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The Alternative: Towards a New Progressive Politics
The 2015 election result was a disaster for progressives in British politics, delivering a majority Conservative government at Westminster. And the outlook for the next election is not auspicious either, particularly amid the aftershocks of the momentous 2016 EU referendum result and with possible boundary changes in the offing. There is a growing recognition, however, that cross-party cooperation among the progressives could reinvigorate politics and inspire a credible alternative to the Conservatives. Those who want a good society can and must work together - and, by doing so, they can deliver better answers and more inclusive government. With contributions from a broad range of left and centre-left voices - including Siân Berry, Mhairi Black, Frances O'Grady, Tim Farron, Peter Hain, Carys Afoko, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Zoe Williams and Neal Lawson - The Alternative sets out a base of core values around which progressives can unite, proposes a number of big policy ideas that embody those values and, crucially, explores an urgently needed new form of politics to achieve them.
- GenresPoliticsNonfiction
Paperback
Published August 1, 2016
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About the author
Lisa Nandy
2 books1 followerLisa Eva Nandy is an English Labour Party politician serving as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport since 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 11, 2024
A collection of essays by politicians from the progressive parties stressing the importance of cooperation if the UK is to avoid being ruled by Conservatives elected by a minority of the population, for a decade or more. The quality of the essays varies but the overall message is clear. The book was written before 2017 and it will be interesting to see how things develop now that a Labour Government has been elected with a large majority and whether the repeated comments about the need to change the electoral system are heeded.
July 25, 2025
The Alternative: Towards A New Progressive Politics is a combination of different essays written after the 2015 election and 2016 Brexit referendum. This book outlines different left leaning political essays including those written by Labour politicians, Liberal Democrat politicians, Green politicians, SNP politicians and Plaid Cymru politicians as well as leftist leaders such as trade unionists. It represents a positive collective of different views across the Left.
I think this is a positive political essay collection. There are lots of different essays written including UBI, electoral reform, foreign policy, immigration, environmentalism, transport as well as essays on polling, trade unionism. I particularly like the essays on transport and electoral form which I felt was much needed.
Despite the book being written almost 10 years ago, I feel it is even more relevant for today. This is because the electoral system still leads to disproportionate outcomes. Given that the polling suggests that Nigel Farage's Reform will win by a landslide, unless there can be some coordination between progressives. I think it is a positive essay collection and one that is useful today. If there was one criticism, there is no mention of tax policies.
I think this is a positive political essay collection. There are lots of different essays written including UBI, electoral reform, foreign policy, immigration, environmentalism, transport as well as essays on polling, trade unionism. I particularly like the essays on transport and electoral form which I felt was much needed.
Despite the book being written almost 10 years ago, I feel it is even more relevant for today. This is because the electoral system still leads to disproportionate outcomes. Given that the polling suggests that Nigel Farage's Reform will win by a landslide, unless there can be some coordination between progressives. I think it is a positive essay collection and one that is useful today. If there was one criticism, there is no mention of tax policies.
July 14, 2020
An interesting collection of essays on progressive politics and the benefits and ideas behind collaboration to promote a common progressive political agenda.
It's definitely a book I would come back to recheck what was said for some of the opinions and arguments will stick in my mind.
The majority of these essays are well written and unstuffy. There are a few surprises and some refreshing views, thankfully. They are, in the main, worth reading for themselves, whatever your political persuasion, though anyone with rightwing tendencies would probably not read this book, on principle.
Reading them in 2020, four years after publication and in a Covid-19 beset world with the Conservative party still at what passes for the country's helm is sobering.
A worthwhile read if you hope that there might be something vaguely positive in politics. Travel in hope!!
It's definitely a book I would come back to recheck what was said for some of the opinions and arguments will stick in my mind.
The majority of these essays are well written and unstuffy. There are a few surprises and some refreshing views, thankfully. They are, in the main, worth reading for themselves, whatever your political persuasion, though anyone with rightwing tendencies would probably not read this book, on principle.
Reading them in 2020, four years after publication and in a Covid-19 beset world with the Conservative party still at what passes for the country's helm is sobering.
A worthwhile read if you hope that there might be something vaguely positive in politics. Travel in hope!!
August 31, 2016
An interesting book, with some good ideas about the future of British progressive politics, and some examples of where/how it has already worked. Stand out essays for me where the ones by Jonathan Rowson and Uffe Elbaek.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews