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The Future Party By Rt Hon Peter Hain MP A Catalyst Paper. Since the Labour Party was established over a century ago, the environment in which it operates has been transformed. Some argue that the advent of the modern media, and social change that has fundamentally altered the way we relate to one another, means that political parties with mass membership structures and active local organizations are now obsolete. But this would be a prescription for further disillusionment and erosion of democracy, argues Peter Hain. A politics dependent upon a wholly professionalised, media-focused elite cannot deliver the kind of change needed to create the fairer and more equal society to which socialists aspire. Instead, the future party must be a broad-based party with an active and engaged membership, looking outwards to the communities it works for. To this end he proposes a series of reforms designed to revive grassroots activism, to give members a more meaningful opportunity to develop policy, to address the disengagement of younger people from political parties, and to reconnect the party with the trade unions, still a crucial bridge to millions of working people. “Political parties must continually adapt to changing circumstances, reinventing themselves to take account of changes to society”, Hain concludes. “But we must never lose sight of their primary purpose – as agents of political participation.” The Right Honourable Peter Hain is Leader of the House of Commons, Secretary of State for Wales and MP for Neath. What kind of Labour Party do we need? Respond and debate |
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