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What Future the Political Party?
By Andy | October 2, 2009
Saturday 10th October, 11.00 to 13.00.
Birmingham and Midland Institute, Margaret Street, Birmingham.
Admission Free.
Public respect in political parties is at an all time low.The Labour government may well be running out of steam and out of time. How will progressive politics move forward over the coming years and what role will there be for political parties? How will party organisation at a local and grass root level work with national, regional and local politicians? How can political movements respond to the globalisation of economies and to global challenges?
This event aims to explore and debate these issues with three speakers who are working hard to envisage and shape the future of progressive politics. Colin Crouch, from the University of Warwick, has studied the development of progressive politics across Europe and has written on the challenges for political parties. Neal Lawson is the Chair of Compass and will talk about the work being done to build a progressive consensus in the UK and to renew democratic governance. The event will be chaired by Marion Hobbs who was a Cabinet Member in the New Zealand government of Helen Clarke and was given the job of bringing a new generation into the top level of politics.
Crouch argues that political parties continue to be essential for the choosing the personnel of the state and allocating state patronage, but cease to be capable of being the bearers of causes. Parties will return to the role they had before the mid-19th century. Part of the issue concerns the declining importance of the nation state in certain key issue areas, but the inability of parties to transcend the nation state. This all raises the question: who become the bearers of causes? What is the relationship of the Obama phenomenon, and other political developments globally, to our political future here in the UK?
This event should prove to be both lively and fascinating. Attendance is free but it would help if you could email us, or phone, to let us know if you are coming.
Map and venue directions:
http://www.bmi.org.uk/map.html
events@compasswestmidlands.org.uk
Tel: 0121 288 0217
Topics: Compass West Midlands |
