Rt Hon Beverley Hughes MP, Minister of State, Department for Education and Skills
‘Labour has put children and families at the heart of progressive politics. And this makes sense: supporting children and families also serves collective aspirations for a strong society and economy. New children’s centres, integrated services, guaranteed early education, every school extended, more quality childcare, parental leave and the right to request flexible working are radically transforming what families can expect in a modern, enabling state. Children and young people are getting the chance they deserve to reach their potential, and parents new ways to balance home and work.’
Geoff Mulgan, director, the Young Foundation
‘Labour has achieved a lot in the realm of policy and action – whether on the economy, poverty and public services. But the biggest achievement is a subtler one: to have changed how Britain thinks about itself and its possibilities. We have become a progressive country – committed to social justice, the environment, humanitarian actions around the world, and well-funded public services, to such an event that even the Conservatives have had to present themselves in a radically new light. The great uncertainty, however, is whether, and how, this remarkable change can be entrenched.’
Kitty Ussher MP
‘Ten years ago, it was commonplace for British people to die while they waited for the operation they needed on the NHS. It is morally inexcusable that access to life-saving treatment should depend on whether you can pay for private medical insurance. As a result of our reforms, the maximum time people will have to wait, from walking into a GP surgery to having the operation they need, will be 18 weeks, with the average far less. That’s progress.’
Dr Katherine Rake, director, the Fawcett Society
‘Love it or loathe it, the image of Blair’s babes captures the spirit of 1997. The picture sent a strong message. The male stranglehold was over; politics would now be a very different affair. Despite much vilification in the press, women MPs have delivered a quiet revolution. Domestic violence, childcare and women’s pensions are now part of the political agenda. But, a quiet revolution means that few women voters understand what government has delivered. Much more will need to be done to win over this key group at the next election.’
Stephen Twigg, chair, Progress
‘Labour has shifted the terms of political trade to the left by making investment in education and health a political consensus. Every community has at least one newly built health centre, school or children’s centre. These buildings represent a concrete testament to 10 years of Labour in government. The Tories now have to pay lip service to sustaining Labour’s additional investment. A stark contrast to 18 years of cuts, which left public services in decay and disrepair.’
Oona King is the former MP for Bethnal Green and Bow
‘Labour’s greatest achievement has been to increase the life chances of Britain’s most deprived children. It has been to redistribute not only resources but opportunities, to support a child’s most precious years – the early years – and to loosen, sometimes untangle, the knot of disadvantage that ruins lives. Tied to this is an irreversible culture shift. Pre-school learning is now valued, as is parenting. Vastly improved maternity and paternity leave has reduced inequality and strengthened society. Our greatest achievement has been to recognise the importance of family life, and to tackle inequality from birth.’
Yvette Cooper MP, Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government
‘I’d have to say Sure Start. For the first time ever, we’re prioritising support and help for the under fives. What happens in the first five years of a child’s life will affect them for decades to come. For too long before Sure Start, the very youngest and most vulnerable in society were neglected, but Sure Start is turning things around in communities all over the country.’
Andy Burnham MP, Minister of State, Department of Health
‘I am most proud of what we have done to kick-start the revival of the north. We have put some real hope in communities that were physically and emotionally flattened by the Tories. Places like Leigh were simply abandoned, with devastating social consequences. Whereas as a teenager in the mid-1980s I saw coalmines closing, today’s teenagers in Leigh see multi-million pound sports complexes opening their doors. It’s more than new buildings. It’s regeneration of the collective spirit. It demonstrates to loyal Labour voters that politics and political choices do make a difference.’
Ben Summerskill, director, Stonewall
‘Labour has transformed the landscape inhabited by gay people in Britain over the last decade. The repeal of section 28, civil partnerships and the new important protections against discrimination in the provision of services such as healthcare have brought us closer to a society that’s truly equal for all. Arguably, celebrating the importance of protections for any minority group, whether they’re gay people or asylum-seekers, has a civilising effect on society as a whole.’
Kate Green, chief executive, Child Poverty Action Group
‘Labour’s boldest pledge? To end child poverty in a generation. In 1997, Britain had the worst rate of child poverty in Europe. Today, despite the most recent poverty figures showing a lamentable slide backwards, 600,000 fewer children grow up poor. For those families and children, that’s a significant achievement. But more than that, by bringing the scandal of poverty centre-stage, Labour has forced equality and justice onto every politician’s agenda – and that benefits not just the poorest, but us all.’