New Man. New Leader. New Generation. New Politics. New New Labour. Geddit? Same old? Only time will tell...
In his keynote to conference Ed Miliband today stressed the importance of a spirit of optimism and the need to look to a new generation of politics. Indeed he referred to the “New Generation” no less than 15 times during the speech. Move over Blair & Brown…
With regard to the deficit Miliband admitted that the previous government was too exposed to financial services and that the challenge now is to tackle the national debt – but within a framework of fairness and fiscal responsibility:
“We must protect those on middle and low incomes. They did nothing to cause the crisis but are suffering the consequences. I say the people who caused the crisis and can afford to do more should do more: with a higher bank levy allowing us to do more to protect the services and entitlements on which families depend.”
And in a direct challenge to the ConDems he insisted that we should learn the basic lessons of post-war history.
“After 1945, we had the biggest debt we have ever had.That generation cut the deficit but they had a bigger vision: for a new economy and a good society.
“True patriotism is about reducing the debt burden we pass on to our kids. But Mr Cameron, true patriotism is also about building an economy and a society fit for our kids to work and live in.
“You were the optimist once but now all you offer is a miserable, pessimistic view of what we can achieve. And you hide behind the deficit to justify it.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/sep/28/ed-miliband-labour-conference-speech