What is that, in your view?
That’s a good question, and honestly, I’m doing a bit of soul searching atm, politically.
Firstly, the key battle grounds of the next election is not clear. It’s too early in the election cycle for policies.
A few things, in my view, the Labour Party needs to address (in no particular order):
1) A plan for devolution countries. It’s haemorrhaging votes in Scotland and Wales. Is the solution a more centralised or decentralised Union. Instinctively, I’m a unionist. But, there may be value and a demand in more devolution.
2) Immigration. I’m pro-immigration and believe it benefits the nation in so many ways. But, this has been an issue for old working class Labour voters for some time. Promoting an ‘Australian style points system’ is pretty popular with voters. The win-win here is that Australia has high levels of immigration.
3) it needs to put to rest this antisemitism issue. It’s a blight on the party and something that is being used against the party.
4) Jobs creation. Depending on Covid-19 and Brexit, may be a big issue going into the next day election.
5) Regional Rejuvenation. How are they going to bring these old communities back to life? The Preston Model is an interesting case study, and one of the few places to remain Labour.
6) Other areas it needs to focus on: increase police funding (having worked in security, I got an insight into how thinly spread they are); increase vocational courses (not everyone needs Uni, 50% was arbitrary number); don’t be seen to be giving out too many ‘freebies’ (the broadband policy was not well received). I’ve skimmed over these points massively.
Look, I’m a cosmopolitan, university educated person from a v working class background. But, I like the idea of Blue Labour at this moment. Frankly, I think it’s probably the direction the party needs to go in if it is to survive and win votes.