Max Chandler-Mather
Well, we’re certainly not going to take advice from a political commentariat who would rather the Greens disappear altogether.
I think the first question is: How do we build a political movement that can withstand the sort of rip tides that influenced this election? I don’t just mean the enormous establishment mobilization against us, but also the contingent impacts of Trumpism, also a massive factor in the Canadian election, the collapse of the Liberal vote, and the consolidation of wealthier middle-class voters behind Labor.
The second question is whether it’s possible to build a broad coalition between renters and multicultural working-class people on the one hand, and progressive middle-class voters on the other. Some are arguing it’s not, but I disagree. To make change, it’s necessary to put together an alliance of different social groups, founded on a set of common interests. This requires a coherent political platform with material offerings that speak to both groups, broadly defined. The breakthroughs we have made in Queensland were thanks to this approach. And frankly, we aren’t winning more Lower House seats unless we can stitch together this kind of coalition.
In terms of what we can offer right now, I think a big part of it will be thanks to extraparliamentary, local organizing. In metropolitan Brisbane for instance, we still have the volunteer capacity — and, if we push, the financial resources — to run regular community meals, free family fun days, climate disaster response teams, and support networks. These initiatives can fill gaps in the lives of both renters and middle-class people. Given the experience of urban and outer-suburban life is increasingly isolated and alienated, it can be very powerful to offer both financial support and meaningful, enjoyable community engagement.
Beyond that, there…
Auteur: Max Chandler-Mather
