Penny Barber confessed on Facebook
Labour structures in the West Midlands were long dominated by the right wing of the party – and in many cases still are. The faction ruled local selections and other events with an iron grip, even preventing thousands of local members in Birmingham from voting in selections until Labour – and Jeremy Corbyn personally – intervened.
Labour ‘local campaign forums’ (LCFs) are a key part of Labour’s local structures, managing candidate selection processes and election campaigns. Birmingham’s LCF chair is Penny Barber, who has spoken at the conference of the Blairite Progress faction – and former Labour parliamentary candidate.
Ms Barber has made a shocking admission via her Facebook account about her vote in last week’s local elections:
Ms Barber stated that expulsion is a ‘risk’ – but under Labour’s rules it is automatic for any member who supports a rival party.
The SKWAWKBOX has not been able to reach Ms Barber for comment.
SKWAWKBOX view:
Centrists – not just Ms Barber – have shown contempt for working-class voters who chose to leave the European Union. Ms Barber’s bizarre linking of Labour’s attempts to bring the country together on Brexit with ‘Soviet socialism’ are an example of the grossly misleading presentation of Labour’s policies and position.
Labour members and unions have long called for Progress to be a ‘proscribed’ organisation in the party – and the SKWAWKBOX has long said that a clear-out of right-wingers among its candidates and structures at local level is essential for the party to properly represent the people who need it.
By her own admission, Ms Barber has provided a case study.
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