Monday, 23rd February 2009

The weakening of the New Labour coalition

James Forsyth 10:50am

As Martin says, the divide in the government right now is whether the right legislative response to the recession is to--in political shorthand-- ‘ease the burdens on business’ or ‘protect workers more’. Today’s splash in The Times about Peter Mandelson’s plan to postpone the plans for more generous maternity leave and tougher equalities legislation which Harriet Harman has been pushing for, and were announced in the Queen’s Speech in December, shows that this debate is live not theoretical.

Stoking the tension is that everyone knows that, in the Labour leadership contest that would follow a defeat at the next election, those who are ‘on the side of workers’ will benefit. Harman’s positioning on this issue has been key to both her increasing popularity with the Unions and Labour members. Her internal opponents mutter bitterly about her irresponsibly playing to the gallery on this.

But the debate also reveals something fundamental about New Labour and its limits. As Nick Cohen has said, the economic boom New Labour inherited and kept going allowed this government to be both left wing and right wing. The economy was strong enough that it was possible to place more and more social requirements on business without actually raising unemployment (these measures did, though, obviously limit employment). But, now that the boom has turned to bust, this is no longer possible. It seems doubtful that the New Labour coalition can survive in these circumstances, when to govern is to choose.

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kinglear

February 23rd, 2009 11:16am Report this comment

Choose? Nuliebore has never chosen anything - it fudges every decision.

Neil Turner

February 23rd, 2009 11:21am Report this comment

Interesting piece, thanks.

It made me think, "if I were Prime Minister, what would I do ?"

The principle for the next 5 years has to be that we live within our means. Most families understand this, our Government,plainly, does not

So let's work out what we need, and what we can afford.

For example, can we afford the EU membership ? What does it cost us ? What do we get out out of it ? I beleive that the simple answer is "better off out"

On the basis that "all bets are now off" in this new reality, nothing can or should be sacrosanct

Can we afford to give foreign workers jobs that could be done by locals ? No

Can we afford a huge public sector to be supported by a dwindling private sector ? No

What do you think ?

Rhoda Klapp

February 23rd, 2009 12:05pm Report this comment

Neil is right, but no party has expressed a willingness to give up any of its shibboleths for the country's sake.

fulcanelli

February 23rd, 2009 12:18pm Report this comment

Oh, joy of joys!

Labour ripping itself apart before our very eyes. If anybody wanted proof there was such a thing as justice, then here it is for all to see. It's just a real shame it has had to come at the expense of the British people. Here's hoping we've seen the end of socialist nonsense. Wishful thinking I know, but one can always hope.