Message from America?
chris bain Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 11:50:47 AM GMT 
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I have been looking with envious eyes at the successes of Barack Obama's campaign in securing the Democratic nomination. Gazed in wonder at the huge demonstrations of enthusiasm bordering on hero worship that seem to accompany every public appearance, memories of 1997 come flooding back.
People do point out that the opinion polls do not seem to indicate that this enthusiasm is shared by all Americans, last night Obama's lead in the poll of polls was only around 3% and narrowing. Nonetheless I still wonder if his campaign has some lessons for the Labour Party in our current dire electoral situation.
People do point out that the opinion polls do not seem to indicate that this enthusiasm is shared by all Americans, last night Obama's lead in the poll of polls was only around 3% and narrowing. Nonetheless I still wonder if his campaign has some lessons for the Labour Party in our current dire electoral situation.
Two things are probably true. The American political system is a long way from how things happen here and it is risky to say that what works in one system will automatically work in the other (despite Obama's enthusiasm for recreating PMQ's within the American system). Secondly it is probably also true that there are things we can learn from the Obama campaign.
What Obama has successfully done is to set out a vision for the future expressed in a way that resonates with millions of American voters. It is a clear and positive vision of hope which has attracted a new younger audience and at the same time has rejuvenated many people who felt trapped by deeply conservative, moribund, yet powerful political and social institutions.
His personal charisma is, of course, also a significant factor in his success. His clear and strong leadership allied to an inclusive approach have also been very important. Perhaps most telling of all has been the trust that he has placed in his supporters, devolving real decision making powers to them and trusting that the outcomes would be good for him and his campaign. The strong organisation that has emerged and the results they have achieved show that he was right to put his faith in those who wish him well.
So it seems there may be much to gain from looking at what the Obama campaign has achieved, and the contrast with the way our Party and Government works could not be clearer.
There are of course dangers for the Obama approach in our system.
Is this sort of Presidential style really suited to our politics? Won’t it lead to policy on the hoof? Won’t it risk further alienating the party in government from its membership, the Unions, already disgruntled Public Sector workers and other natural allies? Won’t it further undermine Cabinet led government?
What happens once we are in government and we have to deliver the vision we have so compellingly articulated? Isn’t that exactly the mistake New Labour made in the early days? Doesn’t it risk the sort of electoral meltdown Labour is facing now? Obama has never been tested in government, how do we know that the approach that has worked so well in seeking Office will sustain him once he is actually in Office?
All of these and other comments are fair and need to be taken into consideration, but does this mean we have to give in to the counsel of despair, to focus our attentions on managing out hope and dampening expectations? This will not persuade people that we are worth supporting.
To simply dismiss the Obama campaign as uniquely American because it was in the context of the incredibly complex system of pimaries and caucuses may be to deny ourselves some valuable insights into the things that motivate and inspire people.
Might it be better if we drew on the best of the Obama campaign? What if could see Labour working with our supporters and allies to collectively set out in clear language a vision for the future of Britain, a fair inclusive and prosperous country, sure of it’s place in the world? A Labour Party that trusts its members, allies and supporters and works with them to develop and communicate the vision?
It may alienate the deeply conservative, the cynical or those fearful of change, but it will give us something to campaign for and to believe in. Perhaps I am being naïve, but I hope and believe that I’m not the only one.
Might it be better if we drew on the best of the Obama campaign? What if could see Labour working with our supporters and allies to collectively set out in clear language a vision for the future of Britain, a fair inclusive and prosperous country, sure of it’s place in the world? A Labour Party that trusts its members, allies and supporters and works with them to develop and communicate the vision?
It may alienate the deeply conservative, the cynical or those fearful of change, but it will give us something to campaign for and to believe in. Perhaps I am being naïve, but I hope and believe that I’m not the only one.
Message from America? | 5 comments (5 topical)
Message from America? | 5 comments (5 topical)
