This is an open letter to be sent to our leadership - please reply if you would like to add your name in support.
To all members of the Labour Party National Executive Committee,
Regarding the leaked work of the Labour Party Governance and Legal Unit on anti-Semitism 2014-19 - we urge the leadership to set out its plans for an inquiry that is thorough and in depth, intended to clear out the bad and right the wrongs of mishandled disciplinary matters and more during the period. This is badly needed by members devastated by its allegations: -
Of the offensive culture of racist and sexist language at Labour HQ.
Of the right-wing factional officers in control who opposed Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership and to whom socialism was a dirty word.
That Labour staff worked against a win for Jeremy Corbyn in 2017.
That the handling of anti-Semitism disciplinary cases was either deliberately or neglectfully incompetent.
In contrast with the unjust treatment of individual members during the period, those named in the report (former staff prior to 2017 including the General Secretary, Lord McNicol) will have the benefit of due process. Their actions until they left office must be examined - at the very least they should be named and shamed - natural justice demands it.
We demand public commitment from the leadership: -
To suspend members named or to remove the Labour whip if serving in Parliament for participating in, or overseeing, active violation of Labour values and for the possible misuse of Labour Party funds.
Staff who contributed to the production of the leaked report should be protected to recognise the service they have done members by revealing what went on. Amends must be made to others who were unjustly or incompetently treated during the period: -
By immediate review of cases where members were punished or suffered reputational damage.
It is the first meeting of Labour’s National Executive Committee last week under Kier Starmer - members are leaving, people who worked hard for the last two elections and beyond. We urge the leadership to make public t he inquiry’s proceedings and conclusions - there are cases to answer on bullying, harassment, sexism and racism: -
Issue the document in redacted form to members now for discussion – to prove that it is not being swept under the carpet and that real change is possible in the Labour Party.
Yours in comradeship and solidarity,
Members of Stafford CLP, signatories to the above
Julie Read, Chair
