Harman’s plan to open up hustings looks promising, but let’s make sure we get it right

Harriet Harman’s plan to open up hustings to non-members is very welcome, but if we are going to do this we must do it properly. We cannot rely on “party meetings where members bring non-members” – we should be looking at properly organised hustings events that bring together a cross-section of the British public to question our future leader.

The challenge Labour faces is not on one front – there are different reasons why we lost Scotland and didn’t win Nuneaton, why UKIP threatened our northern seats and the Greens split the vote in 15 constituencies. Labour needs a leader who can build a very difficult to manage coalition of voters – from metropolitan liberals to the working class grassroots and middle class swing voters.

Labour should hold regional hustings that are specifically for non-members, where people feel able to ask questions that make Labour members feel uncomfortable and no comfort zone, of any wing of the party, is left unchallenged.

Non-members in Bradford, Bangor and Brighton would present different questions and perhaps favour different candidates. Reaching out beyond a London base is important for a party where half of its membership is in the capital.

Labour should invite former and potential Labour voters who did not vote for us in 2015. It helps no-one to invite firm opponents, but building audiences that would not rule out voting Labour but who now lean towards UKIP, the Tories, the SNP and the Greens is essential. Crafting an authentic narrative to this diverse pool of voters is Labour’s mission for 2020; we need a leader who can start that journey now.

The regional hustings could culminate in a final event with an audience reflective of the age-range, geography and political leanings of all of the UK. It won’t be enough to do well in some parts of the country, Labour must speak to everyone, and the challenge of selling an immigration policy to a room including UKIP and Green sympathisers, and an economic narrative to Tory and SNP voters will be important.

Coping under pressure, authenticity and the ability to persuade, but also respectfully disagree with, some voters are things we need in a leader from day one. If filmed, as proposed, Labour can show that it’s engaging and changing, but the footage may also inform many of our votes.

There might be a magic pitch that can win over an entire audience – but more likely we would see what coalition of voters each candidate would appeal best to, helping us decide the direction of the party and choosing a leader because, or in spite, of their appeal to different parts of the electorate. It would be a baptism of fire for the candidates that we would be grateful for later.

Internal hustings and debate is critical, this should never be a substitute to that, but we cannot hope to win in 2020 if we only speak to ourselves. Our leadership race must epitomise an outward focus rooted in Labour values but open to the questions and scrutiny of those we need to convince. Let’s not guess why we lost, let’s ask why; let’s not imagine how we might win, let’s find out from voters. Let’s not botch this chance, let’s do it properly.

Harriet Harman’s proposals look promising but let’s get it right. We should not leave this to chance and hope non-members just turn up. Let’s actively work to get a cross-section of the UK along to these events; engaging with people and showing an open party that listens and gives answers – even when we acknowledge that we can’t please everyone. We have a great opportunity, so let’s do it properly.

James Hallwood is Former Chair of the Young Fabians