The Guardian features an interview by John Harris with Caroline Lucas MP this morning.
I've known Caroline for almost twenty years now. We are both members of the Green New Deal Group that created the concept of that name, and still works on it.
In the interview reference is made to Caroline's new book, out last week (and I have not read it as yet). The most telling paragraph is:
[The] book … comes close to suggesting that the left should adopt a completely new mindset. “It's not enough to have technocratic answers,” she insists. “You've got to speak to people's emotions and tell compelling stories. And I don't think we on the left are very good at doing that. And so part of this is about reclaiming the power of story and saying that the right must not have complete carte blanche when it comes to choosing the stories to tell about England. Unless we get on the pitch and start telling our own, we lose a way of reaching people that is incredibly resonant and important.”
I completely agree. I describe this as there being the need to find a new song to sing.
Reeves, et al, might think the election can be won by citing fiscal rules, privatisation plans and tweaks they will make. But all of those accept that the existing political narratives will continue unbroken. They can't. They have to change, because people know they no longer work. That is glaringly obvious, it seems, to everyone but the supposed grown-ups in the room, who are working like fury to deny it.
When will Labour get that? Not ever at their current rate. And that explains the mess we are in. Until we have a better song to sing that explains the world as it not only is but reconciles it with how we think it must be (because there are constraints, most especially in the form of climate, in the real world) then we cannot have hope. And very few politicians are delivering that right now.
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& of course differentiating oneself entirely from everything that the ruling duopoly believes, denying every single neoliberal thread in their ideology.
That would be the bare minimum.
But the Green Party isn’t singing a clear and consistent song concerning funding its objectives. Even if they were the majority of the electorate don’t appear to have the ability to do much in the way of joined-up thinking when it comes to understanding how the country’s monetary system works, in particular the two key understandings that the government creates its own money and why the norm is for the government to run a deficit.
They do now know this…
Yes thanks to you some know it but they’re still not “preaching” it loud and clear!
People would understand it if it was couched in a story with an appropriate metaphor, e.g. the nation’s economy is not like a household budget. We need a metaphor there though of what it is like, not just what it isn’t, or what mainstream economists think it is.
Hello, big fan of Caroline L. However as a progressive there is a need for all centre left to join together on the policies which all agree – put up one candidate – get the seats in the present system which allow changes to be made.
I go a step further – the present system of centralised decision making is – Dictatorial – need to have a system where people in the regions are involved x 6 English Regional Assemblies -stop tinkering with Mayors where the two Main parties as usual – get the bigger play
We need concesous goverment – £billions handed out to Mates yet people on benefits are scroungers — Tax avoiders – Billions – Tax the product -here in UK –
Want Green energy — Fund New innovation – not Corporate welfare
Make the issue of Public ownership of Services – easy with water companies –agree Green Jenny let Thames go bankrupt and buy it back for Public for £1.00 then Tax payers to fund what should have happened 30 – 40 yerars ago.
So tell the people what is good — challenge Right Wing News papers on Lies
I went to see Caroline talking about her book with Melissa Benn at the Cambridge Literary festival last weekend. It was a brilliant session, both thought provoking and engaging.
I find it interesting that she studied English Literature at university – she talked about this and how the study of literature encourages you to enter the the worlds of other people, to empathise with and understand their situations. This is so apparent in her approach to politics and so sadly lacking in most of our politicians. Clearly PPE does little to address basic humanity.
She is very focussed on including and understanding people and not just writing them off.
She is truly outstanding in her thinking and argument – I look forward to reading her book.
The ‘overton window’ was pushed to the left over many decades – centuries, perhaps – until the 1970s – by a powerful narrative centred on social justice and equality. Arguably, it continues to move that way now pushed by ‘identity politics’, which is probably still marginalising prejudice against specific groups – and environmental awareness. This has, however, moved the progressive focus away from economic issues, and the need for solidarity among all exploited and oppressed people (most of us). Instead, the focus is on specific groups that experience discrimination, awareness of which, and perhaps their real interests in some ways, can lead to competition rather than solidarity.
The left indeed needs a grand narrative to recentre awareness on economic exploitation and the solidarity of the oppressed that can resist and reverse it. But how to arrive at this?
That is the question
This blog is my contrinution to the answer
“The left indeed needs a grand narrative to recentre awareness on economic exploitation and the solidarity of the oppressed that can resist and reverse it. But how to arrive at this?”
