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From The Socialist newspaper, 3 July 2019
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Peterborough wake-up call
The public's growing disenchantment with the two main parties has meant by-elections have often resulted in a 'wake-up call' expressed by a protest vote for a one-issue party coming from 'nowhere'. The recent EU parliament elections certainly punished the two main parties and nothing had happened since to indicate a change in the public mood.
Although Peterborough was a (marginal) Labour seat, it was previously held by the Tories (2005-17); seen as 'middle England'; voted 60% Leave in 2016; and its local MP had been publicly removed by a recall election following her criminal conviction. For these reasons at the time the by-election was announced the Tories were the bookies' favourite to regain the seat.
There was little to no press coverage during the election campaign, which usually suggests Labour is expected to hold on. However, on election day, 6 June, the national press woke up, with reports under headlines such as "Brexit Party set to win by-election" (the Times).
Not surprising, perhaps, because in the EU election the Brexit Party had received 16,000 votes, twice as large as its nearest rival, Labour, with the Tories woefully in fourth.
The press also reported the Labour candidate Lisa Forbes, a local Unite union activist, had been accused of antisemitism because she had 'liked' a Facebook video "about showing solidarity with the terrorist victims in Christchurch without reading the accompanying text" (a "Labour source" reported by the Times).
This apparently claimed Theresa May had a "Zionist slave masters' agenda." Forbes apologised for her mistake, but Jewish groups demanded Labour disown her. Labour did not.
At the election count, Nigel Farage suddenly appeared, a sure sign the Brexit Party were expecting to win - and then before the announcement of the result, Farage just as suddenly disappeared!
Labour won by 683 votes, slightly more than in 2017 on a reduced turnout. But Labour's share of the vote was 31% - the lowest winning share in a by-election since 1918.
Jeremy Corbyn's anti-austerity message will have won some votes, especially in the context of the local council being Tory-controlled. Throughout the campaign, Labour had by far the most troops on the ground, culminating in 500 activists on election day. Impressive though that may be, it is the message that matters more.
Labour's 31% share was 17 percentage points lower than in 2017 when Jeremy Corbin's game-changer manifesto appeared promising an end to austerity.
So Peterborough was a welcome Labour victory, but nevertheless another 'wake-up call': a socialist programme is needed to guarantee an anti-austerity Corbyn victory at the next general election.
John Merrell, Leicester
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In The Socialist 3 July 2019:
Workplace news
Angry Usdaw members strike at Sainsbury's distribution centre over sick pay cut
Sick of your boss? Join a union! Fight for socialism
Construction workers protest in defence of union rights and against anti-worker EU
Socialists in PCS union launch new group to fight general secretary election
Steps forward and missed opportunities at Unite rules conference
London Arriva bus drivers vote for strike action over bullying and workload
Birmingham school strike for safe working environment
Lancashire Stagecoach drivers continue their fight
Birmingham uni workers strike against terms and conditions attacks
What we think
Sinister moves against Corbyn can be beaten by clear socialist policies
News
Same old millionaire Tories - Fight to kick them out
Nationalisation is answer to Southern Water cover up
Gig-economy exploitation doubles
Even social-care bosses say cuts have gone too far
Stonewall riots
Stonewall riots' legacy shows need for socialist struggle to win LGBT+ liberation
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Socialist Party secures new offices
Angry Barking residents protest outside sales office
Tamil Solidarity Day: Linking up oppressed people's struggles
Coventry says no to congestion charge
Carlisle Labour/Lib Dem coalition cuts care home beds
Sell the Socialist and take out an e-subscription
Lincoln Uni NUS disaffiliation: a question of on-campus democracy
Stourbridge: Keep our college!
International socialist news and analysis
New opportunity to build working-class fightback after voters punish Erdogan
Irish health workers' anger boils over into strike action
Opinion
TV: Years and Years - Engaging family drama pushes confused, reactionary message
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