20 Labour councillors resign accusing party of bullying
It’s been a tough Easter for the Labour Party with 20 councillors across three councils, including the council leader, quitting as they accuse the national party of taking a “draconian” shift and using “bullying tactics.”
It’s believed to be the largest mass exodus of councillors since Sir Keir became party leader. Those who have quit their membership say the party no longer reflects their views or aligns with their constituents and they will now go on to serve as independents.
Those who quit have also claimed members of the group were subject to bullying and were barred from standing for re-election.
It’s not the first mass resignation the Labour Party has faced and with a general election around the corner, the news is a cause for concern for the party. Sir Keir desperately needs to bring calm and unity to his party in what will likely be the most significant political year for Britain.
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Local community forced councillors to quit
Pendle’s community forced labour councillors to quite the labour party. This local community is enraged with genocidal stance of political elite. In a local poll, over 70% feel that Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak are complicit to the genocide in Israel. This has strained relationships between the councillors and the local community.
“We won’t vote for you in May and we will never forgive you … this is too little, too late”
Shahid, resident of Brierfield, Lancashire
The local cllrs have been under extreme pressure, in some cases from their best friends and family, to stand up for the Palestinians and lobby Starmer to take a humanitarian stance against Israel. The Tory councillors were equally condemned, almost being ostracised from society.
Local Conservative MP Andrew Stevenson had to travel to the Nelson Ghousia masjid and appeal to the local imams avoiding the local public, fearing a backlash, to protect. himself against a revolt on his party.
🚨 BREAKING: Every single Labour councillor on Pendle Council has now quit, including the council leader.
— Stats for Lefties 🇵🇸🏳️⚧️ (@LeftieStats) April 1, 2024
In 2023, Labour won 11 seats. Two resigned in October over Gaza; the rest just quit, saying Labour is "using aggressive bullying tactics" to suppress "free speech". pic.twitter.com/ee9mEGgbHj
The Labour group in Pendle claims the national party is unfairly targeting local councillors, stopping them from standing for elections and alleges they are using “aggressive bullying tactics to suppress fairness and free speech”.
Much to Starmer’s relief, the councillors won’t be joining another political party but instead, they will establish independent collectives within Pendle Borough Council, Brierfield Town Council, and Nelson Town Council.
Pendle Council has been run by a coalition of the Liberal Democrats and Labour, with the former party confirming they will work with the independent group to retain the partnership.
Councillor Asjad Mahmood, leader of Pendle Borough Council, said he felt senior party officials had attempted to impose their ideas locally.
In a statement, he said: “I, along with my colleagues, was elected by local residents to represent them in the council chamber.
“As a Labour councillor, I have always felt the party’s policies were aligned with my own beliefs and those of the constituents who have honoured me with their votes.
“Sadly, over a recent period, senior party officials have attempted to impose their ideas at a local level. I was elected to serve the public, not party officials.”
“Senior party officials have attempted to impose their ideas at a local level. I was elected to serve the public, not party officials“
Councillor Asjad Mahmood, leader of Pendle Borough Council
Cllr Yvonne Tennant added: “At a time when 14 years of Tory cuts are affecting local people across Pendle, the Labour Party leadership should be allowing hard-working councillors the opportunity to challenge the Tories.
“Instead, colleagues are being hindered from fulfilling their roles.”
Keir Starmer's authoritarian, anti-democratic approach to internal party affairs is costing Labour councils, councillors & members. https://t.co/mDZh7BzBOz
— Momentum 🌹 (@PeoplesMomentum) April 1, 2024
These resignations come amid ongoing questions over Labour’s stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict and its implications for upcoming local and national elections. The announcement of candidates for the upcoming local elections in May is imminent.
Labour councillors quit party amid claims of ‘stifling free speech’
Cllr Mohammed Iqbal added senior figures within the party were trying to “stifle free speech” and even threaten councillors with removal as candidates. This is referencing to speaking up against the genocide in Gaza, Starmer has ordered all his deputies to ensure no labour candidates condemn Israel’s genocide in Israel, which has bothered the local community and the councillors.
Cllr Iqbal said: “I was suspended from the party for 18 months before it was lifted in December 2023 for advocating on behalf of my constituents.
“I joined the Labour Party more than 30 years ago and have always been encouraged to speak out on issues. However, senior figures within the party are attempting to stifle free speech and threaten dedicated councillors with removal as candidates. I, for one, cannot stand by and allow this to happen. The bullying needs to stop.”
Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, labour Party, Nelson, Lancashire.
‘Labour intolerant of diverse views’
Liberal Democrats Cllr David Whipp, deputy leader of Pendle Council, said: “I’m not surprised about the resignations from the Labour Party. Under Keir Starmer, it appears to have become very intolerant of diverse views. I am happy to work with the newly independent councillors on Pendle Council.”
Cllr Ash Sutcliffe, Conservative councillor for Waterside and Horsfield, says residents will be “left wondering who is looking after them and their services” following the move.
He said: “As a councillor you must focus on the local issues that you can control.
“While I understand these people may feel they are sending a message of their dissatisfaction to Keir Starmer, specifically his candidate selection and suspension processes, their residents are left wondering who is looking after them and their services?
“As a Conservative councillor, and indeed group, we aim to put the people of Pendle first and focus on the local issues our residents expect us to tackle. In Pendle, I am now wondering if there is a Labour Party left at all?”
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party’s focus is on winning the general election so we can improve the lives of those we are elected to serve.”
It is a big month for the local MP’s in Pendle, all eyes are on the Conservative councillors to also resign as they know they will not get any votes. the only way they acn reprevieve themselves is if the resign and join George Galloway’s party and support a united front against the ‘corrupt political elite’.
The following Labour councillors have resigned from the party:
Pendle Borough Council
Cllr Asjad Mahmood
Cllr Yvonne Tennant
Cllr Mohammed Hanif
Cllr Mohammed Ammer
Cllr Zafar Ali
Cllr Mohammed Adnan
Cllr Faraz Ahmed
Cllr Sajjad Ahmed
Cllr Mohammed Iqbal
Cllr Ruby Anwar
Nelson Town Council
Cllr Muhammad Ajmal Khan
Cllr Mohammed Adeel Qamar
Cllr Sughra Bibi
Cllr Anam Nawaz
Cllr Shabaz Ahmed
Cllr Mohammed Sufyaan Sarwar
Cllr Mohammed Kamran Latif
Cllr Naeem Akhtar
Brierfield Town Council
Cllr Adeel Waseem
Cllr Saqlain Ali
