“This Labour Party is bigger than any one of us” – Iain McNicol’s speech at Labour leadership announcement

Friends – Welcome

I know we’re all here for one reason, and one reason only.

I can tell you that the winner of the Labour Party Leadership contest 2015 is…

…going to be announced shortly by Jim Kennedy, the chair of Labour’s National Executive Committee.

Following the announcement the new leader and deputy leader will address this conference.

And in a few minutes we will hear from our fantastic candidate for London Mayor.

But first, as your General Secretary, there are some things I’d like to say.

This is an important moment in our party’s journey.

Hundreds of thousands of people who share our values have taken part in this election.

As we opened our election to supporters, I know there have been attempts to skew the outcome.

But it hasn’t worked.

We’ve weeded out those who have cynically tried to subvert our democracy.

We’ve run a free and fair election.

I want to thank the staff, volunteers and the candidates themselves who kept the show on the road, in hustings and community meetings, in every part of the country:

hundreds of events,

thousands of people,

tens of thousands of miles travelled –

and leading to one destination, one outcome – here today.

In the Leader we place our trust, and on their shoulders they carry the hopes of millions, in Britain, and beyond our borders.

It is not to be taken lightly, or without a due sense of responsibility.

You see, friends, this Labour Party is bigger than any one of us.

Our Leaders have come and gone down the decades.

Some, like Clem Attlee, have led for twenty years and taken us into glorious victories.

Others like John Smith have been taken all too soon, denied the chance to serve.

But each has strived and struggled and sacrificed for the party we love.

This party doesn’t belong to us, we merely hold it in temporary trust.

We inherit the Labour Party from men and women who built it brick by brick over the years.

People who created a mighty engine of change, embodying the best of British values –

respect,

fairness,

justice.

And, in turn, used it over generations to make

Britain fairer,

more civilised,

and more decent.

This is the inheritance. It is precious. And we should be proud of it.

Isn’t it remarkable that so many people have joined Labour.

I welcome them all.

I look forward to seeing them out on the doorsteps, alongside the members who’ve campaigned for years, or even decades.

The challenge we set ourselves today, is how we turn all this enthusiasm into practical campaigning for Labour?

We know what works: the Labour party being seen in communities day in day out, not just at election time, in touch with local concerns, campaigning and organising.

I want every supporter who voted in this election to do more than click a button and part with £3.00.

I want you to join our campaigns, create lively, visible Labour Parties in every community.

We know from the election in May how vital activism is.

The disappointment of defeat weighs heavy in all our hearts.

But one thing I know, from my tour of dozens of key seats over many months, is that our ground campaign was exceptional.

But,

If Labour doesn’t speak to people’s concerns, doesn’t address their hopes, their fears, their aspirations – then leaflets and phone calls make little difference.

Let me just say a few words about our interim leader

Harriet Harman, in her last few minutes in the job.

She’s stepped up magnificently after the general election, just as she did in 2010.

She stands down after eight years’ service as Labour’s deputy leader.

She is tireless in pursuit of Labour’s values, determined to fight for the causes she believes in we all owe her a huge debt of gratitude.

When she was elected in a by-election in 1982 just a tiny handful of MPs were women.

Today, over 40% of Labour MPs are women, more than the Tories, more than the SNP, and more than the Liberal Democrats.

Thanks to Harriet so much has changed and for the better.

I know she will remain at the heart of the Labour Party for many years to come

Harriet, thank you.

And Finally,

One of the biggest tests for Labour next year is here in London, when we elect a new Mayor.

This great city deserves someone running things who is the embodiment of London’s energy, diversity and buzz.

Someone every one of us will be proud to campaign for:

Someone who will be a fantastic Mayor for London.

That person is of course Sadiq Khan.