Momentum activist on the Labour leadership: The election is over, but our campaign isn’t Marshajane Thompson is a Momentum National Committee Member and Head of Events for the Jeremy for Labour campaign During this […]

Marshajane Thompson is a Momentum National Committee Member and Head of Events for the Jeremy for Labour campaign

During this leadership election, we have increased our use of pioneering methods of technology and social media to spread our message directly to millions of people. This will help Labour equip and organise these people into a standing army, ready for future elections.

As Events Officer for the Jeremy for Labour Campaign, I saw first-hand the amazing enthusiasm for Jeremy’s message there is across the country, which surpassed even the response we saw last year. In 2015, our biggest rally was attended by 3,000 people. This year we held two events that were attended by over 10,000.

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Some have sneered at our use of rallies and public events, but they help give people the confidence to get involved in campaigning.

Saving Labour for the young

Momentum now has over 18,000 members, but in particular, we are bringing thousands of young people into political activity for the first time, just years after Labour’s standing amongst students and young people was at an all time low ebb following the disasters of Iraq and tuition fees.

We forced u-turns

Under Jeremy’s leadership, Labour has become a firmly anti-austerity party, and a party with a credible economic strategy based on investment, not cuts.

This approach has enabled us to force retreats and u-turns from on a number of issues, from tax credits to forced academisation of schools. We have begun to make gains electorally, including winning all by-elections and mayoral contests and beating the Tories in the May local elections.

We need to come together to popularise our alternative and take the fight to the Tories on grammar schools and the NHS. We need a radical, reforming government.

This article is part of a series we’re running on the future of the Labour party. If you enjoyed it, read more below:

Shadow minister Rebecca Long-Bailey on why the last few months have broken her heart

Readers’ views on what the Labour party should do next

Comedian Ahir Shah on the party splitting

Neil Coyle MP on unanswered messages to Jeremy Corbyn and Labour’s neglected website

Chris Bryant MP on why an elected shadow cabinet is essential

Professor John Denham: Radical Labour needs to engage with voters – and social media doesn’t count

Leader of Scottish Labour Kezia Dugdale: Workers can’t afford a divided party

Chuka Umunna MP on how Labour is so much more than a protest group