Labour membership plummets

1.43.14pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 28th Dec 2006

The Labour Party's membership has halved since Tony Blair came to office, according to figures quoted by the BBC website.

Labour is facing a crisis because of this decline, says Deputy Leadership candidate Jon Cruddas. The BBC quotes Mr Cruddas as saying "You are not going to resolve this from Westminster - you are not going to resolve this simply through edicts from the centre. You need to build it from the bottom up. Activity on the streets, a local presence, continuously year-on-year and not just at election times."

Cruddas looks like a dangerous character. He is beginning to realise what Liberal Democrats have known for decades - long term success comes from continuing local activity, not just at election time. At least, as a left-winger he is unlikely to win a New Labour leadership election!