labourlist--2020-11-12--Exclusive: “My legacy isn’t complete,” says outgoing NEC member Jon Lansman

“ The truth is that being on the NEC has been a very disappointing experience , ” Jon Lansman tells me .
This is the last week that Momentum ’ s co-founder and former chair , a central figure during the Corbyn era , will be a member of the national executive committee .
Results of fresh elections to Labour ’ s ruling body , which will almost certainly see Keir Starmer increase his majority on the crucial governing body , are set to be unveiled on Friday .
I am interviewing Lansman over Zoom as this seems an appropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent Labour history .
The Labour leadership under Jeremy Corbyn “ chose to focus on a battle for bureaucratic control rather than the democratisation of the party that I was seeking ” , Lansman says .
“ That was a very difficult situation to manage .
I absolutely supported the transformative policies that Jeremy was standing for .
But I also wanted to refashion the party in a way that made it fit for the 21st century , and I don ’ t think we ’ ve achieved that .
I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believing that he wielded power and influence as an NEC member , he thinks the party ’ s core committee has little say due to a “ terrible governance deficit ” .
This is something that has also been raised by NEC members from the party ’ s right , though Lansman reckons that while Gurinder Singh Josan has been “ consistent ” on the issue “ not necessarily everybody has been ” .
“ We were all expected to show loyalty to Jeremy , those of us who were elected supporting Jeremy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party and overseeing the party ’ s administration , which is what our job was under the rules , ” Lansman admits .
This situation is not new , nor has it changed with the new leadership , he adds : “ I ’ m afraid that under Keir – in spite of his commitment to end factionalism – it is just as factional in the way it operates.
” He is “ disappointed ” – a word that crops up often in our conversation – that “ voting , almost without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He reports , in an observation that will perhaps surprise some , that the least factional part of the NEC is found on disputes panels considering internal complaints .
Readers might be surprised to see the ex-head of Momentum talk about reducing factionalism in Labour .
Does he feel that he behaved in a non-factional way on the NEC ?
“ Under Jeremy ’ s leadership , it wasn ’ t factional by choice from the start .
But I think there was lots of necessity about it , at certain times.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards the Corbyn project .
What about the failed bid to abolish Tom Watson ’ s post on the eve of conference ?
“ I don ’ t feel particularly comfortable with the scrapping of Tom Watson ’ s post .
The circumstances of the proposal were not as I understood them to be at the time .
I withdrew the proposal the following morning , and that ’ s that.
” He has “ absolutely no regrets ” about dumping Labour Students , however .
Lansman may no longer be in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any Labour post , but he is still intent on internal reforms being implemented .
He makes the case that the NEC does not have oversight of party staff or finances as it should , and the policy-making process is “ recognised as being wholly inadequate by left and right ” .
The unelected party chair role does not sit comfortably with Lansman either .
Would a directly elected chair be better ?
” It ’ s controversial , I know : personally I ’ d sooner see an election for general secretary.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates , and members would choose one to serve for a fixed term , he suggests .
Among his regrets over the past several years in the party is the failure to introduce open selections for sitting MPs , which would have forced them to seek approval from local members before each election .
It is a reform that Lansman has championed for decades , yet it failed to emerge even with the Labour left in charge .
“ Ultimately , it was the decision of the leadership , ” he explains .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , hostility in the parliamentary party – he points to polling that shows the policy to be a popular one with members .
“ So I ’ m sorry about it .
But I don ’ t think that ’ s the only thing .
I want to see a mass campaigning party.
” This is Momentum ’ s bread and butter , its raison d ’ être : creating a mass party .
Does Starmer share that aim ?
“ I ’ m not sure .
I don ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He adds : “ I do worry that the mass party is seen as a necessity primarily for financial reasons .
I think it ’ s seen by too many MPs as a threat .
I don ’ t think that ’ s justified , but it ’ s the way they think.
” He also suggests that progress on campaigning is not good enough , saying : “ We ’ re not doing as much as we should be doing now .
Covid is a necessary limiter , but there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not up to the job.
” It is here , too , that Momentum put members ’ expertise to use and created tools such as the online campaign map .
Momentum did reenergise the party , and did help to expand the membership to the benefit of the party ’ s get-out-the-vote operation on the ground and its coffers .
Where many will say that the Labour left failed , however , is antisemitism .
“ It was emotionally a big thing for me .
I never expected to find antisemitism in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I found it in appalling ways in the stuff that I saw in disciplinary cases .
I ’ m frustrated at the level of denial that there is in the party , ” Lansman tells me .
“ A lot of the people who are in denial , if they saw this material , I think many of them would adjust their position – maybe not sufficiently in some cases , but there is no basis for saying it is lies or a smear.
” He is clearly upset by the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media .
“ They ’ re just nasty , horrible.
” When the Equality and Human Rights Commission report was released last month , establishing that Labour was responsible for unlawful acts in the way antisemitism was handled , Corbyn took just half an hour to release a statement in response .
The former leader used it to reiterate that antisemitism is “ abhorrent ” and does exist within the party , but also that “ the scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ emotional ” , and says of Corbyn ’ s reaction : “ I wasn ’ t happy with the words that Jeremy used.
” Echoing the view that Angela Rayner recently expressed on Newsnight , Lansman elaborates : “ He was clearly talking about the number of cases , and of course that is technically right .
The public perceptions , which are created by media reporting , don ’ t match the numbers of cases .
But to say that on the day of the EHRC report , when lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before continuing : “ I ’ ve had lots of antisemitic abuse .
I am hurt by that .
The hurt has not been exaggerated .
The hurt is real .
So I think Jeremy ’ s words were not right .
I disagree with them.
” Lansman does not break with the shared Labour left belief that the disciplinary action was wrong , however , saying for the first time publicly : “ I also disagree strongly with his suspension .
I haven ’ t said that before because it wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that , but I ’ ve effectively finished my term.
” And he is sceptical about the process , saying he ’ s “ not sure it was right ” for the general secretary to take the decision .
Lansman nonetheless tells me he won ’ t “ go on about it ” because “ what the EHRC said about political interference in the disciplinary process is right ” .
And the outgoing NEC member makes clear that he is fully in favour of an independent process , as recommended by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NEC of his own volition , it should be noted .
Was he disappointed when the Labour left groups chose not to include him on the slate ?
“ Yes , I was .
Of course .
But I ’ ve accepted the decision , ” he replies .
And , particularly with a new voting system in place , he is not worried about the results .
“ I ’ m fearful for the outcome of the election because I ’ m not convinced the left has adopted the right strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximise support for transformative policies and democratising the party is to appeal to the coalition that elected Jeremy .
We haven ’ t really done that , we ’ ve retrenched .
I say ‘ we ’ , I haven ’ t really been involved .
The left has retrenched to its core.
” This could easily be interpreted as a criticism of the new Momentum leadership , but Lansman tells me : “ I ’ ve avoided commenting on or criticising the new leadership of Momentum .
I don ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former chair to do.
” Yet he does argue that in a key way their task is easier than the one he took on because “ we were supporting the leader ” and : “ One of the things that goes with supporting the leader is pressure to support whatever the leader does and decides .
There was plenty of that.
” Although he says there was “ enormous pressure ” on the officers ’ group to oppose open selections , for example , they refused – but nonetheless “ got a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enhanced trigger ballot system that was eventually adopted .
“ I do think that meant decision-making [ by the party leadership ] was too much in the bubble .
The new Momentum leadership are relieved of that problem.
” Lansman has had a big year : he was also director of Rebecca Long-Bailey ’ s leadership campaign .
I ask what went wrong : the candidate , the campaign , or a devastating general election that made her defeat inevitable .
He replies : “ Rebecca was a good candidate who rose to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign .
But I think the odds were always stacked against her .
The truth was that the effect of the New Labour years was to marginalise the left to the extent that left MPs were a bunch of old people… We were missing generations .
That was the real problem , and a problem we always knew we were going to have.
” He also concedes that Starmer was a “ strong ” candidate .
“ His opening video was an extremely good video that presented a completely left face .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , actually .
We ’ ve yet to see how representative that will be.
” While Lansman says there will be issues on which he and the new leadership will disagree strongly , such as on the controversial ‘ spycops ’ bill , he has “ been as collaborative as I could be on the NEC since he was elected ” .
He is clear : “ I will work to elect Keir as Prime Minister at the next election as hard as I can .
If I disagree with things he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as constructively and comradely as I can… I don ’ t want the Labour Party to fail , and I hope that nobody in Momentum or on the left of the Labour Party wants Labour to fail .
There is certainly no alternative to the Labour Party when it comes to getting into government and implementing transformative policies.
” Lansman is determined that the left must not abandon the party as a focus , calling himself “ Labour through and through ” , and positive that the ‘ sealed tomb ’ created in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left either .
“ I ’ m not expecting to be in the wilderness for another 40 years .
Should I live that long !
I think objectively the left is in a vastly stronger position than it was in its previous height in the 80s.
” His counsel ?
“ If I was going to say one thing about Momentum : I think it has to stay Labour .
It can ’ t seek to supplant Labour as a movement .
It was a movement to transform Labour into the movement we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as broad and consensual as possible .
That would be my advice to Momentum ’ s leadership.
” Jon Lansman is now living in Cornwall , “ on the edge of the Labour world ” as he puts it .
“ I ’ ve had more of a rest than I expected to have , and I did need it .
I ’ d had five years of 24/7 activity… I did not stop .
I really was exhausted.
” Yet his work in the party is not done .
He is planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ get to a point where I don ’ t just get abuse for factional reasons , for intra-left sectarian reasons “ .
And “ there are people on the left ” who he “ simply wouldn ’ t work with anymore ” because , he says : “ Antisemitism for me was a wedge issue.
” But this does not spell the end .
He wants to ensure that the Labour left avoids “ repeating the mistakes of the 80s , when I think it did cut itself off ” – and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of institutional memory in the party .
With a smile , he sums up : “ My legacy isn ’ t complete .
”

