Many (not all) of those expressing fears over the party’s approach to immigration have taken their lead from ‘the doorstep’ – people they met during the campaign. That’s not a bad thing to go on but must be treated with a pinch of salt. Proactively, most campaigners will have only met a very small proportion of the electorate. And reactively (street stalls etc) only those passionate enough to come forward.

Moreover, it’s not entirely clear whether it was Labour’s policies that were wrong or the communication / understanding of them. Given that immigration increases as a political issue the closer in inverse proportion to the number of migrants living in an area, it’s reasonable to presume that the same people aren’t well versed on ‘who is coming in’ or even what hoops ‘they’ have to jump through to come here.

More detailed, constructive psephological and qualitative research will doubtless be available although Labour won’t be able to afford the sort of detailed analysis that Michael Ashcroft of Belize funded for the Tories. But even then, accurate opinion research tends to take second place for many people if it doesn’t underscore what they already wanted to say. How many times does an MP say ‘I’ve changed my mind now I know my constituents don’t think like that’?

Moreover, it’s becoming more difficult to construct a single policy position with widespread appeal as the country fragments into lots of nuanced positions. You can’t rely on a single demographic (whether class or faith-based0 to react in the same way as you previously presumed. And even if it was, we also know that in 2005 the Tories had the most popular policies (when tested ‘blind’) but that because the Tories were saying it, they didn’t make the breakthrough they hoped.

Finally, the most creative, inspiring campaigns aren’t those tested to destruction. Those companies with the best ads, products, ideas are usually those which don’t rely on sentiment worms, focus groups et al to determine what they do, merely to inform decisions they make. And even then they interrogate the analysis to work out exactly what it means. There’s no way that Boris Johnson would even get admitted to party membership (even in the Lib Dems) if we judged our politics based on a focus group ideal.

None of this is intended as a specific riposte to those who say Labour needs a different approach on immigration (it might), nor those searching for reasons as to why it lost (we need them, supported by evidence). But if the formation of the Con Dem coalition has taught us anything so far, it should be that politics is as much about chemistry as it is physics, instinct as much as analysis.

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The association would be aligned with the Labour Party – a significant proportion of its income would be donated to the party (or maybe even candidates with a good business background?). It would seek to influence party policy and shadow spokespeople both through private events and by having a strong presence in the party.

Progressive Entrepreneurs would gain its legitimacy through public set-pieces such as research papers, polling, or proposals around the budget. It would be an alternative business voice to the status quo, showing that progressive businesses do support the minimum wage, recognising trade unions and offering flexible working opportunities. But it would also oppose initiatives which see Labour on the wrong side of entrepreneurs.

It should also be a good networking opportunity – though plenty of other organisations fill that gap. But the events must be fun and probably not too self-important.

I see no reason why it needs high overheads – and membership must be affordable. A broad base will guard against allegations of buying influence (as will transparency of its policy positions).

But it should be more policy oriented than the Thousand Club and have more legitimacy than Business for Labour.

Success for the organisation would have three elements: a Labour party with progressive policies which are neither unreasonable for workers or entrpreneurs; a public face for progressive businesses which didn’t just blindly attack regulation and criticise the public sector; an association of people some of whom would not have joined the Labour party but can make a constructive input to its future.

This idea is fresh and inevitably rough round the edges. But if you can help improve it, please comment below. And if you think it has legs, I’ll take it to the next stage.

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2. Why I’m voting for Luke Akehurst
3. Same Old New Labour

Disclosure: I don’t like Charles Clarke. I met him only once, in 2003. I was investigating political party financing for the ippr whilst he was chairman of the Labour Party. We had a series of meetings arranged, all of which were cancelled, some whilst I was on my way to the meeting. When we finally met, at a small cross-party seminar I organised, he arrived (late) only to launch straight into an attack on us. It was unpleasant and in stark contrast to the way I was treated by every other senior politician I met. But, as ever in politics, I like and admire some people who like Charles Clarke. So he might not be all bad.

Charles Clarke has been branded by some as a traitor to the Labour Party. His frequent attacks on Gordon Brown have irritated party members in Norwich and fellow MPs. I actually think Charles Clarke has good reason to attack Gordon Brown, given the way that Brown appears to have dealt with him whilst he was secretary of state for education. But, as I’ve said elsewhere, now is not the time for these debates.

So I was entertained to spot the following report in the archives of the Guardian from 1 December 1995:

Kinnock aide (Charles Clarke) says (John) Smith ‘disloyal’

by Patrick Wintour

Neil Kinnock’s most senior adviser during his time as Labour leader has . . . conceded that the late John Smith was disloyal to Mr Kinnock before the 1992 general election.

Mr Clarke says of John Smith:

“Some people alleged that John Smith had a game plan to replace Neil as leader of the party. That was put to me by a lot of people. I in fact discussed it with John at one point. I believed that was entirely untrue.

“However, I have to say that after the 1992 election, one or two people in very senior positions indicated that John had been talking in a disloyal way.”

In other news that day, England were playing South Africa and were struggling after an opener scored 100.

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There are four main reasons that I’m voting for Luke Akehurst, and I hope I can persuade you to do the same.

1. Luke is Labour first

Luke Akehurst would make a fantastic member of the NEC because his primary (political) concern is for the Labour party. He’s not Blairite, Brownite, Kinnockite – or anything else – so much as Labour first, second and third. These qualities are always important but will be particularly important for the Labour party leadership (in its broadest sense) in the next couple of years.

