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EVENT
After the election: what next for centre-left politics?
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By-election Statement: Labour must urgently restore party democracy
Norwich North is yet another bad result for Labour and another self inflicted wound. When so many MPs across the parties who played the expenses system remain unaccounted for, why was Ian Gibson singled out? It was either cock-up or conspiracy.
If it's the former then who is to blame? If it's the latter then the conspiracy would centre on Ian's voting record as a centre-left reformer. If so the conspirators should stand and be held to account.
This is the crux of the issue. Labour is no longer a democratic party in any shape or form. Candidates are junked and imposed at the whim of a machine centred between HQ, Downing Street and one or two unions. We have now seen that this backfires, time and time again - since 1997 Labour has lost over 4 million voters, it's driven away over half its members and most recently suffered 5 by-election defeats. This seems inconsequential to the command and control structure which is crucial when you are governing against the wishes, values and desires of centre-left party members. Party conference, the NEC, the National Policy Forum and local selections are controlled by the centre because no one can be trusted to vote for New Labour's increasingly uncomfortable relationship with out of control capitalism.
Labour can still muster a professional team of apparatchiks for a by-election but across the country the party on the ground is just a hollowed out shell. The Iraq war, the 10p tax debacle, privatisation and an adoration of wealth have all taken their toll. It would certainly be worse under the Tories but when your own side do their bidding what's the point of being a member - let alone an active one? But despite all the media manipulation even David Cameron hasn't quite sealed the deal with the country precisely because this is a centre-left moment - when people want and need collective answers to their problems - not the tax cuts for a few and spending cuts for the many his party are advocating.
New Labour is at the end of the road. No money, no grassroots organisation in the field, no narrative and no policies that will make the fundamental change to people's lives that is now required. We are sleep walking to a calamitous defeat. David Cameron may win by default because as is always the case - it is government that lose elections, not the opposition that wins them. Even worse, this government is now losing without a real fight. If things continue in the same direction nothing but defeat is expected and it is quickly becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Compass and others will continue to set out an alternative agenda and a positive vision for a social democratic future, but eyes and ears are either closed at the top or good Ministers have their heads down ploughing their own furrow. The decline in party democracy, the tightening control by the very top mean that the party is increasingly constricted and closed off. But to be successful all parties need to outwardly renew themselves through democratic debate and to answer the issues of their own time.
So as we stated in June Compass would urge the party leadership to seek to instigate urgent democratic engagement and dialogue with the party membership, unions, CLPs, affiliated societies and the PLP in the run up to the party conference. This could be easily based around a re-statement of Labour values and policy intent in the run-up to the next general election, with a draft statement put online for comment. A final version could be voted on by every party member with the result announced in Brighton. Unless such a statement signalled a clear change of direction with a bold set of centre-left policies it would not gain enough support. The party leadership must now use such a process to demonstrate their commitment to listen, engage and only then, lead.
When the challenges of democratic reform, growing inequality and climate change have never been greater the country is crying out for a democratic and social response. Labour must now step up and restate itself as a 21st century party of social democracy in order to meet these challenges and to build the good society.
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Comments
on 24 July 2009, 7:29:15 PM
on 24 July 2009, 7:24:59 PM
Bit of preemptive preening, then, Stan?
on 24 July 2009, 7:14:48 PM
Diddums...
on 24 July 2009, 7:14:32 PM
I do believe many voters will return to the fold, because having the Tories in power is not the answer, despite Labour shortcomings on so many fronts. The Compass agenda is refreshing in many areas and a centre left party would be warmly welcomed by many members who are a breaking point with the current party set-up. Workers on the ground have disappeared faster than "snaw off a dyke" and that, I believe, is unlikely to change before the election, leaving the party very vulnerable in terms of getting the message across - and delivering leaflets!
Will the party reform. I suspect not. Will voters return. I think not. We are likely to have a Tory government for the next 12 years and who is to blame. Tony B and Gordon B.
on 24 July 2009, 7:10:27 PM
Posted by Salfordgal (London)
on 24 July 2009, 6:11:02 PM
"Changing the Party from within will take a decade. What we need now is coalitions---with the Greens, like-minded LibDems and extra-parliamentary groups."
