Community saves councillor -- but three out in Leeds

Mike Davies, recently expelled from Leeds North East CLP reports

Two more members of Leeds North East CLP were expelled last month. A third, equally innocent, was suspended for five years. But pressure from the local community, coupled with threats of legal action, won reinstatement for a councillor.

Garth Frankland has served Chapel Allerton Ward as its councillor for 18 years. When he was suspended, over a hundred Party members in his ward signed a petition calling for his reinstatement. Outside his National Constitutional Committee hearing, nearly a hundred local people, from all parts of the multi-religious and multi-racial community he represents, demonstrated. At the hearing evidence was given of Garth's loyal work for the Party and the local community by prominent local figures -- the the Islamic Centre leader, the local Methodist minister, and the deputy leader of Leeds City Council.

Garth had made it clear that if he were not reinstated he would take legal action. Evidently Blair and Co were not prepared to take the risk of a court defeat. Perhaps they bore in mind the court action by Glasgow's Pat Lally, which drew some forthright criticism of New Labour's disciplinary process from the Scottish judge. Nevertheless, Blair's panel, while not imposing any further punishment, found Garth "guilty". On the most damaging allegation -- intimidatory behaviour at a meeting -- there was only one statement in support and that was from an official paid to say whatever he's told. Seventeen people, virtually the entire attendance at the meeting in question, submitted written statements that the allegation was entirely false.

Malcolm Christie, CLP Treasurer for twelve years, and Mike Eslea, ex-chair of Chapel Allerton ward, were expelled. Malcolm's expulsion shocked many members on both left and right. He is known as hard-working, scrupulously honest and a mainstay of the ward and CLP. Lorraine Hardy, CLP Secretary, was suspended for five years.

Leeds North East CLP has been suspended since February 1997. While the three wards regarded as less outspoken have been reinstated, Chapel Allerton remains suspended for campaigning to be reinstated. One of the wards allowed to resume activities has since passed motions condemning the cuts in lone parent benefit, and calling for the reinstatement of myself and Celia Foote. Perhaps the New Labour machine will have second thoughts about whether it was safe to let that ward meet again.

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