British politics in crisis. Chaos reigns in both Labour and the Conservative party. The Brexit vote has left many people feeling bewildered, unable to recognise their country. People across the political spectrum feel deeply angry with the establishment. The key referendum message which resonated with voters spoke of the desire to ‘take back control’.
So how did we get here? And where do we go next?
Taking Power Back: Putting People in Charge of Politics, by director of local government thinktank New Local Government Network, Simon Parker, contains a thoughtful analysis of many of the issues that led to our current crisis, as well as ideas and examples from communities across the world of the huge social benefits of devolving power and accountability to local people.
Parker considers how a detached, overcentralised, overly bureaucratic approach has contributed to the crisis in trust in the establishment, government and public institutions, and the inability of central government to deliver meaningful reform.
Parker compares the old power of governments and big business, based on ‘authority, hierarchy, professionalism and secrecy’ with what has been described as new power based on relationships, connectivity, openness and collaborations.
Ideas about how to harness new power, and the existential threats they could pose to those who cannot grasp the need to change, are interesting to consider within the context of Labour’s own current crisis. In his 2015 leadership campaign Jeremy Corbyn spoke about the need for a new kind of politics, an idea that resonated with party members tired of old, established ways of doing things. In 2010 Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrats also promised a new kind of politics, something again that sounded appealing but failed to materialise in meaningful change and ended ultimately in disillusionment and a sense of betrayal.
Parker provides many examples that highlight the failure of British politicians to connect with people’s real lives and concerns. ‘Our politicians are becoming like the music companies that tried to crack down on Napster, but without the commercial pressures that forced transformation upon Sony and EMI’, as he puts it.
Perhaps the Brexit vote is the equivalent of these commercial pressures. As Labour once more contemplates its future direction and how we reconnect with our communities, it is worth thinking again about how we can harness new power.
Parker also considers the localist renaissance of England’s great northern cities, often driven by Labour innovations in local government. The Tories had attempted localism in their own way, driven forward by the Treasury with an emphasis on cost-saving. Will a new Conservative party leader and their chancellor continue to take this forward? And what is Labour’s own vision for devolution? Will we call for further powers to be devolved, included local powers over income generation and taxation?
The future is full of uncertainty but it is clear that both society and politics need to change. Taking Power Back makes a convincing case of how we can, and why we must, empower communities and together build a well-functioning, stronger, more caring society.
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Alice Perry is a councillor representative on Labour’s National Executive Committee
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Taking Power Back: Putting People in Charge of Politics
Simon Parker
Policy Press | 208pp | £14.99