A manifesto people can believe in

By Jonathan Roberts / @jroberts82

Too often ambition is painted as a negative characteristic of modern politics. Those with the energy to pursue noble causes are regularly confused with those willing to bully their way into office. But it is ambition that drives change. It is ambition that restores hope.

Like many, I’m ambitious for myself, my family, my friends, my party and my country. I respect those who want more. I respect those who are prepared to work for it. I respect those who have a big idea and want to spend their time working to make it happen.

For this reason I find it hard to criticise the concept of the Big Society. Now, I know it has more than its fair share of problems. I understand the view that it is a smokescreen for cuts. I understand that if we are to make our communities stronger it requires investment, and that at this point in the economic cycle such investment is near impossible. But politically speaking, the Prime Minister has a big idea – and instead of glibly criticising it we need to start the search for a big idea, albeit a more deliverable one, of our own.

We need to find one single thing that can change politics in this country. that can unify people and re-establish Labour as a movement and not just a party. We need an idea so bold that it can remind the public that change, real change, does not come from Westminster; it goes to Westminster.

So what will our big idea be?

We know we are at our best when at our boldest. But we are also at our best when we are truly connected to every community in the country. And in turn people feel most connected to a movement in which they believe they are playing a part, no matter how small.

I want us to build the Big Manifesto, a people’s manifesto, a manifesto that does not simply give people a stake in the work of government, but gives them ownership of it too.

I want to see every CLP in the country work with their community to create policy. I want to see events being held with young people, pensioners, workers, employers, volunteers and more. Each member of the public who attends will come armed with one idea and be prepared, if chosen, to stand up before the audience and make their case. After debate and discussion there will be a vote. If successful, their idea will be entered into a constituency manifesto that will shape the work of the Labour candidate, and contribute to a comprehensive national manifesto the whole party can get behind.

It was an idea I trialled in sixth forms whilst Parliamentary Candidate for Thirsk & Malton in 2010. We built a process that genuinely inspired young people to engage in politics and, as a result, dozens of new members were recruited in one of the most Conservative areas of the country. They had created my policies; a series of ideas shaped by a Labour candidate, but ultimately created by the public. And it became a manifesto they believed in.

If appropriately developed with online technology and enthusiasm from activists, this is an idea that could give purpose to the would-be community organisers those at the top of the party have sought to recruit.

As always, we are limited only by the boundaries of our ambition. For too long ordinary members have felt disconnected from policy development in the Labour Party, and in turn local people have felt disconnected from the parties seeking their votes. We have time to put that right. We need a big idea that will allow Labour and the public to work together for the common good. Perhaps it will be my idea, or perhaps it will be yours. Either way, the clock is ticking and the race is on. So let’s get thinking.