What we need now is a strategic decision to aim for a hung parliament and to target the seats of past and present New Labour MPs , who have brought Labour and the House of Commons into disrepute (and any particularly unsavoury PPCs, of whom there seem to be many), and encourage voters to support, as appropriate, LibDem, SNP, Plaid or Tory candidates (although not an absolutely-off-the-wall Tory unless, testing on the basis of the balance of evil, the need to do so is great). That way, we may get the best of all possible worlds: a hung parliament where legislation has to be discussed to between parties to the satisfaction of a majority of MPs; a relatively dross free PLP; and a reasonable chance of sensible electoral reform. Oh, and - just to show that grownup LibDems can compromise with the best of you - maybe even a referendum on the EU Constitution as well as, or as an alternative to Ming's spectacularly daffy notion of a referendum on EU membership, full stop, which still seems to be LibDem policy..
on 24 July 2009, 7:10:08 PM
on 24 July 2009, 7:01:04 PM
and move the party back to its roots. The more this is seen to happen, hopefully the more old members will rejoin including me.
Compass the TUC and other groups can help make this happen starting at the party conference. Alliances with the greens, independants and lib dems will certainly help,
as will electoral reform. The general election is probably lost, but the labour movement can bounce back, it has done so in the past.
Finally my sympathies go to Ian Gibson as i do feel he was scapegoated while others especially cabinet ministers (we know who) seemed to get away with it.
on 24 July 2009, 6:55:24 PM
on 24 July 2009, 6:52:26 PM
on 24 July 2009, 6:52:08 PM
Compass is right that the issue of democracy within our party is the crucial issue. I suggest two things:
1. Change the party rule book so that OMOV takes place for elections to the CLP section of the National Policy Forum; this does not require any additional cost as ballot papers can be sent out at the same time as elections to the National Executive.
2. Greater attention by all party members to elections to, and activities of, the hugely powerful Conference Arrangements Committee, and mandate delegates accordingly.
on 24 July 2009, 6:50:46 PM
There was a low turnout with a small percentage swing to the Tories, a small swing away from the Lib Dems, a collapse of the Labour vote and a strong showing from a mixture of 4th Parties etc. Except that things were worse for Labour this time.
If my calculations can be trusted, the swings to the Tories and away from Labour applied to a General Election would leave us with 79 seats. Of those who would remain, I would go for Peter Hain or Graham Allen for leader; although David Milband is likely to emerge winner with John McDonnell failing to get sufficient nominations.
Perhaps it time to examine the lessons of the 1931 electoral collapse.
on 24 July 2009, 6:37:25 PM
In fact, the simple truth is that people are thoroughly fed up at the moment for all sorts of reasons including the expenses farrago (with which this particular by-election was directly connected), the ongoing economic crisis, now directly affecting people’s lives, “our boys” dying in a far-away war, swine flu, the return of the typical British summer etc. etc.
In these circumstances it’s hardly suprising that they kick out against the governing party when the opportunity occurs, particularly when the media is doing it’s best to hold the government responsible for all our ills.. The real surprise is that the defeat wasn’t greater.
Yes, we need to do better in getting our message across (and it’s a good message given our 10 year record, our success in dealing with the worst economic crisis since the war, and the new policies now being turned out). But please spare us the wailing and the gnashing of teeth (to pressurize the government into accepting our policies) that can only be of comfort to our enemies.
on 24 July 2009, 6:28:43 PM
on 24 July 2009, 6:24:59 PM
Of course, if repeated as a national swing, this would wipe out the Parliamentary Labour Party (we'd have a vote of less than 9 percent) and give the Tories a massive majority.
But that isn't what we should learn from this result. We need to take note of the fact that the Conservative vote only rose by 6.2 percent - but they still won.
The conclusion we should draw is that the problem is not that people like the Tories, it is Labour's phenomenal unpopularity.
Therefore, persuading voters that the Tories are unattractive is unlikely - even if successful, and that isn't guaranteed - to be enough to save the next election. "Vote for us to stop those awful Conservatives" just won't cut it.
We may be in one of those end games that just can't be won, but if there is a chance we have to ditch the pet policies that are massively unpopular. Twenty years ago it was the Left of the Party that couldn't bear to give up policies even when it was obvious that they were vote losers, now the boot is on the other foot and we need a leadership that is as ruthless as New Labour was about eliminating negatives.