“The truth is that being on the NEC has been a very disappointing experience,” Jon Lansman tells me. This is the last week that Momentum’s co-founder and former chair, a central figure during the Corbyn era, will be a member of the national executive committee. Results of fresh elections to Labour’s ruling body, which will almost certainly see Keir Starmer increase his majority on the crucial governing body, are set to be unveiled on Friday. I am interviewing Lansman over Zoom as this seems an appropriate moment to reflect on his significant role in recent Labour history.
The Labour leadership under Jeremy Corbyn “chose to focus on a battle for bureaucratic control rather than the democratisation of the party that I was seeking”, Lansman says. “That was a very difficult situation to manage. I absolutely supported the transformative policies that Jeremy was standing for. But I also wanted to refashion the party in a way that made it fit for the 21st century, and I don’t think we’ve achieved that. I was pretty depressed by that.” Far from believing that he wielded power and influence as an NEC member, he thinks the party’s core committee has little say due to a “terrible governance deficit”. This is something that has also been raised by NEC members from the party’s right, though Lansman reckons that while Gurinder Singh Josan has been “consistent” on the issue “not necessarily everybody has been”.
“We were all expected to show loyalty to Jeremy, those of us who were elected supporting Jeremy, rather than influencing the direction of the party and overseeing the party’s administration, which is what our job was under the rules,” Lansman admits. This situation is not new, nor has it changed with the new leadership, he adds: “I’m afraid that under Keir – in spite of his commitment to end factionalism – it is just as factional in the way it operates.” He is “disappointed” – a word that crops up often in our conversation – that “voting, almost without exception, is along factional lines”. He reports, in an observation that will perhaps surprise some, that the least factional part of the NEC is found on disputes panels considering internal complaints.
Readers might be surprised to see the ex-head of Momentum talk about reducing factionalism in Labour. Does he feel that he behaved in a non-factional way on the NEC? “Under Jeremy’s leadership, it wasn’t factional by choice from the start. But I think there was lots of necessity about it, at certain times.” He refers to hostility from MPs towards the Corbyn project. What about the failed bid to abolish Tom Watson’s post on the eve of conference? “I don’t feel particularly comfortable with the scrapping of Tom Watson’s post. The circumstances of the proposal were not as I understood them to be at the time. I withdrew the proposal the following morning, and that’s that.” He has “absolutely no regrets” about dumping Labour Students, however.
Lansman may no longer be in a Momentum leadership position, nor soon in any Labour post, but he is still intent on internal reforms being implemented. He makes the case that the NEC does not have oversight of party staff or finances as it should, and the policy-making process is “recognised as being wholly inadequate by left and right”. The unelected party chair role does not sit comfortably with Lansman either. Would a directly elected chair be better? ”It’s controversial, I know: personally I’d sooner see an election for general secretary.” The NEC could interview and shortlist candidates, and members would choose one to serve for a fixed term, he suggests.
Among his regrets over the past several years in the party is the failure to introduce open selections for sitting MPs, which would have forced them to seek approval from local members before each election. It is a reform that Lansman has championed for decades, yet it failed to emerge even with the Labour left in charge. “Ultimately, it was the decision of the leadership,” he explains. While understanding the reasons for that – again, hostility in the parliamentary party – he points to polling that shows the policy to be a popular one with members. “So I’m sorry about it. But I don’t think that’s the only thing. I want to see a mass campaigning party.”
This is Momentum’s bread and butter, its raison d’être: creating a mass party. Does Starmer share that aim? “I’m not sure. I don’t think Keir has really made that clear.” He adds: “I do worry that the mass party is seen as a necessity primarily for financial reasons. I think it’s seen by too many MPs as a threat. I don’t think that’s justified, but it’s the way they think.” He also suggests that progress on campaigning is not good enough, saying: “We’re not doing as much as we should be doing now. Covid is a necessary limiter, but there’s widespread recognition that our digital tools are not up to the job.” It is here, too, that Momentum put members’ expertise to use and created tools such as the online campaign map.
Momentum did reenergise the party, and did help to expand the membership to the benefit of the party’s get-out-the-vote operation on the ground and its coffers. Where many will say that the Labour left failed, however, is antisemitism. “It was emotionally a big thing for me. I never expected to find antisemitism in the Labour Party and I did find it. I found it in appalling ways in the stuff that I saw in disciplinary cases. I’m frustrated at the level of denial that there is in the party,” Lansman tells me. “A lot of the people who are in denial, if they saw this material, I think many of them would adjust their position – maybe not sufficiently in some cases, but there is no basis for saying it is lies or a smear.” He is clearly upset by the “nastiness and venom” directed towards him on social media. “They’re just nasty, horrible.”
When the Equality and Human Rights Commission report was released last month, establishing that Labour was responsible for unlawful acts in the way antisemitism was handled, Corbyn took just half an hour to release a statement in response. The former leader used it to reiterate that antisemitism is “abhorrent” and does exist within the party, but also that “the scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents”. Lansman describes the publication day as “emotional”, and says of Corbyn’s reaction: “I wasn’t happy with the words that Jeremy used.”
Echoing the view that Angela Rayner recently expressed on Newsnight, Lansman elaborates: “He was clearly talking about the number of cases, and of course that is technically right. The public perceptions, which are created by media reporting, don’t match the numbers of cases. But to say that on the day of the EHRC report, when lots of people…” He trails off, before continuing: “I’ve had lots of antisemitic abuse. I am hurt by that. The hurt has not been exaggerated. The hurt is real. So I think Jeremy’s words were not right. I disagree with them.”
Lansman does not break with the shared Labour left belief that the disciplinary action was wrong, however, saying for the first time publicly: “I also disagree strongly with his suspension. I haven’t said that before because it wasn’t appropriate for an NEC member to say that, but I’ve effectively finished my term.” And he is sceptical about the process, saying he’s “not sure it was right” for the general secretary to take the decision. Lansman nonetheless tells me he won’t “go on about it” because “what the EHRC said about political interference in the disciplinary process is right”. And the outgoing NEC member makes clear that he is fully in favour of an independent process, as recommended by the equality body.
Lansman is not leaving the NEC of his own volition, it should be noted. Was he disappointed when the Labour left groups chose not to include him on the slate? “Yes, I was. Of course. But I’ve accepted the decision,” he replies. And, particularly with a new voting system in place, he is worried about the results. “I’m fearful for the outcome of the election because I’m not convinced the left has adopted the right strategy. I think the right approach to maximise support for transformative policies and democratising the party is to appeal to the coalition that elected Jeremy. We haven’t really done that, we’ve retrenched. I say ‘we’, I haven’t really been involved. The left has retrenched to its core.”
This could easily be interpreted as a criticism of the new Momentum leadership, but Lansman tells me: “I’ve avoided commenting on or criticising the new leadership of Momentum. I don’t think it’s an appropriate thing for a former chair to do.” Yet he does argue that in a key way their task is easier than the one he took on because “we were supporting the leader” and: “One of the things that goes with supporting the leader is pressure to support whatever the leader does and decides. There was plenty of that.” Although he says there was “enormous pressure” on the officers’ group to oppose open selections, for example, they refused – but nonetheless “got a lot of stick” for recommending the enhanced trigger ballot system that was eventually adopted. “I do think that meant decision-making [by the party leadership] was too much in the bubble. The new Momentum leadership are relieved of that problem.”
Lansman has had a big year: he was also director of Rebecca Long-Bailey’s leadership campaign. I ask what went wrong: the candidate, the campaign, or a devastating general election that made her defeat inevitable. He replies: “Rebecca was a good candidate who rose to the role and did so increasingly during the campaign. But I think the odds were always stacked against her. The truth was that the effect of the New Labour years was to marginalise the left to the extent that left MPs were a bunch of old people… We were missing generations. That was the real problem, and a problem we always knew we were going to have.” He also concedes that Starmer was a “strong” candidate. “His opening video was an extremely good video that presented a completely left face. That wasn’t all of Keir, actually. We’ve yet to see how representative that will be.”
While Lansman says there will be issues on which he and the new leadership will disagree strongly, such as on the controversial ‘spycops’ bill, he has “been as collaborative as I could be on the NEC since he was elected”. He is clear: “I will work to elect Keir as Prime Minister at the next election as hard as I can. If I disagree with things he’s doing, I will do it as constructively and comradely as I can… I don’t want the Labour Party to fail, and I hope that nobody in Momentum or on the left of the Labour Party wants Labour to fail. There is certainly no alternative to the Labour Party when it comes to getting into government and implementing transformative policies.”
Lansman is determined that the left must not abandon the party as a focus, calling himself “Labour through and through”, and positive that the ‘sealed tomb’ created in the Blair era should not await the left either. “I’m not expecting to be in the wilderness for another 40 years. Should I live that long! I think objectively the left is in a vastly stronger position than it was in its previous height in the 80s.” His counsel? “If I was going to say one thing about Momentum: I think it has to stay Labour. It can’t seek to supplant Labour as a movement. It was a movement to transform Labour into the movement we need. And it needs to be as broad and consensual as possible. That would be my advice to Momentum’s leadership.”
Jon Lansman is now living in Cornwall, “on the edge of the Labour world” as he puts it. “I’ve had more of a rest than I expected to have, and I did need it. I’d had five years of 24/7 activity… I did not stop. I really was exhausted.” Yet his work in the party is not done. He is planning to write more. He wants to “get to a point where I don’t just get abuse for factional reasons, for intra-left sectarian reasons“. And “there are people on the left” who he “simply wouldn’t work with anymore” because, he says: “Antisemitism for me was a wedge issue.” But this does not spell the end. He wants to ensure that the Labour left avoids “repeating the mistakes of the 80s, when I think it did cut itself off” – and believes he can help limit the lack of institutional memory in the party. With a smile, he sums up: “My legacy isn’t complete.”


