Tony Blair, Britain's increasingly attacked Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party, began the Speech (as his conference speech has come to be known), by highlighting his government as the longest ruling Labour government in the history of the democratic socialist party.

That was perhaps, the few political blessings that Blair could cherish at the moment - along with the fact that he faces a rather disparate opposition.

The war on Iraq, where Blair aligned himself with the neo-conservative American administration, and the embarrassment that followed it - personified by the death of Dr Kelly and the ensuing Hutton enquiry are crucial issues against Blair's cause.

Domestically, attempts to reform healthcare and education has also dented the confidence and verve that has been characteristic of Blair in the past. The prime minister is facing both a cynical public, and angry party members who think that Blair is abandoning values that have made the Labour party.

When Labour, which had been for so long out of government, took Blair as their leader, they were convinced of his arguments of the need to modernise the party, and to adapt its sacred cow of democratic socialism with the realities of the present global and consumerist society.

This was a young, charismatic leader who promised a government that is whiter than white up against a Conservative regime, wrecked by scandals and led by the dull John Major.

Leadership change

True enough, Blair's government led to major constitutional reforms and also an economic stability that stood contrast to the increasing global uncertainty. Yet slowly, Blair proved that his belief of reform was further then what the party faithful believed in.

His charm and charisma gradually gave way to a personality dogged by spin and illiberal measures, seemingly out of touch with both the common people and Labour values. The curse of incumbency befell the Labour government.

So what way forward for the Labour party? Will change of leadership, from the 'Tory' Blair to the current party darling, Chancellor of Exchequer Gordon Brown solve its problems entirely? Or will a return to the one-size fits all welfare state be the solution?

Perhaps the Scotsman Brown will be providing the first necessary measure for the party to shake-off the negativity surrounding Blair. Soul-searching, advocated by Brown in the recent conference, of the party's founding values and ideals is definitely needed.

Change of leadership alone, however, is insufficient.

Past mistakes

First of all, despite the pressure and tensions in the party, it must not succumb to the mistakes of the past that has made the party highly unpopular with the public. James Callaghan's Labour government, inherited from Harold Wilson, fell following the Winter of Discontent due to the inability to deal with the pressing economic situation and industrial action.

One thing the party can definitely learn from its under-siege leader is the need to modernise and adapt itself to the current needs and demands. Clement Attlee's post-war Labour government, that left the legacy of the welfare state accepted by both opposing parties until the arrival of Margaret Thatcher, went to the polls in 1945 with the manifesto 'Let us face the future'.

The party needs to realise that now it has to create a lasting legacy of its own, suited to the realities of the day while not alienating its members to face the future.

The constitutional reforms first adopted was an important first step, yet other reforms must take place for the provision of a world-class, modern and flexible health and education services - that meets the demands of equality which is close to Labour's ideal.

For one, Brown has proved his credentials of being a prudent Chancellor committed to a sustainable, progressive and well-performing economy, without the usual deficits accompanying Keynesian policies. At the same time, Labour can go back to fight for its original raison d'tre fighting for the rights of the working classes, but a battle which is rooted in today's challenges and reality.

Recognition of vital issues surrounding the working classes will neutralise the threat of militant union leadership - which throughout the conference voted en bloc against more moderate constituent membership. Realistically, the working class alone cannot sustain a Labour government, hence the need for a clear understanding between the modern Middle Britain and the Labour's traditional working class.

Foreign policy

That is not all. A more progressive and principled foreign policy is also needed. When Labour came to power, the political pendulum swung to the centre-left throughout Western Europe, and Democrat Bill Clinton was president of the US. Now, it is swinging to the right in most of the countries.

When Blair went to war in Iraq, he made the gravest miscalculation that affected his own place in history of both the Labour Party and Britain. He aligned himself with neo-conservative Bush and the right wing governments of Spain and Italy. Not only has he alienated the centre-left, but Blair has also compromised his relationship with Europe.

A forward looking Labour government should realise that its place in the future lies in Europe, and the special relationship it has with the US should not allow it to be coerced by the neo-conservatives to defy international law nor abandon both Europe and the United Nations.

Last year, Blair declared that Labour (or New Labour as he might prefer) is at its best when it is at its boldest. The irony is that boldness for Blair was boldness in defying popular opinion at home (including the opinion of his party) while not standing up against the wishes of the neo-conservative US government.

Labour is at its best when it is sensitive to the wishes of the people, and being bold against any influence against the progressive social democratic cause. Honesty and sincerity, which has never been in much abundance in politics, has especially been missing from Blair's government. Britain needs is government that can be more transparent and able to build a certain consensus from the different sections of society.

Until the Labour Party can be not only the modern Labour that Blair dreams of, but also a progressive and credible Labour as well, will it be the natural government in power. Labour must rekindle its idealism, yet not abandon its commitment to reform combining both Blair's zest and Brown's soul.

The inability to do so will destroy any hopes of building a modern Labour legacy.



NIK NAZMI NIK AHMAD is a Malaysian commentator, writer and activist who is residing in London. His writings have appeared in Harakah, Malaysiakini, Berita Keadilan, Siasah and Asia Times Online. He can be contacted at niknazmi@yahoo.comv