Good question Paul.

I look at the party in a number of ways. It is currently a government so we can change things. The reality has always been, we don't change much and some things we do are wrong, though not all.

Secondly the party is an historic collection of people with it's roots in trade union and other working class organisations, granted it's activists and supporters come from a much broader constituency. I still believe that matters. I don't go to branch meetings because they have been unpleasnt and they are not really a forum where quality discussion can take place. I always leaflet and canvass because it is one of the few direct democratic activities we can be involved in.

The Labour Party, perhaps more than other parties, has a struggle between the Cabinet, the MPs and the grass roots. Far too much power now lies with the Cabinet - particularly with Blair.

I guess this issue is far too big for a post. The Party will survive this like it survived all kinds of other problems and it is to the party I owe loyalty. As for right and left, I have searched for socialism, and still do, but don't find any coherent model or example. I understand that much of the SWP have fell in with Respect. Are they left wing? - The grandchildren of Trotsky and George the Stalinist - strange discussions they musy have.

So, I remain with thousands of others in the biggish unhappy tent. I know people are happier in the Green Party, and so they should, they have some of the best and most important policies. They will find themselves welcomed in the Labour Party and with a much better chance of getting policies implemented.

I think politics is about getting something done about the redistribution of power and wealth not simply 'knowing' what is right. I can understand if people think it is a waste of time - we never achieve what we thought we might when we were 18 or 23 or something - "To take for who ever the full fruits....... by common ownership of the means of production, distribution and control."

The grass roots is/are unhappy but we still exist and we will be here after Blair and we swear we will not make the same mistake again, although I suspect we will.