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Entryism
Labour's right wing in the PLP are belatedly questioning the wisdom of running an open primary for leader. This is to my mind designed to attack both the legitimacy of the result and the newly engaged. The numbers show that it is a massive success and I for one welcome the newcomers.
- Labour has opened its leadership election to all those who can state that they support the Labour Party's aims & values, and are not members of organisation opposed. Number estimates vary, but several 10's of thousands have taken up this option. Some of these are people who left since 1997, many are people getting involved in politics for the first time and if you want to join in, use the link in the 'snip' immediately below.
- Some are unhappy with this.
Accusations of hard left entryism hit Labour leadership race | LabourListA Labour MP has urged Harriet Harman to suspend the leadership contest, claiming there is evidence of widespread entryism from the far left. The Sunday Times splashes with the news that John Mann, MP for Bassetlaw, has called for voting to be "halted" with "Militant Tendency types coming back in".- I am not
Ello | davelevy | Two stories dominate Labour's leadershipTwo stories dominate Labour's leadership election, firstly, the Trot & Tory hunt but secondly a return to politics by the Burnham & Cooper. The membership hunt was kicked off by John Mann MP's speech complaining about entryism and long term members being swamped; just as well he's not shadow spokesperson on Immigration.- I for one welcome those who are joining Labour as members and supporters
- Tim at Zelo Street, points out the fraudulent nature of those who sign the declaration dishonestly.
Zelo Street: Toby Young Commits FraudUpdate at end of post] The appearance on the Labour leadership ballot of Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn has sparked predictable mischief among the less grown-up part of the right, which is to say, rather a lot of it.- The declaration is as follows,
- “I support the aims and values of the Labour Party, and I am not a supporter of any organisation opposed to it”
- Phil points out that there just aren't that many Trots and Tankies,
All That Is Solid ...The press are not neutral arbiters when it comes to the Labour leadership contest. If they can use the debates between party members as a way of deepening divisions in the party, they will.- I have a over long and but well substantiated comment on this article, stating that the new members and supporters aren't entryists, most newcomers have joined the Labour Party as full members, average longevity of membership has fallen to under two years, and that maybe as many as 80% have joined since 2010, either to fight to defend the Labour Government, to vote for Ed Miliband as Leader or to support his campaign to become PM; it's a different party from that which existed in 2010.
- And Labour's application of 'local knowledge' suggest that the problem is not that large.
Labour leadership election: 260 members of rival parties ask to voteMore than 250 former candidates and members of rival leftwing parties have sought to be given a ballot paper in the Labour leadership election, raising concerns about the integrity of the ballot a week before the voting process begins.- Labour's HQ wrote to local officers and MPs where we have them and asked us to look at the new members/supporters to see if 'local knowledge' could help identify any rogue applicants. It should be noted that this will have occurred not just from the left, but also the right, encouraged by the Daily Telegraph (see above).
- Left Unity stirs the pot with a press release repeated by the BBC
Labour leadership: Left Unity 'witch hunt' claims - BBC NewsA left-wing political party has accused Labour of a "witch hunt" against people signing up to back Jeremy Corbyn in its leadership contest. Left Unity said Labour should be "thrilled" so many people want to join rather than focusing on "people who it thinks are too left wing".- although they make the point that people can change their mind, and they're right, we should be thrilled that people see Labour as part of the answer. Left Unity in particular were a response to Labour moving to the right.
- Alex Andreou, needing more words than normal laments his treatment as he inches his way back to the Labour fold. He argues the abuse and fear comes from three factors, the fervent belief that moving the party to the left will mean electoral oblivion, the notion that the only thing worth being is “in power”, regardless of what you do to get there and a narrow view of the Labour grassroots movement as some private members-only club. I think we're past the days when my father told someone that the Labour Party was full.
On Labour being taken over by LeftiesIt really has been quite extraordinary declaring myself as a Jeremy Corbyn supporter. I have been subjected to what I can only describe as a consistent, concerted and aggressive campaign of intimidation.- It's a powerful and comprehensive piece of writing.
- Yesterday, another Labour MP weighed in attacking the process and the legitimacy of the the its participants and the result
Labour contest should be 'paused', MP Barry Sheerman says - BBC NewsA senior Labour MP has called for its leadership contest to be "paused" over fears it has been infiltrated by supporters of other parties. Barry Sheerman said those registering to take part included members of the Socialist Workers Party, the Green Party, the Conservatives and UKIP.- It's very funny when we consider that this reform was proposed by the PLP as a means of minimising the membership's influence on the electorate. There's a number of them with very squeaky bums. It's also funny that people like me opposed the reform.
- My key message is that new members and registered supporters, you're welcome, help us make the Labour Party a successful campaigning organisation capable of building a better society.
