Green party call for 'Progressive alliance'

[Seagull27]

The Green party have called upon Labour, the Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru to form an alliance against right wing parties:

http://www.newstatesman.com/politic...our-lib-dems-and-plaid-cymru-form-progressive

No detail of what this would involve. Would this be well received by the left wingers on here?

My thoughts are that this will never happen with the Labour party as it is, but if they were to split then it may be a possibility. I'm all for a bit of cross-party politics in places, fed up of the football supporter mentality with some parties when it would benefit us all if they worked together.

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

The Green party have called upon Labour, the Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru to form an alliance against right wing parties:

http://www.newstatesman.com/politic...our-lib-dems-and-plaid-cymru-form-progressive

No detail of what this would involve. Would this be well received by the left wingers on here?

My thoughts are that this will never happen with the Labour party as it is, but if they were to split then it may be a possibility. I'm all for a bit of cross-party politics in places, fed up of the football supporter mentality with some parties when it would benefit us all if they worked together.

Perhaps, although quite what they would stand for in common I'm not sure. The Labour Party is struggling on its own to accommodate different views. If this new alliance is run by the London/South East liberal elite then it will struggle to win elections ie the same problem as the current Labour party.

 

[gregbrighton]

I think it would work if the Corbynites walked away from Labour. I think he could work with the Greens. The Lib Dems would have to ditch their leader though. He is certainly to the right.

 

[Seagull27]

Perhaps, although quite what they would stand for in common I'm not sure. The Labour Party is struggling on its own to accommodate different views. If this new alliance is run by the London/South East liberal elite then it will struggle to win elections ie the same problem as the current Labour party.

I guess the common aims would be that they are all parties who were (/are) against Brexit, and want to maintain a strong relationship with the EU, and also that they are anti-austerity (are the lib dems? Not actually sure what they stand for now...)

I agree about Labour, though my feeling is that the current leadership has more in common with the Greens and Plaid than it does with sectors of its own party.

It would also be interesting to see what they mean by alliance. Perhaps an agreement to side with each other on certain issues in parliament? Though their combined seats won't have much more impact than Labour alone. Maybe an agreement not to stand against each other in a general election? Though that could be messy and it's unclear how many extra seats they may win with this tactic.

Interesting that the SNP are not discussed in the article too. Presumably because a second Scottish referendum would be a requirement for them.

Either way I think we are possibly going to see more cross-party relationships in the future, perhaps between the Tories/UKIP/DUP as well

 

[beorhthelm]

I think it would work if the Corbynites walked away from Labour. I think he could work with the Greens.

the Corbynites are Labour, thats the whole problem. the scism is with the more centre, less socialist part of the party thats moved on from the old traditional routes (progressd, one might say). they aren't likely to get into bed with mad greens. and while he might be able to work with the Greens, the old rank and file from the industrial heartlands cant, most Green policies revolve around the reduction and deconstuction of industry.

anyway what is this "progressive alliance", they'd have a dozen or two seats extra between them. its really about the Greens trying to look relevant.

 

[highflyer]

The Green party have called upon Labour, the Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru to form an alliance against right wing parties:

http://www.newstatesman.com/politic...our-lib-dems-and-plaid-cymru-form-progressive

No detail of what this would involve. Would this be well received by the left wingers on here?

My thoughts are that this will never happen with the Labour party as it is, but if they were to split then it may be a possibility. I'm all for a bit of cross-party politics in places, fed up of the football supporter mentality with some parties when it would benefit us all if they worked together.

It is what I have been wanting for a while now, but more in hope than expectation

 

[BrickTamland]

the Corbynites are Labour, thats the whole problem. the scism is with the more centre, less socialist part of the party thats moved on from the old traditional routes (progressd, one might say). they aren't likely to get into bed with mad greens. and while he might be able to work with the Greens, the old rank and file from the industrial heartlands cant, most Green policies revolve around the reduction and deconstuction of industry.

Of traditional industry, yes. However something they need to be stronger and clearer on in their campaigns are the benefits (in terms of individual jobs) of 'green industry', renewable energy and such. Has worked wonders for the Scandi and German economies. Problem is they concentrate too much on preaching to the converted regarding the environmental problems concerning traditional industry thus ruining their chances in the labour north, rather than the clear economic and employment bonuses it would bring to certain areas.

 

[Stat Brother]

This needs to be done, but won't get anywhere, yet, if at all.

Until the Tory's and Labour get a grip of themselves nobody will be shopping around for a new party.

If the main parties end up giving the country a choice between Corbin or Gove, a third creditable option in opposition, has to be ready to go the very next day.
Although on that day the entire country may well be preoccupied by the deafening crying coming from Nick Clegg's garden shed.

 

[tinycowboy]

I think we'd all like to see some effective opposition. I don't know if this could be it, but I'd give anything a go at the moment.

 

[CHAPPERS]

Of traditional industry, yes. However something they need to be stronger and clearer on in their campaigns are the benefits (in terms of individual jobs) of 'green industry', renewable energy and such. Has worked wonders for the Scandi and German economies. Problem is they concentrate too much on preaching to the converted regarding the environmental problems concerning traditional industry thus ruining their chances in the labour north, rather than the clear economic and employment bonuses it would bring to certain areas.

The Green Party are extremely clear on the economic benefits of the green industry!

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

It is what I have been wanting for a while now, but more in hope than expectation

My sentiments entirely. I would consider myself centre-left, do not have a problem with Corbyn per se, but abhor his intransigence at the moment. Having said that, if there were a full-on leadership election in the Labour party, it is quite possible (likely?) he would get elected again, which would make Labour unelectable (still). David cameron was spot on yesterday when he said at PMQ yesterday that it might be in the best interests of his party Corbyn staying there as Labour leader, but the country needs a strong opposition.

