Letter to the people I represented
JVL Introduction
Laura Pidcock writes movingly to her constituents as she gets to grips, openly and honestly, with why she failed to hold on to her seat in North West Durham. And why she will go on fighting.
Among other things, she says:
“I don’t want to patronise anyone by saying that this was all the fault of the media. I know people make up their own minds. But I cannot and will not accept that the media had no part. So much of the coverage sought to demolish Jeremy from day one, not because of him as a person, but because of his politics.
‘And that demonization will happen to other leaders who try and challenge the way things are: the inequality, the poverty and merciless, brutal wars. It will happen to those who push for a different economic system to save the planet. It will happen again when we try and argue for a better, more equal world…”
This article was originally published by Medium on Wed 18 Dec 2019. Read the original here.
Letter to the people I represented
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What an excellent letter !
Laura I wish you well and hope we have not lost you to political power
for we need people like you.
I think part of the problem was that responsible people in parliament were so
intent on preventing a “no Deal” Brexit that the issues got lost in the fog. Of course Johnson took advantage of this in representing himself as “speaking up for the people” against Parliament who were “impeding a Deal”. Completely false of course but people believed Johnson.
I too felt very uncomfortable with the idea of a second referendum but this seemed the only way of preventing a “No Deal” Brexit – ie as a last resort.
” I know people make up their own minds. ”
Sorry, Laura. I know you mean well. And it’s hard for an elected represented to come clean – even when not elected. But the hard fact is that many don’t – their minds are made up by a constant stream of falsehood and half-truth.
It’s known as ‘propaganda’.
Beautiful especially the crushing context…nothing more to say…All the best for the future Laura (and its a glorious one) …Best KK
You will be back because you care about the people you want to represent. But don’t underestimate the media which is on a permanent mission now to retain the control of the Right Wing and savage anyone who tries to give more power to people..
Laura was a fantastic MP. She is absolutely right about what the anger was about but what remains is the task to communicate in short sound bites the message that we arent the same as the New Labour Blairites and the difference is Socialism and opposition to NeoLiberalism. It isnt a simple task but we can do it and MUST! Repeatedly!
Laura Pidcock was and still one of the beacons of hope in this sorry state of affairs. I don’t live in her area, but was so looking forward to seeing her in the Labour Cabinet alongside Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister. Her letter is testament to her socialist principles, love and dedication to her community. I for one, have seen the possibilities of a different way, led by Corbyn. I have also seen the grotesque Tory bias and manipulation by the media from the BBC to most of main newspapers. The vilification of Jeremy Corbyn was in my eyes equal to hate crime. He continues to be one of my heroes. We will fight back by continuing to work with and support our communities from the grassroots up, holding the government to account. People will be in ever greater need.
I was devastated when you lost your seat, as I was hoping you would stand for leadership when Jeremy retired. Still an excellent argument, except for not crediting the media with a large part of the defeat, they were, and will be. After all you did add that no leader of the Labour Party will succeed that is socialist because of the media. You know it was the media, the constant avalanche of smears and lies. Good luck for the future and hope you will be a candidate for Durham in the future and will be returned at the next election.