Nostalgia for a "golden age" of British communities has no place in truly progressive politics
Philip Blond’s Red Toryism and Maurice Glasman’s Blue Labour contain essentially the same sentiments: nostalgic communitarianism. These new narratives are understandable attempts to show empathy with those who feel left behind and short-changed by the Thatcherite revolution, to reconnect with those who shunned politics and stopped voting some time ago. Hungry to hoover up potential electoral support, the ideas have gained currency among Westminster strategists.
But these philosophies risk lionising some dated and illiberal assumptions which do nothing to help the most vulnerable flourish in today’s society. Peter Mandelson, in The Guardian yesterday, was right to say: “Blue Labour’s…romantic ideas about working class people turning back the clock is misplaced.” Though certain elements have appeal, the overarching narratives of Red Toryism and Blue Labour are not progressive. They may even be dangerous.
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David Ward
Robert Eve