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Tax credits and trains can help Jeremy Corbyn outflank Tories Tax credits and trains can help Jeremy Corbyn outflank Tories
(2 days later)
As the Tories assemble in Manchester for their conference, delegates will understandably reflect whimsically on the charged atmosphere of only a year ago. Then the feeling was one of anxiety at their impending election prospects. Today the morale could not be more different, so much so that the party is now in danger of taking the outcome of the 2020 election for granted.As the Tories assemble in Manchester for their conference, delegates will understandably reflect whimsically on the charged atmosphere of only a year ago. Then the feeling was one of anxiety at their impending election prospects. Today the morale could not be more different, so much so that the party is now in danger of taking the outcome of the 2020 election for granted.
For that looming conflict, George Osborne is intent on rebranding the Conservatives as the party of the workers. The election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour’s leader – despite all his revivalist fire and brimstone – is one that the Tories believe plays into their hands. And there is much to support this Tory optimism. The single most important message in Corbyn’s armoury seems to be that, at best, he has little interest in wealth creation, or at worst, he is against it. His only interest is in dividing the cake, no matter the size. Here is the subject that should be at the centre of Labour’s big internal debate that the party must then take into the country if we are to have any chance of saving seats, let alone winning in 2020.For that looming conflict, George Osborne is intent on rebranding the Conservatives as the party of the workers. The election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour’s leader – despite all his revivalist fire and brimstone – is one that the Tories believe plays into their hands. And there is much to support this Tory optimism. The single most important message in Corbyn’s armoury seems to be that, at best, he has little interest in wealth creation, or at worst, he is against it. His only interest is in dividing the cake, no matter the size. Here is the subject that should be at the centre of Labour’s big internal debate that the party must then take into the country if we are to have any chance of saving seats, let alone winning in 2020.
Events could be furnished to play to Labour’s advantage and the party can seize this initiative without Jeremy repudiating any of the ideas he formed while in his mother’s womb. Take two big issues that will come increasingly to dominate the political debate: investment and welfare.Events could be furnished to play to Labour’s advantage and the party can seize this initiative without Jeremy repudiating any of the ideas he formed while in his mother’s womb. Take two big issues that will come increasingly to dominate the political debate: investment and welfare.
Whatever one’s views on High Speed Two (HS2) – and I’m against it – the programme will go ahead. Every government feels the need for a mega-investment programme to help define its purpose. Hence the Millennium Dome and Labour’s drive for modernity. The only major investment scheme before the Treasury is HS2 and it will go ahead for this reason, despite the fact that practically all the calculations underpinning it have fallen apart.Whatever one’s views on High Speed Two (HS2) – and I’m against it – the programme will go ahead. Every government feels the need for a mega-investment programme to help define its purpose. Hence the Millennium Dome and Labour’s drive for modernity. The only major investment scheme before the Treasury is HS2 and it will go ahead for this reason, despite the fact that practically all the calculations underpinning it have fallen apart.
Here Labour can be seen to be both more imaginative and pro-wealth creation without saying a word to disturb anyone’s conscience. Corbyn has said he will throw his weight behind what he should call Labour’s “HS3” – linking Liverpool to Newcastle. The gains from this investment in economic growth will far outweigh HS2. Mobilising our forces on this battlefront – instead of sacrificing the poor bloody infantry in an all-out war on HS2 – would begin to show that Labour is the party building up the northern powerhouse. And one that sees the rebalancing of the economy coming not from punishing the south but capitalising on northern strengths.Here Labour can be seen to be both more imaginative and pro-wealth creation without saying a word to disturb anyone’s conscience. Corbyn has said he will throw his weight behind what he should call Labour’s “HS3” – linking Liverpool to Newcastle. The gains from this investment in economic growth will far outweigh HS2. Mobilising our forces on this battlefront – instead of sacrificing the poor bloody infantry in an all-out war on HS2 – would begin to show that Labour is the party building up the northern powerhouse. And one that sees the rebalancing of the economy coming not from punishing the south but capitalising on northern strengths.
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Similarly with welfare, with Osborne’s campaign to cast the Tories on the side of the strivers and Labour yet again as the party of welfare. Thanks to his working tax credit changes, Osborne has unknowingly put depth-charges under his 2020 election strategy and timed the first explosions to occur in every constituency next April. This is the date when mega-cuts in the living standards of strivers will come into force.Similarly with welfare, with Osborne’s campaign to cast the Tories on the side of the strivers and Labour yet again as the party of welfare. Thanks to his working tax credit changes, Osborne has unknowingly put depth-charges under his 2020 election strategy and timed the first explosions to occur in every constituency next April. This is the date when mega-cuts in the living standards of strivers will come into force.
Here again Labour can get on to the front foot. By throwing the party into the defence of the strivers, Corbyn will begin to change Labour’s image while doing nothing to undermine our protection of families who are on benefit. But Labour must not fall into the trap that some MPs are setting by their emphasis, above everything else, on political correctness.Here again Labour can get on to the front foot. By throwing the party into the defence of the strivers, Corbyn will begin to change Labour’s image while doing nothing to undermine our protection of families who are on benefit. But Labour must not fall into the trap that some MPs are setting by their emphasis, above everything else, on political correctness.
The electorate understands the word “strivers”. They associate with it. They see themselves as strivers and the term can also cover families on benefit who have a deep-seated urge, particularly for their children, to get on. So let’s not shoot ourselves unnecessarily in the foot by putting political correctness before defending working people.The electorate understands the word “strivers”. They associate with it. They see themselves as strivers and the term can also cover families on benefit who have a deep-seated urge, particularly for their children, to get on. So let’s not shoot ourselves unnecessarily in the foot by putting political correctness before defending working people.