| Save the Labour Party |
| NEWS RELEASE 15/04 Labour leadership stifles democratic debate on Iraq Accrington, 29 September Labour leadership efforts to stifle debate on the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq were put in the public spotlight today threatening its electoral standing as a progressive force in British politics. Mark Mardell reported on BBC TV “News at One” to-day that “a young and inexperienced delegate from Walthamstow constituency labour party (CLP) has been pressurised into withdrawing his constituency Party from seconding the resolution calling for a date to be agreed for the withdrawal of British Troops from Iraq”. He also reported that this climb-down had followed a personal meeting between the delegate and Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw. Save the Labour Party questions whether Labour’s electoral standing is helped by this latest instance of leadership interference in Conference arrangements aimed at promoting democracy. The whole incident makes a mockery of Tony Blair’s announcement in his speech at last year’s Conference. In launching the Big Conversation, he proclaimed that he wanted to encourage a free and full debate on all aspects of Government policy past present and future. Labour Party membership has declined by over 50% since Mr Blair was appointed Prime Minister in 1997. STLP is concerned that such actions will undermine its efforts to encourage members to remain inside the party and campaign in the forthcoming general election campaign. STLP Secretary Gaye Johnston, said, “If the Leadership does not stop these strong-arm tactics, then it risks the Labour Party being seen as un-democratic Party and Labour in Government loosing its already eroded popular base.” Media enquiries Gaye Johnston Mobile 07817 087 696 eMail: gribo@onetel.com Notes to Editors 1. STLP is campaigning to win elections with more, active members and challenging the Leadership to work with it. Since it was set up a year ago, STLP has attracted support from most sections of the Labour Party, not just its left wing. It has members in nearly 100 parliamentary constituencies and close links with other campaigning organisations in the labour movement in England, Scotland and Wales. 2. STLP is also active in the newly formed web-based service http://labourconference2004.net |