The Campus Soapbox
Andrew Dixon, York Labour Club
So the present Labour Government has lost its way, people say. Perpetually dogged, it seems, by newspaper stories of ministerial mistakes and the appalling consequences of an ill-conceived war. At the same time, David Cameron’s Conservative Party look that much more cuddly and media-friendly than the Tories of old. Something appears to have gone drastically wrong with Labour and they are desperate to seem like the answer. But what in fact are the questions? Looking beyond image, beyond superficiality, beyond spin, what are the real questions?
Here are just a few. How do we secure international peace? How do we secure our futures against personal and economic uncertainty? How do we fight environmental degradation and catastrophe? How do we hold a modern society together?
However we define ourselves, as socialists or social democrats, one thing that unites all members of the Labour Party is that we believe in the value of collective action, that “by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone.” By contrast, conservatism takes the stance that “you look after you”. The implication always being: they sure as hell won’t.
With all the issues of importance that loom before us, the need for collectivism is most certainly clear. Peace and security cannot be achieved through military might, or at the dictat of a global superpower. Financial security requires collective provision for pensions and a decent welfare system. Environmental protection requires collective action through a democratic government. Justice and the cohesion of society require that resources are redistributed to where there is greatest need.
Cameron’s Conservative Party know that they can no longer ignore these issues. But their problem is that conservatism has none of the answers. If they are genuine, then they must face the choice of either joining another party, or entering deeply into self-delusion. Otherwise, they can only drift back into conservative ideology and therefore ever-further from the solutions required.
There remains only one serious political party with whom forward-looking answers sit comfortably. I believe for some years now though, the Labour Party has been hamstrung by the excessive dominance of one individual’s outlook and temperament.
But Tony Blair will soon be departing. The task for the Labour Party then is to lift its head from the day-to-day headlines, rediscover its purpose and apply its principles, to the benefit of us all. And you can have your say in this. You can join the Labour Party
