I have the privilege of being the PPC in Burton, simply the best constituency in the country (but I am a little biased). It is the home of British Brewing, the gateway to the National Forest, the birthplace of the Malted Milk biscuit and the place that gave us Marmite, Branston Pickle and Burton Albion. It is also the heart of the country and my home.
Unfortunately, it is also the home of the Midlands Industrial Council, which is heavily supported by Sir Anthony Bamford, chairman of JCB. This means that, in addition to the Ashcroft cash, which is flooding every Labour marginal, my opponent is also attracting significant amounts of funding from JCB Research Ltd, Coleshill and the Midlands Industrial Council. I could write the typical article about how unfair this is and how the Labour party can’t compete and that we need to review party funding and local campaigning limits. But the fact is, I simply don’t have that luxury. Like many of my colleagues across the country, I have to deal with this reality on the ground.
The question is not whether the Tories should have the money or whether we can amend the rules before the election to level the playing field. It is too late for that. Debates and new legislation or guidance will only have a limited impact before the general election. The reality is the Tories have been spending money for several years. They have built their foundations and are now trying to complete the build. It is also nothing new. The Tories have always been the traditional party of business and privilege. We are the party of working people.
The issue, therefore, is not about stopping the cash, but rather exploring what we can do as a party and as a campaigning organisation to mitigate it. Apparently I am from the old school. Effective campaigning doesn’t have to cost money, although it helps.
Our greatest asset is our membership, our activists and our links to the unions. Without acknowledgement, my opponent relies on the CWU and the Royal Mail for mass deliveries and local promotions – I am not sure, however, he would approve of this description! In contrast, I am more dependent on the shoe leather of my members and a select number of union activists, as are most CLPs across the country. On that basis we need to enthuse our membership and revitalise local party structures. As a PPC my biggest challenge is enthusing my activist base and expanding it.
Being a member of the Labour party shouldn’t equate to compulsory leaflet delivery or knocking on 50 doors a month. Rather, the campaigns that we run, the issues that we raise and the events that we hold, should inspire and encourage local activism. A strong local party can and should lead to a strong local campaigning organisation.
Politics and political campaigns are constantly evolving. The constant is that our politics has always been about people. But we need to motivate our own base. In the US, Obama’s election demonstrated what could be done with an inspired support base. And in the UK, ask yourself how the BNP are gaining ground without a massive financial injection?
We need to recognise, respect and appreciate our membership and our activists. Not only do they represent our only tool with which we can respond to the Tory millions, but more importantly they are the soul of the party.
So let’s be honest. An effective continual presence on the ground, regular engagement with the local media, but most importantly a narrative which enthuses our activists as well as our supporters, is more important then a billboard advert or a wraparound of the local free sheet.