Another no-punches-pulled guest post today, this time from Neil Findlay MSP, who was elected to represent the Lothians for Labour in May. This piece first appeared on The Citizen, the current issue of which is worth it for the cover image alone.

Neil Findlay MSPIt is clear from the post-election analysis that Labour lost across all social classes, regions, genders and minority groups and religions. In short, we were “gubbed”. On policy and presentation we were simply out-thought and out-manoeuvred. Put another way, Labour was “out Laboured” on policy and “out New Laboured” on campaigning. The SNP, on the other hand, constructed a narrative as the protectors of Scotland from the Tory Westminster government, all the while presenting itself as all things to all people and the party of “Scottish Social Democracy” (how does this square with the demand for corporation tax cuts?).

But, the election result brought to a head questions of policy, message, ethos and strategy which had been in need of asking for some time. Considering these questions is fundamental to rebuilding the Labour Party. How we do this is vital. Fads and nicknames should be binned and basic tenets of Labour must be brought back: no more ‘New, Old or Blue Labour’, the ‘Real’ Labour Party must be re-discovered, renewed and revived.

The party has to stop abandoning our traditional supporters in pursuit of the so-called “aspirational middle ground”. We could begin by apologising to both our loyal voters and those who deserted us for getting it so badly wrong. I was always taught that when you do wrong you should own up to your errors, be humble and seek forgiveness before rebuilding your friendship, which will in the end become stronger and more long lasting – we should follow this lesson.

Yet, only 15-16 years ago things were so different. Then Labour appealed to a very broad section of society. In the mid to late 90’s people believed Labour offered a credible alternative to the tired and nasty Tory Party. So how did we go from having broad and cross-society appeal to our current position? The legacy of Iraq and Afghanistan (and other foreign adventures), benefit cuts, the 10p tax fiasco, tuition fees, subservience to the markets and the courting of the super-rich (yes including Murdoch), light touch regulation of the banks and the subsequent banking crisis and the expenses scandals all contributed to the electorate falling out with Labour in the UK. In Scotland, this was compounded by bland, uninspiring and sometimes just silly policies and the perceived control of Scottish Labour by London.

Currently, our public services are under all-out ideological attack from the Tories at Westminster. Labour has to be at the forefront, leading a campaign for an alternative and positive agenda – we have to be seen as the defender of public services; the defender of a decent and civilised society and we need to say what we would do differently. We can do this with our partners in civic society, yes with the third sector who are feeling the brunt of the cuts but most importantly with the Trade Union movement – the greatest ally our party has. In carrying forth this vigorous defence of our public services the party can begin its renewal and the revival of ‘Real Labour’.

As can some solid ideas and principles from the Peoples Charter and Better Way Campaign which will undoubtedly resonate with a Scottish electorate who are currently feeling marginalised, under threat and unjustly treated. These could include:

  • Supporting economic stimulus to attack unemployment – the UK party’s position of “our cuts would be less harsh than the Tories cuts” is not good enough.
  • Investment in the economy to create jobs and stimulate growth can and does work – look at history and we can see how investment not cuts rebuilt the economy, created the NHS and the welfare state after 1945.
  • Oppose privatisation, like the SNP/Lib Dems are proposing in Edinburgh, and say how we would run local government better.
  • Develop – genuinely – co-operative models of public service delivery.
  • Create publicly run renewable energy projects. Rather than cede control to big business (as the SNP is currently doing) we should facilitate community schemes where there is a direct financial benefit distributed to local people.
  • If the council tax is to be frozen, let’s have a freeze for those in the smallest, lowest priced properties but create a new charging structure to increase payments for those at the top of the income scale. Or whisper it – we could look at a (genuine) local income tax based on the principle of progressive taxation – ability to pay – I have never understood why it is good nationally but not locally?

Labour should have no fear of promoting fair progressive taxation and a national clampdown on tax evasion – a Scottish, UK and global scandal. If the SNP want new powers for the Parliament then maybe they would have more credibility if they were banging the door of Downing Street asking for powers to deal with tax evasion.

We should oppose the SNP demands for powers over corporation tax – there is no evidence cutting corporation tax would create growth – Germany has 33% corporation tax, Greece has 20% and Ireland 10%. Question: do we want to be like Germany or Ireland? Answers on the back of a postcard to Mr J Swinney.
Labour has to champion and be prepared to implement major reforms of financial institutions including a Robin Hood tax on speculative transactions. This is morally and financially the right thing to do.

Labour has to promote positive polices like the living wage across the public sector and ensure that contractors are included and we should be evangelical about getting the private sector sign up too.

Labour must reform employment legislation to strengthen workers’ rights and remove fear from employees. And we need to rebuild our relationship with our greatest allies in the Trade Unions, making real efforts to re-engage Trade Unionists in our movement and getting the RMT, the FBU and others back into the party (and Ed, let’s stop listening to the metropolitan spinners and show some maturity and get yourself along to events like the fantastic Durham Miners gala day; you did more harm not turning up than you ever will by being there).

And Labour should have an investigation into high wages in the public and private sectors including the bonus culture of the city – it is our lack of challenge on issues like this this that tarnished our reputation as the party of fairness.

And we should support workers who are resisting redundancies, pension cuts and privatisation as we know it is our people (or our former supporters) who will suffer most.

Considering and then introducing these types of policies would demonstrate the substance, resolve and principles of a newly renewed Labour Party. As would our determination to fight the downgrading and downsizing of our public services, and opposition to the private vultures who see our public services as ripe for harvest. We could show imagination and vision by making the case for new models of public ownership, for the public and by the public, which create conduits of public and community participation and involvement and which sees our people and communities benefit directly. It is these types of ideas and this type of vision which will help the people of Scotland re-connect again with the Labour Party.