Imagine a technique that can heal Britain of division and keep out the hard right. I call it ‘radical listening’ | George Monbiot

In my constituency, volunteers chat with people in deprived areas – most of whom find they are to the left of their voting intentions. The results are exhilarating Most people have made up their minds, and nothing you can say will change them: that’s the credo of parties such as Labour and the Democrats. Don’t challenge voters on the doorstep. Use focus groups to find out what they want, and give it to them. Follow, don’t lead. But all that’s on them, not us. It’s true that conventional attem...

By George Monbiot