Labour: Together with Pride
Strategy
In the final week of the campaign, the Labour Party will focus the vast majority of its resources on London, the North of England, and the West Midlands. This week is crucial to our efforts and Mr. Darling shall be campaigning nonstop in those three regions. Existing infrastructure in those key regions shall be doubled, with more details to follow this paragraph. On the doorstep, canvassers ought to query voters on the issue that matters most to them, then respond with a key list of Labour policy points. For example, if the respondent cites the NHS as their chief concern, highlight Labour’s manifesto on ‘Protecting the NHS’ and cite Labour’s commitment to invest $50 Billion in the NHS.
London is crucial in Labour’s final push. The last offices shall be opened in Brentforth and Isleworth, Eltham, and Bermondsey and Old Southwark. Similar to last week, all organizers and canvassers are instructed to hammer home Labour’s Brexit message, so much so as to quote Mr. Darling’s answer at the last debate. However, in constituencies like Eltham, canvassers are instructed to provide a more broad picture, emphasizing public investment and Labour’s economic message as well.
Throughout London, it is also crucial to talk about Labour’s support for infrastructure spending and the Crossrail initiative. However, do not mention Heathrow’s runway expansion unless the respondent asks for Labour’s position. Canvassers are also told to include Labour’s message on education and the NHS, and to quote the concrete goals found in the manifesto. Finally, Labour organizers and volunteers should harshly criticize the Conservative message on Brexit and David Cameron’s answer at the last debate.
In the North of England (both Northwest and Northeast), canvassers are asked to emphasize Labour’s economic message and, in particular, the ‘Rescuing Forgotten Communities’, part of the manifesto. Canvassers should say that Labour has a stalwart commitment to the North and that the other parties, most notably the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, have no plan to help these working class communities. Their proposals call for the enrichment of the wealthy in unfair trade deals and tax cuts for large corporations. Emphasize that the Liberal Democrats have paid lip service to public investment and to the working class in general.
In coastal towns, talk about ‘Blue New Deal’ initiative in the manifesto. Do not talk about the EU much, unless quizzed by respondents. Should respondents ask about Brexit, say that Labour supports remaining in the EU, but will not support the destruction of the working class at the hands of the wealthy. Emphasize Labour’s commitment to investing in communities hurt by trade and deindustrialization. Talk about efforts to reform the EU’s fishing agreements in coastal communities.
For the West Midlands, organizers should focus on the same talking points as in the North, with a special focus on the local economy, infrastructure, and investment. Emphasize Labour’s talking points on the NHS and education. Mr. Darling will personally assist on the doorstep in the first few days of the final week. Offices should be opened in Walsall North, Worcester, and Telford. Focus on the marginal constituencies and paint the Labour Party in an optimistic, hopeful light; in other words, in stark contrast with the Conservative Party.
As for the other regions, more attention shall be given to Yorkshire and the Humber, Wales, and Scotland. Within Yorkshire, it is important to emphasize the ‘Blue New Deal’ in places like Great Grimsby. A new office should be opened in Morley and the Outwood. Canvassers in Yorkshire should focus on Labour’s NHS and education plan, along with economic investment in the more distressed communities. Push against the current Conservative government’s economic plan.
In Wales, canvassers should attempt to collect the remaining Plaid Cymru vote if possible. In this region, it is especially important to talk about Labour’s plan for the environment and Mr. Darling’s answer on carbon neutrality in Britain. Organizers should also point to Labour’s message on economic investment and on ending Brexit uncertainty. Hammer the Conservative Party on their economic plan and on the environment.
Finally, Scotland should receive much the same campaigning as last turn. This time, volunteers ought to talk about Labour’s NHS plan and education as well. Emphasize that Labour wants the UK to stay in the EU. Go for SNP voters who are not in favor of Scottish Independence, but support more autonomy.
All in all, the message in the last week of the campaign should look like this: Talk about Labour’s agenda, emphasize hope and optimism in ending Brexit uncertainty, and hammer the Tories wherever possible. Where the Liberal Democrats threaten Labour, attack their economic message as lip service for the working class.
Schedule
September 5th
--Canvassing in Telford with Mr. Darling
--Canvassing in Walsall North with Mr. Darling
--Attend MP speech in Dudley North
Throughout his tour of the West Midlands, Mr. Darling will be working closely with local activists on the doorstep and behind the scenes to bolster Labour turnout. Striking a conciliatory tone, Mr. Darling will act as a unifying figure within the Party. At public events, he will hit back against the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Mr. Darling will attack the Liberal Democrats as having failed to explain how they will help working people. As for the Conservatives, Darling will attack David Cameron’s answer at the last debate on Brexit in detail and lament the Tories for creating so much uncertainty and anxiety for the people of Britain.
September 6th
--Take the train to the Northeast and meet travelers
--Canvassing in Darlington
--Canvassing in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Mr. Darling will oversee efforts in the Northeast of England, helping volunteers in key Labour marginals and promoting Labour’s economic agenda. Mr. Darling will attack the Liberal Democrats as failing to have a serious economic manifesto for the people of the Northeast and lacking any proposal to invest in distressed communities. Mr. Darling will explain Labour’s ‘Blue New Deal’ and community fund mentioned in the manifesto, in order to help voters understand their impact on the local economy.
September 6th
--Canvassing in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland with Mr. Darling
--Take the Train to the Northwest
--Speech on Labour’s Brexit message in Southport
In the Northwest, Mr. Darling will promote a similar message to that explained in the Northeast. Labour is the only party that can help people in the North earn a decent living and live a comfortable existence. Labour is the only party with a concrete plan to bring investment and economic security to Northern communities hurt by trade and the loss of industry.
September 7th
--Canvassing in Copeland
--Canvassing in Bolton West
--Meet with local Labour MPs and plan strategy
September 8th
--Take the Train to Wales
--Canvassing in Gower
--Canvassing in Arfon
In Wales, Mr. Darling will work hard to restore Labour’s legitimacy and attack the Liberal Democrats on the grounds that they lack a sufficiently strong plan on the environment. Darling will also hammer the Tories for creating Brexit uncertainty and for an economic plan that favors the wealthy.
September 9th
--Canvassing in Clwyd West with Mr. Darling
--Take the train to London
--Canvassing in Eltham with Mr. Darling
The last few days of the campaign are critical. Mr. Darling shall head to London and will finish the campaign with a message of hope for the people of London. Mr Darling will focus extensively on remaining in the EU, on education, and on the NHS. Mr. Darling will work closely with organizers to increase Labour turnout in marginal constituencies. On the last day of the campaign, Mr. Darling will thank volunteers from across the country via a video conference. He will also give a final speech with Mayor Sadiq Khan, calling for national unity and for the electorate to choose hope over fear. The last few hours of the campaign will be spent working with volunteers on the doorstep and preparing for the polls to close.
September 10th
--Speech on Remaining in the EU in Battersea
--Canvassing in Dagenham and Rainham
--Talk with voters in Putney
September 11th
--Hold celebratory breakfast with local volunteers
--Give final speech with Sadiq Khan
(Crossroads between Fear and Hope)
--Canvass in Greater London Area until polls close