Part III – FPTP & the emasculation of Labour

Scope: looks at whether UK labour has been able to close the inequality gap v European peers when in power over past 40 years

Summary:

  • Since 1980, the Labour party has been forced by the UK’s FPTP regime away from its progressive instincts, in order to have any chance of getting to power

  • between 1997 and 2010, a more centrist, ‘New Labour’ enjoyed 12 consecutive years in power but failed to close any of the major inequality gaps v European peer averages

  • despite this, the UK establishment insists on presenting UK Labour as a viable, left-leaning alternative for UK voters

Conclusion:

  • Under FPTP, progressive lobbies can only get to power through compromising their progressive ambition, resulting in poorer levels of social justice