Labour Party’s deputy leader

Always difficult when you have a deputy leader who consistently criticises the leader.

We are so willing to criticise the Tory cabinet for breaking the collective ruling.

So we mustn’t be surprised when this happens.

What I think would be the best if Watson is so against so much of Corbyn’s policies is for him to stand as leader in a leadership challenge.

Tom Watson in the opinion of many very much deserves to be removed from his office and also removed from the Labour party and broader movement. For more than two years now he has had a destructive impact on the organisation, especially with his demand earlier this year that the Labour Party General Secretary Jennie Formby personally send him files on Islamaphobia despite at that time she was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

The above lost Watson much support within the grassroots activist of the movement. However, Watson then compounded his disfavour by contradicting Jeremy Corbyn in regards to Labours Brexit policy the day following a major speech by the party leader.

I believe it was hoped that his local constituency party would deselect him during the summer, but Watson I believe gave some assurances in regard to his future behaviour, but obviously has not held to that given obligation.

So, if it has to be that the Delegate Party Conference has to "sort the Watson problem out" by abolishing the office of Deputy Leader, so be it I feel that solution would far better than allowing this excuse for a socialist politician to wreak havoc during the forthcoming general election campaign.

Watson who in recent months is never to be seen in the House of Commons chamber is a person with no real political principles whatsoever other than the self-serving interests of Tom Watson. The sooner he is kicked out of office and party the better.

The man needs to go it's as simple as that.

He should have sat on the fence with Corbyn

So, let me get this right, a man who refuses to sit on a fence and to bow to the big Union men who are pulling Corbyn's strings - has no real political principles whatsoever.

And The big Union guys, are the ones who will decrete on the appointments and sackings in the Labour Party- without consulting the LP Leader ?

Wow !

Grandad- you are of course totally free to not declare where your position comes from. But I am still totally confused re your comment that you are not a LP member. Amazing for someone who is so 'au fait' the runnings and inner thoughts of the LP. Again, this is totally your prerogative, but also mine to find this bizarre. With respect.

jura2 Quote [So, let me get this right, a man who refuses to sit on a fence and to bow to the big Union men who are pulling Corbyn's strings - has no real political principles ] End Quote.

jura2, there are is only one body in the Labour movement (outside of the Annual Delegate Conference) that can elect or deselect the Deputy Leader, and that body is the National Executive Committee (NEC), who also elects the General Secretary of the entire movement.

That Committee debated the "Watson problem" yesterday but there was no conclusive vote. Therefore the matter will go to the Delegate Conference today for a decision as that ,while it is sitting, is the premier policy and organisational body in the movement

By the way jura2 and Anniebach, Len McCluskey does not hold a seat on the NEC, so has had no direct say in the matter along with all the other Trade Union General Secretaries.

So, please do try to get your situation facts correct.

They might not hold a seat- but they have huge power and influence- would you deny that.

Political principles, a Broad Church, Democracy = the Labour
Party ?

Tom Watson was voted to the post of deputy leader by party
members. He now faces the sack by the NEC,

McClusky doesn’t hold a seat on the NEC, the mother of his son does.

Jura2, in regard to your post @-09:27 today, I have stated very often that I am not a member of the Labour Party, but retain membership of the Unite Union as thanks for what that organisation did for my education in many years past.

I gain my knowledge of Labour party/movement structure and organization from meeting trade union activists on industrial/workplace safety courses that I act as a tutor on.

It is there with those real activists when we are having a break that I feel you really learn what is going on in the Labour Party and Trades Unions.

I often feel in those weeks that I learn as much as I teach.

Great stuff.

jura2, in regard to your post @09:22 today, yes the Trades Unions do hold large influence in the Labour Party because they along with the District and Constituency Labour parties are all part of the same broad movement.

The Parlimentary party are part of that structure and in equality with them.

And long may that remain.

Thanks for this. But as an intelligent and caring man, with a lot of insight- why would you not want to get stuck in and be a member? Again, your choice- I just don't get why someone who is so involved doesn't want to be ... involved from within.
With respect.

Oh the misogyny on GN.!
McClusky doesn’t hold a seat on the NEC, the mother of his son does.
And of course being a woman and emotional she will vote the way her ex-lover does and always support him.
It's the 21st century Annie women have brains and use them. They can (shock horror) think for themselves.
As for the LP and TW if the deputy in any organisation continually disrepects his senior he would have to go.

