Cause for Optimism
By Andy | June 15, 2009
About this time last year I wrote that I had been to one of the most positive Labour-related events for a long time, the annual Compass Robin Cook Memorial Lecture.
If last year’s event was a good one this year’s was inspirational. 900 people came together to debate the need to return to a clear and dynamic centre left political agenda. A great proportion of the audience were under 30. Compass — and the conference in general — concentrated on the practical means by which real problems in the country (and across the globe) could be met head on. This week I’m going to be blogging about a number of the issues that stood out for me. But first I want to look at leadership.
Compass’ position on the leadership was spot on. Neal Lawson was candid. Brown had been a disappointment. Two years on and we still have no real idea of his big vision or how we are going to achieve it. But changing the leadership of itself will do nothing.
We know very little about the rebels and the policies that they would adapt. The very last thing we need is a sprung election with no time for debate and dialogue. It is the policies that are the problem and not simply the personalities.
Jon Cruddas told one of the bets stories of the conference.
At the PLP meeting last Monday one of the rebels stood up to pronounce that there was nothing wrong with the policies of the government, it was just that the personality of the leader was wrong.
Cruddas’ retort brought the house down.
“If that’s not the definition of a rebel without a cause, I don’t know what is”.
Parliamentarians were (with a few honourable exceptions) absent from the event. Last year cabinet members had rushed to take part but, frankly, they had little to say and were not invited back. Only Harriet Harman — speaking on equality — was offered a place on the main platform. But Harriet was there to hear stunning contributions from other campaigners and progressive politicians. The reception that these new thinkers received must have left Harriet in no doubt that this Labour government — whoever is in charge — has an awful lot of hard work to do.
Sitting in the conference hall it was impossible to ignore the thought that Labour’s leaders are simply being left behind.
Topics: Ramblings | 1 Comment »
Constitutional Confusion
By Andy | June 10, 2009
Well, we’re off. With the next big idea that is, constitutional reform. But already confusion and a lack of clarity is threatening to blight the whole idea.
It is not the policy of this blog to spend hours muttering about the leadership. But everyone should be aware of ’spin’ at the moment. If there was a time when we wanted less on this nonsense than it is now. (Perhaps, we need some decent spin doctors back ….).
I don’t buy the idea that what we are seeing is a fight to death between Brownities and Blairites. This is too easy and a lazy analysis. For example, if Smtih, Blears, Flint and co were not up to their jobs, well who appointed them in the first place? Apparently Flint is “lightweight”. Even I have heard that said over years and years. Can it really be the case that No.10 has just discovered this?
Anyhow, I digress. My real worry now is that having raised expectations about constitutional reform, Brown is getting lost already.
Today’s Parliamentary statement on Constitutional Reform is here.
Leafing through this it seems a weird mish-mash of things, al cobbled together to make a programme. It is true that many of these things need addressing. And it is important that reports and reviews on things like democracy in Scotland and Wales need to be part of the debate.
But what is needed is a robust process that makes it clear how this is going to be a national debate.
Brown talks about the “Government’s Democratic Council”, but I can’t find any reference to this on government websites. It is a very grand and important sounding name. But is this to be more than just a meeting of a few Cabinet Members? We may have to start here but how does this Democratic Council move forward? Who might its members be? And how will it engage us — the poor old public.
This Council could be appointed now and could start work now. It does need to be independent from No. 10 to really have value.
I believe that it is right to seek to have a process which really looks at constitutional reform in depth. I would like to see clarity on:
Membership — Which independent voices/experts will be involved?
Learning — Are we looking at good practice from the UK and around the world?
Debate — How is the public to be involved? Can we make submissions? Will there be regional events in which we can participate? How will we use the net? IN short, how do we — the ordinary people — make our views known.
The Party —How will the Party be involved? Remember, the National Policy Forum has not discussed Iraq, or looked properly at taxation in the current crisis?
Timetable —Over what timescale are we looking?
Consensus —How do we bind people into a process and get them to commit themselves to adopting the outcomes? At the moment we look like creating something that will just be shot down in flames by everyone else.
This is a big opportunity for the government. But they really have to be seen to be genuine in their aspirations. They need to have clean hands and to present their ideas powerfully and simply enough that the public can understand what is going on.
Today’s statement made me groan. Look at this:
[The third principle of the review] … is the devolution of power and engagement of people themselves in their local communities.
