In my book The Courageous State I argue that all people have material, emotional and intellectual needs, all of which combine into their need for a sense of purpose.
If the Scottish independence referendum has tackled anything it is that sense of purpose. That sense is, in my book, placed furthest from material need, because I think that it probably is.
Politicians of all parties put most of their campaigning focus on material well being, and have done so for several decades. Voter participation has fallen steadily.
In the Scottish referendum where the emphasis is on the other end of the scale voter participation is expected to be very high.
Surely some politicians are going to notice?
Surely?
Please?
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I’d go a bit further and say that this is a golden opportunity on which Labour must capitalize or die, if they can stir themselves to recognize what the Scots, however they voted, have demonstrated so clearly, viz how much they value being consulted. If Labour can build on that sentiment in the rest of the UK and demonstrate that they, unlike the Tories, will respond to what the majority want while respecting the position of those who oppose them, they can surely only gain.
Come on Labour, show some courage, show some conviction, show why a vote for Labour would be a vote for people rather than the 1% because, if you don’t, you’ll never recover the trust of the majority.
PS And give 16 year olds the vote; they have surely demonstrated how seriously they, as a group, want to engage.
Good point. But I am sceptical that once economic reality sinks in, I wonder just how many people would vote for purpose over economic advantage? Not many who have to earn their own living in my life time experience.
Maybe you mix with the wrong people