tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710815792287664844.post5418990661624708258..comments2024-03-03T12:41:58.376+04:00Comments on Deira Diary: Sir Harold Wilson and the Adelphi Hotel, LiverpoolNeil Partrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04986347512527541166noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710815792287664844.post-39483110924452885022019-02-17T19:14:28.944+04:002019-02-17T19:14:28.944+04:00I loved all of your comments, Al. Very sad that a ...I loved all of your comments, Al. Very sad that a figure like Frank Field, who represents all that is best about the Labour tradition, will probably never be able to return to the Party. More importantly, the coincidence of you being born on the exact date of what, in my view, was one of only two strong Labour majorities worth celebrating (out of only 5 in total), is wonderful. And that, exactly 50 years later, you no doubt spent eight hours waiting up to see what the outcome would be, is just excellent. In terms of the great Labour post-war politicians, there's zero comparison with any Labour front bencher from the Noughties onwards. Just as you're so right to say that Private Pike comes off very badly against Healey as a defence secretary comparison, so would whoever the current Labour nonentity is serving as shadow defence secretary. Thanks Al, NeilNeil Partrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04986347512527541166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710815792287664844.post-79442766249397281902019-02-15T22:20:53.748+04:002019-02-15T22:20:53.748+04:00Really insightful, as ever. Interesting, though, ...Really insightful, as ever. Interesting, though, how Liverpool CLPs continue to try & bugger up the Labour Party - Hatton/Militant in the 1980s & now with Luciana Berger, Frank Field (currently independent) - & Corbyn as inept as ever in providing any leadership. But aside from that, as you know Neil, I was born on the day of Wilson's 1966 victory, and BBC Politics channel gave me the best 50th birthday present possible, on 1st April 2016, by reshowing its continuous election coverage for about eight hours. With Bob MacKenzie & his swingometer, who happened to be my Dad's lecturer at the LSE at the time. Serendipity. <br /><br /><br />I've always gad a deep respect for Wilson, though he did have some poor advisors. But some of his cabinets did represent the great talent around post-war. So many formidable characters when compared with the lightweights in government today (e.g. Grayling) Compare and contrast - Defence Secretary - Healy or Gavin Williamson?Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08367545143857515930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710815792287664844.post-6508019000662866412019-02-03T16:52:12.572+04:002019-02-03T16:52:12.572+04:00Thanks Mike for your moving and very interesting c...Thanks Mike for your moving and very interesting comment; a nice accompaniment to my blog post.Neil Partrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04986347512527541166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710815792287664844.post-87135185215640330372019-02-03T15:21:32.159+04:002019-02-03T15:21:32.159+04:00A dozen or so years ago I stayed at the Adelphi so...A dozen or so years ago I stayed at the Adelphi so I could attend the opening of an exhibition celebrating the Merseyside men and women who went to Spain to fight fascism during the Spanish Civil War. The exhibition was opened by Jack Jones who had fought in Spain against fascism as part of the International Brigade. Jack and his son Mick were also staying at the Adelphi and I had the pleasure of joining them for breakfast, one of a number of occasions I was privileged to meet a true working class hero.Mike Andersonnoreply@blogger.com