Labour civil war: Party’s North East MPs rage at bid to oust former Blair chief whip
FORMER Labour chief whip Hilary Armstrong has said she was “very sad” after her local constituency party backed a motion recommending her expulsion in response to criticising leader Jeremy Corbyn’s handling of the anti-Semitism complaints which have swamped his party.
Question Time: Johnson ‘fuelled by racism’ claims Pidcock
Ms Armstrong issued a statement after attending a meeting of the North West constituency party, where she served as MP until 2010, having served as chief whip from 2001-2006 after being appointed by Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair. The 74-year-old was first elected in 1987, and retained her seat in 1992 after defeating soon-to-be ex-Prime Minister Theresa May - but her seat is currently occupied by Corbyn ally Laura Pidcock. Ms Armstrong said: “This sadly shows how far the party has departed from its roots.
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“I’m not going to shy away from demanding that the party leadership take real and decisive action to rid antisemitism from the Labour Party.”
The advert, which was published in the Guardian on Wednesday, accused Mr Corbyn of allowing a toxic culture to “divide our movement”.
The news triggered an angry reaction from Labour colleagues in the north-east.
Redcar MP Anna Turley tweeted: “If this is true it is disgraceful.”
She is Labour to her marrow and if there is no place for her in it, it is done
Ms Turley added: “Hilary has served the Labour Party with commitment and distinction for decades, as a former social worker, particularly for the vulnerable.
“She is Labour to her marrow and if there is no place for her in it, it is done.”
Sunderland Central MP Julie Elliot described the move as “astonishing”.
She added: “Hilary Armstrong has done more for the Labour Party than anyone I know, supported women to become active and get elected.
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"She is Labour to her core has true Labour values I am proud to call her a friend – words fail me.”
Tory MP for Hexham Guy Opperman tweeted: “To expel the iconic female Chief Whip + North East Labour legend Hilary Armstrong is just beyond belief / amazing.
“Sadly not surprised...just disappointed for all my normal Labour mates at the state of this.”
Pat Glass, who succeeded Ms Armstrong as North West Durham MP in 2010 and stood down in 2017, tweeted: “I cannot believe that @NWDurhamLabour have passed a motion to expel former MP @HilaryArmstrong but it seems it is true.
The advert was supported by a total of 67 Labour members of the House of Lords, including former Cabinet Ministers Peter Hain and Peter Mandelson.
It said: “We can’t be a credible alternative government that will bring the country together if we can’t get our own house in order.
“Your failure to do the right thing will lead to the failure of the Labour Party being able to make our country a better place for the people and communities we seek to serve.”
“You have failed to defend our party’s anti-racist values. You have therefore failed the test of leadership.”
Express.co.uk understands the issue was a local CLP matter, with Ms Pidcock opting to abstain in the vote on the motion.
A Labour source added: “This motion has no standing and local parties do not have the power to expel members.”