on 24 July 2009, 6:24:36 PM
on 24 July 2009, 6:23:00 PM
on 24 July 2009, 6:17:31 PM
on 24 July 2009, 6:15:27 PM
My personal views, as a suburban working class woman - Labour is too middle class and out of touch. Compass is too young, middle class, pleased with itself, talking about politics as if it is game and not about people's lives. Fabian Society again way to middle class, pleased with itself, young - I got fed up of going to meetings with smug middle class privately education children talking about politics like the issues involved are intellectual debates rather than serious issues to do with people's lives. I sat through a fabian conference where people experiencing poverty were called 'them' by the audience making comments - what the hell is that about? A panel member was giving views on Social Work following the tragedy of Baby Peter based on her friend being a Social Worker, please. No disrespect to her because I am sure she is a lovely woman but her talk of 'rescuing' a working class boy from a council estate and his awful family with no prospect or ambition smacks of 'deserving' and 'undeserving' poor and a whopping great class and privilege divide. It upset me so much i couldn't even eat my biscuit at break time. There is nothing left of centre about the Fabian Society just a whole lot of centre. No disrespect meant to the middle classes or the young and this email is really not meant to be rude or disrespectful although I have a feeling it probably is so for that I apologise. However I do just think that there is something credible about living a bit of life and having a job in the 'real world' rather than the Westminster Career Machine ("Oh Careers Advisor what shall I do, media, no don't fancy that, yes something to do with politics because I really think I can make a difference to people's lives even though I haven 't actually lead one yet but that's ok because I have a politics/sociology degree and I’ll do some research for a 'think tank' or something and that will be all be all I need to know") that is vital to really understanding and knowing what you are talking about. For example, how would Ed Balls know what to say if it wasn't for Lord Laming? Why not give somebody who has worked in the public sector as a Social Worker/ Nursery Nurse etc for at least five years that portfolio? Someone who comes into politics because they want to work with people to make changes based on what they know, have experienced or really seen in their community and their life (including working life). There isn't really anybody is there?
Look a lot of the people that are involved in politics that I have met and that includes think tanks, activist groups or whatever just seem naive to me and I include Parnell and older Milliband in that too - 'a pillock on a gap year' as the next leader of the labour party/prime minister - please no. I know Compass and Fabians love him for reasons I can't work out. People feel alienated thus we have the BNP and Esther Ransom. The Labour party needs to be about social justice and change but the general public need to feel it belongs to them and it is about them. It should not be about about those who 'have' deciding what is best for those who 'have not' or 'have less'. Westminster and the upper middle classes need to give it back, or at least learn to take a humble back seat, lose the arrogance and share.
on 24 July 2009, 6:14:14 PM
However, what is happening to Labour generally is much more important. It is amazing just how predictable much of what has been but perhaps its scale was unforeseen. Admittedly, I live in a Lib Dem - Conservative marginal, but the CLP does not appear to exist. I've lived in similar places when in the 1990s you would get regular mail from your CLP or people would come round to your house to get you involved. Now you are seen as being pretty strange to want to get involved.
The democratic deficit in the party is staggering. Unless you want a job out of it there is almost no rational reason for being a member. The party really is all head and no tail; the danger is after the next election it could be no head and no tail.
I think Gibson was 'picked on' for being seen as somewhat as a maverick. Others have done worse. Personally, I would see Blears' treachery as far worse than anything Gibson did.
A few things have got to happen:
1. The democratic deficit in the party has to be addressed and somehow a new vibrancy needs to be breathed into every CLP.
2. Scrap some of the ridiculous policies e.g. ID cards, Academies.
3. Electoral reform - If Labour had carried this out in the late 90s we would not be facing what we could be facing in a year's time.
on 24 July 2009, 6:11:02 PM
What we need now is a strategic decision to aim for a hung parliament and to target the seats of past and present New Labour MPs , who have brought Labour and the House of Commons into disrepute (and any particularly unsavoury PPCs, of whom there seem to be many), and encourage voters to support, as appropriate, LibDem, SNP, Plaid or Tory candidates (although not an absolutely-off-the-wall Tory unless, testing on the basis of the balance of evil, the need to do so is great). That way, we may get the best of all possible worlds: a hung parliament where legislation has to be discussed to between parties to the satisfaction of a majority of MPs; a relatively dross free PLP; and a reasonable chance of sensible electoral reform. Oh, and - just to show that grownup LibDems can compromise with the best of you - maybe even a referendum on the EU Constitution as well as, or as an alternative to Ming's spectacularly daffy notion of a referendum on EU membership, full stop, which still seems to be LibDem policy..
on 24 July 2009, 6:09:59 PM
Politicians should lead by example as role models enabling parents to observe what is expected of them within their own communities. Failing policies, poor leadership, lack of experience and credibility in the cabinet will without doubt continue the sinking of the New Labour machine into the abyss.
