Yes, Labour made many mistakes in the general election – but let's not forget what we did get right

Let’s fix the problems, but also take what worked and scale it up to help secure that Labour victory so many voters desperately need

We’ve heard a lot in the weeks since the election about what Labour did wrong in December's general election, but it would be a mistake for this period of reflection to focus on that alone.

Yes, of course many mistakes were made. But in 16 seats, Labour candidates saw increased majorities. Against a punishing national swing and evidence that we lost both Leavers and Remainers, we must try to take some positives from this.

Croydon Central is a useful test case. In many ways the constituency is a microcosm of the country: voting by a slim margin to leave the EU, but still very much divided on Brexit. It’s a high-rise, metropolitan town centre that gives way to suburban strands, post-war estates and rolling countryside. We are home to commuters, young families, and pensioners.

This seat was one of two Leave seats which saw an increased Labour majority. From early analysis we didn’t benefit from widespread tactical voting in Croydon – we united a diverse community of Leavers and Remainers, rich and poor, young and old. We did it by listening closely to the concerns of our community and speaking back with common-sense solutions to the problems people wanted fixed. I’m not pretending we were unique.

Other brilliant candidates were doing the same, but there are three particular lessons here on how we campaign nationally and get back to winning ways.

First, we must move beyond factions and fight on a united front. In Croydon we fostered an environment where no-one felt unwelcome and where differing views on the direction of our party were met with tolerance and respect. We had Owen Jones campaigning with us on one day, and David Miliband the next. There is no time for factionalism if you want to win campaigns.

That lesson isn’t unique to the Labour Party. As a progressive movement, this election showed what happens when we turn inwards. Across the board, progressive parties are turning inward while the right wing works together – and wins. We should reflect on Northern Ireland, where progressive parties selectively working together helped contribute to the DUP collapse – including Claire Hanna’s stunning win in South Belfast – bringing back the sorely-missed voice of the SDLP to Westminster.

The second lesson was to speak to our communities about the problems they really wanted answers to. We didn’t overcomplicate it, but focused relentlessly on a tight group of local campaigns and core issues like housing and crime. The flood of national policies at times felt too top-down, like we were projecting concerns onto people rather than listening to what they were actually worrying about. Knife crime is at record levels, not just in cities but in towns and shires across the country, yet we barely spoke about it nationally.

Finally, we made sure every element of our campaign was tied together and properly targeted. The data from the doorstep fed directly into tailored messages to wavering voters and heavily targeted local digital content. Whether it was on the doorstep or on social media, the campaign spoke with one voice. As a party, we need to avoid falling into the trap of thinking that raw numbers on the streets can win it alone.

Incredible Labour activists having millions of persuasive conversations will always be the bedrock of our campaigning. But we can – and must – capitalise better on those conversations. Whether or not you think we won some arguments at this election, we need to boil down what it takes to win trust back: first identify the problems people really want solved and convince people that we have sustainable solutions – both for them and the country.

So, yes, let’s fix the problems that have rightly been discussed– but let’s also take what worked and scale it up nationally to help deliver that Labour victory so many need.

I hope in the coming leadership contest, we can look beyond issues which were unique to the 2019 campaign, and look instead at what will work in the future. Let’s get back to winning.

Sarah Jones is the Labour MP for Croydon Central and shadow minister for housing