Recent Articles
What should lefties prioritise in hard times?
I know a party conference isn’t the place for clear thinking about fundamental issues. But even so, Ed Balls’ speech contrives to miss the basic challenge facing policy-makers.
His five point “plan for growth“ consists mainly of temporary tax breaks and the pulling forward of public investment. This would be OK(ish) if our problem were merely a cyclical one of temporarily weak demand.
But it is not. continue reading… »
Labour best on jobs and economy, say voters
New polling by Lord Ashcroft reveals that the number one issue for voters is jobs and the economy – and that voters think that Labour would do best in dealing with this issue. Ashcroft’s polling also showed Labour well ahead in marginal constituencies which were won by the Tories in 2010, and found that Lib Dem support holding up strongly in marginal constituencies where they are the main opposition to the Tories.
Ashcroft argues that voters “struggle to see” the connection between deficit reduction and economic recovery, and that, “It seems to many that we are pursuing deficit reduction at the expense of growth and job creation (and other things they think are important) rather than as a means to it.” This will be rather a surprise to Westminster bubble commentators who regularly assert that voters’ top concern is the deficit.
Amongst the other findings:
- Labour are ahead of the Tories on “shares my values” and “on the side of ordinary people”, whereas the Tories are felt to be stronger on “willing to take tough decisions” and “competent and capable”.
- The top issues for voters are jobs and the economy, NHS, immigration, deficit and education. Issues such as “reducing welfare dependency”, Europe and the environment are lower priorities.
- Voters felt that Labour had the best policies on the economy and jobs, NHS, education. The Tories were ahead on defence, crime, immigration, the deficit and Europe, though their advantage on crime was much lower than in previous surveys. Voters backed the Lib Dems on one policy area – the environment.
- David Cameron was preferred as best Prime Minister to Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg.
The full results can be found here.
Ed Balls speech: in denial
This is the darkest, most dangerous period for the global economy that most of us have ever lived through, Ed Balls correctly insisted in his speech to the Labour conference today. But never mind; a temporary cut in VAT will soon sort things out.
I exaggerate, of course. But only slightly. At a time when the notion that capitalism is in crisis has gone from being a demented Trot cliché to an everyday topic of debate in the Financial Times, the sheer disconnect between reality and Labour’s willingness to think the potential consequences through is immediately striking. We are somewhere close to the territory that psychoanalysts refer to as being ‘in denial’.
Five suggestions for Ed Balls on the economy
contribution by Mike Morgan-Giles
The Labour party need to step up their offensive on the economy.
Here are five suggestions for shadow chancellor Ed Balls to consider.
continue reading… »
Why Miliband’s promise to cap tuition fees at £6k is political genius
contribution by William Cullerne Bown
Ed Miliband has today backed a policy of capping tuition fees at £6,000 a year.
About a month ago I recommended that Labour (or indeed the Lib Dems or Conservatives) adopt a policy of a tuition fees cap at £6,000.
Here’s my assessment of the new Labour policy.
Revealed: When David Miliband couldn’t explain why he wanted to be Labour leader
David Miliband had serious problems adjusting to the culture and ways of Movement4Change – the project that formed the lynchpin of his bid for Labour leadership, extracts from a new book reveal.
Tangled Up in Blue, a new book by the journalist and Labour councillor Rowenna Davis, reveals that the elder brother had trouble relating to other voters and even to explain what inspired him in politics.
The book charts the rise of ‘Blue Labour movement’ within the party, but also relates important tales from the Labour leadership campaigns.
An extract from the book reveals how David Miliband tried to get to grips with organisers from Citizens UK (some of whom later became part of M4C), who emphasised ‘relationship-building’ in politics.
One organiser tells Rowenna Davis in the book: “When we first met him, he wasn’t particularly ‘relational’ but I saw that change.”
But David Miliband hoped it would help him become leader of the party and bring about a change of culture within the party.
In this extract from the book, organiser Jonathan Cox relates his experience of trying to get David Miliband to open up.
We sat down in his office and, you know, he was his usual charming and enthusiastic self. I just said “Look, I’m here and I want to do a one to one and give you some training and you need to learn to do this.”
And so we did it in the usual way – I shared a bit about myself in two minutes and I said “Tell me about you”, and he said “What do you want to know?” and I said, “Well I want to know about you”, and he said “You can read that on the website.”
I said “I want you to tell me, okay start with this, tell me why you are running to be leader of the Labour Party?”
He was uncomfortable and said “You’ve seen all my statements you know all this.”
So I asked a deliberately agitational question to get him to open up, and said: “Tell me, I’ve worked with you for a few weeks now and I have seen you at your most human at your most real, I’ve seen you smile most when you have been with your family, and you are a different person. Tell me this, you have spent three years as foreign secretary or whatever, the past thirteen years you have given your life to the Labour project, you love your kids and wife, they are growing up, Labour aren’t going to win the next election, and instead of spending time with your family you are now spending every evening this summer going to a ridiculous number of meetings around the country to try and vote you in, why are you doing that?
