This report aims to bring debates about the exercise
of state power, electoral reform, the future of the union and English
democracy together. They are closely inter-related and must be tackled
together if Labour hopes to implement its aspirations for radical and
wide-ranging social, economic and democratic reform.
The report has five sections.
Section One examines the underlying causes of the strains within the
union and argues that a reformed union for the 21st century needs a new
shared purpose and must resolve England’s role within it.
Section Two shows how Labour defeats have been closely linked to its
inability to respond to the growing importance of nation and identity in
the politics of the UK. English national democracy in the form of English
Votes for English Laws can help Labour in England and, by unlocking a
reformed union, in Scotland too.
Section Three sets out how FPTP has exacerbated tensions within the
United Kingdom, giving an unrepresentative government elected largely
in England dominance over the whole union, and keeping England as the
most centralised nation in Europe. It outlines how Labour will be unable
to implement its policies unless power is devolved from the union state
in Whitehall to all the nations and localities of the United Kingdom and
why this inevitably means embracing the politics of pluralism.
Section Four argues that changes to the UK constitution, including
English national democracy within a proportionally elected Commons
can, with other incremental changes, bring in a new union that will be
more open to progressive and pluralist politics.
Section Five looks at how Labour could win support for radical change
in its next manifesto
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