50 years hard labour

I was given my Labour Party long service award to recognise 50 years of membership, I was able to make a speech of thanks, and I have posted my notes below.

I’d like to thank Nick for organising this, and Vicky for presenting me with this wonderful framed certificate. There are others I should probably thank on my way to this auspicious anniversary, including a number of people who welcomed me to Lewisham Deptford.

I joined the party in 1974 before I went to university. I joined Labour Students, founded the Exeter University Labour Club, and served for a year on the NOLS national committee. I still remember some of the politics I learnt at the time and some of the people who helped form those thoughts some of whom are still members, but some who left and joined other parties, not of the left, but I joined a non-affiliated Union and became active in that. Years later, unlike many, I didn’t leave over Iraq.

I have been a member of ten CLPs, [depending on how you count], this is the first which has had a Labour MP.

Harold Wilson was leader and Prime Minister at the time, to be succeeded by Callaghan, Foot, Kinnock, Smith, Blair, Brown, Miliband, Corbyn and Starmer.

I am happy that we won the last election, but not with the actions and record of this Labour government.