Brendan Barber’s address was a clear reminder of the successes and shortcoming of New Labour, highlighting the party’s drift from a party that caught the mood of the country in the 1990s and understood its electorate, to one that drifted towards managerialism and lost touch with the changing mood. Voters began to feel squeezed, especially those on middle incomes and not just the traditionally understood middle class, voters who may not be impacted by New Labour’s targeted anti-poverty drive
Progress conference’s opening panel this morning saw Douglas Alexander, Ed Miliband, The Guardian’s Jackie Ashley and YougGov’s Peter Kellner reflect on the lessons Labour should learn from the general election. Douglas Alexander reminded delegates that while Labour support was close to 1983 levels, the result was closer to 1992 and was not the unmitigated disaster some feared, thanks in large part to the hard work of committed activists out having conversations on the doorstep. Ed Miliband said that in rebuilding the party now Labour needs to start from values rather than policy, making sure Labour values are enshrined in policy and that the party is the idealist in politics. The welfare state was a classic example of this, where the public see contribution as the defining principle rather than need – a gap between voters and policymakers that should be bridged. Peter Kellner echoed Brendan Barber’s initial thoughts, noting that insecurity was a defining feature of the age – from job security to street safety and financial security. Jackie Ashley’s comment that with the coalition a sense of possibility had opened up for voters, such as a decision on the third runway at Heathrow that appeared to respond to widespread concerns. As society changed Labour sometimes seemed to be simply saying ‘no’ and a renewed Labour party needs to recapture that sense of possibility and hope which, she noted as a mother of two first time voters, had been won by Nick Clegg in the election.
A host of intelligent questions followed from Progress members, including one woman asking why couldn’t Labour members ‘reply’ when they receive emails from the leadership. Douglas Alexander agreed that more openness was needed, but also concurred with Peter Kellner’s warning that greater dialogue must not mean a return to the days of small factions imposing views on the party. Douglas Alexander was also open in responding to the question, why weren’t there more senior women involved in the campaign? he said that mentoring systems were perhaps not best in place, and Oona King, also speaking at the conference today, was cited as an example of a promising woman MP who should have received more prominence and support.
It is surprising how much the Labour Party recently has been aligned to ‘big government’ which has never been the tradition of the movement. Indeed, the history of the labour movement has shown a valid scepticism that parliamentary democracy can bring about the changes needed to achieve the aspirations of democratic socialism.
We need to promote a movement towards a ‘people’s government’ that builds on the tradition of the Levellers, Chartists, Socialist Guilds and the Co-operative movement. We should promote local ‘people’s assemblies’ where Labour is in control in local govt. Let’s also start with a ‘people’s scrutiny’ of the City and instill some socialist ethics into the UK financial system.
I saw a bit on TV, it’s a pity I could not make it, but as i said being disabled crippled I cannot afford to go far these days under Labour, maybe the Tories will do more for me.
But as a crippled retard I would have never thought in a million years I have been shafted by a labour government, I would have sworn my life away that labour would never have removed income support.
Vote labour I have since 1966, but no more, we might as well vote for a Tory party, we have had one for the last thirteen years