Graham Goddard and Tim Perkins (Carms & Manchester): There is currently a consensus among the three main political parties in the UK. They are no longer trying to differentiate themselves in terms of policies, but in terms of how effective they are at implementing those policies which have so far substantially failed the majority of society. In 1997, when Tony Blair brought Labour to power, there were great hopes that they would bring a new radical government which would reverse the movement towards a ‘me-first' society divided by wealth and income that was engendered by Thatcherism.
Hopes were gradually dashed as it became clear that new Labour did not have the courage to tell the truth to 'middle-England' middle class voters that economic growth could not pay for everything that needed to be done for the disadvantaged of our society - that the more ‘well-heeled' would have make a contribution. The rationale behind this lack of courage was a cold analysis of electoral mathematics, concluding that the 'swing seats' are predominantly occupied by the middle classes. Conversely, voters who would gain by substantial wealth and income redistribution were in predominantly safe seats. Liberal Democrats, who already had the tendency to contest on a tactical basis have arrived at the same conclusion. So all three parties are aiming policies at the relatively few voters in marginal constituencies, with the occasional crumbs and promises of 'jam tomorrow' thrown out to the remainder of the electorate. For similar reasons, all three parties are also devoted to the failed post-Thatcherite version of economics with the mantra of appeasement of major corporations and city interests, including the disastrously wasteful PFI policy.
So with all three parties now fighting over a relatively small group of core voters, tens of millions of others have been effectively disenfranchised; the increasingly iniquitous distribution of income and wealth goes unchallenged within mainstream politics, with politicians attempting to throw a veil over the extent of social issues which need to be tackled. The centre-left radical ground of national politics has effectively been deserted, so what hopes remain for the dis-enfranchised?
There have been attempts to create new political parties on the radical left, but they have lacked popular support because they proposed extremist policies which represented only small minorities.
With turn-out in general elections standing at an all time low, the time would now seem ripe for a new mainstream force within national politics for social justice to re-enfranchise those who want to support a moderate but radical, progressive left of centre party. The increased Government interest in electoral reform which could lead to an Alternate Vote system would give added impetus to such a renewal - electors would then be able to cast a positive vote for a minority party without feeling that it might be wasted. However, the suggestion that voting should be compulsory will simply increase the already widespread cynicism in the lack of choice at the same time as hiding the problem.
A new party would need to have the courage to break free from the present sterile consensus. It would have to have at its heart a commitment to equity and fairness for all, an end to the post-Thatcherite policies of failed economics, and a move to discourage rampant consumerism. It would need to have a vision of a cohesive society instead of the politics of envy. Could this vision become reality? The answer is yes, provided that the new party could convince enough people that it would be a totally different type of party, putting an end to 'spin', being ruthlessly honest about the issues which need to be tackled, and admitting to mistakes when they are inevitably made. The major hurdle would be to convince enough people that politics can be different, and can have the power to transform society.
Graham Goddard and Tim Perkins are currently endeavouring to establish a new mainstream political party in line with this thinking, and would welcome support by emailing grahamesme.goddard@btinternet.com
