Momentum’s mass mobilisation is helping to keep Middlesbrough red

Momentum activists have targeted Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, a marginal Labour held seat formerly held by the retiring Tom Blenkinsop. The seat, despite its ‘heartlands’ location was held by Labour with a majority of 2268 in 2015 and consequently will be fought for vigorously by Labour and the Tories.

Tom’s replacement is Middlesbrough Councillor Tracy Harvey, a superb local candidate with a track record for standing up for working people in the area. Despite the strength of the Leave vote locally, Harvey has been effective at rallying local support behind a vision of strong, effective public services and a much fairer economy which puts working people first.

Thanks to the mass mobilisation of Momentum and our members and supporters, we made over a 1,000 contacts on the doorstep, putting forward a message of solidarity and optimism grounded in the popular common sense policies which form the basis of Labour’s manifesto. The surge in Labour Party membership has helped to build a strong local campaign in constituencies like ours.

A vision which includes a Living Wage at £10, a publicly-run NHS, public investment in the economy and mass building of social housing has resonated on the doorstep. There is a growing feeling that the Tory government is out of touch and that Labour understands the real needs of the people and the countless ways in which the economy is no longer delivering for the constituency. In an area where few people earn over £80k a year and public services have taken a beating, many voters are refreshed to see that the wealthy are being asked to pay a bit more.

It is becoming clearer by the day that many people in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland simply do not trust the Tories to deliver secure jobs, fair wages or decent public services. These concerns are transcending the division between Remain and Leave voters in the constituency, many of which haven’t had a pay rise for several years.

Canvassing in Easterside with Tracy, we came across Kate, a single mother who believes voting is unlikely to change her life and has never voted before. Yet after having a conversation with her about Labour’s commitments to bring in universal free school meals for 4-11 year olds, end privatisation of the NHS and to introduce free hospital parking Kate put up a vote Labour poster in her window.

Many who had not previously voted shared Kate’s scepticism but ultimately felt enthused about Labour’s vision, saying they would vote Labour on polling day and that they were enthusiastic about Jeremy Corbyn’s vision for the country. This was a recurring theme among many people who did not usually vote in elections.

To date, we have a near 70 per cent contact rate in the constituency and the data is coming back with a positive Labour response, so we now need to push it over the line with a huge Get Out The Labour Vote (GOTV) on the day.

We have another Momentum Big Campaign Weekend planned for the weekend before Election Day and will also be mobilising members and supporters to ‘Pledge Their Day’ on June 8 in order that to get out the Labour vote. The effect this could have on turnout is absolutely crucial and could well make the difference between a Labour government and a Tory government.

We cannot rest on our laurels though, as Momentum members and supporters we should all be inspired by the messages of hope from Jeremy Corbyn, so let’s carry on and get out and go door knocking! Speak to people! And bring Labour’s vision to them.

John Taylor is a member of Momentum’s NCG (national coordinating group)