Welcome to the Progress rally 2014.
There’s no free food, there’s no free drink.
But we all know this is THE place to be on the Sunday night of conference.
First of all, let’s say a massive thank you to our director, Rob Philpot, who is moving on after giving Progress so much for so many years.
And let’s say congratulations to the new strategy board you elected last week. With people like this running the show we know we can do great things.
And you’ve also elected a new chair. Thank you.
And what is the first thing I do? I only go and say we’re dropping the New Labour tag.
Let me be absolutely clear – I’ve not gone soft. Progress has not gone soft.
What we stand for:
– hunger to change our country;
– determination to be rooted in the hopes and fears of the British people;
– to be a movement that faces outwards, not inwards on ourselves.
Those values were embodied by New Labour, but they predate it and they must outlive it. They must be eternal, not confined to an illustrious point in our history.
So let’s celebrate that the flame of 1997 – the flame that won us three elections on the bounce – let’s celebrate that that flame burns in every single person in this room.
But let’s also remember that the flame was not first lit in 1997 – it burned in 1945, in 1964, and, yes, in 1900 when Keir Hardie, that great Scot, formed the party that helped keep the United Kingdom together last week.
So while we’re at it let’s show our thanks to every single person involved in the ‘No’ campaign. That was the most important election we will ever be involved in. You did us proud. Thank you.
The torch of change has been passed from progressive generation to progressive generation through Labour’s history.
It must never be allowed to go out.
Because the day it is extinguished will be the day we turn our back on the millions who are desperate for the better deal only the Labour party will bring.
Now, there are some with loud voices and deep pockets that still get hot and bothered about Progress.
I mean, whatever gets them through the night I suppose.
But, let me say one thing: blood is thicker than water and we care too much about our Labour family ever, ever to walk away.
Progress didn’t sit on the fence in Scotland, nether did Usdaw, Community Union and the GMB.
That’s why we are going forwards proud to call ourselves Labour’s New Mainstream – reflecting the concerns and championing the hopes of grassroots party members up and down the country.
Keeping the Labour torch of change burning brighter than ever.
Because the world is moving so fast:
– new economies are rising;
– technology is exploding;
– new threats to our established ways of life are constantly emerging.
It creates uncertainty and turmoil that is hard for many, and it’s going to get harder.
But Labour will only succeed in our mission to make lives better when we harness that unstoppable change for good, rather than pretending we can make it go away.
This Tory-led government is a total shower. The goal is open wide.
So if we get this right, we won’t just win next year, we can lay the foundations for a Labour century in contrast to the Tory-dominated last 100 years.
If you want to know how, read the book.
So let’s show that we will do whatever it takes to win next year.
Let’s be at at the vanguard of helping Ed change our party and our culture so we are fit to deal with the change sweeping Britain.
Labour people saved the United Kingdom last week. Now let’s change the United Kingdom.
Let’s make 2015 the founding stone that will make the 21st century a Labour century.
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John Woodcock MP is chair of Progress. He tweets @JWoodcockMP