Many congratulations to Sarah Edwards and Alistair Strathern who won spectacular by-election victories for Labour last night in Tamworth and Mid-Bedfordshire. They show that Labour can defeat Tory MPs even with big majorities: something that Labour will work hard to prove at the next election.
I campaigned several times in Tamworth and my polling day reflections are below:
The results show that people are fed up after nearly 14 years of Tory mis-rule and are willing to lend their vote to excellent Labour candidates.
While I was campaigning, I noticed that people were increasingly willing to listen to Labour’s message about rebuilding Britain, and a decade of renewal, built on the solid foundations of economic responsibility and growth.
But I noticed that many voters feel disillusionment with politics and have lost faith in the idea that politicians want to, or can improve things for them and wider society.
I don’t blame voters for feeling this, especially after so many years of the Conservatives under-investing in our public services, our councils, trashing the economy, damaging the UK’s reputation abroad, governing in such a chaotic way and placing vested interests above the interests of ordinary people.
But there’s a huge responsibility on Labour locally and naturally to rebuild trust and hope. If I am selected in Rugby, I will work hard to restore faith in politics as a force for good, both locally and nationally. As I’ve said here previously, I believe in the concept of government, and the moral responsibility of politicians to make the changes necessary to improve our economy, and our society for all.
Trust must be earned. Voters need to hear about credible, bold policies that can improve their lives, and then see them implemented in an effective way.
Our party’s mission-based approach points the way forward. Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves’ speeches were so powerful at Labour Conference because they sought to restore faith in politics as an endeavour that can and will strengthen our country, make it fairer and more prosperous.
Locally, if selected as Labour’s candidate, I will campaign on key areas where I as an MP can have a positive impact and demonstrate that “politics works for people”.
Rugby has so much potential, but its Tory politicians haven’t shown the leadership or vision to realise this potential.
It’s time to change this. I’m looking forward to setting out my priorities and my plans when I talk to members during this selection process.
