WORCESTER MP Mike Foster says the massive drop in Labour Party membership is "disappointing".
The Blairite MP, who was first elected in 1997, has appealed to lapsed members to get back on board.
The party has responded to a disastrous loss of 200,000 members since 1997 by timing a new recruitment drive around the departure of Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Mr Foster said the new leadership of the party was a "useful tool" in trying to tempt people back.
When Mr Foster first came to power Labour had 400,000 members - twice as many as now. He said: "It is disappointing that members move on - part of the reason we had so many members back then was because of the sheer hatred of the Tories.
"In Government, it is more difficult to get people to join."
The number of Labour members in Worcester is not published but there are thought to be several hundred.
"It would be great if it was several thousand," said Mr Foster.
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