No reason for suspension given except ‘suspected of breaking rules’
The SKWAWKBOX revealed earlier this month that the chair and co-secretary of Bristol West Labour had been suspended for allowing local members to vote on a motion in support of former party leader Jeremy Corbyn, which passed easily.
The SKWAWKBOX can now also reveal that the CLP’s other co-secretary has also been suspended today – on grounds as nebulous as suspicion of ‘breaking the rules’,, with no other details given.
The co-secretary’s access to the party membership system was blocked on Friday, leaving them unable to email members, but they were only informed of their suspension today.
Meanwhile, local members have complained to the SKWAWKBOX that members of staff of the consistencies MP, Thangam Debbonaire, have been misusing member data to whip up support at the CLP’s forthcoming annual general meeting for a slate of right-wing candidates to reach the current executive.
With the chair and both co-secretaries suspended, however, it is unclear who would actually run the AGM. It may well be run by the Labour’s south-west regional office – which has recently been accused of interference in the selection of Labour’s metro-mayoral candidate and also in local government selections.
Many Bristol West members believe that the party is rigging their democracy in favour of the right.
Thangam Debbonaire was contacted for comment about her staff’s actions but did not respond.
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