NB a pdf version of this report is available here.

The committee met twice in 2024.  Although campaigning rightly took precedence, the long gap after the previous meeting in September 2023 did not allow members to discuss council elections, parliamentary candidates and campaign strategies as they developed.  Eventually we caught up on Zoom.

REC Meeting, 14 July 2024

Overall the mood was celebratory, and thanks were recorded to regional director Teddy Ryan, party staff, candidates, activists and everyone who contributed in any way.  In the 1997 landslide the south-east elected 22 Labour MPs and now there were 36, some in seats never previously held by Labour.  Victory had not been inevitable:  the party had worked to regain the trust of voters in handling the nation’s finances, and offering a competent and reliable alternative government.  Labour actually came close to winning even more seats, especially where Reform split the right-wing vote, with Havant missing out by just 92.

While the ruthless focus on battleground seats was accepted as necessary, members raised concerns.  Some twinning arrangements did not work geographically, with little public transport and three-hour road trips.  Cutting off access to Contact Creator and Organise caused resentment and failed to recognise that members are volunteers.  They cannot be made to travel and those with day jobs, caring responsibilities or mobility difficulties ended up doing nothing.  The “non-battleground” description was demotivating, and left the LibDems laughing at us.  Worse, some of these seats were in areas where Labour and the LibDems are in direct competition for county council elections in 2025, and we had not yet provided any opposition.  More carrots and fewer sticks could have maintained good relations without undermining the core strategy.

Better communication through the run-up period would also have been helpful, particularly with regard to selection of candidates.  Non-battleground seats were first advertised in September 2023, then readvertised in November 2023, with NEC-led panels allocating candidates in January 2024 and final confirmation as late as May 2024.  The reasons for delay – critical by-elections as the top priority for staff, and extra due diligence checks – would have been understood if explained.

Members reported widespread problems with Freepost mailings arriving after postal votes.  These were attributed to Royal Mail failing to deliver on their contracts.  However they praised the quality of digital and print media, and Labour’s Facebook and YouTube presence.

Back in May the local elections saw Labour gain control in Adur, Rushmoor and Milton Keynes.  However there were losses elsewhere, with some Oxford councillors resigning over the Middle East and avoidable delays in installing candidates.  Members asked for help in selecting 2025 county candidates as speedily as possible.  The regional office has now taken control of most interviews as well as appeals, and must be adequately resourced if these are to be completed in a timely fashion.  Formerly much of this was the responsibility of local government committees, and their current role was not entirely clear.

REC Meeting, 7 September 2024

This was the first time we’d met in person since our election nearly three years ago.  Teddy Ryan had been seconded internally and Fay Graham was acting regional director, later confirmed as permanent.  The meeting recorded thanks to general secretary David Evans, who was leaving after the election.  The NEC would appoint his successor soon.

Fay outlined the new staffing structure and the support being put in place for newly-elected MPs, especially the nine from non-battleground seats who won with no central backup.  Using their incumbency and continuing to campaign all year round would be critically important in holding on next time.

The 2025 county elections would be challenging, with many divisions up for election but relatively few targets.  In Kent and Buckinghamshire there were now more Labour MPs than councillors.  Fay hoped that most selections would complete by November, though again that depended on regional panelling interviews.  While the Tories continued to be the main opponents members asked for help in campaigning against the LibDems, especially where Labour gave them a free pass at the general election, as well as the Greens and also Reform.  Recent council by-elections found doorstep discontent over removing winter fuel payments from most pensioners including some on very low incomes, and a backlash over planning changes.  Even where the principles were defensible, communications were absent or inadequate.

The regional conference would take place in spring, with dates later confirmed as 1 / 2 March 2025, and Rosa Bolger, Dianne Hill and Martin Phillips were appointed to the conference arrangements committee.  Fay outlined regional arrangements for the national women’s conference and annual conference, and the committee agreed to write expressing concern at the lack of visitor spaces at the women’s conference.

Ann Black, Oxfordshire CLPs, October 2024, annblack50@btinternet.com / 07956-637958