It is time for a mature dialogue as to how the Labour Party moves forward. The Labour Party has a heavy responsibility to protect our communities, tackle the social injustices that hold people back and to build a cohesive society where all know they belong and see their futures together.
Through the culture the Prime Minister has set, the judgements he has made and some policies he has pursued, he has failed to instil confidence in his leadership, instead causing people to seek solutions outside of Labour at this election.
While the Prime Minister cannot continue, it would be wrong to launch into an immediate leadership challenge, before understanding the qualities needed to lead our Party. This cannot be about personal ambition, but the people best placed to bring our Party and the country together. This requires a full discussion with the trade unions and Labour membership, as well as all parts of the Parliamentary Labour Party, to ensure that those most capable of taking our Party forward with the support of the people of our country have the opportunity to do so, whether currently in Parliament or not, and how the membership is given real choice as to who leads them in this next chapter of Labour’s story.
The Labour Party is far too precious to allow it to be destroyed, as working people need a voice in Westminster which will serve their interests, take up their cause and deliver on their aspirations. It is why the Labour Party was created by the trade unions and it is why the Labour Party must urgently move forward with new leadership, a new vision and priorities, and a new culture which includes all communities in this next part of our nation’s story. It is these traditional values that have inspired our nation in the past, not least when our country has faced its greatest challenges, and must do so again, transforming the society we live in and ensuring that no one is left behind.
As we reflect on these devastating results, we must recognise the hard work of so many Labour councillors, mayors and members of the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments who paid a heavy price this week.
I further call for a review of the relationship between Government and Parliament. In recent times, governments have not respected the role of Parliament to provide the scrutiny necessary to prevent poor legislation. Through better pre-legislative scrutiny and collaborative processes, Parliament should have a greater role in legislation and policy, providing for more stable government and better outcomes.
A timetable must now be set for a process to ensure that we restore the purpose, policies and promise of our great labour movement under new leadership to unite the interests of all communities once again.