Last night, I attended the UK launch of Uffe Elbæk’s book Doubt, Hope, Action. I was incredibly lucky to interview Uffe recently, he’s had a fascinating life in Danish politics and is a long-term progressive public figure. With so many systems in decline – political, environmental and economic – the time for radical change is now, and Uffe’s book gives a clear definition of where we are, how we got here and how we can organise ourselves to take positive action – something the left has been incredibly poor at doing.

Neal Lawson (centre), Mike Townsend (left)

Neal Lawson, director of the cross-party campaign organisation Compass chaired last night’s discussion. He said Uffe has been one of the biggest inspirations in his political life and to the work of Compass, an organisation dedicated to transformative change. “We’ve learnt how to do much more imaginative, co-operative and visionary politics,” he said. “What Uffe’s done in Denmark, the lessons he’s learnt and how he’s sown those seeds of imagination and pluralism are absolutely right for the UK now, because we’re living in the kind of world he’s occupied for years, one of multi-party politics with a lack of vision. The way he expresses politics, the way he does politics, the way he’s brought people together, is exactly what we need in the UK now.”  

He’s absolutely right, I think many people, including myself, are totally disillusioned with the two-party, first-past-the-post system, and we’re seeing the results of this disillusionment play out in real time. It’s no surprise to me, that the Labour Party is collapsing given their neoliberal values – pushing privatisation harder, continuing a growth at all costs narrative, refusing to incorporate fair taxation, arresting protesters – the list goes on and on.

I’m not sure where the Labour Party goes from here. If Wes Streeting is elected leader it will be more of the same. If Andy Burnham is elected as an MP, and is given the opportunity to stand, Labour might have a chance to save itself and to return to its social roots. We are truly on a precipice.

I’m incredibly proud to have worked with Uffe and Jeremy Toynbee, publishing director of 5m Books and Unbreaking, to help publicise this book. Last night one of the speakers Mike Townsend who is chief executive of Earthshine Group said, “The book gives us a manifesto to reclaim agency and hope.”

I agree. Uffe’s compassion, determination and humour radiate through his actions and his words. If you do one thing today, buy yourself a copy of Doubt, Hope, Action and let’s make this beautiful planet of ours a place where our kids and future generations can thrive.

Follow the links to read parts one and two of my interview with Uffe. Part three coming soon.