A recent article in the Times newspaper looked at the Labour strategy in the recent election.
Hidden from staff, this version was updated 15th Nov and leaked by a trade union (1/5)
It reveals that despite polls Labour targeted 60 seats and defended just 26
The list includes Tory seats with majorities of more than 5,000 like Stourbridge, Dover and Gloucester
Echoes Murphy’s claim that Labour would reject polling. “We ripped up those rules,’ she said. (2/5)
It included Labour’s secret list of target seats for the election It reveals Murphy and Milne, policy makers and shakers for Labour, fought a “deranged” offensive campaign focused on Tory Leave seats
Hidden from staff, this version was updated 15th Nov and leaked by a trade union. It reveals that despite polls, Labour targeted 60 seats and defended just 26. The list includes Tory seats with majorities of more than 5,000 like Stourbridge, Dover and Gloucester Echoes Murphy’s claim that Labour would reject polling: “We ripped up those rules,’ she said.
Unsurprisingly this kamikaze strategy resulted in just 1 win (Putney) out of the 60 seats targeted and multiple losses in undefended seats, as the so-call Labour “red wall” crumbled.
Some seats targeted appear to be political – for example Labour continued to target Luciana Berger in Finchley and Golders Green but it did not prioritise Ruth Smeeth in Stoke on Trent North . Similarly with several Corbyn sceptics abandoned as resources were marshalled elsewhere.
The source for the article said that the campaign was based on three motives:
– disprove the defensive approach of 2017
– show that Lab support concentrated in non-Remain areas
– internal politics, change complexion of PLP “Unite are behind this,” they say
With the largest defeat in generations it certainly seems to have provided a clear answer to all of the above.
A defensive strategy would most likely have resulted in another second hung parliament, not a win but certainly not a loss for Labour.
The sources for the article were clear that the Labour leadership was warned but chose to keep this document as their central strategy, refusing to develop a new plan.
“Murphy and Milne are responsible for the most catastrophic defeat in almost a century.”