The era of Labour hegemony is over. How should we assess its legacy? It is conventional these days to disparage Labour’s record in government over the past 13 years. Even sympathetic observers argue that little of substance has been achieved. For the more determined critics, Labour in power – Labour as New Labour – has been more than a disappointment; it has been a disaster. The party led an onslaught on civil liberties, betrayed leftist ideals, failed to make any impact on inequality and, worst of all, embarked upon a calamitous war in Iraq. New Labour had promised a “new dawn”, and many feel betrayed.
Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month
Content from our partners
