When the country begins to move to the left Labour moves slightly to the the Left. Thereby denying an actual left leader with progressive ideas. Corbin and now Zack.. I won’t fall for this…. I’ll not vote Labour to keep remain out… I’ll VOTE FOR THE GREENS , as the only alternative to the right wing Labour,Tories. Even if Reform gets into power.. I promise they’ll only last a Term and the actual left will then come into power… THE PENDULUM SWING EQUALLY BOTH DIRECTIONS. Labour if NOT an alternative to reform of The Tories… THE GREENS ARE…..
The Greens are equally going to need a mass base. Firstly the powers that be will put fear in us to stop us voting Green, if that doesn’t work, they will join the Greensand co-opt it. The Labour Party faced the same things when they were being birthed - it was the mass movements in Trade Unions that got them through before they were co-opted. Greens need the same mass movement.
Thank you Grace for one of the clearest explanations of the passivity of the Labour Party. They are structurally now like the Democrats comma who for the most part are not interested in rocking the boat, but in lying back and taking the tsunami of money that comes from people not interested in rocking the boat. Unfortunately the boat needs rocking, possibly sinking, to avoid the dreadful future that waits for both the us and the UK without change unlinked neoliberal nonsense.
Grace is so spot on . Anyone with a brain who is able to read stuff like Labour Files or Paul Holden massive and brilliant analyses of what happened to Labour party and why in Fraud also peter Obourne Complicit can see why the Labour party is the mess that its in and will never in its present state change the country in a way that would be meaning ful for most of UK population.
Great article Grace. It gets to the structural elements at play that transcends anyone person (even as actors retain agency). I've been toying with the idea of reverse polarity applied to social institutions - that in certain circumstances organisations such as a party can end up pushing against their founding purpose. In social democratic parties this can turn into "managing stakeholders" instead of empowering labour (as but one example).
I’ve been saying privately for some time that the reason why Starmer isn’t following a radical agenda is that there must be powerful people within and around government who are dictating policy. Your article Grace explains exactly what I have been thinking.
I was a member of the Labour Party when Jeremy Corbyn was elected. Whilst he had a base of ordinary people he could never be allowed to get power. The Labour Party right, the press and ‘other’ interested parties conspired to ensure failure. You are correct in what you conclude is required, but I fear that these same people will work tirelessly to try and ensure that it never happens.
Great article and, as a Green Party member, I hope you're right.
I have been a Labour supporter for most of my life, (and that's quite a long time!), but like many, I was dismayed by their transformation into the "Tory-lite party". For the last two GEs I've voted Green - mainly out of concern for climate. I became a member when they adopted more pronounced left-wing policies. They now look a lot like the "democratised Labour Party", that Labour is never going to be.
Just to clarify, the Green vision always was for a socially just and environmentally sustainable world - e.g. look at the opening paragraph of our 2015 General Election manifesto:
"Britain has the wealth and resources to do great things. We can build an economy that gives everyone their fair share of the world’s sixth-richest economy. We can create a humane, caring society that supports everyone’s needs. And we can be a world leader in tackling the threat of climate change."
Thanks Colin. I stand corrected, but... in my defence, I suspect many, (like me), were only aware of the Green Party's social justice credentials after Zach Polanski became leader.
I wear eyeglasses and that didn't forbid me from seeing Starmer as a lame duck all along. The coup against Jeremy Corbyn was such a schoolyard plot to anyone not wearing eyeglasses. Labour should be renamed Layburr, for it's sticky annoying cumbersome uselessness (except that the real burr has good medicinal properties). I guess that is why the Greens and others have the wind in theirs sails.
Brilliantly written article Grace. You've skillfully lifted the veil on the inner workings of the Labour party. A very unsettling construct of political machinery. In point of fact Labour is clearly as self serving and determined to maintain the unsatisfactory status quo as are the establishment Democrats here in the US. There is a great need for political house cleaning on both sides of the pond.
Thank you for adding much needed clarity regarding the Labour party. Cheers, Guy
It's as if you'd described the Democratic Party in Italy. Its history is shorter, having been founded in 2009, so the current party structure is as envisioned from the beginning, rather than a degeneration like the British Labour Party: a party created by non-Berlusconi lobbies that was supposed to pretend to be a left-wing party to eliminate real left-wing parties and occupy a position that made it and still makes it impossible to run without entering into a coalition with it. But every time you do that, you lose any chance of pursuing truly left-wing policies. Born to eliminate the left, I'd say it's done an admirable job, and it's as rigid as the Labour Party you described. So, once again, the only possible alternative is to build a new path based on community and participation, as we're attempting to do.
