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| Why Stoke-on-Trent is a microcosm of the battle for Labour's soul | Why Stoke-on-Trent is a microcosm of the battle for Labour's soul |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Andrew Buttress, one of tens of thousands of leftwingers to return to Labour last year, says he does not dislike his MP, Tristram Hunt, even though their backgrounds are very different – one is from a working-class Stoke background, the other is a baron’s son. “Our politics are completely divergent,” said Buttress, who is not the baron’s son. | |
| Nevertheless, Buttress, in tune with his fellow party members in Hunt’s seat of Stoke-on-Trent Central, said he was not seeking the deselection of the television presenter turned MP, dismissing such talk as “guff”. | |
| If David Cameron presses ahead with a plan to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600 in boundary changes in 2018, then the equation could change. Labour members acknowledge hard decisions would have to be made with the three Labour-held Stoke seats likely to be cut: three into two means at least one casualty. If neighbouring Newcastle-under-Lyme is part of the mix, it could be four MPs fighting it out for fewer seats. | If David Cameron presses ahead with a plan to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600 in boundary changes in 2018, then the equation could change. Labour members acknowledge hard decisions would have to be made with the three Labour-held Stoke seats likely to be cut: three into two means at least one casualty. If neighbouring Newcastle-under-Lyme is part of the mix, it could be four MPs fighting it out for fewer seats. |
| Related: Revealed: how Jeremy Corbyn has reshaped the Labour party | Related: Revealed: how Jeremy Corbyn has reshaped the Labour party |
| Given the shift to the left as a result of the influx of new Labour members last year, Hunt, who resigned from the shadow cabinet rather than serve under Jeremy Corbyn, would seem like an obvious target. But, after interviewing members in all four constituencies, it is not that straightforward. | Given the shift to the left as a result of the influx of new Labour members last year, Hunt, who resigned from the shadow cabinet rather than serve under Jeremy Corbyn, would seem like an obvious target. But, after interviewing members in all four constituencies, it is not that straightforward. |
| Gareth Snell, 30, worked for Hunt before leaving to join Unison and is a Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency member. “I have not seen anyone talking about deselection other than one or two with a grievance,” he said. But boundary changes would be different. “As what is likely to happen, the mathematics are brutal.” | Gareth Snell, 30, worked for Hunt before leaving to join Unison and is a Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency member. “I have not seen anyone talking about deselection other than one or two with a grievance,” he said. But boundary changes would be different. “As what is likely to happen, the mathematics are brutal.” |
| Although Corbyn has dismissed talk of forcing reselections, central to his ambition of remoulding Labour is changing the make-up of the parliamentary Labour party. In a series of interviews with constituency members in Staffordshire – part of a Guardian survey on the impact of Corbyn on Labour at grassroots level – one of the refrains is that the parliamentary Labour party long ago ceased to be representative of either party members or the public. | Although Corbyn has dismissed talk of forcing reselections, central to his ambition of remoulding Labour is changing the make-up of the parliamentary Labour party. In a series of interviews with constituency members in Staffordshire – part of a Guardian survey on the impact of Corbyn on Labour at grassroots level – one of the refrains is that the parliamentary Labour party long ago ceased to be representative of either party members or the public. |
| I would like to see an MP representing me who speaks with a Stoke accent and did not go to public school | I would like to see an MP representing me who speaks with a Stoke accent and did not go to public school |
| Buttress, 51, returned to Stoke after working as a university law lecturer in Barcelona. He says Hunt, though respected by members for raising Stoke’s profile nationally and for regularly turning up at constituency meetings to face down critics, is out of tune with the constituency party. “If I had been a member of the party when he was selected, I doubt I would have voted for him. He was parachuted in. But I have never considered deselecting him. We both broadly want the same thing.” | Buttress, 51, returned to Stoke after working as a university law lecturer in Barcelona. He says Hunt, though respected by members for raising Stoke’s profile nationally and for regularly turning up at constituency meetings to face down critics, is out of tune with the constituency party. “If I had been a member of the party when he was selected, I doubt I would have voted for him. He was parachuted in. But I have never considered deselecting him. We both broadly want the same thing.” |
| Having said that, Buttress added: “I would like to see an MP representing me who speaks with a Stoke accent and did not go to public school.” | Having said that, Buttress added: “I would like to see an MP representing me who speaks with a Stoke accent and did not go to public school.” |