And he said “Because life is an adventure.”
I was like “What?! That doesn’t sound like an adventure to me, and that doesn’t tell me why you are doing it. Tell me.”
He said, “Well I guess if you really want to know the reason I do this, the reason I’m willing to sacrifice that time – which you are right, I could be spending with my family, who I love and do want to spend more time with – the reason I think this is really important to do and the reason it is important comes from something taught to me by my father. If you have a gift, talent and vision and you choose not to use it then that is a crime.”
He added: “When I grew up the Holocaust seemed quite recent growing up in a Jewish family where many of our relatives had been killed in the Holocaust – it might be really distant for you but when I was growing up that was still pretty real for us and we were strongly taught by my father that if you had a talent and you had the opportunity to use it then you should use it for the common good, and that is the reason I was doing the job.”
I said, “Why aren’t you telling the people you want to vote for you this story?”
And he said, “My brother has used the same story already.”
Tangled up in Blue is out now, by Ruskin Publishing.
Ed Miliband and #Lab11 conference: three key things to note
I’m not going to offer any advice for Ed Miliband as he prepares for Labour conference – there’s too much of it around already.
Neither is there much point indulging the expected media narrative about Ed Miliband’s standing with voters. Anyone with a memory knows how Tony Blair went from ‘Bambi’ to ‘Bliar’, and how quickly Gordon Brown went from ‘Iron Fist’ to ‘ditherer’; perceptions easily change with events. Voters and the media are fickle.
continue reading… »
Why Obama’s base will come back to him in the end
Being a Democrat supporter recently has probably involved much gritting of teeth, a certain degree of anger, and at times, a sense of bewilderment.
Many believe that President Obama has been too ready to cave in to the demands of the Republican Party, as they themselves, infected by a virulent strain of extremist politics, otherwise known as the Tea Party, become dragged further and further to the right, and away from the more moderate mainstream.
There was at least some comfort to his liberal base on Monday, with President Obama’s call for a ‘Buffet Tax’ which would see earners of over $1m being taxed at a higher rate, and the clamping down on tax loopholes.
continue reading… »
Hottest #Lab11 fringe: ‘Blue Labour after New?’
Liberal Conspiracy and Labour List are proud to host what will be the most talked-about fringe at Labour Party conference:
‘Should Blue Labour take over from New Labour?’
The fringe event will feature the author and Labour councillor Rowenna Davis – who’s book ‘Tangled up in Blue‘ will be serialised in the Guardian from Saturday.
SPEAKERS
Rowenna Davis – author and Labour Councillor
Marc Stears – academic and fellow at IPPR
Anthony Painter – author and blogger
Claire Moody – Unite union
MODERATORS
Sunny Hundal, Mark Ferguson
DETAILS
Monday 26th Sept
1pm – 2:30pm
Liverpool Town Hall
West Reception Room
Note – the event is outside the secure zone, so those without a delegate pass can still attend.
The fringe event is in association with the Fabian Society and sponsored by Unite the union. (There will be free food and drinks at the event)
* * * * * * * * *
Fabian Fringe Events
Peace with Justice? The UK’s legacy in Afghanistan
Sunday 25th September 2011 17.45 – 19.15, ACC-BT-Convention Centre, Concourse fringe room 9 (secure zone)
The debate will reflect on women’s status in Afghan society ten years on from the UK’s military involvement in Afghanistan, and what will happen to women’s rights as the international community turns its focus to the transition process.
Confirmed speakers:
Sabrina Saqig, Former member of the Afghan parliament
Anas Sarwar MP, MP for Glasglow Central, International Development Committee
Jim Murphy MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
CHAIR – Anushka Asthana, Journalist
Is there such a thing as society? New approaches to community
Sunday 25th September 18:00, Liverpool Town Hall
Is the ‘Big Society’ a product of a genuine progression in Conservative ideology or does it represent an attempt to legitimise the retracting of the state from a range of service provision? How does Labour construct a response which allows it to both narrate the role of the state in a post-New Labour agenda as well as reconnecting with the politics of community and localised services?
