Rachel Reeves

20 July 2009

What is it about your political beliefs that put you on the Left rather than the Right?
A week before the 1987 election I asked my dad who he’d be voting for. The answer was Neil Kinnock, and there begun my first politics lesson. Other early memories include sitting on my dad’s shoulders on the South Bank watching the fireworks to mark the end of the GLC and writing to the government to object to the abolition of ILEA… I guess I was always going to be Labour! I joined in 1996 when I was in the sixth form.

Being on the left means believing the state can play an enabling role in helping people and communities achieve their potential. Whether it’s investing in education, making museums free or giving guarantees to patients, the state and society can help ensure people have the opportunities to make the most of their talents and lead fulfilling lives.

What do you consider made you Left wing?
I was born three months before Thatcher became Prime Minister. I went to state schools in London and saw first-hand the impact of under-investment. We were constantly short of text books and my sixth form was a pre-fab hut in the playground. Our playing fields were a mile away, music tuition became the preserve of those who could pay and our library was turned in to a classroom because there wasn’t enough room. Our teachers did their best and I got a lot out of school, but they achieved against the odds. With better support many people I went to school with could have achieved more. By failing to invest we squander so much potential.

How would you describe the sort of society you want Britain to be?
I am standing for parliament in Leeds West. Average earnings are £16k, only a third of young people get five good GCSEs and we have one of the lowest going to university rates in the country. At the weekend I went to a fantastic exhibition at the National Media Museum in Bradford called ‘This England’ which showed photos from the 1960s until the present day. What was striking was the portrayal of the very different life chances people have: some have huge wealth some have nothing. Of course, there are success stories from every community – Alan Bennett and Barbara Taylor Bradford come from west Leeds – but I would like to see a society where opportunities and aspirations are more widely spread so all young people have the opportunity to fulfill their potential and outcomes are less associated with your parents’ income or wealth.

What one or two changes would make the biggest difference to bringing that about?
First, high quality, affordable housing. Too many kids are brought up in cramped accommodation, with nowhere to do homework and no space to breathe. Private rented housing with damp, ill-fitting doors and leaking windows is no way to bring up kids, but there isn’t always much choice.

Second, an increased focus on vocational education. It’s happening gradually, and could make a massive difference in terms of engaging young people and giving them the skills and confidence to get jobs and continue in education.

What most makes you angry about the way Britain is now?
Inequality and poverty. Child and working tax credits and the minimum wage have made a big difference as has Sure Start and investment in schools and health services. But poverty remains far too high, and we have made little impact on the level of inequality – although without Government policies it would have got worse. Material poverty, and poverty of aspiration makes me angry but also motivated to make a difference.

Comments
  • Neil_W
    Rachel,

    I know what you mean, I have a similar experience in the 80's in Yorkshire - falling apart schools, vast class sizes and delapidated health facilties. (My GPs receptionists desk was held together by sellotape for years! Now they have a state of the art health centre)

    Cheers

    Neil
  • michael_green
    Reducing poverty of aspiration will require schools, communities and parent's to work together and take a more active and innovative role, that helps to facilitate greater aspiration in deprived, scared communities.

    It will also require tackling long term unemployment which will probably require universal child care and a more effective jobcentre plus.
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