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Pro-Corbyn members of Labour's ruling NEC accused of 'amateur dramatics' after staging walkout
Pre-planned protest takes place at virtual NEC meeting over the election of Dame Margaret Beckett as the body's new chair
November 24, 2020 13:51
Pre-planned protest takes place at virtual NEC meeting over the election of Dame Margaret Beckett as the body's new chair
November 24, 2020 13:51Pro-Jeremy Corbyn members of Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) have been accused of dabbling in “amateur dramatics” after staging a walkout from a virtual “away-day” event held by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Thirteen members of Labour’s “Left Caucus” logged out of Tuesday’s NEC meeting in protest at the election of Dame Margaret Beckett as the body’s new chair – and over the decision to stop Mr Corbyn’s return as a party MP.
The move, which failed to stop the meeting of Labour’s 39-person NEC from continuing, was organised by the Unite union’s Howard Beckett and former MP Laura Pidcock, who lost her seat in the North East at the last general election.
In the pre-planned move, the left-wingers argued that the Fire Bridge Union’s Ian Murray, a staunch ally of the former Labour leader, should have automatically been made NEC chair as part of a revolving process.
But after a decision made under Sir Keir’s leadership, the NEC chair is now elected by its members rather than being automatically decided.
The Labour MP Neil Coyle, a fierce critic of Mr Corbyn, immediately tweeted: “Because nothing says you wanted to be on the NEC more - or thank you to people who voted more - than leaving a zoom early...
“At least with the amateur dramatics out of the way, business can be done by those who care about the graft and the future and electability of the party.”
With an increased majority on the NEC, the Labour leader was handed a boost when his favoured candidate Dame Margaret was voted chair, with Alice Perry elected deputy.
Labour sources say Mr Beckett attempted to launch an attack on Sir Keir’s leadership ahead of the walkout. But one left-wing figure said his “dour rant” amounted to little more than “posturing in his bid to be general secretary of Unite.”
The walkout did not go as smoothly as he wanted, with one source laughing at how Mr Beckett failed to find the button to leave the virtual meeting.
Ms Pidcock, and NEC newcomer Gemma Bolton later attempted to suggested they had decided themselves to walk-out of the meeting - even though a press release about the stunt had been prepared in advance.
Another party insider said the decision to walk out of the meeting would not have been something that Jon Lansman, previously a leading figure in the pro-Corbyn camp, would have favoured, as it appeared to play into the hands of those who criticise factionalism on the left.
One NEC member told the Guardian it was “clearly planned in advance … they’ve thrown their toys out of the pram … none of us ever walked out when we didn’t get our way, lost votes!”
Labour’s NEC is critical to the way the party now approaches its action plan - as laid down by the EHRC - for tackling antisemitism in the party.
New chair Dame Margaret, who held senior positions under Tony Blair’s government, has remained on the left of the party throughout her career in politics. She urged MPs not to quit the party under the previous leader despite his failure over antisemitism.
The Labour veteran was one of 36 Labour MPs to nominate Mr Corbyn as a candidate for the leadership election in 2015.
Dame Margaret was asked by Radio 4’s World At One programme if she considered herself "a moron" for nominating Mr Corbyn. She replied: "I am one of them".
