In the wake of yesterday's threads, a few people have asked me what our 'red lines' should be in terms of any new leader. I want to be clear about this. Reaching out to many millions more voters doesn't involve 'selling out' in any way. So here's some basic red lines.
1. Climate change is accelerating all the time. It can't magically be negotiated with. The Green New Deal should form the centre plank of all future Labour policy - because we, and the rest of the world, only combat climate change by remaking and reimagining the economy.
2. Austerity. The Tories insist it is over. What should our red lines be there?
- A ten pound per hour living wage
- An end to private companies undertaking assessments of someone's 'work capabilities'
- Disabled benefits restored to a proper level
- UC and bedroom tax scrapped
- A ten pound per hour living wage
- An end to private companies undertaking assessments of someone's 'work capabilities'
- Disabled benefits restored to a proper level
- UC and bedroom tax scrapped
I'm not 100% sold on rent caps (I am 90% sold on them). But I'm very, very sold indeed on a land value tax. I think that policy would change the housing market more than anything else.
And I'd also ban international buyers from owning more than two homes.
And I'd also ban international buyers from owning more than two homes.
Both the above go beyond basic red lines, ie. they're ideas I think would work. But it'd be up to any Labour leader whether they agreed on that. Ditto, universal basic income: which I am convinced will be a reality by 2030.
But here's a third red line.
But here's a third red line.
3. I was especially proud of this year's campaign for providing zero false or misleading advertising. None whatsoever. We don't take on our opponents by sinking to their rotten, lying, corrupt levels. We do so with facts and evidence. Always.
And people might respond with "but lies work! And keep working!" And they're right.
That's where clear, simple messaging becomes so critical. Considerably because of the media and other Labour MPs, messaging has been a disaster in recent times.
That's where clear, simple messaging becomes so critical. Considerably because of the media and other Labour MPs, messaging has been a disaster in recent times.
Under an effective leader, that must stop. Labour MPs cannot continue to publicly undermine the leader: whoever they might be. Even the press won't be able to just make constant stuff up if it observes a united, disciplined party.
One final red line. Renationalising the railways. That policy isn't just common sense; it's quite massively popular.
Other cases of renationalisation are desirable, but not red lines. Again, that's for the next leader and their Shadow Cabinet to decide.
Other cases of renationalisation are desirable, but not red lines. Again, that's for the next leader and their Shadow Cabinet to decide.
Oh, one other thing.
DO NOT PANDER TO RACIST SENTIMENT ON IMMIGRATION.
Pandering to racism isn't just morally wrong. It's a slippery slope, which normalises it. Labour must combat the rise of the far right and Islamophobia, and all forms of racism in all cases.
DO NOT PANDER TO RACIST SENTIMENT ON IMMIGRATION.
Pandering to racism isn't just morally wrong. It's a slippery slope, which normalises it. Labour must combat the rise of the far right and Islamophobia, and all forms of racism in all cases.
Does that mean it can't advocate secure borders? Of course not. All countries have a right to those, and it's not 'racist' to suggest so.
But it also means a humane immigration policy. No absurd minimum income levels for immigrants; and respecting our international obligations.
But it also means a humane immigration policy. No absurd minimum income levels for immigrants; and respecting our international obligations.
