New Labour- rebuilding the coalition
7: In conclusion
These messages are an attempt to reflect broad concerns amongst those who have voted Labour in the recent past and those whose support we need to win in the future. They imply changes in policy in some key areas, although there is much room to debate what those changes should be. But at this point in the debate about Labour’s future it is most important to show that we understand how the world is changing and the key areas where Labour’s message needs to change.
At a time when we are in danger of talking only to ourselves we need to show that we are motivated by the problems that people face in their own lives. We need to describe those problems clearly and to provide an explanation that makes sense. We need to show that we can tackle those problems because we share, with voters, a set of values and beliefs of how Britain could and should be. We need to regain our belief that individual aspiration and opportunity can best be met in a society that also promotes environmental sustainability, fairness and the common good.