Terry Sarten: Dear Labour, show me you care

Dear Labour,

An ode to Love's Labours Lost.

The Labour Party (sigh), we used to get on so well. You had policy and I had a vote and we did a lot together. Then somehow we drifted apart. It's hard to pinpoint exactly when that happened but it was around the time that couple, Roger and Ruth, became part of your circle. They had other ideas about how things should be done. Where once we had all been in it together, they took from the right and left behind a raft of wreckage. Some of it is still washing up on the shore at the feet of the nation's most deprived children, leaving the marks of inequality clearly visible when the political tide goes out. David Lange made a big mistake when he introduced those two too each other.

Initially, this affair with the dashing allure of market forces could have been dismissed as a fling - a moment of infidelity with the handsome big talk of capitalism sweeping you off your feet with promises of individual wealth rather than social goals. It all sounded so good. The market would decide. If you were struggling and poor, then it was your fault for not responding to this bright shiny prospect.

This led me to decide I needed a trial separation to give Labour time to redeem its bad behaviour and return to its true role as a champion of equity and a partner in social advancement. Helen Clark, as Prime Minister from 1999-2008, did at times recapture some of the old romance. Labour wooed us with solid pragmatic policy and occasional reminders of the kind of society we could be. Eventually the romance faded and sound but sombre government was no longer exciting, and we decided to trade it in for National. It seemed to know about wealth and power, both of which are aphrodisiacs that stir the thoughts of those who feel they are entitled to some of that.

I had hoped Labour would return to its core principles of social justice and champion of the little guy, not just the little guy trying to be champion, by poking John Key with a sharp stick. This comes across as desperate and does nothing to impress those looking for the real romance of a socially responsible suitor. Where is the substance? I don't want a slogan or a soundbite. I want passion and fervour. I miss the heady excitement of policy that reflects integrity and courage. I want a political wedding party where the orchestra is playing something stirring like "children come first". I want to hear Labour declare their commitment to creating a social contract that shows they care. Damn it - I want them to stand for something other than a pale, timid imitation of a political party waiting for their guests in an empty hall decorated with sad, slowly deflating balloons and tattered streamers.

If Labour were to stand on their principles we would be able to see them above the crowd of minor suitors, while National diverts our attention with flags and pandas. Most of all I want to be able to write that "Dear John" letter to Key, telling him that it's all over and I don't want to see him any more.

-Terry Sarten is a writer, musician, satirista and social worker. Feedback: tgs@inspire.net.nz