The Big Idea for 2008: Child Poverty

Despite the work of this government child poverty is still a major issue within British society with great wealth and inequality juxtaposed together in many places. In my home city of St Albans the ward of Sopwell has the world class Sopwell House Hotel traditionally the venue where FA Cup finalists stay prior to the match, yet 31% of under 16’s in the surrounding area live in poverty.

The Children’s Plan launched by Ed Balls earlier in the week sets an ambitious target of halving child poverty by 2010 and eradicating child poverty by 2020 tackling the core reasons behind child poverty such as housing. This government has a good record of investing money directly into projects through organisations such as The Children’s Fund, relieving some of the effects of child poverty, and these agencies should not be lost. It is good that the Children’s Plan aims to tackle the core issues behind child poverty, yet root and branch change is not going to help those who already live in poverty. We as a government should not only be tackling the causes of child poverty but going further for those who will not benefit from the Children’s Plan.

Alex James, Chair, Manchester Labour Students.

Labour the natural home for young people

Labour launches new £1 rate for young people

Speaking at the launch, Dawn Butler, Vice Chair of the party said:

''I would say to any young person who feels strongly about social justice and equality, and to anyone that wants build a fairer society - that Labour is the Party for you''

''When you join the Party you won't be just a number – you will be part of a vibrant network of young people who share your values. As part of Young Labour you can make a difference in your local community and make your opinions heard at the very top of Government''

Young labour have also launched a new website at, www.younglabour.org.uk

Its time to make sure that the aspirations of young people are reflected in in Labour's policies in Government. So if you have a view whether it be on rights at work, raising the educational leaving age or simply on what young people can do to win for labour its time to . . . .

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What is the big idea for 2008?

Well its been a long year of many surprises. There has been the smooth transition from Blair to Brown and a change of Government... however has there been the much vaunted party renewal? 

This debate was much talked about by Progress, Compass and all those spectators watching the Deputy Leadership election.  However I'm not sure we really debated the future of the party during the Deputy Leadership election. 

I have my own ideas about where we should be going as a party and I trust the Brown Government to take us there. The main problem as I see it is that the party membership don't really have that settled view. If anything the Deputy Leader contest showed excessive posturing by several candidates in an effort to court some sort of "soft" left vote. There was also an endless debate about what the role involved. Jon Cruddas advanced some interesting views on the Party Chair and certainly shared a vision that Hazel Blears has of a campaigning party. During the contest I support Hilary Benn for Deputy. I don't think he really addressed what New Labour is either. However he did present quite a warm, inspiring feeling among many Labour Students and party members. That did not win the election.  Harriet Harman won her narrow victory on a mixed platform. There was talk of Iraq and other issues that have harmed Labour in the last few years. Much of this talk was of regret or of addressing the fundamental inequalities in our society.

This last point is where I see the future and indeed the present of our party. It takes me back to the old Harold Wilson quote that "this party is a moral crusade or it is nothing". Now the language may have changed but we all still believe in the need to change society to release the potential of all our citizens. Sound a little like what our Prime Minister has talked about since taking office?

So how do we release the potential of all our citizens? There have been several exciting announcements around education in the last few months. Also talk of a new constitutional settlement and a debate around British values. These areas along with a steady stream of solid policy announcements demonstrate why we are the party of government. 

But this is not enough. We need to demonstrate what we mean by "the strength to change Britain". So what are the big idea that will dominate the political landscape of 2008?

Over to you.

Alan Scobbie, Chair MMU Labour Students