Joy in Heaven?
It’s all very well for Tony Blair at this stage, within sight of his departure, suddenly breaking the habit of a lifetime and announcing a consensual, inclusive review of the whole range of party policy before he goes
But it’s a bit rich to have a conversion to this new style of policy making at the end when for 12 years we have had policy settled exclusively in Labour HQ or No. 10 and election manifestos handed down from on high without so much as a flicker of Party consultation. Still, there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth …
But it is not as though this latest exercise is going to be that inclusive after all. First, it’s confined to the Cabinet. What about the PLP, the NEC, the trade unions and the party as a whole?
Second, for a comprehensive review of policy, it is remarkably selective. Why doesn’t today’s obscene degree of income and wealth inequality have a place in all this? Why is there no mention of the need to have a genuinely accountable Government and Prime Minister who actually listens to Party and public opinion and what mechanisms are necessary to ensure this? Why is there no reference to the need for a radical environmental policy which will seriously tackle climate change as the biggest threat confronting the planet? And why aren’t women’s issues put centre stage and every policy - not just pensions, child care and work life balance - checked to make them more women friendly?
Come on, if we’re going to have a genuine policy review, let’s get real.