"CAN I SPEAK TO ALAN PLEASE?"
Evidently Chickentown Sat May 24, 2008 at 12:24:26 AM GMT 
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In December 2006, the excellent centre-lef Policy Network think-tank, published an e-pamphlet called: “Third Time Lucky? Lessons from New Labour’s 2005 Election Campaign“.
The authors were central players in ‘engineering’ Labour’s third successive (and arguably, its most difficult) General Election victory in 2005 - Matt Carter, Fiona Gordon, Philip Gould, Alan Milburn and Sally Morgan.
In his chapter of the pamphlet, ‘How Labour won the 2005 General Election’, Alan Milburn spelt out what lessons could be drawn from that victory and what, in particular, incumbent centre-left parties needed to do to stay in Government.
Milburn highlighted five imperatives for Labour to pursue during its Third Term in office:
“First, stay connected. This is the hardest task of all for an incumbent party of government. But the rise of right-wing populism in Western Europe and elsewhere is a reminder that a new politics – of identity – symbolized in issues like immigration and crime cannot be ignored by the centre-left. Investment in new means of campaigning – outside of election periods – is critical to getting messages directly through to key groups of voters on these and other issues.
“Second, turn incumbency to advantage. It is both a blessing and a curse. Make it an advantage by emphasizing, in a world of rapid change and mounting insecurity, the risks of radical change versus continuity in policy (on the economy, skills, technology, education and childcare) that help create security.
“Third, position in the centre ground of politics. In a world where deference has declined and traditional party loyalties hold less sway, electoral success goes to those who can genuinely demonstrate cross-class centre ground appeal.
“Fourth, emphasise values. Loyalties to institutions might be fading but belief in values remains strong. Finding dividing line policies that express a difference in values with opponents. Above all, ensure that policies are driven by politics and not the other way round.
“Fifth, face the future. Avoid the trap of incumbency by refusing to rest on your laurels. Always be on the side of reform. Conservatives conserve things. Centre-left parties change things. The longer the tenure of office the greater the need to keep changing.”
Wise words indeed. How Labour’s Leadership needs Alan Milburn ‘in the mix’ right now.
How I also wish Gordon Brown (and his long-time coterie) were humble and courageous enough to put the past behind them, embrace the wisdom and experience of the likes of Milburn, Stephen Byers and Charles Clarke.
Sadly it’s probably all too late. Arrogance and self-certainty has always been hard-wired into the psyche of Brown’s ‘people’. Bringing onboard those brilliant talents that kept Tony Blair afloat for all those years, would be a ‘mea cupla’ too far for the PM.
(This post first appeared on the Evidently Chickentown Blog on 23rd May 2008)
"CAN I SPEAK TO ALAN PLEASE?" | 11 comments (11 topical)
"CAN I SPEAK TO ALAN PLEASE?" | 11 comments (11 topical)
