“Labour must end its laissez-faire attitude to social tensions”

‘Broken Britain’. ‘Moral decline’. ‘Disillusioned youth.’

And now, ‘feral underclass’.

Ken Clarke’s sound-bite diagnosis at the Tory Party conference reminded us that – amidst the gloom and doom of the impending economic storm – we would be foolish to ignore Britain’s social flaws. The sudden emergence of a disillusioned underclass must not be seen as simply just a flash in the pan. The same traits of disconnection with modern society have been shown – albeit through a more disturbing ‘ideology’ – in the rise in far-right groups throughout the final years of New Labour.

The absence of a feeling of belonging and identity has been regularly cited as the reason for the ‘have nots’ to riot and for other victims of inequality to turn to the far-right for empathy. Ex-National Front organiser turned anti-fascist campaigner Matthew Collins wrote that “It’s a common thread in extreme-right terrorists, looking for family and security. It usually involves blaming modern society.”

A prominent desire of citizens – even more so in these harsh economic times – is a sense of security and function. There is a real chance here for Labour to reassert itself as a party of unity and to reinstate the values which have too often appeared corrupted in recent years. A democratic blueprint of tolerance, liberty, justice, diversity, equal opportunities, the need to work hard for both one’s family and the common good; and of course, the human qualities of compassion, honesty, selflessness and integrity, must be reemphasised in the face of an ever broadening private sector which too often rewards the Darwinian vices of Thatcher.

Social disharmony is reflected most commonly in growing concerns surrounding immigration voiced by many Britons. The biggest problem appears to be a lack of understanding, resulting in an irrational dislike – or even hatred – towards those deemed ‘foreign.’

This disconcerting trend must be countered not by harsher immigration policy but by a new approach to multiculturalism. For too long the ideology of ‘a community of communities’ has been preached by the left. This symphonic mantra has one unfortunate flaw; it is human nature to form friendships with those deemed ‘similar’ to oneself, it is less common to seek out those who seem different. So this ‘community of communities’ becomes ‘different communities’ and unnecessary segregation occurs, fuelling ignorance. Therefore, more must be done to emphasise similarities between cultures rather than ideologically encourage people to ‘celebrate the differences.’

The coalition has already taken the lead on this issue. Cameron has introduced National Citizenship Service; ‘a two month programme for 16 year olds from different backgrounds to live and work together.’ Just because a Conservative implements a policy it does not mean it is wrong. Labour too often loses credibility by dismissing popular policies. The ‘we would go further’ line is often underused.

Labour must build on this policy and seize the opportunity to reclaim the centre-ground. A further step would be to introduce citizenship as a core subject in classrooms. An even bigger step would be to introduce a British Bill of Citizenship. The Bill would target ‘un-British’ extremists at opposite ends of the spectrum. By equating British values to democratic and humanist values, Labour would send a clear message to both angry nationalists and religious extremists of the principles on which Britain is built, whilst simultaneously offering an olive branch back into mainstream society.

As for the rioters, the Bill must be again be combined with the NCS programme and other community projects to help teach disillusioned youth the qualities needed to integrate into mainstream society in the form of rights and responsibilities (yes, Cameron again.)

Many of the liberal-left will conclude that this ‘isn’t Labour.’ But Labour has always been the party of the average worker. And let me tell you, the average worker doesn’t care about philosophy or ideology. He or she wants what is best for his or her family so that they can get on in life and feel comfortable in their community.

So Labour must shift from an ideological, laissez-faire aproach to social and cultural division and be more proactive in creating a harmonious Britain of which all its citizens wish to be a part.