Somebody needs to defend the idea of government spending on social security. Long under attack from the Tories and now being bashed by Labour as well, the idea of a Welfare Net is being demonised. Whilst this is to be expected from the Tories I see a massive betrayal of Labour principles when the issue of welfare spending is conflated with ideas surrounding the deficit. Tax avoidance is a much bigger culprit.
The Social Security safety net was originally brought into being to protect those least able to defend themselves against the harsher ravages of the Capitalist Venture. Thinking about it in these terms reveals that it is not actually a cost against Capitalism, but is undoubtedly an investment which enables Capitalism to flourish. As such it should be clearly trumpeted by Labour as a totally justified element of a socially just settlement between state and people. It should be seen as an integral part of a good mixed economy. Just ask Germany or the Scandinavian countries.
It is high time for Labour to shake off the paralysis caused by fear of losing the next election. Instead of arguing about policy within the terms set by the Tories, Labour must challenge the assumptions upon which those policies are founded. The people of UK need a new political settlement and only Labour can deliver it, but they must be bold enough to be different. Go big or go home!
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