Does anyone really know what the true state of the Labour Party in 2008? The number of members by branch and constituency? How many branches and CLPs are actually functioning and at what level?       

For me it's crucial.  Not just for the obvious things like delivering leaflets, but for the bedrock of the electoral coalition we need to create to win power.

On the eve of the launch of the London Mayoral campaign this might not be seen by the powers that be as the most appropriate time for a spot of navel gazing. Having blogged vigorously for a general secretary majoring in financial planning skills and an eye on rebuilding membership, there is no better moment than now to highlight the harsh realities. After all if it took ten years from 1987 to 1997 to put on between 125,000 and 150,000 members; how long is it going to take just to put on the 200,000 plus we have lost since regaining power?

This episode has caused me great concern, over perhaps the very future and nature of the labour party. I joined the labour party for I believed it was the party of social justice and a party of the working citizen (regardless of class). Whilst I believe that fundamental premise remains - more so than in the grass roots - if there was ever any evidence that perhaps our labour government is COMPLETELY out of touch with what the grass roots and indeed, our own MP’s want done - the following is ample cause for concern.

Date: Friday 6th July

Start/End point: Westminster Pier

Time: 7.00-11.30pm

I have rejoined the Labour Party.

In the last two days Deputy Leadership contender Jon Cruddas MP has highlighted the significant decline in Labour membership since 2000.  The newspapers have quote the sensational figure that we've lost a member every 20 minutes since then. Though a little alarmist, I feel that Cruddas is right to talk about the political significance of this and the danger of Labour becoming 'a virtual party'.