'Instant gratification' campaigns can draw people into collective activism, agreed speakers at the Campaigning for Session debate at Democracy Day.

The Labour Party must reconnect with the public and party members by redefining expectations of membership and supporting local party autonomy on local and national issues, suggested speakers in the 'Campaigning for Change' debate at the Fabian's 'Democracy Day'.

Responding to declining collective activism and the rise of single-issue campaigns, Emily Thornberry MP, Stella Creasy from Involve, the Labour PPC for Cambridge Daniel Zeichner and author of the Fabian's 'Facing Out' publication Jessica Studdert spoke on how the Labour Party needs to change to revive interest in collective activism, party participation and progressive politics.

Research conducted for the Fabians' 'Facing Out' publication highlights concerns for the future of the Labour movement, said Studdert. Single-issue and personal activism - epitomised by the Make Poverty History campaign and the rise of ethical shopping – indicates that people are interested in progressive politics but that Labour is failing to meet the demand. Labour must broaden party reform discussions to learn from the success of non-governmental organisations and provide alternative membership options, such as 'minimal' membership concerned with a single-issue.

Creasy, a former local councillor and mayor in East London argued that the party must value whatever contribution members make, however small. Social justice is achieved through collective action, which is only possible through the natural development and broadening of people's interests, she said.

Constituency parties should be encouraged to address local and national issues independently of the central party line, asserted Thornberry. She used the example of her Islington constituency – which opposed the Iraq war – to show participation can rise by making local parties relevant to the people they represent and receptive of local concerns. Creasy supported this, arguing that local opinion can inform where and why national policy might be ineffective.

The consultancy process needs to be expanded to provide people with a sense of embedded engagement, and feedback on what impact people's opinion has had is crucial. Feedback is important, agreed Zeichner, but people must understand that there are many different points of view and everyone must be prepared to compromise.

Zeichner praised the Fabian's Facing Out publication for recognising that government cannot always follow what the Labour Party suggests, but that the party and government need to trust each other more. Thornberry agreed, recognising the need to tackle members' feelings of being undervalued and patronised, and to place emphasis on the majority of issues upon which the Party agrees.

Moreover, Thornberry argued that frequent and effective engagement through consultancy, including working with constituents to draft bills for Parliament gives the party credibility, it means re-election and it means a rise in collective action.

Event report by Oliver Lewis