This was a truly inspiring event which left the audience wanting more at the end. The alternating of plenary sessions and breakout sessions together with a lunchtime opportunity for a bit of doorknocking or telephone canvassing worked well and allowed a wide range of issues to be covered.
This conference looked at the importance of campaigning in non-heartland seats for the 2014 European elections, the 2015 elections and for council areas where we have low and sometimes non-existent representation.
Richard Howitt, in his welcoming address, emphasised that, in the European elections, a vote in a weak Labour area was just as valuable as one in a Labour heartland.
Harriet Harman in the keynote speech talked of the need to be seen to govern the whole country and to listen to the voices of people from all areas. Even one Labour councillor on an authority can have a voice and represent those who are neglected by other parties. Liberal Democrat policies are not the same as ours. The fought the 2010 election to the left of us and are now very much to the right. We are about policies not personalities; we need to work with all to be the energy for change.
Keith Dibble, chair of the Third Place network, gave numerous examples of parliamentary and council seats that had been won from third place by strong campaigns. He gave examples of potential wins in 2015 including Bristol North-west, Leeds North-west and Watford, all three of which were represented at the conference. He talked about the party having seemed to die in many rural areas and running a campaign with three people and £20. A recent by-election in east Hampshire had taken us from three per cent to 10 per cent with the help of members from other Hampshire and Surrey constituencies.
Caroline Flint, shadow cabinet lead for the south-east, talked about how important it was that all voters should have an opportunity to vote Labour in local elections. This can be and should be achieved in our weaker areas, but will need a very early start if it is to be achieved. If PPCs are selected early they can be a great influence in maximising candidate numbers.
The first breakout session I attended, ‘How councillors can lead the way’, was led by Judith Blake, deputy leader of Leeds city council and Keith Dibble, who is also former leader of Rushmoor borough council Labour group. Key messages included. We won Leeds North-west from third place in 1997, the Liberal Democrats took it from third place in 2005, and we were on course to take it back from them (from third place) in 2015. We must be better than the Liberal Democrats at community politics. Rushmoor Labour councillors deliver a newsletter every eight weeks, and are seen by constituents as people who will fight for them. Local government votes exceed national votes in Labour wards.
The European breakout session, ‘Every vote counts’, was led by John Howath and Sandy Martin, European candidates for the south-east and eastern regions respectively. Key messages included: If we do badly in 2014 some will think we won’t matter in 2015; this also applies to the Tories. We need to speak on issues that matter to people, not just European issues. Of course Europe needs to change – it will change – institutions always change. The European Union was set up to avoid a third world war and succeeded. If Europe does break up we will be drawn in even we are not EU members at the time. Better a voice than no voice
The cnference ended with a lively Q&A session to shadow cabinet member Maria Eagle, Patrick Diamond of Policy Network, Farah Nazeer, European candidate in the south-east, and Watford PPC Mattthew Turmaine.
A good day for all.
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Howard Linsley is a member of Liss parish council in Hampshire
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Please read more about the campaign on the Third Place First pages