The LFIG is in a unique position. With many leaders from industry and finance, it offers its members the opportunity to be part of the democratic process of policy formation by giving practical advice and by participating in our activities, especially in Westminster. We are not a lobbying or special interest group pushing for the interests of industry at the expense of the rest of society. We are a group of Labour Party members.
A passion for politics
To sustain an active commitment to the LFIG, there has to be a vision and a passion; a belief in the thrust of Labour Party policies. It must be possible to create a better, more equitable society, to halt injustice, to help people, who are disadvantaged in one way or another, to improve the efficient management of our government, to enable our country to make a positive contribution to the world at large.
Participation in LFIG activities can come in several forms: attending meetings, producing well argued reports, presenting policy papers, meeting politicians, organising events. Whatever your activity and special area of industrial or financial political interest, the LFIG would like you to help produce policies and ideas that are constructive and helpful to the Labour Front bench. We want our members to contribute to Labour Party thinking.
Producing the goods and services matters
We believe that the LFIG has a role to play in shaping left of centre thinking, policies and strategies for Labour, based on the experience and knowledge of our members. One of the failures of the left is that it often pays too little attention to the need to produce the wealth, goods and services that are necessary to maintain our standard of living. Instead it takes it all for granted, concentrating on the inherent conflicts in the production process. But Britain and industry and finance need to be competitive and profitable to survive to enable the people of the country to prosper.
The LFIG is constantly looking for practical solutions and policy strategies that will help to facilitate improvements in industry and finance for the benefit of all. Production is just as important as distribution but it must be done humanely and ethically, sustainably and profitably.
The vision for our industrial and financial future
We want to see a new optimistic vision for the future of industry and finance in the UK. We are in the middle of a major restructuring of the economy and indeed this process of industrial change is a continuous process, because the UK economy is dynamic. We must not lose confidence in ourselves, our ability and our talented people, just because of the short term global economic crisis that is hitting us now.
We in LFIG remain optimistic and positive about the role of industry and finance. It is our industry and finance that will give us the opportunities to fund sustainable development, to meet our future education needs, our health care and care of the elderly and improve the material and non-material quality of life for all. For industry and finance to provide all this is a real and important challenge.
Please join us in this challenge by becoming active in one or more of the LFIG Policy Groups, or help with organising our events and meetings. We look forward to welcoming you.
