Labour needs to embrace a pluralist culture for the sake of our country.
Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party
In 2003, in Compass’ inaugural statement we said “Labour needs to revisit its purpose”.
On Friday 23rd June 2023, Compass’ Executive Director Neal Lawson received a letter from the Labour Party informing him of a process to expel him from the Party.
The accusation is based around this tweet from Neal from May 2021 responding to MP Layla Moran’s response to a local council deal between the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party in Oxford.
Compass has long argued that the complex challenges of the 21st century are not going to be met by any single party, but an alliance that mobilises every progressive in the pursuit of a good society.
Labour, a big part of that broad political, economic, intellectual and civic alliance, was founded on the principle of pluralism. It was a federation of unions and socialist societies that cooperated for common purpose. Its big electoral breakthrough came in 1906 because the Liberal Party stood aside for them in 30 seats.
This history and tradition is in danger of being abandoned just when the country needs it most.
It will be tragic if this is the culture Labour takes into government because it will fail.
The idea that one small faction of one party can rule the chaotic waves of the 21st century is a non-starter. Neither Starmer nor anyone else is going to impose a better future on us; that can only be negotiated by all of us.
Join Compass to call on Keir Starmer to embrace a pluralist culture for the sake of our country.
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To:
Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party
From:
[Your Name]
The complex challenges of the 21st century are not going to be met by any single party, but an alliance that mobilises every progressive in the pursuit of a good society.
The Labour Party has a big part to play in that broad political, economic, intellectual and civic alliance - fitting with its history and traditions. Your party was founded on these principles of pluralism and cooperation. It was a federation of unions and socialist societies that cooperated for common purpose. Its big electoral breakthrough came in 1906 because the Liberal Party stood aside for them in 30 seats.
This history and tradition is in danger of being abandoned just when the country needs it most. It will be tragic if this is the culture Labour takes into government because it will fail.
That is why we are dismayed to learn that Labour is looking to expel Neal Lawson, Executive Director of Compass, a leading advocate of the benefits of cross party working and pluralism.
The idea that one small faction of one party can rule the chaotic waves of the 21st century is a non-starter. Neither The Labour Party nor anyone else is going to impose a better future on us; that can only be negotiated by all of us.
We call on you to work constructively with people of all progressive parties and none as the only means to secure the better society we all want and need.