I don’t think we had a sufficiently robust strategy towards Ukip

Speaking to the Independent on the eve of the European Elections Peter Hain said,

“I don’t think we had a sufficiently robust strategy towards Ukip. It’s not about whether some of their members are racist.

“The problem is that there is a seriously alienated – mostly white working class, often male – vote out there that was traditionally Labour’s. They are not voting any more.

“They should be coming to us but they did not under Tony Blair or Gordon Brown see sufficient priority given to affordable housing, job security or well-paid skilled jobs that would take the place of mining or heavy industry.

“These voters don’t think we speak sufficiently for them any more. Mostly they have been staying at home. But some of them have drifted towards Ukip.”

He insisted that it would be easier for Labour than the Conservatives to win back Ukip voters at next year’s general election. “It’s ours to win,” he said, but added: “I think it will be very difficult for any party to get an overall majority.”

Read the full article at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/eu-and-local-elections-2014-labour-mps-fear-party-has-failed-to-stop-ukip-eroding-its-traditional-working-class-base-9413408.html