Reply #5: Labour Party

[Apollo11]

For 10 years (1987-97) I was a very active member of the British Labour Party. Since 1997, the Party has lost about 50% of its members (including me - but I no longer live in Britain).

My impression is that grassroots democrats in the US have potentially more influence over their party than members of the British Labour Party. In the USA, you have primaries where you can choose between candidates with different positions and different priorities. Then after the primary, you all come together as a coalition and support the candidates you have chosen.

As a member of the British Labour Party, you have less influence over choosing candidates, and in any case - all candidates are expected to agree with the party platform on all issues. And the party platform is basically written by Tony Blair - for as long as he wants to remain as Leader.

Of course there are Labour MPs in Parliament who voted against the Iraq War back in 2003, but they are a small minority (25% - depending on which vote you count). Compared with a majority of Dems in the US House of Representatives who voted against the Iraq War resolution in 2002.