Political commentators, activists, drunks, those with the qualifications to say it and especially those who don’t (like myself, possibly the only non-paid-up member of Labour to grace the fringe this year) have been ranting and raving about Labour’s hopes for survival.
Or have they? The media will of course jump on every phrase uttered by the main players this week, but to me, having attended quite a few fringe events, there seems to be a certain reticence in the atmosphere; a sense of thinking something yet being unable to put one’s finger on it. Forget what the big cheeses are saying – they’re paid to say it. There is a definite sense of pride, of keeping one’s head up, and of not letting the bastards grind you down. A quiet feeling of optimism, if you will.
But will it be enough?
I attended the equalities agenda group, chaired by Demos director Richard Reeves. The panel comprised Barbara Stocking of Oxfam, David Lammy MP, Kitty Ussher and, surprisingly (boo, hiss), Tim Montgomerie of ConservativeHome.
An interesting point to come from the discussion was Kitty’s assertion that every person should work, unless they have extreme extenuating circumstances, if their children are at school. Does this not counter the widespread belief that parenting is a full-time job? And what about single-parent families?
But enough of that. Right now I’m sitting in that well-beloved establishment, Wetherspoons with minutes to go before the big speech. I’ve got BBC News cranked up on my laptop waiting to see what Mr Brown will have to say: will it be fight or flight?
Come on Gordon – don’t let the bastards grind you down...
Emmeline Saunders
Comments