Thread by @josephattard02

A couple of people asked how I managed to get into the #labourconference hall despite being expelled (short thread)...

Basically, the shambolic, desperate purge of delegates at the last minute meant I received my pass in the 7 days between my initial warning and my actual expulsion, which came on the Thursday before conference.

Brighton is 1.5hrs from London - I thought it was worth a punt.

Especially as my CLP had elected me to represent them - by a strong majority against a right-wing candidate.
Twice, in fact, as the first delegate election result for Ealing Central & Acton was overruled due to a technical hitch.

Given Labour intended to disenfranchise me, a significant amount of members' money was wasted on my accommodation - not to mention the ballot papers I received with absolutely no trouble, with my name on.

When I tried my luck getting into the venue itself, I was waved in immediately - no trouble at all. I had heard a rumour there was some glitch with the scanners: apparently Starmer himself was denied entry at some point.

Of course, it's entirely possible that I could have neglected to check my emails before showing up, meaning I would've been allowed in with no knowledge of my expulsion. This c*ck up was entirely on Labour HQ.

As far as managing to speak goes: I just put my hand up. Got chosen - fair and square.

Now, a few moralists have complained that I have 'let my fellow ECA activists down' by 'lying' to get in. I have a few responses to that...

Firstly: NOBODY in my CLP had a clue I intended to do this. So no 'blame' should fall on them - period. I was still a member on the official records at least as of the day before conference.

Secondly: I was elected delegate having OPENLY declared myself a member of Socialist Appeal. My fellow activists elected me at least in part *because* of my Marxist politics, not despite them. It seems most of them disagree Marxism is contrary to Labour's 'aims and values'.

Thirdly: Sir Keir Starmer lied repeatedly to get elected: about unifying the party, about nationalisation, about retaining a left-wing programme. He lied in order to SUBVERT party democracy. I omitted certain truths in order to uphold the democratic decision of ECA members.

I was proud to do it, and given the chance I'd do it all over again. Far as I'm concerned, the proscription of @socialist_app is an illegitimate, partisan and blatantly factional attack on the party left. Marxism has always had a place in the labour movement. It's going nowhere.

If you've got a problem with an elected delegate being expelled in a last-minute purge to help force through rule changes favourable to the leadership, that's on you. And just IMAGINE the hue and cry if I'd been a right-wing delegate, & this had happened on Corbyn's watch! END