We don’t need to wait until the next general election to act

By Glenis Willmott MEP

It’s only natural that the focus of this year’s annual conference is on our new leader. Ed’s election marks an important change for our party and it should be celebrated. But while the media focus their attention on gossip in the bars and corridors of the sprawling Manchester complex, the conference also gives us a chance to celebrate the many victories of Labour people everywhere.

Delegates have already heard inspiring examples from across the country. From CLPs bucking the national trend and winning seats that the Tories thought were their’s, through to important by-election and campaign successes.

Today I presented my report to conference on behalf of Labour’s MEPs. It shows that, despite losing our majority in Westminster, Labour can still push forward and win on its progressive agenda. Standing side-by-side with our sister parties we have defended the Working Time Directive, slamming the door on attempts to weaken it.

In January new rules on bankers’ bonuses will come into force. They will challenge the links between reward and excessive risk-taking that left our financial world so unbalanced. It is a concrete change that we were able to achieve under a Tory government – thanks to the efforts of a Labour MEP.

We’re winning these things even with David Cameron in Number 10 and a European Parliament with a right-wing majority.

Labour MEPs represent a route through which we can already bring forward progressive change. They will also be at the forefront of the defence of many of our working rights.

Every year at conference, delegates cheer as Labour’s achievements are flashed up on the big screen. Many of these measures have been won by Labour not just in Westminster but in Europe too. While the Conservatives would love to undo the many rights we have introduced, Labour and its sister parties have a chance to defend them.

I know that Ed Miliband really does understand how we can use our powers in Brussels to win for people in Britain.

So as he begins to renew the party and prepares the ground to take us back into government, we should remember that we don’t need to wait until the next general election to act.