From the frontline: a PPC’s view Articles

Political pundits had a field day when Labour announced its election campaign slogan, ‘A future fair for all’, this weekend. The blogosphere tweeted for several hours with criticisms (unpronounceable, old hat, banal) and general mickey-taking (free dodgems and whirlitzers anyone?)

I’ve got a bit of a confession. Whilst my head tells me climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face, my heart hasn’t felt as passionate about the issue as giving every child the best shot at life, or transforming the way we look after older people. And although I kid myself I’m making an effort, I don’t live anywhere near as green and environmentally-friendly a life as I should.

Not for the first time the Westminster week seemed a long way away from the frontline election campaign – at least in the constituency where I’m standing. On Friday, David Cameron cited the appalling case of the two young brothers who tortured a pair of boys in Edlington, south Yorkshire, as an example of what’s wrong with Britain today. He used the case to suggest the country has slumped into “social recession”, accused Labour of a “moral failure” in tackling crime and family breakdown, and claimed only the Tories could mend the “irresponsible society” created by 10 years of Labour government.

Labour’s election strategy is slowly beginning to emerge. At the Fabian conference on Saturday, Gordon Brown said social mobility would be not only the defining theme of the campaign but ‘New Labour’s project for the next generation.’ He spelt out his vision of a society where everyone can fulfil their potential, whatever their background, and argued that whilst government has a vital role to play in ensuring our economy and public services support opportunity and fairness, people also have a responsibility to work hard and play by the rules.