Like many people, it has been a long time since I’ve paid attention to the Labour Party Conference.
Like many people, it has been a long time since I’ve paid attention to the Labour Party Conference. I turned away from Blair long before Afghanistan, whilst Brown and Miliband have done little to engage me. So it has been refreshing this week, to actually look forward to and enjoy speeches once more.
Naturally enough, the two speeches that I’ve been most interested in, have been those of the Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell and the new leader, Jeremy Corbyn and they didn’t disappoint.
I appreciate there are questions about John McDonnell’s past, but so far, I think he has been impressive in the role of Shadow Chancellor. In the interviews I have seen he has come across as quiet, thoughtful and conciliatory and during a recent Question Time appearance, it was refreshing to see a Labour politician attack the Conservatives on policy not personality.
On the day of his speech, Labour announced they had set up an advisory group of economic experts, including Ekklesia friend Ann Pettifor, and big names such as Joseph Stiglitz, and Thomas Piketty. A clear indication that Labour is taking their perceived weakness on the economy seriously and are looking for fresh ways to address economic problems.
Mc Donnell followed this up with an equally serious speech, which began with a welcome rejection of austerity. By citing the story of Michael O’Sullivan, who committed suicide after he was found fit for work, the Shadow Chancellor made it clear that it is time we put compassion at the centre of our economic thinking. His declaration that ‘We will end this brutal treatment of disabled people’ was welcome news for those of us who have long advocated for an end to the work capability assessment. I’m sure I wasn’t the only cheering.
The rest of his talk focused on how Labour can bring down the deficit by investing in industries and the public sector to ensure long term economic growth, challenging tax avoidance and cutting corporate welfare. Whilst I question whether the deficit is at really the issue, most of the solutions proposed are excellent. It is pleasing to see a Shadow Chancellor who understands that ensuring people have enough to live on isn’t just ethical, it makes economic sense.
The only disappointment was an ill-judged attack on the SNP which appears to have been down to some unedifying politicking at the Scottish Parliament. If Labour really want to understand what’s going on in Scotland, I think they’re going to have to speak to people outside the party.
Jeremy Corbyn’s speech yesterday (29/9/15) was another breath of fresh air. Beginning with an unexpected set of jokes about the mainstream media, he called for a kinder politics that allowed democratic debate rather than top down policy. He provided a spirited challenge to the Conservative allegation that he would make Britain insecure, citing the insecurities created by David Cameron’s government such as lack of housing, social care, employment opportunities for young people. He spoke up for human rights, pleading with David Cameron to speak to Saudi Arabia about Ali Mohammed Al-Nimr who is threatened with beheading and crucifixion.
He proposed ways to make Britain better, improving mental health, tackling the housing crisis, giving schools back to local authority and setting up a National Investment Bank. He spoke out on the importance of working for peace through “clever, patient, difficult diplomacy” and confirmed his opposition to Trident. He called for real debate that enabled people try to persuade each other to change their minds. He made it clear that he won’t abuse opponents and he expects his supporters to behave in a similar fashion, particularly on-line.
The most passionate section of the speech related to Labour’s values. He called for it to be the party that tells people ‘You don’t have to accept what you’re given’. He spoke of the commitment of Labour’s founder Keir Hardie to justice before concluding, “Don’t accept injustice, stand up against prejudice.Let us build a kinder politics, a more caring society together.Let us put our values, the people’s values, back into politics.”
When did a Labour leader last do that?
Of course, there were flaws. Corbyn isn’t the most polished speaker and there were some sections that were a bit repetitive. I don’t think he understands Scotland and there isn’t enough emphasis on green issues. But to me this was an authentic, honest speech from a man who has held the same principles all his life.
And, of course, the media , who, as Corbyn says “don’t get it” were quick to judge and find him wanting. Most of the commentary seem to suggest he was only speaking to the converted, missing the point entirely that despite their insistence on parroting the message of austerity, there is an alternative and many of us want to hear about it. Indeed, the idea that Corbyn’s views are only of interest to Labour voters seems to be undermined by the Sky poll that suggested 53 per cent of viewers could see Corbyn as Prime Minister. (Something Sky news tried to spin as 47 per cent couldn’t see him in the role, to howls of derision on twitter).
One of the main criticisms of the Corbyn/McDonnell team is that they are back bench rebels, steeped in the politics of protest. It is suggested that they don’t have what it takes to lead a party, which requires negotiation and compromise. Such critique reveals a very narrow understanding of leadership which doesn’t always have to go hand in hand with managerial experience.
Whilst many successful protests are achieved through cooperative consensus decision-making, the vast majority of campaigning requires skilful leaders. Such leaders, are able to work with differing (often strongly held views), debate key issues, negotiate through conflict, create opportunities for compromise to deliver a core message that people can believe in and understand.
Take a look at some of the campaigns Jeremy Corbyn has been at the forefront of – anti-apartheid, opposition to the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Shaker Aamer – and tell me that the leadership skills he developed there aren’t transferrable?
And whatever you think of the new Labour leadership team, one thing is clear. For the first time in years, Labour has shown that it can offer a real, effective opposition. An opposition that challenges the prevailing wind, which will help change its course. An opposition that tells people they don’t have to accept the status quo. An opposition that will tell the Conservatives ‘this far, and no further.’
I have no idea whether Labour will succeed in 2020, the odds are stacked against them whoever their leader is. But I do know one thing, when our current government seems hell bent on destroying everything decent about our country, I want someone standing in their way. It seems, at last, we have a Labour leader prepared to do that. And that’s something we should all be grateful for.
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© Virginia Moffatt is the Chief Operating Officer of Ekklesia.