And now we are Sheffield Left…..
As the Labour Party eats itself with Starmer’s purge of anyone who disagrees with him, it is time for the left to recognise that a significant number of socialists are no longer welcome in the party.
So, to ensure that the determined left in this city has a banner to represent all those who want to support transformative, socialist policies, we have removed the Labour tag to embrace all those who have left the party.
For some it is because they have been expelled – for some it is because they can no longer support a party hell bent on ditching its trade union heritage and rejecting its historical role as the representative party of the working class.
This name change is not intended to change our direction. We will continue to support the oppressed where they are being exploited by unscrupulous employers or landlords or in providing solidarity to citizens of war zones such as Palestine and Ukraine.
This city – indeed this world – needs a shift towards a society that puts needs of the many above the greed of the few. The naked self-interest of the current institutional establishment needs to be challenged at every turn.
As the world spirals into war and economic meltdown and embraces racists and fascists, there has never been a more important time to stand up for socialism!
If that describes you, come and join us.
And threats of expulsions continue
'Wednesday, 23 February 2022
Dear Mr Rock
We are writing to inform you that the Labour Party (the Party) has received an allegation that you have committed a Prohibited Act contrary to the provisions of Chapter 2, Clause I.5 of the Labour Party Rule Book (the Rule Book).i
Chapter 2, Clause I.5.B of the Rule Book provides that the following constitutes a Prohibited Act:
Possessing membership of, providing financial assistance to, sitting on the ruling body of or otherwise supporting (as may be defined by the NEC) any political organisation that the NEC in its absolute discretion shall declare to be inimical with the aims and values of the Party.
We have set out the details of the allegation below and exhibited the evidence to support this allegation overleaf.
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Allegation 1: Support for Labour Against the Witchhunt
On or around 23 May 2018, you agreed to chair a meeting organized by Labour against the Witchhunt. 1
On or around 09 April 2019, you signed an open letter published by Labour Against the Witchhunt. 2
On or around 14 January 2020, you were listed as an initial signatory to a Labour Against the Witchhunt open letter. 3
You have the right to make written representations in response to this allegation within 14 days of the date at the top of this letter.
1 Exhibit 1 2 Exhibit 2 3 Exhibit 3
Please submit any representations you may wish to make in response to the allegation either by email to disputes@labour.org.uk or by post to Disputes Team, The Labour Party, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT.
In accordance with the Rule Book, the General Secretary will then convene a panel of at least three members of the National Executive Committee (the NEC) to consider the allegation (the NEC Panel).
The NEC Panel will also consider any representations submitted to the Party in your defence within 14 days of the date at the top of the letter. In its absolute discretion, the NEC Panel may consider any representations that you submit after that 14 day period, but you should be aware that the NEC Panel is not obliged to do so.
The NEC Panel shall consider all the relevant evidence available to it and will make a finding (or findings) of fact as to whether, on a balance of probabilities, you have committed a Prohibited Act. The NEC Panel shall give prompt notice of its findings to the General Secretary, and you will then be subsequently notified of the NEC Panel’s decision.
Should the NEC Panel make a finding that you have committed a Prohibited Act, you shall cease to be eligible for membership of the Party and your membership shall terminate with immediate effect.'
