Labour must mainstream the ‘Movement For Change’

By Michael Payne

Having spent the last few months supporting David Miliband’s campaign to be leader of the Labour Party I cannot say I was overjoyed with the final result, but it would be all to easy to be bitter and become tribal by criticising Ed. Instead Labour must build on the talents of those who missed out on the opportunity to lead our party. Now David Miliband has taken a step back from frontline politics I hope his leadership will drive forward the integration of community organising into the Labour Party.

Many associate modern day community organising with the early stages of Barack Obama’s career; in fact Obama himself often cited his experience as a community organiser as a key example of his credentials for being elected President of the United States of America. Ed Miliband would be wise to take heed of Obama’s advice that “change will come from a mobilized grass roots.” Ed has already expressed his tacit support for David Miliband’s ‘Movement for Change‘ initiative but the kind of support needed is the mainstreaming of community organizing into our party at all levels.

David’s leadership campaign resulted in the training of one thousand ‘future leaders’, all of which have begun to make a real difference in their local communities; working with churches, local councillors, societies and community groups to bring about positive change at a local level. From tackling anti-social behaviour problems on the Ladderswood estate in London, to helping residents challenge plans to turn off their street lighting by their local council in Norwich, David’s future leaders are helping others to help themselves and their neighbours.

If Labour is to connect with communities and demonstrate its ability to work as a movement to improve people’s lives it needs professional community organisers in every community. The Movement for Change builds community coalitions to tackle the everyday problems facing residents; it’s an initiative that focuses on action, negotiation and delivery and is an exemplary move away from the old politics, where approval of branch meeting minutes is viewed as action for change.

Ed and his new leadership team must not see the Movement for Change as a campaign gimmick or a nod to communitarianism – they must see it for what it is: an initiative that is already delivering positive results and one that will reconnect Labour with those who feel disenfranchised and disillusioned by policies like Iraq, ID cards and the introduction of tuition fees. If Labour are to regain lost ground in the local elections and build upon success in Scotland and Wales we must build a network of local leaders who understand local issues and are trusted by local residents. Labour must remember its roots and build an active movement; a movement that builds on the infrastructure already put in place by David Miliband and doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel.

Ed must ensure that the ‘new generation’ of Labour leadership is supportive of the ‘Movement for Change’ and doesn’t believe that change is simply brought about by changing policies or changing rhetoric.