Even as political parties of the left have taken up the cudgel for what has been called 'identity politics', they have dropped the ball around economic equality and the gap between rich and poor.

There is nothing wrong with arguing for an end to discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation and so forth. It can go too far at times and some activists, by their intransigence and dogmatism, make a meal of their arguments, much for the worse. But the principle of equality is fair. I don't have to agree with the life choices of another but I do not wish them to be discriminated against. 'Judge not lest ye be judged' said Jesus. That is a fundamental benchmark.

But in taking up so many diverse and complicated and sometimes controversial causes, left parties have lost touch with what used to be a key plank in their platforms -  a more just and equal society for the whole society. There has been a failure to rein in the worst excesses of this late capitalist era, allowing the gap between rich and poor to wide alarmingly.

Token increases in the minimum wage do not make up for the ongoing casualisation of work, the decline of decently paid jobs that will keep a family afloat. Moreover, the tendency of governments to pander to the pockets of the wealthiest generation - baby boomers - means that younger people will likely be unable to buy a house. It is a scandal. 

Sure, baby boomers worked hard to get where they are, but under present conditions (the salary to housing ratio is now x ten!), they would have been working forever to get into a property. Meaning never, with little chance of building the wealth they have today.

I think social democratic parties are beginning to catch on (beyond the buzz words) but it may be too late and too politically difficult to act decisively.