Since Labour currently has the time for reflection in its bid to reconnect with the public and prove it is once more a ‘people’s party’ we have the opportunity to look at how we end up with the people’s representatives we have. It has always been difficult to ensure that Labour’s political representatives were representatives in more than just name. [...]
‘Connecting to Win’ was an event jointly organised by Labour Values and Movement for Change at Labour Party Annual Conference 2011 in Liverpool. The aims of the event, in which 55 party members from all up and down the country participated, were to (1) share successes in developing our membership and working with our broader communities; (2) consider the challenges we face with this [...]
When I was the Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Aldershot at the last general election, I worked alongside local Labour councillors who practiced community politics. One example was when we jointly campaigned for the regeneration of Aldershot Town Centre, asking local residents how they wanted the town centre regenerated by Conservative-run Rushmoor District Council. I also worked very closely with Aldershot [...]
In so many of our rural areas our Party has collapsed. It ceases to be relevant, is inward looking, inactive and isolated from the wider community. Often, the local party will not even meet or knock on doors. In such circumstances it is hardly surprising that ‘Labour can’t win here’ is the Lib Dems’ message. So, it is unsurprising that [...]
What a momentous few weeks for the Labour Party. No, not another post on Ed’s (bold and brilliant) leadership over recent days, hacks hacking or cops copping it; I’m talking about the thousands of responses submitted to Peter Hain’s Refounding Labour consultation, and this week’s important election of a new General Secretary for our party. Whether Iain McNicol or Chris [...]
With the re-launch of “movement for change” there are some important debates that need to be started within the party, but also a few that we really need to move beyond. We should stop debating whether community organising is an ends or a means, whether it is about winning elections or empowering communities. It is both. People can prioritise and [...]
I am very lucky. I represent in Westminster the place where I was born and grew up. My parents and grandparents are my constituents. When I stood for election, my school mate, Jenny, who sat next to me in A level Politics many years ago, was my agent. On the campaign trail, there was barely a street that did not [...]
As a Labour man, I’ve been searching for the elixir that can heal the election defeat and rejuvenate the party. To my horror, on the journey to find that elixir, I’ve found I’ve started taking sips from the Tea Party. This has given me serious concern for my mental health. Even as I write this, I’m convinced I am in a lucid dream. [...]
When we look at the reasons why we lost the election campaign there is one regular experience on the doorstep which sticks in my mind. In marginal seats and in safe seats, people kept saying they didn’t know what we stand for or who we stand up for. Losing sight of our values was our greatest weakness, as we ended [...]
We all know that the Labour Party needs to change. We also all know that at the last election, our campaign was massively overspent by the Tories, thanks to Ashcroft’s millions. In the last election, a Tory majority was declined. This could not have been achieved without the thousands of activists across the country. Today I call for a new [...]