Good luck with it all, it’s just such a shame that while we continue to pump so much effort in to the foreign policy issues, our liberties are being eroded away at home. Hopefully it will be a conference about changing politicians because they need to be better, and not how to help politicians appear to change to make Labour more electable.

Lee,

Thanks. Shirley WIlliams from the LibDems and Green MEP Jean Lambert are also taking part. (Ming C was going to speak, but had to drop out as he is still in the US).

There is going to be a big civil liberties conference/convention early next year: we’ll be involved in running a panel: am not sure how much has yet been publicly announced but it will be soon if it hasn’t been.

while we continue to pump so much effort in to the foreign policy issues, our liberties are being eroded away at home

If there’s oe thing the Obama campaign has shown – its that simply complaining about the government is no good unless you’re willing to organise yourself to get rid of it.

The Labour party will either have to change to take into account the new world order that Obama has unleashed, or it will be swept away.

Sunder: Good stuff.

Sunny: I think we here have all shown we’re willing to organise ourselves, it would appear that with the right catalyst a critical mass of the general public is likely to (as seen with Obama), but how good is this if the people in power are ultimately dictatorial in their stances and their party members are those unwilling to rock the boat? If the parliamentary party organises itself to deliver a verdict rather than put a choice in front of their membership?

Say Gordon Brown quits tomorrow, do we honestly believe that the Labour party would elect someone other than more of the same that simply looks a bit different and talks a bit sharper to do the big job? Could the Fabians or whoever wield enough influence to get someone in to the job that is doing it for the right reasons rather than to further the same old mantra?

As I say, it’s good to jump on this tide and all, but Obama was running with the political will of the nation, people jumped onto it…if people are organising here then they are running against the political will of the establishment right now, that’s a completely different kettle of fish…are any of us up for that?

David Lammy will ask what the US election result means – and who owns change in British politics.

Umm…who would David Lammy pick…the Tories? the Liberals? Veritas? No, don’t help me…

If there’s oe thing the Obama campaign has shown – its that simply complaining about the government is no good unless you’re willing to organise yourself to get rid of it.

I think that the aftermath will show whether Americans are truly eager for change. After all, simply voting for a government is no good unless you’re willing to organise yourself to challenge it.

The Labour party will either have to change to take into account the new world order that Obama has unleashed, or it will be swept away.

How has Obama created a “new world order”?

Ben

There is a danger [for the independent liberal/left] in the Obama victory and it’s this: the feeling of jubilation will soften our views of Labour, the by election win will distract from the mess they’ve made in government, the new US administration may allow Brown to articulate a more lefty sounding friendly foreign policy which in turn my seduce Labour party wannabees and their followers into the party with little critical thought.

Already there’s talk of wooing the ‘Love Actually’ middle classes back, I imagine various Labour players and their blogging/campaigning sympathisers will move with vigour to capitalise and shore up the party.

Lee Griffin,

As I say, it’s good to jump on this tide and all, but Obama was running with the political will of the nation, people jumped onto it…if people are organising here then they are running against the political will of the establishment right now, that’s a completely different kettle of fish…are any of us up for that?

There is a huge ‘arrogance of governance’ that it seems next to impossible for ordinary citizens to overcome. Unless and until web sites such as this are listened to ahead of so-called think tanks such as Policy Exchange, there will be no sea change.

I think what has been suggested by Thomas in ‘Is this the end of the age of cynicism’ is a very positive step in the right direction.

Funnily enough, these comments today on the BBC pretty much encapsulate my view here.