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Ivan's article in the Sunday Times last weekend has caused much controversy.

Ignore the spin and read the article for yourself:

In a “silly season” dominated by leadership speculation and unhelpful anonymous factional briefings it is time Labour focused on both the national interest and Party’s best interests.  We can still win the next election but only if we are clear about the scale and nature of the challenges and emerge with solutions which are sufficiently bold to cut through the cynicism of an angry and disappointed electorate.  We have to act in a way which proves we are on people’s side and in touch with their everyday realities. That means not simply protecting those on the lowest incomes but help for the hard pressed middle classes on fixed incomes.

We have to be radical in setting out our vision for Britain, passionate about our values, forensic in exposing the shallow nature of David Cameron’s Conservatives but first we must introduce practical measures which support people through this difficult economic period.

Economic stability and growth are the lubricants to a fair society. New Labour adopted Clinton’s mantra of “it’s the economy stupid” and advocated economic policies which persuaded a nervous electorate we were finally fit to govern.  Our new economic credibility was the rock which anchored three successive election victories.  For the first time in history Labour was able to neutralise the toxic issue of tax and persuade the mainstream majority we were both competent and on the side of the aspirational middle class.  The vast majority of people supported an increase in national insurance to fund much needed extra NHS investment.

History is now being re-written by the Tories and some commentators to suggest our relative economic success has been through nature not nurture.  Bank of England independence, labour market flexibility, low levels of corporation tax, New Deal, the minimum wage and tax credit, investment in skills, science and infrastructure, regional economic development all happened by chance. Apparently, Gordon Brown deserves little or no credit for an unprecedented period of sustained growth but is to blame for the credit crunch, doubling of oil prices and the problem of energy supply.  The Tories claim he should have planned for a “rainy day” and has spent too much on public services.  At the same time they promise to match Labour’s spending on Health and Education and claim to favour tax cuts but are unwilling to make any commitments.  How many parents and patients think we are spending too much on schools and the NHS?

Irrespective of the past the current global situation is causing increasing numbers of families hardship and insecurity.  Our duty now is to act decisively to ensure we make the necessary tax and spending decisions which demonstrate we understand what it is like to cope with rising food, fuel and utility bills.  Yes, protect those on the lowest incomes but also help the hardworking middle classes on fixed incomes with large mortgage commitments who are neither rich or poor;  the people who work long hours for their two holidays a year, leisure club membership and meals out with family and friends and ability to buy their kids nice things;  the pensioners whose small occupational pension or savings mean they miss out on any extra benefits;  the young people who want the chance to own their own home;  the mainstream majority who continue to share our values of fairness and opportunity, but expect Labour to reward hard work by protecting their quality of life through these difficult times;  the people who expose as bogus and damaging the false and outdated distinction some in our Party choose to make between so called traditional and new Labour voters.

I am not advocating specific measures which should be part of a new economic package those are decisions for the Chancellor and Prime Minister. A windfall tax, enhanced government support for mortgages, a stamp duty holiday, and higher taxes for the highest earners may be necessary and popular.  However, credible economic strategy cannot be shaped by political dogma, selective press briefings or the pursuit of one day or one week’s positive headlines.  There must be no more 10p tax type mistakes. The decisions we make must be in the long term national interest, ensure meaningful extra help for the poorest and mainstream majority and sustain the progress we have made in Education, Health and reducing child poverty.

Alastair Darling and Gordon Brown face difficult choices which new Labour in Government has never previously had to make.  But there is a narrow window of opportunity for convergence between national and Party interest.  In the 1980’s and 90’s the Tories left many families and communities to cope alone with the harsh consequences of economic change.  Labour has an opportunity to demonstrate that we are different by taking the necessary steps to help people through.

In an era of rapid global change and insecurity, a future election fought on a choice between “on your side” and “on your own” may be far more competitive than people imagine.  “It’s the economy stupid” will not be enough to win Labour a fourth term but it is the only basis on which we can begin to rebuild the mainstream majority coalition which could make it possible.

Ivan Lewis

MP for Bury South and Health Minister.

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