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The launch of Liberal Left is to be welcomed

February 8, 2012 4:07 pm

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The launch of Liberal Left is to be welcomed. Anything that challenges the Centre-right voting block of the Coalition is clearly a good thing.  Anything that helps develop centre-left relationships as an alterative now, tomorrow or in the future to a Conservative led government is to be welcomed.  With Labour currently struggling to maintain a healthy poll lead it would be stupid not to look for political partners outside of Labour’s ranks.

But there is more than electoral necessity at play here.  The renewal of the left project requires a thorough going rethink about the nature of social democracy or socialism. Compass talks about the good life and the good society because ultimately politics is about human flourishing – an act that is both individual and by necessity highly social. Of course such a politics requires the active intervention of the state but how, when and where the state plays a role is a critical issue.  Social liberals and social democrats have much to learn from each other but much in common about the role of a more local, democratic, accountable and responsive state.

Electoral desperation is no basis for living, breathing alliances in which differences have to be debated and enduring solutions found.  There is little point waiting to see whether the voters deliver another hung parliament.  There is everything to be gained from discussing values and policy agreements – on tuition fees, the NHS, growth strategies and the rest with people in the Social Liberal Forum – who make take a less aggressive line against the Coalition – and now Liberal Left who stand in opposition to it. Then the wider Centre-left has the chance not just to form a temporary and haphazard majority in parliament but a consensus in the country.

Just think what could have happened if both Labour and the Liberal Democrats had taken cooperation more seriously before 2010.  The Tories could have been denied scores of seats as they were in 1997 and 2005 and a Parliament of a very different shape could have been formed.

I know some Labour members will simply be thinking – why don’t they join Labour?  Just remember that to many, Labour is still the party of Iraq, bankers bonuses, welfare reform, the big state and the free market, tuition fees, 90 days detention and the rest.  Labour is a party with little if any internal democracy – unlike the Liberal Democrats.  Different but complimentary traditions can make us stronger. And tactically it’s far better that they fight the Coalition from within the Liberal Democrats than be confined to the margins like much of Labour’s opposition.

So today is a big and important step towards a new pluralist left politics.  1945 was  the creation of the fusion of Labour and the social Liberalism of Keynes and Beveridge.  The crash creates another moment for the transformation of our society and economy – but we have to adopt them same pluralist approach to make it work.

Neal Lawson is the Chair of Compass

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  • Anonymous

    Wishful thinking???  If Labour wanted this consensus with the Liberal Party then they should have worked with them in the late 90′s and beyond when such obsequious leaders, such as Paddy Ashdown, were looking to make a pact with the Labour Party, but Blair procrastinated and prevaricated and such a deal was never made…

    • Dave Postles

       If I was in the Labour Party, I wouldn’t trust any Liberals.  The mantra has been: ‘It’s all Labour’s fault’, often to cover up their own inadequacies.   So will this caucus within the Liberal Party remonstrate to the rest that, actually, it’s not all Labour’s fault? 

      • Anonymous

        And visa versa.  Lib Dems have been let down by Labour, as I mentioned before, in regards to Paddy Ashdown and Electoral Reform.
        Their mantra has been it’s all Labour’s fault, as you suggested, but they’re in Government with the Conservatives, so what would you expect them to say?
        Plus, some in the Labour Party were nothing but acrimonious towards the Lib Dems after they got into bed with the Tories.’

        • Dave Postles

          That’s what incriminates them – the two points which you have made.  

  • Anonymous

    It was the split of the centre left to form the SDP in the 1980′s that set up Thatcher for her victories and it was the 24% vote for Clegg and the Libdems that is keeping a vicious Tory government in power. 
    There is no such thing as a left liberal, it’s a contradiction in  terms, they are still free marketeers and neo-liberals.

    Don’t touch them with a barge pole.

    • Anonymous

      But of course the 1980′s was nothing to what we have now and this New left leaning Liberal is an attempt to basically get back members who walked away and to try and gain people from the left, nice try  but when you look at who is involved it’s to early yet.

      .

