Peter Skinner is standing down after nearly 20 years of service as
Labour's MEP for the South East but there are ten fantastic Labour
candidates who all want to follow in Peter's footsteps.
by Alex Chalmers When the Labour Party loses an
election, as it did in 2010, it usually retreats into its shell. Instead of trying to re-engage with the public, refresh its image, and present a credible
alternative to the new government, it embraces a toxic mixture of complacency
and factionalism. Many in the party adopt the attitude that the electorate 'got
it wrong' and will not repeat the mistake, whilst others descend into divisive
battles about whether it is time to tack to the right or lurch to the left.
Either way, this results in Labour being perceived as the party of 'no change',
pursuing the same course as when the electorate rejected them, unrealistically
hoping that they can pick up where they left off five years ago.
The views expressed on this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Reading and District Labour party or the national Labour party.