Blow me down. We’ve had twelve years of this. We’ve had Green Papers, White Papers, Local Government Acts, Empowerment Green Papers and so on. We’ve also had a load of policies that have been rejected by local communities, including those on directly elected Mayors and regional Government.
The government will have to work hard to explain how — this time — they are going to get things right and implement them better.
Local government may have a lot to teach MPs, though in his interviews at the weekend Brown fell back on the need to reform local government. But here are some things to think about.
Firstly, local government cannot set its own pay — this is set by an independent panel.
Second, all local government accounts can be inspected by the public for some weeks every year. Every receipt and claim can be poured over by anyone who is mad enough to do it.
Thirdly, during the last decade all Councils have had to consider their constitutional position. Many have held local constitutional conventions, had lots of local debate and have held referenda.
At the very least government should acknowledge this work and see to build on this experience.
A bit of a rant this I know. But constitutional reform is not only a big idea but something that is needed. Already I fear that we have missed an opportunity to be seen as exciting, determined and relevant.
I really hope Gordon you prove me wrong. But at the moment I’m confused.
Topics: Constitutional Reform, Westminster Village | 1 Comment »
Sadness
By Andy | June 2, 2009
I’ve given up trying to work out just what is going on in the asylum (let alone speculating on who’s running it).
Today’s events are sad on a couple of accounts.
I’m sad to see Tom Watson leave government. There should be a place for him. Steering ITC policy was a good thing for Tom to do. Goodness knows who will do this now.
I’m even more sad to see that Beverly Hughes has decided to stand down. Bev has had her problems but she has been a fine MP and Minster. I wish there were more decent human beings — like Bev — in Parliament. Children — and the world of Children’s Services — will be worse off without her. I wish her all the best for the future.
Topics: Westminster Village | 1 Comment »
Brown’s Plans Lack a Sense of Reality
By Andy | June 1, 2009
Thankfully Gordon Brown has ended his period of silence with two major media appearances, on the Andrew Mar Show and on the Today Programme (here the interview here).
There is something in his idea for a National Council for Democratic Renewal but somehow this seems to me to not be deliverable within his chosen time period.
And while democratic renewal is right, does this really deal with the problems of our political culture that has led to the current crisis?
Topics: Westminster Village | No Comments »
The Hard Realities that Must Underpin Constitutional Reform
By Andy | May 28, 2009
Many in and around national politics seem to sense that this a time to press for far reaching and lasting constitutional reform. They may well be right. But reforms need to be well thought out and developed with a sense of real consensus, in the way that plans for Scottish devolution were developed.
However, we can change systems as much as we like but will we change culture and practice? Wherever we go the hard reality is that the political culture of our party (and parties) needs to change. Can our machine(s) deliver? Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Westminster Village | No Comments »
Off to the Mountains
By Andy | May 6, 2009
I’m off to the Highlands for a bit of backpacking. Thankfully, I’ll be spared the next set of disasters as news availability will be a bit limited.
But what is it about the Kamikaze tendencies of this government?
I’m referring to the Post Office/Royal Mail chaos. For my money Compass have set out forward a sensible way forward. Their reward was to get an immediate rebuttal from NO.10. As Minsters refer to No. 10’s comments we can only assume they come from Brown himself.
Compass’ ideas we are told are simply a political fix. They do not address business issues!
Of course they do. I believe that the Royal Mail is profitable at the moment after the pension fund liabilities are removed. Remember, the government will take off the pension liabilities before any private finance is sough. If they didn’t nobody would take it of us. So, if government are having to act in this way then the creation of a new mutual is definitely possible.
Brown is fond of referring to the great traditions of the left. He praises mutuality. But why does he think these are only relevant to the past? Can he not see that mutuality could have a great future?
Instead we are bombarded with empty statements from anonymous Enterprise and Business Ministers who all come from the private sector.
The establishment has failed us all and failed us all badly. It is time to be creative and to embrace new options, including those offered by modern systems of mutuality.
If I was a rebel I’d listen to those pronouncements on this issue and then feel fortified enough to kick Brown in the goolies again. This kind of reaction is almost guaranteed at the moment.
I’m hoping — on my return )— that Brown has got over his masochistic tendencies.
Topics: Ramblings | 1 Comment »
The Party is United?
By Andy | May 4, 2009
Harriet on the radio today simply not wanting to talk about the comments of colleagues. She’s been out on the road and found that members simply want the government to get on with the job.