  • Anonymous

    The Liberal Democrats around here (Rushcliffe) have always posed as ‘soft Tories’ to garner votes, although they are at least as far to the right on issues such as planning as the Tories are.  Neal Lawson’s analysis is simplistic… if Labour had co-operated more closely with the Lib Dems, it’s entirely possible (I reckon almost certain) that many/most of those who voted for them would have gone to the Tories and not us right across the country.

    Let’s not let the Lib Dems off the hook.  Also, do you really want our Party co-operating with people like Clegg, Alexander and the quite desperate Mark Littlewood?!

    • Anonymous

      Agreed.
      The last election taught the country that a vote for the Libdems is a vote for the Tories.

      • Anonymous

        Thank god new labour did not chase the Tory voters then, Thank god labour did not state if your liberal and do not like what your party is doing come to the Labour party and about 10,000 did , sadly they are leaving again but not returning to the Liberals, so I suspect what the Liberals are doing is offering a solution.

        At least somebody is offering something to the left, and no I will not be joining

  • Franwhi

    This is exactly the kind of progressive politics I want to be part of. Yes, mistakes have been made on both sides and trust will have to be worked at but it’s vital to consider that the only UK party benefiting from Lib- Lab warfare is the Conservatives. Let’s get on with the alliance of social democrats before this country gets any more reactionary and right wing.
    PS – What about that other social democratic party in Scotland – the SNP – can they contribute to the SD Rainbow ?     

    • Anonymous

      Totally agree Fran.

      Jo

      • Anonymous

        PS- I think it’s important to consider the wider views of the electorate,
        not just within parts of the Labour party.

        And that 56% of Lab/LD voting pattern at last election
        might well reflect something significant about people’s preferences?
        I don’t think any one party can afford to go it alone or rest on its laurels;
        times have changed- even the Tories with all their power and funding couldn’t win a majority last time.

        I’m Labour through and through but I also think alliances
        with like minded people on common ground and issues
        can create more of a movement than just being stuck within
        the same old boundaries.

        And if I had to choose right or left direction- it would be the centre left every time.That applies to the right of the Lab party, the orange bookers, or the Tories- although even there at times, I’m sure interesting discussions to be had.

        I don’t think anything should be thrown out at this stage,
        and keep minds open.There could be some real opportunities.

        Jo

  • Anonymous

    I don’t get the “Liberal Left” term either. Liberalism is a political philosophy that is completely separate from the socialist movement, which Labour is supposed to represent. The Classical Liberals were all in favour of the industrialists whom subjugated and exploited the working classes. Sure, there are different strands of liberalism, and 20th century social liberalism can be seen as closer to the social democratic right wing of the Labour Party, while people like John Stuart Mill can be considered to have made insights into the “good society” that may interest people on the left.

    However, even the left of the Lib Dems don’t want to abolish capitalism. They just want a more “responsible” capitalism, and their policies don’t go that far beyond more stringent anti-trust regulation, slightly more redistribution (concentrating more on taking poor people out of tax rather than increasing taxes on the rich btw), some environmental policies and a liberal approach to crime and immigration. This is simply a soft approach that doesn’t challenge the system itself, which is why I’d be sceptical about a coalition with the “Liberal Left” of the Liberal Democrats.

    We are not a liberal party and shouldn’t try to be liberal. We should look to pursue socialist policies, and if they coincide with liberal preferences (for example, if we can abolish the market we should have a much more open immigration policy) then great, but we shouldn’t bend over backwards to accommodate them.

    • Chilbaldi

      And here lies the eternal contradiction of the Lib Dems. They are a quite illogical and confused political entity in many ways, which is why they have never (and will never) build a solid political base.

      The Liberal left is of course, the wing that is sympathetic to Labour but can’t bring itself to be Labour. Variety of reasons behind this, from Vince Cable’s self-justifying “Labour are a party in thrall to the trade unions” that he trots out fairly regularly, to people like Ming Campbell and Charlie Kennedy who are opposed to Labour on more subtle ideological grounds.

      They appeal mostly to people who are for all intents and purposes left wing, but can’t bring themselves to vote Labour. Those that would never vote Tory but think Labour isn’t them. Guardian reading intelligentsia. People who regard Labour as ‘too working class’. People who have warped ideas about what Labour stands for based on preconceptions of the past.

