Labour MP, Jon Cruddas, plots a new path centring around the Dignity of Labour

The Dignity of Labour by Jon Cruddas Published by Polity. Price £14.99 This book from Dagenham and Rainham MP Jon Cruddas offers a fascinating analysis of where the Labour Party has been going wrong and how it needs to recreate and reposition itself at the heart of work. The Dignity of Labour is just that, looking at how the party has distanced itself from working people and their lives, not seeing work as the engine for change but as somethng increasingly periphery and irrelevant Written during the pandemic Cruddas detects a reawakening in the recognition of the value of work. So nurses, doctors, care workers, supermarket staff and bus drivers were suddenly seen as those doing the vital frontline work of society. The book chronicles the approaches of different post war governents, whilst always retaining a base in the writer's homeland experience in Dagenham and Barking. So there is the rise and fall of Fords in Dagenham, mirrored against the postwar Labour governments and their policies. The rise of populism born of disillusion with political representation, resulting in Brexit and the Trump presidency in the US. The Dagenham experience, though, also offers a beacon for revival. In the noughties, working class disilusionment saw the rise of the BNP, which at one point was poised to take the council. But there was a fightback, that saw the fascist party banished and a new resurgent area created, with Labour at its epicentre Labour held Dagenham and Rainham in 2019, despite it being a top Tory target, with 70% of its residents voting for Brexit. Cruddas argues thay the demise of work is much over stated. He decries those on the left who argue that automation will get rid of many jobs, signalling the way to a new world of work, involving networked youth and Universal Basic Income (UBI). He argues that UBI is a false panacea that could take even more control of their lives away from working people Cruddas adroitly points out that the furlough scheme can be seen as a dry run for UBI. Though, he does not look further at how the present government might adopt UBI, encompassing pensions and Universal Credit systems in the trade off. Cruddas argues that the Labour Party must re-embrace the work agenda, lookng to promote good work and good jobs. A re-engagement in the workplace and across communities, via a new work covenant. This would return security to workers and help overcome inequality. Cruddas has produced an excellent piece of scholary work, which covers a lot of ground in 190 pages. Some will get lost in parts that delve into Marxist theory and the like. But the central thrust is clear, namely the need for Labour to reposition itself at the heart of work and community. It is a book that should be debated across the party and wider Labour movement. There is much to discuss.