Fitting the left DESPITE THE witch hunt by Neil Kinnock, and despite much clarification which re sion but a political same basic forces entire development the labour movement. trade union Solidarity.
Telegraph, Economist, perspective The second although LPYS.
They simply ways. he towards is also extremely Times, Guardian, the rest of the the policies Kinnockites.
They THE WHOLE atmosphere in the party is one of trying to pick on the weakest links and to extend the witch hunt. Then, having created an atmosphere of many of those being expelled have been indentified. That, in my view, has been the plan from the very pened on Monday 9 June, in the Amir Khan, Kevin suitucky.
tuency and, when his exMoved oul television programme conexecute committee, Eddie Haigh, moved that the three be suspended for nine monLUS. Although I believe they should have been cleared of all the charges, I seconded that as an option which might succeed. The against were Cyril Ambler VULC was 2:2. and Ken Cure.
Cure, along. with the national officer, David Hughes, prepared the report to the committee in the first I argued that he we have had a judge's rulshould act as judge ceeded to say that the having a different form of Another recommendation, that the appeals be rejected, was then moved seconded by Cyri Ambler Roy Hattersley. Hattersley had the right to be present at the appeals mediation committee as an officer of the party. But, as member of parliament for Sparkbrook he is at the centre of this controversy. I believe he ought not to have turned up to that meeting.
His vote : was vital. It resulted in the recommendation that the appeals be rejected being carried 3:2.
During the six month dispute on the NEC about Helens North constituency, John Evans, the MP there, has meticulously refused to take part in the preoceedings. He has insisted his name be recorded as not voting. Hattersley didn't follow his fellow right winger in this regard.
At the national ecutive committee following the appeals and mediation committee, Hattersley used his very vital vote along with Cure, part of carry ne day by 13 votes to the enquiry team 12.
What happened at the 9 June NEC means that the bridgehead of the witch hunt has been widened. Party members should understand that it is not lust a matter ot at. tacks on The witch hunt has now broadened out those who, like the three Birmingham members, have the temerity to appear on a television prograinnie If the party leadership is going to gag members who appear on TV won't be many people left How many times the shadow cabinet.
do we hear_leading members of the Labour Party saying things on television prothat members outside parliament would Dennis Skinner rather they never said?
That what these three Sparkbrook bers did: they got involved in controversies mingham and put their views to the media. Expelling them is almost like saying that media controversy is the prerogative only of those members fortunate enough to get inside the Palace of Westminster.
And that suggests there can be two forms membership in the party. Those who are MPs or in the House of Lords, with the freedom to take part in media woe betide any rank and controversy But file members who manage to express unel point o view on a television pro gramme!
imperative whole understands what is happening. The bridgehead is widening the policies pursued and car at if this witch hunt hysteria cortiles That is what the expulsions of Amir Khan, Kevin Scally Mohammed Rafique represent: a further broadening of the base : which is now under attack.