I was at a brilliant social media event tonight. A number of non-aligned delegates raised some pertinent points:
1. If Labour’s future leaders are to be “authentic”, they’re going to have to produce their own web content and they’ll have to do this over time not just during elections.
2. We need a “Labour Uncut” approach. That’s a clever way of saying we have to be clearer about our stresses and strains, be more transparent about our policy dilemmas; be more up front with our work in progress
3. A Labour Uncut approach should not fear giving credit to the new government when they do good things. A number of people praised the commitment to ending ID cards for example. Others looked forward to the repeal of the Digital Economy Act. Amen to that.
4. Others said that they looked forward to Labour’s innovators finding imaginative ways of holding the government to account in the digital space. Someone said that this is the first new government of the Internet age. Of course, Labour is also the first new opposition of the internet age.
5. One last thing. It isn’t half great not worrying about a call from Downing Street if you say something too controversial. I almost feel sorry for the social media friendly ministers in the new government. Almost, anyway.
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If you look at what Tim Montgomerie did with ConHome he basically opened up a more honest discussion space which though at times embarrassing for the party machine actually strengthened it.
It was inward looking but had the discussion in full public view which allowed the media into the discussion as well.
It ultimately was helpful, not a hindrance. There is a lesson there. After a few months you’ll start thinking about where you went wrong. Don’t waste your time attacking the other guys until you sort yourselves out.
You may need to have a bit of bloodletting first.
Tom,
I could never consider voting for you because of The Labour Party’s position on an independence referendum. It’s profoundly undemocratic and extremely damaging to Scottish political discourse. Saying that, were Scottish Labour to change tack, or you ever find yourself standing for election in an independent Scotland, (I’m sure that an electable centre-right party will be formed,lol) I’d consider voting for you based on the way the likes of yourself and Nick Palmer have embraced new media, and at least make an effort to reach out to the electorate.
Respect
I had a ticket but couldn’t make it in the end last night. I had hoped to catch you there Tom. I was at an event to welcome home the Grenadier Guards from Afghanistan, which took priority.
All the above makes sense as do Guido’s remarks re ConHome. The problem (as I see it) for the Labour Party is that it is viewed internally by many as a “movement” or a “cause” more than a political party. The Tories got into trouble in the 90s after the departure of Thatcher when divisions cropped up between those considered “sound” and those who were not (in an echo of the “wets” divisions).
Once you accept your party is not a religion (or a cult) but a vehicle through which to organise politically – as New Labour did when at its best – openness, debate and dissent is much easier to deal with.
Yes, it was a good do. And wow – find myself in total agreement with Guido Fawkes. There’s a first. His subtext is valid: it’s always easier as the underdog… Enjoy it now you can/while you have to.
Who are the “social media friendly ministers in the new government”? Not a snide question, but they may not be obvious, any more than it was before the election. We need to know who the new Jim Knights are as well as who the new Tom Watsons are.
[...] Labour Uncut | Tom Watson MP "It isn’t half great not worrying about a call from Downing Street if you say something too controversial. I almost feel sorry for the social media friendly ministers in the new government. Almost, anyway." (tags: labour politics) [...]
I totally agree with this Tom. Often, when you want to behave well in politics, you can’t because of a variation on the ‘prisoners dillema’
When the news media were monopolistic gatekeepers, you had to paper over the cracks in a way that I don’t think you can do now. Instead, we can use it as a creative/destructive force. For a long time, Labour has had heirarchies that make it more important to ask who someone is rather than finding out if they’ve actually got anything worth saying in the first place.
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