News from Cornwall Labour

Lessons of general election defeat heard loud and clear from Cornwall

Jude Robinson, Chair of Cornwall Labour Party, intervened in the opening debate on the General Election yesterday to urge the party to raise its profile in the South West.

Jude said that the party had focussed too narrowly on the seats already held by Labour MPs and this allowed the idea to gain ground that Labour was not interested in the South West.

“Labour government delivered for Cornwall but that message was lost. People notice. It allows the media and other parties to portray Labour as irrelevant to huge numbers of people.”

Jude paid tribute to former Plymouth MP, Linda Gilroy, who lost her seat in 2010 as a rise in support for the Liberal Democrats allowed the Tory candidate to win, adding ’senior Labour figures hinting at tactical voting did not help’.

Speaking after the debate Jude said: “There has been a tendency in recent years for a top down campaigning style and this has to change. I was delighted that Ed Miliband listened to our concerns when he visited Cornwall in August and that the party is planning to give more support to local party campaigns.

“Labour is now the only alternative to Conservative government. Many Labour sympathisers have been voting Lib Dem in the South West and are angry that their MPs are supporting cuts that will hit us harder than other areas. To win those voters back we have to work hard and inspire people with our vision and values.”

Other news from Cornwall Labour

• Labour regains ground in the South West - 4 May 2012
• Cornwall Labour fury at Lib Dem "Pasty Tax" leaflet - 23 April 2012
• Labour reveals cost of NHS reorganisation in Devon and Cornwall - 17 April 2012