We must deepen and entrench New Labour - Fabian Conference January 2005
Speaking to the Fabian Society New Year Conference at Imperial College, London on Saturday 15 January, the former Cabinet Minister Stephen Byers will call for a deepening and entrenching of New Labour and urge changes to the benefits system to ensure that welfare does not become a way of life for those able to work.
He will say:
“We have reached a critical stage on our journey of reform and Labour faces a choice.
“We can be well intentioned and make incremental change – cautious and comfortable. Failing to challenge vested interests.
“Or just as the Attlee government did in 1945 move decisively to change the political landscape.
“The acid test for our manifesto for a third term will be the extent to which it deepens and entrenches New Labour.
“People must recognise that New Labour was never just a clever marketing device. In fact it marked a fundamental change in our party. A change that was necessary not to lose our identity but to keep our relevance; not to betray our principles but to fulfil them in practical terms by being in office.
“I hope that at the election we will put forward a programme which is clearly New Labour. A manifesto which reflects a New Labour vision for our country – grounded in the traditional values and principles of the party – of a society where there is opportunity for all and responsibility from all regardless of background, race or gender.
“We need to be clear about the New Labour destination. It is to build a Britain that is modern, tolerant and outward looking. Where wealth, power and opportunity are in the hands of all our people and not a privileged few.
“The modern application of progressive values which is at the heart of New Labour involves the taking of tough and difficult decisions. Take as an example our present benefits system. It will need to be re-cast in a way which reflects the strength of our economy and the availability of work.
“Too many people still don’t work who could work. We must act to ensure that welfare doesn’t become a way of life for those able to work. Reforms will need to be introduced which combine help and support to get into work with a duty to work for those able to do so.”
