With the volunteer task force, we can take the opportunity to change how people relate to politics

By Vincenzo Rampulla

It is now almost a year ago since I found myself with other Labour activists in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, campaigning for Barack Obama. The memories of that campaign, with all its energy and engagement, still astound me. As Jessica Asato points out, the relentless focus on engaging with communities and the success in building support wherever possible was certainly unlike anything I had seen before.

The Labour party faces a very different political environment from that in the US; people have different expectations and the UK has a different political culture. The expenses row has exposed just how far some communities have slipped away from believing in political engagement and politicians. Of course, we cannot just replay the Obama campaign; but nor can we ignore its success.

As part of Progress’ Obama Roadshow I’ve visited a number of local Labour parties to talk about my experiences of that campaign. The response from CLPs to those lessons was mainly enthusiastic, but people are unsure where to start. We now need to help our CLPs to tap into this knowledge, so they can experience it working in their communities.

Already, there is a growing group of people working to bring about a step change in the way we engage. Labour’s National Volunteer Task Force has been launched as a vehicle for supporting those who want to try new ways of engaging with communities, build up broader and stronger supporter networks, and help ordinary members with drive and enthusiasm get involved in organising. The party is building the tools that will be needed: Membersnet is a clear example of a powerful tool waiting for people to unleash it’s potential; what we now need is people to take ownership and bring it all together.

Non of these concepts are big or flashy; they just engage with people and build support. I’ve recently been working with Sylvia Heal MP to help her bring together her constituents to meet and talk about what they actually want from our social care system. It is an issue that is relevant to everyone and important to those who use the current social care system. Slyvia and I put together a discussion event on Saturday morning last week and, with a little effort, over 30 people took the time out to discuss the issue and have their say. Those that weren’t able to come to the event were emailed an online survey to ensure they still had a way of making their views count. It was simple and only a small achievement, but one that can be built on. We can now talk to those people about other issues affecting their community; we can ask them to support local campaigns; and we can give people some options for how they can show their support for their local Labour MP and their Labour Government. The options are limitless and the opportunities are huge.

Given where we are in the electoral cycle, the National Volunteer Task Force has to be about helping channel people’s energy where it might make the difference between winning and losing. But it will also help CLPs share their experience and knowlegde of building a more powerful organisation.

The Task Force is open to everyone to get involved and take part. This isn’t a top down initiative, it’ll only work if we shape it and make it a success. Like the Obama campaign, those at the start knew that they faced an uphill struggle but trusted that if they reached out people would join them. This is our chance to do the same.