177. Olaf Scholz: Putin, Power, and Far-Right Populism
23 February 2026
Where we fight we win
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Post
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13 November 2009
Congratulations to Willie Bain on being elected as the Labour MP for Glasgow North East. The by-election result shows that where we fight we win.
I've been away in Austria for the past few days, and on my return I was struck by the number of people on Facebook and Twitter who have contacted me to ask me to sign up to a certain campaign.
A fellow Twitterer, Ellie Gellard (in Twitterspeak she should probably be a Twellow, or since she's a Labour supporter, maybe she¹s a Twomrade) has started up a campaign to get one of the films made for screening at party conference shown on TV as a party political broadcast.
The two and a half minute film, called Against the Odds, is here. Have a look. It's a powerful reminder of why Labour values matter and why, as we did in Glasgow North East yesterday, we need to fight to win. Defend our record, take on our opponents and set out our future vision.
For me the film is an encapsulation of what it means to be Labour. It covers the fight against fascism, Labour¹s commitment to the NHS and the battle against apartheid. There's the peace that TB sought to bring to Northern Ireland. Rights for workers, Sure Start, the minimum wage, cancelling debt to developing countries. There are more. All things we couldn't have done without being in government. How did we get into government, not just in 1997 but at any time? By fighting against the odds.
The polls and the papers may not be great for us right now, but if we can win a by-election at this point, with a majority of over eight thousand, that says there is very much a fourth term of Labour government to fight for. Against the Odds shows how, so often in the history of the Labour Party, we've come from behind to win. And as the film says at the end, "we can succeed, because we must."
I've signed up to Ellie's campaign, and I hope you do too. There's a Facebook group here and an online petition here.
Ellie has also written about the film and her campaign at LabourList.
The polls may not be great for Labour at the moment. But there is an additional problem for Labour as it seems to me that Labour supporters are less likely to vote on the polling day than their Conservative counterparts. Perhaps the improving economy will change the situation.
Isnt boasting or even trying to see some kind of hope in this victory a little like saying , “the hole isnt that bad” on the Titanic. ” We won we won” if you lost that seat, you would have quite literally give up the party altogether. The ridiculous low turn out worth a mention though.
After toppling apartheid, building the NHS, bringing peace to Northern Ireland and winning the second world war single handed, isn’t it hard to stifle a giggle when Gordon Brown suddenly pops up @1.24 with… (drum roll)… Sure Start 🙂
But I mock, GB is clearly a great man: look! he walks with Barack Obama! at 2:12.
Great result last night. Down to an excellent local candidtate, a well run and well motivated campaign and enthusiastic Labour activists who could sense that the SNP bandwagon was coming off the rails…the SNP now know that cancelling GARL will be very costly for them in the West of Scotland.
A very inspiring film one that should get showen as a party political broadcast. Congrats to Willie lets hope it is a catalyst for things to come.
I saw you on this week and thought you were great….at your best when giving that sad excuse for a Labour MP (Diane Abbott)a few tweaks…..sorry but she gets the hairs on my neck standing up. She never has been able to get over not being a Blair babe, over educated beyond her ability I feel. If she had any decency she would stand as an independent. The last part when you asked old syrup head his opinion was a master stroke, took him by surprise and we got a good answer from him without the scripted waffle.
I wish you would come back to the fold but sadly I think too many die hards in the party who cannot see that in order to govern you have to have policies that attract the average person not just the unionists and the small focus groups then most importantly “Get elected”.
The day Tony Blair left was the day the party began its slide. Never will we see a PM quite like him I am afraid.
I remember when he spoke about leaving when he said “I just got fed up of loosing”
This was Labours safest seat in Scotland.
Have a think about what’s going to happen in all those key marginals in jolly old England.
Alistair
Excellant, appearance on This Week –What came over was the respect from Andrew Neil–Diane is a worry & never shows support for Gordon Brown–Every week she proves she’s more celebraty & less a representative of our Party with her comments against Leadership & Party—It’s right that backbenchers hold the Government to account but she is talking our government down & getting paid for it every week she appears on this programme
I stayed up for the result of By-Election at Glasgow North East—Willie Bain is the right man for this area —
Glasgow people are true fighters of socialist reforms & Against the Odds is everything they have taken part in & won for the working class & they will continue to fight any injustice in our society
Alastair,
Caught your appearance on Andrew Neil’s late night talk show and was amazed Why start swiping at Diane Abbot? If there is a discordant voice to be heard, perhaps it was you? Having to be soothed by Andrew Neil just reminds us to watch ‘The thick of it’
BTW you are really excellent when talking about mental health issues Very well done for that.