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Paths of Victory
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Labour Leader: Keir Starmer IV
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ks.234
Half way to Infinity
That is very much what Labour are doing with endless focus groups, but Labour’s failure is that it still hasn’t produced a coherent message
ks.234
Half way to Infinity
Champions of Europe
Sue Pertwee-Tyr
Accuphase all the way down
The problem with focus groups, I suspect, is that they're not getting a coherent enough message from them to be able to develop coherent messaging of their own. Successful political parties are not businesses. They don't respond to a market. They should be looking to invent one.
Sue Pertwee-Tyr
Accuphase all the way down
ks.234
Half way to Infinity
Absolutely, whether the Tories live up to their promises is one thing, but the fact remains, they’ve sold the promise, a promise based of leftish economics, rather well. But then the those in control of Labour have always been embarrassed by leftish economic policy to the extent that the downplayed it and finally abandoned it for the Tories to pick it up and run with it.
Agree in principle that Labour is a SD party but SD is currently electorally limited here and in Europe, and is rapidly disappearing in the rear-view mirror. The majority of the UK electorate's values are centre-right (and it seems moving further right). Nationalism is on the ascendancy (thus cutting-off Scotland for Labour and taking them out their comfort zone in England). The UK electorate is also ageing and increasingly fragmented (no more red wall). Half the Tories have turned red (and are eating Labour's economic lunch). The other half are trying to stir a woke culture war (and thus bating Labour into a values argument it probably can't win). The current political landscape is a-typical what with Covid and dynamic Brexit (thus allowing the government to hog the headlines). And then there is the long-tail of previous Labour management (an issue that popped up in Hartlepool). It is hard to identify a credible economic and social political space that Labour can occupy at the moment, which may explain why they are treading water and testing out various policy positions (e.g. buy British). They seem popular in Wales though.
ks.234
Half way to Infinity
My promise to you is that I will maintain our radical values and work tirelessly to get Labour in to power – so that we can advance the interests of the people our party was created to serve.
Based on the moral case for socialism, here is where I stand.
1. Economic justice
Increase income tax for the top 5% of earners, reverse the Tories’ cuts in corporation tax and clamp down on tax avoidance, particularly of large corporations. No stepping back from our core principles.
2. Social justice
Abolish Universal Credit and end the Tories’ cruel sanctions regime. Set a national goal for wellbeing to make health as important as GDP; Invest in services that help shift to a preventative approach. Stand up for universal services and defend our NHS. Support the abolition of tuition fees and invest in lifelong learning.
3. Climate justice
Put the Green New Deal at the heart of everything we do. There is no issue more important to our future than the climate emergency. A Clean Air Act to tackle pollution locally. Demand international action on climate rights.
4. Promote peace and human rights
No more illegal wars. Introduce a Prevention of Military Intervention Act and put human rights at the heart of foreign policy. Review all UK arms sales and make us a force for international peace and justice.
5. Common ownership
Public services should be in public hands, not making profits for shareholders. Support common ownership of rail, mail, energy and water; end outsourcing in our NHS, local government and justice system.
6. Defend migrants’ rights
Full voting rights for EU nationals. Defend free movement as we leave the EU. An immigration system based on compassion and dignity. End indefinite detention and call for the closure of centres such as Yarl’s Wood.
7. Strengthen workers’ rights and trade unions
Work shoulder to shoulder with trade unions to stand up for working people, tackle insecure work and low pay. Repeal the Trade Union Act. Oppose Tory attacks on the right to take industrial action and the weakening of workplace rights.
8. Radical devolution of power, wealth and opportunity
Push power, wealth and opportunity away from Whitehall. A federal system to devolve powers – including through regional investment banks and control over regional industrial strategy. Abolish the House of Lords – replace it with an elected chamber of regions and nations.
9. Equality
Pull down obstacles that limit opportunities and talent. We are the party of the Equal Pay Act, Sure Start, BAME representation and the abolition of Section 28 – we must build on that for a new decade.
10. Effective opposition to the Tories
Forensic, effective opposition to the Tories in Parliament – linked up to our mass membership and a professional election operation. Never lose sight of the votes ‘lent’ to the Tories in 2019. Unite our party, promote pluralism and improve our culture. Robust action to eradicate the scourge of antisemitism. Maintain our collective links with the unions.
Sir Keir Starmer
Based on the moral case for socialism, here is where I stand.
1. Economic justice
Increase income tax for the top 5% of earners, reverse the Tories’ cuts in corporation tax and clamp down on tax avoidance, particularly of large corporations. No stepping back from our core principles.
