Introduction–the Progressive Century: Ours to Make

Abstract

This book is based on three important propositions. The first is that neither the social democratic nor the liberal tradition can deliver a ‘progressive’ century by themselves. The second is that progressive politics in Britain cannot rely on the whims of senior politicians, no matter how well intentioned. The third is that without the right combination of leaders, ideas and movements, the next shift in political power in Britain is more likely to be towards the forces of ‘conservatism’ than the forces of progress. We face a choice: to create the conditions for a progressive century out of the joint strengths of liberalism and social democracy, or to witness another hundred years of Tory hegemony.