Weekend of Progress: Left-Wing Leaders United at 2023 Global Summit

On Saturday, September 16, 2023 , the Global Progress Action Summit in Montreal made history by bringing together the largest gathering of left-leaning leaders in the past 15 years . Attendees included past and present progressive figures from across the globe, among them Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern. The goal of the summit was to chart a new course for progressive politics on a global scale.

In the opening address, Patrick Gaspard , CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, acknowledged the “ unnatural alliances organised in a raid against us ,” a reflection on the societal divisions exacerbated by the surge of right-wing populism across Western democracies in the past decade. Despite recognising the challenges ahead, he conveyed a spirit of defiant optimism, emphasising that the gathering wasn’t just a “business-as-usual summit.”

Gaspard asserted that this meeting marked the inception of what he dubbed the “Montreal moment” —a pivotal juncture to transform progressive ideas into actionable strategies. Encouraging fellow progressives to seize this critical moment, he urged them to renew their dedication to advancing economic and social progress, focus on impactful policies that genuinely improve people’s lives, and stand united against anti-democratic forces, steering clear of the distractions presented by populism.

Emphasising that overcoming immense challenges like climate change and inequality, lay in global collaboration and solidarity, and with that, seeking to dispel the “fog of uncertainty” through a renewed commitment to progressive values.

Charting a Progressive Course: Keir Starmer and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Støre

The opening discussion, “Mission-Driven Government,” featured UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, moderated by New Zealand journalist Josie Pagani.

Starmer, widely perceived as a ‘Prime Minister-in-waiting’, stressed the need for a government with a clear mission to address economic insecurity and societal anxiety. Highlighting the indispensable role of a balanced approach to border control in preserving safety and preventing criminal activities, he argued that maintaining control is fundamentally a progressive stance, envisioning a government that safeguards its borders against illegal activities while upholding humanitarian values.

“In the moment a government has lost control of its borders, then it’s criminal gangs that run them, and that isn’t progressive at all,” he stated. Keir Starmer is forging substantial international relations by establishing his stance as a world leader ready to step onto greater stages. A scheduled meeting this week with French President Macron, announcing that he will seek a significant rewrite of the Brexit deal, his regular talks with former US President Obama and rumours of a White House meeting with US President Joe Biden in the coming months, hinting at the influential role he is anticipated to play in the global political arena.

Prime Minister Støre echoed the importance of security, jobs, and education, advocating for concrete policies aimed at significantly improving individual and community well-being. During a later panel discussion, PM Støre stated that, for him, “the climate change thing is really about trying to formulate it in a way that you cut emissions and create jobs.” Emphasising the progressive need to address many citizens’ fear of losing their jobs due to the green transition.

During his address, Carney did not shy away from pointing out the inadequacies in the economic understanding of some prominent figures. Carney lambasted the short-lived premiership of Liz Truss, accusing her of harbouring a misguided belief that slashing taxes and reducing governmental spending spur economic growth. He went on to liken Britain under her influence to “an Argentina on the channel,” and admonished what he saw as a basic understanding of economic drivers, urging for policies grounded in empirical economic knowledge to shape a promising future. 

This confrontation of right-wing economic policies set a firm stance on the progressive economic vision, reinforcing the summit’s commitment to fostering policies rooted in deep understanding and collaborative spirit rather than divisive and arguably short-sighted economic approaches.

During a conversation with Anna Gainey, a newly elected Liberal Party member of the Canadian Parliament, former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair emphasised the importance for progressives to “master” the technology revolution fundamentally reshaping society.

Gainey shifted the discussion to focus on the role and contributions of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change in the current global landscape. Founded by Blair following his tenure as UK Prime Minister, the institute works towards making globalisation work for the many, not the few. Blair highlighted the institute’s work in assisting world leaders in addressing everyday challenges like the housing crisis and migration issues, leveraging policy innovation and leadership development to effect meaningful change.

On the eve of the summit, the Tony Blair Institute unveiled a forward-thinking paper titled ‘Reimagining Government for the 21st Century’. In this era, the blueprint for a modernised government advocates for a strategic state leveraging advancements such as artificial intelligence to enhance governmental efficiency and citizen engagement.

This vision, mirroring Blair’s sentiments during the summit, proposes an urgent call to action for the progressive leaders assembled in Montreal, offering a roadmap to navigate today’s rapidly evolving society, with a spotlight on tapping into the potential of technological advancements to foster a government that is more responsive, efficient, and attuned to the needs of its citizens.

Ardern encouraged fostering a culture of curiosity and respectful discourse to combat misinformation and promote societal empathy and understanding, emphasising the need to replace cynicism with interest, and to approach governance with compassion and humility, a tone much needed in the face of rising far-right populism.

Sanna Marin, Finland’s former Prime Minister and currently a Strategic Counsellor for the Tony Blair Institute, warned that disinformation and interference from hostile states pose a real threat to democracies. She acknowledged the challenges of rapidly developing technologies in tackling online misinformation and hate speech, noting that “regulation takes time, and people create these technologies daily.”

She emphasised people’s daily pressing issues, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and human rights erosion. She urged for a reality check and a straightforward approach to these problems, highlighting the necessity for political leadership that genuinely cares for the people and their concerns. Reflecting on her time as Prime Minister, she stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to solve global issues like homelessness, a challenge Finland has actively tackled through its “home first” policy.

Finally, Norwegian PM Støre voiced pressing concerns over the emerging trends among young males, particularly in the early stages of education. Støre cited a worrying decline in the reading abilities of young boys. Støre also drew attention to the surge in young people embracing far-right ideologies, a growth significantly amplified through platforms like TikTok.

Non-political forces now play a more decisive role in shaping young people’s viewpoints, he argued, emphasising the apparent shift towards right-leaning tendencies in recent electoral results in Sweden and Norway. He conveyed a deep-seated concern over this trend, advocating for a progressive approach that pays close attention to this demographic, encouraging inclusivity and understanding to foster a healthier political future.

As we head into the New Zealand general election in October 2023, and the 2024 US and UK general elections, the so-called ‘Montreal moment’ emerges not just as a theme of a summit, but as a vision for the future, encouraging a spirit of collaboration and urgency in addressing the pressing issues of our time. It is a call for renewed optimism, a plea for leaders and individuals alike to look beyond the challenges of today and envision a world shaped by progressive values.

Can we rise to the occasion? Steering away from populist distractions and instead focusing on policies with tangible positive impacts on communities globally.

The summit has tasked us with hope and a roadmap, urging us to forge a path grounded in empathy, collaboration, and forward-thinking leadership.