The ownership of the mainstream media cannot be left solely in the hands of the wealthy or sycophants of the wealthy. There must be more democracy in these media.
it is essential for any progressive government to take steps to limit the influence of billionaire owned media.
I muse about having a public owned fact checking service which would award stars for:
balanced coverage
accuracy
access for minority views
which they would have to display like shop hygiene
and a press/media complaints system which had the power force to prominent retractions and correct blatant inaccuracies within a reasonable tine frame.
Finally have a commission which would have the power to force the press to account for the scores of Euro-myths and who ordered the policy.
Unlikely I know.
All human societies live by and through their stories. Society creates the story and the story creates society. In complex societies the story is generally created by, and for the benefit of, the powerful. The right wing political fundamentalists in our society realised this a long time ago. Through their ownership of the media they have created a story that benefits them to the detriment of the majority. But the story they have created conceals this fact, as such stories always do. As you say, time indeed for a new song to sing, one that includes hope and aspiration for all. It will take time but it can be done.
PS it’s a different article from the Caroline Lucas interview
“Unless we get on the pitch and start telling our own, we lose a way of reaching people that is incredibly resonant and important.”
True. I invite people to identify the lefty or centre stuff in the following list – which any new Uk gov should deliver (but for the most part – won’t). I’d suggest that if this list does not form part of the manifesto for any party – or person standing to be elected as an MP – don’t vote for ’em. The delivery of any of this is well within the existing resources contained within the UK. That they are in part or wholly absent is a scandal.
Warm comfortable homes
Fairly priced and affordable energy
An efficient and effective NHS
Transport that works, is fairly priced & connects together
Good education for all, at all ages
Fairly paid work
Clean rivers and seas
A green and pleasant land that grows tasty food
You lefty!
John Harris in the Guardian today has an interesting point (the article is only one point really) to make on the possible political direction a revival movement could take – centring around ecological recovery. In the comment section someone utters a caution about how the far right is trying to usurp such movements in Europe. We have the Green Party here – one of my socialist mates is a dedicated member – but there seems no fire in its belly, like all parties except the far right, avoiding any radical policy; of course they suffer from the MSM denying them a platform, but for me that is a good reason to get out into the public. Anyone pinpoint what is missing, or is it me missing the point?
Where is the political party that says:
1. Tackle climate change before it wrecks us
2. Rejoin SM and CU as a step to rejoining EU, admit a mistake
3. Political reform to end the absolute tyranny of our present system
The party that tells this simple story will scoop up 100 or more seats from the Tories and a few from Labour. Nobody is lostening.
The Green party has been saying all these things for a very long time. However they really struggle to get time in the MSM. And being a small party don’t have the funding the bigger parties have for communications
If only Greens were given the coverage the various iterations of the UKIP/Brexit/Reform parties have had?
And secondly, they are constantly told they should stand aside for the so called left wing/progressive party known as the Labour party. A party which refuses to work with other parties and puts a lot of effort into undermining any party that dares to challenge it. Locally there are really good partnerships with the Lib Dems who also understand the need for collaborative working PR, despite the parties appearing to be further apart.
We have always needed more Carolines who are able to articulate things so well. I’m encouraged that with Sian Berry, Carla Denyer etc we are finally getting this. And Jenny Jones and Natalie Bennett are doing excellent work in the Lords.
A while back I listened to a discussion with Gina Miller and Catherine Mayer on the Compass podcast and they were pointing out how difficult it is for new parties to get their voice heard. Ofcom rules state that, “ During an election period, political parties – and also independent candidates –must be given due weight in any TV and radio coverage. This means they must receive the appropriate level of coverage across an election period based on their past and current electoral support. Broadcasters must also consider giving appropriate coverage to parties and independent candidates with significant views and perspectives.” But if you do not have past electoral support and the broadcasters do not consider you have significant views and perspectives (which seems to mean you are not called Nigel Farage or Richard Tice) how are you going to get the exposure that might lead to current electoral support?
From the Film Educating Rita
Rita to the Professor
I did join in with the singing but when I turned round my mother was crying I said “why are you crying mother” she said “there must be better songs to sing than this” then I thought yeah that’s what I’m trying to do isn’t it sing a better song. Well that’s why I came back and that’s why I’m staying so let’s start work.
That’s where I got it from