According to the media and many within the party, there are only two possible winners in the Labour leadership contest. Our next leader will be either Mr E Miliband or Mr D Miliband. We've been led to believe these are the only two credible candidates for the Labour leadership. Surely voting for anyone else would just be a wasted vote? Or would it?
I myself fell into the same trap when the leadership contest began. I publicly backed Ed Miliband, feeling he was the better of the two credible candidates. I now realise I was completely wrong.
This is a crucial moment for our party. The wrong choice could mean many years of opposition, powerless to stop the Tories making savage cuts to our public services, leading us back into recession and high unemployment. We must choose wisely. I choose Andy Burnham.
Andy Burnham is a credible Labour leader. He has the necessary experience, having been in the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Health. He has performed well in debates on the future of our NHS, opposing Tory plans to scrap PCTs and privatise healthcare provision. He has put forward sensible policies on a variety of issues. He favours a Graduate Tax, in place of tuition fees. He proposes a Land Value Tax, to replace the unfair Council Tax system currently in place. He has proposed building more Council houses and a change in how they are allocated, ensuring those who contribute most to society are given priority.
He also believes in a tough but fair immigration system, recognising there are benefits to immigration. He believes in greater protection for agency workers, a review of Trade Union legislation and fair pay to bring about a more equal society.
Most importantly, Andy Burnham is a realist not a populist. He indentifies many of the positives of New Labour, while recognising the need to stick to core Labour values. I feel this balance is best demonstrated by Andy Burnham's promise to tackle antisocial behaviour through compulsory purchase of problem properties, while at the same time offering adequate mental healthcare for young offenders. He has also proposed a sensible approach to cutting the deficit, promising to lay out an alternative deficit reduction plan, while opposing the savage Tory cuts currently being implemented.
As for renewing the Labour Party, I am delighted that Andy Burnham would lower the party membership fee, making it far easier for people to join up and get involved. We should be a community organisation, not an exclusive club. I also welcome Andy's promise to use new technology to get more members involved in developing policy.
An Andy Burnham leadership would be a decisive break from the past. This is a crucial moment in our party's history. Let's vote for an end to the factional politics of the past. Let's vote for a New Labour with old Labour values. Let's vote for Andy Burnham as our next leader.
Follow the link to read Andy Burnham's manifesto http://andy4leader.com/2010/08/aspirational-socialism-the-manifesto/
4 comments:
Interesting.
I was very sceptical about Andy at the beginning of this leadership debate - he was labelled as the furthest right of all the candidates, and if I'm honest, he's the candidate I knew the least about. He's run an impressive campaign though, and I've warmed to him a lot. I've said for a while that he'll be #2 on my ballot paper...just not sure he's got that edge on Ed Miliband right now.
I think Andy is a good mix of New Labour with Old Labour values. I think its important that we have a leader committed to a progressive Labour Party but we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that unless we are an electable alternative, we will never get the opportunity to put progressive policies into practice.
I have long backed Andy Burnham ahead of the Milibands and really warm to the blending of 'new' and 'old' Labour he has presented. I feel it is necessary for the party to return somewhat to its core. The only problem I really see is that he is very 'Northern' and this may isolate the party nationally. Whilst we have never been that good down south surely it is time we took the fight to the Home Counties. Securing votes here would be a bedrock for future elections, especially with the apparent confusion and disharmony within the Lib Dems.
I see your point about Andy Burnham appearing more "northern". I don't know if that would really make him less electable though. As long as he can sell his policies to people in the home counties.
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