I suspect she’s been meeting those vetted by regional offices as acceptable to meet.
In all she dodged the main question. Just what is the direction of this government? What is the big idea? Where is it going?
It is time to accept — I think — that this government has not the wit and imagination to chart a new course. This is one of the main reason why it needs a discussion with its membership. FIrst up, they need to be genuinely committed to dialogue and debate. Here’s a clue as to what is wrong.
We’re in the midst of the deepest, sharpest, recession since the WWII. The National Policy Forum has not been allowed to debate economic policy or taxation.
Such a debate would be a good start.
Topics: Westminster Village | 4 Comments »
Tory Policies — What?
By Andy | May 1, 2009
After all of this heavy stuff it is time for some light relief. And where better to start that the Policy section of the Tory website. It’s worth looking at. After all, it’s not just funny — it might just be more important than that.
There’s a nasty recession on and I’m worrying about jobs. So what do the Tories say?
Here is the policy index. Nice graphics and a cute floating cloud thing.
I look for the section on employment. There isn’t one.
I look at the section market welfare.
Every claimant potentially able to work will be engaged in welfare to work activities aimed at helping them back into work as quickly as possible.
For those unable to find work there’ll be long-term community projects to help them get back into a working environment.
Those not willing to take part will face tough sanctions
Our welfare programme will be delivered by private and voluntary providers, who will only be paid when someone gets and keeps a job.
Combined with our commitment to end the couple penalty in the tax credits system, our radical welfare plans will help lift almost half a million children out of poverty
Heard this before? Yes you have. Anything new and constructive? Nope.
So — given what’s been going on, let’s turn to economy.
What’s top of the list for action? A freeze on Council Tax for two years! Honest. You couldn’t make it up. it’s a legitimate policy I suppose. But a No.1 action?
I like to have themes to my blogs. Once I get back from Scotland I’ll start trawling through this policy garbage. Let’s see what’s really underneath the shiny wrapping paper.
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
This Was the Week That Was
By Andy | May 1, 2009
In these pages last week I wrote that the fight for Labour’s future began the moment Darling sat down after delivering his budget speech. After the most disasterous week of any Labour premiership in modern times it is clear that the fight is on. The battle lines are being more drawn quickly, and they are wider and deeper than I had imagined. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Westminster Village | 1 Comment »
A New Vocabulary/Language I
By Andy | April 24, 2009
I spent part of yesterday with a bunch of London economists (yes I know — it’s probably not good for my health).
It was an interesting discussion. All were left.Labour supporting economists and all pretty much agreed that the economy (and us) were screwed. Non believed in the Darling’s growth targets but even worse they thought they had found another problem. Darling assumes that the cost of borrowing — to the government — will remain at current levels. They were doubtful that this would be the case especially as the same budget envisaged a move in the housing market which they told me usually meant a rise in the cost of borrowing.
They were all struck by notion of a new vocabulary or language of politics, but they did take me to task for one of my assertions in yesterday’s blog.
Yesterday I wrote: ” … (Labour) is defined by a commitment redistribution and to the public sector as the primary means of achieving it.”
The view was that Labour is not really a party of redistribution — Labour — they argued — was a Party that worried about social equity and distribution, which is not really the same thing. They went on. Distribution is still key, but this time in a very different way.
The argument was that (for the next decade) the critical issue is likely to be how we “distribute pain” equitably. This is really a class issue. How to do we look after US rather than THEM when public spending is in steep decline.
Now — like it as I may — we will get nowhere with a language of class warfare. But we will need new ways of expressing these issues and concerns.
So, an early example of how Labour will have to search for a new language and give voice to a new narrative in describing the central task of the next decade.
All were agreed that this could only be done through a new leadership, although this was not likely to be anything that we should worry about before the next election. However, they were clear that the issues of leadership — both substance and style — were looming large.
As ever (when sitting outside of a pub on a warm evening) a discussion ensued about the possible candidates. It fascinates me how people don’t want to really address the reality that the next leader will come from a safe seat (and that probably means the North). It is worth getting the Parliamentary Map our and beginning to ponder alternatives. Assuming that people like Cruddas get back they will be able to play a big role in the future. But who is the central leadership figure.
He or she is somewhere in the North right now!
Topics: Economics, Westminster Village | 1 Comment »
