Overwhelming support for move to ‘down tools’ ahead of local and mayoral elections, after series of scandals involving Labour HQ and regional office
Momentum and Labour members in Bristol have voted by an overwhelming 96% in favour of ‘strike’ action against the conduct of the party’s local and national hierarchy.
Bristol has seen a string of scandals involving the party machine, from the suspension of officers and candidates for merely allowing a motion of solidarity with former leader Jeremy Corbyn, to the gerrymandering of selections and meetings and allegations of racism – and even a ban on members using their own constituency funds to help hungry children and the homeless.
A series of tweets on the Momentum Bristol Twitter account announced the result of the vote and its significance:
A group of more than 100 black members of the party recently formed Labour Black Socialists and announced a similar campaign strike, boycotting any candidate they feel is not fully committed to fighting anti-black racism. The party has also struggled in many areas to even find candidates willing to stand in May’s local elections, such is the disenchantment with Labour’s current direction and the hostility toward it among many working-class communities.
Socialist Telly will be talking to Bristol members tonight (16 Feb) at 7pm. Watch here.
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