Alongside the new economic settlement that is at the heart of Ed Miliband’s ‘One Nation’ appeal, long-term solutions are needed to address big issues like social care, pensions and climate change. The tough decisions involved, and the need to build wide support for radical change, demand a new approach to the way politics is conducted.
Achieving this change, and embedding it beyond one Parliament, means building the sort of progressive consensus that the 1945 Labour Government achieved in the post-war settlement on the welfare state, by reaching out to others who share similar values.
The days when over 95% of the electorate voted either Tory or Labour are long gone. Increasing support for smaller parties, switching between parties and differentiation between local and national voting reflect the changed approach of the electorate.
But this de-alignment and increased support for smaller parties sits alongside a clear consensus across supporters of different parties for the values at the heart of ‘One Nation’ politics. The changing political landscape may challenge the way politics has been conducted over the last 60 years, but it also presents a real opportunity.
Labour for Democracy was established, with support from across the Party, to explore how to seize that opportunity. The network has undertaken an analysis of recent polling on issues at the heart of Labour concerns. The analysis reveals shared values between Labour and Liberal Democrat voters, with similar values also identified among Green voters and others on key Labour issues.
This consensus across supporters of different parties suggests opportunities for cooperation to achieve radical change through a more pluralist approach to politics. This does not mean taking politics to the centre through compromise, but building on the views of voters to achieve real change and rebuild Britain. Labour for Democracy argues that other parties should ensure that the progressive values of their voters are reflected in their political programmes.
To promote this pluralist approach, Labour for Democracy will explore areas of agreement, researching views on key issues and opening up discussion across parties. The approach is not about coalitions, but about conducting politics differently. All Labour members will work hard for every Labour vote. Whether Labour wins an outright majority or the election produces a less conclusive result, the change Britain needs will require the support of all who share these values.