Why people join the Labour Party

I have joined the party twice. The first time I joined, I received a couple of things in the post and that was it. So I didn’t bother renewing my membership. When I rejoined in 2008, it was because at the time, I was looking for a way to get more involved in my local community and because of my interest in politics, I figured that the Labour Party might be a way to do that. This time I resolved to make an effort to get involved.

It was difficult; there were lots of barriers in the way. No one reached out to me until I had made an effort to turn up to a meeting (and trying to find out when and where that was, was difficult). When I went to my first meeting, I was asked to telephone canvass and consider standing for the council, both of which I found more than a little intimidating. In short, it’s something of a miracle that not only did I get more involved, but that my activity levels are where they are now.

That experience has led me to believe that the party needs to change its approach to membership and supporters. Recently we started a project in Battersea, Operation MTM (Meet the Members), to do exactly that.

Over the past couple of months, we have sat down with over 60 of our newest members who had never had any contact with the party prior to that (and we are continuing to make contact with more). We discovered that those who had attempted to make contact with the party had found it cold and unwelcoming. People had joined the party largely to vote in the leadership election (a rare chance to vote for the individual who might one day be Prime Minister), or because they were disillusioned Lib Dems or because they couldn’t quite believe that the Tories were actually in government.

None joined because they believed that they were socialists.

None joined because they believe in Labour party policies.

All wanted “to do something”.

Almost all expressed interest in learning more and maybe getting more involved.

All of those were waiting for an invitation.

They had paid hard earned cash to join an organisation that they didn’t fully know, understand or trust and quite legitimately said to themselves “Ok. Your move sunshine!”.

This post is part of a series produced by LabourList and Labour Values.