by Sophia James
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Ed Miliband and the
One Nation Avengers.
Yesterday Ed Miliband was dubbed an action hero after he
dived into a busy London road and rescued a 29 year old woman from a bike
accident. The woman in question, Ella Phillips, hailed the Labour leader a
“suave”, “attractive” and stylishly dressed man, “a bit like an action hero”. Perhaps
she was still concussed... however, the gallant, superhuman image of Red Ed
swooping into British politics with his tights and cape are needed now more
than ever.
Let’s be completely honest, the national scene for our party
has been quieter than many would hope, with members being forced to sustain
themselves with piecemeal policies. Even despite Labour’s improved turnout in
traditionally Conservative areas last week and the prising of several
authorities from cold, blue hands, the news - like a broken record, has continually
recalled the UK Independence Party’s successes at the ballot box. It would seem
somewhat ironic that a party once branded “fruitcakes, loonies
and closet racists” by David Cameron, are now tightening their choke hold on his
party and causing unrest amongst the greying Tory ranks. Is this the beginning
of twenty first century British politics lurching to the right?
It was easy enough for UKIP to swoop in and steal the flag.
The Liberal Democrats dug their own metaphoric grave by reneging on every single
promise ever made, whilst the fluffy Tory party softened up on Europe and a
range of social issues. Even the BNP suffered, with their vote collapsing in
places like Spalding East and Moulton where they polled 20.5% in 2009. Four years
later UKIP’s new found popularity relegated them to a low of 3.9%, which just
in case you were wondering, we are extremely happy about. That said, the so
called rise of UKIP is not just an issue for the aforementioned parties, Labour
need to be vigilant to prevent further encroachment on their patch.
Youth unemployment figures have remained high ever since the
initial crisis five years ago. The Guardian reported recently that young people
are three times less likely to be employed than adults and last year, the
headlines stating that 50% of Black young males were out of work have left a
bitter taste in our communities. Simply put, unemployment will play a key part
in the next election and provides an opportunity for the Right to play on the
plight of immigrants.
A further issue which has exposed itself recently is the
contrast between the money spent on the European Union and the strain on public
services. The argument is unsophisticated yet media savvy. Withdraw from the
EU, save money and decrease immigration to open up the job market. The difficulty
is that the more nuanced arguments of international trade, free movement and
collective strength are being sidelined.
Another problem is the extortionate cost of the housing. The
earliest a young person can expect to buy a house is the not so early age of
38. Shelter’s most recent campaign argues that if the price of food had
increased at the same rate as housing, a chicken would cost over fifty pounds. Labour
need to be pushing hard for capital projects of affordable housing, encouraging
industries to set up paid apprenticeships or training opportunities and recognising
the positive impact that immigration has on British society.
The next election should be about the future and young
people are the future. The Labour Party must reach out to disgruntled,
dispirited voters and present an inspirational alternative to the ConDem attack
on the young, the disadvantaged and the impoverished. Over the next few weeks
we will be out in Reading surveying the youth population about concerns they
have. We know this election cannot be won on rhetoric and here at Reading Young
Labour, we will put the issues affecting our community at the heart of our
campaigns. We only hope our caped crusaders in Labour Party HQ will be doing
the same.
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