Open Left is a project aimed at renewing the thinking and ideas of the political Left. We seek an open conversation across the Left about the kind of society we want and how we can best bring it about. Read more.

Open Left event – Ask Ed Balls

August 23, 2010

Ed Balls, Labour leadership candidate and former Schools Secretary, will be in conversation with Steve Richards, Chief Political Commentator for The Independent on Thursday 26 August.

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Immigration was issue for voters leaving Labour – new polling

August 23, 2010

New polling evidence shows that Labour needs to address anxieties on competition for jobs and benefits.

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Immigration is not just a Daily Mail issue

August 23, 2010

Richard Darlington writes for LabourList, arguing that immigration must not become a no-go area for Labour.

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A-levels and predicted grades should be scrapped

August 20, 2010

Richard Darlington writes for the New Statesman, arguing that the current A-Level system is elitist and outdated, and forms a barrier to social mobility.

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‘Out of touch’ Labour should rebrand to reinforce new policy agenda

August 5, 2010

New polling evidence shows Labour’s brand is ‘toxic’

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Poll shows Labour voters lost faith in the state

August 5, 2010

Poll results show Labour needs to accept public sector cuts and embrace ‘Big Society’.

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New publication: Labour’s Future

August 5, 2010

Soundings and the Open Left project at Demos have published a new ebook entitled ‘Labour’s Future’ This e-book offers a series of short essays about Labour’s future and sketches out what common ground might exist as the basis for political renewal.

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The Hustings of Ideas – Video

August 5, 2010

Hustings of Ideas,

Video and audio
of the event is available.

Labour’s leaders are on show at hustings around the country and displaying their debate skills. But what are their big ideas?

Open Left doesn’t want to see Labour’s leadership election become a beauty parade or a contest of personalities. We want Labour’s next leader to be elected on the strength of their ideas, not based on the differences in their character.

So we asked the candidates’ supporters to discuss the policy issues and debate their big ideas at our Hustings of Ideas.

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Labour needs more than just a new leader

August 5, 2010

Richard Darlington writes for LabourList, arguing that whoever wins the Labour leadership is going to need to rebrand the party to reinforce their new policy agenda and signal a clean break from Labour’s past.

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Has Ed Miliband smelt the coffee?

August 5, 2010

Richard Darlington writes for The New Statesman, arguing that the next Labour leader is going to need to completely rebrand the party.

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It’s time to wake up and smell the coffee

August 5, 2010

Richard Darlington writes for Labour Uncut, arguing that Labour needs to rapidly repair the damage done to the party’s brand.

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The right didn’t win but the left did lose

August 3, 2010

Richard Darlington writes for Left Foot Forward, arguing that while the right resonated with public opinion on the role of the state, the Conservatives do not have a credible alternative. Labour must provide this alternative, rather than waiting for voters to ‘come home’.

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read on »

  • Demos at Labour Party Conference

    Click here to see a list of Demos events at Labour's Annual Conference in Manchester from 26-30 September.

  • Labour Leadership Race

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    Open Left doesn’t want to see Labour’s leadership election become a beauty parade or a contest of personalities. Throughout the contest Open Left will be engaging with the candidates, challenging them on the strength of their ideas and encouraging them to open up their debate beyond the boundaries of the Labour Party.



    Click here to read about the Hustings of Ideas.
    You can watch the event here. You can listen to the event here.



    Click here to read David Miliband's speech to Open Left at 'The Future of Labour' event on May 28 2010



    Click here to read the Q&A with Ed Miliband

  • About Demos

    Demos is a London-based think tank. We generate ideas to improve politics and policy, and give people more power over their lives.
    Go to Demos

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  • Open Left launch





    Australia's new Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, writes for Open Left about what being on the left means to her. Click here to see what she thinks.

  • Contact Us

    openleft@demos.co.uk


    For an archive of Open Left project press, see here.

  • Open Left Project

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