I vividly remember the morning of 2 May, 1997. I swung my laughing nine-month old Lucy in the air and sang along with the TV to D:Ream’s ‘Things Can Only Get Better’. So full of excitement, so full of hope. I was 24, and the recent student days of my protest marches against Clause 28 melted away in that moment with my daughter. A country full of social justice and equality of opportunity awaited her now.
Fast forward 18 years to May, 2015. I still have a crush on Professor Brian Cox. Again I danced with joy to an election victory with my baby girl as she was announced as the youngest councillor in the UK for Labour. Proudest mum moment, bittersweet with the knowledge that the country I imagined for her when she came of age was a long way off. We looked at each other and knew there was a lot of work to be done, given the devastating results for Labour overall.
I needed to be part of that work, work to rebuild. I’m proud I’ve raised a politician that is committed enough to make a difference, but Lucy is a driven adult with her own choices and views. Some different to my own. It would be very wrong of me to claim any hand in her election, to say being her mum alone was ‘doing my bit’. She was the one postering her campus at 2am on polling day, knocking on doors for six months, working tirelessly to sign up unregistered voters. My daughter’s commitment puts me to shame.
All I could manage for the election campaign was some telling on a polling station for a few hours in the evening with my red rosette, and a bit of social media. It’s a tough call in my constituency, with a 53 per cent share of the vote to the Conservatives. Ukip got more share of the vote than the Labour party here.
Which meant my help was needed all the more.
So, what was my excuse? The usual. Time, mainly, I kept telling myself. I am a single mum. I am launching a start-up business. I have just been through a divorce. I am charity trustee. I have washing to do and all that jazz. Busy busy. Maybe if I had checked Facebook less and stuck a few more leaflets through some doors, we might have beaten Ukip? Could have, would have, should have – who knows?
Inspired by my daughter and guilt at the devastating result, I decided to get more involved in my local party.
Confession: I had only been to one or two meetings at the CLP in the past. A great bunch of people, but just the odd one or two made me feel a little uncomfortable with their open hostility towards past and present parliamentarians at ‘my end’ of the party. The ‘right’ of the party, the centre ground, New Labour, the Blairites. The word ‘Blair’ was whispered by some in the same way Voldemort is talked of in my Harry Potter books – ‘he who should not be named’. Uncharacteristically for me, I kept quiet.
After the election, these ‘divisions’ in the broad church of the Labour party seemed to become more overt. Discussions on social media became ugly. I would not dream of personally attacking or name calling anyone at the ‘other end’ of the party to me – I am even uncomfortable writing ‘other end’. The views of Corbyn supporters are just as valid as mine.
And then came the insults. What was I? A virus. Heartless. Selfish. I was told I shouldn’t be in the Labour party and ‘should leave and join the Tories’. I was branded betrayer of socialism and left wing values. Despite my newly found enthusiasm to help, I felt ostracised, unwelcome, both nationally and locally. Not by all, but by a vocal minority.
Because of the volume and frequency, I considered their insults. Do I fit? Are they right – perhaps they were? Perhaps I should leave the party? I’m not a socialist in the pure sense of the word, after all.
I’m pro-business. Pro-equality of opportunity. I am also committed to social justice, a strong community, reward for hard work, rights matched by responsibilities. But do you know what? These are Labour values. They have been mine since my teens. I do not belong anywhere else. I belong here, in my party. A 60 per cent mandate for Corbyn does not give anyone the right to tell me I’m a ‘heartless virus’ that ‘doesn’t belong’ and needs to be ‘eradicated’. My own daughter might gently jibe me with jokes, but she doesn’t mean it and sees the value of a broad Labour spectrum.
That’s why I joined Progress. To set my stall out. To do my bit, unashamedly Labour. To feel I can fight Labour’s corner alongside others that share my politics and views on how we might win power back and actually deliver social justice that is so needed, rather than being a party of protest. To help win over the average voter in Nuneaton. To not feel I have to keep quiet about my politics in my own party. Joining Progress, I no longer feel like I am a pariah.
This is not about divisions. I don’t want ‘us vs them’. I now feel accepted and empowered to do my bit for the Labour party. It is both my party and the party of those who voted for Corbyn as leader.
