Blog by Sienna Rodgers for Labourlist
has been readmitted
to the Labour Party. 19 days after the former leader was
suspended over his response to the Equality and Human Rights
Commission report, a five-member panel of Labour national
executive committee (NEC) representatives decided to resolve the
case by issuing a formal warning only. Corbyn thanked those who
had offered solidarity, while groups including the Jewish Labour
Movement slammed the outcome as “extraordinary”. posted a five-tweet thread that did not comment on
whether he agreed or not with the NEC decision but emphasised the
hurt caused to the Jewish community and his pledge to set up an
independent complaints process “as soon as possible in the New
Year”.
There are members wondering why, when we all know of internal
complaints that have still not progressed after months and even
years, Corbyn’s case was wrapped up so quickly. It may surprise
them to know that some close to the situation were actually
wondering what was taking so long. Work on a path towards
de-escalation was being undertaken behind the scenes from the
start, and according to well-placed sources it was not the threat
of legal action that persuaded the party to come to this
conclusion but warnings that this was a political mess that
needed to be resolved swiftly and not stay a running sore. A
thoroughly political sequence of events has prevented wounds from
healing, however.
Ultimately, the way in which the whole matter was handled has
left all sides feeling more mistrustful of party procedures than
before, which is quite some feat. And it has not succeeded in
avoiding further strife, as Labour is now entangled in a row over
its rulebook – after all, it’s a day ending in ‘y’. Corbyn allies
are declaring that the ex-leader has already had the whip
restored, but the leadership insists that this is not the case.
Whichever interpretation is correct, Starmer will be expected to
make a decision on the whip today. If Labour is to look like a
competent, professional, unified and electable party, which was
Starmer's promise, the focus must return to the spirit and
recommendations of the EHRC report.
Also: Labour NEC panel
readmits to party after suspension