I think this is all fascinating, while at the same time being horrible. having read, though, Theresa May's statement in support of her bid, I find myself hoping she wins it.

 

[Machiavelli]

Of traditional industry, yes. However something they need to be stronger and clearer on in their campaigns are the benefits (in terms of individual jobs) of 'green industry', renewable energy and such. Has worked wonders for the Scandi and German economies. Problem is they concentrate too much on preaching to the converted regarding the environmental problems concerning traditional industry thus ruining their chances in the labour north, rather than the clear economic and employment bonuses it would bring to certain areas.

Spot on.
The Greens problem has long been about their narrative -- rather than their assessment or policies -- being ineffectual. New Labour's problem is that their policies distanced themselves from their traditional heartlands in the industrial Midlands and north. Corbyn's Labour's problems are deep, profound, and soon to be over. The Lib Dems problem is that they were deemed to be opportunistic, and struggled to break through the two-party favouring FPTP system.
I'm of the view that this is a good idea, and will be made even more necessary if Scotland gets its independence. It'll require compromise and, more apparently, developing a coherent narrative that grips, which will take a long time to develop.

 

[highflyer]

My sentiments entirely. I would consider myself centre-left, do not have a problem with Corbyn per se, but abhor his intransigence at the moment. Having said that, if there were a full-on leadership election in the Labour party, it is quite possible (likely?) he would get elected again, which would make Labour unelectable (still). David cameron was spot on yesterday when he said at PMQ yesterday that it might be in the best interests of his party Corbyn staying there as Labour leader, but the country needs a strong opposition.

I think this is all fascinating, while at the same time being horrible. having read, though, Theresa May's statement in support of her bid, I find myself hoping she wins it.

Be careful what you wish for. May combines being extremely right wing economically and socially illiberal with being politically competent. She is also going to be able to duck out of taking responsibility for the inevitable shitfest that brexit will bring: 'I didn't want it but now we've got it i am the best person to manage it'. As a taster for what is likely to be ahead, there is already a lot of appetite amongst Leave backers for making the UK a full-on tax haven, dopping corporation tax to 10% or less and I suspect May will be happy to oblige.

The problem with the PLP is that they still think Corbyn is the problem and that if they can just get back to where they were before, all will be well. In reality Crobyn's rise just revealed how split the party had become. Until someone acknowledges that, and suggests a path that is different from ANY version of the past, they will be stuck bouncing back and forth between Old Labour and Tory lite, both of which have already been rejected by the wider public.

 

[severnside gull]

The Labour Party I grew up supporting is long gone. First it sold its soul for power then it opened its door to radicals with no sense of responsibility to society or tolerance of any view but their own.
I would welcome a broad-based centre left coalition but I don't have any faith it will happen in a form that will allow those who oppose two-Nation Toryism to support it

 

[worthingseagull123]

The Green Party will do anything to stay in the lime light

Once their MEPs all go in the next 2 years, they will be left with sweet FA LOL.

Just need to vote Lucas out of office

 

[CHAPPERS]

Just need to vote Lucas out of office

Why? She's an excellent MP, political leanings aside.

 

[Notters]

The Green party have called upon Labour, the Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru to form an alliance against right wing parties:

http://www.newstatesman.com/politic...our-lib-dems-and-plaid-cymru-form-progressive

No detail of what this would involve. Would this be well received by the left wingers on here?

My thoughts are that this will never happen with the Labour party as it is, but if they were to split then it may be a possibility. I'm all for a bit of cross-party politics in places, fed up of the football supporter mentality with some parties when it would benefit us all if they worked together.

Yes, but then so would an end to party politics altogether.

 

[Notters]

The Green Party will do anything to stay in the lime light

Once their MEPs all go in the next 2 years, they will be left with sweet FA LOL.

Just need to vote Lucas out of office

Yeah, hilarious that we're destroying the planet as a species until there's nothing left, isn't it?

 

[looney]

This Kind of coalition building has had its day.

The more likely outcome is we follow America, as always, and the white working class shift to the right this booted the democrats out of the South and would decimate the left in the UK. This is before you start factoring in Scottish independence,

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

I guess the common aims would be that they are all parties who were (/are) against Brexit, and want to maintain a strong relationship with the EU, and also that they are anti-austerity (are the lib dems? Not actually sure what they stand for now...)

I agree about Labour, though my feeling is that the current leadership has more in common with the Greens and Plaid than it does with sectors of its own party.

It would also be interesting to see what they mean by alliance. Perhaps an agreement to side with each other on certain issues in parliament? Though their combined seats won't have much more impact than Labour alone. Maybe an agreement not to stand against each other in a general election? Though that could be messy and it's unclear how many extra seats they may win with this tactic.

Interesting that the SNP are not discussed in the article too. Presumably because a second Scottish referendum would be a requirement for them.

Either way I think we are possibly going to see more cross-party relationships in the future, perhaps between the Tories/UKIP/DUP as well

I think all the main parties (left and right) will want to maintain a strong relationship with the EU although what could mark this out as different is going into the next election promising to hold a second referendum on the outcome of the negotiations. Plaid Cymru has to be very careful though because Wales voted to Leave. Any 'progressive alliance' needs to listen to the aspirations of working class people. If instead the politicians try to tell people what's good for them (on Europe and other issues) then the idea is doomed to failure. Without a left wing party committed to Brexit I forecast 100 years of Tory Government !