I came across this letter in today’s “Toowoomba Chronicle”.
Liberals fail to redefine beliefs The left has lost. So says the left. This is not a point-scoring statement from someone from the right but the words of the people from the left themselves. They say that market-based capitalism has proven it works. They no longer hate it. This may seem simple but it is staggering in its consequences for politics in Australia. It is seminal and all embracing. The Liberals are strategically blindsided. They are in determined denial about the changed ALP. They have missed the shift, failed to read the changed environment and hence failed to redefine and reposition their beliefs and brand. The Labor movement is a conglomerate and culture of thinkers. Political argument, frequently aggressive and fiery, is a core function. Ideas with passion matter. It causes great divisions. But when cohesive themes emerge, formidable strength is the outcome. A close look at the Rudd Government allows these twin elements to be seen. It's why respectful discussion of spirituality, relationships, family and self-worth are comfortably interwoven with economics, business, finance and tax. It's a new framework for politics and public policy debate. The simple two-way split has gone. For each of the political parties, for business, unions and individuals, it's a new environment. Richard Wood Darling Heights
It's interesting in a number of ways.
The author has been a guest speaker of the League of Rights -
here
so it’s fairly safe assumption that his sympathies are towards the Dexter side of politics. It's refreshing then that he’s put his finger on one of the main factors separating the current government and opposition –
“The Labor movement is a conglomerate and culture of thinkers. Political argument, frequently aggressive and fiery, is a core function. Ideas with passion matter. It causes great divisions.
But when cohesive themes emerge, formidable strength is the outcome.”
And his slant on the Liberals –
“They have missed the shift, failed to read the changed environment and hence failed to redefine and reposition their beliefs and brand.”
I’d put it differently, but don’t disagree with the thrust of his argument. Any political group which embraces values beyond the material will always be driven by passion. There is no “left/right” anymore, but there is a defining difference between the politics of the material and the search for a spiritual ideal. Richard Wood describes it quite well.
I guess the cohesive themes may include climate change and "your rights at work".
