It is a huge irony that whilst the Left endlessly looks inwards
as its factions bicker over who has the right to lead, those it aspires to lead
flock to the parties of the Right. How can the Left’s natural constituency vote
Right? Clearly, we must challenge old assumptions. Values and habit alone do
not sustain loyalty.
The revolution which many on the Left felt to be needed –
the peaceful uprising of the left-behind - has happened but not in the way any
imagined. No socialist intifada; no new economic model but the rousing voices
of nationalist demagogues. Same revolutionaries; different slogans. Sanders and
Corbyn tried but Trump and Farage succeeded.
Political mainstreamers need to reassess how and why this
has happened and is happening elsewhere. They no longer represent many of those
they believed they did. The workforces of the old industries and their communities,
cast out by Thatcherism, have been neglected ever since. Labour is no longer
the political voice for millions in large workplaces or even their homes. With
fewer workers unionised or organised, Labour’s relevance to voters is in
question. The demagogues have heard, seen and had the nous to respond, not only
by showing this but by applying their common touch to politics. It works.
So this is a watershed in democracy in the West, in UK, USA,
France and more. Old assumptions have been blown away by a failure to listen or
to keep abreast of people’s real needs. Speeches in Parliament and machinations
in the capital no longer work for voters. New media can foster new allegiances.
So can new parties. Labour has an
existential problem but this presents Labour Coast and Country with an
opportunity, to offer unrepresented voters a platform for sharing common
interests. Labour Coast and Country also offers the Labour Party the means to
turn attention to millions of its followers it has ignored for too long. Recognising
and structuring policy around communities shared needs could be a new model for
Labour; now, where are OUR demagogues to take the voters along with it?
Googled it:
ReplyDelete"demagogue: a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument."
Do we really want a demagogue? I think I know what you're saying but there must be a better description of the kind of people we need!
Gareth Looker