Labour can make 2010 a year of its own change – with a mix of contrition and positivity

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GB Future LabourBy Darrell Goodliffe

There is a lot of debate about how Labour can win a fourth-term. Let’s be frank: it’s going to be hard. It would be for any Government looking to enter a fourth term. Fatigue sets in and the mood for change becomes irresistible and things pass a point where people become jaded and cry out for any kind of change.

PoliticsHome has a poll which illustrates this point perfectly. It finds that under half of “natural” Labour supporters feel it would deliver on its manifesto pledges. Who is defined as a “natural supporters” isn’t exactly made clear and it’s an odd term. However, the poll highlights Labour’s trust deficit – one which is likely to be exacerbated by the continuing inquiry into the Iraq War. The majority of British people clearly regret this war (rightly so) and they blame Tony Blair and probably – though perhaps to a lesser degree – Labour for leading them up the garden path.

In this situation a degree of candour is needed and there has to be a recognition that “yes, but…” doesn’t usually wash with voters. Clearly, a lack of trust in Labour to deliver could well be leading to the “core vote” at the very least sitting on its hands. The high percentages for both the other main parties will directly effect their motivation to vote and it will directly effect the chances of Labour winning a fourth term. Jessica Asato suggested recently on LabourList that Labour should say sorry; these figures show at least a degree of contrition may indeed be required.

However, there is a way back. David Cameron leads a party which remains largely unchanged and despite his desperate bid to sell “compassionate Conservatism” all the polling shows that people are unconvinced. They still see the Conservative Party as on the side of the rich and privileged and not representing them. Labour can and should expose how little the Conservatives have changed. A quick wander through the pages of ConservativeHome – and the lines of the table below from its recent poll of Conservative PPCs this week – should assist them.

ConservativeHome PPCs issues

When it comes to Labour’s positive message it has to be recognised that it is all very well making radical promises but if they are not believed then voters simply will not turn out and vote. Not only does the leadership need to radically change its orientation to enthuse its voters but that change must be accompanied by some candour about the record of Labour in government. Nobody is naive enough to believe everything can be perfect and people would respond to a frank assessment of what has gone right and wrong. It would also show the intent to back up words with deeds.

Following this process, voters would respond to a radical agenda on economic matters (making the case for investment-led growth against the tide of deficit cutting mania); in social policy (a look at wages and incomes and using the tax system as an instrument of redistribution); constitutional reform (a clear commitment to electoral reform) and every other policy area. If Labour goes to the country on this footing it will make 2010 truly a year for change – starting with changing itself.




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