Transforming Labour

Since 1997 Labour has lost over half its members. Win, lose or draw it is becoming very clear that after the general election the Party will need to think about how it renews and transforms itself in the months and years ahead.

Building on our important work around renewing the Labour Party and following on from our 2007 publication Fit For Purpose by Jon Cruddas and John Harris we have launched a major initiative, Transforming Labour. Central to this ambitious new project we plan on publishing a blueprint for the Party's organisational renewal after the election later this year.

Crucially we know from all our work so far, in order for any plan for party renewal to be successful, it must come about through a process of involving, debating and consulting with the party's activists, members, supporters and other stakeholders.

To kick things off and to get your direct input we've devised a short 10 min questionnaire which we're encouraging Labour activists, members, supporters and stakeholders to take part in.

The answers you give will help inform a major publication we will be producing later in the year, and are essential in ensuring the Labour Party becomes more responsive and accountable to a growing membership and supporter base.

In addition to this, over the coming weeks and in the run up to the general election we'll be publishing a series of blogs, articles and short videos - some of which will be taken directly from the campaign trail as we make visits to constituencies right across the country - by doing so we will seek to document local best practices and find interesting ways that Labour could use to transform itself.

Finally, whilst we believe Transforming Labour is essential to the future of the centre-left and whilst the Party will always remain a significant part of a wider progressive majority in the country, we also acknowledge that a transformed Labour Party on its own is an insufficient vehicle for our politics. This is why at Compass we seek to work inclusively with a broader coalition of progressives both outside as well as inside the Party. But we do recognise that we need Labour to both capture and retain elected office. That is why the Party matters so much - but it has to become a very different organisation, one that has a clear sense of direction, is internally democratic, outwardly pluralistic and puts far more trust in its grassroots.

On this basis we hope you'll get involved in Transforming Labour, take part in the survey and join the debate.

For further information on this important project, or if you'd like a speaker to address a meeting on the theme of Transforming Labour please email Gavin.

Take part in the Transforming Labour survey
Download Fit For Purpose by Jon Cruddas & John Harris
Join the Labour Party