We need a leader with strong and clear values, who can give the country the vision voters are crying out for and put the case for Labour at the next election with real vigour.
Values: most of us instinctively know what Labour values are, but we need a new leader who can inspire the country about fairness, equality and social justice, and who lives and breathes those values. The expenses scandal has made voters cynical about politicians’ values and some Labour MPs paid the price. Our new leader must be both squeaky clean and inspiring.
Vision: values must also be turned into a vision for a better, fairer Britain. The vision must be tangible and make a real difference to people’s lives. The issues on the doorsteps where I campaigned were housing, jobs, local services and better prospects for young people. A new Labour leader must offer and deliver real change on all these fronts.
Vigour: one of the most depressing things during the recent election was the lacklustre national Labour campaign. It wasn’t until after the Rochdale incident that Gordon Brown came out fighting with one of the best speeches of his life, but by that point it was too late. We need a new leader with vitality who can invigorate the party membership and the country.
Who can give us these three Vs for victory?