From Principles to Policies
Mapping Out the Third Way

 

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Speaking at the Nexus conference today Jack Straw MP addressed the main issue of the need for a "way" at all - whether first, second or third.   Despite the many politicians who have argued that pragmatism comes first, he expressed his view that "political theory really does matter", arguing that the history of the Labour Party and of Labour Governments demonstrates persuasively the need for  a "strong body of convictions" (a phrase from Tawney) to act as a bulwark against the pressures on government to compromise or change policies.

In that context, the need for a Third Way is apparent.  In the body of his speech Straw outlined a new social philosophy which accepts the importance of the economy in politics but does not simply put economics above everything.  The "crude reductionism" of the Tory Right must be rejected.

In concluding Straw pointed to the new Clause IV as the clearest statement of New Labour's political philosophy, saying that it describes a Third Way which "ends the ideological paralysis which so weakened Labour for thirty years".