Essays for Labour - no comments

Old hands might remember the essay series we instituted to coincide with Bloggers4Labour's 6-month 'anniversary' in August '05.

There were some pretty good contributions, one of which proved particularly popular, but I felt this was a pretty decent idea that didn't quite take off as it might. Now that we have so many more affiliated bloggers, so many more readers, a lack of political posts from my fair hand, and a continued need for new ideas on and for the Left, and for Labour, surely now would be a great time to resurrect the idea...

The nearest thing to this that I can see is the Euston Manifesto Group's Social Democratic Futures, but until the SDF opens up a little we can try to set a new standard.

So, do you fancy writing something? I'm going to say that you don't need to be a Labour blogger to contribute, you don't even necessarily have to be a Labour supporter, but I suggest you might like to come up with something:

• That perhaps criticises (in a positive manner) an existing policy, or suggests an alternative in the light of new thought/evidence.
  
• Or that aims to educate on a particular topic (e.g. an economic theory, or problem), or examines competing arguments.
• Broadly compatible with liberal/left/Labour politics.
• That the Labour party could conceivably adopt...
  

In return we will - assuming your topic is accepted, and your article is fit to print - publish it here on this very blog, linking to your own site if you also post it there, and collect the articles on the essays page (currently a little out-of-date).

So please contact us with your ideas, or (ideally) leave a comment here. Don't be shy, but also don't start work until you've been given the go-ahead - we need to keep things organised. See the earlier post for other advice and suggested titles (though you can ignore the bit about minimum word limits).