labourlist--2020-11-12--What to expect as voting closes in Labour’s key ruling body elections

Voting closed at midday in Labour internal elections that will see 15 members freshly elected to the ruling national executive committee – with results that could strengthen the new leadership ’ s grip of the party machine .
The NEC is officially Labour ’ s governing body .
It oversees the overall direction of the party , the application of its rulebook , the implementation of a policy-making process , and plays a role in the Clause V manifesto meeting .
The extent to which the NEC is all-powerful is up for debate , and Keir Starmer pledged during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its influence over key functions such as parliamentary candidate selections .
But it can take pivotal decisions greatly altering the party ’ s future , such as in 2016 when Jeremy Corbyn was automatically included on the leadership contest ballot paper and more recently the appointment of a new general secretary .
What we already know for certain is that the NEC will be expanded to 39 members , and that a number of current reps will depart – including left-wingers Jon Lansman , Huda Elmi and Rachel Garnham , who are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know are the results , set to be released in 24 hours .
Those of the local party section will be shaped by the new voting system brought in under Starmer , which will prevent a ‘ winner-takes-all ’ outcome .
Who will be elected ?
Labour members have cast ballots since October 19th to determine which nine candidates will represent local parties on the body , as well as to pick a disabled rep , youth rep , Welsh rep , two councillors and a treasurer .
The two incumbent local government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – are highly likely to be re-elected , current treasurer Diana Holland ’ s victory is all but certain , and Mick Antoniw has a good chance of staying as Welsh rep .
The least predictable outcomes are those of the youth and new disabled rep posts , chosen via an electoral college that ensures trade unions have a big say in the final result .
Young/disabled members count for 50 % of the vote .
The Labour left ’ s Lara McNeill won the support of two big unions , Unite and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the youth race compared to rival Kira Lewis .
They won around the same number of young member nominations .
Also with the backing of two big unions , this time UNISON and GMB , George Lindars-Hammond has the upper hand going into the contest – but opponent Ellen Morrison secured 206 local party nominations compared to his 64 .
What do the elections mean for Starmer ?
The NEC will be dealing with the implementation of the Equality and Human Rights Commission report recommendations , including the introduction of an independent process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also likely have to consider the conclusions of the Forde Inquiry , which has been investigating the controversial leaked report and looking into party culture and practices that have been criticised by all sides as toxic .
The work of the inquiry , led by Martin Forde QC , has been successfully kept under wraps , although submissions of evidence have been leaked .
Its final report is now expected to be delivered by the end of the year .
Starmer has reliably won votes on the NEC so far – but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is currently soft and narrow .
Since being elected , the leader has had 18 solid supporters on the body , with two GMB reps acting as swing voters .
The balance of power on the NEC is made less certain by the three affiliated union general secretary races set to take place – UNISON ’ s contest is underway , while those of Unite and GMB are expected to be held next year .
These upcoming challenges and changes to the membership of the NEC make it all the more important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Win ’ – as opposed to ‘ Grassroots Voice ’ – candidates are successful .
The outcome depends both on how many Corbynite members have recently quit the party in protest at Starmer ’ s leadership decisions and on the extent to which new pro-Starmer members are willing to engage with niche internal elections .
All things considered , including the effect of using a single transferable vote ( STV ) system in the members ’ section , the Labour leader will probably boost his NEC support by a couple of dependable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to him .
• Here ’ s the state of play as voting opens in Labour ’ s NEC elections ( October 19th ) • What local party nominations tell us about Labour ’ s 2020 NEC elections ( October 1st ) • Labour left wins most backing as nominations close in NEC elections ( September 28th ) • Over 170 members are standing in Labour ’ s NEC elections .
Who are they ?
( July 14th ) • Labour left groups agree single NEC slate of six CLP rep candidates – @ @ @ @ @ @

Voting closed at midday in Labour internal elections that will see 15 members freshly elected to the ruling national executive committee – with results that could strengthen the new leadership’s grip of the party machine.
The NEC is officially Labour’s governing body. It oversees the overall direction of the party, the application of its rulebook, the implementation of a policy-making process, and plays a role in the Clause V manifesto meeting.
The extent to which the NEC is all-powerful is up for debate, and Keir Starmer pledged during the leadership election earlier this year to limit its influence over key functions such as parliamentary candidate selections.
But it can take pivotal decisions greatly altering the party’s future, such as in 2016 when Jeremy Corbyn was automatically included on the leadership contest ballot paper and more recently the appointment of a new general secretary.
What we already know for certain is that the NEC will be expanded to 39 members, and that a number of current reps will depart – including left-wingers Jon Lansman, Huda Elmi and Rachel Garnham, who are not re-standing.
What we do not yet know are the results, set to be released in 24 hours. Those of the local party section will be shaped by the new voting system brought in under Starmer, which will prevent a ‘winner-takes-all’ outcome.
Who will be elected?
Labour members have cast ballots since October 19th to determine which nine candidates will represent local parties on the body, as well as to pick a disabled rep, youth rep, Welsh rep, two councillors and a treasurer.
The two incumbent local government representatives – Alice Perry and Nick Forbes – are highly likely to be re-elected, current treasurer Diana Holland’s victory is all but certain, and Mick Antoniw has a good chance of staying as Welsh rep.
The least predictable outcomes are those of the youth and new disabled rep posts, chosen via an electoral college that ensures trade unions have a big say in the final result. Young/disabled members count for 50% of the vote.
The Labour left’s Lara McNeill won the support of two big unions, Unite and GMB, and is therefore ahead in the youth race compared to rival Kira Lewis. They won around the same number of young member nominations.
Also with the backing of two big unions, this time UNISON and GMB, George Lindars-Hammond has the upper hand going into the contest – but opponent Ellen Morrison secured 206 local party nominations compared to his 64.
What do the elections mean for Starmer?
The NEC will be dealing with the implementation of the Equality and Human Rights Commission report recommendations, including the introduction of an independent process for antisemitism complaints.
The body will also likely have to consider the conclusions of the Forde Inquiry, which has been investigating the controversial leaked report and looking into party culture and practices that have been criticised by all sides as toxic.
The work of the inquiry, led by Martin Forde QC, has been successfully kept under wraps, although submissions of evidence have been leaked. Its final report is now expected to be delivered by the end of the year.
Starmer has reliably won votes on the NEC so far – but he will want to increase his majority, which is currently soft and narrow. Since being elected, the leader has had 18 solid supporters on the body, with two GMB reps acting as swing voters.
The balance of power on the NEC is made less certain by the three affiliated union general secretary races set to take place – UNISON’s contest is underway, while those of Unite and GMB are expected to be held next year.
These upcoming challenges and changes to the membership of the NEC make it all the more important for the new leadership that ‘Labour to Win’ – as opposed to ‘Grassroots Voice’ – candidates are successful.
The outcome depends both on how many Corbynite members have recently quit the party in protest at Starmer’s leadership decisions and on the extent to which new pro-Starmer members are willing to engage with niche internal elections.
All things considered, including the effect of using a single transferable vote (STV) system in the members’ section, the Labour leader will probably boost his NEC support by a couple of dependable votes – which will be very helpful to him.
Other Labour NEC election resources:


labourlist--2020-11-12--WATCH: Tories must “get a grip of issues driving economic decline”, says Dodds

