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Sheffield Labour Left members reinstated to the Party
Further proof that bullying doesn’t always work comes as members suspended last year for having the temerity to allow members to put forward motions in support of Corbyn and others suspended – and in one case, the member putting forward the motion – have been reinstated.
In one of the cases the Sheffield Labour Left member has been reinstated to the party with no further action to be taken.
If you recall, this all surrounded the moves by Labour General Secretary David Evans to prevent any debate about Jeremy Corbyn’s suspension.
Letters have arrived on behalf of the NEC Disputes Panel displaying the weakness of Evans’ autocratic and intimidatory style with the rule book failing to contain anything with which to suspend/expel members for being to the left of Keir Starmer.
Two of the SLL members were suspended by the party because they occupied the chair when the motions were put, their suspensions were lifted but a formal warning for one and a reminder of conduct for the other were issued. These two members are to be congratulated for taking a stand on behalf of ordinary Labour Party members and their right to choose what issues they discuss.
In the case of Lee Rock, SLL Convenor, the letter is – to all intents and purposes – an admission that the Party had no right or grounds to suspend him in the first place.
The letter states “The NEC Disputes Panel found that your behaviour on this occasion did not amount to a breach of Labour Party Rules and the party will be taking no further action”.
But the Party has form when it comes to Lee as this is the second time he has been investigated only to be informed later that there are no charges proven against him.
Lee isn’t paranoid but the right of the party are certainly out to get him!
In a sentence not out of place in an Orwellian state, the letter says the NEC “has the power to issue guidance and instructions to subordinate Labour Party units, including CLPs and local branches, in various circumstances, including via the General Secretary, to whom its powers of day-to-day management are delegated.”
So there you have it – Evans thinks he is in charge and will continue to try and use bullying and intimidation against ordinary members when he doesn’t like the cut of their jib. But by collectively standing up to him and Starmer they can both be pushed back.
For those members cowed by his tactics this should serve as a lesson in why solidarity and standing up to such undemocratic acts should be the first and only response. Hopefully some of the left who failed the basic acts of solidarity will do better in future.
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