10 policies centrists should look for this general election.
Moderates would be forgiven for feeling that they have a of lack choice at this general election. Both the Conservatives and Labour are drifting ever further away from moderate politics. Meanwhile the Libdems’ hardline stance on revoking Article 50 may put off those who are not firmly in the ‘Remainiac’ camp. With such a choice in mind, here are 10 policies and themes the moderately minded should look out for when they choose which way to cast their vote.
Get their house in order. In an election where the Tories are expected to accuse Parliament of standing against the will of the people, and at a time when the public trust of politicians is at at a low, we desperately need a plan to restore faith in politics. There is plenty that could be done - from greater transparency over expenses claims (why not publish them all?) to a more credible plan to tackle the culture of bullying and sexual harassment in Westminster. Either way, our leaders need to be seen to be on the front foot on putting their house on order.
End the social care impasse. The lack of a solution to the social care funding crisis is almost as repetitive the Brexit impasse. Trying to propose a solution to it bit the Tories in 2017. The ‘dementia tax’ was a bad ‘retail policy’. Yet that should not stop us from wanting politicians to be brave and propose solutions to our trickiest problems. There are decent ideas of how we can sustainably fund social care — for example a new 2.5% tax on over 40s has been muted. Let’s hope manifesto writers are brave enough.
Sort criminal justice. It is not an area that makes the headlines as much as NHS funding or putting more bobbies on the beat, but our criminal justice system is one public service that has really suffered post austerity. A plan is urgently needed to address case backlogs in the courts and stop miscarriages of justice. What’s more we need to address a prison system that is over crowded and fails to help people to turn their lives around — reoffending rates are eye-waveringly high. One bold solution would be to drastically cut prisoner numbers (70% of the prison population are their for non violent offences). The problem is, doing so is such as easy target for the right wing media, and for a public not availed of all the facts.
Drive a skills revolution. One of the most talked about policies of the 2017 general election campaign was Labour’s pledge to abolish tuition fees. It has set the agenda for the debate on the issue since then, and set the Conservatives scampering for a response. The problem with the policy is that it spends a huge amount of money (circa £8bn per year) helping the better off. Moderates should instead get behind a proposal our economy more badly needs — a major package of investment in skills targeted at the 50% who don’t go to university or those who need to transition later in their career to new roles or sectors. The Libdems have made a good start in in this regard with their idea of a personal £10k ‘skills wallet’
Universal free childcare. Childcare provision used to be an area political parties would compete on before we were so distracted by Brexit. It cuts with the times in supporting women’s career aspirations. It also speaks to aspirations for improving the life chances of future generations, with early years education being linked to increasing equality of opportunity. Thankfully, it’s coming back with Labour and the Libdems both outlining ambitious plans. That is a welcome thing.
Back a Green New Deal. Now almost a household phrase since gaining traction with Progressive Democrats in the US earlier this year. In broad strokes it is a plan to decarbonise the economy with large public investments that simultaneously look to create well paid jobs for the ‘left behind’, particularly those who’s jobs are displaced by decarbonisation. Labour has picked up similar rhetoric, but, given the importance of tackling climate change, they should not be alone.
Tackle seemingly small injustices. There is a sense of unfairness in society at the moment. One thing moderates should look at, is the many seemingly small injustices that create the sense of a system that appears rigged . These often arise from the feeling that individuals are pushed around by big corporations and bureaucracies. There are many examples, from being forced to pay a penalty fare when you’ve bought the wrong train ticket, to energy pricing which means loyal customers lose out, to punitive parking fines. Worse are the various ‘poverty premiums’ like prepayment meters and the high cost of credit for those with low incomes.
Back Cannabis legalisation. Perhaps the one thing, other than opposing Brexit, the Liberal Democrats have achieved cut through with is to call for the legalisation of cannabis. Not only is this the kind of eye catching policy a smaller party needs to get attention, it also fits with where public opinion is moving on the issue — as recent YouGov polling shows. As Canada and many US states have now legalised cannabis, the move has become increasingly less controversial.
Fight for Britain’s role in the world. Brexit is forcing the Conservatives to flirt with nationalism and Corbyn’s foreign policy views are at times anti-western. So, there is a need to defend Britain’s history of building alliances and promoting democracy and human rights on the world stage. With autocrats seemingly in the ascendancy the world over and Brexit undermining Britain’s reputation, we badly need our politicians to find their voices on the world stage.
Champion Liberal Patriotism. Patriotism has a bad reputation, being often associated with nationalism and racism. The Right seem to be doubling down on nationalism and the left on miserablism about Britishness. This leaves a gap, as Nick Clegg has argued , for moderates to champion a ‘liberal patriotism’ — celebrating British values along with our proud liberal history. This approach could allow politicians to reach out to many in the public who feel pride in their country, its flag and traditions at a time when many feel sneered at by so called liberal elites.
By Steve O’Neil
