Left turn?

  

I could actually have got this right.

I blogged on this page on Thursday about those in the Labour Party who see the transition of power from Blair to Brown as an opportunity to shift the party to the left.

Commentators such as Polly Toynbee are now advocating further redistributive policies. In an article for the Guardian Toynbee emphasises the redistribute policies of the Blair Government, such as funding to alleviate child poverty. Similar policies she argues, would be just as popular.

This may be so, but Labour should remember that their shift to the right was just as vital in making them electable. Too greater emphasis on redistribute policies, and not enough on economic competitiveness or widening choice within the public sector, could lose Labour the centre-ground.

Toynbees’ slightly one-sided view of New Labour policy in an attempt to force the party to the left, is however, representative of a broader intellectual movement within centre-left circles.

In an article for Redbrick, I write about Lord Anthony Giddens’ book launch at the European Research Institute. Giddens was the intellectual guru behind the Third Way, and in his address to the ERI he also emphasised the redistributive polices of the Blair Government and advocates a further push, including a super tax on the rich to fund child poverty schemes.

That said, Giddens showed a greater awareness of the political parameters than some in the audience, who seemed somewhat frustrated by Giddens’ unwillingness to go any further. For example he opposed any increase in inheritance tax.

Nevertheless this leftward drift, however slight, is beginning to impact on Labour policy. The Labour deputy leadership contest is a case in point. As the candidates jostle for position, we see an emphasis on New Labour’s redistributive polices and little on New Labour’s commitment to enterprise or economic competitiveness.

This doesn’t look good for Labour. It is fine to have social justice policies, but they must blend well with a commitment to economic competitiveness.

It will be a test of Gordon Brown’s judgement and leadership if he can hold out against this leftward drift and keep a centre-ground course. Swing seats across the country could depend on the outcome.