The Party of European Socialists has done some important initial work in preparing the ground for a more democratic and social European future. It has introduced consultation and participation into new areas of European politics. I think it needs to go to the next stage to truly become a force for the democratisation of the European Union.

The PES needs to keep plans to democratise EU institutions close to its heart. By introducing Citizens’ Initiatives, an old idea that George Lansbury advocated around the turn of the century, it needs to directly confront the forces that have led to the social disunity and capitalist domination of democratic life. The guiding principle of the PES should be that the EU needs radical transformation of its structures and institutions – a refocusing on deliberative democracy, grassroots participation, and an economy that serves the interests of the majority.

The PES needs to take every opportunity to engage with the wider left, as represented by other European groupings, trade unions, civil society organisations and popular movements. If structures do not currently exist to do this, the PES should take the lead in creating them. If we accept the need for wider dialogue, we must also actively solicit ideas in a spirit of openness.

We should accept the reality that there is no homogeneity of beliefs within the PES. Ideologically, it includes many people who have liberal ideas, who are sceptical about the ability of the national state and are also sceptical about the ability of the EU to reshape capitalism. Opposed to this are those who believe in the necessity of national strategies and leadership to intervene in the economy. It includes people who support the euro, and people who perceive it as an economic mistake. There are those who see environmental issues as a distraction, others who see them as an opportunity to demonstrate that socialism can work better than capitalism in reducing excessive waste.

Within the enlarged PES, in a Europe of 25 states, there are only vague common denominators. In the current circumstances, it would be a mistake to look for them. The PES needs to change its mode of operation. Rather than attempting to mimic national parties with congresses and presidiums, it should engage in policy development with its grassroots support and allow academics and other experts sympathetic to the aims of social democracy to inform policy. The emphasis should be on openness and transparency. National parties should be encouraged to contribute at all levels – lay membership needs a European dimension. The national parties with the best new ideas and plans may become more predominant – yet to allow a hierarchy to re-emerge would be a serious mistake.

The PES does not need leadership in the controlled, clenched-fist manner of some of the national parties. It needs facilitators, who are confident in allowing a wide-ranging debate and enabling a learning process. I believe the PES should also be about learning and developing the skills of empathy and perspective. With this focus, we would find that the PES also becomes a positive resource for its parties, developing the skills of its younger membership.

With more knowledgeable and involved participants, the PES would be able to more closely follow developments in individual member states. A crucial part of the European project is that problems in a country many hundreds of miles away should be problems for us all. Unless this mentality evolves, the EU cannot formulate its own culture, and the political project will be perceived as artificial.

Informed by contact with trade unions and other socialist societies, such a PES could operate on a national, bi-national, regional or pan-European basis. Rather than big congresses of leaders, there can be regional events, festivals and activities designed to draw new people in.

The PES should welcome co-operation between activists. But I would argue that restricting this it to a rigid list of approved parties is a mistake resulting from the current ‘transition’ period. This means breaking through the often spurious divides that separate socialists in the European Left Party and even in the Green Party, or socially minded liberals.

Rather than attempting to find a ‘one-size fits all’ approach to European politics, an approach that accepts the rich diversity of political cultures may also reap electoral rewards.