Heseltine was only barely an influence and now (like Portillo) happily is not.

Benn was an excellent influence, a man of conscience, like Foot, but has alas been marginalised by the heritage of greed from the bitch Thatcher.

Thatcher alas created a mindset that still paralyses all tendencies for good and those who cannot or lie that they do not see that are still forces for evil. Long may she and all whom she loved twist in the fires of hell.

We have, in electoral terms a choice of the venal New Labour or the outright evil conservatives. No contest. If and when we have a real electoral choice the Lib Dems might be interesting, save that their current pronunciamentos are made in the heady liberty of abstraction: they will not be faced with any imminent risk of having to deliver.

New Labour or Labour in opposition can achieve nothing, albeit we must not surrender if we are to have hope.

You may wish to condemn Brown (even if he is a clever bastard as his latest manoueverings show) but if you have a choice between him and the Etonians whose only purpose is further to enrich and empower the rich and powerful you can have only one view as a matter of principle. If your misapprehension as to personal benefit leads you to support the Etonians, then unless you are an Etonian you are a quisling. And if you are an Etonian then joint the Eton Rifles for you will need them in your oen defence.