After the referendum: devolution needs to apply to the Labour Party too

Now that conference season is over we all know our principle priority. The next seven months have to see a concerted effort to promote our party and ensure the return of the largest number of Labour MPs as possible for a majority Labour Government. Like many council leaders I have seen the electorate take their revenge on the coalition government and most notably the Liberal Democrat junior partner. Now is the time to complete the job nationally.

I know that the 7,000 Labour councillors across the country will answer that call. I can take inspiration from the number of Labour councillors who worked so hard in the recent Scottish referendum. Councillors like Mohammed Saghir from Nottingham who take a car-full of colleagues from Nottingham and Bradford to campaign for the final weekend in Edinburgh and then returned for polling day. Dedication like that on the marginal seats that matter will also be seen next May.

If we are clear about our commitment to devolution in England as well as Scotland and Wales we also have to be equally clear that this needs to apply to the Labour Party too. Currently ALL our constituency representation on the NEC comes from London and nearby. It may be convenient in terms of attending NEC meetings but we shouldn’t kid ourselves that this reflects the views and interests of Labour members across the United Kingdom.

Our party has to become more representative of the many voices that speak for Labour at all levels. Many of us recognised that the Collins Review of Labour decision making last year – good as it was – is still unfinished business. Too often we conflate the views and interests of the Parliamentary Labour Party as being the only issue of concern for Labour Party staff and policy making. As we implement our devolution proposals in the next Parliament we need to ensure that political as well as economic power is distributed more equitably.

If we want to make a powerful statement to this effect then the abolition of a bloated and un-representative House of Lords should be a key priority. I don’t underestimate the powerful vested interests (and sadly some within our own party) that want to keep the existing status quo in Parliament   But as anyone who campaigned in Scotland knows too well the argument for separation was powerfully fuelled by a legitimate sense of grievance against a political elite in Westminster. We have to be seen to be willing to tackle this if we want to avoid complete disillusionment with a new Labour government.

As Leader of Labour local government I am well aware that we also have to put our own house in order. We have to tackle poor performance in our councils and ensure that we live up to the new powers and funding that will be devolved to our towns and city regions. We also need to bring on new talent as Labour councillors and work to make our leadership more representative of the communities that we serve.

The close result in Heywood and Middleton was a powerful reminder of how of how so many traditional working class communities have given up on Labour or voting all. I left school at 16 and I know that most of what I and my family have achieved is the result of Labour policies. Sadly that’s not how many of my neighbours view politics.

We had a narrow escape with the Scottish Referendum (and the SNP with an energised membership of 50,000 – 30,000 who have joined in the last two weeks- will be watching our every move). We have to remember that we are a movement- a force for progress. Gordon Brown got it right we when he said we are at our best when we are boldest. Let’s make sure we live up to that expectation not only for our politics but for how we run our party too.

Jim McMahon is Leader of Oldham and Leader of the LGA Labour Group. He also represents Labour Councillors on the NEC.