Officers from Leeds North East CLP called a national meeting in Leeds on 7 June, the eve of the inquiry into the suspended Leeds NE constituency, to discuss the widespread disciplinary measures being taken against the left in the Labour Party.
Activists from across England turned up to spend the morning exchanging experiences of the measures taken against individuals, branches and constituencies throughout the country.
Inevitably, common themes emerged as members described how they were hauled up in front of "inquiries" without being given information about the allegations against them or the procedures to be adopted.
The wide ranging powers given to the NEC and regional officials by the Labour Party rule book were a concern.
This was placed in the context of the increasing centralisation of decision making in the party, which will get worse if the "Party into Power" document is adopted.
Set against this, members outlined how, even when parties were suspended, they had managed to maintain local organisation and meet regularly.
At the same time, there were reports of members dropping out since Blair's landslide victory, saying that there was no prospect of fighting disciplinary action successfully.
Having analysed the nature of the problem, the meeting moved on to the question of how best to fight it, starting with a discussion on the use of the courts. There were differences of opinion, but the consensus view was that such a tactic was of limited use.
National link-up
The priority for the meeting was to try to construct a national organisation to fight the witchhunts. This is urgent in view of the likely outcome of the forthcoming Labour Party conference.
A small organising committee was set up with representatives from different areas affected by disciplinary action. The first task for this committee is to organise a further, broader based meeting before Conference, probably in September.
They are to contact other organisations in the Labour Party with experience of fighting such measures or who might be sympathetic to such a campaign.
At the September meeting, an intervention into Conference will be planned. The form of this is yet to be decided; one suggestion was that other organisations should be approached to allow speakers at fringe meetings and articles in bulletins.
The meeting also decided that information about what is going on in the localities should be collated. A press release is to be prepared.
The campaign deserves the support of all socialists within the Labour Party, particularly as the impetus for it comes from those who have direct experience of action being taken against them.
Given the current climate in the Labour Party, such an initiative faces an uphill task, but all the participants in the meeting felt positive about linking up. One member from Birmingham commented: "This meeting has given me a real boost".
The more such opposition to the Blairite project is organised, the stronger the left's position will hA
Socialist Outlook Andrew Wiard