| The grassroots revolt that put Corbyn into the leadership last year was never just about an individual. It was a reaction against the top-down approach that became common place during the Blair years, a feeling of being patronised and being taken from granted. | The grassroots revolt that put Corbyn into the leadership last year was never just about an individual. It was a reaction against the top-down approach that became common place during the Blair years, a feeling of being patronised and being taken from granted. |
| Rose Rosenau, a councillor and left-winger from Labour-held Stoke South, said: “The party has not been functioning. It is about grassroots members having their say. What voice have we had? Very little. We go to meetings and listen to the reports of MPs. We have the enthusiasm now. People can actively see we can make a difference.” | Rose Rosenau, a councillor and left-winger from Labour-held Stoke South, said: “The party has not been functioning. It is about grassroots members having their say. What voice have we had? Very little. We go to meetings and listen to the reports of MPs. We have the enthusiasm now. People can actively see we can make a difference.” |
| The Staffordshire constituencies offer a microcosm of what is happening elsewhere in England and Wales, and to a lesser extent in Scotland. Members report many of the branches had been moribund, in danger of folding. | The Staffordshire constituencies offer a microcosm of what is happening elsewhere in England and Wales, and to a lesser extent in Scotland. Members report many of the branches had been moribund, in danger of folding. |
| Against a background of deindustrialisation and the closure of the potteries that made the area’s name, Labour majorities have been steadily slashed – last year under pressure from Ukip – and the party’s hold on the council has gone. Reflecting apathy and disillusionment, Stoke Central last year recorded the lowest turn-out in the UK: party members insist it is the second lowest, though that is is not much of consolation. | Against a background of deindustrialisation and the closure of the potteries that made the area’s name, Labour majorities have been steadily slashed – last year under pressure from Ukip – and the party’s hold on the council has gone. Reflecting apathy and disillusionment, Stoke Central last year recorded the lowest turn-out in the UK: party members insist it is the second lowest, though that is is not much of consolation. |
| Like the rest of the UK, Labour has enjoyed an influx of new members in the Staffordshire constituencies. In Newcastle-under-Lyme, Chris Spence, 38, a party member and shopkeeper who sells Indian furniture, said membership in January last year had stood at around 210-220, out of whom about 40 were active. | Like the rest of the UK, Labour has enjoyed an influx of new members in the Staffordshire constituencies. In Newcastle-under-Lyme, Chris Spence, 38, a party member and shopkeeper who sells Indian furniture, said membership in January last year had stood at around 210-220, out of whom about 40 were active. |
| By September last year, the number of members had climbed to more than 550, he said, adding that over the last six months there has been an increase in political discussions too. The number of members involved in campaigning, such as leafleting, had risen from 10% to 25%, he said. | By September last year, the number of members had climbed to more than 550, he said, adding that over the last six months there has been an increase in political discussions too. The number of members involved in campaigning, such as leafleting, had risen from 10% to 25%, he said. |
| Related: Labour has ‘moral mission’ to tackle inequality, says Tristram Hunt | Related: Labour has ‘moral mission’ to tackle inequality, says Tristram Hunt |
| The trick for Labour now is not to let all that enthusiasm wither. “We have got to get away from rules to talk about policy. People do not want to come and listen to old dogs talking about rules and slates. It can be disillusioning,” said Steve Jones, 43, a healthcare worker, trade union liaison officer and Stoke Central member. | The trick for Labour now is not to let all that enthusiasm wither. “We have got to get away from rules to talk about policy. People do not want to come and listen to old dogs talking about rules and slates. It can be disillusioning,” said Steve Jones, 43, a healthcare worker, trade union liaison officer and Stoke Central member. |
| The kind of member Labour is looking to keep is 19-year-old Tilly Smith, who has two jobs, both as a shop assistant, and is going to university. She joined the party a month after Corbyn was elected leader in September and agrees with much of his agenda. “I think renationalisation is a good idea [and] not getting into a pointless war,” she said. | The kind of member Labour is looking to keep is 19-year-old Tilly Smith, who has two jobs, both as a shop assistant, and is going to university. She joined the party a month after Corbyn was elected leader in September and agrees with much of his agenda. “I think renationalisation is a good idea [and] not getting into a pointless war,” she said. |
| Reflecting what other members described as a widespread feeling – one that carries a warning for Labour MPs critical of him – she said: “I am a little disappointed at the minute that MPs are not trying to work with Corbyn.” She expressed concern that Labour is “in danger of squandering this chance”. | Reflecting what other members described as a widespread feeling – one that carries a warning for Labour MPs critical of him – she said: “I am a little disappointed at the minute that MPs are not trying to work with Corbyn.” She expressed concern that Labour is “in danger of squandering this chance”. |
