Updated: Friend of the Saudis to raise money from faith donors and discuss policy with them - are we really that keen on political suicide?

So this must be news to just about every single Labour Party member, but apparently we are about to have the very definition of a man hooked into privilege and a regular liaison of ethically dubious international organisations, not to mention vile governments (strong links to that lovely bunch, the Saudi Royal Family), Anthony Bailey, having a big say in how we as a party raise money AND reach out to faith communities. That is, it is very likely he could be involved in both discussing getting money from religious donors and discussing policy with them at the same time.  From the report in the Guardian:

"...is to chair Labour's Faith Task Force when it launches in July. Separately, he will also tap his network of contacts for donations to boost Labour's depleted coffers."

If you search "our" Labour Party web site for any details of our new "faiths task force" you will find nothing, but Jamie Doward of the Guardian says Tony Blair wants him to chair the task force. (Thanks for the legacy Tone!).

Read this biography of Bailey and see what you think. It looks he is already a governor of three secondary schools (wonder how many meetings he gets to?) through his role in the United Learning Trust which has remarkably been given the right to run 12 city academies with more in the pipeline.

You know, I've only just seen this story but on first reading it's hard to see any positives for Labour coming out of this but you can imagine it stirring up a shower of s*** - and for what reason?  If this appointment goes though I fear it is a ticking time bomb on our prospects of winning the next general election. In fact, Gordon Brown better show some early signs of enlightened leadership and block this appointment asap.

Update: Turns out Bailey has been strongly involved with The Sacred Military Constantinian Order               of Saint George. According to the order's own web site "...its special legacy through               service in the Orient fighting the infidel and the many               proofs of the recognition and regard of the Supreme               Pontiffs." If I may stoop down to sarcasm, this guy's progressive social democratic credentials just keep getting better and better.

 

So this must be news to just about every single Labour Party member, but apparently we are about to have the very definition of a man hooked into privilege and a regular liaison of ethically dubious international organisations, not to mention vile governments (strong links to that lovely bunch, the Saudi Royal Family), Anthony Bailey, having a big say in how we as a party raise money AND reach out to faith communities. That is, it is very likely he could be involved in both discussing getting money from religious donors and discussing policy with them at the same time.  From the report in the Guardian:

"...is to chair Labour's Faith Task Force when it launches in July. Separately, he will also tap his network of contacts for donations to boost Labour's depleted coffers."

If you search "our" Labour Party web site for any details of our new "faiths task force" you will find nothing, but Jamie Doward of the Guardian says Tony Blair wants him to chair the task force. (Thanks for the legacy Tone!).

Read this biography of Bailey and see what you think. It looks he is already a governor of three secondary schools (wonder how many meetings he gets to?) through his role in the United Learning Trust which has remarkably been given the right to run 12 city academies with more in the pipeline.

You know, I've only just seen this story but on first reading it's hard to see any positives for Labour coming out of this but you can imagine it stirring up a shower of s*** - and for what reason?  If this appointment goes though I fear it is a ticking time bomb on our prospects of winning the next general election. In fact, Gordon Brown better show some early signs of enlightened leadership and block this appointment asap.

Update: Turns out Bailey has been strongly involved with The Sacred Military Constantinian Order               of Saint George. According to the order's own web site "...its special legacy through               service in the Orient fighting the infidel and the many               proofs of the recognition and regard of the Supreme               Pontiffs." If I may stoop down to sarcasm, this guy's progressive social democratic credentials just keep getting better and better.

 

Comments

[Alan Rogers]

I have just read the item on Anthony Bailey. I smell conspiracy.
Tony Blair : Crypto Catholic : P.M.
Anthony Bailey: SMCOG : Fund Raiser ?
Ruth Kelly : Opus Dei : Cabinet member
John Reid : Catholic : Cabinet Member
Hazel Blears: Catholic? :Chair PLP Cab Mem.
Lord Adonis : ? : (who elected him?)
Does anyone have a list of the religious affiliation of Cabinet members and No. 10 functionaries?

[The Labour Humanist]

Alan - I would expect any Labour govt past, present or future to have members from diverse belief backgrounds. I would also expect that policy is decided on high principal and evidence of effectiveness. I don't care about anyone's life stance, I only care about the policies they pursue.

As a Labour Party member I still say my main concern about this story is the ethical problems raised by having the same person dicussing policy and fundraising with faith groups. People should donate to Labour cos they support our goals not because they've been promised a little faith policy initiative.