Michael Meacher MP

The report in today’s newspapers that a Labour shadow cabinet reshuffle may be in the offing is to be welcomed if at last it enables the party to get a grip on one of the essential components for electoral success – the Policy Review.   For 18 months now this has been stranded in the doldrums with little or nothing to show for it and no report, not even a poor one, waiting to be unveiled.   Liam Byrne has shown his disinterest in the project he was supposed to be heading by, in effect, resigning to contest the mayoralty of Birmingham.   Another person, this time with commitment and vision and ideas and vigour, should now be appointed to take over the task, with a clear mandate to present a report resonant and vibrant enough to enthuse potential Labour voters countryside, and to have it ready for Conference 2013.  (more…)