| The group Momentum was set up last year to try to channel enthusiasm around the Corbyn campaign and includes people who are not Labour members. Its creation is still being greeted with suspicion by some in Labour, seeing it as parallel Corbynite group. | The group Momentum was set up last year to try to channel enthusiasm around the Corbyn campaign and includes people who are not Labour members. Its creation is still being greeted with suspicion by some in Labour, seeing it as parallel Corbynite group. |
| Smith was one of the early members, chairing Momentum’s Staffordshire group. She cited the Oldham byelection last month, in which Labour increased its share of the vote, as an example of where Momentum volunteers had helped with campaigning. | Smith was one of the early members, chairing Momentum’s Staffordshire group. She cited the Oldham byelection last month, in which Labour increased its share of the vote, as an example of where Momentum volunteers had helped with campaigning. |
| Some Labour members, from the left as well as the right, are uneasy about Momentum, arguing that only Labour members should be discussing policy. While left-wingers tend to be excited by the influx of new members into the party, others are more cautious, arguing that it remains an open question how much they will participate in meetings and campaigning. | Some Labour members, from the left as well as the right, are uneasy about Momentum, arguing that only Labour members should be discussing policy. While left-wingers tend to be excited by the influx of new members into the party, others are more cautious, arguing that it remains an open question how much they will participate in meetings and campaigning. |
| Alastair Watson, chair of the Stoke Central constituency party, is on the centre-left of the party and voted for Yvette Cooper in the leadership contest. She acknowledged there has been at least some change: “We definitely have more discussion in the party about the way forward. It is more discursive.” | Alastair Watson, chair of the Stoke Central constituency party, is on the centre-left of the party and voted for Yvette Cooper in the leadership contest. She acknowledged there has been at least some change: “We definitely have more discussion in the party about the way forward. It is more discursive.” |
| The constituency party had a discussion last month about the vote on extending bombing to Syria. Opposition to bombing was overwhelming. Although Hunt voted in the Commons for airstrikes, Watson and most others interviewed, including left-wingers, give him credit for turning up to meetings to face any criticism. “Tristram stands in front of the meetings and explains his decisions and answers members’ questions. He will front up to his decisions,” Watson said. | The constituency party had a discussion last month about the vote on extending bombing to Syria. Opposition to bombing was overwhelming. Although Hunt voted in the Commons for airstrikes, Watson and most others interviewed, including left-wingers, give him credit for turning up to meetings to face any criticism. “Tristram stands in front of the meetings and explains his decisions and answers members’ questions. He will front up to his decisions,” Watson said. |
| Hunt was selected unanimously as the Labour candidate for the 2015 general election by the 50 or so members. The question is whether Hunt and the other Staffordshire Labour MPs will be selected again before the next election or even earlier if there is a battle over seats following boundary changes. | Hunt was selected unanimously as the Labour candidate for the 2015 general election by the 50 or so members. The question is whether Hunt and the other Staffordshire Labour MPs will be selected again before the next election or even earlier if there is a battle over seats following boundary changes. |
| It is possible that none of them might be selected. Rob Flello, Labour MP for Stoke South, angered members by voting against same-sex marriage. There is a left-wing rival ready to run against Ruth Smeeth, Labour MP for Stoke North, according to one of the Stoke party members. If Newcastle-under-Lyme is included in the mix, Labour’s Paul Farrelly could also be vulnerable, having said after the Syria vote that Labour could not win a general election with Corbyn as leader. | It is possible that none of them might be selected. Rob Flello, Labour MP for Stoke South, angered members by voting against same-sex marriage. There is a left-wing rival ready to run against Ruth Smeeth, Labour MP for Stoke North, according to one of the Stoke party members. If Newcastle-under-Lyme is included in the mix, Labour’s Paul Farrelly could also be vulnerable, having said after the Syria vote that Labour could not win a general election with Corbyn as leader. |
| Rosenau, a councillor and Corbyn supporter, thinks Smeeth might be safe because she is a woman. “It would be between Tristram and Rob. The outcome will absolutely boil down to how they perform in the next 18 months. It is not cut-and-dried,” she said. | Rosenau, a councillor and Corbyn supporter, thinks Smeeth might be safe because she is a woman. “It would be between Tristram and Rob. The outcome will absolutely boil down to how they perform in the next 18 months. It is not cut-and-dried,” she said. |