Thread by @SeemaChandwani

THREAD: #DawnOnTheBallot I’ve decided to back Dawn Butler for Deputy. I am someone openly on the left of the party, a member of CLPD, Momentum etc. Supporting Dawn is against the ‘endorsement’.

However for me it’s desperately essential there is a BAME candidate for members to

consider and that the perspective of what Black and other ethnic communities need is being discussed in this debate.

It’s critical when we talk about the so-called ‘Labour Heartlands’ we don’t take for granted the Caribbean, African and many ethnic communities

who have loyally voted for us for decades and ensure we keep some of our safest seats safe.

I don’t feel I’ve compromised my socialist values by supporting Dawn, socialism has to be inclusive.

We can talk about ‘not throwing immigrants under the bus’, which is great - but

as someone from immigrant descent I don’t need protection, in 2020 we deserve at least a democratic choice for our own representation.

Dawn has experience in Government, she served the frontbench under Corbyn loyally and even when she was a Backbencher she did not attack our

democratically elected Leader albeit this costed her position as Chair of the Womens PLP.

Actions speak louder than words. And thankfully Dawn isn’t relying on vacuous soundbites, attacks on others etc she’s just being real.

I hope she is on the ballot. It would send a very unsavoury message to BAME members if MPs don’t use their privilege as candidate gate-keepers to ensure diversity in this contest.

Nominations are endorsements, you can nominate one candidate and vote for another.