Connected with communities again

I joined the Labour Party because, growing up in the North under Thatcher, I was angry at the wasted potential I saw around me. I’m Labour through and through, and I will always fight for our party, our movement and our values. These values – of greater equality, the importance of collective action and internationalism – have stayed with me throughout my Labour career. As a backbench MP, as a shadow minister, and then as Leader of the House of Commons, I have always been driven by my commitment to tackle economic and social inequality.

These are values shared by the Fabian Society, which is why I am a longstanding member. At this year’s conference, I was proud to speak at the Fabian Society reception about how we can work together to realise a more equal and tolerant future, as well as about the role I want to play as deputy leader in making this happen.

As one of the Labour Party’s founding partners, the Fabian Society has long been ahead of the curve in influencing policy. Its advocacy for a National Health Service following the second world war, and for the introduction of a minimum wage at the turn of the twentieth century, are just two examples. Throughout its history, the society’s crucial role in stimulating public debate and asking the challenging questions of the day has continued. And as deputy leader, I want to work closely with you to make sure your influence remains just as strong as our party grapples with the big issues of tomorrow.

This is the role I will play as deputy leader. I would be a strong, independent voice for progressive change, linking the heart of our party – our members, unions, elected representatives, socialist societies and the communities we all live in – with the head of our party in government. This moment is too important for our movement, and our country, to settle for anything less. Because it is when we listen, and when we reflect the views and experiences of our broad movement, that our values shine through and we make better decisions.

There must be space for comradely debate and discussion across our party. This is not about dissent, but rather a conversation about how we can be better. And it is certainly not a sign of weakness, but rather a strength. This is what I will bring as a full-time deputy leader, putting members and our socialist societies at the heart of what we do. As Leader of the House, I was the shop steward for the backbenches; now I want to be a voice for our movement. I can focus on this because I won’t be in the cabinet. Instead, I will be in every constituency, every council and every fringe meeting, free from government constraints.

We must strengthen our grassroots campaigning capacity, build our networks back up and make sure our members, who often have vital on-the-ground experience, are able to contribute to policymaking and decisions. I know that many members of the Fabian Society already bring this critical experience and knowledge.

At the moment, there is a feeling of frustration in our party and the country. Politics is moving incredibly fast, and government is slow. The public aren’t hearing about the real change we’re making because of our missteps and misjudgements, and not enough is being done to draw our members, MPs and councillors in. A culture change is needed at the top of our party so we avoid groupthink, and stop making the same mistakes again. That’s how we succeed, and that’s where our strength as a broad church lies.

I have already shown this independent thinking over the course of the campaign. I called for the two-child benefit cap to be lifted, because we must give a greater sense of who we’re fighting for as a movement, and be clear that our objective is to lift children out of poverty. I have also been clear that we must learn from the failed attempt at welfare reform. This isn’t sniping from the sidelines, but having the difficult conversations that we need.

We all want, and need, this Labour government to succeed. Because as the prime minister set out at conference, we are now in the fight of our lives. We must seize back the megaphone and shout from the rooftops about all the good things we are doing. It cannot be a case of one good speech and then a return to business as usual. The leadership must now follow through and set the agenda. From the employment rights bill, to the biggest uplift in investment to social and affordable housing in a generation, to the huge investment in clean energy, there is much to shout about and be proud of. We in the Labour Party have a different diagnosis of what has gone wrong in our country to rival political parties. And we have a different prognosis. We are fighting for greater equality, to give working people greater economic security and to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

I know only too well the fight that’s coming. My own seat in Manchester is half red wall, half urban. All over the country, we’re at risk of losing votes to both sides. We must tell a better story and offer a bold vision that unites us all.

People need to know what we are for, whose side we are on, and what we are actually doing. We must tell that powerful story every single day. With thousands of our elected representatives facing difficult elections next year, this task is now urgent. Equipping our entire movement for this fight will be my full-time job. I want all of us to feel proud, to feel hope, to feel valued, and to be up for it. Together let’s take on the fight of our lives and win.