Let’s all remember why we joined. Things can only get better. And one day, they will.
———————————
Michelle Beckett is a member of Progress
———————————
Join Progress
Join Progress, become a subscriber or donate to support our work. Find out more.
it seems quite strange to read this – were not the left of the Labour Party made to feel unwelcome, dinosaurs, loonies, fantasy politics, immature, unrealistic, etc etc
Yup. For the record I completely agree that name calling and division is unhelpful and unreasonable and certainly there are Corbyn supporters that have been guilty of this but PLEASE can all ‘wings’ of the party recognise that this problem seems endemic right across the board and call it out wherever they see it and not just the ‘other side’. Yes calling someone on the right of the party a virus or Tory or whatever is stupid and wrong, but then so is calling someone on the left of the party a militant, hard left, stupid, naive, etc etc. And constantly slagging off every one of their ideas on that wings websites (eg almost every article on here) is not particularly conducive to reasonable discussion either.
When I joined Progress in 1997, I did not really understand what it stood for. I thought it was an all-inclusive organisation – democratic, egalitarian, open, encouraging free speech and a forum for political debate. However I came to realise it was an exclusive club and a breeding ground for
Career Politicians. At the first Labour conference I attended in Brighton 1997, I was approached by various young people “networking.” Those I tried to engage in political debate had views that left me with the impression that they could be in any party. It was all about their careers.
I believe that people in my generation (The Grey Vote) were regarded with contempt by the Progress and Westminster Bubble people. Conversely, many ordinary voters (especially in the Public Sector) have nothing but contempt for the Career Politicians who swim in the Westminster Bubble. For years, I (and others) have been warning the Labour (Progress) elite that “ordinary
people” are sick to death of Career Politicians – their lack of depth/life experience, self-interest, spin, dishonesty, incompetence, smoke and mirrors, etc. Were these warnings ignored out of arrogance or a false sense of impregnability?
All the knocking of Corbyn by the Labour Right and, especially, Progress members, is rooted in fear. Their comfortable world as covert Tories is falling apart. Prior to the groundswell of Corbyn Mania, Progress’s influence on policy and Labour culture is suddenly under threat. Even its
membership is likely to decline. The Bright Young Things straight out of university may not now see it as a stepping stone or shoe horn for their political careers. Indeed, Progress membership might be seen as a handicap. One never knows, but they might opt for a career in the “REAL WORLD” outside of politics!
De-selection of Progress orientated (Blairite) MPs may be on the cards, as its ideology is deeply embedded in the Labour Party. Career Politicians grew up under the Thatcherite philosophy, so it is little wonder that they cannot envisage an alternative as part of their Socialisation. For
example, they worship the God of The Market. However, we in the Grey vote know that things CAN be different. Some might argue, to bring about REAL change, the New Labour strong influence may be a huge impediment to the “New Politics” the grassroots members (and much of the Public) desire.
Another factor may be to select mature candidates who have had a career outside of politics and graduated from the “University of Life.” Why should not “Special Advisers” be mature people with
experience of the area they are advising upon – instead of fresh graduates straight out of HE? To go further, ministers should head up ministry areas of which they have had practical experience (e.g. doctors for Health, teachers for Education). Too often naïve Career Politicians become ministers, ignorant of the specialist institution. There is a limit that one can “mug up” from a book. They are easy prey for persuasive lobbyists. New Labour was littered with costly failed policies (e.g. computer projects, SMART meters,). Gove, the arch careerist (not a teacher or lawyer), has done immense damage to Education and is hell bent on dismantling and destroying the Justice system. All this, based on his homespun, half-baked philosophies.
I am afraid Michelle’s complaints are what contemporary politics is all about. I do not like it as I have seen so many decent, nice people squeezed out of politics. It is one of my clichés that “one can be one of the most decent, genuine, honest person of the highest integrity but some ba****d
will hate you for it!”
