World-famous director Ken Loach expelled from Labour – for not disowning other victims of purge

Starmer’s Labour sinks to new low

Ken Loach, the world-famous director of films such as Kes and I, Daniel Blake, has been expelled from the Labour party. Typically cowardly, the party tried to avoid the inevitable backlash of the expulsion by asking Loach to disown those who have already fallen victim to the Starmer-Evans purge of left-wingers – but of course he refused, as he tweeted this morning:

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'Labour HQ finally decided I'm not fit to be a member of their party, as I will not disown those already expelled. Well…' KL

— Ken Loach & Sixteen Films (@KenLoachSixteen) August 14, 2021

Left Labour MPs such as Jon Trickett have rightly condemned the move to expel someone of Loach’s stature and politics:

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What kind of people would remove someone of Ken Loach’s immense calibre from the Labour Party?

— Jon Trickett MP (@jon_trickett) August 14, 2021

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To expel such a fine socialist who has done so much to further the cause of socialism is a disgrace. Ken’s films have exposed the inequalities in our society, have given us hope for change & inspired us to fight back. I send my solidarity to my friend and comrade @KenLoachSixteen https://t.co/GboZLrcVYK

— John McDonnell MP (@johnmcdonnellMP) August 14, 2021

‘Immense calibre’ and ‘fine socialist’ are correct – and Loach’s expulsion is only the most high-profile in a gutless purge that exposes Keir Starmer, David Evans and co’s lack of anything resembling spine, stature or moral fibre.

Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis neatly summed up its significance:

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I just heard that Kier Starmer expelled Ken Loach from the Labour Party. I hope this is fake news. If not, all he managed is to expel Labour's soul, leaving behind an arid, soulless Labour Party – one that is even poorer than under Blair and his fellow war criminals.

— Yanis Varoufakis (@yanisvaroufakis) August 14, 2021

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