Confirmed speakers:
Andy Burnham MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Education
Philip Blond, Director, Respublica
Lord Storey, Liberal Democrat Peer
CHAIR – Tom Hampson, Fabian Society
Fabian Question Time: The challenge for Labour
Sunday 25th September 20:00, Liverpool Town Hall
The Fabian Question Time is an established fixture on the opening weekend of Conference, attracting some of the biggest political personalities, and considerable media interest, to debate the key electoral issues. The ‘Question Time’ format enables us to respond to the most topical issues to be discussed at the conference
Confirmed speakers:
Yvette Cooper MP, Shadow Home Secretary
Lord Maurice Glasman, Academic and leading “Blue Labour” thinker
Phil Collins, Former chief speechwriter to Tony Blair
Andrew Harrop, General Secretary, Fabian Society
CHAIR – Toby Helm, Political Editor, The Observer
Two tribes: common causes, common agendas
Monday 26th September 13:00, Liverpool Town Hall
The creation of the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government in May 2010 also had a profound impact on relationships between the Labour and Lib Dem parties. The two tribes of the centre left have probably never been further apart. But should both now believe it could be in their interest to reengage and if so to what purpose? This fringe meeting will bring together leading voices from both parties and ask them what if anything we should be talking together about.
Confirmed speakers:
Emily Thornberry MP, Shadow Health Minister
John Leech MP, MP for Manchester Withington
Ben Bradshaw MP, MP for Exeter
CHAIR – Andrew Harrop, General Secretary, Fabian Society
Economic Question Time
Monday 26th September 18:00, Liverpool Town Hall
Strategies for economic recovery and growth are at the heart of the current political discourse. The Fabian Economic Question Time has generated significant audiences and media coverage in recent years and has now established itself as a highlight for delegates with an interest in current political issues.
Confirmed speakers:
John Denham MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Industry & Skills
Nicola Smith, Head of Economic & Social Affairs Dept, TUC
John Cridland, Director-General, CBI
Michael Izza, Chief Executive, ICAEW
Should Women Welcome or Reject Blue Labour?
Monday 26th September 2011, 7pm – 8pm (6.45 for a 7pm start), West Reception Hall, Liverpool Town Hall
Come and join us for this exciting fringe which will debate the impact of Blue Labour on Women’s Progress. The event is free and open to all.
Confirmed speakers:
Helen Goodman MP, MP for Bishop Auckland
Marc Stears, IPPR/Oxford University
Ivana Bartoletti, Editor, Fabiana
CHAIR – Seema Malhotra, Director, Fabian Women’s Network
From Iraq to Libya – what should we think of intervention now?
Monday 26th September 20:00, Liverpool Town Hall
From Tony Blair’s decision to participate in the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 as well as his earlier stance on Kosovo and Sierra-Leone, the concept of liberal interventionism, has been a deeply controversial topic which continues to split opinions in the Labour Party and indeed the wider public. What strategy should the Labour Party adopt to ensure it combines an appreciation of the tough decisions and complexities involved as well as effectiveness and legitimacy in its foreign policy vision?
Young Fabian Pamphlet Launch
Tuesday 27th September 08:00 – 09:30, West Reception Room, Liverpool Town Hall
The culmination of the Young Fabian policy series; a breakfast launch of the YF Policy Pamphlet with Young Fabians and special guests in attendance.
Speakers: Adrian Prandle (YF Chair), Joani Reid (leading YF ‘Next Generation’ Policy Commission), Fatima Hassan (ICAEW)
Labour After Murdoch
Tuesday 27th September 18:00, Liverpool Town Hall
Rupert Murdoch’s media empire has held sway over British politics for the last forty years. His relationship with Labour has fluctuated between alliance and emnity; from attacking Kinnock to backing Blair. With News International under scrutiny and Ed Miliband’s call to arms against the Murdoch press, have we passed the point of no return in our relationship with Rupert Murdoch?
Confirmed speakers:
Sadiq Khan MP, Shadow Justice Secretary & Shadow Lord Chancellor
David Blunkett, Former Home Secretary
Chris Bryant MP, Shadow Minister of Political and Constitutional Reform
Jackie Ashley, Columnist, The Guardian
CHAIR – Jean Seaton, Professor of Media History, University of Westminster
Pluralising Politics: Are progressive alliances the key to Labour’s future?
Wednesday 28th September 12:45, Baby Blue, 17 Edward Pavilion, Albert Dock
Confirmed speakers:
Stephen Twigg MP, Shadow Foreign Minister
Peter Hain MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
Andrew Harrop, General Secretary, Fabian Society
Billy Hayes, General Secretary, CWU
Liz Kendall MP, MP for Leicester West
Neal Lawson, Chair, Compass
CHAIR – Katie Ghose, Chief Executive, Electoral Reform Society
What will fixed term Parliaments mean for campaigning?
Get out your diaries for the next 50 years and mark the first Thursday in May in 2015, 2020, 2025… to be the day of the General Election.
Since we know when the election will be, MPs will be able to schedule their canvassing. It is likely that those MPs who have a small majority will want to canvas for the optimum amount of time before the election to ensure they get re-elected.
Since voters have a short memory it means that once an MP is elected s/he can safely ignore the electorate for the majority of the term as long as they are seen everywhere for roughly a year before the election (and hence voters will not remember that they’ve been ignored for four years).
continue reading… »
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