Three prominent Labour activists in Southwark have left the Labour Party. Donald Cole, Colin Hunte and Juliet Atako have all joined a political party of community champions being set up by local entrepreneur Prem Goyal OBE.
The move comes after former Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Althea Smith, was deselected by Southwark Labour last month and the neighbouring local party in Lambeth suspended their selection process after three black candidates, including Adeline Aina, were elected to stand in Larkhall Ward.
Donald Cole, vice chair of Peckham Labour Party and a magistrate in the South London bench, who has protested against the treatment of Ms Aina at the hands of the Lambeth Campaigns Forum, said on his resignation from the Labour Party:
“I joined the Labour Party because of its core fundamental values of egalitarianism, social justice and equality of opportunity. But as a member, and having served as branch and constituency officer for Camberwell and Peckham Labour Party, I have noticed that these values are non-existent. The days of ethnic minority people ticking the ballot papers for Labour are over. It is my intention to continue working for the people of Peckham in any and every way I can.”
Colin Hunte, a longstanding campaigner in South Camberwell for the community, sport and equality shared Donald Cole’s concerns. Mr Hunte was told that he had strong potential to be a Labour candidate and was encouraged to apply to be a councillor by both the leader and deputy leader of Southwark Labour Party. However, he was subsequently told that he was not allowed to apply for selection when the selection process opened. He added:
“When Labour was out of administration in Southwark, they needed a broad selection of candidates. Now that they are back in power, they exclude rather than include. Southwark Labour’s selection process seems designed to divide and rule. Together with other Labour supporters, I will be standing up for all people and not just the few.”
Juliet Atako, presiding officer for Lambeth Council during elections since 1989 and vice-chair of Camberwell and Peckham CLP felt let down and used by Southwark Labour after many years of campaigning and fundraising for the local Party. Having not been included on Labour’s shortlist in Faraday ward, despite assurances, Ms Atako felt Labour were forcing her to remain a foot soldier and would never recognise national leadership qualities that were recently recognised by Downing Street.
She said, “After the selfish acts of inequality in Faraday ward by Labour, it is clear the political establishment covertly manipulates the nomination and selection processes of ethnic minority candidates in the wards they are active in. I take pride in everything I do both personally and professionally and I will continue to do everything I can to serve my community and make sure their voice is heard.”
Prem Goyal left Labour two months ago after all shortlisted candidates for councillor in Faraday ward were indigenous: Faraday ward has about 60% minority population. Mr Goyal said of his departure:
“I’ve concluded that Labour selection policies are flawed, processes are flawed and executions are flawed. Peter John, Labour leader, proudly says in Southwark News that ‘For every election we have an open and competitive process and encourage people of all backgrounds and ethnicities to apply.’ Thank you to Labour for telling minorities that we are dumb as we can’t get through competition. Please tell it to our faces when you beg for our votes.
“I believe in equality, especially at the top. I joined Labour to fight against inequality in society. However I’ve found it needs fighting just as much within the party as outside.
“The party talks equality when harvesting most of the votes from 45% of the ethnic minority population in Southwark, yet it talks ‘competition’ when allocating less than 10% of council cabinet and parliamentary positions to minority.
“Does equality not mean supporting everyone, and resisting the comfortable status quo where those with the upper hand win out over the disadvantaged? Does equality not mean sharing political power equally?
“I want to do everything to prevent the destruction of our community from the Divide and Rule policy followed by Labour. I will continue fighting for equality, especially at the top, not only with words but also with deeds.”
Welcoming the community leaders to his team, Mr Goyal said:
“It is unacceptable that out of the top 13 political leaders in Southwark, we have only one minority leader. This is an insult to the talented minority population, 45% in Southwark, who are manipulated out of the top political positions. This is inequality and unfairness.
My vision is to have a talented minority in the House of Commons by 2015 and 50% talented minorities in top political positions in Southwark by 2020.”
