I'd be interested in the author's view on the existing electoral process. To my mind, it's not fit for purpose in the 21st century and all the main parties are struggling to come to terms with the fact that FPTP has to be replaced. Personally, I feel you either take devolution seriously and distribute power to all parts of the Union, which redraws all the constituency boundaries or, as is the case now, you end up with partial devolution making the process worse. A corollary for me would be a much reduced in number of members in the House of Commons. Better representation is essential.
I agree with all this, though was slightly depressed by the point that Labour is broke which may be contributing to the dearth of policy... I'd been hoping it was keeping its powder dry pre election. Key themes for me are being connected in a modern world, technology and data as routes to public service reform, rather than managerialism and more money, and being honest about the depths of challenge on climate change and investment for a growth economy. I also liked the avoid Britain being relegated to a second tier power language in the recent rest is politics podcast. Maybe also new deal in terms of supporting the younger generation. The rise of AME through pension costs is making DEL spending difficult... one for another time maybe!
Its a fairly trivial point, but the massive success - including, and even particularly among younger cohorts - of the series Stranger Things, a massively nostalgic exercise, does somewhat counteract your opening argument. I suspect there are plentiful other reasons for the reduction of young people going to cinemas
An excellent summary of the current position, particularly I think of the Conservative party. It deserves a considered response and I will try to suggest some ways out of the nostalgia trap. In my view this is down to the Labour Party.
One advantage Labour has is that it does not yet have a clearly defined public persona. This gives it more flexibility but has to change as we approach an election. As you suggest this must be more appealing to young people without alienating too many older voters.
The party has to be patriotic but not nationalist. The essential difference is that a patriot looks to the welfare of the people of a country which includes recognising when cooperation with others is needed. Any attempt to chase after Britain's nationalists (Conservatives and SNP) will fail.
Language is vital in modern politics and I suggest that the term "effective ambition " might be useful. This is positive but does not seek to imitate the boasting and fantasies of others.
Labour must have an ambitious investment programme to put our economy on a sustainable basis and this should be worked out as close to the ground as possible. This is where others - political parties, business, unions and academics could help out. Voters in Wakefield or Glasgow or Margate should be able to see what a new government is offering to help their lives. The main method of paying for this could be long term bonds available to institutional and private investors.
I'd be interested in the author's view on the existing electoral process. To my mind, it's not fit for purpose in the 21st century and all the main parties are struggling to come to terms with the fact that FPTP has to be replaced. Personally, I feel you either take devolution seriously and distribute power to all parts of the Union, which redraws all the constituency boundaries or, as is the case now, you end up with partial devolution making the process worse. A corollary for me would be a much reduced in number of members in the House of Commons. Better representation is essential.
I agree with all this, though was slightly depressed by the point that Labour is broke which may be contributing to the dearth of policy... I'd been hoping it was keeping its powder dry pre election. Key themes for me are being connected in a modern world, technology and data as routes to public service reform, rather than managerialism and more money, and being honest about the depths of challenge on climate change and investment for a growth economy. I also liked the avoid Britain being relegated to a second tier power language in the recent rest is politics podcast. Maybe also new deal in terms of supporting the younger generation. The rise of AME through pension costs is making DEL spending difficult... one for another time maybe!
Its a fairly trivial point, but the massive success - including, and even particularly among younger cohorts - of the series Stranger Things, a massively nostalgic exercise, does somewhat counteract your opening argument. I suspect there are plentiful other reasons for the reduction of young people going to cinemas
An excellent summary of the current position, particularly I think of the Conservative party. It deserves a considered response and I will try to suggest some ways out of the nostalgia trap. In my view this is down to the Labour Party.
One advantage Labour has is that it does not yet have a clearly defined public persona. This gives it more flexibility but has to change as we approach an election. As you suggest this must be more appealing to young people without alienating too many older voters.
The party has to be patriotic but not nationalist. The essential difference is that a patriot looks to the welfare of the people of a country which includes recognising when cooperation with others is needed. Any attempt to chase after Britain's nationalists (Conservatives and SNP) will fail.
Language is vital in modern politics and I suggest that the term "effective ambition " might be useful. This is positive but does not seek to imitate the boasting and fantasies of others.
Labour must have an ambitious investment programme to put our economy on a sustainable basis and this should be worked out as close to the ground as possible. This is where others - political parties, business, unions and academics could help out. Voters in Wakefield or Glasgow or Margate should be able to see what a new government is offering to help their lives. The main method of paying for this could be long term bonds available to institutional and private investors.