This piece is a synopsis of a much longer examination of Party Unity — I hope it will tempt you to read the original (Party Unity), but if you don’t have the time, or the inclination, here is a brief version…
Party Unity?
We hear a lot about Party Unity, especially from supporters of Keir Starmer, which is somewhat ironic as the calls for unity are coming from the factions that have done their level best to disrupt the party and undermine the last leader.
Perhaps we could have a little look at the recent history of “Party Unity”?
The Labour Party ‘Glory’ Days (The Blair Years)
I look at the successes of the Blair Premiership, but also how they controlled the narrative, took control of the party, and put their chosen ones into safe seats.
The Interregnum
How Gordon Brown took over as leader, was PM during the worst economic crisis the world had seen (and was a prime mover in overcoming it) and lost the election to the lie that it was caused by Labour overspending.
Ed Miliband succeeded in 2010, but the party’s refusal to speak out meant the Tory narrative took hold and Labour lost the 2015 election. During this time Labour abstained against the Welfare Reform and Work Bill, which introduced Austerity and in 2008 Keir Starmer announced that benefit cheats would face 10 years in prison. Was that Unity?
The 2015 Leadership Election
Ed Miliband resigned as leader in2015 and Jeremy Corbyn became the candidate for the left .
For various (some nefarious) reasons sufficient MPs nominated and Jeremy was on the ballot and the result was in the hands of the membership.
Jeremy faced criticism by members of the PLP, abuse from the right and, allegedly various nefarious activities by staff members at party HQ. Was that Unity?
Corbyn becomes Leader
I look at how, after Jeremy’s election, the first Shadow Cabinet including a broad church of members and a majority of women.
Then I look at the way his leadership was undermined by Labour politicians, the Guardian, and Tom Watson.
The Chicken Coup
The Chicken Coup took place after Corbyn was blamed for the Brexit Referendum result, and 19 members of the Shadow Cabinet (including Keir Starmer resigned over two days, in a way carefully orchestrated to cause maximum damage to Jeremy. Was that Unity?
I also talk about the PLP meeting where MPs attacked Jeremy - “Nobody talked about Jeremy Corbyn’s politics. There was only one intention: to break him as a man.” He was, however supported by the Unions.
The 2016 Leadership Election
I talk about the 2016 Leadership election, the fact that the NEC ensured that Jeremy was on the ballot, the allegations that staffers attempted to block Corbyn voters, and the final victory over Owen Smith with 61.8% of the vote
Jeremy’s Leadership — The Early Days
I talk about the obstacles put in Jeremy’s team’s way when they tried to take over the office of the LOTO. Then the rise of the accusations of anti-Semitism from both inside and outside of the party.
The 2017 General Election
I talk about the 2017 manifesto and its enthusiastic reception by the membership, lukewarm reception by the PLP, and negative comments by MPS or grandees. I also talk about the allegations in the leaked report that, if true, undermined the campaign, with the apparent objective (confirmed by MPs reactions in a documentary at the time) that elements of the party would prefer a Tory government to a Labour one lead by a true socialist. Was that Unity?
Blairite Interference
I talk about the actions of Tony Blair, Peter Mandelson, and other Blairites to undermine the party and Jeremy’s Leadership including Peter Mandelson’s infamous quote: “I try to undermine Jeremy Corbyn ‘every single day’.”
Social Media, Lies, and Exaggeration
I look at the role of social media and the way it is used to smear people aided by the anonymity that means people can attack and abuse in the way that they would not do face-to-face. I also point out that inappropriate behaviour is not confined to either side of the party, but examine some of the abuse aimed at Jeremy and his supporters.
I look at the way social media is used for ‘fake news’ to attack the left, in some cases by prominent members of the party. I look at exaggerated cases of misbehaviour at meetings, and resulting suspensions, smears and lies aimed at Jeremy and his supporters, and that some of the most persistent attacks come from prominent individuals on the right.
The 2019 General Election
I look at the rerun of the 2017 election, again with activists working hard, candidates chosen against the wishes of CLPs, lacklustre campaigning by some MPs, and again the alleged interference by party staffers.
The 2020 Leadership Election and onwards
I look at the election campaign and the statements made by Kier Starmer, and how he fulfilled them. Having been elected I look at how he has kept to his commitment to unify (or not) the party, firstly in his appointments to his Shadow Cabinet.
I look at the early phases of Starmer’s leadership, opposition style, and performance at PMQs. Then I consider how he removed Rebecca Long-Bailey from his cabinet, and how three-line whips on the ‘Spycops Bill’ resulted in the removal of more left wing members of the Shadow Cabinet.
