Thank you for that very interesting analysis. Professor Don Aitkin also posted an excellent short article this morning in part on on Latham's Quadrant article "Climate change and the Labor vote"
http://donaitkin.com/climate-change-and-the-labor-vote/

I have yet to read a more incisive and in depth analysis of labour's problems, and how they might correct them?
However, they need some time in the political wilderness to rid themselves of the self serving conservative combative element, that has so fouled their ranks, as to be unable to, in any way reconnect with traditional, progressive, reforming and egalitarian Labour?
They also need time to thoroughly divest themselves of the filth now clinging to their once proud brand!
I agree, they also need to stop taking credit for multimillionaire Keating's new labour, conservative reforms and the lurch to the right that accompanied it.
In fact, it may be fair to say, new Labour, with its economic drys like Crean, and fiscal conservatives like Rudd, now stands further to the right, than Menzie's liberals?
They also need time to divest themselves of the filth that has created a stinking cesspool, where once stood a proud and progressive party.
One can understand ultra conservative Latham's fantasies?
This is what seems to happen to elitist, we know best dreamers, who build dream castles in the clouds, and then move in as permanent residents or Rulers?
One can understand why he and other patently driven, extremely autocratic creatures, who see Labour as nothing more than a vehicle for their personal ambitions, hate Julia so much, given she represents a return to something ever so slightly resembling, old egalitarian Labour.
Jason, why aren't you running the country, or at the very least, heading up and reforming a, back to the future, Labour?
Rhrosty.

A most scholarly and comprehensive post, well written and identifying clearly a number of crucial elements in the Labour Party travails. I agree with Rhorosty that, for these understandings to be accepted and incorporated into Labour thinking, a considerable time in the electoral 'wilderness' will be necessary. Peter Lang. Thanks, a relevant link.

and how proud the independants must be to be in bed with such a morally bereft Government. The Government will be remembered for being more incompetent than Gough and full of self interest like no other in Australia's history. It's main legacy will be debt. Thankfully September is not far off.

I rarely link personalities with political issues, but in Latham's case his own tendency to self-destruct and blame everyone else for it ties up so well with his support for the global warming meme that I can't resist.

Really it doesn't matter.

The only kind thing is euthanasia; put the poor thing out of its misery, before it causes us any more misery

I read Latham's account with some trepidation imagining the usual vitriole against his usual combatants (even if much of it was true). However, from the beginning Latham assured the reader he was putting behind the past and looking to mend fences and build the ALP into the future. And that he did.

I agree with the author on many points. I found some contradictions in Latham's conclusions. As I am a former Labor voter I found some of Latham's conclusions incongruous including:

1. He writes the Greens off as being too radical but does not say which policies he deems radical or unworkable.
2. Then he goes onto to talk about 'aspirational' voters and the need for the ALP to match those needs with talk of going back to the good old Keating years of deregulation and privatisation. These are unpopular with traditional Labor voters and the ALP is unlikely to get any Conservative defections. The ideology and behaviour of the Labor Right is what is killing off the ALP and causing people to turn away.
3. Hindsight and reflection reveal many times there are no benefits to 'public service' or value for money in privatisation. As for deregulation, in many cases the lack of regulation in some sectors has meant the vultures have taken over and there are little protections for ordinary people.
4. Latham talks of having to battle with the aspirational generations vs the need to turn away from a consumerist society if we are to tackle climate change and other issues of sustainability. You cannot feed an aspirational culture on one hand and talk down consumerism on the other. Seems an impossibility. A better approach would be not to buy into the 'me me' mentality and sell a different idea.

The way I see it, is Labor has to offer something different to the Conservative or neo-liberal mindset. That does not mean throwing the baby out with the bath water in every aspect but re-evaluating what it means to be Labor and who it is you want to represent fairly and equitably.