We need to release progressive democratic politics from the blackmail of the multinationals.......

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from the Guardian UK's Comment is Free:



Bring back real politics
We need to release progressive democratic politics from the blackmail of the multinationals and the super-rich
John Palmer

May 6, 2008 5:30 PM | Printable version


In the aftermath of the Labour Party's virtual wipe-out in the local elections, most commentators agree on one point: too many of Labour's natural supporters no longer know who and what the party is for or what and whom it is against. At a local level this may not always be true - but local elections have increasingly become referendums on national government. It was the national backlash against Labour that lost Ken Livingstone the race to be mayor of London - even though he mobilised a massively greater turnout of voters than Labour attracted anywhere else.

At national level, Labour's core support no longer has a clue what the party is in business to achieve or even what are its basic values. A case in point is Labour's determined defence of the obscene differences in wealth and privilege. The likes of John Hutton even urge us to "celebrate the successes" of the super-rich (presumably including the wide boys who have brought the banking system close to disaster). Labour "overlooks" the impact of the abolition of the 10% tax rate on the poor but it quickly gives in to pressure from the super-rich to leave their "non-dom" tax status, capital gains tax and inheritance tax regimes untouched.

This blurring of political differences between the centre right and the centre left is also alienating voters in other countries. The growing disaffection of voters from mainstream parties can be measured in different ways. Lower turnout at election is one reflection of this phenomenon. But when voters do turn out in larger numbers they can change their minds with incredible speed. The implosion of President Sarkozy's support in France in a few short months is a case in point. In Germany the "Grand Coalition" recognises the extent of the common policies shared by both the Social Democrats and the Christian Democrats. When Sarkozy won he was able to induct with ease socialist and other formerly radical figures into his government.

Modern democratic politics tends to produce de facto coalitions where governments succeed each other with only minor changes ever made to key policies. The differences between the Labour government and the Tory opposition on the crucial issue of how to respond to the global credit crunch come down to whether the Bank of England (Tories) or the Financial Services Authority (New Labour) should be given greater supervision of the banks. Big deal.

One worldly-wise response to all of this is that "ideological politics" are permanently dead and buried and have been replaced by the politics of personality, marketing and other ephemera. There clearly is truth in this. But what happens when voter alienation coincides with serious problems in the economy over which the politicians no longer have much control? This is the moment the rightwing populists (and the shadowy extremists who lurk behind them) are waiting for. The election successes of the BNP and similar neo-fascist forces in other countries should be warning enough. .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/john_palmer/2008/05/bring_back_real_politics.html