Where is the alternative in British politics?

There needs to be more debate.

On the Liberal Conspiracy website today, in response to a post by Lord Ashcroft on the ConservativeHome site, Sunny Hundal argues - using Ashcroft's findings - that Labour does not need to support austerity measures in order to appeal to voters. In fact, Hundal argues, the opposite is true: Ashcroft's research apparently indicates that 17% of voters now support Labour having voted Conservative at the last election. This suggests that at least 17% of voters are not hardcore Labour voters but dislike the coalition's austerity programme. If Labour were to keep hold of this 17%, Hundal and Ashcroft point out, the party would gain a majority at the next election. Therefore, Hundal argues, Labour should cease pandering to the economic plans of their opponents because it will not breed political success. 

However, what is much more important than any political points gained from a shift to an anti-austerity stance is that such a shift would help to create a much greater debate about where the country should be headed. When I interviewed Natalie Bennet, the Green Party leader, for Bailrigg FM a couple of months ago, what was immediately noticeable was how different her responses were to those of mainstream politicians. While the coalition is hiking train fares and building motorways, Bennet wants to see less cars on the road and more people using trains. While many mainstream politicians demonise public sector workers, Bennet instead attacks the banking industry. While the coalition sees itself as part of a "global race" with China et al, Bennet instead focuses on the local economies of the UK. The Greens do not support tuition fees, welfare cuts or, for that matter, cuts in general. 

Of course, as with all party principles and manifestos, some of the Green policies I agree with and others i do not. However, what is important is that the Greens are offering the British public a real alternative to austerity. When there is only a sliver of difference between the coalition and the main opposition party, such a stance is very refreshing to hear and could open up a wider debate about the direction of the country. If Labour were to adopt a similar stance this can only improve the debate; currently the majority of those in mainstream British politics have excepted cuts without batting an eyelid, and it is time this changed. 

With Chuka Ummuna and other Labour MPs voting against the benefits cap today, perhaps we may see more coalition myth-busting from the centre-left. We can only hope so; otherwise we will have to put up with more years of cuts and austerity.