Blog 2023 Malcolm Blair-Robinson

Turn Left To Power is an explosive dissertation in book form offering a fundamental redirection for Labour’s return to power, with bold ideas for a new economic and social settlement, including economic and taxation reform, restoration of responsibility in government and a renewal of democracy. The ideas are relevant whether Brexit goes hard or soft. Frank and at a times brutal, Turn Left To Power offers a collection of fundamental reforms which amount to a political revolution which can propel Labour back to government. Published in 2016 and circulated to the Labour leadership, Turn Left To Power was a trailblazer for the manifesto.

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It cannot be denied that the Tory lead in the polls is more or less unprecedented. Nor can it be denied that they appear to be running a slicker campaign. It is also a fact that if Labour is to win (and denying May an increased majority on June 8th would be a very big win) it has to orchestrate one of the biggest political upsets in our electoral history. But it is possible because of a major Tory vulnerability when it comes to specific issues. And in the end it is the issues which drive the votes.

The Tory campaign is all about leadership and Brexit. But as the campaign develops leadership will become a less potent weapon as problems affecting the quality of everyday life for millions increasingly begin to dominate. Housing costs, train fares, social care, the NHS, tuition fees, funding of public services, utility prices, low wages and productivity, a failure to create a fairer economy which can deliver enough growth and revenue to pay the bills of properly funded public services and markets which work for people. The list is almost endless. And because the Tories have boxed themselves in with an economy which favours the few above the many and because they have been in power for seven years, failing to keep the promises to remodel the economy and cut immigration, they are on the defensive along a huge front.

Batter their flimsy defences and they will crack. Already with the manifesto leak and other pledges Labour is beginning a slow advance in the polls. Now is the moment to put in the effort to pick up speed. History beckons.