Labour must do more to win - Meacher

Michael Meacher

Oldham MP Michael Meacher has that Labour must prove itself to be on the side of the public.

The Oldham West and Royton MP said the Tories have exposed themselves as the “nasty party” but Labour must rise to the challenge and win back the four million people who didn’t vote for it at the last three elections.

He said: “What is really missing is a Labour Party that is strong, self-confident, enthusiastic and convinced it is going to win. “Above all, the country is crying out for an alternative to endless austerity. So why isn’t Labour shouting that from the rooftops?”

The call came after a poll by Tory Lord Ashcroft revealed it is extremely unlikely the Conservatives will win an outright majority at the 2015 election. Over a third of voters who voted Conservative in 2010 wouldn’t again, the poll found.

Michael Meacher was today due to lead a Commons debate on welfare reform and poverty.

He said the debate was urgently needed and would show the “savagery and mindlessness” of the Tories’ continuing relentless assault on benefits.