Broadcast August 5 2008
Since the time of the recent Glasgow-East by-election the news has been of talk of revolt, and speculation that Gordon Brown’s number is up.
Many commentators are suggesting that a Labour defeat at the next General Election is already inevitable, and that the replacement of the leader is vital if they are to at least mount a credible challenge. People inside the party are wondering aloud who has the credentials (and charisma) to charm the nation, but by and large the pressure on Brown seems relentless.
I’m no apologist for Brown, or the Labour Party, but it seems to me that the real problem facing the party is the same one facing other big institutions like, say, the Christian Church. It’s more to do with message than messenger.
Not so long ago Labour’s core values and principles were pretty clear, and the UK’s two main traditional parties offered voters a discernible choice. What is it that Labour stand for today? What do we stand for? I think that’s a hard question – and a difficult one - to answer – whether you’re a political party, a business or a church.
The Bible says “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Pr 29:18 AV) - which simply underlines the importance of clear goals and values.
The Christian Church in today’s society suffers more and more from marginalisation and misunderstanding. The response from people like me within the church shouldn’t be about changing leaders, but concentrating on our core message of love and inclusion and campaigning for a better, fairer world. That’s still a message to inspire - despite the recent infighting we have witnessed between Bishops at the Lambeth Conference.
If the church needs to concentrate on the big communication challenge in getting its message across to the person on the street, Labour needs to do the same. Otherwise they are just going to shoot the messenger whilst ignoring the message.
Or, in the words of guitarist Pete Townsend:
“Meet the new boss – same as the old boss!”