It is important for The Labour Right to remain for balance of argument but it needs to be strong
enough to know what it feels like to be ostracised, marginalised, side-lined, treated with contempt, etc. It is not pleasant as many high profile Left activists know. It takes courage and commitment to one’s philosophy to survive. Corbyn offers a “new politics” and he carries the hopes of many within and outside of Labour. The Labour Right will not be forgiven for trying to destroy and plot against him. It will not be Corbyn responsible for splitting the party, but them.
Vic Parks [email protected]
Vic- am not a career politician, just a single mum in a northern town, from a working class family that’s been grateful to be supported by tax credits in hard times. There are many at the ‘right’ of the party that are just like me. Ordinary. I think that’s the point I was trying to make?
I really enjoyed reading your article Michelle. Very personal and heartfelt. It sounds like you have a lot to give to the party in these difficult times and I hope you get a chance to make a contribution.
@RoChMen
Absolutely, what Michelle must not forget is that she represents the many voters out there. Recently we have had JC on the lowest leadership ratings ever recorded post war. Last week we had Labour on only 29% of voting intentions a very long way behind the Tory government and now on the 27th Oct The Independent shows a poll which has the majority of voters believing Labour are not to be trusted and that JC’s Labour is in far worst position than before. This for an opposition party when the Tories are undoing our past landslide Labour governments’ support for poorer families which as the Indie ( 26th Oct) also showed definitely reduced poverty in the 2000s following 4 Tory Thatcherite governments.
Thank you, Roger!
Utterly fed up with Labour moderates being equated with “career politicians”. I’ve never done a day’s paid work in politics in my life. On the contrary: the effort and energy I have put into campaigning for Labour has been extremely detrimental to my non-political day job.
Nice to know that the new, kinder, gentler politics actually gives a toss…
Indeed!
Actually, the same applies to me! Indeed, I have spent considerable amounts of my money attending conferences, being completely self financing, and standing for elections, training, etc. for the last 20 years.
The career politicians are laughing at you, all the way to the bank, Many young people do lots of things – not necessarily out of ideology but in the hope that THEY might become part of the in-crowd and have a political career. Unpaid internships, for example, are a disgrace!
Many of us older people do things for nothing because we BELIEVE in trying to make a better society, the cause, etc. We do not expect “pats on the back”, although praise is a motivator. One of norms Thatcher/The Right bought about was: “What’s in it for me?” (self interest).
You can take this any way you like, but there is pleasure in giving pleasure. From feedback, I am a very good Ceroc/Modern Jive dancer/lead. My reward is when a woman says that she really enjoyed the dance.
Well, Michelle, we can all quote anecdaotal evidence to support our views. This is from someone who has been in the Labour/Co-op Parties for many years:
“I think Jeremy Corbyn is brilliant as Labour Party Leader. New hope and renewed enthusiasm which I had almost lost completely” and there are many in my age group who feel the same. Why do you not think that the huge groundswell of Labour membership voted for Jeremy?
Thanks Michelle. I’m in the same position (I’m not a career politician either Old Geezer ) and am in a state of some despair. Infuriatingly, I’ve been smeared as Tory too, even though I’ve door knocked and locally campaigned for my party,and have never voted for anyone else.
My wife is starting up her own business and I work in the finance industry so that naturally makes me suspect to the Corbynite left, but I have progressive values and care deeply about social justice, fairness and the plight of the poor. I also believe in aspiration, hard work and getting on. But who said these were Tory values?
Labour should be my home, but even as the Conservatives mount the most appallingly destructive attack on our redistributive Tax Credits system, I simply don’t recognise the party I joined. It’s a bloody tragedy really.
I haven’t left the party yet but, when I add it together – the utter delusion of a socialist ‘ground swell’, the
support ofweakness towards terrorist groups, the appointments of John McDonnell and FFS, Seumas Milne and Corbyn personally disarming the UK on the Today program – I don’t really see any other option.At least I know I’m not alone (sob).
Why is the Labour Party called as such, the clue is in the name! Blair turned the Labour Party into another Conservative party, to do that he could only do it by imposing autocratic rule, parachuting Blairite candidates into constituencies, ignoring conference decisions and members(the reason membership plummeted under Blair). But now the Labour Party is being returned to its members and the PLP and its leader should reflect and will reflect its membership. If you have a problem with this you and others like Liz Kendall and Simon Danczuk should join the Tories as you are becoming an embarrassment to Labour!
