Mark Perryman introduces the latest festival of ideas from Lewes Labour Party.
In the early 1980s, on both sides of the Atlantic, Thatcherism and Reaganomics spearheaded a revolution in economics that was both to go global and remain largely intact for the following four decades. This is what we know today as ‘neoliberalism’.
Today, there is an increasing emergence of a politics that seeks to challenge this legacy – most notably from Andy Burnham when he became Labour Leader and described what happened under Thatcherism as a “wrong turn” which 40 years later was yet to be reversed. His commitment, to that reversal, will for many be the key test of his premiership.
What might an alternative to a global free market dominated by serving the interests of multibillionaires look like?
When even our water has been privatised, can the interests of all be served by returning services and resources to public ownership?
How can government action end the ever-growing inequalities in society?
New Model Economy: Saturday 21st November is the latest autumn festival of ideas presented by the local Labour Party in Lewes. Previous speakers have included Angela Rayner, Jeremy Gilbert, Jon Cruddas, Zoe Williams and many more. This year’s festival has brought together key thinkers who are shaping a better tomorrow for all, ‘after neoliberalism.’
Ann Pettifor will provide the keynote talk to open the event. Her new book. The Global Casino: How Wall Street Gambles with People and the Planet. provides the best possible explanation of how everything from the price of food to energy and housing costs is fixed by remote unregulated financial markets, and what can be done about it.
Economist Daniela Gabor pioneered the term “government by Blackrock” to describe Keir Starmer’s failure, like Blair and Brown’s, to challenge the neoliberal consensus. Daniela is joined by Labour MP and campaigner for the re-nationalisation of the water boards Clive Lewis and Cat Hobbs, Director of the public ownership campaign We Own It, to discuss a new political settlement based on who owns what.
Kate Pickett is the co-author with Richard Wilkinson of The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Good for Everyone, the book that more than any other shaped a politics centred on challenging inequality. In her new book, The Good Society and How We Make It, Kate has developed this into a politics of social transformation. Kate will be in conversation with political economist Andrew Simms originator of “Goodland”, the idea that human wellbeing is more important than economic growth.
Fo those who don’t know Lewes, it is just over an hour from London Victoria by train and similar from most places across the south-east. As a town, it is home to Tom Paine, Harvey’s Bitter and of course Bonfire!
Tickets only £10 solidarity rate, £6 standard rate.
Book your ticket here
New Model Economy is presented by Lewes Area Branch of the Labour Party in association with ASLEF The train drivers’ union.
Mark Perryman is the organiser of New Model Economy. His latest book is The Starmer Symptom, reviewed here on Labour Hub.
