half a world away, and what happens in every village in England. "In an interdependent world, there is no possiblity of divorce. You just can't do it".

Looking older and more composed than his final days in the White House, he counselled the world to focus on what unites us, not what divides us. It is a message which is important and urgent.