by NMRN

As part of Open Democracy’s ‘Dark Money investigations‘ they reported last week on 15th February “that Labour barred press from secretive lobbying event at the Scottish party conference”

“The Party has refused to provide a list of sponsors and attendees at Glasgow forum for ‘high-level’ discussions”

“Scottish Labour had blocked journalists from attending a lobbying event for business which is running alongside its party conference in Glasgow this week”

“A number of frontbench figures appeared at the Scottish Labour Business Forum” which “allowed C-suite business leaders an opportunity for high level discussion with senior UK and Scottish Labour politicians”.

Apparently “business leaders mixed with senior politicians and party officials just around the corner at a sold-out private event in the Crowne Plaza hotel”

Open Democracy observed that “Since Labour leader Keir Starmer embarked on a high profile bid to win over big business in late 2021, the party has been repeatedly criticised for its level of engagement with corporate interests and their potential influence over policymaking, while grassroots campaigners and the general public have little access to the party”

Open Democracy also noted that

“According to the conference website, the event has been “specifically designed to facilitate the highest quality engagement between Labour politicians and the business community”.

“Those attending the event have been promised “plenty of opportunity” to speak with politicians, prospective candidates and “senior business advisors” on a range of policy issues, with a focus on “how business and government can better interact and work together”.

“Lobbying firm Arden Strategies is the official partner for the event, but the party has refused to provide a list of its other sponsors. Arden is run by former Labour minister and Scottish leader Jim Murphy, with two prospective MPs also currently working for the firm”

“The party is charging £550 for a day pass to the event, which will include a business breakfast, a number of panels and roundtable discussions, and an evening reception for “informal networking”.

“There will be a panel on energy policy with the chief executive of Scottish Renewables, the industry representative body for the renewable energy industry and the CEO of Centrica. They will appear on the panel alongside Ed Milliband and Sarah Boyack, respectively UK Labour and Scottish Labour’s energy security and net zero chiefs.

The all-day event is set to feature contributions from shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, deputy Scottish Labour leader Jackie Bailie, shadow Scotland secretary Ian Murray, and “other senior members of the UK and Scottish shadow cabinet and frontbench”.

Apparently “None of these Labour politicians responded to requests from openDemocracy for more details about the event”.

Here was me noting that Labour keep saying they are the party for “Change” (like saying it at every possible opportunity)….yet I read the above and automatically think….TORY! and NO CHANGE…..as in ‘Here we go again’.….but this time with Labour.….so the same old same old……as in yet more ‘you scratch my back and I will scratch yours’ kind of event being hosted by Labour (when they, Labour, hope they become the next UK Govt that is…as do those Business leaders attending this event dependent on what was discussed or rather promised to them by Labour)…..

“Journalists blocked from attending the event” (shurely not the same Journalists that currently are doing their very best for Labour to win in Scotland in the next GE…..Msh Moneypenny..LOL)….so I wonder what did they, Labour party, have to hide ?…..what indeed !

How come Open democracy can publish an article like this that kinda tell you who Labour really really are…..yet those who masquerade badly as Journalists in the MSM act like they are the official Fan club for Labour in Scotland……indeed the above piece on the Labour party via Open Democracy is reminiscent of some of the worst behaviour and aspects of the Tory party that now sees them sinking in the polls and too via public opinion on their dodgy dealings e.g. Tory donors awarded PPE contracts , Lobbying scandals etc……

So then it seems very much a fact that there will be most definitely absolutely NO Change really via the Labour party just a continuation of what many of the public, have come to loathe and very much rebel against via similar shady actions we have witnessed via the Tory party…. so really as far as Labour are concerned it seems the phrase that is most apt in describing them is that Labour is ” A Leopard (that) never (can) ‘Change’ it’s spots”…..memories of their, Labour’s, actions and words in 2014 spring to mind !!!!

NMRN