The Labour Party has lessons to learn from Barack Obama's successes in America, said David Lammy MP in a speech for the Fabian Society.

In this lecture Lammy argued that motivating members, new ways of campaigning, a culture of open discussion and creating a buzz about what you can achieve are all ways forward for the party.

He spoke about a need to attract "new people into politics" and to "reinvent the way to do things". Lammy pointed at how Obama had opened up political activism in America. "Our rigid sense of membership is something we have to look at." He spoke of "real dialogue" and "less control".

"I believe it is possible to build movements around things that people feel passionate about today."

The lecture took place at 6pm on Monday 30th June 2008, in the Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House.

Full speech

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