2. Social justice
Abolish Universal Credit and end the Tories’ cruel sanctions regime. Set a national goal for wellbeing to make health as important as GDP; Invest in services that help shift to a preventative approach. Stand up for universal services and defend our NHS. Support the abolition of tuition fees and invest in lifelong learning.
3. Climate justice
Put the Green New Deal at the heart of everything we do. There is no issue more important to our future than the climate emergency. A Clean Air Act to tackle pollution locally. Demand international action on climate rights.
4. Promote peace and human rights
No more illegal wars. Introduce a Prevention of Military Intervention Act and put human rights at the heart of foreign policy. Review all UK arms sales and make us a force for international peace and justice.
5. Common ownership
Public services should be in public hands, not making profits for shareholders. Support common ownership of rail, mail, energy and water; end outsourcing in our NHS, local government and justice system.
6. Defend migrants’ rights
Full voting rights for EU nationals. Defend free movement as we leave the EU. An immigration system based on compassion and dignity. End indefinite detention and call for the closure of centres such as Yarl’s Wood.
7. Strengthen workers’ rights and trade unions
Work shoulder to shoulder with trade unions to stand up for working people, tackle insecure work and low pay. Repeal the Trade Union Act. Oppose Tory attacks on the right to take industrial action and the weakening of workplace rights.
8. Radical devolution of power, wealth and opportunity
Push power, wealth and opportunity away from Whitehall. A federal system to devolve powers – including through regional investment banks and control over regional industrial strategy. Abolish the House of Lords – replace it with an elected chamber of regions and nations.
9. Equality
Pull down obstacles that limit opportunities and talent. We are the party of the Equal Pay Act, Sure Start, BAME representation and the abolition of Section 28 – we must build on that for a new decade.
10. Effective opposition to the Tories
Forensic, effective opposition to the Tories in Parliament – linked up to our mass membership and a professional election operation. Never lose sight of the votes ‘lent’ to the Tories in 2019. Unite our party, promote pluralism and improve our culture. Robust action to eradicate the scourge of antisemitism. Maintain our collective links with the unions.
Sir Keir Starmer
Sue Pertwee-Tyr
Accuphase all the way down
Is that what might be termed ‘Long Corbyn’?
I suspect continuing to "level down" will be the reality. HS2 for example is a major spend that looks to be heading no further than Crewe and will mainly serve those commuting to and from London plus the pockets of the usual suspects. The "levelling up" in the north looks almost certain to be axed.
ks.234
Half way to Infinity
That is what is being hinted at I guess, though Corbyn won Hartlepool in 2017 by 20000 and in 2019 by 15000 votes.
Brian
Eating fat, staying slim
TheDecameron
Unicorns fart glitter.
Brian they’re the north east/ wider red wall voters who either don’t bother to vote or voted Conservative last time. If we could get them voting and not voting Conservative then I firmly believe that together we ( the Scots) and Labour England could form a better, fairer, left of centre government like the one I already enjoy.
Sue Pertwee-Tyr
Accuphase all the way down
I think I’d prefer a centre-left coalition government to a Labour majority at the moment. Particularly if it included the ‘nationalist’ parties for the devolved nations, ie SNP and Plaid, as that would help ensure the specific needs and interests of these regions stayed front and centre in Government. That would both benefit the broader ‘levelling up’ objectives, while also reducing the social pressure for actual independence. Labour should find common cause with these parties, not rule it out because of the superficial optics.
Tony L
Administrator
No way in hell would I want to see a Labour majority. I’d much prefer to see the LDs, Greens, PC, SNP etc as part of a coalition making a case for a less authoritarian and more democratic/accountable politics than Labour believe in. We need voices other than Lab/Tory to be heard.
Sue Pertwee-Tyr
Accuphase all the way down
Yup. Should have included the Greens in my wish-list too.
TheDecameron
Unicorns fart glitter.
I should have mentioned we have an SNP- Green government alliance in Scotland. A lot of us used our second vote for Green. Caroline Lucas is one of the finest Parliamentarians in Westminster without a doubt.
Brian
Eating fat, staying slim
Your last few have been more amusing than usual as you try hard to take the piss but it’s not working.
‘My people’ until I left in 1975 voted Labour, the MP is Chi Onwurah. You’ll have to try harder.
Brian
Eating fat, staying slim
Back in the real world though, we have a tory govt and your dream isn’t going to come true anytime soon, certainly not in our lifetimes and maybe not even ever. One of your favourites blew a great chance to chancege UK politics for the better in 2010.
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