Open Left is about rediscovering the Left’s idealism, pluralism and appetite for radical ideas. It starts from a belief that the future of the Left requires a new openness for a new era of open politics:

·      Idealism: open about its political values and goals

·      Pluralism: open about disagreement and debate

·      Radicalism: open to new ideas and policies

We want to hear views and ideas from across the family of the Left, whether people identify with a political party or not. We welcome debate about political values and goal, and don’t presume to have a monopoly of knowledge about how to bring about effective and enduring change.

Open Left is engaging with Labour's leadership candidates and challenging them to open up their debate beyond the boundaries of the Labour Party. Open Left doesn’t want to see Labour’s leadership election become a beauty parade or a contest of personalities. Open Left wants Labour’s next leader to be elected on the strength of their ideas, not based on the differences in their character.

We ask the challenging questions about Labour's record in Government to identify unfinished business and new areas of reform. Open Left is seeking to rediscover the Left’s idealism, pluralism and appetite for radical ideas. The project is engaging with the new generation of MPs elected in the 2010 cohort and the voices of the Left beyond the party: in the wider labour movement, in the cooperative movement, amongst voluntary and community organisations and the left-wing blogosphere. 

Open Left has conducted a major post election poll of 45,000 voters with YouGov to discover voters changing attitudes to social issue, the role of the state, levels of public spending and taxation and the brand reputations of the major political parties. The poll allows Demos to compare the outlook of voters Labour lost since 2005, with the ones they retained at the last election.

For more information and to get involved go to www.openleft.co.uk or contact Richard Darlington.