Really excellent piece and I struggle to think what the structural change is that could be made here to improve either issue you raise. There was a great quote floating around (probably from Stephen Bush) that Labour is a bit like a newly independent state with democratic institutions but no real democratic culture and every faction will use every procedural tool available to hammer their opponents. How much of that can be outsourced to independent institutions? How much can be done openly and transparently without providing endless grist to the Conservatives and other opponents?
Where I think I disagree is that I do think FPTP is at least partly to blame for this in that there is only space for one major UK-wide non-Tory party so the stakes for controlling it are incredibly high, enough to allow people to justify almost anything.
These are all excellent questions. And I wish I had more answers.
I don't completely disagree about FPTP. But we're talking about a G7 country where children are suffering from Victorian diseases. As such, I go back to "the language of priorities is the religion of socialism".
I agree with elements from several parties and argue with readers of right wing papers, so I am exposed to a greater variety of views than just the Labour Party, but to get the Tories out reliably, the LibDems and others may be needed.
I just don't run my beliefs through simply what I don't like. And I never will. Which is why the strongest argument for any alliance being an anti-Tory one is never one that will hold sway for me.
Emma, I unsubscribed because of your opposition to a progressive alliance. The Socialist left will never run Britain as a majority. Their best bet is to contribute to coalitions, which they would be able to if we get a decent system of PR voting. This would be furthered from a Progressive Alliance.
That's absolutely your choice. I can no more force you to read my newsletter than you can force me to believe in a Progressive Alliance.
I might gently suggest though, that if you are this reactive to someone with a different opinion from you, you might find the reality of being in alliance with several other parties quite difficult.
Really excellent piece and I struggle to think what the structural change is that could be made here to improve either issue you raise. There was a great quote floating around (probably from Stephen Bush) that Labour is a bit like a newly independent state with democratic institutions but no real democratic culture and every faction will use every procedural tool available to hammer their opponents. How much of that can be outsourced to independent institutions? How much can be done openly and transparently without providing endless grist to the Conservatives and other opponents?
Where I think I disagree is that I do think FPTP is at least partly to blame for this in that there is only space for one major UK-wide non-Tory party so the stakes for controlling it are incredibly high, enough to allow people to justify almost anything.
These are all excellent questions. And I wish I had more answers.
I don't completely disagree about FPTP. But we're talking about a G7 country where children are suffering from Victorian diseases. As such, I go back to "the language of priorities is the religion of socialism".
Emma, in my opinion, unless there is an element of winning in politics, it might as be a religion or book club.
Mate, we're not going to agree on this, but I promise you I am not the one giving up on winning.
Good luck with that then Emma. If we get too tribal, the biggest tribe normally wins and that's usually the Conservative Party.
I agree with elements from several parties and argue with readers of right wing papers, so I am exposed to a greater variety of views than just the Labour Party, but to get the Tories out reliably, the LibDems and others may be needed.
I just don't run my beliefs through simply what I don't like. And I never will. Which is why the strongest argument for any alliance being an anti-Tory one is never one that will hold sway for me.
Emma, I unsubscribed because of your opposition to a progressive alliance. The Socialist left will never run Britain as a majority. Their best bet is to contribute to coalitions, which they would be able to if we get a decent system of PR voting. This would be furthered from a Progressive Alliance.
That's absolutely your choice. I can no more force you to read my newsletter than you can force me to believe in a Progressive Alliance.
I might gently suggest though, that if you are this reactive to someone with a different opinion from you, you might find the reality of being in alliance with several other parties quite difficult.