      It is not, and never will be an election winning platform. They are a motley crew who represent a minority of the electorate that numbers thousands, not millions.

    • Anonymous

      I do not know the liberals would have less movement to make them self open to socialism, Labour would have to make a massive move to be seen as Socialist these days.

      Ed Miliband does not like being called red  Ed, he then makes this made up attack on the Unions, which has died a mysterious death, with Unions now saying he was misinterpreted.

      If the liberals wish to make a  home for people on the left and the left think they can have a home then why not, my problem this is more about getting back the lost liberal members then getting labour people.

      But to call labour socialist is stretching the  imaginations of people these days

  • Anonymous

    Hope to read and comment later- really glad to see on LL.

    Cheers, Jo.

  • jaime taurosangastre candelas

    I can certainly see a huge set of decisions for the Lib Dems coming up at both Party level and also in the hearts of the supporters.  To me, it seems at least possible that the Party is not strong enough and may split into two or more pieces, possibly after 2015.

    It appears to me that the Lib Dems are more divided than either Labour or the tories, both of which do certainly have internal differences.  The Lib Dem Party leadership are firmly clustered around the “Orange Book” agenda, many of the MPs including previous leaders such as Charles Kennedy and Paddy Ashdown are deeply sceptical of the Orange Book cadre, and probably more in tune with Labour than the tories.  Lib Dem Party supporters split between left and centre leaning factions, often geographically (south west vs northern Lib Dems is a good example).

    I also think that there’s a sea-change going on in how the public look at politics.  The rise of individualism in the last 20 years, and the abrupt check imposed by the most recent financial crisis seem to me to put together a respect for the role of the individual, and a concern for how our society operates.  That is classic Liberal territory.  So we may have the Party representing that thinking about to fall apart, but yet an increased interest in the underlying principles by the people.  None of that is yet in the opinion polls, but it is a slow-building movement.  Maybe it will take a new Party to seize that, not the Lib Dems who are discredited by their deal-making and abandonment of some core pledges.

    • Anonymous

      Well yes people now see MPs as not like the local doctor or the local vicar or Priest, in my day you could go to your MP tell them about your problems and  if he or she could help they would.

      Now an MP is seen as just like me or you, we do not see the MP as anything else but a person doing a  job of work, and if they can they will be greedy enough to take money  by cheating.

      Politics has taken a massive hit, I told a lady who was having serious problems with her land lord to write to her MP, she laughed and said no thanks they’d only ask me for a fee.

      Politicians caused this them selves and they have nobody else to blame.

      Politician are now see more like the trotters and del boy or girl then as saints, and it’s about time to.
       

  • Chilbaldi

    Neal Lawson wishes Labour was like the Lib Dem left.

  • Anonymous

    This seems to me a movement fostered out of a concern for the May elections, it will no doubt appeal to all those Lib Dem councillors who hold seats because they ‘are not the tories’. Call me cynical but local lib dem councils are even now trying to pretend they are not really part of the ruling coalition, in an attempt to deflect the blame for the cuts (ie its all central gvt). This feels very much like a cake and eat it ploy. They want to be in government but at the same time act as a protest group and an opponent of some government policy. At somepoint they are going to have to realise that being part of government means supporting government policies, or leaving the party. They can either set up a new ‘left liberal party’ or make the more obvious choice of joining labour.

    • Anonymous

      I did reply Alex- but comment has appeared in a different place,
      not sure why.

      Jo

  • Anonymous

    I am personally happy and in support of this move.

    Although a long standing Labour supporter and more recently
    signed up member,(and will remain so;)
    I do believe very strongly that times have changed
    on the political landscape.

    Judging by the past election results for example,
    what came across was a much more dispersed picture,
    rather than a majority in any one camp or traditional boundaries.

    Also- this issues of our time require a collaborative approach,
    more nuanced thinking, and a wider alliance/common ground-
    eg around issues of social democracy and social justice, role
    of the state, innovative ways for community action and localism;
    models for real democratic working- people centred.

