Lessons Labour must learn as the rebuilding process begins

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/may/10/lessons-labour-must-learn-rebuilding-process-begings

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A disastrous night for the country and, of course, for the Labour party (Cameron stuns Labour, 8 May) and there is immediate discussion of who should be the next party leader. As someone who has been heavily involved in the recent campaign in our local constituency, I plead with Harriet Harman and the leadership not to rush the process of appointment. Having been very active in the party for 20 years I resigned some time before the Iraq war because I thought that the leadership did not want to listen to and work with party members. I know of others like me who have returned to active political participation because we sensed not only the importance of the debates, but that, maybe, there is greater willingness to listen to members. Certainly, I got involved over the last two years – and rejoined the party – because we had a candidate who did want to listen, converse and work with us.

The Labour leadership risks the involvement of people like me if they rush this decision. In spite of massive endeavour, we failed to win back Morecambe and Lunesdale. We are in shock, desolate, and must have time to grieve and absorb what has happened. It is a mistake to rush to action. The September conference is the right time for the election of a new leader.Roger CloughEmeritus professor, Lancaster University

One significant fact not reported on in is that Labour increased their share of the vote by 3.6% in England

• The next election is five years away so, as Polly Toynbee says (Opinion, 8 May), let’s encourage Harriet Harman to do a lengthy stint as deputy leader so we can take our time in choosing a new champion. Use our activists to do yet more direct work in our communities, particularly those that have deserted us for Ukip, and let’s roll up our sleeves and take direct practical actions to lessen the worse effects of poverty and build social cohesion. Let’s give a non sectarian political edge to self-help schemes and community associations so that we build better understanding and social harmony. By doing this we create a climate where people will begin to trust us again.

Look for common ground with other progressive parties and be prepared to make local agreements so that we do not split the progressive vote under the first past the post system. The coming EU referendum provides a great opportunity to work and campaign widely.

Learn from our opponents, particularly the SNP who have rediscovered political engagement. Constantly challenge Cameron that his one-nation platitudes mean nothing unless they include working people and their families. Hold Cameron to account for zero-hours contracts, the bedroom tax and all his measures that leave people more vulnerable.

The election last week was eerily similar to 1992 and within five years we had destroyed the Tory government and won by a landslide. Like Major in those days, Cameron will now become a prisoner of the Tory right and we must ensure that we are positioned to take full advantage and usher in a new era of real social progress. Labour and proud!John BirdChair, Dover and Deal Labour party

• Polly Toynbee’s grasp on Labour history is somewhat tenuous. There was no six-month interim leadership after John Smith died on 12 May 1994, in the middle of the Euro election campaign. Margaret Beckett was acting leader for just two months – by 21 July Tony Blair was the new leader. When Blair stood down on 10 May 2007, Gordon Brown’s “coronation” took place on 24 June – elected unopposed after any credible contenders were persuaded not to stand (one Miliband, D, having been warned by Beckett that he would be a “human sacrifice” if he dared to do so).

The only recent instance of a long delay in electing a new leader was in 2010. The four-month period with Harriet Harman as deputy leader not only gave the trade unions time to mobilise votes for their favoured candidate, Ed Miliband, as leader - it also gave the coalition a free run in pinning the blame for the recession on Brown’s government, which Labour has never succeeded in shaking off, and which Toynbee identifies in her article as a major factor in our 2015 defeat.

I hope Labour elect a leader without delay, to get on with their job of being an effective opposition to all the challenges of the new Conservative government.Jacqueline RobinsonWhitley Bay, Tyne and Wear

• When trying to learn from the disastrous results for Labour at this election, surely a main issue is that of failing to learn from successful Labour results in the past, where aspiration was put forward as a key theme. For example, proposing the mansion tax was a terrible psychological mistake, regardless of its rational justification. It made Labour appear to be envious and unfair to the elderly who may have worked hard all their lives to keep their property. In addition, by constantly emphasising the need to help “working people”, Ed Miliband alienated many voters, who may have experienced this as patronising and placing them in a lowly position. Labour just came across as out of touch with the vast swaths of middle England who aspire to something better – like it or not, Tony Blair was brilliant at speaking for them.Dr Roger KennedyLondon

• One significant fact not reported on in this general election is that Labour increased their share of the vote by 3.6% in England. Why is this being ignored?Stuart RaymondTrowbridge, Wiltshire