Joining the Labour Party

I have just joined the Labour party. I've always been politically engaged & always been a liberal socialist. I'm not really a "joiner" though & I although I enjoy a good political discussion, I'm not tolerant of rambling, off the point, meanderings. Give me a good chairman who lets people make valid points but shuts up the wafflers before they drive everyone to find the nearest exit.

I'm not sure why I have joined. I'm not a Corbynite. I'm not even sure that I wholeheartedly espouse all of Labour policy, whatever that is at the moment. I'd quite like to join the Lib Dems & the Greens too in fact. But that doesn't seem right somehow. But why not? Wouldn't a broad alliance of liberal, socially & ecologically aware, views work well? It might stand a chance of ousting the Conservatives.

The Branch meeting I went to for the first time last night quickly became full to overflowing much to the surprise of the established membership who were used to only a handful at meetings. It was the first such meeting since the leadership election. Many new people had not been to a political meeting before & hadn't joined the party yet. The enthusiasm for change was palpable.

It is really good to see political engagement across the age ranges. It does feel as if there is a "sea change" in the political environment. Many people spoke at the meeting & there was a real appetite to get to grips with the many issues facing our society today.

I really hope this opportunity isn't wasted. I hope the opposition parties all capitalise on the appetite for involvement across all demographics.  It could really change the face of politics & that would be no bad thing.