Momentum and the future of the Labour party

It is a strangely conspiratorial analysis that says Momentum has secured victory in the selection battle for the top marginal seat of Hastings and Rye (Momentum candidates to contest top Labour targets, 20 March). Momentum is not a party but a movement created to keep Jeremy Corbyn as leader. Since 2015, Labour membership here has swollen from 400 to 2,000, one of the largest and most vibrant in the south-east. No one can say that Labour’s selection processes are not democratic now, certainly here. Helicoptering in candidates imposed from Labour’s centre is hopefully at an end.

Peter Chowney was fast-tracked to stand at the snap election in June due to shortage of time. He ran a brilliant campaign despite receiving little help from anyone at Labour’s regional or central offices, yet reduced Amber Rudd’s majority from over 4,000 to 346. At his recent selection, Peter, council leader and prospective parliamentary candidate, secured a wide range of support from major unions, the Co-operative party and an overwhelming majority of the selection vote. Despite his excellent track record, he had to submit himself to an arduous, three-month, closely supervised, scrupulously fair selection process. Peter is not a member of Momentum but supports its current main objective to keep Corbyn as Labour’s leader. There are many reasons why Peter and those who voted for him want to see our re-energised Labour party in government, but first among them must be a reversal of the punitive austerity that has caused such pain and destruction to this country and to the residents of Hastings and Rye.
Rosie Brocklehurst
Procedures secretary, 2018 parliamentary selection, Hastings and Rye CLP

• Not every change going on in the Labour party should be ascribed to Momentum. Rokhsana Fiaz has scored a victory for democracy, rather than Momentum, by winning the race to stand for Newham mayor. The trigger ballot for Robin Wales held more than a year ago came under scrutiny because of several questionable nominations which eventually led to it being rerun recently and lost by the incumbent. Rokhsana is vice-chair of Newham Fabians, hardly a Momentum stronghold, with a solid history of sensible interventions in Newham local government. She has the support of hundreds of members like myself who have been in the party for decades and who simply felt the time had come for change.
Anita Pollack
Chair, Newham Fabians and former MEP

• In your report on the appointment of Labour’s new general secretary (Unite union organiser and Corbyn ally wins top Labour post, 21 March) you make explicit connections between Jeremy Corbyn, the leaders of Momentum and Unite, and their triumvirate of influence. You also report on the rule change which, according to Mike Creighton (former party official), could be a device to block Dan Jarvis’s selection as Labour’s candidate in Sheffield’s mayoral election. At a time when lawless wild-west politics are globally viral, Labour needs to remind itself that its governance is subject to the rule of constitutional law, and not based on majority assumptions and wishful political thinking.

At the heart of Labour’s constitution is the revised clause IV, which sets down Labour’s modernised aims and values as being based on a moderate social democracy, where (crucially) “the enterprise of the market and the rigour of competition are joined with the forces of partnership and co-operation”. All individual members and affiliates are required to accept and conform to this differential clause IV. Labour’s NEC, in turn, is required “to uphold and enforce the constitution … and to take any action it deems necessary for such purpose”.

Considering the party leader, Momentum and Unite (and others) are seemingly not in sympathy with the revised aspirations of clause IV, there is surely a strong legal argument that can be presented that at best calls for a parallel Labour party to be formed. Thus, the impasse between the forces of old and new can be finally resolved.
Mike Allott
Chandlers Ford, Hampshire

• I am appalled that Labour activists in Brighton and Hove are targeting the seats of one of the best MPs in parliament, Caroline Lucas, and also of some of our best councillors (Brighton: The council is a target. And what does the future hold for the MPs?, 20 March). The Green party in Brighton was in minority control of the council for four years from 2011 and is proud of its record. We successfully introduced a living wage for all council employees, brought the differential in pay down to less than 10 to 1 and sorted out an equal pay dispute that previous administrations had shied away from. Among other initiatives, the first new council homes in a generation were started, new academies were resisted, a 20mph life-saving speed limit introduced, new cycle paths built and a cycle hire scheme started.

Currently all the hopelessly divided Labour party here can do is claim our achievements for themselves. Labour fails to see that people in other parties, and none, deserve to be listened to and included. Many of Labour’s current policies are well-established Green ones. As a former Labour party member and current Green party member I would like to see Labour join us to work to tackle issues such as air pollution and homelessness in our city. In opposition currently, the Green councillors have been proactive in getting use of council buildings for a night shelter and coming up with long-term solutions. Rather than seeking to remove some of the most effective and progressive politicians in the country, surely Labour should be backing PR to enable all our voices to be heard.
Sue Shanks
Chair, Brighton and Hove Green party

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