Meacher calls for ‘fundamental’ change

ELECTION FALLOUT 2010

Now is the time for a fundamental change for Labour and a new leader must move the direction of the Party if they are to return to power, Michael Meacher has warned.

The Oldham West and Royton MP, who was re-elected last week for the 11th time, said change was overdue after 13 years of New Labour.

Mr Meacher said: “This is a failure of New Labour, it is not any individual alone. The working-class families, the trade unions, the unemployed, people on low wages have all been neglected under New Labour.

“A new labour leader has to reflect new principles. When an agreement between parties to govern is reached then is the time to talk about the leadership.”

The labour MP said the party needed to be progressive and modern, at the same time as dealing with poverty and inequality. He also stressed being tough on banks and the city of London must be carried through.

“Gordon Brown has not done that, New Labour has not done that. I believe the Lib-Dem surge was because the party was putting forward values the Labour party should have been doing,” Mr Meacher said.

The stalwart MP, who previously tried to stand as party leader to stop the hand over from Tony Blair to Gordon Brown, said what is needed is a “progressive renewal” for Labour to “revive party enthusiasm and potentially offer majority electoral support.”

This would be based on five objectives, including tackling the deficit through taxing the rich rather than by cuts in public spending and a massive programme aimed at breaking inter-generational poverty.

A revived role for the State in essential services, not only health and education, but also housing, pensions, energy and transport, must also be a priority.