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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/23/theresa-may-never-won-election-prime-minister-labour-never-does
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| May has never won an election as prime minister. We must ensure she never does May has never won an election as prime minister. We must ensure she never does | |
| (2 months later) | |
| As Labour gathers in Liverpool, we should reflect on the past year. We mourn the loss of Jo Cox, who was killed doing the job she loved, in the community she loved. Her loss reminds us that there are those, motivated by hate, who would tear down everything we hold dear. Jo will forever remind us that we have far more in common than that which divides us. | As Labour gathers in Liverpool, we should reflect on the past year. We mourn the loss of Jo Cox, who was killed doing the job she loved, in the community she loved. Her loss reminds us that there are those, motivated by hate, who would tear down everything we hold dear. Jo will forever remind us that we have far more in common than that which divides us. |
| Labour’s electoral performance was mixed. Devastating defeat in Scotland, and an overall loss of seats in the local elections. But triumph in London, in Bristol, and we still have a Labour first minister in Wales. We have a huge influx of new members, we are half a million-strong and the biggest party in Europe. | Labour’s electoral performance was mixed. Devastating defeat in Scotland, and an overall loss of seats in the local elections. But triumph in London, in Bristol, and we still have a Labour first minister in Wales. We have a huge influx of new members, we are half a million-strong and the biggest party in Europe. |
| Behind the scenes, we have spent the last few years sorting out our finances. In 2005 the Labour party had debts of £25m. We have paid back those who lent us money to fight previous elections. Our bank loan has been repaid, alongside all our mortgages. Labour is now debt-free, and in surplus. This gives us a huge strength in the electoral battles ahead. | Behind the scenes, we have spent the last few years sorting out our finances. In 2005 the Labour party had debts of £25m. We have paid back those who lent us money to fight previous elections. Our bank loan has been repaid, alongside all our mortgages. Labour is now debt-free, and in surplus. This gives us a huge strength in the electoral battles ahead. |
| We have been through our second leadership contest in two years. At the time of writing, the result is not known, but whether the new leader is Jeremy Corbyn or Owen Smith, they will have great challenges ahead. The Labour party has a long tradition of standing up for the many, and changing people’s lives for the better. With the country now in its seventh year under a Tory prime minster, our work and our purpose is felt greatly. | We have been through our second leadership contest in two years. At the time of writing, the result is not known, but whether the new leader is Jeremy Corbyn or Owen Smith, they will have great challenges ahead. The Labour party has a long tradition of standing up for the many, and changing people’s lives for the better. With the country now in its seventh year under a Tory prime minster, our work and our purpose is felt greatly. |
| There must be strong opposition in parliament. It is vital if we are to challenge the reintroduction of grammar schools, the unfair changes to political party funding that will break the link between Labour and the trade unions, or the Tories’ decision to ignore two million voters in their bid to gerrymander the parliamentary boundaries. Theresa May has a tiny majority in parliament, and a party split over Europe. Labour must be giving a voice to the many communities that need us across the country. | There must be strong opposition in parliament. It is vital if we are to challenge the reintroduction of grammar schools, the unfair changes to political party funding that will break the link between Labour and the trade unions, or the Tories’ decision to ignore two million voters in their bid to gerrymander the parliamentary boundaries. Theresa May has a tiny majority in parliament, and a party split over Europe. Labour must be giving a voice to the many communities that need us across the country. |
| The new leader must ensure that workers’ rights are not lost in Brexit. Leaving the EU is not an excuse for the Tories to tear up decades of accumulated rights and protections in the workplace. Labour must shape Brexit as much as the Tories. | The new leader must ensure that workers’ rights are not lost in Brexit. Leaving the EU is not an excuse for the Tories to tear up decades of accumulated rights and protections in the workplace. Labour must shape Brexit as much as the Tories. |
| The main challenge, though, is to bring the Labour party together. If we can harness our finances, engage and involve our membership and have a broad political offer, then we can achieve something great. At elections, we cannot choose our opponents, our press or our voters. We cannot run campaigns telling people why they’re wrong and we’re right. We cannot be divided when our mission is to unite the country. Or if we do, we shouldn’t be surprised when voters punish us at the polls. So we, as a party, need to learn the lessons and listen to what people have been telling us about their community, their nation and their sense of security. | The main challenge, though, is to bring the Labour party together. If we can harness our finances, engage and involve our membership and have a broad political offer, then we can achieve something great. At elections, we cannot choose our opponents, our press or our voters. We cannot run campaigns telling people why they’re wrong and we’re right. We cannot be divided when our mission is to unite the country. Or if we do, we shouldn’t be surprised when voters punish us at the polls. So we, as a party, need to learn the lessons and listen to what people have been telling us about their community, their nation and their sense of security. |
| There has been talk of olive branches and putting the band back together. All the money and all the members will amount to little if we can’t build a unified team to harness those resources. We must work together, under one banner, and defeat this Tory government. Theresa May has never won an election as prime minister. Our job is to make sure she never does. | There has been talk of olive branches and putting the band back together. All the money and all the members will amount to little if we can’t build a unified team to harness those resources. We must work together, under one banner, and defeat this Tory government. Theresa May has never won an election as prime minister. Our job is to make sure she never does. |