Progressive blogging statement

By Rowenna Davis / @Rowenna_Davis

At last, something positive may be coming out of “Smeargate”. A coalition of Labour Party members and supporters have put the internal bitching and blaming aside, and come together to present a positive set of principles to guide the left through the blogosphere.

I was asked to sign the statement, but couldn’t. Although I back the content, I’m not comfortable calling myself a Labour supporter. I’m one of those people who wants to support the party, but unfortunately the policies and politics of the top won’t let me.

But statements like this give me hope that I might be able to in future. Whilst Westminster collapses into factionalism, personality clashes and political maneuvering, there are excellent party members on the ground working hard to build something positive.

This statement is one example of that. The coalition argues that Labour should let go of its command and control approach to information and comment (something I know can happen from my time here as guest editor) and that political opponents can and should be challenged without resort to degrading personal smears (drench the Red Rag in oil, and put a match to it).

At the moment however, this statement remains a conceptual set of principles. To move forward, Labour needs to use these values to build some practical, tangible changes. For the sake of politics on the left and right, let’s hope they can.