Black Labour MPs, staff and members have expressed serious concerns about allegations of racism in the leaked report, and about the Panorama payouts undermining the Labour Leaks Inquiry into those allegations. Their concerns need to be taken seriously. 1/6 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/13/hierarchy-of-racism-fears-threaten-starmers-hopes-of-labour-unity?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

But the same day that this article by @DamienGayle was published expressing these concerns, Labour’s General Secretary David Evans reportedly wrote to CLP Secretaries saying members cannot debate the Panorama settlements and a number of other issues. 2/6

The concerns expressed by black MPs, staff and members cannot even be discussed within local Labour parties, nor can the other serious allegations in the Labour Leaks which relate to the Panorama settlements. This is an affront to democracy and free speech within our party. 3/6

Members have the right to debate these payouts - partly funded through members’ subs - and to discuss other internal party matters, as long as motions do not breach the party’s rules, including its rules against prejudice, and meetings are respectful and comradely. 4/6

This is the latest attempt to silence CLPs. Last month the Labour Right on the NEC voted down a motion to allow CLPs to conduct normal business online. If you want to change the NEC, vote for the @future_we_need candidates as your CLP reps so they can stand up for members. 5/6

The Grassroots Voice candidates will be a strong voice for members, stop the party stifling CLP democracy and fight for the popular socialist policies we need both to elect a Labour government in 2024 and to change society for the better. 6/6 https://futureweneed.com/