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I want to issue an apology to so many people who rely on The Labour Party to represent you. I am absolutely, genuinely embarrassed by the way the Party is currently being led. I want to show total solidarity with the many people who have been in contact, with those who are still in floods of tears.
Most of all I want to say that I am ashamed & embarrassed by the behaviour of certain people. I feel, without question, as a recent example, both Rebecca Long Bailey & Maxine Peake, two magnificent, outstanding, compassionate, committed, dedicated Socialist women, have been & are being bullied. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NOT ACCEPTABLE. The hypocrisy and behaviour from the top of the Labour Party is shocking and, quite frankly, disgusting.
Let me also be VERY clear here: anti-Semitism, and any form of racism or discrimination is totally abhorrent. It should always be exposed and resisted. It is why I stand in total solidarity with Jewish comrades who are attacked as if they somehow represent the IDF and extremist far-right Netanyahu Israeli government. The actions of the state of Israel & the IDF are very well documented by the world courts, UN, Amnesty International etc etc. The law breaking now and historically is completely unacceptable, as it is from the UK, USA or any other government. I also stand in total solidarity with my Palestinian comrades, who are the receivers of some truly horrific murders, imperialism, colonialism and racism. WHOEVER commits the offences, I stand against. I stand with ALL comrades, regardless of their colour, faith, place of birth, gender etc.
I want to continue to show complete and total solidarity with all people who identify as BAME (and those for whom that term is unacceptable, I apologise, but hope you understand why I use it in current context to show solidarity). You are being, and have been, let down. Just because my Party seemingly wants to ignore this along with the media, does not mean your genuine concerns and feeling of betrayal are any less real. I repeat, the vast majority of The Labour Party stands proudly, unapologetically in solidarity with you.
As a white man, apart from being not being rich, I am in the most privileged of demographics. Yet, for large parts of my life I have been bullied for being overweight. More recently, the last five years, the abuse-sometimes violent-has been for supporting Jeremy Corbyn wanting to have a decent living for all, free health, education & housing where needed, no illegal wars etc. Often that bullying has come from some of the very same people now targeting Rebecca & Maxine. TBC, of course I would not compare my situation to that of any woman or BAME person who has been the victim of racist/sexist abuse.
Bullies will not win. Ever. This bullying goes completely unrecognised everywhere-by The Labour Party, by members who do not share a Socialist vision (not all, obviously), by power, by the media etc etc. It is even worse at times, where we are mocked and vilified by those with a massive platform, often without the right of reply. These people are awful, awful human beings carrying this out. Yet, too often, hide behind the facade of being ‘liberal’ and ‘decent’. Genuinely, some of the worst people I have ever come across are supposed ‘liberals’.
I want to show total solidarity with all women, many of whom have been beyond appalled by yesterday’s actions from The Labour Party. Though it is not just women who have been in tears, I am aware how important it is to show solidarity and highlight just how upsetting things currently are for so many women. I would absolutely not want to speak on behalf of any woman, in the same way I would not want to re anyone identifying as BAME, I just want to reflect their understandable frustration & anger and show solidarity.
There will be those reading this that will feel a need to jump to the defence of Keir Starmer & Labour. As is their right, of course. There will be those who will not take these words seriously, laugh, mock & ridicule. Those people are very much part of the problem; the toxic culture within Labour that needs removing absolutely ASAP if the Party is to have any chance at all of unity. Speaking for myself, I genuinely couldn’t care about those people. There are times in the past I would have, but not now. I do not have the time or inclination to justify myself to any of them. There will be others who are genuinely good people who are blinded by their loyalty to Starmer or the Party. I implore such people to respectfully read and listen.
I am staying in The Labour Party. I completely respect and understand why those who have left have left, and they are absolutely no less of a comrade now than when they were in the Party. I understand their reasons and logic and respect them. But, for me personally, as things are now, I will stay and fight for justice, for the forthcoming NEC elections…and who knows what else might be needed if things carry on as they are. No, that is not a threat. It is saying members can only take so much.
I implore my Party to LISTEN to those telling them why they feel betrayed and failed by the current direction of the party. The time has come to say “Enough is enough”. I want to thank all the brilliant comrades doing all they do every day to help make society that little bit better. The millions of unsung heroes who exist within Labour and outside Labour. Solidarity with you all.
THANK YOU to you all. Stay strong because WE WILL BE NEEDED. El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido! Hasta La Victoria, Siempre!
Adam Samuels
