Normally it’s Conservatives who like to wrap themselves in the union flag. Yet Labour could in fact now have most to gain from an assertion of progressive nationalism. Not the customary left of centre perspective; but the rationale goes from hard-headed economic policy through helping Labour best communicate its vision of the future to tactical…
It is great to be here at the Fabians. Today I want to talk to you about the idea of One Nation. The idea of a country which we rebuild together, where everyone plays their part. It is not an idea rooted in Fabian pamphlets. Though I bow to nobody in being an avid reader…
A group of senior figures on the left have written a letter to the Guardian explaining the political reasons why Labour needs to lay the groundwork now for a possible Lib-Lab coalition after the next general election, and the principles on which it might rest. The full text below is taken from Shifting Grounds: We…
The British people have never felt a great affinity with political parties, and politicians are unwise to think that we can return to a golden era of political engagement. However, the current ‘anti-politics’ mood is not only further eroding trust in politicians of all parties, but is likely to do most damage to Labour, as…
Traditionally, the left has been reticent about engaging with national identity. Patriotism has often been seen by social democrats as inimical to progressive politics; an emotional sentiment which is the natural preserve of the right. This has to change, and indeed things are changing. Ed Miliband was quite right a few months ago when he…
There is a cynical old saying in American politics: “the best time to kick a man is when he is down.” But my party should resist the temptation merely to kick David Cameron as its only project. Labour’s much larger task– shared with all modern parties – is to rebuild politics itself and tackle democracy’s…
In the 1990s Tory Ministers in the Major government claimed that selling-off the UK’s railways would bring “benefits to passengers and taxpayers”. Such a claim now appears laughable after years of rail fragmentation and chaos: rising fares, little sign of improved services and an estimated loss to the taxpayer of £1.2bn each year since privatisation. …
Recently I was asked how excited members of the Labour party were about their membership. As we were talking, Anne-Marie Huby (co-founder of Justgiving.com) then pointed to research published by the Harvard Business School that suggests the best reflection of the quality of any organisation is the number of people who would recommend it to…
For the last two years I and many others have called and called again for political panels in general – and particularly those around the Labour party conference – to be a bit more gender balanced; to at least have one woman speaker on every topic. It really isn’t difficult to do. In the 10…
The Labour policy review is well into its second year and on its second custodian but are we any clearer as to where it’s taking the party and who owns the current policy positions? We need to avoid creating false expectations and be open about what is happening if we are to build the support…
RT @sophie_kside: Looking forward to joining @youngfabians in Portcullis House later to discuss solutions to the #CareCrisis RT @steve_race: Thanks to @denmarkinuk and Ambassador Steffenson for hosting the @youngfabians reception with @DMiliband last night - a fantastic event.
RT @v_butler: Great @youngfabians policy commission event on the UK's care crisis tonight https://t.co/dmS4S6fiha @FelicitySlater RT @jhallwood: Should the UK intervene in Syria? If so directly or indirectly? Maybe not at all? Answer @youngfabians poll here: http://t.co/sHe6bWkuDJ RT @tessreidy: @DMiliband great speech last night, good to meet you again @youngfabians @denmarkinuk RT @FelicitySlater: Tonight, @PatrickDiamond1 joins @youngfabians for 'care crisis' policy discussion. Come along! https://t.co/ckPui6jRtH