Finnish Social Democrats go to London to learn from New Labour
Jutta Urpilainen
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Gordon Brown
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Social Democratic Party leader Jutta Urpilainen returned from a three-day visit to London on Wednesday evening.
Urpilainen and key party functionaries met government ministers and party officials of the current Labour government.
The SDP representatives learned about how the Labour Party underwent an ideological and image renewal in the 1990s, to become “New Labour”.
“We got plenty of hints for campaigning. They have good relations with the Democrats [of the United States] and the Obama campaign”, Urpilainen said.
In Britain there is much speculation about the possible imminent death of New Labour, after attempts by the party to raise taxes on the wealthy.
“It is something of a departure from the policies of New Labour and the third way. The SDP is following the present policy line of Labour. Those with higher incomes have to take part in dealing with the economic crisis with a bigger share”, Urpilainen said.
The economic crisis has clearly pushed the British Labour Party to the left. Urpilainen did not want to say if that would also be where the Finnish SDP would be going.
“I don’t see the direction as left or right; the SDP is moving forward”, she said.
Urpilainen nevertheless sees many similarities between the policies of her party and those of Labour.
“The image was strengthened to me that Labour is a party of work. The new SDP is also a party of labour.”
Urpilainen pointed out that Britain’s fresh budget has a strong focus on fighting youth unemployment. She says that Britain is also showing an example in “green stimulus”.
“Now we should look a step further to the time after the crisis. Labour is making some strong input into green economic growth”, Urpilainen said.
During her visit, Urpilainen briefly met with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The party leaders exchanged thoughts about the economic crisis, employment, and educational policy.
“Brown emphasised that solving the economic and employment crisis requires international cooperation. Now we need active action in employment”, Urpilainen said.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 7.5.2009 - TODAY |
 Finnish Social Democrats go to London to learn from New Labour |
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