What Does The Labour Party Stand For? - Third Way Socialism

In this video I explore the ideas of Third Way Socialism, focussing particularly on the application of these ideas in the New Labour period under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown between 1994 and 2010. My focus is on the ideas and where they came from, which will be of use to A-Level Politics students studying socialism as an ideology and to others with an interest in UK Politics and Political Ideas.

[azazelazel]

Much more comprehensive and concise summary of New Labour than what you normally see; it's clear you've really thought about the implications of their ideological positioning. All I'd say is that a video about the 'third way' will never be complete if you isolate the analysis to Britain. Great video!

[jalenbrown]

This is a great analysis. As a market socialist and social corporatist, I’m often torn on the legacy of Blair and Brown. They achieved so much for Britain and evidenced the significance of moderate, but well-executed, governance. However, like many of my friends on the left, I do see how they could’ve gone further to utilize market forces to more aggressively attack wealth and income inequality and advance a true model of equality of opportunity. As members of the soft left, the lessons of Blair and Brown are extremely important as, across the anglophone, the left is struggling to implement a meaningful economically progressive program that uplifts and advocates for working people. While New Labour was not perfect, its accomplishments and shortcomings definitely provide us with important thought-provoking questions as we continue to develop the left.

[ThomasBoyd-vsvl]

Awesome. Brilliant content. Well said.

[TheGerkuman]

Interestingly, despite not being keen on Third Way Neoliberalism, I think you did a very good job being fair and balanced about it. Good things happened, even if I agree that they squandered the opportunity to do more. I hope that Labour doesn't squander this next majority, if they get it.

[mnekji]

Good summary video with clever use of footage
Keep it up!

Also agree with the last bit. I think it would be an ultimate failure of Starmer's labour to repeat the lessons on the New Labour. It seems it is destined to happen as we've seen with what happened to Corbyn

[jim-esqk]

New Labour inherited a good economy and low debt from John Major. Thatcher won all the fights in the 80s. As such, they had good growth and record tax receipts, which they spent on public services. VAT was 17.5%, and high earners were taxed at 40%. Tax was low and people had more disposable income. They won't have that again.

[jim-esqk]

The market is typically the best way of allocating resources. Profit is typically an indication of what people want. But the market isn't always right, especially when it comes to food. It can go very wrong. Also, in a capitalist society, a small minority ends up with all the money. The rich do genuinely get richer and poor get poorer. Capitalism is probably still better than the alternative.

[keithparker]

Blair era govt was kind of crap doing little different from Major before

[beatonthedonis]

Third-way socialism turned out to be socialism for the rich.

[Bungle-UK]

It’s all about control - they think the state can make better decisions than you can, and the state can spend your money better than you can.

[jim-esqk]

A booming private sector led to the economic boom during this period.

[georgemather]

As far as I’m concerned, Labour and the Tories are two cheeks of the same bum.