Congratulations to Mr Corbyn

Congratulations to Jeremy Corbyn. For the second time in a year he has won an impressive victory in a leadership contest, and he has managed to improve his vote share. Let's hope that unity and comradeship can now descend on the Labour Party.

I think the contest was ill-timed. However, I did support Owen Smith who I think would have made a fine leader. I do have reservations about Mr Corbyn, which revolve less around policy and more about his style of leadership. He has to change - we cannot continue as we have done. We have to be electable and win elections. We also have to be seen as a credible Government-in-waiting.

To make change we have to be in power; this involves compromise. We cannot just please ourselves and expect that the majority of the electorate will fall in line. We have to understand what Middle England wants, and find the policies that deliver that. Anything else and we are irrelevant.

I will continue to support Labour and campaign for the issues that are important to me. I will continue to do my best to see that Labour represents the wishes and aspirations of working people. I will continue to try and be an effective Labour councillor for Milton ward and for the Borough of Southend-on-Sea.

I will also continue to voice my opinion. We have to be a party that allows room for differences.

Those who know what it takes to actually win elections are backing Owen

Friday night in glorious Basildon. I really like Basildon. It just feels like a political homecoming for me.  I began my Labour activism here in the run-up to the 1997 General  Election and have spent many happy hours here helping wonderful Labour colleagues. I just love it; it feels like natural Labour territory, a place where we can win.

I once fought a council seat here: Nethermayne in 2007. I have helped out in many elections, both for council seats as well as Parliamentary contests.

So, to the Council offices in the town centre - Owen Smith was in town. Owen,  who I hope will be leading the party soon.

I am not sure what I expected. I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout. My guess (which is often a shaky estimation) put the audience at around 120. I certainly saw many familiar faces.

Owen was impressive, and whatever the outcome of the leadership contest he certainly looks to have a bright future.

Owen enthrals the audience

It strikes me that whilst Jeremy Corbyn certainly enjoys solid support amongst ordinary members, amongst activists, especially those who hold council and Parliamentary seats, it is Owen that is ahead.

This suggests that those who know what it takes to actually win elections are backing Owen.  Will it take a succession of defeats before Jeremy's fan club realise what his leadership means for Labour?

Owen Smith and me