Labour grassroots are 'fighting back against the failed hard-left project', says Ian Murray

Labour grassroots members are “fighting back against the failed hard-left project”, according to deputy leadership candidate Ian Murray.

Having won the support of 50 constituency Labour party branches across the UK, Murray said he had repeatedly warned that the party’s approach under Jeremy Corbyn would “end in disaster”.

If he is elected Labour deputy leader, the Edinburgh South MP has pledged to visit every seat in the UK, including those the party has no recent history of holding, as part of efforts to learn what went wrong in recent campaigns.

He also promised take personal responsibility for rooting out antisemitism, bullying and harassment from the party, and to launch a ‘Labour Party Campaign for Britain’s Future’ aimed at giving more power to local communities.

With the result announced on 4 April, members are due to receive ballots on 24 February.

Murray said: “Grassroots Labour members across Britain are fighting back against the failed hard-left project. They have put change on the ballot paper.

“I repeatedly warned the leadership that our unbelievable policy pledges; the scourge of antisemitism in our party; concerns about our national security credentials; a top-down approach to organising and campaigning; and facing both ways on the constitution would end in disaster.

“We are now having to pick up the pieces and make Labour an electable alternative government once again.

“That starts with rejecting continuity and choosing change. I’m setting the narrative on the constitution, party reform and antisemitism - and I’m delighted others are listening.

“But the most important thing is to listen to voters in every nation and region so that we can build a broad coalition of support for Labour.”