Preface

Citizens United: Taking Back Control in Turbulent Times was inspired by five concerns. First, a lifetime commitment to the enduring principles of the Labour party, whose fortunes have dipped in recent times. Second, a fear that our politics, democracy and governance were at risk, with darker forces trying to supplant progressive politics with populism, a market philosophy and a drift to the right. Third, the state of a declining Britain and the consequences for Scotland and the other nations as England starts to stir awkwardly from its slumber. Fourth, the idea that people don’t matter too much in our politics, apart from being asked to vote every few years; that they are lauded as consumers but rarely recognised as citizens, a much more noble status. Fifth, more dramatically and worryingly, the momentous political year of 2016, the election of Trump in the US and the calamitous Brexit decision in the UK.

Trump and Brexit make no sense. It was like experiencing two bereavements where the cycle of grief kicks in and recovery is hindered by obsessing over the question: How did this happen?

This book’s preparation was informed by numerous discussions with friends and colleagues in the US – in Denver, Tulsa, San Antonio, Tampa, New York and Washington, dc – as well as in London and Edinburgh.

Brexit stands out because of the direct threat it poses to Britain but also because of the remarkable step back in time delivered by the poisonous and reckless Leave campaign, celebrated by some as progress. For me, Brexit was a wake-up call.

The achievements of progressive politics were at risk.

Our politics need a radical transformation. There was nothing inevitable about the Trump-Brexit political shocks, but there is an urgency required in rethinking where we are as democrats, socialists and liberals in a world of social change, political upheaval, massive inequality and the cult of the ‘tough guy’ personality.

This book argues that this political upheaval is not just an unforeseen bump in the road; Trump and Brexit are earthquakes whose tremors are being felt throughout western democracies. Our guiding spirit in all of this must be the fact that both Trump and Brexit are consequences of something, not causes, and that is why the idea of drilling deeper and finding a new role for the citizen becomes so important: 63 million people voted for Trump and 17.4 million people voted for Brexit. These are big numbers, whose importance cannot be wished away.

Citizens United: Taking Back Control in Turbulent Times, is a warning about the need for change and an invitation to join the debate about what happens next. We must remain optimistic about the ability of humans to evolve and adapt. This book asks: How do we develop a more inspired politics where the citizen is valued and taken seriously?