We need to inspire people – and we haven’t yet

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Over on Political Betting, Mike Smithson has suggested that the reason the polling for the general election was so inaccurate was a “shy Labour” phenomenon. In other words people were ashamed to admit they were Labour supporters.

I’m inclined to think that there’s something in that theory. It’s certainly more plausible than the idea that hundreds of thousands of people woke up on election day as Lib Dem supporters but changed their vote to Labour at the ballot box. I believe that the pencil can waver, just not that much.

If this is true then we’re in a similar position now to the one Tories were in through the nineties – people are embarrassed to admit that they’re Labour supporters. I don’t believe we’re hated or reviled in the same way that the Tories were – but I think a certain amount of soul searching is necessary if we’re to realise why people might be wary of openly admitting support for Labour.

Of course we should be pleased in many ways that despite this they still went out and voted for us, but surely this isn’t enough. We need to be inspiring the voter who has little interest in Westminster politics with ideas that will touch their own lives.

Good policies, good speeches and good rhetoric can cut through a media narrative, or change a debate. So far we’re not grabbing the attention of the public, and we’re certainly not changing the terms of any of the major political debates. In fact I’m not convinced that the leadership contest is really enthusing party members. I’ve heard it called “stifling”, “anaemic”, “tired” and “repetitive” by a variety of Labour supporters from all wings of the party and of all ages.

Now is a time to be inspirational – I’m just waiting to see who can step up and do it, because whoever is elected as leader could do with the head start of being able to enthuse the party, before they go out and try to enthuse the country.