The Labour Party faces internal strife as accusations of a left-wing “purge” as controversial deselections of veteran members like Diane Abbott and Faiza Shaheen highlight deep ideological divides ahead of the upcoming election. Here’s the full story.
Left-Wing “Purge”
The Labour Party is facing mounting internal tensions as accusations of a “purge” against left-wing members continue to grow.
Criticism of Starmer
Labour leader Keir Starmer has faced mounting criticism for allegedly orchestrating the removal of prominent left-wing figures from the Party’s list of candidates.
Accusations of Bias
Critics have accused Starmer of a deliberate ploy to replace left-wing MPs that he might consider troublesome with his allies, safe in the knowledge they would be pushed through due to his majority on the Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
Crucial NEC Meeting
Next week, the NEC will hold a crucial meeting in which the fates of many left-wing MPs will hang in the balance.
Diane Abbott Barred
One of the most high-profile cases involved Diane Abbott, a veteran Labour MP from London, who revealed she had been barred from standing again as a Labour candidate.
Abbott’s Independent Bid
Abbott, who had recently regained the party whip after a suspension for remarks perceived as downplaying certain forms of racism, vowed to run as an independent if necessary.
Rayner’s Support
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner publicly supported Abbott, stating, “If Diane wanted to stand again, I don’t see any reason why she can’t.”
Investigation Concluded
She continued, “The investigation is concluded and it’s confirmed that she’s now back in the parliamentary Labour party and on the whip.”
Media Circus
However, the media circus surrounding Abbott’s poor handling of the case, which focused attention for a few days away from what had been, until now, a campaign focused on the woes of the Conservative Party, threatened to lift the lid on Labour’s factional infighting.
Open Letter
Several prominent black actors, professors, authors and broadcasters wrote an open letter to the Labour leader calling for an immediate rectification of what they called the “disgraceful” treatment of Abbott.
Double Standard
They wrote, “Given Labour’s recent embrace of others who have championed causes far more objectionable to its core values and its commitment to stamp out antisemitism in its ranks, the treatment of Abbott also smacks of a disgraceful double standard.”
Faiza Shaheen Deselected
Labour’s problems did not end there. It was revealed that Labour MP Faiza Shaheen, who had been campaigning for Chingford and Woodford Green, was deselected due to her social media activity.
Tweet Controversy
Shaheen, an academic and left-wing activist, liked a tweet featuring a Jon Stewart sketch about the 2014 Gaza War. The tweet also contained commentary deemed potentially offensive.
Shaheen’s Response
Looking visibly upset, Shaheen took to the BBC’s Newsnight show to express her shock and frustration at being deselected, citing her long history of activism and community engagement.
Disproportionate Reaction
She stated, “I don’t remember liking the tweet… If you see that tweet, it was a retweet of a Jon Stewart sketch.”
Shaheen’s Frustration
Suggesting that the reaction to her liking a tweet from almost ten years ago was grossly disproportionate, she stated, “Really? Just liking a tweet, which you can do with a touch of a hand? After all the work I’ve done?”
Message to Community
She added, “What message are you sending my community?”
Jon Stewart’s Comment
The decision attracted significant media attention, particularly after Jon Stewart, the legendary American satirist, weighed in, writing online, “This is the dumbest thing The UK has done since electing Boris Johnson.”
Claims of Bias
Several deselected candidates, including Shaheen, have accused the Labour leadership of bias and systematic discrimination.
Shaheen’s Accusations
Shaheen claimed that the Party harboured a culture of bullying and racism, particularly against black and brown members.
Legal Challenge
She pledged to challenge her deselection legally, asserting that Labour’s actions were factionally motivated and detrimental to the Party’s broader goals.
Starmer’s Focus
Starmer has tried his best not to be drawn into the rapidly spreading civil war that threatens to engulf his Party, instead focusing on campaigning for the general election.
Denial of Purge
However, his close ally, Darren Jones, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, denied any left-wing purge was taking place, telling Times Radio, “There are many colleagues of mine in the parliamentary Labour party who would define themselves as being on the left who are endorsed Labour party candidates standing in their constituency.”
Internal Challenges
The Labour Party’s internal challenges could not come at a worse time for Keir Starmer, who is focusing on the Party’s factionalist struggles and away from the general election.
International Attention
With the situation handled so poorly that it has attracted international attention, it remains to be seen if the negative media coverage will be enough for Starmer and his allies to end the left-wing purge that has recently gripped his Party.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sandor Szmutko.