Labour drafting ‘idealistic’ manifesto
Labour will fight the next election on an idealistic manifesto but one firmly rooted in the politics of New Labour, the man in charge of drafting it declared today.
Ed Miliband promised to deliver a manifesto that “speaks to people’s lives and inspires them about our vision for the future.”
Labour strategists have already said this year’s Labour conference will stress the party’s competence on the ‘big issues’ such as crime, health and education.
But Mr Miliband said the manifesto – which many still speculate could be needed as early as next week – would target issues often sidelined in political debate, including carers, mental health and services for young people.
With membership of the Labour party in free-fall in recent years, Mr Miliband said people would rejoin the party if they were inspired by their ideals.
He said: “Twenty years since I joined this party, ten years in government and I tell this conference: I am more idealistic than ever.
“We are the people with ideals – not just a government but a cause.”
Attempting to heal the burgeoning rift between senior Labour figures and the grassroots, Mr Miliband said idealism was more important than reforming the structure of the party.
Labour delegates have raised concerns over the past week at the number of potentially controversial motions rejected for debate.
Mr Miliband played down the importance of this week’s motions, insisting debates at conference are only part of the decision making process.
He said: “Under the proposed changes debate at conference would not be the end of the matter but the state of serious work.”
He paid tribute to the input of the trade unions in many of Labour’s achievements of the past ten years, including the minimum wage and legislation to crack down on gang masters,
“Let me be absolutely clear,” he said, “we need the voice of working people in this movement.”
But Mr Miliband made his commitment to the New Labour project clear, launching his speech with a joke at the expense party’s socialist roots.
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