Don — please add my name: Christopher Brooke (Oxford West & Abingdon CLP).

#iagreewithharriet

Dan: please add my name to this letter.

Owen Jones, Hackney North & Stoke Newington CLP

Me too please – Chris Welch, Milton Keynes South.

#iagreewithharriet

I am not a Labour supporter (anymore), but I agree.
Andreas Moser, London

I agree with Harriet.

# IagreewithHarriet (Streatham CLP)

Dan – not a party member, but feel free to add my name. Very much hope this is a sign of Labour backing away from its worst recent excesses on immigration

David Wearing, PhD candidate – Political Science, School of Public Policy, University College London

#iagreewithharriet

Mark Sawle, Bury North CLP

#IagreewithHarriet – please add my name (Kingston and Surbiton CLP)

I fully support Harriet: Parliament passed this law and its members are expected to abide by it. Anyone found to be lying, by High Court judges working to a criminal standard of proof, does not deserve their to keep their position. End of.

Tom Miller, Brent Central CLP

Don Add me please

Peter Ward, Edinburgh North and Leith CLP

Don

The disgusting nature of Woolas’s leaflets has been known to a wide public for months. It seems likely that they were both drafted and approved by other members of the Labour Party than Woolas himself.

If the real reason for wanting his dismissal is the content of the leaflets, why cannot you and Harriet Harman be honest about this and stop hiding under the skirts of an electoral court?

If these leaflets are thought to be racist and disgusting, then surely Labour should have held an enquiry of its own and brought to book all those who were responsible for drafting and publishing them?

The electoral court was there to consider breaches of electoral law, not allegations of racism. The two should not be conflated.

You appear to be scapegoating Woolas while ignoring other members/officials who may have been just as/more culpable.

I agree 100% with Harriet. Woolas has let down the part, the members and the supporters and should be expected to live with the consequences of those actions. Ms Harman, should keep up the good work. She’s done a sterling job so far.

(New member since May)

# IagreewithHarriet

Wimbledon CLP

I agree

Derby South CLP

I fully support Harriet. Potential labour Voter in marginal who will not vote labour if they stick with Phil.

Signed,

Aaron Kiely
Thurrock CLP

Harriet Harman is right – there’s no excuse for the sort of content included in the Oldham and Saddleworth election literature and it’s saddening that members of the PLP don’t realise that it’s as unacceptable to the majority of Party members as it has been to the Court.

# IagreewithHarriet

Yep – I agree, Harriet’s right on this one…Liz, Bury South

I agree with Harriet too

I support Harriet’s decision.

#iagreewithharriet

Please add my name.
Thanks

Richard Johnson

Cambridge CLP

I agree with Harriet.

Emma Burnell, NPF member & member Dulwich & West Norwood CLO

I agree with Hariet Harmon. Phil Woolas also used the racial card to put restrictions on immigrants but then went further to apply sanctions to those who are half english for fees suggesting that they had no rights here as children of british parents! I know because I have suffered this thanks to woolas who would not do anything about fees that are imposed thanks to him

Support Harriet 100% on this. Woolas had to go, those election leaflets were a disgrace anyway…but, following the decision, there was no choice.
Now…we have a demolition, I mean, coalition… to oppose. Enough!

I agree with Woolas was rightly thrown out of the party. I wish the PLP would stop this and think about the party who are being wholly embarrassed by this whole spectacle

add mine antony march brighton, kemptown CLP

I agree with Harriet.

(Wathamstow CLP)

Will Jones (Oxford East CLP)

Please add me!

Ashley Giles (New Forest East CLP)

I agree with Harriet. Our Deputy Leader is going a great job.

Cllr Todd Foreman, Kensington CLP

#iagreewithjay @15

This smells of hypocrisy.

All the middle class liberal lefties want to disown Woolas because of the allegation that his leaflet was racist. It doesn’t matter whether or not it was, in fact, racist (and that has not been addressed by the party) the allegation was sufficient to get you all steamed up and, unsurprisingly, Harman wants to be cheerleader.

And yet, whether you like it or not, the content of the Woolas election leaflet was designed to appeal to real Labour voters. His stated antipathy to Muslim extremists was to try to get him more votes in the election and was targeted at his Oldham East constituents, not LC commenters or Harman’s Islington mob.

You would do well to understand this disconnect.

Totally agree with the decision to expell Phil Woolas-if anything he was not expelled quickly enough.

Labour member and agree fully with Harriet.

Notice the news reports are ‘unnamed MPs’ – I suspect Phil’s been exaggerating his support to a couple of friendly churnalists.

