Rus in urbe

As a countryside dweller I regularly write about the particular issues facing people like me, isolated by geography and historical allegiances of political parties. Labour, Coast and Country is working to create means for rural lefties to act collectively, across boundaries.
Some of the factors driving this campaign to reduce our isolation, though, apply to town dwellers. Isolation comes about from a variety of causes, not just where you live. Just as we hicks in the sticks share metropolitan concerns for rents, welfare, housing etc so urbanites may recognise some of the particularities of country folk. Not least among these can be isolation, a key issue which Labour should actively address. City crowds mask the presence nearby of citizens who, for no fault of their won, find themselves outside the mainstream. They may lack money. They may have mobility issues or sight impairment which prevent them from actively availing themselves of what the city has to offer. They may simply be lonely or suffer from mental health issues which lead them to stay indoors. Whatever the cause of their isolation, they are as important as citizens and voters as anyone. Labour can ill afford to ignore votes wherever they may be found and, as with remote rural supporters, ways need to be found to engage with everyone if we are truly to be One Nation.

Labour Coast and Country is exploring how to bring solitary voices together. Perhaps some of the same tools need to be applied towards enfranchising isolated people wherever they are.

Tom Serpell

A vote for a Labour MEP is a vote for One Nation

Labour's determined focus on target General Election marginals is understandable. We must win in Hastings, Brighton Kemptown and other winnable seats if we are to get rid of this frightful government. Why voters should turn out in other instances may seem less obvious. Take a constituency like Wealden, for example. One of the safest of safe Tory seats, Labour has just 200 members and absolutely no chance of winning even a County Council seat any time soon. But what about those 200 Labour members and the perhaps 10% of voters who emulate them at election time? Some of us are passionate Labour supporters. What are we supposed to do with our energies, our ideas and our votes?

Around the country there are many constituencies like Wealden, mostly rural or coastal, where Labour supporters exist in minorities, marginalised from national polity. Some say "Go and help in your nearest marginal". Some do. But this is not always feasible. Rural life is quite isolating. Public transport is often non-existent; and running a car expensive; and canvassing does not suit everyone. And why should we ignore the needs of our own communities in favour of somewhere with which we have no connection? Rural and seaside areas have particular issues of deprivation which, electoral priority or not, need to be taken into account by policy makers. "One Nation" must mean all communities matter, not just key metropolitan marginals. It is for this reason that Labour Coast and Country [@LabourCC] has been set up, to enable Labour people living in Tory seats to connect with one another, across constituency boundaries, to share our common needs, feel less isolated and create critical mass to influence policy.

But we still have enthusiastic Labour supporters largely ignored by the Party; and communities outside the focus of policy, both with insufficient voice. Neither can elect representatives who can channel our needs. Or can we?

In May, the country will be invited to go to the polls to elect MEPs. Turnout will be low. Focus will be on UKIP's fate rather than Labour's. Between European elections we hear almost nothing about the work of the European Parliament or our representatives there. Each of these represents a huge geographical area, such that their visibility in any community is minimal and their names are unknown to most voters. So why should we engage in this election? Apart from whatever they actually achieve on our behalf, for rural Labour supporters voting for MEPs is the one chance we have of actually electing representatives of our own Party. Let us actively support those who genuinely support the rural agenda.