How to be a GMB Labour MP

The Labour Party was founded by working people, through trade unions, to be your voice in parliament. In the early 20th century trade unionists traded in their work clothes and took up seats in the House of Commons to speak up for millions of people who had until then had to rely on the benevolence and favour of the ruling class.

Over the years though, politics started to become a profession. Working people started to be squeezed out by professional politicians. GMB membes started to feel like politicians didn't really speak for them, that they didn't really understand their lives. So in 2012 the union set out to do something about it. Our political strategy - passed by Congress - is all about re-connecting the Labour Party with the values it was founded on and the people it was founded to serve.

Over the last few years the political department and Regional Political Officers in every region have supported GMB members to become Labour candidates for council and for parliament. We've helped our members to get involved and to navigate the processes of becoming a Party activist and standing for office. Over the last 5 years we're run training sessions, mentoring and offered one to one support to people who want to make that leap to organise politically as we do industrially.

Your union has all the support systems in place to help, but we need more GMB activists to put their hands and stand for office if we want to continue to make politics look and sound more like real people.

Some members say 'oh, I could never do that. I see MPs and councillors on the telly - that's not me'. But let's think about it - much of the work trade union reps do translate perfectly to representing people politically. The experience that every GMB activist has – representing others, organising and leading campaigns, challenging the powerful – is exactly what Labour needs in its candidates.

So here’s 3 tips on what to do to become a GMB Labour MP.

Ask for help

Don’t be shy. We run courses for members at all levels, whether you’re totally new to the political world or just need a bit of help getting over the line. We can advise about how the different systems work and can help you come up with a plan. Email Tom Warnett in national office on tom.warnett@gmb.org.uk or your Regional Political Officer.

Get active

You earn more respect by getting stuck in than anything else, and if you want to represent Labour you have to show that you are Labour. Get out campaigning for Labour, run joint campaigns with your branch and the local party and show people you are committed to the cause.

Get known

There’s no substitute for graft, but building a good reputation is also about taking up leadership roles and getting known. That might mean taking opportunities to speak at events, using social media or getting elected to Labour Party bodies like your CLP. The political department and your regional political officer can help with these things, just get in touch.

There is a wealth of talent in our union. Let’s share a bit of it with parliament.

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