Opinion: [Labour] Party members will have to explicitly promise “to act within the spirit and rules of the Labour party in my conduct both on and offline, with members and non-members." The statement they will have to sign adds: “I stand against all forms of abuse. I understand that if found to be in breach of the Labour party policy on online and offline abuse, I will be subject to the rules and procedures of the Labour party.” Punishments could include being suspended from the party or eventually being expelled." I will not sign up to such a draconian piece of garbage. I am not abusive though like many people if I am goaded or attacked on social media I may respond accordingly. But here's a thing or two. I have a series of vile, abusive and in some cases simply rude comments made on social media by some Labour Party MPs and officials. As party members and affiliates have been suspended from the Labour party due to a series of unproved and non-transparent allegations how many of these officials have been held to account or reprimanded? My guess is non. As an online blogger I sometimes push the boundaries for various reasons and share images that could be viewed as contentious but as a retired British citizen my time is my own. I do not break the law. I am old enough to know what crosses the boundaries of decency and real abuse. I may be a Labour party member, supporter and sometime donor but that does not give them the right to spy on me online, gather information when they want to and ultimately use it against me. Forget it. I opposed Theresa May's so-called snooping charter and continue to do so. So why would I sign a social media behaviour contract with a political party I support and pay for the privilege? The answer is I would not. Perhaps this is the latest way to oust Jremy Corbyn supporters from the party. It is not that they are more abusive but simply most would oppose Big Brother tactics from the Tories and be ashamed if Labour adopted similar moves. Anti-Corbyn Labour Party members may have more in common with Ms May than they like to admit. If I leave the party my vote goes with me. There is only so much bull any person can stand. Having seen and heard most of it before life will be easier becoming apolitical. And if I do leave due to a ridiculous addition to the Labour Party member contract I will be like a woman possessed. I have a few axes to grind. I have voted in the Labour leadership 2016 but many friends have been excluded; some suspended, others never receiving their ballot papers or caught out with the implementation of early deadlines. Like most genuine socialists I look after my own.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/sep/20/labour-launches-tougher-policy-on-tsunami-of-online-abuse Ironically Big Brother Watch was at the Labour Party Conference 2015 https://www.bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/our-events/labour-party-conference-2015/ https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/mar/25/police-spied-on-labour-mps-whistleblower But the party leader fully backed this latest action and has said that he has also suffered abuse and “will absolutely not allow any sort of it, whatsoever, anywhere around our campaign”.
Mr David Russell
22/9/2016 09:51:01 pm
I agree with everything above and as so eloquently written. The following is me using my political freedoms to express myself in a manner that I have been allowed to do for more than 55 years. That right is more precious to me than any dictat being expressed via MSM and without agreement from members.
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Amanda Garrie
23/9/2016 01:52:24 pm
In full agreement. As an out and out socialist, in blood, bone and mind, I shall not bow to such undemocratic imposition. They can tear me from the walls if they choose, but they must expect a screech owl to emerge.
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