And people like you, Peter, are exactly the reason I wrote the article. I am Labour JUST AS MUCH as you. I am a local CLP ordinary MEMBER. There are many ordinary members with my views.
Hi Michelle and other sympathisers.
I do not know how long you have been in the Party and how active you are. I have been a lifetime supporter and active for 20 years, since taking early retirement as Senior Lecturer in Teacher Training. It has been an “education” in its own right. It is easy to “go with the herd” but it takes courage to go against it. I know this to my cost and I wrote about it “Co-ops and Mutuals: Armageddon or Watershed?” [Amazon. Google if interested]. It easy to join the happy clappy audience when some puffed up, young, arrogant, career politician with verbal diarrhea delivers a speech from a platform using well-rehearsed arguments to the converted. I am afraid that the Progress editorial uses people like you as some form of emotional blackmail. Although I have had many publications elsewhere, I have never had anything published by Progress. But then, I am my own man and not part of the Progress “in crowd.” Perhaps it is a form of ageism.
For me, and many of my generation, we did grow up in a somewhat caring society but Thatcher, her cronies and the Right Wing press changed it to one of a “ME” and self-interest/selfish society. When New Labour came to power, it was mainly due to dissatisfaction with Tories. In many ways, however, it continued on with the same agenda – Privatisation, PPPs, PFIs, etc. which are now crippling the NHS., the ever increasing gap between rich and poor, etc. [for me, an obscenity]. Was it not the founder and benefactor of Progress [Mandelson] a supporter of: “Greed is good?” Many “ordinary” voters say: “You are all the same” [no different in policies to Tories.]. This is why there is the so-called “socialist” backlash.
I am sure that Jeremey wants a Caring society, as I do, but one cannot change, overnight, conventional wisdom, ingrained norms and attitudes. With all due respect, you guys have grown up under Thatcherite attitudes and it is difficult for you to understand that there are alternatives. As fashion changes in cycles, so does politics. So-called Blairites were walking around conference this year with very glum faces as they know that their power and influence is on the wane AND THEIR CAREERS, OF COURSE!!! I do not condone it, but is understandable that some on the Left are being vindictive. For many years, the Left has been metaphorically spat upon, treated as lepers and insulted. It was an injustice since many were decent, genuine people not prepared to “buy into” the corporate greed tolerated by New Labour politicians [pun intended!]. As to the attitude “Corbyn is a disaster,” a week in politics is a long time. Five years to the next election is a lifetime. If we can get sensible policies, I am sure that the electorate will swing back to Labour, especially when Tories become the “Nasty Party” once again. You need to be part of that process, but putting your heads over the parapet takes courage!!!
Difficult to put our heads over the parapet when you and your pals decide it’s because we are trying to be career politicians using (shock horror) well-rehearsed arguments!
It looks like you’ve made your mind up about that. But convictions you disagree with can be sincerely held.
More importantly I don’t buy your analysis that the electorate will swing back when the Tories stay nasty.
I’m sorry to say that aside from the sheer cynicism and lack of ambition of such a position (how long will that take by the way? Another decade?) it basically mirrors the failed Milliband strategy of the last 5 years.
Unless we want to lose an entire generation to the destructive and regressive policies of a re-energised, right wing Tory party we need to be credible, competent and offer a attractive competing vision. Under our present leadership that just isn’t going to happen, however much you cross your fingers, touch wood or throw pennies into the well.
Well said.
Hi Oriental Imp
Thank you for your reasonable response and this is the way forward for the “New Politics.” Politics is about discussion. We might all hold the same aims (e.g. a better society) but we often depart on the ways to
achieve them. Being one of the “Old Geezers” we often have a great deal of experience to draw upon [although being old does not mean one is automatically experienced. Some have been nowhere and done nothing]. We see the mistakes of the past and wheels being re-invented. Very little is new. One comes up with a brilliant idea but somebody [ba***rd] had thought about it before (e.g. Socrates!). What one learns is that things are very complicated. There are no “magic bullets” or simple solutions (e.g. the Middle East). I despair at Man’s (emphasis on Man!) inhumanity to other humans. New Labour was littered with good intentions but failed to understand the “Law of unintended outcomes.” In the pursuit of their careers (making a name for oneself), they did not listen to criticism. It was a form of arrogance – people promoted beyond their years.
