Chair of Progress
I am chair of the Labour campaign group Progress, succeeding Stephen Twigg (now Progress’ Honorary President) in January 2012. I am supported by a number of vice-chairs, all from the 2010 Parliamentary intake: Jenny Chapman MP, Julie Elliott MP, Tristram Hunt MP, Dan Jarvis MP, Liz Kendall MP, Alison McGovern MP, Toby Perkins MP, Bridget Phillipson MP, Jonathan Reynolds MP, Anas Sarwar MP, and John Woodcock MP.
I authored a chapter in The Purple Book titled, ‘Good government and thriving economies: rejuvenating England’s cities’ that argues for city region mayor to drive growth beyond London.
About Progress
Progress is a Labour campaign group which promotes modern progressive politics. Founded in 1996, it is an independent organisation of Labour party members and trade unionists.
Through our national and regional events and regular publications, we seek to promote open debate and discussion of progressive ideas and policies.
See www.progressonline.org.uk for more information.
About The Purple Book
A universal childcare service, new rights for victims of crime and parents with children in failing schools, directly elected mayors for England’s big cities, and ‘Hasbos’ to tackle antisocial neighbours are among the proposals set out by a group of Labour modernisers in a new collection of essays published in The Purple Book.
You can order The Purple Book with 25% off for just £7.50 (RRP £9.99) now.
The authors of The Purple Book include current members of Ed Miliband‘s frontbench team Liam Byrne, Douglas Alexander, Caroline Flint, Tessa Jowell and Ivan Lewis and former Cabinet Ministers Peter Mandelson, Alan Milburn, Jacqui Smith and Andrew Adonis. They are joined by a host of the party’s rising stars including Jenny Chapman, Tristram Hunt, Rachel Reeves, Liz Kendall, Stephen Twigg and John Woodcock. Others include Cllrs Paul Brant, Patrick Diamond and Steve Reed, Paul Richards and Progress director, Robert Philpot.
Each has written a chapter focusing on a different area of policies for the future of the country, including the economy, public services, welfare and crime.
The key themes are that for Labour to win the next election it must regain its economic credibility, have a credible programme of reform for public institutions, and capture the imaginations of the majority of Britons to want to get on in life and see their families prosper. The book explores how Labour’s decentralist tradition can help it in an age of austerity, when there isn’t the money available for a central government programme for every problem and argues for the state to become more efficient and devolved, with more local ownership and control of locals services and assets.
Instead of a re-run of 2010, or even 1997, the Purple Book is all about Labour’s offer at the next election and beyond. Reflecting the themes of Ed Miliband’s leadership, the book seeks to explore how we build a ‘something for something’ welfare state and a more balanced economy; tackle the new inequality and the ‘care crunch’ affecting the ‘squeezed middle’; and further social mobility so that future generations can realise the ‘promise of Britain’.
Appointment as chair
On my appointment:
I said:
‘I’m excited to be helping Progress in its hugely important work in reinvigorating progressive politics. A strong alternative to the Tories is needed now more than ever, and Progress has a key role to play in helping to return Labour to power at the next election.’
Stephen Twigg said:
‘I am delighted that Andrew Adonis will be succeeding me. I am also very pleased that I now going to become Progress’ honorary president. I have greatly enjoyed my six years as chair, and look forward to working with Andrew and the rest of the Progress team in my new role.’
