A LETTER TO THE PARLIAMENTARY LABOUR PARTY
Dear PLP, We are the ordinary members of the Labour Party. We are the people who didn't join as a career option, the people who don't benefit from the fabulous pension arrangements or generous expenses. We joined for no other reason than to support a party we believe is dedicated to creating a better, fairer country. Many of us are active in our local branch, come election time many more of us volunteer to deliver leaflets, knock-on-doors and man phone banks. But probably most importantly of all, everywhere we go - in our workplaces, pubs, bowling clubs, local football teams - when the conversation turns political, we stand up for, we argue for, the Labour Party and its values. In communities across the country we are the voice of the Labour Party. We do all of this free of charge because we believe in something. And the fate of the Labour Party is now in OUR hands. Ten months ago we elected Jeremy Corbyn as leader of our party. You made it perfectly clear in the run up to that election how unhappy you would be if that happened. We did it anyway. Once again you are making it clear that electing Jeremy Corbyn is (to put it mildly) not your preferred option. Yet, if opinion polls are correct, it looks as though we going to do exactly that. And what is your response to this? Do you show some humility, listen to us, engage with our concerns, perhaps wonder if your high-handed arrogance might be part of the problem? No. Instead you abuse us. You call us 'dogs', 'Trots', 'a rabble' and 'entryists' (despite the fact many of us have been in the party since before some of you were born). You attempt to use the statements / actions / behaviour of a few (whose connection to Corbyn is often tenuous) to smear thousands of honest, hard-working, conscientious party members. WE ARE NOT THE PEOPLE YOU ARE DETERMINED TO MISREPRESENT US AS. We are teachers, dinner ladies, cleaners, shop workers, nurses, accountants, van-drivers and represented in every job category you can think of. Among other things, some of us are married, not-married, parents, childless, gay, straight, transgendered, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and we don't divide people on the basis of 'normal' and 'abnormal'. Obviously Jeremy Corbyn will not be the leader of the Labour Party for ever. Regardless of the circumstances which bring that about, for us, he will always be a hero of the Labour Party: a man of principle who has dedicated his life to creating a better, fairer world. He certainly didn't deserve 171 stab wounds in the back and one in the front from Jess Philips, MP, for the sole crime of being elected leader by us. You keep telling us there is no point in principles without power. Your behaviour in relation to Jeremy Corbyn has perfectly demonstrated to us that you seek power but have no principles. And until that changes, I'm afraid most of us will not be listening to your advice with regard to our future leader. Yours sincerely, Many, many Labour Party members. https://talkofthesteamie.wordpress.com/2016/08/16/scottish-labour-leaders-warn-corbyn/
David Owen
29/8/2016 08:47:24 pm
With the Boundary Commission about to publish its proposals for parliamentary constituencies, reducing them from 650 to 600, selection procedures will face many sitting Labour MPs.
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Janis Garbutt
31/8/2016 10:53:17 am
Excellent letter Glasgow.Nail on head for so many of us who feel the same.
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Charles Anderson
1/9/2016 07:45:22 pm
Being a labour party supporter since the election of Harold Wilson's Government and since the Blair government an ex supporter. Jeremy Corbyn has reignited the fire and for the first time in years I want to help the party get elected but not without Corbyn and with as many of his supporters as possible. I just wish there was someway I could sign this letter but will share it anyway
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Neville Harrison
1/9/2016 11:10:30 pm
I too have supported Labour since Wison. I too have witnessed the failure to reverse Thatchers policies, and have longed for a true opposition to ghastly Tory politics. At last the opportunity to mount a genuine attack on market led economics by a genuine leader has started. We do not need austerity, we want a return to a country where once we could leave school and have a choice of jobs. Where, strong Trade Unions could fight for us against unscrupulous.employers, who underpay workers, impose zero hour contracts and bogus self-employment We want to return to conditions where a one wage could support a familly. Carry on Jeremy.
Rob
31/8/2016 03:26:33 pm
Great stuff!!! An honest, restrained appraisal of the many under hand shenanigins that have been going on. Very well said Glasgow.....a great city with great, no nonesense people. I just wish this type of open letter was given national (and international) coverage by the likes of the BBC and other mainstream media. They (PLP & others) can see change coming via JC and are running scared but it is their own doing that they will be held to account.
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Diana Baur
31/8/2016 07:42:05 pm
An excellent letter
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dave putson
31/8/2016 07:58:17 pm
Great letter Glasgow, nail and head.........
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vincent Mcmanamon
31/8/2016 11:27:22 pm
no replies from the plp ? possibly no writing material in their bunkers
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Annabella
1/9/2016 08:34:57 am
Has anyone from the PLP actually replied?
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Anna Kashdan
1/9/2016 08:39:30 am
Thank you Glasgow so well put, you speak for so many of us.
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Veronica Barrett
1/9/2016 09:03:50 am
Thank you, you have put into words the anger, frustration and disgust felt by people like myself.
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Linda Harrison
1/9/2016 09:06:42 am
Well said I agree with everything you have said, the PLP are not the majority and it's time they listened to the majority, after all that's democracy.
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Jacqueline Turner
1/9/2016 09:30:08 am
An excellent letter that reflects how many many Labour supporters feel just now. Please could you try to publish it far and wide. Thanks!
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Marie Alvarado
1/9/2016 09:31:38 am
Thank you for writing such a brilliant summary of events. I don't remember a time when there has been such blatant disregard for ordinary honest people. In the darkness, however, there is always light, and this collective support behind Jeremy Corbyn is extraordinarily dazzling. I always dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights and now I have... and the southern, eastern, western lights all warming our hearts with the possibility of an honest, caring government in our multi-cultural, multi-faith, diverse society. Thank you. Marie Alvarado
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Neil Nicholsonneilandrose@
1/9/2016 10:34:31 am
Excellent letter Glasgow.All we need to do is pull together!
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Patrick Dowdall
1/9/2016 10:37:57 am
Well said, PLP get in line
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Robert Burns
3/9/2016 05:08:42 am
Well said Glasgow!
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Dorothy McHugh
3/9/2016 09:45:55 am
Thank you Glasgow for articulating, so ably, what many, many ordinary members are feeling. Jeremy Corbyn is a good and decent man - and a socialist - who espouses good socialist policies and speaks to the heart of the membership. How refreshing is that in a leader of the Labour Party? Solidarity.
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