Last Christmas Guido wrote:

“Over a year ago Harriet Harman, speaking at a Labour delegates reception, claimed that the Labour Party had gained 65,000 new party members. This morning a Labour press spokesman, while defending Ed Miliband’s leadership, again claimed 65,000 new party members. If the party’s press spokesman is telling the truth that means in over a year since the start of Ed Miliband’s leadership the Labour Party has not made a net gain of any more members.”

He was bang on the money…

This year’s party membership figures make unhappy reading for all three main parties, but the most embarrassing statistic was reserved for Labour. In 2011 Ed and co. marked a new low as they managed to add just 39 further members. Hardly surprising given the basis of their latest recruitment drive:

Only for those interested in the Labour Party. Will you be my +1? http://t.co/FfwHYErn

— tom_watson (@tom_watson) July 25, 2012

Guido can’t imagine why the punters are staying away…