Staying Human Series EP#02: Statecraft for the Common Good - with Jon Cruddas and Maurice Glasman

In this time of deep change, it is vital to find ways of staying human—and to do so within a constructive story of spiritual and civic renewal. As we recognise the failure of the hyper-liberal philosophy of the past forty years, people are feeling the loss of agency and there a rising sense of discontent. With concentrations of money and state power intensifying, the rapid advance of AI, and the breakdown of trust, our political, cultural, and spiritual life is increasingly marked by confusion.

Serious questions lie before us: How can we restore our common life? How can we stay human?

In this episode, Jon Cruddas and Maurice Glasman explore Statecraft for the Common Good. Together, they examine how political economy and the state must be organised to address our current crises—and how to do so in light of the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. Rooted in the tradition of Catholic Social Thought, and with deep experience in the mechanics of government, grassroots and parliamentary politics, and as people of faith, they open up the territory for a vital conversation.

Download the texts of both lectures here:

* From Tragedy to Restoration - Shaping the New Era - Maurice Glasman

* From Crisis to Meaning – Renewal and the Spirit of Justice - Jon Cruddas

Jon Cruddas is currently Co-Chair of the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, and Co-Leader of the Future of the Left Project at Policy Exchange. Formerly MP for Dagenham for 23 years, Jon is now at the leading edge of the debate around modern industrial relations, work, and employment in the age of artificial intelligence. He is a Senior Fellow at the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Life at the University of Oxford and the author of The Dignity of Labour.

Maurice Glasman is the Director of the Common Good Foundation and the founder of the Blue Labour movement. Lord Glasman is a life peer and a key figure in the current battle for Labour’s soul, urging the party to reconnect with its founding principles. Alongside his academic and political work, he has for many years been involved in authentic community organising, most recently in Grimsby. He is the author of Blue Labour: The Politics of the Common Good.

Just a heads-up: The sound quality in the Q&A part of the recording is a bit patchy. We’re very sorry about this, but we hope you’ll still enjoy this fascinating and informative conversation.

This is the second in our Staying Human series. The event was convened and moderated by Jenny Sinclair, Founder Director of Together for the Common Good, and took place on 15 September 2025 in London before an invited audience.

Learn more about Together for the Common Good at t4cg.substack.com

Listen to our sister podcast, Leaving Egypt, where we read the signs of the times and explore what it means to be God’s people in these times of unravelling: leavingegypt.com

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