In praise of politics
When all of politics is denigrated, only the extremists win. And no one loses more than the left.
They’re all the same. No matter who you vote for, the government wins. if voting changed anything, they’d abolish it.
How often do we hear these things and a thousand similar expressions, all there to convince us that there is no way to achieve change - especially change through democratic participation? All the damn time is the answer.
How often, on the other hand, do we hear a defence of the system? Or even more rare - a passionate tribute to the importance of democracy, democratic participation and the work of elected representative at all levels?
Regular readers will know that I am frequently critical of politicians of all stripes. I am critical of Tories and Liberal Democrats when I completely disagree with their policies, philosophies and approach to politics. But readers will also know that - especially in this newsletter - I reserve large parts of my ire and frustration to the Labour Party and its politicians.
This is not because I don’t believe in politics. Far from it. It is due to my fervant belief in the democratic system and the need for the best representation of opposing ideologies within it that I am critical. When I am desparing about bad politics it is the bad I am angered by. It is because I think we often deserve a better politics than we get.
So I get cross when left wing politics is done badly. From my local branch Labour party to the national party it infuriates me. I think the pursuit of the implementation of left wing politics is too important to be done badly. Too important for competence to come second to tribal or factional loyalty. Too important to cede power to purity.
I want the absolute best salespeople for Labour’s ideas out front. I want the absolute best policy minds dreaming up egalitarian solutions and the absolute best capaigners and communicators working out how to translate them from wonk to human.
I want people who want to engage the public - not simply enrage the base. To get involved in the battle of ideas - not try to shut it down.
I believe this is the only way for left wing politics to win and keep winning.
But more than this, I also want a strong argument to come from competent opponents. Not because I want to see the Tories keep winning. I see far too much of that already thank you very much.
But there are a few reasons to want a better right wing politics than we have now.
Firstly, they are in power. They are running the country. And they are not doing so especially well. The vaccine roll out has been a triumph, but little else in response to the pandemic has. Odds are that they are going to mess up the recovery horribly - both ideologically and incompetently.
I want them to do what they want to do better, because it is not just their incompetence in the moment that I want to see exposed, but the callousness of their practice at its best.
But equally, I want there to be a basic level of competence to keep the lights on. I don’t trust this government to do that metaphorically - and increasingly literally.
A strong Conservative Party should, were things working as they should, galvanise Labour to be stronger too. this weird mishmash of a strong vote winning machine with an appalling lack of ability to govern is leaving the country in a mess but the Labour response in limbo. The worst of all worlds.
Being disparaging of politics and democracy is not confined to any ideology. But I would argue that it is more helpful to the right than the left.
Politics and political ideologies are complicated. But for a moment, let’s pretend that they aren’t. Let’s assume that democratic politics works purely along the economic left/right axis from collectivism (higher taxes, high levels state support and investment) to individualism (lower taxes, low levels of state support and investment).
Politicians are there to administer the state. if the widely held belief is that they - and by extension the state - are useless, this benefits those who want to see less state. Fewer interventions and lower taxes. Who believe that we should sink or swim on our own regardless of the inequalities and inequities we are born to.
So those leftists who are so fed up of politics that they denigrate the whole system are perpetuating an argument that only aids their ideological opponents. They are literally acting as ‘useful idiots’.
It is perfectly fair and reasonable to want politicians, politics, the state and democracy to be better than they are. But in arguing for better, the left have to be really conscious not to empower populists whose empty individualistic rhetoric offers false promises and further entrenched disappointment.
There is a reason I tall a lot about hope in communication of politics. it is because positivism is the best way to make a case for collectivism. Labour can win and win better when the country is in an optimistic mood if it can offer the politics to match that. That doesn’t mean denigrating the very systems we want to run. It means offering a vision of better that brings out the best in democracy and the best in politics and making a strong, clear and proud case for both.
What I’ve been up to
TICKETS FOR NO CURE FOR LOVE ARE NOW ON SALE!
Inspired by the music of Leonard Cohen, this piece examines the truth behind love songs. Can love ever be like that? Would we want it to be? Does love age with us or do we always fall like teenagers?
Join musicians Scott and Rose backstage at the Broadstairs Folk Festival as they try to discover if there is - in fact - a cure for love.
This is a rare show about love, sex and romance between older people. We're jaded, but we still have appetites, hopes, dreams and romantic aspirations. But if we haven't found them yet - are we being realistic about what we want?
*****
Last week I was pleased to chair a fantastic event for Labour Business. It was an online fringe event for Labour Women’s Conference. Thanks to the joy of such things being online, you can watch the event - with speakers Seema Malhotra MP, Bridget Phillipson MP, Liz Hind (Labour Business), Rachel Burgin (Labour Business) and Olga Fitzroy (Pregnant then Screwed).
I also reviewed Rock Bottom at the Lion and Unicorn for View from the Cheap Seats.
Reading List
As anyone who has read this far (or any previous emails) will know, I am fascinated by thinking about what works and what doesn’t in terms of communication techniques - particularly for campaigners and politicians. as such, I know I can be guilty of overthinking this. So I found this brilliant piece by Steve Akehurst of Strong Message Here a fascinating and important corrective.
I’m not a member of Unite and so don’t have a vote in the General Secretary race. if I were though I would probably vote for Sharon Graham. Here she is saying everything I believe about getting back to the basic purpose of unionism. The union link to the Labour Party is important, but has loomed far too large in both other candidate’s campaigns. Graham is arguing for a workplace first approach and less obsession over Labour Party minutia. It is perhaps ironic that at the bottom of an email where I argue how much politics (and party politics) matters that I agree on this occasion!
Questions, comments and arguments are very welcome. Insults will get you summarily blocked on every platform that no longer hosts Donald Trump. I’m at emmaburnell@gmail.com or on Twitter (far too often) at @EmmaBurnell_.