Corbyn issue is no longer a disciplinary matter, so party switches tactics to ban motions and declares solidarity and political debate racist
The SKWAWKBOX has been contacted by numerous Jewish members of the Labour party outraged over the party’s latest tactic to attack free speech by the movement’s ‘rank and file’.
The party has tried – and often failed – to ban members discussing or voting on motions in support of former leader Jeremy Corbyn or against Keir Starmer’s withdrawal of the Labour whip after Corbyn’s suspension was lifted because a right-dominated panel of NEC members were told there were no valid grounds for it.
The initial tactic, during the suspension, was to claim the issue was not ‘competent’ for discussion by local parties (CLPs) because it was a disciplinary issue – but the lifting of the suspension immediately ended that, as a document from the party’s governance department confirmed:
So now the party’s governance department has issued instructions – from which the screenshot above was taken – to regional offices to ban discussions and votes on the basis that it would prevent a ‘safe space’ for Jewish members:
Dear all,
We are aware that there are a lot of questions incoming around what motions may or may not be in order given developments over recent days. To confirm:
· The Labour Party disciplinary case against the former Leader has now concluded.
· However, it has become clear that motions around this issue (including expressions of solidarity, views around the ongoing process in relation to the Parliamentary whip, and/or the power of the General Secretary or the NEC to issue guidance in relation to discussion of this issue) are providing a flashpoint for the expression of views that undermine the Labour Party’s ability to provide a safe and welcoming space for all members, in particular our Jewish members. Therefore all motions which touch on these issues must be ruled out of order.
We are aware that this ruling will be questioned, so the following explanation of the powers exercised by the General Secretary, as well as the rationale for this decision may be helpful:
· The Labour Party’s Code of Conduct: Antisemitism and other forms of racism states (Appendix 9 in the Rule Book): “The Labour Party will ensure the party is a welcoming home to members of all communities, with no place for any prejudice or discrimination based on race, ethnicity or religion.”
· Chapter 1 VIII.3.A tasks the NEC to “to uphold and enforce the constitution, rules and standing orders of the Party and to take any action it deems necessary for such purpose…”
· Chapter 1 VIII.5 states: “All powers of the NEC may be exercised as the NEC deems appropriate through its elected officers, committees, sub-committees, the General Secretary and other national and regional officials and designated representatives appointed by the NEC or the General Secretary. For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that the NEC shall have the power to delegate its powers to such officers and committees and subcommittees of the NEC and upon such terms as from time to time it shall see fit. Further, it shall be deemed always to have had such power.”
You may wish to remind members that the Party is committed to the implementation in full of the EHRC report, which includes the recommendations to “Continue to build on its new leadership’s statement regarding its failure to deal with antisemitism, and acknowledge its responsibility for not living up to its commitment to zero tolerance of antisemitism” and “Make sure that it has a system and culture that encourages members to challenge inappropriate behaviour and to report antisemitism complaints”.
Finally, as we have previously advised will not hesitate to take appropriate action – including against individual members – where our rules and guidance are not adhered to, or standards of behaviour fall below that which we expect.
We will be reinforcing this message via an email to CLPs in the next day or two. Obviously if you would like any guidance on individual motions you feel may be border line, please feel free to get in touch.
Thanks,
Fraser Welsh
Head of Internal Governance
Labour is officially equating any and all expressions of solidarity with Corbyn or criticism of its political decisions with racism.
This tactic has outraged Jewish members of the party, with one describing it as ‘a heap of ordure’ (sh*t) and others an attack on their free speech. Jewish Voice for Labour, the left-wing Jewish group of Labour members, described it as ‘grossly insulting and inflammatory’ and ‘weaponising’ Jewish concerns for factional purposes:
The latest edict from party HQ, suggesting that Jewish members require a wholesale ban on discussion of anything that touches on the treatment of Jeremy Corbyn in order to feel safe and welcome in the party, is grossly insulting and inflammatory.
Using such a justification to invoke the delegated powers of the General Secretary to act against members who stand up for their right to free expression seems calculated to provoke revolt within the branches and CLPs, once again weaponising the fears and concerns of Jewish people to further Keir Starmer’s campaign against supporters of his predecessor as leader.
But the tactic is already being used to prevent free speech. North-west regional director Andy Smith has written to members of West Derby CLP in Liverpool to block their planned motions:
Dear [redacted],
It has been brought to my attention that a motion has been put forward to West Derby CLP that contradict Labour’s current advice, and rules. Accordingly, I have ruled the motion out of order.
I have taken this decision, under the delegated powers authorised by the NEC as per the rulebook.
This advice supersedes any previous advice which may have been issued in regard to constituency motions.
The Labour Party disciplinary case against the former Leader has now concluded.
However, it has become clear that motions around this issue (including expressions of solidarity, views around the ongoing process in relation to the Parliamentary whip, and/or the power of the General Secretary or the NEC to issue guidance in relation to discussion of this issue) are providing a flashpoint for the expression of views that undermine the Labour Party’s ability to provide a safe and welcoming space for all members, in particular our Jewish members.
Therefore all motions which touch on these issues must be ruled out of order.
The Labour Party’s Code of Conduct: Antisemitism and other forms of racism states (Appendix 9 in the Rule Book): “The Labour Party will ensure the party is a welcoming home to members of all communities, with no place for any prejudice or discrimination based on race, ethnicity or religion.”
Chapter 1 VIII.3.A tasks the NEC to “to uphold and enforce the constitution, rules and standing orders of the Party and to take any action it deems necessary for such purpose…”
Chapter 1 VIII.5 states: “All powers of the NEC may be exercised as the NEC deems appropriate through its elected officers, committees, sub-committees, the General Secretary and other national and regional officials and designated representatives appointed by the NEC or the General Secretary. For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that the NEC shall have the power to delegate its powers to such officers and committees and subcommittees of the NEC and upon such terms as from time to time it shall see fit. Further, it shall be deemed always to have had such power.”
The Labour Party’s ‘Code of Conduct: Antisemitism and other forms of racism’ rightly states that “the Labour Party will ensure the party is a welcoming home to members of all communities, with no place for any prejudice or discrimination based on race, ethnicity or religion.” The NEC has the power to uphold the rules and standing orders of the Labour Party and to take any action it deems necessary for such purposes. The Rule Book is also clear that such powers can be delegated to, amongst others, the General Secretary.
The Labour Party’ will not hesitate to take appropriate action – including against individual members – where our rules and guidance are not adhered to, or standards of behaviour fall below that which we expect.
Please contact me if I can provide any help or clarification on this matter.
Best wishes
Andy
Andy Smith
Deputy Regional Director North West
Merely expressing solidarity or challenging Keir Starmer’s political decision – which the withdrawal of the whip after the conclusion of a disciplinary process unquestionably is – is now racist, in the right-wing Labour party’s world-view.
Watch this video by JVL’s Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi for more on the marginalisation of left-wing Jews by the Labour party:
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