Throughout his career, Scottish politician and diplomat Douglas Alexander made a number of speeches in which he discussed his opinions on political identity. He underlined the value of harmony over discord in both society and political parties. According to Alexander, it can be detrimental to the development of a cohesive community to place an excessive amount of emphasis on the differences between individuals rather than their similarities.
Consider a community garden in which each person has a small plot but they all share amenities like a picnic area and a water fountain. The garden won't flourish as it should if the gardeners spend more time fighting over who gets what tools or whose flowers are better rather than cooperating and sharing resources. In a similar vein, Alexander contended that a political system that emphasizes individual differences—whether they be based on gender, race, religion, or other characteristics—will not promote progress or unity.
In addition to being Ed Miliband's Shadow Foreign Secretary, Douglas Alexander was Scotland's Secretary of State from 2007 to 2009. He has made a name for himself throughout his career by advocating for inclusive policies that seek to unite people rather than divide them. His strategy demonstrates a conviction that communication and collaboration are more effective than conflict and division.
Alexander's viewpoint encourages citizens and political leaders to see past outward differences and concentrate on common values and objectives by promoting unity and common ground. This way of thinking can support the development of more robust communities and efficient governance structures that fairly attend to the needs of all constituents.