I keep on seeing comments about sticking to Labour’s values, principles or roots, and I’m really confused, I’m not sure a lot of people realise the roots they are actually talking about, for instance, looking at all previous Labour PM’s before Blair:

Ramsey MacDonald, first Labour PM, 1924 & 1929-31, career politician who actively pursued a policy of austerity.

Clement Attlee, second Labour PM, 1945-51, middle class, Oxford Educated, Keynesian Economist, believed in a strong private sector and minimal government intervention except in times of crisis like recession

Harold Wilson, third Labour PM, 1964-70 & 1974-76, Grammar school and Oxford Educated, believed in private ownership and specifically took nationalisation off the agenda.

James Callaghan, fourth Labour PM, 1976-79, Opposed trade unions’ demands during infamous winter of discontent, sent troops into Northern Ireland, exposed monetarist economics the precursor to Thatcherism.

These men were ALL Labour Prime Ministers, they were all Labour, and they are all who are referred to as getting Labour back to its roots, and instilling Labour principles, they all followed Labour principles, those being Freedom, Equality, Community and Democracy.

You mightn’t like the real history of the Labour party and want to believe it is this party that fits just your own view, but the truth is the Labour party is and always has been a very broad church with a very wide range of views. We don’t always agree but we respect others’ opinions and we do not accuse others we don’t agree with of being not worthy of being in our party and tell them they should leave the party because they aren’t pure enough for us, that way fascism lies.

So yes, let’s all get back to Labour’s roots, and let’s vote for another Attlee, or another Wilson, someone who believes in a strong private sector and minimal government intervention, or someone who doesn’t agree with nationalisation. THAT’S getting back to Labour’s roots and principles.