<i>What is power without principle?</i><i>What are principles without power?</i>It''s Spring 1996: Kevin Keegan''s Newcastle United are riding high in the Premier League and Tony Blair''s New Labour are gathering pace. Hope is in the air and victory seems within reach. Len, a long term traditional Labour left activist, has decided to run as a candidate for local Labour MP, but the arrival of Victoria as front runner throws a spanner in the works. With loyalties tested and tensions reaching fever pitch, the winning team will be decided in an explosive head-to-head challenge.<i>Love It If We Beat Them</i> is a new political drama from writer Rob Ward that explores a time of significant change in the identity of North East communities and perfectly captures a moment in recent history that defines who we are today. A knockout play about Labour, love, and the beautiful game.This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere at Newcastle''s Live Theatre, in March 2023.