It's crazy how many people have been in touch to say a similar argument applies in their countries - i think the cartel party really is a global phenomenon! thanks for sharing
I have no doubt about this: there is a very clear international coordination to shift the political agenda in the direction desired by the ruling oligarchies. They are reproducing, with greater success, the Communist International of the past. Therefore, it is essential that we learn to coordinate internationally; without this coordination, they can crush us at will. A vast program, but necessary.
Eduardo, yes! The Labour Party in the UK was indeed born to eliminate the left, and has succeeded brilliantly. Now, it doesn’t have to pretend any more as the deception is more or less complete after years of propaganda, combined with total control of the mass media and an education system that is based in authoritarian control. As you say, the only alternative is a new path based on community and participation, instead of dependency and reliance on whichever puppet the corporate world shoves into place… change means hard work and requires new forms of social and community education.
This is a very useful article, thank you. I had not encountered the cartel-party theory, and it fits -- or is proved by -- social/liberal parties elsewhere. (I vote in France.)
Thank you, Grace Blakeley, for educating me about British politics—a much-needed lesson. I was absent from the U.K. from 1965 to 2022 (married to an American) and returned to the U.K. only after his death in 2020, so I am almost totally ignorant and have many misconceptions. The Labour Party isn’t what I thought it was and the Conservative Party is just about as disgusting to me as the current Republican Party’s regime. I’m no longer sure what party I would support though I lean toward the Green Party right now as there’s nothing more important than fighting climate change for the future survival of our children and grandchildren.
I'm a supporter of the Greens, and my hope is that they'll become the kind of 'movement party' that I'm advocating for in this piece. But there's a long way to go! Thanks for your support Anne
Yes—I signed up as a Green when I registered to vote, and voted for them. For the sake of my nieces, nephews and their children, and for our planet too. It’s the only one we have!
Thanks so much for all your comments - I haven't had the chance to reply to all of them but will do my best over the next few days!
When the country begins to move to the left Labour moves slightly to the the Left. Thereby denying an actual left leader with progressive ideas. Corbin and now Zack.. I won’t fall for this…. I’ll not vote Labour to keep remain out… I’ll VOTE FOR THE GREENS , as the only alternative to the right wing Labour,Tories. Even if Reform gets into power.. I promise they’ll only last a Term and the actual left will then come into power… THE PENDULUM SWING EQUALLY BOTH DIRECTIONS. Labour if NOT an alternative to reform of The Tories… THE GREENS ARE…..
The Greens are equally going to need a mass base. Firstly the powers that be will put fear in us to stop us voting Green, if that doesn’t work, they will join the Greensand co-opt it. The Labour Party faced the same things when they were being birthed - it was the mass movements in Trade Unions that got them through before they were co-opted. Greens need the same mass movement.
Thank you Grace for one of the clearest explanations of the passivity of the Labour Party. They are structurally now like the Democrats comma who for the most part are not interested in rocking the boat, but in lying back and taking the tsunami of money that comes from people not interested in rocking the boat. Unfortunately the boat needs rocking, possibly sinking, to avoid the dreadful future that waits for both the us and the UK without change unlinked neoliberal nonsense.
Yes very true - fortunately the Dems seem to be electing some promising people, much to the annoyance of the Democratic machine!
Grace is so spot on . Anyone with a brain who is able to read stuff like Labour Files or Paul Holden massive and brilliant analyses of what happened to Labour party and why in Fraud also peter Obourne Complicit can see why the Labour party is the mess that its in and will never in its present state change the country in a way that would be meaning ful for most of UK population.
Great article Grace. It gets to the structural elements at play that transcends anyone person (even as actors retain agency). I've been toying with the idea of reverse polarity applied to social institutions - that in certain circumstances organisations such as a party can end up pushing against their founding purpose. In social democratic parties this can turn into "managing stakeholders" instead of empowering labour (as but one example).
Sounds super interesting! Send over when you've had the chance to write :)
Will do!
Have done up a draft!
Like the Brechtian comment about 'wouldnt it be simpler for the government to dissolve the people and elect another'...
Very much yes especially with the rank and file membership
I’ve been saying privately for some time that the reason why Starmer isn’t following a radical agenda is that there must be powerful people within and around government who are dictating policy. Your article Grace explains exactly what I have been thinking.
I was a member of the Labour Party when Jeremy Corbyn was elected. Whilst he had a base of ordinary people he could never be allowed to get power. The Labour Party right, the press and ‘other’ interested parties conspired to ensure failure. You are correct in what you conclude is required, but I fear that these same people will work tirelessly to try and ensure that it never happens.
It seems like the City of London oligarchy has an inexhaustible supply of BoJos of different colors and genders to shuffle for PM..
Putting more lipstick on a pig does not work anymore...
We need younger leaders now, we have been letting the older generation take over. It’s about time for new leadership a younger voice.
Great article and, as a Green Party member, I hope you're right.
