Batley and Spen: Labour Shows Contempt

On 10 October 2016, the Labour Party refused to attend a hustings event organised by the Workers of England Union in the Batley and Spen by-election, stating:

“There are several fringe parties and independents standing. We have no intention of sharing a platform with any such candidates, but instead call on people across Batley and Spen to stand together on 20th October and choose unity over division, hope over hatred.”

Workers of England Union Response

Eddie Bone, President and Campaign Director for the Workers of England Union, an independent trade union, strongly criticised the decision:

“The reason given for declining the Hustings shocked me because I believe the response given by this ‘representative of the Labour’ party rejects democracy. If the Labour Party now rejects democratic debate because they think their opponents, who are fellow citizens, are either independent, not as large as the Labour Party or because they disagree with them, then the question has to be asked: Have they become a fascist party?”

“Democratic debate must always come first in any election as it unites us all and silences hatred.”

The Workers of England Union is available for interviews: 07980 667732

The Email Exchange

Eddie Bone to Paul Nicholson (10 October 2016)

Dear Paul, I thank you for replying to my email, though it was disappointing to see that you have declined democratic debate. The reasons you have given for declining the Hustings shocked me because I believe it to be the response of someone who believes in fascism, not democracy. I can only urge you to step back from the precipice before it is too late. Democratic debate must always come first in any election as it unites us all.

Please allow me to explain: Your comment essentially rejects the democratic process as you state: ‘There are several fringe parties and independents standing. We have no intention of sharing a platform with any such candidates, but instead call on people across Batley and Spen to stand together…’ Those words align with the definition of fascism in the Merriam-Webster dictionary: ‘a way of organizing a society in which a government ruled by a dictator controls the lives of the people and in which people are not allowed to disagree with the government.’ Although you are not yet a government, you want Tracy Brabin to assume government over Batley and Spen. As such, the definition applies. You reject open debate, ignore that a strong opposition is vital to a healthy democracy and unity. Political Hustings are a bedrock of a cohesive society; they unite over division and silence hatred. Rejecting them because your opponents are independent, hold different views or lack your size is truly disturbing.”

Paul Nicholson to Eddie Bone (10 October 2016)

Dear Eddie, Thank you for your email but I’m afraid we won’t be accepting your invitation. In such a short by-election campaign, our candidate’s diary is very busy with local events. As you’re aware, the unique and tragic circumstances of this by-election mean the other mainstream parties (Conservatives, Lib Dems, Greens, UKIP) decided not to field a candidate as a mark of respect to Jo Cox and her family. We have no intention of sharing a platform with fringe parties or independents; instead, we call on people across Batley and Spen to stand together on 20th October and choose unity over division, hope over hatred. However, we would be happy to provide some words for your newsletter. Please let me know your deadline, and Bernie (cc’d) will do his best to send something from Tracy.”

Eddie Bone Follow-Up (8 October 2016)

Dear Paul and Bernie, I have not received a reply to my invite yet and would appreciate one, as Channel 4 and possibly the BBC are interested in covering the Hustings meeting. It’s a chance for the local community to discuss relevant issues.”

Invitation to Tracy Brabin (7 October 2016)

Dear Tracy, HUSTINGS MEETING FOR BATLEY AND SPEN CANDIDATES You are invited to a hustings meeting on Sunday, 16 October in Robertstown at 12 pm, organised by the Workers of England Union. Each candidate will have a few minutes to introduce themselves, explain their background and aims. Questions from the floor will follow. We expect the session to end around 1:30 pm. Please email a brief outline of your background/experience/aims (2–3 sentences) for our October newsletter. Let me know if the date/time is inconvenient.”

Sent by email from the Labour Party, promoted by Iain McNicol on behalf of The Labour Party, at Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT. Website: www.labour.org.uk.