Westminster correspondents and reporters are still unwilling to probe him on policy, and nearly 18 months into his job he can still get away with holding a stage-managed photo call in lieu of any real proposals. Nor is it original to state the political situation at the moment is difficult for Labour and the government – since party conference last October the media has viewed everything through a Blair/Brown prism and choked off any space for genuine political discourse.
So, when surveying the current political landscape, many on the left would be forgiven for feeling less than ecstatic. Moreover, one is at risk of being in a perpetual state of déjà vu, reading the same Andrew Rawnsley comment piece every week and listening to the same monotonous criticism of the government and its ministers. The accusations are clear and come at Labour from all angles – the government is stuck in the mud while Cameron is letting ‘sunshine win the day’. This dramatic picture lends itself to a media which indulges in a Dickensian romp, writing a ‘best of times, worst of times’ account of the last 10 years. And yet, despite this alleged government quagmire, day-in and day-out, Labour ministers and MPs are making policy and leading debate on the big issues and challenges that Britain faces in 2007 and the years ahead.
Take, for example, the recent cross-government policy review. Led by the prime minister, the first of these was a comprehensive analysis of public service priorities and needs. The review was as wide ranging in its consultation process as it could possibly be, and equally honest in its scope and initial conclusions. This does not demonstrate a government suffering from stage fright.
Separately, on specific areas across government, ministers have been making some tough decisions and initiating bold policy discussions. Floating the idea of road pricing was brave, as were the recent announcements from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton, on helping those on benefits back to work. Add to this a set of commitments to develop and improve our education system, a relentless pursuit to ensure Labour carries on lifting children out of poverty (800,000 out of relative poverty since 1997) and a sustained effort to make the NHS the best service it can be, and it can be argued that we have a forward-thinking government not cowering from taking the tough decisions.
There are many more examples of what the government is doing across Whitehall to reduce poverty, improve public services, protect its citizens, help people achieve a better work/life balance and continue to lead on the fight against HIV and Aids in the developing world. It should not be necessary to spell this out so obviously, but it is. With the current media fixation on people rather than policies, it is far too easy to forget all of the above, and instead join the collective groan of disappointment and confusion.
That is not to say that everything is perfect – this is certainly not the case. Politically, this period is exceptional, with the party and country in hiatus, waiting for a new leader and preparing to say goodbye to its current one. Moreover, after 10 years in government, Labour should allow itself some time for reflection, to gather its thoughts and ideas for the challenges, so different from 1997, that lie ahead.
Of course, there are problems that the government and party must directly respond to, among them a public unwillingness to trust politicians, and a world in which people feel less secure, and more scared. On both of these the government has to show political bravery, and it would be wrong for anyone to suggest that more of the same is acceptable.
After 10 years in power, the last thing Labour needs is to stand still, but neither does it need some of its own ranks spelling its demise and declaring the Opposition’s strengths. Though it is hard, and the rewards are few and far between, the party needs to stand firm and refuse to meet recent headlines and polls with panic. Soon enough, the media will start asking Cameron and the Conservatives about their policies and – this will be crucial come the next election – how on earth they will pay for them.
That will happen. But for the time being, although the media might forget what governments are here to do, Labour mustn’t. And, although sometimes difficult, having pride in the government and acknowledging its successes does not equal complacency. The party should be confident enough to criticise when due, but not naïve enough to think that it can have such debates in private without the media and, more importantly, the public watching. Despite the tough times Labour has had and is currently having, it shouldn’t forget why it is here, and why it needs to show a little more faith in the months and years ahead.