I have been a Labour supporter for most of my life, (and that's quite a long time!), but like many, I was dismayed by their transformation into the "Tory-lite party". For the last two GEs I've voted Green - mainly out of concern for climate. I became a member when they adopted more pronounced left-wing policies. They now look a lot like the "democratised Labour Party", that Labour is never going to be.
Just to clarify, the Green vision always was for a socially just and environmentally sustainable world - e.g. look at the opening paragraph of our 2015 General Election manifesto:
"Britain has the wealth and resources to do great things. We can build an economy that gives everyone their fair share of the world’s sixth-richest economy. We can create a humane, caring society that supports everyone’s needs. And we can be a world leader in tackling the threat of climate change."
https://commondecency.org.uk/assets/files/manifesto/Green_Party_2015_General_Election_Manifesto_Searchable.pdf
Thanks Colin. I stand corrected, but... in my defence, I suspect many, (like me), were only aware of the Green Party's social justice credentials after Zach Polanski became leader.
It's pretty much the same with SPD's right wing, Blair and Schröder have been crownies with the same roots ...
Yep!
Deeply depressing but almost certainly correct, unfortunately.
I wear eyeglasses and that didn't forbid me from seeing Starmer as a lame duck all along. The coup against Jeremy Corbyn was such a schoolyard plot to anyone not wearing eyeglasses. Labour should be renamed Layburr, for it's sticky annoying cumbersome uselessness (except that the real burr has good medicinal properties). I guess that is why the Greens and others have the wind in theirs sails.
in the end. no one wins 🫣🧐😅
The game of politics is a snake & ladder saga.
Brilliantly written article Grace. You've skillfully lifted the veil on the inner workings of the Labour party. A very unsettling construct of political machinery. In point of fact Labour is clearly as self serving and determined to maintain the unsatisfactory status quo as are the establishment Democrats here in the US. There is a great need for political house cleaning on both sides of the pond.
Thank you for adding much needed clarity regarding the Labour party. Cheers, Guy
Thanks very much Guy - the 'cartel party' label is definitely applicable to the Dems too
It's as if you'd described the Democratic Party in Italy. Its history is shorter, having been founded in 2009, so the current party structure is as envisioned from the beginning, rather than a degeneration like the British Labour Party: a party created by non-Berlusconi lobbies that was supposed to pretend to be a left-wing party to eliminate real left-wing parties and occupy a position that made it and still makes it impossible to run without entering into a coalition with it. But every time you do that, you lose any chance of pursuing truly left-wing policies. Born to eliminate the left, I'd say it's done an admirable job, and it's as rigid as the Labour Party you described. So, once again, the only possible alternative is to build a new path based on community and participation, as we're attempting to do.
It's crazy how many people have been in touch to say a similar argument applies in their countries - i think the cartel party really is a global phenomenon! thanks for sharing
I have no doubt about this: there is a very clear international coordination to shift the political agenda in the direction desired by the ruling oligarchies. They are reproducing, with greater success, the Communist International of the past. Therefore, it is essential that we learn to coordinate internationally; without this coordination, they can crush us at will. A vast program, but necessary.
Eduardo, yes! The Labour Party in the UK was indeed born to eliminate the left, and has succeeded brilliantly. Now, it doesn’t have to pretend any more as the deception is more or less complete after years of propaganda, combined with total control of the mass media and an education system that is based in authoritarian control. As you say, the only alternative is a new path based on community and participation, instead of dependency and reliance on whichever puppet the corporate world shoves into place… change means hard work and requires new forms of social and community education.
I think you are correct its going to take a long time though and the UK could well callapse as it becomes more and more authoritarian.
You could be right, Ian. A servile population taught to please the masters in an authoritarian system is ripe for fascism.
yes wish i was not. I pray I am not Bob, but in order to keep sane I agree.
This is a very useful article, thank you. I had not encountered the cartel-party theory, and it fits -- or is proved by -- social/liberal parties elsewhere. (I vote in France.)
Take a look again at the photo of Starmer and Burnham and read these words from George Orwell:
"The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
Thank you, Grace Blakeley, for educating me about British politics—a much-needed lesson. I was absent from the U.K. from 1965 to 2022 (married to an American) and returned to the U.K. only after his death in 2020, so I am almost totally ignorant and have many misconceptions. The Labour Party isn’t what I thought it was and the Conservative Party is just about as disgusting to me as the current Republican Party’s regime. I’m no longer sure what party I would support though I lean toward the Green Party right now as there’s nothing more important than fighting climate change for the future survival of our children and grandchildren.
I'm a supporter of the Greens, and my hope is that they'll become the kind of 'movement party' that I'm advocating for in this piece. But there's a long way to go! Thanks for your support Anne
Yes—I signed up as a Green when I registered to vote, and voted for them. For the sake of my nieces, nephews and their children, and for our planet too. It’s the only one we have!