Anneliese Dodds has said the government must “ get a grip of those issues that are driving economic decline ” by making sure NHS test and trace is working effectively and stressed the need for a “ longer-term horizon for economic support ” .
In a Sky News interview this morning , the Shadow Chancellor described how new figures from the Office for National Statistics show the economy is “ much smaller ” as the organisation reported that GDP is 9.6 % lower than this time last year .
Dodds explained : “ We could be seeing a shift backwards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underway now for the last quarter .
This really shows that government has got to get a grip of those issues that are driving economic decline .
“ Particularly the public health crisis – get test , trace and isolate sorted out – but make sure we have a longer-term horizon for economic support .
That would really help to bring more confidence.
” The ONS data shows that the UK economy grew by 15.5 % between July and September as the country emerged from its first lockdown , but this has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the course of the pandemic .
Deputy national statistician at the ONS Jonathan Athow said : “ While all main sectors of the economy continued to recover , the rate of growth slowed again with the economy still remaining well below its pre-pandemic peak .
“ The return of children to school boosted activity in the education sector .
Housebuilding also continued to recover while business strengthened for lawyers and accountants after a poor August .
“ However , pubs and restaurants saw less business after the ‘ eat out to help out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less business after a successful summer.
” Labour welcomed the U-turn on extending furlough support , but criticised Rishi Sunak for the last-minute nature of the policy change , which the Chancellor and Prime Minister announced just hours before the scheme was due to end .
Dodds highlighted at the time that the late stage announcement meant workers had already been made redundant .
She asked : “ How many jobs could have been saved if this government had recognised reality and let businesses plan for the future ?
” Keir Starmer argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s session on Wednesday that the British people are “ paying the price ” for mistakes that the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have made in their handling of the crisis .
Starmer said : “ If they ’ d handed contracts to companies that could deliver , public money would have been saved .
If they ’ d extended furlough sooner , jobs would have been saved .
If they ’ d brought in a circuit breaker , lives would have been saved.
” After England entered its second national lockdown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introducing the measure , Labour has urged the government to use the four-week period of restrictions to improve NHS test and trace .
The system was only able to reach 60.4 % of coronavirus contacts in England in the last week up to lockdown .
Experts have said 80 % of close contacts must be reached if the contact tracing system is to be effective .
Official figures reported on Wednesday that the UK has now recorded 50,365 deaths linked to coronavirus .
Other data reports over 70,000 excess deaths up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death toll was 595 .
The latest government data showed 22,590 new cases .
The total number of hospital admissions for the UK stands at 185,737 with a latest daily number of 1,518 .
There has been a significant increase recently with the second wave .

Anneliese Dodds has said the government must “get a grip of those issues that are driving economic decline” by making sure NHS test and trace is working effectively and stressed the need for a “longer-term horizon for economic support”.
In a Sky News interview this morning, the Shadow Chancellor described how new figures from the Office for National Statistics show the economy is “much smaller” as the organisation reported that GDP is 9.6% lower than this time last year.
Dodds explained: “We could be seeing a shift backwards because of the lockdown that is currently underway now for the last quarter. This really shows that government has got to get a grip of those issues that are driving economic decline.
“Particularly the public health crisis – get test, trace and isolate sorted out – but make sure we have a longer-term horizon for economic support. That would really help to bring more confidence.”
"The govt has to get a grip of those issues that are driving economic decline". Shadow Chancellor @AnnelieseDodds urges the govt to 'sort out' Test and Trace and the public health crisis in response to the latest GDP figures.#KayBurley: https://t.co/XLP7oQNFFm pic.twitter.com/DJ54OXKPWU — SkyNews (@SkyNews) November 12, 2020
The ONS data shows that the UK economy grew by 15.5% between July and September as the country emerged from its first lockdown, but this has not made up for the growth lost over the course of the pandemic.
Deputy national statistician at the ONS Jonathan Athow said: “While all main sectors of the economy continued to recover, the rate of growth slowed again with the economy still remaining well below its pre-pandemic peak.
“The return of children to school boosted activity in the education sector. Housebuilding also continued to recover while business strengthened for lawyers and accountants after a poor August.
“However, pubs and restaurants saw less business after the ‘eat out to help out’ scheme ended, and accommodation saw less business after a successful summer.”
Labour welcomed the U-turn on extending furlough support, but criticised Rishi Sunak for the last-minute nature of the policy change, which the Chancellor and Prime Minister announced just hours before the scheme was due to end.
Dodds highlighted at the time that the late stage announcement meant workers had already been made redundant. She asked: “How many jobs could have been saved if this government had recognised reality and let businesses plan for the future?”
Keir Starmer argued during the latest Prime Minister Question’s session on Wednesday that the British people are “paying the price” for mistakes that the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have made in their handling of the crisis.
Starmer said: “If they’d handed contracts to companies that could deliver, public money would have been saved. If they’d extended furlough sooner, jobs would have been saved. If they’d brought in a circuit breaker, lives would have been saved.”
After England entered its second national lockdown, following a U-turn from Boris Johnson on introducing the measure, Labour has urged the government to use the four-week period of restrictions to improve NHS test and trace.
The system was only able to reach 60.4% of coronavirus contacts in England in the last week up to lockdown. Experts have said 80% of close contacts must be reached if the contact tracing system is to be effective.
Official figures reported on Wednesday that the UK has now recorded 50,365 deaths linked to coronavirus. Other data reports over 70,000 excess deaths up to the end of October. The latest daily death toll was 595.
The latest government data showed 22,590 new cases. The total number of hospital admissions for the UK stands at 185,737 with a latest daily number of 1,518. There has been a significant increase recently with the second wave.


labourlist--2020-11-12--Macho game-playing consumes No 10 as Lee Cain quits

Who ?
That will be the question on almost everyone ’ s lips this morning as the news that Lee Cain has quit 10 Downing Street dominates headlines and bulletins .
Boris Johnson ’ s director of communications has resigned after the ‘ Vote Leave lads ’ apparently tried to bounce the Prime Minister into promoting him to chief of staff – but it didn ’ t work , he has gone and Dominic Cummings could follow .
To those at the centre of government , even during coronavirus , it is all just a big game of competitive masculinity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the knowledge that highly paid private sector jobs faciliated by revolving doors can always provide a safety net .
The central way in which any of this matters to ordinary people was summed up by a Labour spokesperson last night , who said : “ On the day the UK became the first country in Europe to report 50,000 coronavirus deaths and the public endured another day of lockdown , Boris Johnson ’ s government is fighting like rats in a sack over who gets what job .
It is precisely this lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held Britain back .
The public deserve better than this incompetence and divided Conservative government.
” In Labour news , LabourList has interviewed Momentum co-founder and former chair Jon Lansman in his final week as a member of Labour ’ s ruling national executive committee .
The Labour left figure has spoken out for the first time about the response of Jeremy Corbyn to the Equality and Human Rights Commission report on Labour antisemitism ( “ I wasn ’ t happy with the words that Jeremy used… I think Jeremy ’ s words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ex-leader ’ s suspension from the party ( with which he “ disagree [ s ] strongly ” ) .
You can read the comments here – and there is plenty more to come in the full interview being published later today .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

Who? That will be the question on almost everyone’s lips this morning as the news that Lee Cain has quit 10 Downing Street dominates headlines and bulletins. Boris Johnson’s director of communications has resigned after the ‘Vote Leave lads’ apparently tried to bounce the Prime Minister into promoting him to chief of staff – but it didn’t work, he has gone and Dominic Cummings could follow. To those at the centre of government, even during coronavirus, it is all just a big game of competitive masculinity and imitating House of Cards safe in the knowledge that highly paid private sector jobs faciliated by revolving doors can always provide a safety net.
The central way in which any of this matters to ordinary people was summed up by a Labour spokesperson last night, who said: “On the day the UK became the first country in Europe to report 50,000 coronavirus deaths and the public endured another day of lockdown, Boris Johnson’s government is fighting like rats in a sack over who gets what job. It is precisely this lack of focus and rank incompetence that has held Britain back. The public deserve better than this incompetence and divided Conservative government.”
In Labour news, LabourList has interviewed Momentum co-founder and former chair Jon Lansman in his final week as a member of Labour’s ruling national executive committee. The Labour left figure has spoken out for the first time about the response of Jeremy Corbyn to the Equality and Human Rights Commission report on Labour antisemitism (“I wasn’t happy with the words that Jeremy used… I think Jeremy’s words were not right”) and the ex-leader’s suspension from the party (with which he “disagree[s] strongly”). You can read the comments here – and there is plenty more to come in the full interview being published later today. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-11-13--Care worker pay “absolutely unconscionable”, says Rayner

