political commentator * author * publisher * bookseller * radio presenter * blogger * Conservative candidate * former lobbyist * Jack Russell owner * West Ham United fanatic * Email iain AT iaindale DOT com
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Slave Labour
LabourWatch has picked up on a Youtube video from Channel 4 News from late September. I remember covering it in a News 24 paper review at the time. Croydonian wrote about it too HERE. It's about a young film maker Danny Dewsbury who was exploited by the Labour Party. It's highly entertaining, especially the bits with Alan Johnson, Nanny Hewitt and my little Chipmunk pretending to stack supermarket shelves.
My late father once told me that he realised socialism was a sham when he heard that his left wing "union" workmate charged his wife for the vegetables he grew in their garden.
That "stacking shelves" clip might be the most embarassing political clip ever. Much more than Redwood and the Welsh national anthem or Prescott and... anything.
It is not just the Labour Party which does not like paying for services rendered. The BBC still owes me fees for taking part in the Politics Show (North East), and a Radio 5 Live interview! I get the feeling that I was robbed to help pay for Jonathan Woss' £80M salary. It's daylight wobbewy!
what's the difference between this guy and a parliamentary intern who gets paid nowt? If they didn't pay him his expenses, then fair enough. But it's hardly "slave labour".
He new he wouldn't be paid, he new he would have to provide his own equipment. They provided what it said in the advert. If he hasn't received his expenses that is a different matter, but he shouldn't grip about not being paid. They never told him they would be and made it pretty clear that he wouldn't be.
Surely there isn't a single political party in the country that could function without unpaid labour? It was voluntary in that he could have left at any time.
I really don't understand the difference between someone delivering leaflets for a party for free and someone waving a camera about.
James - it's because he's in a pretentious line of training - the media. Media studies. Going to university to learn how to wield a video camera and study the history of video.
All these people over value themselves.
However, if they were reneging on paying his expenses, he had a perfect right to be angry and take revenge. He'd apparently laid out over £400 in travel.
"He began to believe that it wasn't work experience at all but REAL work for which he should have been paid."
WHAT? (shouted in the style of Mr Bumble)
WHAAAATTTT? Send him to the stapling corner IMMEDIATELY, the ungrateful swine.
You get a chance, as a student, to go around the country, filming six cabinet ministers and then pipe up that it's not supposed to be 'REAL WORK'. WHAT???
Sorry to be a bit earnest, but there are thousands of young people who would PAY to be given that opportunity.
Be interested to know how much the greedy little runt has picked up from hawking his story around to all and sundry. Given this level of hypocrisy he should go far in the British media, whose job should be to report rather than make news.
I'm sure every media company in the country must be falling over themselves now to employ this dedicated, enthusiastic young man of unimpeachable integrity.
I can't understand why there are so few posts on this, apart from the anonymous Labour press officers. Mind you I suppose it speaks for itself. Taxcutter, good point, but I think you mean Tessa Jowell. Also, why didn't Snow bring up the points about the leadership changeover?
I'd like to go on record as saying that I, as a Tory would like to pay Danny for the hours he worked for Labour. I didn't see much evidence of MPs expenses not being paid last week.
Update - on my site I have solidified the commitment I made in the previous post.
On detailed examination of the circumstances a reasonable person might conclude that the Labour Party is a rogue employer exploiting students and pushing them further into debt.
I have set up a pledgebank - 20 people contribute £36 each - it will cover his £400 expenses and his appx. £320 in minimum wage. Details at http://tinyurl.com/yypacv
My late father once told me that he realised socialism was a sham when he heard that his left wing "union" workmate charged his wife for the vegetables he grew in their garden.
ReplyDeleteThat "stacking shelves" clip might be the most embarassing political clip ever. Much more than Redwood and the Welsh national anthem or Prescott and... anything.
ReplyDeleteIt is not just the Labour Party which does not like paying for services rendered. The BBC still owes me fees for taking part in the Politics Show (North East), and a Radio 5 Live interview! I get the feeling that I was robbed to help pay for Jonathan Woss' £80M salary. It's daylight wobbewy!
ReplyDeletewhat's the difference between this guy and a parliamentary intern who gets paid nowt? If they didn't pay him his expenses, then fair enough. But it's hardly "slave labour".
ReplyDeleteNo sympathy.
ReplyDeleteHe new he wouldn't be paid, he new he would have to provide his own equipment. They provided what it said in the advert. If he hasn't received his expenses that is a different matter, but he shouldn't grip about not being paid. They never told him they would be and made it pretty clear that he wouldn't be.
But I think he ought
Iain, your Labourwatch link is wrong.
ReplyDeleteI think the URL is http://labour-watch.blogspot.com .
chauncey - the word is 'knew' not 'new. sometimes i think that blogging will never replace the mainstream media...
ReplyDeleteAnon at 11.13
ReplyDeleteTwo words.
The Gruaniad
I would like to say they should stick to politics but, then again...
ReplyDeleteSurely there isn't a single political party in the country that could function without unpaid labour? It was voluntary in that he could have left at any time.
ReplyDeleteI really don't understand the difference between someone delivering leaflets for a party for free and someone waving a camera about.
James - it's because he's in a pretentious line of training - the media. Media studies. Going to university to learn how to wield a video camera and study the history of video.
ReplyDeleteAll these people over value themselves.
However, if they were reneging on paying his expenses, he had a perfect right to be angry and take revenge. He'd apparently laid out over £400 in travel.
Blears looks like Wee Jimmy Cranky!
ReplyDeleteShame on you Iain! The Labour Party is politically, morally, intellectually and economically bankrupt. How can you expect them to pay?
ReplyDelete"He began to believe that it wasn't work experience at all but REAL work for which he should have been paid."
ReplyDeleteWHAT? (shouted in the style of Mr Bumble)
WHAAAATTTT? Send him to the stapling corner IMMEDIATELY, the ungrateful swine.
You get a chance, as a student, to go around the country, filming six cabinet ministers and then pipe up that it's not supposed to be 'REAL WORK'. WHAT???
Sorry to be a bit earnest, but there are thousands of young people who would PAY to be given that opportunity.
Quite extraordinary.
Be interested to know how much the greedy little runt has picked up from hawking his story around to all and sundry. Given this level of hypocrisy he should go far in the British media, whose job should be to report rather than make news.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure every media company in the country must be falling over themselves now to employ this dedicated, enthusiastic young man of unimpeachable integrity.
ReplyDeleteI can't understand why there are so few posts on this, apart from the anonymous Labour press officers. Mind you I suppose it speaks for itself. Taxcutter, good point, but I think you mean Tessa Jowell. Also, why didn't Snow bring up the points about the leadership changeover?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to go on record as saying that I, as a Tory would like to pay Danny for the hours he worked for Labour. I didn't see much evidence of MPs expenses not being paid last week.
Update - on my site I have solidified the commitment I made in the previous post.
ReplyDeleteOn detailed examination of the circumstances a reasonable person might conclude that the Labour Party is a rogue employer exploiting students and pushing them further into debt.
I have set up a pledgebank - 20 people contribute £36 each - it will cover his £400 expenses and his appx. £320 in minimum wage. Details at http://tinyurl.com/yypacv
ReplyDeleteDid he register as self-employed for the time he was "working" for the Labour party as is required if you start in self employment?
ReplyDeleteBest solution would be to use the small claims court or MoneyClaim online www.moneyclaim.gov.uk (may also be useful for John Hirst above as well)