tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post4656756203985783068..comments2023-10-27T07:50:27.411+01:00Comments on Next Left: Tribes or causes? Why the left must campaign across party linesTom Hampsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05917325958130851128noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-74478674730901330112010-01-12T11:33:12.535+00:002010-01-12T11:33:12.535+00:00Thanks for the comments. A couple of points that I...Thanks for the comments. A couple of points that I think are worth expanding.<br /><br />We should not be so naive as to think that every Labour and Lib Dem supporter shares a single set of values. James Purnell set out some of those tensions in yesterday's Guardian and Newmania cites another (btw do you have a link for the 35% figure before, which I've not seen before). <br /><br />That said, we should be clear that there is commonality of views from activists and supporters on many policy issues including a proactive economic policy (rather than laissez faire), a need to tackle climate change through multilateral means, increasing rather than undermining the solidarity of the welfare state, and the need for further constitutional reform. <br /><br />The problem with the non-cooperative status quo is that we get into a trap where progressive parties in opposition (ie Lib Dems & Greens) have an incentive to point to the Government's failings rather than suggesting solutions. I certainly don't agree with all Newmania's assertions but there is little doubt that Labour is out of touch on both immigration and the EU. There are clear problems with both but they have also been allowed to become scapegoats for society's other ills. Without consensus, it is politically hard to stand up and talk honestly about how the right forms of immigration make us both culturally and financially richer while the wrong kinds undermine our social solidarity. There are similar positives and negatives of the EU that rarely get aired.Will Strawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09004090467476756268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-16636438458784933602010-01-11T23:18:54.380+00:002010-01-11T23:18:54.380+00:00yes I could easy vote BNP in anger at labour. But ...yes I could easy vote BNP in anger at labour. But I will more then likely not vote at all or I will vote Lib Dem's thats a break of forty years in labour.<br /><br />My argument is why the hell has labour ended income support, why is it that as a disabled person Paraplegia will I lose £12 from my benefits this year.<br /><br />I find it hard to under stand how labour can even think of stopping DLA from the over sixty fives. Most people in electric wheelchairs rent them from motability using DLA and AA.<br /><br />I know a lot of people would rather see the disabled gassed and I'm not talking about the frauds or the cheats, but like it or not many young lads from the military will struggle to cope on benefits I know I do.<br /><br />SO what the hell is New labour about who is the core voter, I've no idea.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05186557603493331701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-83461530136486480192010-01-11T21:29:46.838+00:002010-01-11T21:29:46.838+00:00There has been, essentially, a progressive majorit...There has been, essentially, a progressive majority in the UK.<br /><br />Given that 35% of Labout voters say their second choice Party is the BNP your "Progressive" majority is not progressing in quite the same direction is it .<br />When will you get it through your head that when the majority say tbey want less immigration , less EU , less abortion ,less soppy sentences less international aid and less Progressivism they are not lying.<br />As for the so called Liberal left its right up there with boiled ice in the fiction top ten.<br /><br />You go ahead and have another LibLab pact , pleeeze . It has clearly not occurred ot you that by pretending your ghastly product is two ( one for dry hair one for greasy) you exaggerate your support.Newmaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11922161971821380803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-21090229721181910222010-01-11T18:10:27.269+00:002010-01-11T18:10:27.269+00:00I totally agree with this article. Petty tribalism...I totally agree with this article. Petty tribalism is damaging progressive politics. On the Labour side this is reflected in viewing the Lib Dems and other parties as irrelevant while in other parties its replicated in fantastical dreaming about replacing Labour (unlikely in our electoral system).<br /><br />Also, the point that needs adding to this is that in transcending these divisions the left would sow the seeds for a more pluralist politics that would inspire more confidence than the current model does.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com