So what is the solution? Whatever Labour says or how they say it will be presented negatively by an overwhelmingly hostile press including the Guardian it seems.
Spot on! I just hope they listen as it’s hard to take the disappointment and frustration over their failure to make a good impact now that they finally have the chance. We deserve better after what we’ve been through.
Even their attempts at imagery - pillars, milestones - connote stasis. It's all so leaden. Perhaps they think this reassuring, in which case they are catastrophically wrong
Sorry don’t get it. Is Farage really winning? What has he won? If we are taking about centre left malaise when Labour has a majority this huge I’m not sure where there is left to go in terms of this kind of navel gazing pessimism.
Really good piece. Starmer and Reeves probably cannot change so they need to push forward others who do "human" better. The obvious ones are Rayner and Jess Phillips. Regrettably in new the draft Morgan McSweeney's grip on candidate choice has squeezed out character at the expense of conformity.
Labour’s big problems are
- it is a bunch of technocrats who have no vision for the challenges of the 2020s
- it is not prepared to take on vested interests including tackling inequality through wealth redistribution
That's not the problem. The problem is in the oratory. Making a difference is not enough. They have to sell the change, and that's where they are lacking.
They are not offering real change.
So if they were good at selling, they’d just be selling platitudes (like the Democrats did with their “joy” convention messaging).
Https://reason.com/2024/08/23/manufacturing-joy-at-the-dnc/
But that's not true, Colin. It may be what the press would have you believe, but Labour have already:
Increased the minimum wage; increased capital budgets for schools; provided money for breakfast clubs; provided (some) money for social housing; removed non dom status; renters rights bill;...
... Water measures bill; rail franchising bill; great British energy bill; skills bill; safe access to abortion clinics; children's wellbeing Bill; employment rights bill; tobacco & vapes bill; getting rid of one word Ofsted reports; getting rid of the Rwanda scheme.
And they have 4 more years.
1 - And all that is still only scratching the surface of the rapid, radical, systemic changes we actually need.
2 - It’s predicated on unsustainable (and unachievable) infinite growth when we need to achieve zero emissions ASAP
3 - None of it changes the balance of power and wealth in the UK.
Interesting article I don't disagree. I wonder why we, as a society have become more childish? Conspiracies are our fairy tales and emotions rule us like toddlers. I suspect Keir Starmer wont get that at all.
John, this is the best piece I’ve read on Labour. I’m a professional writer who’s written political campaign copy in the past. I’ve been pulling my hair out for a few years now to over how poorly Labour communicates. The failure to tell stories or to speak in language people actually use. Awful.
Really good and thought provoking piece John. Starmer et al need to wake up and shape up fast. Their eyes appear trained on Badenoch & Co, when the real danger lies elsewhere.
It's unfortunate that someone who could speak and inspire, Jeremy Corbin, has been cast out. Caroline Lucas' book Another England explores the search for a new story but who will be Its voice?
Comments
A direct link to this article is the Homeland Party.
- it is a bunch of technocrats who have no vision for the challenges of the 2020s
- it is not prepared to take on vested interests including tackling inequality through wealth redistribution
So if they were good at selling, they’d just be selling platitudes (like the Democrats did with their “joy” convention messaging).
Https://reason.com/2024/08/23/manufacturing-joy-at-the-dnc/
Increased the minimum wage; increased capital budgets for schools; provided money for breakfast clubs; provided (some) money for social housing; removed non dom status; renters rights bill;...
And they have 4 more years.
2 - It’s predicated on unsustainable (and unachievable) infinite growth when we need to achieve zero emissions ASAP
3 - None of it changes the balance of power and wealth in the UK.