On the sunny evening of May 2nd 1997 Tony Blair rode into Downing Street on the wave of national optimism. Even many traditional Tory voters, tired and frustrated with the introverted self destruction of their own party thought that maybe this new center ground reincarnation of Labour might be worth a try. For the first time Labour looked inclusive and didn't institutionally hate anybody other than its own. The days of class obsessed Old Labour could be over. British politics might take a turn for the better.
This afternoon, nearly 15 years later,the Labour Leader,-if that is not too strong a word,-rose to reply to George Osborne's budget. Never mind the ins and out and the detail. Ed's first few lines said it all, if not in quite the way he intended. In response to the fact that not only the lower paid but also the better off gained from some of the tax and welfare measures he declared that the notion of "We are all in this together" was dead. With those words indeed it is. All the standard repertoire of "hate the rich" lines came out. It was all so predictable .The relatively recent but constantly repeated (Labour for ever repeat all their key phrases,-presumably they think the electorate isn't too bright) came tumbling forth. "Out of touch" was wheeled out again. It often appears along with dog-whistle mutters about or oblique references to toffs, Etonians and others who may have made money unless they are footballers, celebs,lottery winners,pop stars and the like who have of course earned their money and are irreproachable. The real message from New Old Labour is that unless you are one of the latter or one of Brown's "hard working families"(=not very well off) or of course a Labour politician or activist they don't really like you very much at all. The idea of socialism-free inclusiveness, the big tent and occupying the real centre ground of politics has died. Hopefully also dead then is the idea that this benighted party, to whom business success, and the creation of wealth and jobs for others are an anathema, could ever return to power and have the chance to drag down the economy and any spirit of national endeavour and enterprise even more than they did last time.
In short Ed was in his comfort zone and showing his true colours and political divisiveness. Not an enticing zone for the rest of us.
