NEW ENGLISH SOCIALISM WHAT GOES INTO THE PROJECT? RT HON LIAM BYRNE MP CO-FOUNDER RED SHIFT WWW.REDSHIFTLABOUR.CO.UK 1
Our ability to collaborate is the secret of our success “[C]ooperation networks from the cities of ancient Mesopotamia to the Qi and Roman empires were ‘imagined orders’. The social norms that sustained them were based neither on ingrained instincts nor on personal acquaintances, but rather on belief in shared myths… “W e believe in a particular order not because it is objectively true, but because believing in it enables us to cooperate effectively and forge a better society . Imagined orders are not evil conspiracies or useless mirages. Rather , they are the only way large numbers of humans can cooperate effectively .”
Fraternity is under pressure Great Financial Crash sparks huge decrease is level of social trust 2009
‘W e’re not all in it together” Individualism - and decline of class Rise of inequality Rise of immigration Exploitation of Islam End of insurance - and earned contribution
Decline of class Middle class majority from around the turn of the century
Rise of inequality There’s been a huge rise in the national income captured by the top 1%
Accelerating immigration
Racism is now on the rise Around 5% rise in self- declaration of prejudice
Exploitation of Islam European support for the #TrumpBan, Feb 2016
End of insurance “Benefit in return for contributions, rather than free allowances from the State, is what the people of Britain desire”. Sir William Beveridge, 1942.
End of insurance The UK now has one of the least contributory system in the Western world
The future requires more collaboration not less 1. Rise of the robots demands new institutions to help workers adapt, thrive and advance as the jobs market changes. 2. England’s public realm needs renewing for 21st century life. • Help provide for us in old age, as we age longer; • Deliver personal healthcare, within a national English Health Service; • Provide us, our children and grandchildren with somewhere affordable to live; • Help us protect the environment we share; • Govern new public goods, like data. 3. Champion ‘big- hearted England’, the self- belief and Churchillian confidence that we can still help change the world for the better
The new battle-lines: patriotism vs nationalism
Progressive patriotism “Patriotism has nothing to do with Conservatism. It is actually the opposite of Conservatism, since it is a devotion to something that is always changing and yet is felt to be mystically the same. It is the bridge between the future and the past.”
The power of Englishness Englishnes s up by a third
Politics has to win the ‘new gerontocracy' The new electorate? Assumes registration levels and turnouts are static 10,000,000 Pensioners are the largest voter bloc – and growing 7,500,000 5,000,000 2,500,000 0 65+ 55-64 45-54 35-44 Under 35 2015 2020 Source: House of Commons library projections based on 2015 registration levels and turn-outs
What goes into Englishness? 1. Rules are really important 2. Tolerance 3. Compassion 4. Outward looking 5. Local 6. Radical about power 7. Scientific, rational 8. Beauty 9. Nature is vital: ‘green and pleasant land’ 10.We hate bullies. And love underdogs
So what’s the political project? 1. Party in pursuit of progress: a new bank holiday and a day to celebrate what we have in common should be St. George's Day. • 60% of people agree that we just don’t do enough to celebrate St George’s Day 2. English Labour: from Blue Labour to Green Labour. • Author proud, bold conservationist project that defends the countryside and greens our towns and cities 3. Radical about power: devolution and cooperatives 4. Parliament should champion England effectively - from Cumbria to Cornwall - because there is no focus on place within the English government. • Full time Regional ministers • English Regions committee • Lords reform to enshrine a regional list 5. Champion inclusive Englishness - including a proud English Islam. 6. Celebrate English language, tolerance and compassion, an outward looking disposition and a yen for science. 7. Revise public spending systems like the Barnett formula
Politicians have to lead bottom up not top down
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