Labour Leadership and Deputy Leadership

A few weeks ago I wrote to party members to ask their views on the leadership. The response was very divided with all candidates winning some support but no strong preference for any single candidate, and most were uncertain who to vote for. I have also spoken to many who were unsure which candidate was the right person for the big job of leading us back into government. I too have been thinking hard about my choice.

I did not back any of the candidates before the close of MP nominations. I have spoken to the candidates and as the debate has developed I am clear that Yvette Cooper is the right choice.

I believe she has the experience to hit the ground running as Leader of the Opposition, a strong track record in holding the Government to account and, crucially, could lead our Party back into Government.

I remember the dark days of the last Tory Government in the 1990s. I was a lead councillor responsible for housing and social services and had to deal with the cuts and lack of investment of that era. I remember the many residents whose homes needed major repairs.

I also remember that in our own party there were those who were more interested in debating the ideological purity of a policy than on whether it improved people's lives. Windows were rotting in council properties, kitchens and bathrooms were dilapidated and each year we had to decide how to spread our shrinking budget to support people in need of social services or child support. We could do nothing to tackle these issues from opposition. It was only the election of a Labour Government in 1997 that saw the step change our constituents needed.

Yvette was a leading figure in introducing the decent homes scheme which has transformed council and housing association homes in our borough. As housing minister she also helped ensure that Haggerston West and Kingsland estates were developed to provide modern homes - replacing the 1920s unimproved council housing that was a legacy of Tory underinvestment.

I am absolutely clear that we need a leader of our party who can lead us back into Government. Unless we make the right choice for leader we will be condemning Hackney residents to the harsh attacks of a Tory Government for more than just the next five years. We can take no comfort from just opposing while making ourselves unelectable. To do so would be to let down the people who need a Labour Government most.

Of course we need to oppose - Yvette has shown how to do that effectively - but we also need to form a Government in waiting. This year we won 10 seats formerly held by Tories. We need 90 more to win in 2020, so now's the time to get serious about doing that.

I take it as read that our party and a Labour Government will work to support those who are most vulnerable with a safety net that helps in times of need, and a leg up to climb the ladder of opportunity. To do this we need to convince other voters that we will be careful stewards of their tax pounds and competent in Government.

We can't be drawn into the Tories' game playing and let them paint us as divided but while they are in power just opposing is not enough. I spent the last five years winning the moral argument, losing the vote and ultimately we lost the election and left Hackney to suffer.
Finally, surely it's time we showed that we are a party which can elect a woman to lead us? We have been at the forefront of promoting women and equality. Quite simply, it's time to practice what we preach.

For deputy I am supporting Ben Bradshaw. He is the only candidate who holds a seat in the south of England. We need to win Basingstoke to be in power in 2020 and Ben understands what we need to do to persuade those voters to back Labour. My second preference will be for Caroline Flint who is a strong campaigner. Both would be honest brokers and understand the party, campaigning and can listen to members.