I am not talking about missing computer discs, year-old tax rates, I am talking about what direction we should take after the devastating local election results. A year ago many would have said change leader, a few years ago we would have pinned it on Iraq. Now many are not sure what to pin current results on.
It is easy for many to say do this and do that when they have no responsibility. I admit I do not have all the answers, however I see a few things. The first is that we need to listen (this is as obvious as saying animals need to breathe). Secondly, and more importantly, we need to act. People are concerned about violent crime and we need to act upon this fear, just as we need to act to alleviate the effects of a global credit crisis.
However there are two things we could do that many are not talking about. The first is to take risks. Blair was less cautious than Brown and people liked his gumption. As Brown said a couple of years ago, we should be bold. The second is we need to set the agenda rather than react. If we currently find it difficult to find bold areas where we are different from the other UK parties, we will have to concede to work on areas where we can agree. This will force the other parties to agree with Labour and hopefully form cracks in their parties.
With Wendy’s opposition to a Scottish independence referendum thawed and veiled support from Douglas, I think a Scottish independence referendum should be the option. I am confident the SNP would lose this vote and Brown is the man to deliver us a victory. We should call Salmond’s bluff and call it while the SNP are not ready. This issue could bolster Brown’s position, lead to a fall in support for the SNP, set the agenda and flush out Cameron.
A ‘velvet divorce’ between the Scottish and UK Tories has been on the cards for some time. If the Scottish Tories went independent they could re-brand themselves from being Scottish-hating Thatcherites. If they do well, Cameron could take the glory. If they do badly he can distinguish himself from it. Scottish Tories would then be in a pact with the rest of the Tories in Westminster (this is how they used to operate). The Scottish Tories have been moving closer to the SNP in recent months. Moreover, Salmond has had talks with Osborne. One thing forgotten? Cameron is leader of the Conservative and Unionist party. Cameron would have many difficulties with a referendum. He would want Brown to lose but could not afford to. His party will argue and cracks will form. Cameron would have to support a Labour-led ‘no vote’.
This issue would give us time to work out the next move, set the agenda, force Tory support, bolster Brown, crush the SNP and divert media attention. But are we bold enough to do it?
Cllr James Alexander is Labour’s parliamentary candidate for York Outer and blogs at www.time-4-change.org.uk