I will say it again,Both Milibands, Balls, Cooper, Darling, Alexander, Brown and the rest of the closed shop brigade must go. Yorkshire MP's will be deselected on a large scale unless there is significant change in the organisation, structure and processes of the Labour Party. Three of the above WILL lose their seats in Yorkshire at this time. This is not scaremongering it is the truth
They cry out on Social Mobility but refuse to champion it within rank and file of the party. They champion Equality and Fairness but candidates are handpicked by family and nepotism. Opening the debate must be about opening up the Labour Party. Its the only way it can survive
It is no good for contributors making their voices heard by Orwellian double speak on a website that core labour voters don't read, some don't even understand. Reaching out to the educate elite is not the answer to Labour's problem. Genuinely its the people that matter. They need understand Labour values in laymans terms. A reinvention is required.
Cameron is right! How do expect grass root Labour Party Members to fight for Labour when Brown can't be bothered to turn up in Norwich for the Bye Election and help. He has no fight in him, he is weak and he is definitely knackered. Same goes for the other individuals mentioned above. We need a reinvention and we need it NOW!!!
on 24 July 2009, 6:01:22 PM
on 24 July 2009, 5:56:55 PM
Jo public is being squeezed until the pips pop!
Freemarket capitalsim isn't working and the so called 'efficiency' of the private sector is a joke with the banks and railways in collapse.
It's serious but I don't think you will see any radical changes from Brown and Co. Just like Blair before him who was the first person to be invited to No 10 after being elected??? Mrs Thatcher. Now that says everything!!
on 24 July 2009, 5:53:54 PM
The harsh treatment of Ian Gibson whilst letting others off the hook was unjust. But time and time again Compass seems to delight in the defeat of Labour in elections as confirmation that we need to change direction.
I think the case for re-engaging the party grassroots and wider movement is strong and clear enough to be made on its own, without pouring salt on an open wound every time we suffer a defeat.
on 24 July 2009, 5:49:48 PM
The Conservatives got their girl, but with around 2000 fewer votes than 2005. Yes, the Greens were up, but by all accounts they had a strong candidate, and they really talked up the chances of winning. However, 14% in their third strongest parliamentary hope is not really a rallying cry for Green success.
We (Labour) have come unstuck because we used the expenses scandal as an excuse to get rid of an independently minded Labour MP. Ian Gibson did a good job. He is the kind of constituency parliamentarian we need more of (much as MPs must show a strong sense of loyalty to the party whose rosette they were wearing when they won).
Election reform; Lord's reform; etc - yes... but most real people couldn't give a toss about those issues, and for goodness sake let's not start talking about coalitions with the Greens! (George Irvin, above.)
The best government for the environment is a Labour government, as we are belatedly proving. The raft of energy and climate change policies coming through now, let alone the climate change bill, the carbon budget and the Stern Report, all prove my point.
At the moment elections are still won on health, education, law and order and the economy. In my view the environment will become an equal fifth factor in people's thinking within 5 or 10 years. We, Labour, as a major political force in Britain (yes, still!) need to embrace the eco-agenda wholeheartedly and continue to show the greens as woolly thinking idealists.
By looking to the future, representing forward-thinking and building Britain as a strong, working, socially-minded, sustainable, low energy economy we can rebuild our political strength and win again.
on 24 July 2009, 5:40:43 PM
We should try to ensure that the next parliament is constituted proportionally. If we have a referendum on the same date we should also arrange the election process in such a way that if the answer is yes then MPs are chosen by a proportional method.
We also need to fight the growing media consensus that this country needs cuts in the public services that make our society civilised. Tory statements seem to indicate that they will glory in imposing such cuts. While banking may have precipitated our economic problems, private sector extravagance is the underlying cause and where the problem needs to be tackled -- and this will also help solve our environmental problems.
Why have Labour not exploited the ambivalence of Tories towards free concessionary travel, one of the party's real achievements ?
Google "progressive london" for evidence that if the Tories win power it's likely to be scrapped. Everyone over 55 stands to lose from this as either they already have a pass or they can expect to get one within the next parliament if they aren't abolished.
on 24 July 2009, 5:36:52 PM
on 24 July 2009, 5:34:26 PM
on 24 July 2009, 5:27:01 PM
The government behaves like a startled rabbit in the headlights whenever anyone suggests it might do something principled, just, and radical --like giving back the Parthenon marbles. Managerialism did for Ian, and it is killing the Party.
on 24 July 2009, 5:21:00 PM
on 24 July 2009, 5:12:20 PM
on 24 July 2009, 5:05:27 PM
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