Leadership, democracy and organising

Labour must sort out its approach to leadership. Historically there have been two polarised tendencies: an extreme democratic position which finds the concept of leadership inherently suspect, and an extreme pro-leadership position which believes that elections can only be won with a singular focus and tight discipline. This also maps on to the polarisation between idealists and realists within the party. But the question of leadership should be approached in a way that transcends these simplistic oppositions, and focuses instead on relationships. This would involve more attention to party organising, including the development of leadership at local, regional and national levels; and the development of mutual respect and trust between the leader and the party.