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Since 2001, Jon Cruddas has served as the Member of Parliament for Dagenham and has represented the Dagenham and Rainham constituency since 2010. With a 35-year political career in the Labour party, he has gained a reputation as one of its most esteemed intellectual figures, having run for the position of deputy leader in 2006 and chaired the party’s policy review during Ed Miliband’s leadership. In his latest book, A Century of Labour, Cruddas offers a comprehensive historical examination of the party’s ideas and prominent figures from its inception. Together with his wife, Anna, he resides in London and will not be seeking re-election as an MP in the upcoming election.

Can you share your concerns about the current direction of the Labour party under Keir Starmer’s leadership in light of your book’s focus on Labour’s history and its relevance to the present? Your critiques of Starmer’s “elusiveness” as a leader were prominently featured in the Observer.

Keir Starmer should be recognized for his successes. He took over a party that was 20 points behind and has now managed to bring them 15 points ahead. He may join the small group of only three Labour leaders who have won a general election. However, I do have concerns for him. He entered politics later in life and does not seem to have strong ties to Labour’s past, divisions, and philosophical beliefs. This can be advantageous since he is not limited by the past and can adapt quickly.

However, this elusive trait may be at risk of being controlled by the utilitarian agenda of the Labour party. My fear is that this has already occurred, as he has made too many concessions to the hard right wing of the party. While this may seem strategically wise in the immediate future, it could ultimately isolate Starmer from important sources of political and intellectual momentum once he takes office. It is crucial that he establishes a more profound public ideology and reconstructs a strong political coalition to support him during his time in power. The future success of the Labour government hinges on it.

Is the party finding the correct mix of practicality and idealism during the election campaign?

This is still a project in development. Before any Labour government has been successful, there has been a shift in thinking to redefine social democracy, adapt to the current world, and cultivate the determination, vigor, and intelligence needed to bring about change in the country. This innovative work was key to the achievements of the Attlee, Wilson, and Blair administrations. However, there has been no such rethinking project since New Labour’s departure from office and globally, social democracy is declining. While Starmer’s five goals are a promising beginning, particularly in terms of industrial policy and labor rights, there is still more work to be done.

Have you, during your professional life, attempted to emphasize the significance of an ethical socialist legacy that prioritizes concepts of “virtue” and “the good life”? Do you believe that the political left has strayed from this mindset?

After the war, the Labour party aimed to humanize and control capitalism by implementing the welfare system. This was known as Attlee’s New Deal for the people of Britain. However, progressive politics seem to lack strength in today’s society. Why is this? It is partly due to a reduction in our thoughts and ideals, focusing too heavily on dividing resources and material fairness. As a result, we have handed over ethical considerations to the market. This has caused us to have a narrow view of understanding the desires and aspirations of individuals.

Can this explain the rise of the populist right-wing party, such as Reform UK?

Currently, the gradual erosion of the center-left is being concealed by the downfall of the Conservative government. However, this facade will not endure. In order to protect liberal democracy from the rise of authoritarian populism, the Labour party must reconnect with its moral mission. This goes beyond simply succumbing to market forces. I believe that the driving factors behind the rise of the populist right – feelings of worth and status, resentment, suffering, and humiliation – are moral dilemmas. But we shy away from addressing these issues due to our emphasis on liberal impartiality towards moral matters, causing us to disconnect from the everyday concerns of the people. We hide behind our rhetoric of rights, opportunities, and fairness.

Following nearly 50 years in politics, you will retire as the MP for Dagenham and Rainham in the upcoming election. What are your future plans?

During a significant portion of the year, my spouse, Anna, and I will be residing in the western region of Ireland. We plan to partake in activities such as surfing, fishing, golfing, and climbing. Additionally, I am considering the possibility of pursuing a degree in oceanography at Galway. I also have several book ideas in mind, including a 20th-century account of the working class told through the perspective of the Dagenham story, a book centered on modern New Deal politics, and a third book exploring the overlooked influence of Irish migration on Labour history.

Which book captured your heart during your childhood?

As a child, I was not interested in books and preferred sports. However, once I began reading, Seamus Heaney’s poetry greatly impacted me, particularly his writings on the Troubles in Northern Ireland. He, like Yeats, was able to beautifully and compellingly convey his thoughts on public issues.

What are you currently reading?

I am revisiting the biography of Big Jim Larkin written by Emmet O’Connor, a remarkable socialist and labor organizer whose experiences can inspire our current efforts to empower the working class. I am also reading Eric Rauchway’s Why the New Deal Matters, which has sparked my interest in a contemporary version of the New Deal. My family experienced a great deal of upward mobility, thanks to opportunities like free education and healthcare, accessible housing, and decent employment. However, many of these privileges are now disappearing. Therefore, can we establish new economic and social rights for all members of our society, particularly the younger generation? This Easter, I plan to read The Letters of Seamus Heaney.

Which politics-themed books have you recently appreciated?
To rebuild the country and reject austerity we have to tackle obscene wealth. Ingrid Robeyn’s Limitarianism is a brilliant intervention to do just that. Mike Kenny’s Fractured Union is a timely guide to British disunity.

Do you enjoy reading novels? What was the last one that you truly liked?

I have read several novels that were suggested to me by Anna. Some notable authors were John Banville and Anne Enright. A standout was “Solar Bones” by Mike McCormack. While I found “Prophet Song” by Paul Lynch to be disturbing, it was also timely. And sometimes I choose my own reads, such as the enjoyable “A Spy Alone” by Charles Beaumont.

Source: theguardian.com