Author: Dave

I am standing for election as Lewisham Deptford Labour Party’s Secretary. I have been a member a member of the Labour Party for over 40 years and am an active Trade Unionist in the GMB. I made a video to explain why.

I am on the Left of the Party, a democratic socialist and voted for Dianne Abbott in 2010, and for Jeremy Corbyn in 2015 and 2016. I was and remain convinced that the Labour Party needs and needed to turn to the Left otherwise it will suffer the fate of its European sister parties. I support Corbyn’s 10 point plan and the 2017 manifesto together with the progressive changes made by the last two Conferences.

We need a tolerant member led party, that shows people that belonging counts, and that together, through working together we can make our society a better place. The stigmatization of views one disagrees with as right-wing, ultra-left or other political or criminal labels is sectarian, destroys debate and the party’s internal democracy. Neither a better Party no a fairer society cannot be built from such a debate or the bad behaviour it legitimises.

I served as Secretary in 2015, was part of the team that guided our successful election campaign, elected Vicky Foxcroft as our MP and ensured that the rapidly rising number of new members were welcomed, I defended those members that Labour’s bureaucracy sought to purge and together with the incumbent Chair, Gill Hart, ensured that the member’s voice was heard in the Leadership election by convening an All Member’s Meeting to make nominations. This did not happen the following year, when the CLP leadership was led another team.

I have worked all my life, except when made unemployed. I have felt the fear of being without work with a mortgage to pay, I have felt the fears of tuition fees and debt for my children, I understand the fear created by the education system and its post code lotteries. I have felt the fear of bullying employers threatening my job security. Labour’s priorities must be winning the next general election and bring hope for an economy, housing market, labour market and education system for the many not the few.

I voted “Remain” in the referendum and oppose a Tory Brexit. I believe that any Brexit is pointless if soft, or a catastrophe if a hard or no deal brexit. I strongly believe that remaining in the EU and seeking to reform it is th best option for the peoples of the United Kingdom. I support migrants rights, no matter their reason for entry; I support Lewisham Labour’s commitment to be a sanctuary borough.

I am committed to an outward looking party that campaigns in our communities and on the doorstep in public elections; we need a CLP organisation that is election ready. we should work with local Unions to defend our services, fight to return a Corbyn led Labour Government and will hold our comrades that hold public office to account to the promises they made to us and their voters.

I would urge your support for Rebecca Lawrence and other members of the Lewisham Deptford Left Slate, Solidarity, Tolerance & Respect …