In this year of change perhaps Gordon Brown’s biggest challenge as the next prime minister is to win the trust of the British people. Despite the many achievements of the Labour government under Tony Blair, voters seem to have lost faith in the power of politics and government to change their lives and the country for the better.
Blair’s legacy will be a key building block for Brown. Britain is a much better place than in 1997 but that has not always been well promoted or recognised.
The challenge now is to respond to voters’ fears and to realise their ambitions for Britain in the next ten years. This will require a new kind of politics showing it does matter that you vote and who you vote for – but also a new politics which engages individuals and communities in shaping their future.
Our economy is booming. Yet the gap between rich and poor is also growing and it’s that inequality which drives much of the persistent poverty, insecurity and fear in Britain today.
Most of Labour’s domestic priorities have focused on improving life for children and families. Now in our ageing society we need to reach out across generations in imaginative new ways. With 3,500 children’s centres being developed in every community, there is an opportunity to create local resources that meet the needs of older people and carers as well.
Intergenerational understanding and respect are also key to tackling crime and reducing the fear of crime among older people. Neighbourhood policing needs to be coupled with tough action on drugs and alcohol and much better rehabilitation services.
Extra resources must be used effectively. Increased investment in the NHS has been crucial but the row over where the resources have gone has obscured the drive to provide health and care services closer to where people live in their local community.
Similarly in education, raising standards across the board has to continue with a focus on reducing class sizes further and enabling teachers to give more time to individual pupils.
The world of work has been transformed under Labour. Progress needs to be sustained so that all employees benefit from measures such as flexible working and the minimum wage becomes a living wage. At the same time corporate social responsibility must become meaningful for more than a few companies.
Housing and transport are two other major public concerns. Both require long-term strategies and substantial investment which in turn require public involvement and support.
Alongside investment, we also need fairer taxation. Introducing a new tax rate or stepped rates for high earners could be coupled with popular measures to significantly raise the income levels at which the basic and 40% tax rates are paid. At the same time the council tax could be made less regressive with those living in high value properties paying more than currently.
Finally much more financial encouragement should be given to individuals and companies to promote environmentally responsible action. There are clear signs that people want to get more involved in improving their neighbourhood. Engaging people in this way could herald a new relationship between state and citizens and help restore their trust that politics will make a difference in Brown’s Britain.