I haven't read the book but I'll take your word for it that there is no 'mission' - but I don't think there needs to be a precise 'mission' - that just gives your opponents both inside and outside the party something to get their teeth into and cause distraction. First, 'cause no harm', so state what you think is causing harm and how to put it right, again state an end position not prescribe in detail how to get there - there are many ways to skin a cat and being prescriptive alienates people. During a light, dinner table, discussion my daughter asked me to define Socialism in a short sentance and in order not to alienate her I came out with a 'motherhood and apple pie' answer to which she answered 'well no-one would disagree with that' - which is the key to winning elections particularly when the opposition has alienated a lot of people.
However, to say that this strategy delivered a 'stonking electoral success' ignores the fact that Labour got around the same number of votes as under Corbyn but what made the difference was the Tory vote being split by LibDems and Reform. LibDems campaigning for realistically higher Income Tax - Reform, obviously, riding a wave of, understandable, fear of increasing immigration.
You want some 'missions' - choose some populist ones:
- reduce demand for economic immigration by funding training for current residents;
- enhance our independence, reduce the amount of money going out of the country and improve employment by investing in import replacement;
- reduce inflationary pressures by investing in the supply side - particularly green energy and actually reduce electricity costs for UK businesses.
Get the economy going and redistribute the benefits more fairly - higher pay for everyone and more progressive taxation to pay for improved public services.
I haven't read the book but I'll take your word for it that there is no 'mission' - but I don't think there needs to be a precise 'mission' - that just gives your opponents both inside and outside the party something to get their teeth into and cause distraction. First, 'cause no harm', so state what you think is causing harm and how to put it right, again state an end position not prescribe in detail how to get there - there are many ways to skin a cat and being prescriptive alienates people. During a light, dinner table, discussion my daughter asked me to define Socialism in a short sentance and in order not to alienate her I came out with a 'motherhood and apple pie' answer to which she answered 'well no-one would disagree with that' - which is the key to winning elections particularly when the opposition has alienated a lot of people.
However, to say that this strategy delivered a 'stonking electoral success' ignores the fact that Labour got around the same number of votes as under Corbyn but what made the difference was the Tory vote being split by LibDems and Reform. LibDems campaigning for realistically higher Income Tax - Reform, obviously, riding a wave of, understandable, fear of increasing immigration.
You want some 'missions' - choose some populist ones:
- reduce demand for economic immigration by funding training for current residents;
- enhance our independence, reduce the amount of money going out of the country and improve employment by investing in import replacement;
- reduce inflationary pressures by investing in the supply side - particularly green energy and actually reduce electricity costs for UK businesses.
Get the economy going and redistribute the benefits more fairly - higher pay for everyone and more progressive taxation to pay for improved public services.