Re-affirming the politics of class

This can be considered alongside other matters such as the decision to pay for broadband rollout through the privatisation of the remainder of Telstra, and even then to do so in partnership with the private sector in a fashion that creates a partial private monopoly.

Considered in addition to Labor’s conservative economic policies, it is well worth asking the question: have the Left and the labour movement received enough (in terms of policy influence, not jobs) to buy their silence, and indeed - should we ever allow the movement to be stifled and debate silenced - for the sake of “unity at all costs”?

Without a credible alternative political formation to Labor’s Left that can represent the traditions of left social democracy, left liberalism and democratic socialism, there is no point in individual activists leaving the party only to find themselves in the political wilderness. But surely those on the Left must be considering their options in the face of Labor’s lurch to the Right.

Whether through the ALP or through the Greens, or a new party of the Left: for progressive activists the challenge remains of re-energising the working class as a class for itself, and of popularising policies of social justice, compassion and liberty. Perhaps, as always, a variety of strategies working in tandem hold the best hope of securing for the Left the policy and cultural influence it needs to win progressive social change.