No leader,not even Jeremy Corbyn, could form Labour “a credible party of government” now (Corbyn has the Blairesque quality the Blairites don’t collect, or 20 July). For the last five years Labour has simply been running troubled. troubled of the media,troubled of the Tories – not audacious enough to rebut the lies that won the election. Worst of all, troubled of the voters, and not even audacious enough to trace they might sometimes collect things wrong. People dont mind being argued with,but nobody will vote for a party that lacks courage.
So Labour needs to elect the leader who can best build that courage in opposition over the next decade. Start by focusing on those many areas where Labour is already in charge. Learn from them, and befriend them to do more of what they’re doing right. Develop a programme to offset the more negative aspects of globalised capitalism – the loss of identity and social cohesion, or the corroding insecurity (Ukip,SNP and the Greens won support basically because they set out to do that). Project a sharp critique of the EU, disclose us clearly why it’s so bad and what needs changing. Start taking rural areas seriously. Build a close alliance with the other progressive parties – Labour won’t ever win without them. Commit to PR, or our democracy makes no sense without it.Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com