We’re behind you Ed – don’t let us down

This week a reporter from The Guardian came to Liverpool on a fact-finding mission.

The Guardian reporter spent a few days here speaking to local residents and politicians, asking us what we thought of our leader, Ed Miliband.

The article, entitled, How Ed Miliband’s cuts policy is dividing Labour’s heartlands, was published yesterday.

It speaks for itself. I don’t think it shows Ed in any bad light, but it has some comments on how he could change his approach.

Many of you look at Liverpool and straight away think it’s staunch Labour. The reality is, we only won back control of the City Council in May 2010. In 2003, the council had 63 Lib Dem Councillors and Labour had 31. Now we have 63 Labour Councillors, and the Lib Dems have 20.

What I find when speaking to residents in my ward, is that they trust Joe Anderson, our Council Leader. Why? He is honest with people and they believe him. He has led the most consulted upon budget Liverpool has ever seen. Joe has not shied away from his responsibilities, and people can see that.

Following on from this example, I have faith in Ed Miliband. He is being honest with people. I remember back in September, when Labour Party Annual Conference came to Liverpool. I was on a panel at a fringe event and a question was raised about Tuition Fees and what my opinion was on Ed’s latest announcement (a drop to 6k).

I backed it. Why? Ed was being honest and realistic about the situation. He commits to lowering Tuition Fees to 6k per year, with a commitment to look at this at the General Election.

I believe we should abolish Tuition Fees all together, so why do I back Ed?

It’s because I believe him.

When I’m knocking on doors in Liverpool Wavertree – where Nick Clegg launched his General Election Campaign, where he promised students he would abolish tuition fees – I want to know that when I’m telling residents what we are offering, he will not go in to Government and do the opposite.

I do have a criticism of Ed, but it is also of the media. This message about not reversing all the coalition cuts is an important one. But he is not shouting loud enough that we do oppose what they are currently doing.

The unions role is to protect and defend their members, to the best of their ability. We should not criticise them (and me) for doing that. The Labour Party’s role is to lead the country, to the best of their ability, protecting the vulnerable and less well off, while doing so. Both roles should go hand in hand, but we will not agree on everything, and we shouldn’t shout and scream because of that.

So, Ed:

• Please shout more about opposing what the Coalition is currently doing

• Please go out in to communities, stop by a local library, stop by a community centre, have a cuppa with some pensioners, go and visit some Surestarts and speak to parents, go to Secondary Schools and speak to young people… listen to their concerns.

I’m behind you, and I’m with you on the ground, don’t let us down.

Jake Morrison is a Labour Councillor for Wavertree ward in Liverpool