Lastly in this section I consider the results of the EHRC report and the suspension, reinstatement, and finally removal of the whip from Jeremy Corbyn, and ask WAS THAT UNITY?
After the ‘Corbyn Moment’
As the Labour Party left tried to come terms with the suspension of Jeremy it became clear that the statement “to the victor go the spoils” was not just a saying and more a description of the future of the Labour Party.
David Evans
I look at how David Evans (Labour’s assistant general secretary under Tony Blair, appointed by Keir Starmer, but not confirmed by Conference) has taken control of the party. I look at the way he throws his weight around (undoubtedly in conjunction with Keir Starmer) and sends out Diktats to restrict discussion of Jeremy’s suspension and gradually expanding into discussion of anything to do with the major issues affecting the Labour Party. Was that Unity?
The Diktats are followed by suspension of local party officers where local parties have discussed motions proposed by members on anything remotely covered by the Diktats. Was that Unity?
So Where Are We Now?
We have a party that should be representing the membership, but is controlling and supressing the discussion and views of the membership. Is that Unity?
We have a party where CLP’s discussions are controlled by Diktat from the appointed, but not confirmed, General Secretary. Is that Unity?
We have a party where CLP officers can be suspended because of motions proposed by members. Is that Unity?
We have a party where CLP officers have to refer motions (in order to protect themselves), raised by bona fide members, to Region to ensure that the motions aren’t offending current party niceties. Is that Unity?
We have a party that, in the name of protecting the ‘safe space’ of some (which I absolutely support) has severely restricted the ‘safe space’ of others to talk (with respect and understanding) about various aspects of modern society. Is that Unity?
(My) Conclusion
“Victori spolia” (To the victor the spoils) is the maxim adopted by the right and centre of the party.
In 2015 the Party ‘establishment’ (including the right and centre of the party) took its eye off the ball and, aided and abetted by the membership, a true socialist snuck into the role of Leader of the Labour Party.
The establishment quickly recognised its mistake and rallied to undermine, in every way it could, the elected leader of the Labour Party — Jeremy Corbyn. Was that Unity?
Recognising that words and attacks alone were not enough, the establishment actively took steps to ensure that the Party would be unelectable under a socialist Leader. Was that Unity?
Finally the establishment succeeded and, having disposed of the interloper, it set about ensuring that the left could never again take control of the party. Their approach was not just to pull up the drawbridge but to brick up the gateway. Was that Unity?
They started to attack anything that the left membership would support in the hope that left supporting members would leave, stripping out left leaning members of the cabinet, and eventually removing the whip from the icon of the left. Was that Unity?
When there were murmurings against the action being taken they introduced the Evans Diktats and suspended some more. Was that Unity?
When they were forced to take them back they added weasel words to threaten against future support for the left. Was that Unity?
The establishment has taken back control and is determined that, whatever is printed on the back of our membership cards, the Labour Party will never again be Democratic or Socialist.
IS THAT UNITY?
Labour Party Membership Card
Post Script
I said at the beginning of this piece, recently ‘Labour to Win’ has started talking about unity within the party, and even has a petition calling for unity. It should be remembered that Labour to Win originates from Progress and Labour First that have spent the last five years attacking the Leader and leadership of the Party at every opportunity Was that Unity?
The proposals are very clever in that in calling for unity it is impossible to argue against it without appearing to be working against unity in the Labour Party.
However the petition (and strangely motions with almost identical wording are being proposed at CLP meetings) calls for various actions including:
* To offer training for key branch and CLP officers so that they can have the skills and knowledge to manage meetings to make them inclusive and welcoming.
* To provide information on members’ responsibilities for civil and productive meetings when they join the party.
* To take action where a CLP’s internal culture is unwelcoming and uncivil.
* To take disciplinary action when individuals behave in an uncomradely manner.”
The problem here is who defines the criteria for training (and who needs it), and who will adjudicate on disputes — it is clear from the recent suspensions that an independent and unbiased mechanism does not currently exist within the Labour party.
It would appear that this petition is not about Unity but about Compliance and Control. Is that Unity?
Image credits:
Party Unity: AFP via Getty Images
Tom Watson: Bob Miller
Jeremy in Reading: Bob Miller
Peter Mandelson: The Daily Mail
Polling Station: Bob Miller
Labour Leadership Hustings: Daily Express & Getty Images
© Bob Miller 2021
