The drive through to Stoke Rochford Hall is stunning. Its grandeur was a little intimidating but I found the hall buzzing with energy and enthusiasm – so many young Labour activists! In this glorious place, redolent of the past, we debated the future.
There were three themes to engage us at the Progress political weekend 2016: where we went wrong, where we go next, how we stay in the European Union.
There were great speeches from Vernon Coaker, Liz Kendall, Pat McFadden, Angela Smith, John Spellar, Wes Streeting, John Woodcock and Progress chair Alison McGovern. McGovern rallied spirits from the outset as she said: ‘This weekend is about ideas, optimism and hope’. And it was. There were valuable contributions from many other experienced political activists and much sharing of wisdom and experience.
Ben Shimson’s detailed analysis of the 2015 election by BritainThinks brought a cold shower of reality as he confirmed what we probably already knew. Where we went wrong: Ed Miliband did not connect with voters, our message was not heard, the emphasis was wrong, we did not counter our opponents’ lies. There are lessons for future elections, of course, not just in 2020 but in all the contested seats this May and beyond and for the EU referendum. Spencer Livermore suggested that we might want to understand the Tory campaign – he is right, we could learn from their tactics. But also we got it wrong in May 2015 and learning why, and how, should inform how we proceed now.
I was mesmerised by Roger Liddle who quoted widely from learned texts and I was transported back to university. I wish I had taken notes and look forward to reading his lesson for homework. But it was the contribution of former Progress chair John Woodcock that most struck home. Speaking off script and from the heart he made it abundantly clear what needs to be done. We are dependent on our progressive members of parliament to drive the process of change to make the Labour party electable again. Timing is crucial in determining where we go next.
Several speakers proposed the way forward. Angela Smith set us a 12 month deadline to agree broad policy positions and become ‘more outward-looking and positive’. Liz Kendall exhorted us to find ‘the courage to be radical, not for its own sake but because Britain needs a step change in thinking and action to face the future with confidence, not fear’. Pat McFadden reminded us that, ‘every time we have won it has been because we are seen as agents of national renewal, of the future not the past.’
I draw much hope from the younger generation whose joyful enthusiasm dominated political weekend late into the night. We must recruit the next generation of voters and that includes ensuring they are registered to vote. Today’s teens and twenties are keen to take part in shaping their own futures. Cameron and co have abandoned Generation Y – they should become Generation Yes to Labour and the EU. For them we must ensure the Labour IN campaign is successful.
Being of pensionable age, I have seen and been on political journeys before – including the last European referendum. Political life travels in cycles and Labour lost the map for last year. How soon we get back into power depends on the course we plot from here. The infectious spirit of our younger members will provide the energy we need.
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Viv Pointon is a member of Progress. She tweets @VPointon
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