Angela Rayner has described the level of pay for those working in the care sector as “ absolutely unconscionable ” after new analysis found that three quarters earned less than the real living wage on the eve of the pandemic .
Responding to research published by Citizens UK and the Living Wage Foundation today , Labour ’ s deputy leader urged the government to recognise the contribution of care workers in the Covid crisis by giving them a pay rise .
Analysis of the ‘ Skills for Care ’ data by the Living Wage Foundation found high levels of low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 604,168 of 832,393 ( 73 % ) employees paid less than the rate independently set by the organisation .
Commenting on care worker pay , Rayner said : “ Ministers fell over themselves to pose for the cameras and clap our carers earlier this year , but applause doesn ’ t pay the bills and warm words don ’ t put food on the table .
“ It is a moral outrage that three quarters of social care workers do not even earn the real Living Wage .
This situation was wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is absolutely unconscionable.
” London proved to be the worst region .
The research by the Living Wage Foundation showed that in 20 of the 32 boroughs in the capital , nine in ten workers were receiving below the London living wage of £10.85 per hour .
Regions with the next highest proportion of staff not paid the real living wage ( £9.50 outside of London ) were the North East on 82 % and the North West at 78 % .
The South East , with the lowest proportion , still had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage .
The Labour deputy leader added : “ After all that they have done for all of us , a pay rise is the very least that our care worker heroes deserve.
” Polling by Survation commissioned by Citizens UK has today revealed that eight in ten people ( 82 % ) in the UK support government investment in social care to fund a pay rise for staff working in the sector .
Asked by the research organisation what would be the fairest way to fund investment in the sector , 49 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favour of taxes on wealth paid either by individuals or companies .
A ring-fenced tax for social care paid across the population was the second most popular choice , backed by 28 % , while an increase in the rate of council tax proved least popular with the support of just 5 % of people .
A report published by Age UK last week raised concerns over low pay and a sustained lack of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) throughout the Covid crisis , and highlighted the 122,000 care sector job vacancies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this report , Labour ’ s Liz Kendall said at the time that care workers have made “ immense sacrifices ” in the pandemic and urged the government to bring forward a “ long-term plan for the care workforce ” .
The shadow minister for social care said : “ The Prime Minister must bring forward a plan to reform these vital services by the end of the year and make sure our care workforce get the recognition they deserve.
” Labour has repeatedly demanded that the government publish its plans to fix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a plan guaranteeing that all workers be paid at least the real living wage in September this year .
Boris Johnson has several times promised to reform social care since becoming Prime Minister .
In his first speech after taking the role in July 2019 , the Conservative Party leader pledged to “ fix the crisis in social care once and for all ” .

Angela Rayner has described the level of pay for those working in the care sector as “absolutely unconscionable” after new analysis found that three quarters earned less than the real living wage on the eve of the pandemic.
Responding to research published by Citizens UK and the Living Wage Foundation today, Labour’s deputy leader urged the government to recognise the contribution of care workers in the Covid crisis by giving them a pay rise.
Analysis of the ‘Skills for Care’ data by the Living Wage Foundation found high levels of low pay just before the pandemic hit, with 604,168 of 832,393 (73%) employees paid less than the rate independently set by the organisation.
Commenting on care worker pay, Rayner said: “Ministers fell over themselves to pose for the cameras and clap our carers earlier this year, but applause doesn’t pay the bills and warm words don’t put food on the table.
“It is a moral outrage that three quarters of social care workers do not even earn the real Living Wage. This situation was wrong before this pandemic, but now it is absolutely unconscionable.”
London proved to be the worst region. The research by the Living Wage Foundation showed that in 20 of the 32 boroughs in the capital, nine in ten workers were receiving below the London living wage of £10.85 per hour.
Regions with the next highest proportion of staff not paid the real living wage (£9.50 outside of London) were the North East on 82% and the North West at 78%. The South East, with the lowest proportion, still had 54% not paid the real living wage.
The Labour deputy leader added: “After all that they have done for all of us, a pay rise is the very least that our care worker heroes deserve.”
Polling by Survation commissioned by Citizens UK has today revealed that eight in ten people (82%) in the UK support government investment in social care to fund a pay rise for staff working in the sector.
Asked by the research organisation what would be the fairest way to fund investment in the sector, 49% of respondents said they were in favour of taxes on wealth paid either by individuals or companies.
A ring-fenced tax for social care paid across the population was the second most popular choice, backed by 28%, while an increase in the rate of council tax proved least popular with the support of just 5% of people.
A report published by Age UK last week raised concerns over low pay and a sustained lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the Covid crisis, and highlighted the 122,000 care sector job vacancies needing to be filled.
Commenting on this report, Labour’s Liz Kendall said at the time that care workers have made “immense sacrifices” in the pandemic and urged the government to bring forward a “long-term plan for the care workforce”.
The shadow minister for social care said: “The Prime Minister must bring forward a plan to reform these vital services by the end of the year and make sure our care workforce get the recognition they deserve.”
Labour has repeatedly demanded that the government publish its plans to fix social care. Deputy leader Rayner called for a plan guaranteeing that all workers be paid at least the real living wage in September this year.
Boris Johnson has several times promised to reform social care since becoming Prime Minister. In his first speech after taking the role in July 2019, the Conservative Party leader pledged to “fix the crisis in social care once and for all”.


labourlist--2020-11-12--Ballots of resigned members count if they voted before quitting, says Labour

Labour has confirmed to internal election candidates that the votes of members who have resigned from the party will be counted as long as they quit after casting their ballots , LabourList can reveal .
Concerns had been raised by some Starmersceptic activists that the party would discount the votes of members who quit the party in protest at Keir Starmer ’ s leadership or the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn .
But Labour ’ s ballots team has informed national executive committee ( NEC ) and Young Labour candidates today , ahead of results in the crucial contests being released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the case .
The party has said it considers those who voted when they were members to be eligible , while those who resigned from the Labour Party and only voted subsequently would not have a say in the internal elections .
With 15 Labour NEC posts being decided , and a further 28 Young Labour positions , candidates were also warned that full results are not expected “ until relatively late in the afternoon on Friday at the earliest ” .
Voting closed at midday today in Labour ’ s internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance of power change both on the party ’ s national ruling body and at the top of its official youth wing .
Below is the full text of the email sent to candidates .
As you will be aware , the ballot for this year ’ s internal elections closed at noon today .
We hope you are all now managing to get some well-earned rest .
As there are a large number of contests , we do not expect we will have full results until relatively late in the afternoon on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obviously keep you posted as the situation develops , so please do keep an eye on your emails .
We are aware that there has been speculation as to the eligibility of those who have recently resigned from the Labour Party to participate in the current ballot .
We hope the information below will reassure you as to the integrity of the process : • Those who voted when they were members , but resigned subsequently , remain eligible .
Their votes will therefore be counted .
• Those who resigned from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not eligible .
Their votes will therefore be cancelled prior to the votes being counted .
Please let us know if you have any questions prior to the results being announced .

Labour has confirmed to internal election candidates that the votes of members who have resigned from the party will be counted as long as they quit after casting their ballots, LabourList can reveal.
Concerns had been raised by some Starmersceptic activists that the party would discount the votes of members who quit the party in protest at Keir Starmer’s leadership or the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn.
But Labour’s ballots team has informed national executive committee (NEC) and Young Labour candidates today, ahead of results in the crucial contests being released on Friday, that this would not be the case.
The party has said it considers those who voted when they were members to be eligible, while those who resigned from the Labour Party and only voted subsequently would not have a say in the internal elections.
With 15 Labour NEC posts being decided, and a further 28 Young Labour positions, candidates were also warned that full results are not expected “until relatively late in the afternoon on Friday at the earliest”.
Voting closed at midday today in Labour’s internal elections, which could see the factional balance of power change both on the party’s national ruling body and at the top of its official youth wing.
Below is the full text of the email sent to candidates.
To NEC and Young Labour candidates.
Dear all,
As you will be aware, the ballot for this year’s internal elections closed at noon today. We hope you are all now managing to get some well-earned rest.
As there are a large number of contests, we do not expect we will have full results until relatively late in the afternoon on Friday at the earliest. We will obviously keep you posted as the situation develops, so please do keep an eye on your emails.
We are aware that there has been speculation as to the eligibility of those who have recently resigned from the Labour Party to participate in the current ballot. We hope the information below will reassure you as to the integrity of the process:
Those who voted when they were members, but resigned subsequently, remain eligible. Their votes will therefore be counted.
Those who resigned from the Labour Party, but voted subsequently, are not eligible. Their votes will therefore be cancelled prior to the votes being counted.
Please let us know if you have any questions prior to the results being announced.
Thanks,
Ballots Team


labourlist--2020-11-12--We need an honest conversation about Transport for London

