Editor

May I take this opportunity to thank Harry Rogers, chair of Ceredigion Labour for his kind invitation to re-join Labour following resignation of my 40year membership last year.

Harry states that under Corbyn’s leadership membership of the party nationally and locally has significantly increased. A total of 1,100 local members were entitled to vote in the CLP nomination meeting, however just under 40 voted at that meeting and during the General Election campaign I witnessed far less than that knocking doors on behalf of Labour.

Harry said that 10.4 million people voted Labour on 12 December as if this is something to celebrate. I’m afraid that I cannot share that celebration as it was not enough for Labour to win the election. Increasing membership is all well and good if it contributes to winning an election, but it did not.

It takes more than membership to win an election. It needs effective organisation and communication.

During the election, the leadership and advisors did not deliver ab effective and coordinated campaign.

Corbyn and his Shadow Cabinet were sent here, there and everywhere sometimes with little or no background detail to the ever-growing list of giveaways and most importantly, how it was all going to be paid for.

The party also failed to stamp out the evil of anti-Semitism which unforgivably raised its ugly head under Corbyn’s Leadership.

So, until the national and local party has analysed and accepted the reasons for its defeat on 12 December and understands what it now needs to do in order to regain power, I’m afraid I will not re-join Labour.

I will however contribute to the membership of the Fabian Society and GMB trades union.

And as an affiliate I have voted for Lisa Nandy, then Keir Starmer for leader and Rosena Allin Khan, then Ian Murray for deputy leader. On 12 December the Conservatives achieved what they did in 1979 and attracted support from Labour voters. Labour must reverse this and attract support from Conservative voters as it did in 1997.

A continuation of so-called Corbynism will not achieve this difficult task.

Mark Rees Clos Sulien Cae Ceredig Llanbadarn Fawr Aberystwyth

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