Lewis heavily criticised by Labour members for ‘cult’ tweet after remainer conference loss

Response to loss on full-remain motion provokes angry reaction before being deleted

Labour MP Clive Lewis has provoked an outraged reaction from many Labour supporters by a Twitter thread – published in response to remainers’ heavy loss today in a conference vote on the party’s Brexit position.

Attempting to put a positive gloss on the result, Lewis spoke of ‘the limitations of the current project’ – and then slipped into the language of the right with a Watson-esque use of the ‘cult’ description that has so often been deployed to smear the Labour left:

The reaction to the comment was a mix of anger and deep disappointment that an MP regarded as on the left would resort to such constructs:

See more

Cult? Really? Wow, well this is a low blow Clive. Tell you what, you crack on with your “succession plans” comrade, while “the cult” get ready for a General Election that we will try very hard to win 👍 #NoVacancy #NoThanks

— Sarah (@ScouseGirlMedia) September 23, 2019

See more

Today ..

you brazenly attempt to steer Labour into walking into vote-losing trap

and when that fails you brazenly label 'cult' democratic process you don't like

— Miserable Les #PV a COUP: soft-left useful idiots (@MiserableLes1) September 23, 2019

See more

Cult of leadership loyalty? Seriously, you talk about bringing people together and come out with this tired old bollocks. The obsessional poison of militant Remain is destroyed you.

— Matt Thomas (@Trickyjabs) September 23, 2019

See more

" the cult of leadership loyalty"
This is so disappointing from you , Clive . I really expect better from you & this cheap jibe at the hard working membership is beneath you .

— Left In Dover (@LKipperland) September 23, 2019

There were reports that Lewis later deleted the post, based on a tweet by the ‘Tweets MPs Delete’ Twitter account:

However, it appears to still be online. Clive Lewis has been contacted for comment.

The SKWAWKBOX needs your support. This blog is provided free of charge but depends on the generosity of its readers to be viable. If you can afford to, please click here to arrange a one-off or modest monthly donation via PayPal or here for a monthly donation via GoCardless. Thanks for your solidarity so this blog can keep bringing you information the Establishment would prefer you not to know about.

If you wish to reblog this post for non-commercial use, you are welcome to do so – see here for more.