‘ A chaotic right-wing premier picks a fight with a regional politician in order to distract from his own failings amid the pandemic.
’ If that sounds a depressingly familiar scenario then let us take comfort , now more than ever , from how the story could end – in electoral failure .
Boris Johnson ’ s attacks on Sadiq Khan ’ s oversight of the public transport network are straight out of the Donald Trump playbook .
Just as the US President waged war on Democratic governors ’ handling of coronavirus during his doomed re-election bid , so has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London .
And just as Trump ’ s rants against the swing state governors ultimately proved futile , so will Johnson ’ s own outbursts be viewed as empty and pointless .
What Johnson has done , in fact , is open up a much-needed debate on the funding of Transport for London .
Last week , the organisation received a £1.8bn government bail-out in order to keep its services running until March 2021 .
TfL ’ s finances have been hammered by the pandemic with revenue dropping by 90 % , driven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and retail units amid lockdown .
Without the emergency cash injection , the transport body would have been likely to issue a Section 114 order – the public sector equivalent of bankruptcy .
An opportunist perfectly aware of the balance sheet contortions facing TfL following his own eight years as mayor , Johnson accused Sadiq of “ effectively bankrupting ” the organisation before the onset of Covid-19 .
It is a claim so far-fetched that , had it been made elsewhere , Johnson would no doubt have described it as “ codswallop ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sadiq settled for something simpler , telling the BBC that his immediate predecessor was a “ liar ” .
The reality is that Sadiq reduced TfL ’ s deficit prior to the pandemic .
And , just like his Tory predecessors as Prime Minister , Johnson has revelled in political attacks on the Labour mayor .
We need to have an honest conversation about how to pay for a vast infrastructure that stretches into the home counties and employs 28,000 people .
Coronavirus has required enormous changes to the way we travel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , socialise and exercise .
The virus may be with us for some time yet , so the adjustments we have seen this year – from widening pavements to allow for social distancing to fewer services on some routes – could be part of travel through much of the next year .
There has been huge support for these measures .
Londoners know the city is changing all the time and transport will evolve each year .
Only a few mindless idiots have departed from this mood of consensus , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jon Burke received death threats for his part in rolling out more low-traffic neighbourhoods , which are designed to cut the number of car journeys .
While there is widespread support among London residents for a strong public transport body independent from central government , it is my belief that now is the time to rethink how it is operated and funded .
Ten years of Tory austerity have starved TfL of the funding it needs .
You can draw a short line from the transport authority ’ s current challenges back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Osborne and mayor Johnson cooked up a deal to cut to zero the level of central government funding for its day-to-day running costs .
But look around the world and you can see countless cities in which regional and central government have worked together to deliver better value fares amid first-class infrastructure , whether it is the gilded architecture of Moscow ’ s 1930s metro or the more modern networks of Seoul and Singapore .
As the landscape of the state and economy is redrawn amid the pandemic , it is time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or council tax to provide the funding needed to reform our Victorian-built network .
And there is a case for spreading this out as fairly as possible by asking people living in the home counties to pay a little extra as well , because prior to the pandemic they were using TfL services in the hundreds of thousands every week .
The benefits of extra investment would be manifold : reduced car usage , cleaner air , increased productivity from workers in Europe ’ s financial , legal and creative capital as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Alongside this package should come increased support for car sharing , safe cycle lanes and walking routes from the suburbs to the centre .
A TfL network that is funded for success rather than set up to fail by central government could prove life-changing for Londoners .
The pain of the pandemic has been felt in every community and every sector of the economy .
I hope one of the positives will be that we change the way we think about public services and decide once again to provide them with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come together and set up TfL for another 150 years of innovation .

‘A chaotic right-wing premier picks a fight with a regional politician in order to distract from his own failings amid the pandemic.’ If that sounds a depressingly familiar scenario then let us take comfort, now more than ever, from how the story could end – in electoral failure.
Boris Johnson’s attacks on Sadiq Khan’s oversight of the public transport network are straight out of the Donald Trump playbook. Just as the US President waged war on Democratic governors’ handling of coronavirus during his doomed re-election bid, so has the Prime Minister attacked the mayor of London. And just as Trump’s rants against the swing state governors ultimately proved futile, so will Johnson’s own outbursts be viewed as empty and pointless.
What Johnson has done, in fact, is open up a much-needed debate on the funding of Transport for London. Last week, the organisation received a £1.8bn government bail-out in order to keep its services running until March 2021. TfL’s finances have been hammered by the pandemic with revenue dropping by 90%, driven by major hits to fares, advertising and retail units amid lockdown. Without the emergency cash injection, the transport body would have been likely to issue a Section 114 order – the public sector equivalent of bankruptcy.
An opportunist perfectly aware of the balance sheet contortions facing TfL following his own eight years as mayor, Johnson accused Sadiq of “effectively bankrupting” the organisation before the onset of Covid-19. It is a claim so far-fetched that, had it been made elsewhere, Johnson would no doubt have described it as “codswallop” or “nonsense on stilts”. Sadiq settled for something simpler, telling the BBC that his immediate predecessor was a “liar”. The reality is that Sadiq reduced TfL’s deficit prior to the pandemic. And, just like his Tory predecessors as Prime Minister, Johnson has revelled in political attacks on the Labour mayor.
We need to have an honest conversation about how to pay for a vast infrastructure that stretches into the home counties and employs 28,000 people. Coronavirus has required enormous changes to the way we travel, just as it has changed how we work, socialise and exercise. The virus may be with us for some time yet, so the adjustments we have seen this year – from widening pavements to allow for social distancing to fewer services on some routes – could be part of travel through much of the next year.
There has been huge support for these measures. Londoners know the city is changing all the time and transport will evolve each year. Only a few mindless idiots have departed from this mood of consensus, for example in Hackney, where council cabinet member Jon Burke received death threats for his part in rolling out more low-traffic neighbourhoods, which are designed to cut the number of car journeys. While there is widespread support among London residents for a strong public transport body independent from central government, it is my belief that now is the time to rethink how it is operated and funded.
Ten years of Tory austerity have starved TfL of the funding it needs. You can draw a short line from the transport authority’s current challenges back to 2015, when the then Chancellor George Osborne and mayor Johnson cooked up a deal to cut to zero the level of central government funding for its day-to-day running costs.
But look around the world and you can see countless cities in which regional and central government have worked together to deliver better value fares amid first-class infrastructure, whether it is the gilded architecture of Moscow’s 1930s metro or the more modern networks of Seoul and Singapore. As the landscape of the state and economy is redrawn amid the pandemic, it is time to consider a small increase in corporation tax or council tax to provide the funding needed to reform our Victorian-built network. And there is a case for spreading this out as fairly as possible by asking people living in the home counties to pay a little extra as well, because prior to the pandemic they were using TfL services in the hundreds of thousands every week.
The benefits of extra investment would be manifold: reduced car usage, cleaner air, increased productivity from workers in Europe’s financial, legal and creative capital as well as the ripple effect of infrastructure investment. Alongside this package should come increased support for car sharing, safe cycle lanes and walking routes from the suburbs to the centre.
A TfL network that is funded for success rather than set up to fail by central government could prove life-changing for Londoners. The pain of the pandemic has been felt in every community and every sector of the economy. I hope one of the positives will be that we change the way we think about public services and decide once again to provide them with the investment they deserve. Let’s come together and set up TfL for another 150 years of innovation.


labourlist--2020-11-12--Members threatened with investigation over Corbyn suspension motions