    I’m a strong believer in the civilizing role of state, and maintaining
    high quality public services- but also power to ordinary people
    in their communities.Maybe what needs reform is the way these have been
    enacted, and the lack of democracy applied/need for culture change?

    I think that alliance between people who share common ground in beliefs,
    regardless of which party they choose to belong to or associate with
    is fruitful and refreshing.It could also strengthen the “bases” on all sides.

    People I know and have spoken to over time tend to take a bit of a “pic and mix”
    approach to politics- although have core convictions based on experience.
    They might “associate” with one party or individual over time; but this can also change.

    Coalition politics has also proved a novel and possibly popular concept
    in some ways.(Although far less advantageous for the LD’s.)
    I think people like the idea of parties working together for the “common good.”
    It’s pragmatic- but I also think can be done in different ways.
    What we’re currently seeing though I believe is a Tory led agenda,
    the LD’s are getting little credit for the effort they are putting in.
    That’s not to say I don’t think the leadership hasn’t sold out
    on issues like tuition fees and the NHS Bill.
    But others have stuck out on principle and been much braver.

    Personally I’d like to see more of a movement flourishing on the centre left ground,
    eg taking inspiration from Scandinavian/European countries; also incorporating
    existing models like the Co Op, mutual societies, successful local projects and enterpises;
    anything democratically run.Also- the Green movement in all its forms, and
    research into green technologies seems very much part of the future.
    I’d also add the union movement- and people power; staff leading excellence in practice
    and initiating working practices and conditions, pensions etc.

    It’s the lack of democracy that’s been the problem in so many areas; also politics has been lacklustre in addressing the big issues over time IMO.

    On a practical front, maybe within the Labour movement there also needs to be
    a framework that links in to a wider alliance- bridging that gap?
    Not a split, or being contradictory to Labour principles- but seeking
    to build a wider movement rather than just sticking within traditional boundaries.

    I actually think if Labour had the ability to embrace this kind of approach,
    and strong connections could be built- the party would have a much greater chance
    of electoral success.

    If 56% of the electorate voted Labour or LD at the last election(article on Lib Conspiracy;)
    doesn’t that imply there is a majority on the centre left of politics?
    The landscape will have changed dramatically by 2015 no doubt;
    but I think people will be even less receptive to traditional boundaries
    or the kind of spin coming from any of the 3 main parties.

    I think the public want a kind of politics which inspires, shows conviction,
    has principles, involves people they can relate to, addresses the immediate issues
    affecting them, involves them, and stretches beyond the old ways of doing things.
    I think they hate spin of any sort, mistrust some elements of political and media elites,
    and feel left out of the equation; a kind of them and us situation.
    It would surely not take abig leap in imagination to address the need for greater
    democratic working for example?

    So I’d love to see big public debates, people working together across all boundaries
    on issues of common interest, and tapping into that well of creative potential and experience out there; it’s not just the preserve of professionally trained politicians.
    It’s people themselves that have the capability of resources.

    So, in a nutshell- great! Also enjoy immensely all the work and campaigning
    by Compass- and of course, LL as a great forum for ideas and writing.

    Thankyou, Jo..

  • Anonymous

    I hope this is genuinely what it appears to be Alex; also it may draw upon
    some of the great work already done by Compass, which to my limited
    knowledge has been around for some time?
    I suppose it depends how this all moves forward and sustains over time.

  • http://www.lindyloosmuze.org.uk/ Linda Jack

    Some interesting comments – and some points I’d like to deal with. Firstly – trotters1957 it’s very easy to make sweeping statements without any evidence – no one I know involved in either the SLF or Liberal Left is a free marketeer or neo-liberal – so if you have evidence to the contrary please provide it.

    Secondly -there is much speculation here on the reason for the group – as if we had formed as a last ditched attempt to get members back. Actually, as a group we have been in touch since the Coalition formed – involved initially in the contact with Labour to discuss policy. We thought long and hard about whether we should form or not, and if you want a broader explanation our Position Statement is available on our website http://www.liberalleft.org.uk/.

