Far From Listless

Jon Lansman writes:

Earlier this week we reported that, following Syriza‘s remarkable victory in Greece on a platform of ending austerity and greater state intervention in the economy, 15 Labour MPs including Michael Meacher had called for a similar change in direction here.

They issued a statement calling for an alternative to austerity, for public ownership of the railways and for a return to collective bargaining and employment rights in the workplace.

Now LabourList have carried out a survey showing that 83% of their readers agree with that statement, with only 13% disagreeing. That is a remarkable result. LabourList themselves say:

This reflects a general trend among the public for renationalisation of the railways and, more recently, support for anti-austerity policies.

The substantial support for such policies, arguably, reflects a desire from grassroots Labour activists to move towards the party’s traditional base – further to the left of the party currently stands.

This result reinforces what YouGov found about attitudes of Labour supporters and swing voters, who would prefer to see a Labour party that is anti-austerity, anti-war and anti-corporatist.