The Tory threat is real – but progressives from across the political spectrum can come together to stop it

By Ken Livingstone

One thing that is absolutely clear from this first month of a crucial electoral year is that when Labour takes the argument to the Tories it advances – and when it turns on itself the Tories are able to float above the fray.

The first full week of the year started with the Conservative Party knocked off its agenda by Labour’s case that the Tory spending commitments do not stack up. In London Boris Johnson was on the back foot over his eye-watering fare increases. Gordon Brown was getting the better of David Cameron at Prime Minister’s questions, once again. But by the end of the week Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt had handed the media a perfect process-driven, personality obsessed Labour infighting story.

The Tories have largely dropped Cameron’s cuddly mask and now propose Thatcherism Mark II. David Cameron’s framework is that the many not responsible for causing the financial crisis should pay for it. At the same time the few should benefit, such as with the planned inheritance tax cut for the wealthiest estates in the country. Those on average incomes, the least well off, public sector workers, and others must be prepared to swallow savage attacks. Bankers should be protected. This is the real class war policy.

These and other Tory policies would rein back the stimulus to demand created by public spending, do nothing to address the real need of the economy – which requires investment to promote growth – and will do huge social damage. The Tories’ economic policy is perfectly encapsulated by the mydavidcameron.com poster ‘Tough on jobs, tough on the causes of jobs’.

At the same time the last few months have seen the Conservative Party abandon even any serious rhetoric about the environment. The true face of Conservative opinion is shown by the climate change deniers who dominate when you scratch the surface – as Sunder Katwala of the Fabian Society has helped expose. Any supporter of coherent economic policy and social justice, and anybody who cares about the future of the planet is bound to find themselves in opposition to the Conservative party.

Despite largely flattering coverage for the Tories in Cameron’s media echo-chamber – with Labour being in office in the worst economic crisis for seventy years – the Tories are still barely able to raise their level of support above 40%. Many voters who may be open to Cameron as an individual are nonetheless far from persuaded by the party that stands behind him. They worry that they will cut unnecessarily and too harshly.

Our problem is not the high level of support for the Tories but the need to raise support for Labour. A false debate has been set up by many of those whose policies drove away Labour voters over many years, with briefings against what has been called a ‘core vote’ strategy – which is then counterposed to a strategy of targeting middle England or bending the stick to the wealthiest.

Of course, Labour should aim to benefit the worst off in society. But it cannot win only with their support. Labour has won, and can only win, when it has the support of both those on ‘middle incomes’ and the less advantaged. As together these constitute a large majority in society, their combined support has been, and will always continue to be, sufficient to ensure Labour victories.

That course is wholly different to concentrating on attempting to win over the most well-off. That only cuts off our ability to ensure real resources are available to the majority of the electorate. The 50% tax band and the taxes on bankers’ bonuses transfer resources from a small and privileged minority to those on middle incomes and the least privileged – which is why they are popular and should be supported.

It is therefore also necessary to shape policy and engage in debate with those who support a progressive agenda but who, for various reasons, are not Labour supporters. Naturally at a general election each party will seek to maximise its support. But this must not cut across debate among those who seek to implement a progressive agenda and stop the coming to office of a viciously right wing Tory administration.

To this aim, Progressive London is organising a conference on January 30th on ‘A Progressive Agenda to Stop the Right in 2010‘. The aim is to debate a progressive agenda in London and more widely. It is something urgently required in the run up to a vital general election.

* Progressive Agenda to stop the Right in 2010 – 30 January, Congress House, Great Russell Street WC1H, 9.30am-5pm. Register in advance here.

* Speakers include leading Labour politicians such as Harriet Harman, Ed Milliband, Jon Cruddas and Diane Abbott and contributions from leading figures from other political parties and figures from media and entertainment including Bonnie Greer, Johann Hari, Kevin Maguire, and Speech Debelle.