#Labour2015: Imagining the future

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

UPDATE: Some of the first tweets we’ve had – about a brighter future for us and our families under Labour – are now at the bottom of this post.

When Labour came to office in 1997 it did so under the slogan, New Labour, New Britain – with the intention of transforming the public services that had suffered from the nearly two decades of Tory neglect that I remember well.

Looking back on the last 13 years, I can say that in 2010, the hospital in which I was born has been completely transformed:

The school which I was about to attend for sixth form – and which I later worked at – has been largely rebuilt, with millions of pounds of Labour investment:

I can say the job at which I first worked, delivering commercial newspapers in my local area, is no longer allowed to pay the £1.50 an hour I received at the time, thanks to Labour’s minimum wage:

With Labour’s manifesto in 2010 promising the next stage of those reforms, it’s interesting to think of what Britain could be like in 2015 as a result of another term of Labour government.

That’s what Grace Fletcher-Hackwood has done in her post “Welcome to your future“. Grace writes:

“My eye was caught by a statement in the section on Living Standards that ‘We are committed to ending rough sleeping by 2012.’

Think about that for a second. Think about what a massive ambition that is.

Obviously, I work with homeless people, and I know that the vast majority of homeless people are not street-homeless. This means two things – firstly that there are already layers of safety nets between losing your home and finding yourself on the street; secondly that ending rough sleeping is not the same as ending homelessness.

But imagine if we do it. Imagine a Britain in which everyone has somewhere warm and safe to sleep. Imagine ridding the country of that level of fear and vulnerability. Imagine an achievement so enormous being within our grasp – by 2012!

All of which has made me think about what Britain will look like by the next election if we’re elected for a fourth term. What will life be like for me and my family and friends in a Labour 2015?”

Grace goes on to write about what life will be like for her and her family, and for her hometown of Manchester.

Myself, based on Labour’s manifesto, I can expect and work towards any number of things. Here’s what my life might be like in 2015:

* My eldest attends the local school that has been supported with increased government investment, and the school is accountable to me.

* My youngest is in the local Sure Start children’s centre that I once feared would be cut. I put the £4 a week tax credit she earns in my bank account, which it is now my legal right to possess.

* My parents are approaching old age with a national care service to help support them.

* I can visit my friends and family around the country in no-time, thanks to strategic investment in high-speed rail.

* Crime has continued to fall in my area, thanks to the protection of my local safer neighbourhood policing under Labour.

* Two years ago, I voted for the first time ever to elect a member of the House of Lords.

Why not tweet or leave your comments here for how you imagine your life will be, to #Labour2015?

@Politicana: We’ll continue to open new Sure Start centres in every community #Labour2015

@KevinMcKeever: You now have the chance to build up your skills and training at any time with the advanced apprenticeships and Skills Accounts. #Labour2015

@Jessica_Asato: The new global levy on banking means the sector is finally paying its full dues #Labour2015

@TomBlenkinsop: Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland will have 16 SureStarts in a #Labour2015, Tory plans would cut 5 of these!

@Politicana: The barbaric ‘sport’ of fox hunting will still be illegal #Labour2015

@ RichardAngell: The deficit will be halfed in a #Labour2015

@KevinMcKeever: Since the People’s Bank launched the Post Office has been revitalised and is back at the heart of our community #Labour2015

@SeemaMalhotra1: Bored by Tory’s launch. Imagining the future under Labour instead. The whole country’s been connected by broadband since 2012. #Labour2015

@msgracefh: Reminiscing about the London Olympics. Brilliant #labour2015

@Luke_cb: “We support the creation of a viable Palestinian state that can live alongside a secure Israel” in the manifesto #Labour2015

@JohnPrescott: Continuing to watch the Grand National on free TV NOT Sky http://www.backthenational.com #labour2015

@alexsmith1982: My kids fell behind at primary school, but now they got one-to-one and small group tuition to help them keep up. #Labour2015

@JoshMolloy99: Many more schools will have been rebuilt or refurbished under Labour’s Building Schools for the Future programme #Labour2015

@RichardAngell: Young people have so much choice at 16-19 now, not just school but loads of training and apprenticeship opportunities. #Labour2015

@kevinmckeever: People now know that being in work always pays thank to the £40-a-week Better Off in Work guarantee #Labour2015

@SeemaMalhotra1: Imagining the future: The Green investment bank is helping the economy and environment while upgrading our infrastructure. #Labour2015