The Leftfield Stage back for 2010

[4AssedMonkey]

Leftfield only started in 2000 - well after Labour came to power. It actually was more about championing the common man, admittedly primarily from a Left wing point of view - the fact Tony Benn is a symbol of the Leftfield shows it's more liberal left.

The ethic of Leftfield was to take trade unionism to Glastonbury, shove big business to one side and plant a flag in the mud for the international campaign for economic and social justice.

Recently the Leftfield has championed Love Music Hate Racism, Clause Iv, Anti-Slavery, Miscarriages Of Justice Organisation, Ethical employers, Minimum Wage, and charities, such as No Sweat and War on Want. All these issues are still hugely relevant today - and definitely not inappropriate and pointless.

The fact these issues are only worsening today is probably the greatest reason why it should be shouty and in your face.

Plus all the best musicians want to tackle political apathy in young festival goers, and some great festival acts supported the cause over the years.

[DreadlockDan]

the general public are, sadly, utter morons

[Alcatraz]

my hatred of bob crow and his ideals have nothing whatsoever to do with any party affiliation

their paid exceptionally well for what they do and any transgression by any member that is met with sensible discipline and the whole lot of em are out bringing the city to a standstill

mark my words, by 2012 they will be earning +45,000 to press go and stop on a console because of their ability to hurt the city during the Olympics and that weasel will take full advantage!

[KAZRIC]

is that another union that sacked off your beloved Labour party as the RMT have done because they don't want to be associated with a bunch of Thatcherites in red ties?

[4AssedMonkey]

You may be right Kazric, perhaps my experience has been jaded by the poor experiences I have had and I'm sure that there are plenty of fair minded and hard working individuals in these organisations. I tend to be involved in employee disputes and tribunals mainly and by their nature you don't see people in their best light on such occasions.

[abu hamster]

Politicians are pretty much all self serving money grabing fools whos interests are more aimed at self serving and party politics rather than the needs of the voters!

[marktea]

Yes I am biased, I've been a hard working trade union activist for 20 years and I don't accept that your bad experiences represent the majority of people's experience of the trade union movement.

[marktea]

Politicians are pretty much all self serving money grabing fools whos interests are more aimed at self serving and party politics rather than the needs of the voters!

Edited October 14, 2009 by marktea

[MOONCHILD]

So want to see it back next year, it's one of the places I've always felt most at home....favourite memory is Jerry Dammers djing in 04, danced like a loon in my wellies even though i actually had blisters on my blisters. Think those awesome cuban cocktails helped ....also the marvellous Billy Bragg's annual set, never miss it

[abu hamster]

Ever thought of becoming one? We get the politicians we deserve. If we don't vote and we don't contribute (I'm not saying that's you by the way) then nothing changes.

Disillusionment is definitely not an excuse to do nothing and withdraw; its a reason to work for change. Another reason why leftfield is as important now as it has ever been.

[Alcatraz]

Totally agree but anyone who acts for a party before their constuants is failing the people they serve. It costs something like £2000 to stand and fail to get a certain percentage of the poll and its gone. Independants = Fail im afraid.

[abu hamster]

Then don't stand as an independent

[Joshuwarr]

Many independent MPs have gone onto great success. However, I'd put my personal trust in a candidate backed by a party. Anyone see Nick Clegg this year? Was proper gutted I missed him Saw Mr Benn though, was amazing

[4AssedMonkey]

I've long held a theory that those who seek power are the ones who should never be allowed to wield it. Politicians is one example, a far simpler one is football referees but there are parallels between the two.

And, no. I don't have any idea how to get round the inherent flaw.

[Alcatraz]

Many independent MPs have gone onto great success. However, I'd put my personal trust in a candidate backed by a party. Anyone see Nick Clegg this year? Was proper gutted I missed him Saw Mr Benn though, was amazing

[llcoolphil]

- Encouraging employees to sue their employer for "alleged" accidents and then referring them to a solicitor who gives a kick-back to the Union on their success fee

- Pressuring non-members in the workplace to join so much that they end up leaving the job with stress (and again, sue the employer for constructive dismissal)

- Trying to overturn the sacking of a racist who brought a replica hand gun to work, pointed it at a (non-union) Indian employee and uttered the phrase "night night teddy bear" before pulling the trigger in front of witnesses.

[llcoolphil]

I never said the that the current labour party was left wing.

[llcoolphil]

Which do you think costs more? This

- Encouraging employees to sue their employer for "alleged" accidents and then referring them to a solicitor who gives a kick-back to the Union on their success fee

[paulo999]

edit; Confusingly, that article form GlastoEarth seems to have been updated 14 hours ago, despite having a post date of 14th June so it's hard to know which bit is up to date.

[llcoolphil]

Don't forget, with our voting system remaining the way it is (one of the biggest errors by this government) the key comparison is between a very average Labour government and Conservative one that allies itself with some of the nastiest right wing parties in Europe.

[KAZRIC]

The debate here about politics is exactly why we need Left Field back next year!!!

It provides a space for debate, music and free thinking.

not to mention the odd bevvy!!!

Having said that, I think it could do with a new location and a few new ideas. The problem with a big marquee stage as it was is the music works well, but the space doesn't work so well in encouraging debate and generally a place to have the discussion we're having here.

[marktea]

It is idiocy like this that got the BNP two European seats because people keep reiterating the absolute nonsense that unless you vote tory or labour, you're wasting your vote. If less than 1000 people had come out to vote IN ANY WAY other than BNP, Griffin would not be on Question Time this week.

[llcoolphil]

Think you might be a bit confused. Of course everyone should vote and I made that clear. But when it comes to the politics of the next general election, our first past the post system means that the choice overwhelmingly will be one between Labour and the Conservatives, as it has been since WW2. The point I was making was that in that context Labour still don't look such a bad option compared with the only other realistic alternative.

The European elections to which you refer took place under a very different voting system and are unrelated to the point I was making. You are right in saying that in that context every vote most certainly counted. I would much prefer that to be the case in a general election even if, paradoxically, the result in the Euro elections was to allow in the BNP.

[Kaybee]

LLCoolPhil - in agreeing with you, I'm actually starting to bore myself - but, yeah, you're right on this one too. Seriously people, the man knows what he's talking about....

[llcoolphil]

LLCoolPhil - in agreeing with you, I'm actually starting to bore myself - but, yeah, you're right on this one too. Seriously people, the man knows what he's talking about....

Edited October 14, 2009 by llcoolphil