The reasons why Labour lost the elections are many (e.g. Miliband looking like a cartoon character from Wallace and Gromit), being too young, Image, although shallow, is so important e.g. Kinnock falling over on the Brighton beach, Foot – Worzel Gummidge.“ You are all the same” [often heard on the doorstep] AND the Tory rhetoric on Labour’s economic failure, etc, etc. The leadership ignored the Grey Vote [which votes] and concentrated on young voters, who do not vote!
PS I do not know why you have a fag hanging out of your mouth! What is the reason for the image it creates? Having seen my father and a very good friend die of cancer and the pain they suffered………
I use a photo of me in my dancing gear!
I have written other posts which express my views re Jaqui Smith, Kitty Ussher and previous posts which give insight into my criticism of New Labour, but I will not repeat them here. To be honest, I think very few people read this stuff [the comments]. If I was to ask any readers to press the agree/disagree buttons as a sort of survey, it might only be half a dozen at most!]. I only spent time on this recent sequence to try to help
Michelle et al. although I am currently in Malta visiting my son who is on
business. If in the UK, I would be out pleasing women on the dancefloor but there is no dancing over here (e.g. Ceroc) for my age group, other than discos where the art of dancing has been lost!! Dancing also helps keep one’s sanity!
Politics is a dirty business. Although I have met some decent, genuine, nice people, there are many arseholes who are nice to your face but stabbing you in the back. One never knows ones enemies! Machiavellianism rules OK?
Only just seen this OGG. Hope you enjoyed dancing in Malta. In fact I hope you’re still there, gracefully pirouetting in Valletta.
On the cig thing, the photo is not me, I don’t smoke (anymore). It’s Jean-Paul Belmondo, whom I resemble, smoking and reading in the bath, which I loved to do.
Now, with two young children and a mad cat it’s something I don’t have much time for, alas.
Hi Oriental Imp
Now back from Malta. No Modern Jive or even ballroom dancing in Malta, but it was good to see my son who was there on business. Where we were staying, Paceville, it seems that most Brits go over there to get smashed.!!! (not my scene!!!). The disco bars were just for boozing and pickups. The art of dancing is lost by young people, these days! Shifting weight from one foot to another and raising a drinking arm, is hardly stylish!!! I spent most of my time riding a bicycle as it is the best way to see and get to know a place, culture, etc.
Ahhh, the kids and the Merchant Navy are the highlights of my life! Enjoy them (kids) while you can!!! Mine are all mature adults, now, but I still love them all. Are you a Single Parent Dad?
I can say all this because no-one is going to read it!!!
Ha ha! Luckily no. As my Wife just said, if I was how would I have time to comment on a blog in the evening. Maybe it was my self-pitying tone which was unintentional.
I adore my children – they are the best thing that has ever happened to me, but my, they are hard work. Particularly my 16 month old son who is a total nutcase!
Bonds are built in the early years! Soooo…. the nappy changing, bathing, kisses and cuddles are sooooo…. important! My kids(42,40,36 32) still kiss me, but I wish they would shave first!!!! Mind you, they are in the land of OZ – it crosses my mind that they could not get far enough away from me!!!!
Best wishes to a Great Dad?
Vic (OGR’E)
Why I won’t be joining Progress. Or Momentum. Or Compass.
As Chair of Michelle Beckett’s CLP (Harrogate and Knaresborough) the description of how she has been treated, in part, by the local party is concerning. Nothing excuses the attacks and insults she has endured and I sincerely wish they hadn’t happened. Sadly, the People’s Party attracts its fair share of inadequates and bullies. Social media can give them a safer place from which to launch their spasms of stupidity.