From the Guardian today- really shocking

'Jon Lansman, the founder of the pro-Corbyn campaign group Momentum, tabled a last-minute motion at the party’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) on Friday night calling for Watson’s job to be scrapped.

The chair of the NEC initially ruled Lansman’s motion out of order, but NEC members agreed to return to the issue on Saturday morning. If the policy is agreed, it would be recommended to Labour members as a change to party rules, which would then have to be approved by conference.

Neither Watson nor Corbyn were present at the meeting. Watson said he was yet to speak to Corbyn.

Watson said: “It’s a straight sectarian attack on a broad church party and it’s moving us into a different kind of institution where pluralism isn’t tolerated, where factional observance has to be adhered to completely and it kind of completely goes against the sort of traditions that the Labour party has had for 100 years.”

Watson believes his position on Brexit is behind the move to oust him. He added: “If we’re serious about changing the political economy in Britain, of giving people the benefits of a transformative Labour government then let’s focus on that this week rather than having what seems like a sort of slight of hand of constitutional change to do a drive-by shooting of someone you disagree with on the issue of the day.”

Labour MPs have come to Watson’s defence The former prime minister Tony Blair said a decision to abolish the post of deputy leader would be “undemocratic, damaging and politically dangerous”.

He added: “To suggest it at this time shows a quite extraordinary level of destructive sectarianism. The Labour party has always contained different views within it and the deputy leader’s position has been one way of accommodating such views.'

an attack on a broad church party and it’s moving us into a different kind of institution where pluralism isn’t tolerated, where factional observance has to be adhered to completely and it kind of completely goes against the sort of traditions that the Labour party has had for 100 years.”

Watson believes his position on Brexit is behind the move to oust him. He added: “If we’re serious about changing the political economy in Britain, of giving people the benefits of a transformative Labour government then let’s focus on that this week rather than having what seems like a sort of slight of hand of constitutional change to do a drive-by shooting of someone you disagree with on the issue of the day.”

Labour MPs have come to Watson’s defence The former prime minister Tony Blair said a decision to abolish the post of deputy leader would be “undemocratic, damaging and politically dangerous”.

He added: “To suggest it at this time shows a quite extraordinary level of destructive sectarianism. The Labour party has always contained different views within it and the deputy leader’s position has been one way of accommodating such views.

Jura2, in regards to your post @-10:14 today, it is simply that I have been to busy with our business over the last 15 years. In that, I feel I play my part in carrying out workplace safety which I have always loved doing.

Due to Brexit, we have now expanded our operations into the European Union with offices opening in Belgium next week.

So, not much chance of becoming active in the Labour Party at this point in time. ?

My knowledge and experience of the Labour Party comes from being a party member for over 50 years and listening to
the views and opinions of party members, left and centre left , unlike members of unions and momentum.

Doesn’t mean you are right though. Particularly as you are no longer a member.

I like your fence sitting comment Anniebach, my thoughts exactly. How anyone thinks Mr Corbyn is leader material is beyond me.

Watson wishes for Labour Brexit Policy to change to a full remain stance. That Labour cannot do as their strongholds in the North of England were the strongest in voting leave.

So, the policy of General Election as first priority and then to put Brexit back to the electorate in a further referendum without a no-deal option has proven to be the correct one throughout this year.

Corbyn isn’t a leader fiachna he is a follower, a puppet, a fence sitter. He still refuses to say if he for remain or leave , this isn’t leadership

Very true Anniebach, Im with you there. If you dont mind me asking, what made you give up your membership? I have no affiliation to any political party and never will have. I have known a few Labour party members over the years.

I joined the LP aged 14 in 1959. My politics are very left of centre but firmly a Democrat Corbyn and his clique are Stalinist in their outlook, although they protest that they are democrats. Stalin was very astute at eliminating opponents and critics and I would argue Corbyn and his cabal are following the lessons of that obnoxious Soviet followed by a mass of gullible members.

Until that clique is broken my advice is to vote in any election for SD, green or for the centre party. Do not vote
Labour

Fiachna I gave up my membership because of the anti semetism , I have always fought against racism, I do not want to belong to a party which wants to return to the decade of the seventies which led to the disastrous 1983 election and caused labour to be in the wilderness for 14 years, I believe Corbyn to be a stranger to the truth. I joined the Labour Party
and left the Momentum/ McClusky Party.