Labour members have allegedly been threatened with investigation after considering motions on the high-profile suspension of former leader Jeremy Corbyn as part of their local party business .
Momentum members from one Constituency Labour Party ( CLP ) took to social media earlier this week following threats they allege have been sent from the regional party reacting to a motion passed by local members on Monday .
Chair of Bristol West CLP Dr Hannah Little told LabourList that while “ there wasn ’ t an explicit threat of suspension ” she was told she would be “ investigated ” for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told LabourList that on the day of the Equality and Human Rights Commission report being published and the suspension of the former Labour leader , an emergency motion was tabled and passed by one branch .
McLaughlin , a Labour council candidate for 2021 , reported that after the motion passed at branch level the chair received emails from the regional director advising that the motion should not be considered at a meeting of the whole local party .
After receiving messages from many local members , however , the CLP chair decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinary general committee meeting was held online with around 200 members participating .
The chair issued a statement on the decision to hear the motion .
“ When Jennie Formby established the guidance around discussing suspensions , she clarified that it was about confidentiality and protecting party processes to operate uninhibited… “ I don ’ t feel the motion discusses any confidential information , and is calling for procedures to be followed .
There are specific issues about the process that has been followed in Jeremy Corbyn ’ s suspension , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or region to “ rectify the discord created by this heavy handed approach ” , the chair added : “ At present , the authoritarian approach of trying to prevent any discussion isn ’ t helping member engagement , trust or unity.
” Local parties were warned by general secretary David Evans not to “ have discussions about , or pass motions in relation to any aspect of individual disciplinary cases ” in an email to local officers last week .
His predecessor Formby had also advised local party secretaries not to accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , warning that “ there is a lot of interest in the party and the media about our internal systems ” .
But McLaughlin told LabourList : “ The anti-democratic suspension of Jeremy Corbyn has , rightly , been a topic of huge debate within the party .
“ Because of this it is absolutely right that members should be able to have their say , as Keir Starmer does in every interview he gives.
” The co-secretary and chair of the local party explained to LabourList that , in order to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or challenge to the EHRC report , it was decided that the motion should be considered without debate .
All members present were muted throughout the meeting and amendments to the motion were sent by direct message to the chair , who then took a break to consider and composite the contributions from members before proceeding to a vote .
Members first voted on whether to consider the motion , with 94 voting in favour and 59 against .
The local party then voted on the motion itself , which passed by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 80 against and three abstentions .
Labour MP and shadow cabinet member Thangam Debbonaire , who attended the local meeting , later confirmed on social media that she had voted against the meeting being held and then against the motion itself .
Members have raised concerns that this itself constitutes political interference as the Shadow Housing Secretary offered her opinion on the ongoing disciplinary process by voting and commenting online .
She has declined to comment .
Bristol West CLP has written to Labour leader Keir Starmer since the meeting , expressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ any and all politically motivated disciplinary actions against the left by the leadership ” .
Similar discussions have taken place in other local parties .
Michael Tierney of South Cambridgeshire CLP told LabourList that officers were “ threatened with suspension ” when they agreed to consider a motion on Corbyn ’ s suspension .
Tierney , a Labour candidate in the local elections next year , said the local party decided to withdraw the motion after discussing correspondence from the regional party , but said it may again be put forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LabourList : “ We got a notification that the motion wouldn ’ t be allowed at the CLP meeting and that if it was put forward to the group then disciplinary action could be taken against the executive , any officers there… “ Some variation of it will go to the next meeting in December if possible .
We ’ re waiting to see what some of the leadership left – what they do , what ’ s going to happen with Corbyn.
” The alleged threats of disciplinary action follow a meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members were reportedly prevented from voting on a motion expressing solidarity with Corbyn earlier this month .
The unease voiced by party members also follows the Unite party staff branch last week raising concerns over “ due process ” in the suspension of the former Labour leader and “ the integrity of our processes ” .
In an email to local officers last week , Labour ’ s general secretary told party chairs and secretaries that he is “ aware of the considerable strength of feeling and the range of views that members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he added : “ I must remind you that in accordance with the instructions of my predecessor – which I fully agree with – it is not competent business for CLPs , branches and any other party units to have discussions about , or pass motions in relation to any aspect of individual disciplinary cases .
“ This is necessary in order to protect the integrity of our processes , and to ensure that cases can be investigated and determined confidentially.
” The advice , which urged local party executives to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of order ” , reflects an instruction given in August that they should not accept motions on a number of specified topics related to antisemitism .
Evans last week warned that Labour “ will not hesitate to take appropriate action – including against individual members – where our rules and guidance are not adhered to , or standards of behaviour fall below that which we expect ” .
A Labour source has told LabourList that the party considers it to be a long-standing position that motions on individual disciplinary matters are not competent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the party considers this to be important for protecting the integrity of disciplinary processes and consistent with similar rulings made by Formby when she was general secretary .
Concerns have also been raised by members because the leader has commented on Corbyn ’ s disciplinary case in public .
Starmer has said the decision to suspend the former leader was not made by him , but by the general secretary .
Asked why the leader can comment but local parties are not allowed to do so , Starmer ’ s spokesperson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Corbyn ’ s suspension in the media .
We will obviously provide a response to that.
” The Highgate branch of Starmer ’ s own local party has passed a motion on the suspension , by 33 votes to 29 .
It reads : “ This branch/CLP expresses its solidarity with Jeremy Corbyn .
Jeremy is a lifelong campaigner against racism and antisemitism .
“ We believe that unity , not division , is important for the party to make progress and effectively challenge racism , fascism , antisemitism and harassment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The motion will now progress to a general meeting of the Holborn and St Pancras Labour .
Local member Richard Kuper told LabourList that the CLP chair had been aware of the motion and not advised that it was out of order .
Kuper , the political education officer of the Highgate Labour branch in Starmer ’ s constituency , said : “ It seemed to me in line with what David Evans said , and in my moving the motion I referred to his constraints .
“ I said very clearly I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at them .
At what seems to me a massive interference with my rights as a party member to express an opinion on this important matter.
” Commenting on the motions , Momentum co-chair Andrew Scattergood said : “ Members are sending the leadership a very clear signal that we will not take attacks on the socialist left and the principle of member-led democracy lying down .
“ This attempt to prevent discussion is control-freakery at its worst .
It ’ s time to give CLPs the right to conduct their business as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he issued a statement in response to the EHRC report into antisemitism within the Labour Party , which found Labour responsible for three breaches of the Equality Act over its handling of complaints .
The former Labour leader commented in response to the 128-page document that “ one antisemite ” is “ too many ” but added that “ the scale ” of Labour antisemitism was “ dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents ” .
A Labour spokesperson announced three hours later that Corbyn was suspended from the party pending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whip withdrawn “ [ in ] light of his comments… and his failure to retract them subsequently ” .
Below is the letter sent to the leadership by Bristol West CLP .
I ’ m writing as co-secretary of Bristol West CLP to update you on the urgent meeting held on 9th November .
Nearly 200 members attended ( including our current MP – Thangam Debbonaire ) .
Local members had been called to hear an urgent motion that centred around party democracy .
The meeting began with members having the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the motion .
Members decided that they were firmly in favour of hearing it .
Amendments were then tabled and finally the motion then was voted on and passed .
Details of the motion and voting are detailed below .
The key points that our CLP wish to express with you are that Bristol West Constituency Labour Party condemns Jeremy Corbyn ’ s suspension and demands his reinstatement to the party and that we oppose any and all politically motivated disciplinary actions against the left by the leadership .
Before the meeting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issues and pressures she had been facing : “ The regional director and executive director of legal affairs have been in touch to make it clear that I will investigated for breach of rules should the meeting go ahead this evening .
Threatening emails aside , I ’ m sure you can all understand the predicament I ’ m in here where I ’ m being forced to choose between keeping a large chunk of the membership happy and heard , or being subject to disciplinary action .
It seems very counter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position in a democratic party and it is causing me quite a lot of distress .
When I stood as chair , it was on a platform of pushing for member democracy and as part of this aim , I habitually put matters that come to the EC up for vote .
In the spirit of further democracy , I ’ m happy to hold a vote with the members in the meeting on whether to hear the motion before going ahead .
When Jenny Formby established the guidance around discussing suspensions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and protecting party processes to operate uninhibited and I absolutely support these objectives and I absolutely support the findings and recommendations of the EHRC report .
I don ’ t feel the motion discusses any confidential information and is calling for procedures to be followed .
There are specific issues about the process that has been followed in Jeremy Corbyn ’ s suspension that have not been carried out in accordance with the correct procedure , as Unite ’ s Labour party staff branch and others have pointed out .
The suspension also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EHRC ’ s recommendations which specifically and repeatedly say there should be no political influence in disciplinary matters and that remarks relating to the scale of antisemitism within the party , based on member ’ s own experience , should be permissible if they are within the law .
Aside from going ahead , I ’ m currently at a loss for how I can ensure party members can push for procedures and recommendations of the report to be followed if we ’ re not allowed to pass motions requesting that they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to allow members to ask for party processes and the report ’ s recommendations to be followed , and maintain procedures that allow for party members to call for transparency and hold the party to account.
” The meeting was carried out in such a way that we were in full accordance with party rules as we understand them .
The full amended motion reads as follows : • That the Labour Party leadership has suspended Jeremy Corbyn MP from the party and removed the parliamentary whip , ostensibly due to his statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antisemitism in the Labour Party .
• A number of public figures , including but not limited to the leader of the party , the deputy leader of the party , and the Socialist Campaign Group have issued public statements on the suspension , and that the Socialist Campaign Group has called for reinstatement , yet the general secretary has nevertheless ordered that CLPs can not do the same .
• That Jeremy Corbyn MP is a socialist and life-long fighter against racism inside and outside the Labour Party .
• That his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left of the Labour Party by the leadership .
• To condemn Jeremy Corbyn ’ s suspension and demand his reinstatement to the party .
• To oppose any and all politically motivated disciplinary actions against the left by the leadership .
• To send the contents of this motion to the leader ’ s office and the national executive committee .
• That the voting numbers for , against or abstaining on this motion will be included with any messages sent within the Labour Party .

