As Labour’s lead in the polls narrows to 1-2%, we need to keep our nerve, and get our priorities right. The previous Blairite electoral rule was to focus exclusively on middle class marginal seats with a narrow majority. This was on the grounds that working class constituencies were bound to vote Labour anyway – if for no other reason than to keep the Tories out. That attitude is entirely wrong. Working class voters do have an option, in fact two of them: they can simply not vote, which is precisely what millions of them did in 2005 and 2010. But this time many voters of all classes may register their disillusionment through a vote for UKIP. Continue reading
Posted in Ideology
Labour’s significant divide – between renewal and decay
It must be quiet for the lobby hacks at the moment if Andrew Rawnsley’s Observer piece is anything to go by. With a nod to the silly dichotomies of managerial speak, simmering beneath party unity are five divisions: the 35%’ers vs “majoritarians“, “transformers” vs “realists“, “devolvers” vs “centralisers”, Camp Miliband vs Camp Balls, and “Gloomsters” vs “Zennists“. In the interests of accuracy, Rawnsley should have specified that these facile divisions are properties of the Parliamentary Labour Party. His grip on what happens in the wider party is no firmer than George Osborne’s understanding of economics. Continue reading
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On Lawson’s letter, jargon and how not to unite the left
Most readers of Left Futures will by now have read the letter from Neal Lawson (he of Compass fame) and others in yesterday’s Guardian. The purpose of the letter is said to be to stiffen Labour’s resolve to be radical and not to try coasting to power on the back of Coalition failure. So far, so good. But we haven’t got further than general intent.
The problem is that as soon as you further and try to understand the nature of the radicalism proposed, it crumbles to dust. The letter proposes five so-called principles to act as the basis for stiffening Labour’s resolve to be radical. Let’s consider each of them in turn. Continue reading
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Why Marx was right
I’m currently reading Terry Eagleton’s Why Marx Was Right, a little book that came out in 2011. And, I have to say, it is possibly the best short introductory work to Marx and Marxism I’ve read. And I’ve read a lot.
Taking a set of common charges made against Marx (Marx was a determinist, Marx hated individualism, Marx is outdated, Marx foreshadowed Stalin, etc.) Eagleton patiently but clearly explains why those objections are mistaken and in so doing sets out Marx’s stall for him. Continue reading
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Reclaiming our Labour party – from the bottom up
JAMES WEST reports from the inaugural meeting of the Derby Red Labour group
Recently, a few members of my local Labour party in Derby met up to discuss how we can make Labour more representative of our class, and of our communities. The meeting took place under the banner of “Red Labour” – an informal network of Labour Party activists which started out as a single page on Facebook.
We need to work to make our party stronger and more relevant to the people who so sorely need a Labour government to bring real change and better life outcomes for them and their families. Our local group, Derby Red Labour, has this as a mission statement of sorts: “Red Labour is about working to build the Labour Party we deserve – socialist in nature, and more representative of the working class and of the communities in which it’s rooted. It’s about coming together to help build a more vibrant and active party, more effective, democratic and relevant.” Continue reading
