Right - wanted to give Team Ed time to celebrate before I started commiserating on the TL.

Obviously not the result I was hoping for, but I’m still bloody proud to have been part of this movement. I came onto this campaign still raw from losing my job and I felt so welcomed.

But not only that, I’ve taken a huge step forward professionally - I’ve picked up skills that will stay with me for life, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity.

I could list all the people who made this campaign a joy to work on, but I’d be here all night. Thank you.

Obviously I’m a little broken-hearted. It’d be a bit weird if I wasn’t.

But this party will always be bigger than one person. It’s about all of us. I’m going to let myself mourn and then I’m going to get stuck in dragging the UK into the 21st century— bc that’s why I joined.

To people who supported Layla who are thinking of leaving: you’re valued. We are better for having your voice. You worked hard, and you’ve earned the right to hurt 1000x over.

But I hope you take the time you need to feel that pain and then come back. You’ll be welcome, always.

The leadership isn’t the only way we get a say on direction. Come to conference, get stuck in locally. Layla’s vision for our future doesn’t die here, and we must work with Ed and progressives of all stripes to intertwine it with theirs. None of us can do it alone.

And last thing - what an absolute champion we have in @LaylaMoran. Putting across our vision in a way that gave me hope for our party like I haven’t felt since Nick. We are so, so lucky to have you and I couldn’t be prouder to have played even a small part in what you built.