Primaries help make politics exciting: for some time I?ve backed calls for such a process in London. So I support Ed Miliband?s landmark announcement today that Labour will use a primary to pick our candidate for London Mayor in 2016. All Londoners of voting age who are either a Labour Party member or have registered as a supporter will have a say in who becomes Labour?s candidate.
When I joined the Labour Party in Tooting aged 15, I believed political parties were the best way to bring about change. I still do. However, over recent times, parties have come to be seen as too remote by the public. Voters have lost faith in the ability of elected representatives to solve the problems in their day-to-day lives.
Thus, while Londoners are worried, for instance, about the cost of living and the lack of affordable housing, too much of this currently translates into political apathy. Turnouts at elections remain low: fewer than four out of 10 London voters bothered to cast their ballot for Mayor in 2012. And only one in a hundred voters is a member of one of the three main political parties.
Ed Miliband is reshaping Labour. But restoring faith in politics means going further in involving members of the public in our decision-making. That is the logic behind giving a vote to registered supporters ? people who support our aims but haven?t yet joined our party, in the mayoral candidate selection process.
Labour is also working hard to ensure that the candidates we choose represent the communities they seek to serve. According to the 2011 census, London is the UK?s most ethnically diverse area ? one in three is born outside the UK, with more than 100 languages spoken.
London Labour Party members and trade union affiliates may be the most diverse of the three main political parties but their diversity is still limited compared with London?s population as a whole ? a population that will now have a say in selecting Labour?s London mayoral candidate. It is also a way of ensuring we don?t have either an ?inner? or an ?outer? London candidate but rather one who represents all of London.
Labour should not be afraid of including as many Londoners as possible in the selection process. In this way, Labour?s selection of its candidate for the 2016 contest will be the most open and inclusive in the party?s history. Truly one nation, just like London.
This is a chance to shape London?s destiny: any prospective Labour candidate needs to think from the outset what is best for London and appeals to Londoners. Primaries will not only maximise Londoners? participation in the process but also ensure we select the best candidate possible. It?s good for Labour and good for London. The world?s finest city deserves nothing less.
Sadiq Khan is shadow minister for London and MP for Tooting
drew peterson Argo bonnaroo robin roberts Ashley Morrison El Chapo Guzman Christmas Abbott
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.