From Hope to Apathy: Labour’s Volunteer Struggles Post-Election
In July 2024, as Labour appeared poised for a landslide victory in the general election, attracting volunteers to canvas door-to-door was a seamless endeavor. In one constituency, the party found itself in the fortunate position of having to turn away eager activists because of the overwhelming turnout. “We had so many people wanting to canvass that we occasionally had to ask them to return for a different session, as we couldn’t have dozens of volunteers crowding the same street every evening,” recounted a Labour member engaged in campaigning in southern England.
Fast forward less than a year, and that vibrant scene has transformed dramatically. The same activist shared that a recent call for leafleting volunteers attracted only a “handful” of responses. Even before the local elections were postponed due to council reorganisations, engagement was notably low.
Grassroots Support Dwindling
“People have been exiting our local group chat in droves each time we send out a request for canvassers,” the activist lamented. While it’s typical for grassroots enthusiasm to surge around election times, this decline appears sharper than in the aftermath of previous national polls. A key factor, they believe, is that many individuals are hesitant to defend Labour’s less popular policies, which include cuts to winter fuel support for pensioners, proposed reforms to benefits, and the decision not to compensate Waspi women.
A rebellion is brewing within Labour regarding plans to reduce the benefits bill, which are expected to be unveiled shortly. One Labour councillor expressed to The i Paper that motivating people to engage in canvassing has become “definitely a problem” in his northern constituency. He noted that this challenge has persisted since Sir Keir Starmer took over the leadership from Jeremy Corbyn in 2020. “There has been a significant drop in volunteer numbers compared to the same periods following the 2017 and 2019 elections,” he added, observing that many now prefer to criticize Keir and Rachel Reeves rather than take action.
Local Members Reluctant to Defend Government Policies
A second Labour councillor echoed these sentiments, stating that grassroots support has steadily dwindled since the general election, with many locals appearing “reluctant” to advocate for the current government. She sympathized with those who are hesitant to engage in challenging discussions with voters, saying, “It’s far simpler for some to promote a manifesto than to defend a sitting government. I completely understand that.”
She acknowledged that many voters were raising local concerns and questioning her about decisions made in Westminster, but she consistently urged them to “judge Labour by their first five years, not just the initial six months.” However, these conversations do not always go as planned. “What I’ve noticed increasingly is the rise of Reform voters. Quite a few of them have told me to fk off,” she added candidly.
While some Labour regions struggle to recruit canvassers, many Reform activists report a burgeoning grassroots movement. Joseph Robertson, a prospective candidate for Reform in Shropshire, shared with The i Paper that there is “an incredible amount of interest” in supporting the party. “I believe our local branch is nearing 1,000 members, and we have numerous active individuals in the area eager to assist,” he stated, highlighting a trend where even those who have never voted or engaged with the major political parties before are now motivated to get involved.
Reform’s Appeal: The Anti-Establishment Voice
Robertson posited that Reform is “capturing significant support from Labour” in various regions, particularly in the so-called ‘Red Wall’ seats in northern England. He believes the party’s appeal lies in its positioning as the anti-establishment choice for voters. “Reform isn’t the typical suited and booted politicians that people are accustomed to seeing only during election season. These are genuine individuals with real stories, emerging from their communities to support Reform, not out of a passion for politics, but from a desire to reclaim their country and address a system they feel has long failed them,” he explained.
This message appears to resonate, as Reform’s polling numbers have recently outpaced both Labour and the Conservatives nationally. The party aims to leverage its rapidly growing membership to convert this momentum into tangible success in the local elections scheduled for May 1. Additionally, Reform is keen to make a mark in the mayoral elections across regions such as the West of England, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Greater Lincolnshire, and Hull and East Yorkshire.
Pressure Mounts on the Conservative Party
The rise of Reform is intensifying pressure on the Conservative Party, which has traditionally held the establishment mantle, and is still recovering from a devastating general election. The upcoming local elections represent a crucial test for new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who faces challenges related to low morale and dwindling party resources.
Despite this, the Conservatives have experienced a slight financial boost, raising nearly £2 million in donations during the last quarter of 2024, while Labour brought in £1 million and Reform managed just £280,000. However, this funding may not be sufficient to rectify the challenging circumstances posed by disheartened local activists and an understaffed headquarters, which has faced two rounds of redundancies since the last election.
Conversely, some Labour insiders express cautious optimism, suggesting that the growing threat from Reform has served as a catalyst for action among MPs, councillors, and members in areas seen as key targets by Nigel Farage’s party. One Labour MP shared with The i Paper that he and his team had knocked on 1,500 doors over the past month aiming to flip control of their local council, currently under Conservative leadership. “While there will always be party members unhappy with certain policies, there is a recognition that our campaigning efforts are crucial when facing a formidable opponent like Reform,” he stated.
The MP concluded, “We’re certainly facing a tough time right now. The battle against Reform is real, but it’s not as dire as the polling might suggest.”
