The Labour party needs to challenge the cynicism about politics to win new members, said Douglas Alexander at the Fabians' first fringe event Campaigning for Change. International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "We must be the bearer of a distinctive vision of the good society."

Speakers at this event included Douglas Alexander, Andy Burnham, Natascha Engel, Tim Horton.  

International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander told a packed fringe event at the Labour conference that parties needed a new way of engaging with members: "That is essential to challenge cynicism about politics, a sense of high ideals is vital to challenge low turnout."

Chief Secretary of the Treasury Andy Burnham said:"I worry about the rise of causes versus values. Young people…see the world through the prism of one cause."

Natascha Engel MP agreed with the need for the Labour Party to change: "We need to challenge a celebration of crap voluntarism – where professional is scorned and seen as too slick because we are volunteers and fighting for a cause."

There was a broad consensus among panellists that, whilst there was much to be learnt from them, parties should address the participation problem not by seeking to ape successful NGOs, but by articulating the distinctive and crucial role that parties must play.

Later Secretary of State, and Fabian chair, Ed Balls kicked off the Fabian fringe programme at Labour party conference when he joined the panel for Question Time on Sunday.