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Relationships and the Left Kayte Lawton 25 th June 2014

Relationships and the Left Kayte Lawton 25 th June 2014. Outline. The value of relationships – and the role of the state The problem for the Left Why the Left struggles – commitment and responsibility Political arguments and policy priorities. Relationships.

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Relationships and the Left Kayte Lawton 25 th June 2014

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  1. Relationships and the Left Kayte Lawton 25th June 2014

  2. Outline • The value of relationships – and the role of the state • The problem for the Left • Why the Left struggles – commitment and responsibility • Political arguments and policy priorities

  3. Relationships • Most of us still aspire to marriage / stable relationship • Relationships are private and personal • But we expect family, friends, wider society and the state to back us

  4. The problem for the Left • The Left has typically backed reforms that are good for families • Major investments in families under the last Labour government (childcare, tax credits, maternity leave, children’s centres) • But still struggles to articulate support for relationships and family life

  5. Commitment • Unease about talking up commitment (moralising, interfering in private lives, implied criticism of people not in a relationship, double standards) • So we remain ‘neutral’ on family structure • But can be at odds with how people want to live their lives • Back commitment without telling people how to live their lives or looking down on those not in a relationship

  6. Responsibility • Parents raise children not the state • But statist tendencies of the Left can overlook this • Things often done to rather than with families • Risks overlooking the capacities and strengths within families • Goes against the grain of how parents want to act, and how others see their responsibilities

  7. Policy priorities Create the conditions in which families can thrive under their own steam – rather than a state that pretends it can fix every problem • Policy, investment and institutions rooted in parental responsibility • Unequivocal support for commitment

  8. Investing in families • Enable parents to work rather than rely on benefits to raise incomes • Universal, affordable, good quality childcare • Incentives for dual-earning in universal credit • Enable parents to protect family time when it is most precious • More generous parental leave • Family benefits weighted towards younger children

  9. Backing commitment • Practical support to help couples stay together or make the process of separation a little smoother • Improve access to couples counselling • Signal support for all marriages without penalising others • End marriage notice fees

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