Opposition is not ‘mission impossible’
September 25, 2011
During ‘Conference Season’ the political rhetoric is dialled up to 13, as party leaders, surrounded by their own supporters, make bold policy announcements that ‘tickle the tummy’ of the faithful.
The Lib Dems launched their conference with policy pronouncements on gay marriage and increasing the tax threshold to £12,500. Nick Clegg gave passionate defence of the Human Rights Act. The delegate’s tummies were duly tickled.
It was odd therefore that Labour decided to kick off their conference with an announcement that, if elected, they would reduce tuition fees to £6000. Clearly the tuition fees debacle was a disaster for the Liberal Democrats (although I do not believe it will be a disaster for students) and it is sensible for Labour to highlight the difference.
The policy though was the political equivalent of a wet fish, and a massive let down for student supporters.
Labour, who last year voted wholeheartedly against the tuition fee proposals whilst arguing for a graduate tax, have now endorsed the coalition policy whilst suggesting that the top level of fees need to come down a bit.
The announcement is underwhelming in the extreme. Labour has moved from introducing fees, to increasing fees, to being completely against fees to now favouring a reduction in fees.
Opposition should allow a party to come up with eye catching policy that will encourage people, beyond their base, to vote for them. Whilst the faithful, and the wider electorate, would not have been expecting a full blown manifesto, Labour have not even located the political tummy, let alone tickled it.
