Marina Yanakoudakis becomes first Brit of Greek origin to become MEP...

The hard working (but unfortunately Tory) Marina Yannakoudakis has become the first Brit of Greek origin to become one of London's Euro MEP's. She fought a vigorous campaign and used Greek community sources to increase her profile. The lesson to the Labour party is a simple one. Don't ignore an active minority of voters who will go out and support activists on principle.

The worst news is of course that the far right BNP has won two seats in the north of England. A sad day for democracy! The No to Europe and yes to Democracy party (yes to dreamland more like it) didn't get much support as was expected. Instead it gave the right more support by splitting the Labour vote. Will they ever learn?

Nick Venedi

Big Brother watch...

Not much to report as last nights episode was a non event with a few more participants managing to become 'full members'. Rodrigo, who was my favorite yesterday, did very little and said nothing so I am tempted to revise my opinion and say that he has no personality. He appears to be lost in space and will rely on the others taking pitty on him just because he is young. Not a very good recipe for success. Is he actually boring?

On the other hand the irritating posh boy (his name is Fredie) managed to push his way into the diary room and by changing his surname via deed poll to halfwitt, which he is certainly not, managed to become a full member. He even sung in the middle of the night and declared that the blond Sophie was beautiful. Vote him out I say! Not to keen on the Geordie either he talks too much and never stops!

Big Brother 10...

Ah well I am turning my attention away from the world of politics and diving back into the other world the real one? Fed up having to advise Gordon on how to lose the next election...

Anyway I have been forcing myself lately to watch trash television as my flatmate demands living room big telly air time so it is inevitable that I end up watching bits here and there. Good news is that there are a few music channels on freeview to watch bad news is that the rest of the land stations are full of trash. Bad the diversion can help. I even watched some of the worst tely ever with Paris Hilton a few months ago called my Best Bristish Friend or something. It was shit!!

So getting back to the subject for discussion Big Brother 10 has just started on 4. I must say that the concept reminds me of branch politics only on BB everyone watches everybody else.

So far I have decided that Rodrigo, the half Italian half Brazilian 23 yo guy is probably the one with the best chance of winning but you can never tell from day 1.

Uncomfortable about the fact that everyone seems to think (the guys at least) that identifying themselves with the gay label may give them more votes or increase their credibility. So the posh guy with the beard (not the one with the long curly hair) annoyed me last night when he declared that he is bisexual. That is always such an easy way of staying on the fence and I am very critical. So I will be voting him out the first chance I get he doesn't sound genuine and the fact that he wants to be an MP (assume a Tory one) makes me more suspicious. But will give him the benefit of the doubt and see how it goes. I understand that the United Left are not keen on him either....

Nick Venedi

Vote Labour and Stop the BNP

Simple message today. Vote for the only party that will allow itself to bring in reform and change!

http://lcnsw.labor.net.au/labor_review/184/update1845.html

European integration

Attended a meeting last night in north London where the subject of discussion was Europe which of course links in with the Euro election tomorrow. We were all reminded, not that I think anyone there needed that, of the important goal of achieving more rather than less integration within Europe.

It is a fact that the British left (and there are many variations of that) is on the whole suspicious of any form of real integration within Europe and they are, in my opinion, very narrow minded about the concept. The left sees Europe as a bastion of neo capitalism but they ignore the fact that the British state on its own is far ahead of any capitalist organisation any where on the continent and I think their attitude betrays the little Englander mentality that dominates their psychological make up.

There has been some progress made in the field of Equality and Employment Law specifically in Euro land and the changes that have been imported here as a result of that have been positive and progressive. The British left (and I am a member of that club) needs to see the benefits of a real Socialist Europe something that will do more to help the working class than any British government can ever achieve on its on.

I support total integration in Europe and look forward to the day when Europe has merged foreign and financial policy with a strong European President. It will be nice to have a Spanish President and a stronger European Parliament running a Federal Europe. And even better to have state Governors instead of Prime Ministers...

Vote for integration and support Labour at tomorrows Euro election!

Nickk Venedi

Various...

First of all congratulations to John Gray for prioritising the fight against the BNP on his blog.

The media are making sure that the negative publicity generated by the MP's expenses scandal is helping those on the extreme get the vote of those who may feel it is a way to protest against the state of British politics. And of course if this is true then the BNP will have a chance of wining at least one seat in London. That will not in itself change the world but it will allow the forces of evil to score a significant and symbolic victory which they will exploit. It is important therefore for us all to do our best to get everyone we know vote. I would of course say vote Labour but if not then I would say just don't vote for the BNP but make sure you go out and vote.

http://lcnsw.labor.net.au/labor_review/184/update1845.html

All eyes on the Euro election

The priority for this week is to ensure that we all put our efforts towards ensuring that people are mobilised and they go out and vote. The danger is that good people may see the Euro election as an opportunity to abstain and register their protest. But if they were to do that the BNP will be the winners with UKIP coming close second and that can not be allowed. Those who do not go and vote for the progressive forces will be letting the extremists get a seat in Europe. Britain has a proud record of never having done that before lets make sure it doesn't happen this time! I would urge everyone reading this (the thousands of readers...) to go back to their constituencies and mobilise. Not voting could help the BNP so vote and keep them out!