Should Labour move right or left?

[Stoatwobbler]

Labour need to be more pragmatic and less idealistic. The most important thing is getting into power. There are too many people in Labour who prefer being out of power and criticising the government to being in power and having to make compromises.

 

But by the same token, Labour's pitch to the electorate needs to be more positive. Not just shrieking "VOTE FOR US OR IT'S THE TORIES" endlessly while acting like a much weaker version of said Conservatives. I really do worry that the moderate wing of the Labour party hasn't grasped this point.

Edited July 22, 2015 by Stoatwobbler
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[Jeffrey Shaw]

Labour need to be more pragmatic and less idealistic. The most important thing is getting into power. There are too many people in Labour who prefer being out of power and criticising the government to being in power and having to make compromises.

Corbyn, for one.

[DrNorm]

Labour too idealistic? Yes, I'd agree. Politics demands compromise. You're forever going to be sidelined if you don't face realities.

 

"The speed and rapidity with which we are beginning to be regarded as irrelevant and out of the debate is really terrifying.” Tristram Hunt

[Tommo68]

I don't care which way they move.

More right wing like they have been doing to become pseudo conservatives

More left wing to reject new labour and return to traditional labour values, working with the unions to safeguard british jobs for british workers.

 

Either way does not matter as long it helps them remain in a position where they can do no more harm.

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[Eric Arthur]

You're wrong - Even the permanent secretary to the Treasury, Sir Nicholas Macpherson, recently rubbished the idea, and admitted the economic disaster was “a banking crisis pure and simple”.

 

That's like Nigel Clough blaming Stuart Gray for Sheffield United's poor form.

[Mister M]

That's like Nigel Clough blaming Stuart Gray for Sheffield United's poor form.

 

Here is the article where it is referenced.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/may/03/senior-tory-financial-crash-was-purely-a-banking-crisis-not-labour-overspend

[drummonds]

That's like Nigel Clough blaming Stuart Gray for Sheffield United's poor form.

 

it's a line the labour party tried to sell right through the election campaign, but it fooled no one.

 

 

http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2015/04/the-truth-about-labour-and-overspending/

[Anna B]

I don't see why trying to promote more fairness, and helping those who need it is seen as 'left wing.' Nor does it preclude doing business with the great and the good to promote the best interests of this country. What's the problem?

 

Is it just this country (and maybe America,) who like to divide politics into two opposing forces without acknowledging any shades of grey?

[DrNorm]

Is it just this country (and maybe America,) who like to divide politics into two opposing forces without acknowledging any shades of grey?

 

It's the "first past the post" voting system:

 

"It is a common, but not universal, feature of electoral systems with single-member legislative districts, and generally results over time in a two-party competition" Wikipedia

[Tommo68]

So desperate have they allegedly become that it would appear that membership of the labour party is available at a give away price and you could pay as little as £1 a year. Their standard rate starts at £3.88 When signing up as a registered supporter – rather than joining as a party member – people must agree to the declaration: “I support the aims and values of the Labour Party, and I am not a supporter of any organisation opposed to it.”

 

With membership charges so low it is very tempting to join just to try and be sure they elect a new leader that will be most unlikely to be able to lead the party to win a general election.

 

As for the statement “I support the aims and values of the Labour Party," I do... I really do as long as they continue to help ensure no general election win in the forseeable future.

 

Seems like a few quid well spent if I can help to keep them out of office.

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