Best when we're boldest

jkitleft Fri May 23, 2008 at 11:14:31 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

I would like to here suggestions for policies, because this is the only possible way to break Cameron. We can show up this hard-right oppertunist charlatan, while coming up with progressive, yet pragmatic policies. I am particuarly interested to hear policies submitted by the New Labour wing of the party.


What is clear, and must be necessary for any policies proposed, is that we need to win as a broad coalition. Trade unionists, Working class socialists, Metropolitan liberals, Social democrats, Democratic socialists, other associated progressives and the white working class, as well as minorities in this country, whether homosexuals, different ethnic groups etc. That is how Labour can win. I also agree with Jenni Russell, in that a leadership contest must be held, to show that a coalition would consist of people from different factions of the party, and who would contest the leadership of the party.


So, what policies would you suggest?






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Best when we're boldest | 6 comments (6 topical)

Re: Best when we're boldest (#1)

by jljb2 on Sat May 24, 2008 at 02:57:20 PM GMT

Clearly we need to build a broad left coalition - so we need to be careful. The essence of Labour should be that every policy is generally based on human decency - helping those in need must be the heart of every policy. So we need to recognise that jumping on every so-called 'left' bandwagon is not necessary: things like animal rights, unilateral disarmament etc are alienating to a lot of people who would support a down-to-earth municipal socialist agenda. Also, I don't believe we need explicitly to target ethnic minorities or gays - I think that's patronising and again, alienating to majority communities: let's not forget it's white working class boys who do worst in school, and a lot of people feel that ethnic minority community centres etc are unfair and racist. The emphasis should not be on getting support from every pressure group, but on reclaiming the essence of Labour as the party of justice and fairness and decency. And yes, we need to demonstrate that the Labour Party is not homogeneous - we're still a broad church. I would suggest that, if not a leadership election, a cabinet election would be worthwhile - like when we're in opposition. As for policies, we concrete, real Labour things - no more restructurings, regulators and quangos, but actual, substantive changes: a wholehearted commitment to tackle poverty is number one, followed by a council house building programme, and taking back some (clearly not all, as that'd be a bit pricey!) utilities into public ownership (particularly energy) would be popular. We basically need to regain the moral high ground, so that, even if we lose, we'll be able to criticise the tories for inaction on poverty etc. I'd also like to see a cap on foreign players in football, and a huge program of talent ID and sports academies (as in australia) but that's just me! Would definitely be popular though....


Re: Best when we're boldest (#5)

by jkitleft on Sun May 25, 2008 at 12:25:59 PM GMT

I've been incredibly critical of multiculturalism. What I am saying is that a commitment to say, further gay rights-like same-sex marriage etc. is the right thing to do. I also believe that ethnic community centres are racist. I am opposed to self-segregation amongst some in the black and asian communities.


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Re: Best when we're boldest (#2)

by Group51 on Sat May 24, 2008 at 05:34:32 PM GMT

In the short term (because under 2 years isn't a lot of time):

1. Publicly announce we will stop creating new public bodies and new authorities unless there is an exceptional requirement for them to be independent.  Rationalise and reduce the existing bodies on this basis with natural wastage staff reductions.  Put tight controls on the use of consultants (their advice should be shared not paid for each time).

2. Ditch ID cards, 42 days, and other civil illiberties; bring in Lords Reform (and explain how it can hold the commons to account).

3. Institute a big showy new way of counting how many people are entering or leaving the country, then make a big show of allocating local public funding according to these numbers.  Have a big review of council tax.

4. Raise allowances again to take more of the low paid out of tax, and phase out tax credits.

5. Hypothecate an element of fuel tax to pay for commuter buses.


Re: Best when we're boldest (#3)

by NorthernMonkey on Sat May 24, 2008 at 09:24:40 PM GMT

Sounds very good.


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Re: Best when we're boldest (#4)

by jljb2 on Sat May 24, 2008 at 09:43:24 PM GMT

All good, but poverty and housing have to be our number one issues: a real commitment on both of these would get everyone willing to go out on the doorstep and fight for a fourth term - we would be able to say unequivocally that the poor would suffer far more with the Tories. Of course that's true at present, but the 10p tax scandal has wiped out any sense of New Labour as caring about poverty or social justice, sadly.


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Re: Best when we're boldest (#6)

by jkitleft on Sun May 25, 2008 at 01:11:32 PM GMT

Sounds good.

Fuel dutys are an important issue. I think we need to cut fuel duty, but improve our green credentials elsewhere:

. Institute a California-style law, requiring car manufacturers to ensure all cars use one gallon for every 50 miles, by 2020.

. There are too many people in the world. So expand our foreign aid budget, to include a portion of that money to be earmarked for contraceptives.

. Introduce whopping car taxes on the biggest polluting cars (SUV's), and none at all for environmentally-friendly cars. It needs to be clear though that we can't punish poorer people for having a normal car.

. Ban low-efficiency lightbulbs.

. Scrap the commitment to bio-fuels. Fight to scrap the CAP, and divert that money to conservation. Restrict the logging trade.

. Withhold money from the World Bank, until they stop paying for the trashing of rainforests (and enforcing poverty-inducing neo-liberalism on the third world, and Iraq, which mankes the job of fighting for democracy and peace there so much more difficult).

. Greatly increase funding for tidal power.

. Scrap the third runway for Heathrow.

. Make the airline industry pay VAT, and tax on fuel. Transfer this £10 billion to funding for cleaner transport.

. Ban short-haul flights. Cut fares for trains, and buses dramatically.

. Introduce a 90's style Califonian law on electric cars.


I will come up with more green suggestions later.


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Best when we're boldest | 6 comments (6 topical)