Trains, seminar shame ... and a punch-up
Ex-MP recalls Labour’s 2001 election campaign
13.05.2017 Douglas Alexander has revealed his struggles in leading a successful General Election campaign.
The former MP told of his fear Labour’s drive to keep Tony Blair in office would “come off the tracks” after he sent candidates to a manifesto launch.
The former Paisley and Renfrewshire South member spoke out on Twitter — in 17 separate Tweets — after the party’s plans for next month’s ballot were leaked.
Mr Alexander said: “In 2001, I was coordinating Labour’s General Election.
“We were launching the manifesto in Birmingham to show our politics were rooted in middle Britain.
“I took a decision that all cabinet ministers should travel by train.
“I also decided – even more rashly – that journalists would be asked to travel to Birmingham by that train.
“So, the night before I hardly slept at all, imagining headlines my personal decisions might create if there were train problems.
“In fact, the train arrived on time and the manifesto launch highlighting investment in schools and hospitals went off without incident.
“There was no Twitter, so, on the train, I got phoned to be told Tony Blair was live on TV being harangued on the steps of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“It was about to get a whole lot worse.
“At our evening planning meeting, Sally Dobson came in and handed me a folded bit of paper.
“It simply said, ‘John Prescott has punched a member of the public’. “That was all.” Mr Alexander also told how former Home Secretary Jack Straw was “slow-handclapped” by the Police Federation during a crucial seminar.
Labour went on to take 413 seats in the vote, compared to 165 for the Conservatives – leading to Tory leader William Hague quitting.
The Labour party’s manifesto for the June 8 General Election was made public this week, and includes vows to re-nationalise the railways, build more houses and raise taxes on high-earners.
Mr Alexander added: “It’s worth remembering that when parties make manifesto plans the Gods often laugh. “Or at least the public often do.” The former Secretary of State for Scotland was unseated in 2015 by 20-year-old SNP newcomer Mhairi Black.