James Buchanan, one of the most influential intellectuals of the last fifty years, died last week. The mainstream media and the right-wing blogosphere rightly devoted considerable space to tributes and reminiscences, as well as to some early reflections on Buchanan’s legacy. In contrast, there has been a rather muted response on the left.
For twenty years, Renewal has provided a space for the British left to engage in deeper debate than is permitted by the short-term horizons and constraints of day-to-day political controversy.
Much of the discussion of Ed Miliband’s Labour Party conference speech has rightly focused on his audacious appropriation of Disraeli and the rhetoric of ‘One Nation’ Conservatism.