I am a member of the Labour Party. I got my new membership card not long ago – it’s a nice red colour on the front and is black on the back.

On the back is the current, post-Blair version of Clause 4.

The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect. 

Bit of a mouthful isn’t it? I’d prefer this really:

The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party – by our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone. Power, wealth and opportunity should be in the hands of the many, not the few and we will build a society where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect.

But even though it looks as though Clause IV was written by a committee rather than a leader, it does include sentiments that I can sign up to eagerly. As a Mission Statement it is less naff than many and better than most.  The organisation that believes these things is one that will work for all not for some, and embodies fairness rather than privilege.

With all its faults, and they are manifold, this is a political Party which values everyone – or at least tries to do so.

Vote for Andy Sawford and help Corby send a champion of fairness to Westminster to work for a better country for all of us.