For Labor in NSW, 2011 has been our annus horribilis. Labor members dusted themselves off from the election defeat and wondered what next. Here are my five thoughts for Labor as we turn the corner into 2012:
1. The NSW Policy Forumwill shape what Labor Governments in NSW will seek to do. The Forum must be open, it must be transparent and it must be prepared to test and develop new ideas. Nothing should be off the table, but what finally is included must be rigorous, evidence based and the policy must resonate with people beyond the usual suspects.
2. Community preselections are a way of involving more people and reaching out to supporters of Labor in our communities. The Party must work hard and put adequate resources into making sure we get this right.
3. Direct election gives real power to party members and should be expanded. Direct election gave me the second opportunity in 22 years of party membership to actually cast a vote for candidates...and it was online. We need more.
4. If Labor is asking the people of NSW to one day again place their trust in the party to govern on their behalf, our elected representatives have to demonstrate honesty and integrity. To quote Yoda from Star Wars, do or do not, there is no tryon this issue.
And (to my non Labor readers I hope you are still with me):
5. All the reform in the world is worth nothing if Labor fails to stand for anything. It is values, it is policy based on principles and it is commitment to deliver that opens the door for people to decide whether Labor is worthy of their support. In 2012, Labor has a lot on the to do list.
Congratulations to Narooma branch of the ALP who teamed up with the NSW Council for Civil Liberties to have the Eurobodalla Shire Council reverse a decision to ban political stalls on the streets of the NSW south coast. A small, but nonetheless important, victory for political free speech.
Thanks to everyone who contributed videos and suggestions for websites to include in Red Leather this year.
One of my favourite is: Tony Abbott Looking At Things.
And in a warning for every political candidate, be aware that everyone now has a video camera and can mercilessly mock you: Republican Presidential hopeful Rick Perry made an ad. And then so did some others including Rabbi Jason Miller, an a cappella singer, the comedy couple, an atheist blogger, Christian sisters and many many more.
I wish you all the best wishes for the season. May the holidays bring you time with friends and family and a very happy 2012.
Regards
Penny
