Frank Field to serve as an Independent Labour Member of Parliament

Frank Field has reluctantly resigned the Labour Party whip and will now serve as an Independent Labour Member of Parliament.

Frank will continue to be a Party member and to serve the people of Birkenhead. He also hopes to be in a position to seek the whip again as soon as possible.

However, there are two reasons why he cannot, at present, represent the Party in Parliament.

First, the current excuses for the Party’s toleration of anti-Semitism must cease and the Party needs to regain its position as being the leading force against racism in this country. 

Second, the Party must recognise the culture of nastiness, bullying, and intimidation that it has allowed to grow unchecked and expel local members whose public conduct is simply disgraceful. The Party needs to send out a clear signal against nastiness, bullying, and intimidation at every level by taking effective action.

ENDS

Notes

A copy of Frank Field’s letter to the Opposition Chief Whip, setting out in greater detail the reasons for resigning the whip, is attached.