The last 18 months have seen the United Kingdom’s political kaleidoscope vigorously shaken. Progressives have been the primary casualty of this tectonic shift in our political landscape.

Indeed, the dual-effect of Jeremy Corbyn’s comprehensive re-election as Labour leader, as well as the UK’s vote to leave the European Union has resulted in many asking themselves the existential question of our times: how can Labour promote and implement progressive social democracy in twenty-first century Britain?

For me, if the vote of 23 June has taught us anything, it is that Labour must be more effective at simultaneously listening and actively engaging with the concerns of our communities and devising innovative solutions that remain underpinned by core Labour values, and are fit for the twenty-first century.

In domestic policy, be it building an effective health and social care system that is responsive to the needs of our ever-ageing and growing population; supporting sustainable housebuilding; ensuring that our schools and colleges are able to fully maximise all of our citizens’ potential; rebalancing our criminal justice system towards rehabilitation; or facilitating genuine devolution to all parts of our country, one thing is clear.

The approach that will allow Britain to flourish in the twenty-first century is the one where government effectively leverages and co-ordinates the skills of the public, third and co-operative sectors, and, yes, the private sector too, to solve complex problems. Yet, we must also be resolute in hardwiring fairness into our economic and social system, and dedicated to building ladders of opportunity for all Britons.

Equally, in foreign affairs, despite what senior cabinet ministers may say, Britain can only be successful if it is open, outward-looking and engaged with the world. Issues such as climate change and international terrorism are simply too complex for a lone nation states to tackle. Co-operation will be crucial. And, like it or not, the EU will not be going anywhere. It will always be a crucial British partner.

But, as Hugh Gaitskell put it, the Labour party’s principal mission must be to change our society. And we, as progressives, have a duty to oppose small ‘c’ conservatism in all its forms – including within Labour itself.

That means our default offer cannot simply be to bring various industries and services into public ownership. Or to declare that we will ‘end austerity’. Or that we will fund everything through clamping down on tax evasion and avoidance, and increasing corporation tax. It is simply not credible. We will lose.

Now, for sure, some who read this will no doubt throw about the same, tired labels that we have all heard. We have all been there: ‘Red Tory’, ’Tory-lite’ or just plain ‘Tory’ are just a few of the iterations.

And although we know that is not the case, we have to show it.

I have thrown my hat into the ring to sit on Progress’ strategy board. If elected to serve, I will advocate Progress pursuing a more active and muscular approach to developing alternative, progressive policies that support its highly successful campaigning infrastructure.

Progress is supremely well-placed to take a lead in bringing like-minded comrades from across the labour movement – the Co-operative Party, Labour Business and trade unions such as Community and Usdaw, to name just a few – to develop a forward-thinking Labour agenda for how to build a fairer Britain.

I believe that this will allow progressives to not only demonstrate our ability of generating an ambitious and future-focused prospectus for the coming years, but also our willingness and capacity to build effective coalitions within our own party.

Because, for too long, we have argued that others in Labour are either too reluctant, incapable, or both, of building broad-based support within the country. The time has come for us progressives to lead the way.

So, if you think that Labour’s progressives will benefit from a new approach and fresh ideas, I encourage you to consider lending me your vote, so that, together, we can return Labour to where it belongs – at the heart of government.

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Callum Anderson is a candidate in the general members’ section of the Progress strategy board elections. He tweets at @Cavlar_Anderson

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