At a time when many of us activists complain about apathy and the electorate complains about us ‘all being the same’, we see UKIP winning the Euros, a huge turn out in the Scottish Referendum, the Greeks electing Syriza, the Spanish enthralled by Podemos and Marine Le Pen taking ground in France.
For me this is an obvious symptom of a largely elitist political system, itself often controlled by powerful vested interests, leaving ordinary people feeling disempowered and disaffected. For some the answer is to join Russell Brand in his protest non vote, for others it is to vote for parties that will give the incumbents a kicking, will offer hope that maybe things could be different.
What unites all the protest voters and non voters is a desire for change. A desire to do things differently. A desire for a society where their needs are taken seriously, in some cases even if that is at the expense of others.
On Sunday I feel honoured to have been invited to speak at Change: How? taking place at the Islington Metal Works. This is a non partisan un-conference bringing together a range of political activists, thinkers and campaigners. The line up is hugely diverse, including the Pirate Party, the Kurdish Federation, Syriza, Peter Tatchell, Giles Fraser, Chris Coltrane, Stella Creasy. There’ll be an opportunity to hear from a range of campaigning and innovative organisations – from Bite the Ballot to Zero Carbon Britain, from Incredible Edible to the Soft Power Network. What we all have in common is a desire for change, change that is inclusive, change that results in a good, rather than a ‘big’ society.
With a brilliant venue, live music and a bar, there will be a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of opportunity for discussion and debate. The day promises a cornucopia of new ideas, inspiration and challenge, my only disappointment looking at the line up is that I can’t get to hear everyone speak.
I’m really looking forward to it and it would be great to see you there too!
* Linda Jack is a former youth worker and member of the party's Federal Policy Committee.
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12 Comments
It certainly looks a lot more interesting than the agenda for the Lib Dem conference this spring. One of the problems is that the leadership of the Lib Dems do not give party members a way to engage which is suitable for the 21st Century instead relying on an elitist conference system. I have had leaflets from the Greens and UKIP both pushing the change message, Ed Miliband seems to be pushing the line that things are so bad I want to get in and not change anything much.
Well done Linda Jack for pointing up that here is an alternative.
And there is an alternative venue to the elitists’ Shard.
Given the choice between Danny and NIck up The Shard or the diverse group sharing the Islington Metal Works with Linda Jack, I know where most voters woud feel more at home.
The Shard venue said so much. Who on earth makes these decisions?
But what is an un-conference?
Tony
I’ve got my ticket Linda, it’s going to be brilliant, see you there on Sunday, and many fellow Lib Dems I hope!
Change; How?
Sounds like a talking to ourselves conference, full of all the same tired old faces talking about issues that are of little or no interest to the millions who are abandoning the old politics.
You claim a desire for change, but as per usual, only the change you want, and of course it will be on your terms, whilst others will offer change that the people want.
Enjoy the live music and bar, probably the only thing that will garner widespread support amongst the single issue battalions present
Hope you will send us your speech for publication, Linda. Wish I could be there. Sounds like a really interesting event.
Raddiy 6th Feb ’15 – 11:34pm
Not an exactly coherent response for you Raddiy. Linda is pointing out how our present system is elitist, Westminster-centric, top down and disempowering of ordinary people.
Regarding your: “You claim a desire for change, but as per usual, only the change you want, and of course it will be on your terms, whilst others will offer change that the people want.”
How do you square that with Linda’s “What we all have in common is a desire for change, change that is inclusive, change that results in a good, rather than a ‘big’ society.”? “What we have in common” implies nothing if not diversity!
You sound like a narrow minded, I hate all those lefty do-gooders, UKIP-er type to me. I would be delighted to be proved wrong though – what is your idea of ‘the change that the people want’? A party led from the top down by a right wing multi-millionaire funded by his chums in the city is absolutely not it.
Well said Linda and the other contributers.
… that should of course be FROM you … when can we have a preview screen/amend button on LDV?
Linda and Kahlil, perhaps you can raise this genuine need on Sunday!!!
Well done Linda and hope you enjoy the unconference .It would be a good place to argue for PR in local government and the removal of one party state authiorities with all their secrecy and control by a handful of councillors which was introduced under Tony Blair.Localism which is genuinly inclusive rather pre ordained consultations where listening is less important than ticking the boxes to say you have consulted.
Best practice in community engagement is still greatly under valued by many councils and political parties
Well done Linda for getting this gig. Look out for Richard Carter @Yorkshire First and he will explain politely why Lib Dem policy on regional devolution has to include an assembly for Yorkshire and not the city states nonsense Clegg is pushing.
I agree with Yorkshire Guidon, Yes to an assembly for Yorkshire and an assembly for Wessex. I am not really keen on city states either.
I hope it goes well.
Of course, Raddiy, it’s the change Linda wants and the not necessarily identical change the others want. What a manifesto for a politician: “I WANT CHANGE THAT I DON’T WANT AND I PROMISE TO DELIVER IT!”