Yvette’s clear vision for a Labour Britain is why I’m supporting her

It’s been six weeks since the realisation our dream of a Labour gain in Stevenage – and a Labour government for the country – had not come true.

The events of May 7th and the scale of our defeat left many of us reeling. And after the initial shock and sadness I, like thousands of others, turned my mind to the most vital question:  How can Labour turn this around and win in five years’ time?

Here in Stevenage, 16,336 people put their trust in Labour and supported our vision for the future of our country.

But thousands upon thousands of voters, not just here but in constituencies across the UK, did not.

Despite our tireless efforts on the campaign trail and on the doorstep, we failed to convince them Labour was the right choice for them, the right choice for the future and the right choice for our country.

We cannot afford to make the same mistakes again.  We must win in 2020, for the sake of all those who are facing the real impact of five more years of the Tories.

We must grow as a party, stand up and be proud of our Labour values and achievements and use these as a basis for our offer of hope for the future. And we must be ready to take on David Cameron at every turn, standing up for those who, like us all, want the best for their families and those who will bear the brunt of the cuts to come.

In a few weeks’ time, we will elect our next Labour Party leader, the person we believe can take on this huge task and become the next Labour Prime Minister in 2020.

Yvette Cooper is the obvious choice. An experienced Commons performer, champion of equality and an MP since 1997, she was right to say our offer to the electorate in 2015 was too narrow.  She recognises that we must reach out to every corner of the country and show voters from all walks of life – young people, working parents, business owners – that Labour will stand up for them, recognise their aspirations and build a Britain that helps them achieve them.

When she visited me in Stevenage before the election, she spoke to our constituents about Labour’s plans on policing, on immigration, on the NHS.

But more than that, she listened and answered their questions carefully and considerately. She talked with them about how we make our economy work for everyone, about anti-social behaviour, about local care of the elderly, about the future of our businesses and town centres and jobs for young people.

Yvette is the only candidate with the right experience, strength, knowledge and compassion to lead our party.  She also has a clear vision for a Labour Britain, a Britain where everyone can succeed, a Britain we all want to live in and which Labour can deliver in 2020 with her as our leader.

Sharon Taylor was the Labour PPC for Stevenage and is Stevenage Council leader