LABOUR campaign organisers are promoting Frank Dobson and Glenda Jackson’s record of rebelling against flagship government policies in an attempt to convince voters to stick with the party at the general election.
Party campaigners are minimising mention of Prime Minister Tony Blair, unpopular on a series of issues including the Iraq war.
Mr Blair’s name is hardly mentioned on election material being distributed door-to-door in Camden and on party stalls.
Mr Dobson and Ms Jackson launched their bids to return to the Commons at a rally at Old Hampstead Town Hall in Haverstock Hill, Belsize Park on Tuesday.
They were both praised by party members for taking a stance against Labour’s most controversial policies.
In a launch address, Labour peer and barrister Baroness Helena Kennedy said that a vote for Labour was not just a vote for Mr Blair but the party as a whole.
She added: “People are concerned about the Iraq war. Everywhere we go people raise it as an issue. It has dealt a considerable blow to our Prime Minister.
“We have to remind people we don’t live in the United States and that we don’t have a presidential system.
“Our two MPs here have been courageous and independent minded and both of them have shown their strong opposition to the war. We have to go out and show support to the MPs who have stuck to the principles and values of the Labour Party.”
Baroness Kennedy, who lives in Hampstead, added: “Our MPs have a fabulous record in relation to the issues that we have concerns about. Both of them have championed the protection of civil liberties and making sure the most vulnerable people in society are protected.
“All of us may have times when we disagree with the government but at the same time it is our government. Whatever our feelings or misgivings on certain issues, at the end of the day you have to ask yourself whether you want to see a Conservative government holding the reins.”
Mr Dobson kicked off his campaign in Holborn and St Pancras with a fierce attack on his Conservative rivals.
He said: “The Tories are raising dog-whistle issues. They are convinced they only have to mention certain issues and people will come running back to them wagging their tails. They can dream on.
“The big dog-whistle issue is immigration and asylum seekers. Michael Howard’s campaign is a disgrace, stirring up animosity against strangers. His wording, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking”, is the kind used these days by the BNP. On this issue, the Tory Party is indistinguishable from the BNP.”
Mr Dobson added: “We need to convince people that voting Lib Dem or Tory puts at risk Labour’s greatest achievements for the most deprived, getting Britain off benefits and back to work and making sure that when people work for a living, they are paid a living wage. Whatever doubts you may have about this Labour government – God knows, I’ve got plenty – it’s delivered on that.”
Ms Jackson, first elected in Hampstead and Highgate in 1997, told the meeting: “We can’t hide from the fact that the failures of our government – and there have been many – are causing some people to look at the opposition.
“We can’t allow that to happen because the Tories will always attack the most vulnerable people in our society. They are absolutely ruthless.”
Ms Jackson added that she could understand why people might not want to vote for Tony Blair.
She said: “If they don’t want to vote for Tony Blair, then don’t. Go out and vote for the people who need the support of the Labour Party. Vote for people who need the extra pounds in their pockets that the minimum wage gives them. We have delivered it.
“However much we feel about the people of Iraq, we will not help them by punishing people in Kilburn, Swiss Cottage and Holborn with another Tory government. We won’t rebuild the hospitals in Baghdad by letting Michael Howard close hospitals here.”