    Thirdly – why don’t we just throw in the towel and join Labour? Well, believe me, many of us have considered that! But rather like those of you who stuck with Labour when Blair took you away from all you stood for, we have decided to stay and fight – this is our party too and should reflect our values and the stated purpose of the party. Many of us, as has been pointed out, have problems with what has been an illiberal party, in my case, particularly in relation to youth and justice policies, but of course also in relation to Iraq and the drift towards marketization, without which foundation the Tories could not be proposing their health reforms.

    What seems to have been lost in all of this is the recognition of what unites us, namely a desire, as Neal has pointed out, for a good society – as our constitution states, where “no one is enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity”. That is why we are challenging what our leadership is doing in taking us so far away from those goals.  For the dinasaurs and tribalists who would rather just blunder on and allow the Tories with the help of our Orange Bookers, to ruin the lives of hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens – fair enough, but for those of you who recognise the value of co-operation, I look forward to working with you.

    • RedMan!

      Hang on, Linda. These health reforms are nothing like the reforms New Labour brought in. New Labour at least invested and improved the NHS, even rightwingers like Michael Howard and Norman Tebbitt have admitted that. These reforms take the ‘N’ out of NHS. The fact of the matter, whatever you may say, you are not going to succeed in defeating Clegg because he has more far more influence in his own party and no MPs will back your campaign.  Many Liberal Democrat councillors, members, activists and PPCs have joined Labour since Labour is the only progressive party, and its about time you defected rather than stay in a party which has betrayed all it has stood for to enhance a rightwing neoliberal government which is arguably more rightwing than Thatcher’s and nothing like New Labour.

  • http://twitter.com/all_thats_left_ All Thats Left

    At last murmurings of organised discontent amongst the Lib-Dems! Having read the statement contained on their website – I wholeheartedly agree that they are a good thing for progressive politics in the UK – in fact their mission statement (awful phrase) puts them a little bit further to the ‘left’ than the Labour leadership currently stands – which is a bit like old times! 
    I expand in the following article – feel free to comment: http://www.allthatsleft.co.uk/2012/02/three-cheers-for-liberal-left/

  • Anonymous

    I think you might find that in joining labour you will probably find a lot of like minded people with regard to some of your issues about Iraq and youth justice and might find it more natural to work with the social democrat wing of the Labour party than trying to continue in bed with a Liberal party which has virtually bandoned all interest in the Dem part of its union. If the alternative is to give the tories a softer edge you are simply giving the right of centre a longer mandate to rule and at the end of the day it will be their policies that get implemented. All coalition is doing is in some cases slowing down that process, and other areas allowing it to happen far quicker than it ever would have happened (if at all) under a minority tory gvt. Which is actually what I think the country wanted (all parties having to work together to create policies that served the majority of the people) when they created a hung parliament. They are tired of the tribalist nonsense and want to force all parties to agree on positive tings which need to be dealt with (like the economy, dealing with an ageing population, the environment) and not having opposition for the sake of oppposition.

  • Pingback: The Liberal Left – a new force for ‘muscular liberalism’? | Catch21 Productions

  • RedMan!

    Neal Lawson shouldn’t be encouraging this pressure group to remain in the Liberal Democrats, he should be actively persuading them to join Labour! His sniping and continuous criticism of Labour is rather sad. There are many great things New Labour did, and many not so great things that New Labour should have done.  Neal has to remember that the Liberal Left group are still in a party that is part of a rightwing government which is indulging in a more neoliberal programme to roll back the state rather than to reform the role of the state! I hope this “Liberal Left” group leaves the Lib Dems, and joins Labour and Neal Lawson as well as the rest of Compass should persuade them to do that.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/UFOD7S6CACDP5BYWJT6BMJNQ24 Jack

    A good article.  I agree that we need to address the disaffection for Labour because of their war on Iraq. Not to mention their facilitative role in the financial meltdown, their obsession with surveillance and all the other signs of a creeping Big Brother-style control freakery. As the Occupy movement has demonstrated, the 99% require a credible alternative, and a more functional Social Democracy that listens to the people, with decision-making based upon real, rather than imaginary, consensus would go a long way to redress the mass disenchantment with party politics in this country.

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