Meeting held on Monday 20th September 2021
10 people were present. Apologies were received from six.
We reflected upon the ways in which the younger generation (under 30s) appear to be disconnected from the older generations politically. Some poll evidence indicates they are disillusioned with parliamentary democracy, inclined to be socialist oriented and view the Tories as the cause of all problems (inequality, climate change, etc). While many supported Corbyn, many of those appeared to have left the party and don’t see Labour as any longer offering hope for a solution. Labour has been unable to communicate with them. We were aware of how little we knew about this generation politically. We were also unsure about how the social media (which appear to dominate their lives) influences their political thinking.
In terms of parliamentary politics, we considered Paul Mason’s view that only the Liberal Party could displace the Tories and so he (but not Labour) was supportive of collaboration between anti-Tory parties. The Tory position was strengthened – and democracy undermined – by a range of recent measures: The Election Bill; limitations upon the Right to Protest; Bills passed through Statutory Instruments; undermining of the universities and the judiciary.
Continued dissatisfaction with Starmer’s inability to present policies is compounded by a reluctance to give much wholehearted support to Green Issues. We thought pressure from Trade Unions’ concern to protect existing jobs (especially in fossil fuels industries) may influence the Party here. But recent movements in Trade Unions (new Gen Sec of Unite – Sharon Graham – increased Trade Union membership) indicate a concern for unions to be more focussed on workers’ pay and rights, rather than Labour Party politics.
While Johnson has declined in the opinion polls, we still find his continued popularity difficult to understand and considered how it represents the power of ‘The Establishment’ (albeit a changing establishment) which continues despite the appearance that the young have little regard for it.
Recurrent divisions within the Tory party (eg between the globalisers and the nationalists) might offer some hope, but not as long as the opposition parties are also divided and unable to reach compromises in order to pull together against Tory entrenchment. We wondered whether the Labour Party Conference would clarify Starmer’s stance.
The NEXT MEETING will be on Monday 18th October