Let's play the long game

I've just blogged for the first time about the forthcoming Labour leadership election at Labourhome. Thought you  might like to see it.

It's hard to imagine that it was 16 years this month that I ran for the leadership of the Labour Party.

Back then whilst the papers predicted there'd be quite a few runners and riders, it only came down to three people - myself, the acting leader Margaret Beckett and some young guy called Tony Blair.

It was the first leadership contest to be fought under ‘one member one vote' - a principle I was proud to fight for with John Smith.

Having that leadership election play out in public and in the media was not only healthy for the party but a brilliant platform to engage with those outside Labour. It also provided a fantastic springboard for the winner.

That's why we should see this forthcoming leadership election as a great opportunity to discuss where Labour went wrong, identify how we can re-group and rebuild and finally rally round our elected leader.

This is not a process that should be rushed. I'd like to see a wide range of candidates stand this time, to put their case at regional and group hustings across the country and yes, to take part in televised debates, as we did in 1994.

Whether we like them or not, televised debates will now be part and parcel of every General Election campaign and we need a candidate who not only has the substance and ideas but can convey them effectively to the public.

That's why the Parliamentary Labour Party has a duty to increase the field and diversity of choice by ensuring as many candidates as possible are given the opportunity to put their case to the members.

The feeling I get talking to activists is that whilst we do want to hear what the candidates have to say, we just as importantly want them to listen to us.

For example, I have always been unhappy about coalitions with other parties and would be very keen to hear where the candidates stand on this.

Both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama eventually emerged after coming through a lengthy leadership contest to beat the perceived favourite. They did so because they had the time to make their case, to talk to people and grow as candidates.

That's why I hope Labour's National Executive Committee decides this Tuesday to play the long game and allow the contest to run until party conference in September.

Abraham Lincoln once said ‘debate stirs the soul of democracy.'

So let this contest be the start of the rebirth of Labour as a campaigning force for good, as an organised and effective parliamentary opposition and as the Government in waiting.