Energy and determination: Why the leadership candidates should not ignore the south west

By Darren Jones

Labour activists have always had somewhat of a hard deal in the south west but we have a proud history in the region and the leadership candidates would leave us out at their peril. We may now be reduced to a handful of Westminster seats, but activism is strong throughout the region and we have vital representation in local government – our strongest being in Plymouth – as well as in the House of Commons.

I’ve learnt this first hand – from founding Plymouth Labour Students at the University of Plymouth, working with student comrades in Exeter and Bristol, to campaigning in local, national and European elections (and living) in Plymouth and Bristol to my time as the parliamentary candidate in Torridge and West Devon at the last election (where even in a strong Conservative seat we had active, campaigning members).

We have a strong history in Bristol, returning many high quality members to the House of Commons, election after election, as well as – I hope – a new Deputy Speaker in Dawn Primarolo. And we have equally strong ministerial histories with Ben Bradshaw in Exeter, Linda Gilroy and Alison Seabeck in Plymouth and, of course, not forgetting our strong campaigning history in Cornwall (where Jude Robinson organised and executed a fantastic campaign in Camborne and Redruth).

But one thing I have grown to appreciate throughout my experience at the grassroots level throughout the region is how alive the Labour membership – old and new – is. Every year I have the pleasure of seeing old faces whilst enjoying the opportunity to welcome new faces to our cause. What’s more, I’ve had the privilege to work with, and learn from, many high quality candidates – both in local and national elections – who will, I know, continue to work hard and form an exciting future for Labour in the south west.

We should not forget our other elements too, including the work of trade unions in the region, of the co-operative movement and indeed our European element, having had European representation for many years indeed with Glyn Ford. We also have a recent addition to the House of Lords, Lord Knight (Former MP for Dorset and minister for the South West). And, of course, there’s the fantastically hard working Labour party staff for the region.

Having been the PPC in Torridge & West Devon I know what the effects of long term neglect can bring but I equally recognise what attention, engagement and campaigning can do: that activity is vitally important to the region and to the labour movement.

At this time of reflection and re-organisation its vital that those seeking our support in their leadership bid come to the south west – to a sufficient number of locations – to bring that attention and engagement to the region so that we can play the vital part that we deserve in helping to shape the future of our movement and the future of our fight back towards government.