Labour Survives. Financially. For now.
For those of you that missed the ambiguously meaningful news Labour has evaded fiscal oblivion with the help of their backers, who have allowed them until 2015 to repay the cash.
This means that the prospect of “Labour Ltd.” is rightly banished, but by no means assures the continued existence of the party. Simply because they are wealthy enough to continue to operate by no means means that they will continue to enjoy the base which they have become dependent upon. The rumblings amongst the unions are also highly ominous, although perhaps not indicative of any actual motion in lieu of any viable alternative.
As far as I can determine the next seven years will be crucial for Labour’s continued existence in a way that perhaps even the past seven have not been. If Labour can refresh and reinvigorate themselves, then set about seizing the agenda then the shallow state the Tories remain in (despite desperate diggings towards depth) and the low profile of the Liberal Democrats will assure their continued existence. I remain of the view that with David Miliband at their head this could be achieved.
Alternatively their current dire state could be followed by all out internecine warfare and division, something which would at least give us a chance to see some Blairites getting thrashed; but would also lead to the Tories establishing themselves thoroughly in the absence of any unified opposition to their agenda. It is hard to imagine an outcome, either with Labour as challengers or the LibDems, that would come from this context yet not include the Conservative Party becoming, once again, the “Natural party of government”.
Certainly a descent from the seeming impossibility of Tory return to power that was in force a mere matter of years ago. At least Labour can focus upon popularity rather than cash, however. Whether this renewed devotion of attention allows them to regain the droves that have abandoned them remains to be seen.
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