Rather than ranting on social media/shouting into the void about my frustrations with recent actions of the current Labour leadership – I was tipped over the edge by Starmer appealing to Tory Thatcher worshippers in the Telegraph – I’ve written to my local Labour MP Helen Hayes.

Thought I’d share it here, on a slower, longer, older form of social media – the blog.

It’s a sort of plea to offer some hope of actual, tangible progressive policy. I’ll be interested to see what kind of response I get.

Dear Helen

I write to you as a frustrated constituent and frequent Labour voter, seeking reassurance and some hope about what Labour might do in government. 

I find myself increasingly concerned about various recent pronouncements from the leadership of the party. 

I understand the need to tread carefully and not assume a victory in the next election. 

However, to my mind, when your leader pens articles in the Telegraph praising aspects of Margaret Thatcher’s legacy and talking of Brexit Voters having been let down, this seems, at the very least to take for granted, if not, to disregard the needs, thoughts and feelings of traditional Labour voters and those who did not want Brexit.

With a general election coming in the next 12 months, I would be very keen to see evidence and commitment to progressive policies that will make a positive difference to people’s daily lives. 

All I see is hasty backing-away, or watering down of inspiring, progressive policies, such as the formerly promised Green New Deal. 

I can’t see how constant, vague talk about promoting Growth alone will solve the UK’s biggest problems, let alone create a fairer, happier society. 

Where are the policies towards a fairer tax system – ensuring those with the most, give back a fairer share? 

Where are the policies on voting system reform?

Taking social care out of crisis?

Tackling housing. 

and of course a firm commitment to green policies and the need to face up to climate disaster – (I note Keir Starmer did spend longer at COP28 than Sunak, which shows some degree of potential improvement). 

These are just a few examples.

For me, simply presenting Labour as a competent alternative to the hateful,destructive and inept current Tory government, is not nearly enough.

The leadership, appears to be taking Labour voters for granted and seems to be keener on reassuring some mythic ‘average Tory voter/red-waller’, than they are on acting for and to the benefit of the progressive majority. 

Voters, especially, the non-Tory voting majority need hope, care, a sense of genuine change. 

I fear we are being offered more of the same – a status quo government, with red branding, that essentially does the same things as the current one, just more efficiently.

I hope I am wrong. Out of necessity I will vote Labour at the next election, but for me the current policy offering will not transform our society and politics in the ways that are so desperately needed. 

Best wishes

Matthew Gilbert,

Letter to Helen Hayes, MP.