One of the biggest changes to the Labour Party took place this week at Bournemouth.
It was controversial, it was opposed in some quarters but the change was needed.
Gordon Brown’s package of internal party reforms was agreed. It will change how the Labour Party arrives at its policies – including one member one vote on manifesto commitments.
But tucked away in the small print, is an even more important change.
Local Labour parties are to be given extra support to engage local community groups, as well as ordinary voters, on party policy development.
And about time too.
Here in Worcester, we already spend time talking to local people; engaging in debates; listening and learning.
That’s why local Labour councillors support a return to the weekly bin collection and oppose the Tory council’s view that you can only have a fortnightly black bin collection.
Being in touch is important. Politicians who are out of touch soon find themselves out of office.
I know of one aspiring politician who put himself firmly into the “out of touch” bracket.
In a speech, he declared that an MP’s salary is not high enough to attract people like him into politics.
He said he was glad to have made his fortune elsewhere – presumably he couldn’t live on the salary we are paid!
I was shocked to read this. I know that MPs earn considerably more than the national average, and more than the average Worcester worker does.
Most MPs are like me, we think it is an honour to be elected to the job and to be given responsibility to represent our local communities, our friends, our neighbours in Parliament.
Declaring that the salary is not high enough is simply wrong and shows just how out of touch some politicians can be.
Over the weeks and months ahead, with the local Labour party here in Worcester, I will continue to engage with local people.
When you get an invitation – come along, as I want to listen to your views.
* Mike Foster is MP for Worcester.