Labour members have been threatened with investigation as a result of considering motions on the high-profile suspension of former leader Jeremy Corbyn as part of their local party business.
Momentum members from one Constituency Labour Party (CLP) took to social media earlier this week following threats they say have been sent from the regional party reacting to a motion passed by local members on Monday.
Chair of Bristol West CLP Dr Hannah Little told LabourList that while “there wasn’t an explicit threat of suspension” she was told she would be “investigated” for considering the motion.
Update, November 13th: The chair, co-secretary and a number of other members in Bristol West Labour have been suspended from the party. LabourList sources say this is due to the motion being considered and due to tweets calling for the resignation of the regional director.
Co-secretary Darran McLaughlin told LabourList that on the day of the Equality and Human Rights Commission report being published and the suspension of the former Labour leader, an emergency motion was tabled and passed by one branch.
McLaughlin, a Labour council candidate for 2021, reported that after the motion passed at branch level the chair received emails from the regional director advising that the motion should not be considered at a meeting of the whole local party.
After receiving messages from many local members, however, the CLP chair decided that it should be heard. An extraordinary general committee meeting was held online with around 200 members participating.
The chair issued a statement on the decision to hear the motion. “When Jennie Formby established the guidance around discussing suspensions, she clarified that it was about confidentiality and protecting party processes to operate uninhibited…
“I don’t feel the motion discusses any confidential information, and is calling for procedures to be followed. There are specific issues about the process that has been followed in Jeremy Corbyn’s suspension,” the statement reads.
Urging the general secretary or region to “rectify the discord created by this heavy handed approach”, the chair added: “At present, the authoritarian approach of trying to prevent any discussion isn’t helping member engagement, trust or unity.”
Local parties were warned by general secretary David Evans not to “have discussions about, or pass motions in relation to any aspect of individual disciplinary cases” in an email to local officers last week.
The guidance stated that the party would “not hesitate to take appropriate action – including against individual members” if it considered that the advice had not been adhered to.
His predecessor Formby had also advised local party secretaries not to accept motions on individual disciplinary cases in 2019, warning that “there is a lot of interest in the party and the media about our internal systems”.
But McLaughlin told LabourList: “The anti-democratic suspension of Jeremy Corbyn has, rightly, been a topic of huge debate within the party.
“Because of this it is absolutely right that members should be able to have their say, as Keir Starmer does in every interview he gives.”
The co-secretary and chair of the local party explained to LabourList that, in order to make sure there could be no discussion on or challenge to the EHRC report, it was decided that the motion should be considered without debate.
All members present were muted throughout the meeting and amendments to the motion were sent by direct message to the chair, who then took a break to consider and composite the contributions from members before proceeding to a vote.
Members first voted on whether to consider the motion, with 94 voting in favour and 59 against. The local party then voted on the motion itself, which passed by a majority of 19 with 99 voting for, 80 against and three abstentions.
Labour MP and shadow cabinet member Thangam Debbonaire, who attended the local meeting, later confirmed on social media that she had voted against the meeting being held and then against the motion itself.
Members have raised concerns that this itself constitutes political interference as the Shadow Housing Secretary offered her opinion on the ongoing disciplinary process by voting and commenting online. She has declined to comment.
Bristol West CLP has written to Labour leader Keir Starmer since the meeting, expressing their objection to the suspension of Corbyn and “any and all politically motivated disciplinary actions against the left by the leadership”.
Similar discussions have taken place in other local parties. Michael Tierney of South Cambridgeshire CLP told LabourList that officers were “threatened with suspension” when they agreed to consider a motion on Corbyn’s suspension.
Tierney, a Labour candidate in the local elections next year, said the local party decided to withdraw the motion after discussing correspondence from the regional party, but said it may again be put forward for consideration next month.
He told LabourList: “We got a notification that the motion wouldn’t be allowed at the CLP meeting and that if it was put forward to the group then disciplinary action could be taken against the executive, any officers there…
“Some variation of it will go to the next meeting in December if possible. We’re waiting to see what some of the leadership left – what they do, what’s going to happen with Corbyn.”
The threats of disciplinary action follow a meeting of the London regional board in which members were reportedly prevented from voting on a motion expressing solidarity with Corbyn earlier this month.
The unease voiced by party members also follows the Unite party staff branch last week raising concerns over “due process” in the suspension of the former Labour leader and “the integrity of our processes”.
In an email to local officers last week, Labour’s general secretary told party chairs and secretaries that he is “aware of the considerable strength of feeling and the range of views that members will have about the suspension”.
But he added: “I must remind you that in accordance with the instructions of my predecessor – which I fully agree with – it is not competent business for CLPs, branches and any other party units to have discussions about, or pass motions in relation to any aspect of individual disciplinary cases.
“This is necessary in order to protect the integrity of our processes, and to ensure that cases can be investigated and determined confidentially.”
The advice, which urged local party executives to ensure that such motions are “ruled out of order”, reflects an instruction given in August that they should not accept motions on a number of specified topics related to antisemitism.
Evans last week warned that Labour “will not hesitate to take appropriate action – including against individual members – where our rules and guidance are not adhered to, or standards of behaviour fall below that which we expect”.
A Labour source has told LabourList that the party considers it to be a long-standing position that motions on individual disciplinary matters are not competent business for local parties.
LabourList understands that the party considers this to be important for protecting the integrity of disciplinary processes and consistent with similar rulings made by Formby when she was general secretary.
Concerns have also been raised by members because the leader has commented on Corbyn’s disciplinary case in public. Starmer has said the decision to suspend the former leader was not made by him, but by the general secretary.
Asked why the leader can comment but local parties are not allowed to do so, Starmer’s spokesperson said: “Because Keir has been asked about Corbyn’s suspension in the media. We will obviously provide a response to that.”
The Highgate branch of Starmer’s own local party has passed a motion on the suspension, by 33 votes to 29. It reads: “This branch/CLP expresses its solidarity with Jeremy Corbyn. Jeremy is a lifelong campaigner against racism and antisemitism.
“We believe that unity, not division, is important for the party to make progress and effectively challenge racism, fascism, antisemitism and harassment in what ever form this may take.”
The motion will now progress to a general meeting of the Holborn and St Pancras Labour. Local member Richard Kuper told LabourList that the CLP chair had been aware of the motion and not advised that it was out of order.
Kuper, the political education officer of the Highgate Labour branch in Starmer’s constituency, said: “It seemed to me in line with what David Evans said, and in my moving the motion I referred to his constraints.
“I said very clearly I would remain within these constraints but protest at them. At what seems to me a massive interference with my rights as a party member to express an opinion on this important matter.”
Commenting on the motions, Momentum co-chair Andrew Scattergood said: “Members are sending the leadership a very clear signal that we will not take attacks on the socialist left and the principle of member-led democracy lying down.
“This attempt to prevent discussion is control-freakery at its worst. It’s time to give CLPs the right to conduct their business as they see fit.”
Corbyn was suspended after he issued a statement in response to the EHRC report into antisemitism within the Labour Party, which found Labour responsible for three breaches of the Equality Act over its handling of complaints.
The former Labour leader commented in response to the 128-page document that “one antisemite” is “too many” but added that “the scale” of Labour antisemitism was “dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents”.
A Labour spokesperson announced three hours later that Corbyn was suspended from the party pending investigation and that he had had the whip withdrawn “[in] light of his comments… and his failure to retract them subsequently”.
Below is the letter sent to the leadership by Bristol West CLP.
Dear Sir Keir
I’m writing as co-secretary of Bristol West CLP to update you on the urgent meeting held on 9th November.
Nearly 200 members attended (including our current MP – Thangam Debbonaire). Local members had been called to hear an urgent motion that centred around party democracy. The meeting began with members having the opportunity to vote on whether or not to hear the motion. Members decided that they were firmly in favour of hearing it. Amendments were then tabled and finally the motion then was voted on and passed. Details of the motion and voting are detailed below.
The key points that our CLP wish to express with you are that Bristol West Constituency Labour Party condemns Jeremy Corbyn’s suspension and demands his reinstatement to the party and that we oppose any and all politically motivated disciplinary actions against the left by the leadership.
Before the meeting, our chair Hannah Little explained very eloquently the issues and pressures she had been facing:
“The regional director and executive director of legal affairs have been in touch to make it clear that I will investigated for breach of rules should the meeting go ahead this evening. Threatening emails aside, I’m sure you can all understand the predicament I’m in here where I’m being forced to choose between keeping a large chunk of the membership happy and heard, or being subject to disciplinary action. It seems very counter intuitive that I should be in this position in a democratic party and it is causing me quite a lot of distress. When I stood as chair, it was on a platform of pushing for member democracy and as part of this aim, I habitually put matters that come to the EC up for vote. In the spirit of further democracy, I’m happy to hold a vote with the members in the meeting on whether to hear the motion before going ahead.
When Jenny Formby established the guidance around discussing suspensions, she clarified that it was about confidentiality and protecting party processes to operate uninhibited and I absolutely support these objectives and I absolutely support the findings and recommendations of the EHRC report. I don’t feel the motion discusses any confidential information and is calling for procedures to be followed. There are specific issues about the process that has been followed in Jeremy Corbyn’s suspension that have not been carried out in accordance with the correct procedure, as Unite’s Labour party staff branch and others have pointed out. The suspension also looks to be a breach of the EHRC’s recommendations which specifically and repeatedly say there should be no political influence in disciplinary matters and that remarks relating to the scale of antisemitism within the party, based on member’s own experience, should be permissible if they are within the law.
Aside from going ahead, I’m currently at a loss for how I can ensure party members can push for procedures and recommendations of the report to be followed if we’re not allowed to pass motions requesting that they are. To me, it seems fair to allow members to ask for party processes and the report’s recommendations to be followed, and maintain procedures that allow for party members to call for transparency and hold the party to account.”
The meeting was carried out in such a way that we were in full accordance with party rules as we understand them.
The full amended motion reads as follows:
Bristol West CLP notes:
That the Labour Party leadership has suspended Jeremy Corbyn MP from the party and removed the parliamentary whip, ostensibly due to his statement regarding the EHRC’s report on antisemitism in the Labour Party.
A number of public figures, including but not limited to the leader of the party, the deputy leader of the party, and the Socialist Campaign Group have issued public statements on the suspension, and that the Socialist Campaign Group has called for reinstatement, yet the general secretary has nevertheless ordered that CLPs cannot do the same.
Bristol West CLP believes:
That Jeremy Corbyn MP is a socialist and life-long fighter against racism inside and outside the Labour Party.
That his suspension is a politically motivated attack against the left of the Labour Party by the leadership.
Bristol West CLP resolves: