I was really privileged to be invited to hear Sir Keir Starmer’s first big set-piece speech of the campaign. It was in Lancing, which may well elect a Labour MP on 4 July. It was a great speech, complete with bucolic imagery, anecdotes about Keir’s upbringing, strong on values, and clear on the first six steps that a Labour government will take.
I counted six Sussex Labour Parliamentary candidates: Tom Rutland, Tom Gray, Danny Sweeny, Becky Cooper, Dave Rowntree, and myself, as well as luminaries such as Bella Sankey leader of Brighton & Hove council, and loads of newly-elected councillors.
I’m old enough to remember the 1997 pledge card, when I stood as the Parliamentary candidate in Billericay, and back then we could repeat the five pledges in our sleep (still can!). This time, I am sure the six steps will become similarly ingrained into our consciousness. They are costed, measurable, sensible, radical, and hopefully popular. We’ll find out in five weeks.
