Ian Geary of the Christian Socialist Movement (CSM) introduces CSM’s new initiative: Labour Neighbours. 

‘Labour used not to be statist; it was once civic and religious.’

Jon Cruddas MP, The New Statesman, 4 February 2010

Labour Values is an important initiative. In order to move forward, Labour needs to reflect on its identity and values. I would submit that it is difficult to construct a fresh discourse about Labour values without reference to its roots in the Christian tradition.

CSM is keen not only to contribute to this debate but also to develop fresh expressions of what it means to be local and Labour. Thus, we are developing the Labour Neighbours initiative. CSM is proposing to model a new gateway for activism connected to the Labour movement, involving community service, social action, and local community organising. 

CSM has been part of contemporary examples of the power of people coming together to engage in a common task of service or campaigning such as Hope 08 (a church community engagement and regeneration initiative).  These insights lead us to ask the question – Could we re-focus what it means to be local and Labour towards action and service, rather than only meeting and talking?

There are so many people in the UK who are passionate about justice, but may only have one night of the week free.  Are they going to spend it 1) with a local Amnesty group, letter-writing, 2) doing hands-on youth work with a local church, or 3) nominating a branch treasurer and discussing Trotskyism with a few folks in a dusty hall somewhere? No debate!

CSM’s Labour Neighbours project is rooted in the experience of churches serving their local communities, Labour’s deep tradition of communitarian action, and examples of  ethical socialism such as the work of Dr Alfred Salter MP in Bermondsey nearly 100 years ago.

The need for authentic local engagement is increasingly clear. The importance of place and (political) commitment to place was highlighted by the recently elected Labour MP for Luton South Gavin Shuker MP (A CSM member) in his maiden speech in the House of Commons:

‘I have always been inspired by the people who choose to serve a place, to commit themselves to it, and to see it change in terms of individual lives and on a regional level. That is the model that I have sought to replicate.’

 Labour is now at an important juncture.  CSM feels we should be focussing on the very reason many of us went into politics in the first place, to serve our communities and to ‘put something back’. We see Labour Neighbours as a practical contribution to the debate that Labour should have about its purpose. We should ask, is Labour more than an election machine? For me and, I believe, many on the left, the defining concern is that we need to show that we want to serve people whether or not we are in power.

A truly plural Labour Party can affirm the value and contribution of faith-based perspectives. Without religious and civic traditions flourishing in the Labour Party we run the risk of being  seen as being simply statist, managerialist, technocratic, soul-less and perhaps out of touch with  key sections of society.

By drawing on the best of Labour’s traditions we can make a positive contribution to our communities and seek real political renewal. Labour Neighbours draws on the past but looks to the future. In commenting on the potential of Labour Neighbours Dr Dianne Hayter (former member of Labour NEC) said:

‘Labour started as mutual and local support for people  – usually in times of vulnerability.  Through that, we developed co-ops, unions, friendly societies, mutuals – and then the party itself to do for our people more than we could deliver locally, whether this was free school meals, education, health service or housing.  This we delivered through local and national government – and now also at the European level.  But in achieving that, we’ve forgotten that was meant to be an “add-on” and not a replacement for what we as socialists do for our own community and neighbours.  My interest is in re-kindling the idea that politics is also local, that we should ourselves also be good friends and neighbours, and act out our beliefs.  This is less, for me, about recruiting for Labour than about living out our principles.   If this project can help achieve that, it will be brilliant’

 Labour Neighbours will be launched at a conference fringe meeting taking place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 28 September at Friends Meeting house.  We will announce the development of five Labour Neighbours pilot projects in CLPs across the country as we set out the faith and political context for Labour Neighbours.  The meeting (Labour neighbours – reshaping what it is to be local and labour) – is being held in conjunction with the Co-operative party and Labour Values, with a panel including Jon Cruddas MP, Ed Miliband MP, Douglas Alexander MP, Maurice Glasman (London Citizens), chaired by Michael Stephenson (co-op party) – do join us there!