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Labour’s Legacy
Answering your questions: John Redwood, John Rentoul and Stephen Twigg.
How would you sum up 13 years of Labour leadership in just a few words?
Some might say investment in Britain's public services, giving schools and hospitals the vital boost they needed to face the 21st Century. Others might see a decade of blissful and abundant growth followed by the horrors of financial instability and recession. Some just need one word - Iraq.
With the ink still fresh on the Labour Government's final chapter, we can start to ask the questions that historians will ponder for years to come. Where did Blair and Brown succeed? What opportunities did they miss? And where did it all go wrong?
Luckily for our panel, they will have more than a few words to answer your most popular questions. We have:
Stephen Twigg MP - Is there a more memorable moment in British politics than when Michael Portillo lost his seat in 1997 and saw his ambitions of Conservative Party leadership swept away by the broom of New Labour. Stephen Twigg was the Labour candidate at that election count and now represents Liverpool West Derby.
John Redwood MP - an iconic Tory MP and well respected member of the last Conservative Cabinet who has penned his opinions on a variety of topics, from Europe to business, always ensuring his party's values are upheld.
John Rentoul - Long-time Chief Political commentator at the Independent and author of one of Tony Blair's earliest and finest biographies. If there is anything John Rentoul does not know about New Labour - it is not worth knowing.
To post a question, simply click on an 'ask' button under the panel's pictures below. To post a question you will need to be registered with Yoosk, but don't worry, registration is quick and easy.
People and Topics
All Labour Legacy Panel (Click to show)
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@ All Labour Legacy Panel
What would you say is the best thing to come out of 13 years of Labour?
Answered by All Labour Legacy Panel
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@ All Labour Legacy Panel
The abandonment of Labour's long held prinicples as part of the New Labour Project has left them in somewhat of a predicament about where to turn now the NLP has failed. Where do Labour go now, and should... Show more »The abandonment of Labour's long held prinicples as part of the New Labour Project has left them in somewhat of a predicament about where to turn now the NLP has failed. Where do Labour go now, and should this be something David Cameron keeps in mind as he goes forward with his modernisation of the Conservative Party. Show less »
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@ All Labour Legacy Panel
For you, what will be the lasting image that encapsulates Labour's 13 years in Government?
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@ All Labour Legacy Panel
Were we all a bit harsh on Gordon Brown - or was he the architect of his own downfall?
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John Redwood (Click to show)
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@ John Redwood
After 13 years in opposition you are now in power. Do you take the view that Labour have done enough right that you can build upon their successes or instead do you see it as your responsibility to undo... Show more »After 13 years in opposition you are now in power. Do you take the view that Labour have done enough right that you can build upon their successes or instead do you see it as your responsibility to undo all they have done wrong? Show less »
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@ John Redwood
John, is one legacy of Blairism the way in which the Tory party (and the media) is now managed by David?
Answered by John Redwood
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@ John Redwood
Which consequence of immigration do you think most bothers core labour voters- competition for jobs or people who don’t want to adapt to British culture, right on their doorsteps?
Answered by John Redwood
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@ John Redwood
Twenty years later, and people still talk of the 'Thatcher era' but nobody talks of the Major era. Do you think people will talk of Blair and Brown and New Labour in twenty years time or will they be... Show more »Twenty years later, and people still talk of the 'Thatcher era' but nobody talks of the Major era. Do you think people will talk of Blair and Brown and New Labour in twenty years time or will they be forgotten too? Show less »
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@ John Redwood
Do you think William Hague has learnt much from Labour's 'special relationship' with the United States?
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John Rentoul (Click to show)
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@ John Rentoul
If Blair had remained PM, do you think the handling of the banking crisis, recession and deficit would have been better, worse or the same?
Answered by John Rentoul
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@ John Rentoul
Should Labour change its name (which suggests grimy industrial manual work) and cut all ties with the unions?
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@ John Rentoul
Which question(s) would you want to see 100% honestly answered in Blair's memoirs?
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Stephen Twigg (Click to show)
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@ Stephen Twigg
Are you and the Labour Party glad to put the whole 'Blairite/Brownite thing' behind you?
Answered by Stephen Twigg
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@ Stephen Twigg
I am a Labour supporter, but feel it is inevitable that the 13 years of New Labour will be remebered for the Iraq war and the recession. Do you think that you personally could have done more to prevent... Show more »I am a Labour supporter, but feel it is inevitable that the 13 years of New Labour will be remebered for the Iraq war and the recession. Do you think that you personally could have done more to prevent either of them from happening? Show less »
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@ Stephen Twigg
Over the past decade, Labour has slowly but surely lost a large number of previous voters. Which policies, or lack of, do you think were the main culprits for this disillusionment among those who voted... Show more »Over the past decade, Labour has slowly but surely lost a large number of previous voters. Which policies, or lack of, do you think were the main culprits for this disillusionment among those who voted Labour in 1997?
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@ Stephen Twigg
Will historians decide that new labour actually changed British society as radically as Thatcherism?
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@ Stephen Twigg
As I drive round my constituency, I see new schools and new hospital buildings when in 97, everything was crumbling. Was Labour almost embarrassed about its public works programme- it hardly ever mentioned... Show more »As I drive round my constituency, I see new schools and new hospital buildings when in 97, everything was crumbling. Was Labour almost embarrassed about its public works programme- it hardly ever mentioned it during the election? Show less »
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@ Stephen Twigg
Since your election in 1997, are there any times you have felt let down by the Labour Party, its policies or its leadership?
Answered by Stephen Twigg
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