Alternative: Towards a New Progressive Politics

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

The 2015 election result was a disappointment for almost everyone on the progressive wing of British politics, at least in England and Wales. A shock for Labour, which had expected to capitalise on unpopular austerity measures; a disaster for the Liberal Democrats, who now face a struggle for survival; and a frustration for the Greens, who saw their membership and average share of the vote rise significantly, but failed to add to their one parliamentary seat. By the 2020 election, the Conservatives will have led the British government for all but thirteen of the previous forty-one years. And the outlook for those holding progressive political opinions in the next general election is not auspicious, particularly against the backdrop of likely boundary changes that will make it very difficult for Labour to gain a majority in the future. However, beyond Westminster, there is evidence to suggest that there could be a majority for the progressives in 2020 if only the mechanics were in place for it to happen. The Alternative is a collection of essays that makes the case for a new, plural, radical politics.These essays, from a very broad range of politicians and civil society experts, set out a base of core values around which progressives can unite, proposing a number of big policy ideas that embody those values and, crucially, setting out an urgently needed new form of politics to achieve them.

Reviews

"A thoughtful and original intervention at a time when creative thinking in politics is rare and desperately needed." - Rafael Behr, The Guardian; "The next big topic that everyone who wants a better government must embrace." - Paddy Ashdown, former Liberal Democrat leader; "A welcome shot of optimism in difficult times." - Shami Chakrabarti

Author Bio

Caroline Lucas is the MP for Brighton Pavilion. Leader of the Green Party from 2008 to 2012, she is a vice-president of the RSPCA, a CND national council member and a vice-president of the Stop the War Coalition. She has several times been voted Ethical Politician of the Year and was awarded MP of the year in 2014; Lisa Nandy is the Labour MP for Wigan; Chris Bowers is a writer and broadcaster who has made his mark in the sporting, environmental and political arenas. He is best known as a commentator on tennis.