Our local candidates worked tirelessly, and they were the best of our movement, but we have to be honest about the results for Labour and what’s needed to turn things around.
We’ve achieved a lot; with over 50 Bills passed before the election on things that really do matter; workers rights, renters rights, community right to buy, and more, but it’s fair to say that just hasn’t cut through in its own right, and the programme of change hasn’t been bold enough.
All politics is personal and it’s local. Security, pride and dignity matters to all of us whether it’s our standing at work, maintaining a home for our family, and living in a place where we feel safe and can be proud of. When that’s threatened, as it has for millions of people for decades, trust in politics is weakened.
One real example is the issue of our high streets and banks leaving towns behind. The previous government restricted the number of banking hubs which then ruled out both Chadderton and Royton. Boldness and rooting ourselves in the reality facing communities would mean that we believe that every town should have access to a bank; for fair access to money, and to support local businesses. Without then high streets struggle even more. Yet the fight we had before continues today.
Likewise the rise of poor quality HMOs; again the previous government allowed a free for all and while some powers to control exist, the fact is it’s a gold rush for dodgy landlords who take often important buildings like former pubs, banks and shops, as well as family homes, and carve up every inch for profit above community interest.
I use those two examples not because they are politically the most grabbing; they don’t get discussed nearly enough, but because both are met with strong local views and frustration and both easily fixed by government with a will to meet people in their everyday lives.
The same is true of the cost of living crisis with eye watering rent now demanding over £1,000 a month for a modest house, or the energy bill goldrush, or the cost of the weekly shop.
As a party and a government we need to rise to that challenge; both the disconnection with working people and the struggles of everyday life mounting, and the scale of that challenge.
I have served for over two decades in elected politics and campaigned even longer to return Labour locally and nationally. It’s that commitment to return Labour candidates that requires honesty.
To see my appearance on The Granada Debate this week in full, head to 
https://www.itv.com/watch/news/watch-the-latest-granada-reports-from-monday-18th-may/sdvdqjt
Jim McMahon OBE MP 