The Reader: Lesson for Labour: focus on people, not politics

Labour MPs are vying to replace Jeremy Corbyn
Reuters/PA/AFP
7 January 2020
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Last month’s election result was good for Labour if only in its unambiguity: it gives a clear mandate for change. Yet Labour’s new leader faces more than just the challenge of uniting a fractured party.

Whoever wins will play a key role in shaping our country: in determining whether our entrenched societal divisions will deepen or begin to heal. Five years in opposition is an opportunity to do more than mudsling.

As our country tackles complex challenges from climate change to social care, Labour’s next leader will need to seek areas of consensus as often as they do difference, and will need to actively challenge tribalism as committedly as they fight for their competing vision.

Without this, Labour can and will be ignored by a Government that doesn’t have to listen.

Who can do that? Look to the campaigns: candidates who talk about people more than politics are in with a chance.
Polly Mackenzie, Chief Executive of Demos thinktank

Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Editor's reply

Dear Polly

Labour suffered a shattering defeat. It was terrible for the many decent MPs it lost and their staff, but more importantly, it was terrible for the communities and families who need an alternative to a Tory government which historically has failed to put their interests first.

So I disagree that the result was good. We will sadly spend the next three months talking to each other rather than holding the Government to account. But where I do agree is that this contest is a chance for members, supporters and elected politicians to make a big decision about the direction and viability of the party.

Do we want to remain a party of opposition or do we want to get back on the path to power? Do we want to restore our reputation and right the wrongs of the last few years particularly on anti-Semitism and bullying? I sincerely hope the answer is yes.
Ayesha Hazarika, Columnist

Vegan legal win is udderly ridiculous​

The decision by judge Robin Postle to dub ethical veganism a “philosophical belief” which should be afforded the same respect as a religion is absurd (Ethical vegans win workplace bias protection in landmark case, January 3).

As I love to sunbathe, should I gain the status of a sun worshipper? In this case, the law is a cabbage.
Stan Labovitch

Don’t forget footie fans in the North​

Obviously no teams in the south of England have any interest left in the Premier League this season... But having no mention of last Thursday’s football in your newspaper at all comes across as a tad churlish!
John Bowen

Take on climate foot-draggers​

AFP via Getty Images

The Australian wildfires are further evidence of the impact of climate change. This year the UK hosts the UN climate change summit, and Boris Johnson must persuade other countries, including foot-draggers such as Australia, to make more ambitious cuts to their emissions.
Bob Ward, Policy and communications director, ESRC Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy, LSE

Pay attention to Soleimani’s death​

The killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani is perhaps more significant than the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011. As such, one cannot downplay its significance for security for the region and the world.

He was the second most important man in Iran, and the key architect of its military strategy. He projected Iranian influence beyond its peripheries into areas such as Africa and Latin America, too.

He also operated in the Syrian Civil War, and directed Iranian-backed militia groups in Yemen and Iraq.

He was clearly a threat to the peace of the Middle East and, through insurgency attacks, was attempting to destabilise the region for Iran’s gain. In the Iraq War, Iranian-backed insurgents targeted US troops and killed many in IED attacks.

One must not underestimate the lengths Iran will go to, including through blood and treasure, to achieve its goals in becoming the dominant actor in the region.
Oliver B. Steward, Doctoral candidate in international security at the University of East Anglia, Norwich

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