The May elections are not just a chance to put our case to the voters and get more councillors elected. They are an opportunity to build the party from the bottom up. We should think of the elections not as a tiresome chore, but as a golden opportunity to get Labour people active, to breathe new life into our branches, and to involve new party members for the first time.
The elections give us the chance to: identify potential new members and supporters; reinvigorate ‘passive’ members; and involve activists in different types of activity. For many members, who join Labour because they support our values of social justice, an election campaign is a chance to put values into practice.
Elections give us the opportunity to engage with our opponents, test our arguments and organisation, and create a strong sense of identity and purpose amongst party members. For many Labour members, campaigning is what recharges their batteries.
In an election campaign we should be out on the streets, visible and approachable, listening to the community and learning from people’s experience. We can use ‘grumble sheets’ and surveys to find out what makes the local electorate tick. By listening to complaints and taking people seriously in Labour council areas, we make ‘protest voting’ less likely. Our election campaigns should show Labour at its best – listening, explaining, part of the community.
Here are five tips to help use the elections to build up local Labour parties:
• Try to get more than the ‘usual suspects’ to join your campaign team. Many people enjoy telephone canvassing, stuffing envelopes and going out on the doorsteps, who don’t often come to meetings. Phone round the ‘inactive’ members to see if they will give some of their time.
• Try not to put members off by the scale of the task. What prevents some people from getting active is the fear that they will be sucked into hours and hours of campaigning. Ask for just one hour of their time. If they feel valued, they will come back.
• Treat activists with respect and courtesy. Make sure campaign HQs are well stocked with refreshments. Get the candidates to write ‘thank you’ notes. Take people for a drink after an evening canvassing. Make sure everyone can get home safely. Always say thank you – Labour activists are volunteers after all.
• Never canvass without membership forms. Always ask a Labour voter if they want to become a Labour member. Only 2 percent of Labour voters are Labour members. You can even ask non-members to help with the campaign – if they like it, they may be asking to join.
• The next election campaign begins at the close of the poll. Do follow-up canvassing to ask supporters to join. Get newly elected councillors to knock on doors and introduce themselves. Put up posters saying ‘thank you for voting Labour’ in Labour wards. Involve the next GC and ward meetings in discussions about the campaign and what worked and what didn’t. If your team has been successful – hold a party to celebrate. You’ve earned it.
Election campaigns should be part
of a relationship that lasts all year round. By building that relationship street by street and house by house
we can build a bigger, healthier, more active local Labour party. A bigger Labour Party is more representative.
A healthier Labour Party means that members get more from their involvement. A more active Labour Party means we can fight and win more elections, reach more people,
and continue to transform Britain.
When you’re out knocking on doors and telephone canvassing, remember that every vote we win is another step towards a fairer and more just society.