That said I’d hate to see members retreat into clusters of like-minded souls. For me, and I guess the vast majority of our near 400k members, I’m happy being a member of the Labour Party. Full stop. While my brand of socialism is not in the ascendancy at the moment I am content to remain on the great and wide plain of membership without the need for refuge with only those who think pretty much exactly like I do. Their purpose appears to be to comfort each other and from which to launch destabilising attacks on the other groups. That’s boring and destructive of our chances of winning any election.
Fact is Corbyn has been elected with a mandate that deserves respect and for the next two or three years at least, obedience. After that who knows what will happen but the essence and measure of success for any political leadership is ‘to win prizes’ and if he doesn’t do that then he will have to go. At the moment we are a bunch of losers – two General Elections and we have been expelled from Scotland. That situation can only be helped if we resist the temptation to retreat into cabals.
If Michelle and others feel a sense of deflation at having joined or become recently active in what they thought was an altruistic organisation because of the reception and general viciousness of others that is regrettable. They should try being a member of the Catholic Church as there are people there who really know how to put the knife in. Both are full of humans and you shouldn’t expect plaster saints round every corner.
Happy Easter
Kevin McNerney
Chair
Harrogate and Knaresborough LP CLP
So, what would be your “vision”? We lost two elections on Tory Lite policies.
Quite frankly, you are regurgitating the Right Wing anti-Left rhetoric. In my posts, I have been trying to explain WHY there has been so much grassroots dissatisfaction and why you feel the way you do. I have tried to avoid insults and name calling. I am an educationalist and I strongly believe in political education. Jeremy wants to make policy bottom up and you will have an opportunity to contribute. That is party democracy, I have run LPFs in the early days and currently offering an article in their support and how they ought to be run. Unfortunately, LPFs became discredited when the party officials took over and fed back what the intelligentsia wanted to hear. As Peter implies, a Control Freak Culture. As a party, we need to rethink our whole philosophy, For example, are members in favour of the rich getting richer and the poor poorer? Should health care be Privatised? Have the various Privatisations been in the interest of consumers? What do we mean by a “Caring Society?” How should we protect Nature? Is the massive, unfettered building on prime green field sites destroying farming and the environment for future generations? Is unilateral nuclear disarmament a realistic aim? etc, etc. If there is one thing Jeremy is offering politics is integrity and honesty. It is a difficult road when a leader.
I hear what you say about re-engaging with the members and agree that we need to rethink our policy positions and work out what the party is for. I also accept your views are sincerely held.
We can argue about policy, but I believe that you, and many Corbyn supporters, are almost certainly wrong about why Labour lost the last two elections. And because you are wrong about the problem you’re wrong about the answers.
We did not lose because we were Tory lite, nor that the country craved a socialist alternative to the Tories, because neither of those propositions are true.
We lost the last election in part because the leadership took your advice and decided to wait for the Tories to stay nasty (they did) and wait for the electorate to come back (they did not).
We also inexcusably failed to mention why ten years of Labour Government had transformed our country socially, culturally and economically, lifting millions of families out of poverty, fixing our national infrastructure, improving the lives of kids, the sick, the needy, the old.
And not withstanding a global recession, growing the economy by over 30% whilst doing it.
I think Corbyn and his type are ashamed of what Labour did. Perhaps you are too. Well I’m proud of it.
Unless or until we start shouting that from the rooftops we will become nothing more than a windy think-tank, worrying more about how hard life is for Jeremy than how great it would be to do something for the country again.
Again, I have never ever worked in politics, nor do I have an agenda. I have supported Labour all my life and am 43. Please realise moderates like me are not careerist politicians. It’s a lazy argument and doesn’t work.
Let’s bury this Career Politician criticism. I am not
suggesting that all young people or “moderates” are career politicians.
However, it is my view (and many others) that Career politicians lack life experience
and experience of the “Real World.” This is why they have made very bad
decisions over the years and brought the party to its knees. You may accuse me
of being cynical, but then, I have just cause. By writing and putting MY head
over the parapet, I warned of many disasters that came to pass but was ignored.
Dear Michelle and Peter, I voted for Jeremy Corbyn. I would never criticize either of you for being pro business and aspiration. I thought we were all on the same side, that is for social justice, for supporting poor people, equality of opportunity, a strong nhs, a strong education system and above all tolerance of difference.