Burnham backs Young Fabian pamphlet at last night’s hustings

Lots of interest in Young Fabian activity plus the signing up of new members at our exhibition stand; a sell-out crowd; and the adoption by one of the Labour leadership candidates of policy from the international chapter of the YF publication, Fast Forward (more of that later), all made for a successful evening.

It was a good hustings – audience members like myself who had been at Saturday’s event in the same venue were treated to some different content as well as some of the same words, ideas and pitches – and in my opinion each of the candidates improved upon Saturday. What was particularly positive was the honest, comradely, and occasionally humourous spirit in which the candidates approached the discussion. Long may that continue.

Amongst the same content as Saturday was a discussion of electoral reform. It’s amusing to see how far this issue appears to have turned around over the course of 2010. From the advocacy of PR (in whatever form) seeming to be a near-consensus of the left just a few months ago, we now find ourselves with all five of our leadership candidates fairly (small c) conservative on the issue and against such a move. I lean towards the argument of one of the contenders that this is not something that most of the country cares deeply and worries about, but from all I have read online this year it seems a clear difference between party membership and leadership. Maybe that’s just because those who favour FPTP or, to a lesser extent, AV, have just been more quiet. I know I have.

There’s a very fine balance to be had with regards to taking on board party members’ views and providing leadership which may differ. It’s a challenge they all face during this campaign and one to watch closely. But it’s also a reason why those candidates advocating and elaborating on the ideal of party reform, in particular around policy formation, will likely win votes.

In terms of new content it was pleasing to see the impact of the conversation that I, and a couple of executive committee colleagues, had with Andy Burnham on Saturday at the Compass conference, when Andy came to say hello at our exhibition stand. Andy left with a copy of Fast Forward, the pamphlet which was a product of 2009′s YF policy forums and tonight backed the call within the edited volume’s foreign policy chapter for an agreed framework for interventionism.

The successor programme of work – the 2010 YF Policy Development Groups – which I am managing, is underway and Young Fabian members are now taking part in meetings to develop new ideas under four themes. Check our website for more, it’s being constantly updated, and I promise to post here again on the groups  soon. It’s not too late to join any of them if you want to play a part and take your ideas to the highest reaches of the party.

Adrian Prandle

Vice Chair, Young Fabians