Luke is also Labour First – but that’s another issue

2. You can have an honest disagreement with Luke

There are lots of issues on which I do not agree with Luke: 42 day detention, some aspects of defence policy and probably many others that we’re yet to discover. We do,though, agree on some issues where Luke has a different position from what many would imagine – party funding reform, proportional representation to name a few. Bob Piper, and I’m sure others, will use their policy disagreements as a reason to not vote for Luke. But why I like Luke is that you can disagree with him without him dismissing you as an infidel, a traitor to the cause or questioning your principles. The NEC isn’t about ideological purity, or a forum for policy debates. I know that Luke will represent all Labour members – even those with different views from his own.

3. Luke is a formidable campaigner

There are many people on the NEC with many qualities – both previously and at the moment. But few have a track record of campaigning across the country like Luke. I first heard of Luke from Aldershot activist Keith Dibble, who I got to know when I was chair of Romsey CLP and a National Policy Forum rep. He showed me the planning and organisation that Luke had led in Aldershot in 1997 2001 and it was phenomenal. Luke wants to see Labour thrive as a party of the whole country – not just marginals or heartlands. We need people with the experience of that at the head of our party more now than ever before.

4. Luke takes Labour procedures seriously

I’m too much of a coward to laugh directly at Luke – only behind his back. But I remember vividly one night when he popped round and was telling us the minutiae of an election to a Labour Party regional board. He finished the story “this is serious shit”. Of course, little could be further from the truth. Regional boards of the Labour party are among the most pointless, meaningless organisations fathomable. But the NEC needs people who respect the party, its structures and rules. Luke is your man for the job.

I will also be supporting Ann Black, assuming she is running again. And although they are politically different, I am sure that each will do an inspiring job, in their own way. It’s not easy being Labour – and it’s going to get harder – so good people like Luke need to step forward and take responsibility. I, for one, am grateful.

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Labour Party conference is the last big party meeting before the general election – half time if you will. I won’t be there. But if I could address the cabinet, this would be my message. And any coincidence with anything Rafa Benitez said at half time in Istanbul is entirely deliberate.

__

In the bowels of the Brighton Centre, the cabinet is assembled. Ragged. Dishevelled. Abject despair prevails. They are tired after a long season. They are 3-0 down at half time against a rampant opposition. All the talk before the game of the opposing team being too old, past it, has not been realised. They may be old but the old tricks are working.

The manager clears his throat and starts to speak. But it’s not enough to stop the hostility starting to break out between some of the payers.

“It’s worse than you think”, he says. They stop, taken aback.

“We’re headed, you are headed, for an historic humiliation. And given the financial state of this club, we may just be 45 minutes away from the start of the end for a great institution. An historically bad performance. Some of you will be left here, having to clean it up. Some of you may get other offers. But you’ll be forever associated with failure.

But before the future, this day is not over. Events have yet to run their course. There’s a long way to go before the final whistle. And you’ve got to go out there again, in the worst possible circumstances, to face your fate. You can shirk and it will hurt more. Or you can stand up and show that you deserve to be here. That you stand as quality individuals. That you represent something greater than yourself: a collective with a proud history.

Because if you go out there and try to vanish, head down, you will be lonely at the end. Or you can go out tehre and work together, as a team, to stand up for your reputation, your history, your achievements so far and your ideasls for the future.

I don’t know if we can win. I don’t know if we can protect ourselves from humiliation. But I do know this: we got here as a team. Playing for each other, for sure. But also as custodians of something much greater. The hopes, aspirations, dreams of a community who depend on you to do what they can not. Yes, they’re grateful you got this far. But it will pale into insignifcance against the worst defeat in history – the betrayal of what you gave away.

So, this is what we do next.

Gordon, the goalie: your distribution needs to be quicker. Don’t charge off your line and get caught out. Don’t worry about the fumbles in the first half, just catch the next one. Make yourself big. Narrow the target in one on ones.

Cruddas, left back: If you’re going to get forward your final ball has to better. Don’t get caught out of position. And make sure you’re covered defensively.

Miliband (D), right back: You need to get forward more. You’re not up against a substantial player. And when you’re in a position to make a telling contribution, don’t spend too long thinking about it.

Straw, Darling, centrebacks: Stay strong in the tackle. Be decisive on the air. Don’t get pulled out of position.

Denham, defensive midfielder: Every team needs a water carrier. You need to be bigger. You are on the national stage now. You’ve broken into the first team because you are good enougih. Now play like it.

Balls, midfielder: You are drifting out wide too much. Cut out the fancy tricks. Stop playing your own game and get stuck into the team. You were an integral part of how we got this far.Remember your role and your major strengths and provide more cover for the keeper and the back four.

Mandelson, attacking midfielder: You can’t be everywhere. You’ve got to galvanise others by doing the best you can  – not playing as many roles as you can. And when the ball drops to you, make sure you are there to make the pass or take the shot.

Harman, playing off the front man: You’ve got a role in attack and defence. Don’t get ahead of the play. Hold your position and pick the final pass.

Burnham, Johnson, wingers: I’m aware that you’re both playing out of position. You’ve got the energy, so use it. You’ve got tremendous strength cutting inside. We need you to hold the ball up and when you get a clear cut opportunity – take it.

Blunkett, sub: I know you are desparate to get on. Remember: being associated with a winning team brings rewards of its own. IF your chance comes, take it.

Now you are ready. Don’t think about the bigger picture. Just do the next thing well. Win the next tackle. Pass the ball. Keep the ball. And when you lose posession, re-group and work as a team to close them down and win it back. And if you do this, you won’t conceded the next goal. So you’ll be in with a chance. And I know that you – my team – only need one chance. Score a goal and everything changes.

And win or lose, you will have done it together. On this day, you’ll have reminded people what you are. You’ll have shown people that on this day, a team of people worked together for a greater cause. And if you do this today, there will be a future – thanks to you. The dream will live on.

So go out there and do the next thing well. You can control your destiny.

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