Well, what do you expect from a right-wing PLP where the majority voted for David Miliband. Ed M. should never have given any responsibilities re immigration to a racist like Woolas. He has always been a political embarrassment.

Anyway, I support the expulsion of Phil Woolas.

Louise Whittle, Lewisham West and Penge CLP.

Colm Quinn (Tooting CLP)

I’m not a Labour member but would you add my name please. I live in Congleton Constituency.

Tom Gann, Greenwich & Woolwich CLP. Parliamentary Candidate for Salisbury in May.

I agree with Harriet’s decision, but I’d rather my psyedonym wasn’t added to the letter, Labour have a lot of ground to make up on immigration baiting before I’m going to start praising them.

#IagreewithHarriet member north tyneside clp
sign the open letter backing woolas’ expulsion

As a left of-Labour voter, I fully support Harriet Harman’s views towards the expulsion of Woolas. This man in no way deserves to be a member of parliament, for any party, at any time. Good job Hazza.

Am I missing something here?

The verdict and guilt aside, it was clear from the rather public evidence of his leaflets that Woolas used racial and nasty undertones to smear his rival. The verdict made this legal, but the evidence never changed.

So why didn’t anyone oppose him being in the Shadow Cabinet? I mean, regardless of what the court says, the guys behaviour was disgusting.

It seems like crocodile tears to expel him now surely? I mean, if he was found not guilty, would Harman still recognise his behaviour in such terms?

Stick me on
Andreas Paterson, Norwich South CLP

Please add my name as well. Douglas, Manchester.

Stephen Brown, Hackney North and Stoke Newington CLP

There is no room for racisim in our party. Please add my name [Labour blogger]

Well said, Don.

Jonn Elledge
Islington South & Finsbury

Please add my name( Jane Phillips ) thank you.

#IagreewithHarriet – Ben Jones, Hackney South & Shoreditch CLP

Dear Ms Harman,
I agree wholeheartedly with you, that Labour do not tell lies about, or maliciously libel opponent candidates in elections. This is also my knowledge and experience of our election campaigns in my local area. therefore Mr. Woolas should remain suspended from the party. I want to encourage all members that this is they way we “do” politics. We are a dilligent, hardworking, honest and listening party.
I wish that your Equality bill had been passed when I was much younger. Although women are mostky bullied and harassed in the workplace, some men are too like I have been. Now, something realistically can be done about it. I want to encourage women activists in this respect.
Regards

I am in complete agreement with Harriet!

Bravo Harriet!

Add my name. Ben Murch, Bristol South CLP

I agree with Harriet.

And I forgot to say: I am a member of Oxford East CLP.

#IagreewithHarriet

(Er… not a party member, just live in the constituency. Just in case any important Tory contacts are reading this and just vowed never to talk to me again. Yes, I’m that paranoid. What you looking at?)

I agree entirely, please add me.

Siobhan Cannon (Wyre Forest)

Hi Don,

I’ve just enjoyed a good luncheon. Before I take my nap, please add my name.

Oscar Van Nooijen (Oxford East)

Please add:

“Rachel Stalker Hertford & Stortford CLP”

Cheers!

Pop my name on: Matt Moran

Can we find out who the fuck are Woolas’ supporters in the PLP? Then we can hit them hard. Very hard. Not physically, of course, but these guys ‘n gals need to be run out of Labour in order for the millions that have abandoned the party since Blair to return. When those pseudo-left arseholes are shown the door, then I might actually vote Labour rather than spoilling my ballot because I haven’t got anyone to vote for.

I do agree with Harriet

Please add me. #iagreewithharriet

I agree with Harriet.

Felix Hebblethwaite – Islington South and Finsbury

Can’t stand Harman, but she’s right.

#iagreewithharriet

Amy Oliver, Streatham

Woolas had to go or we`ve learned nothing since General Election

I also agree.

Lucas Pinks
High Wycombe CLP

People like Phil Woolas are the reason I don’t vote Labour any more.

Actually – it is more correct to say: A party that tolerates people like Phil Woolas for more than about … ooh … eight seconds, is one of the reasons I don’t vote Labour any more.

Next up, Jack Straw.

Woolas’s behaviour is despicable. Harman and Miliband need to stand up for integrity above all else.

I agree with Harriet ;Steven Smith ;Labour voter and Fabian Society member

Please add my name:

Claire Spencer
Birmingham Hall Green CLP & Birmingham Fabian Society Chair

er….ahem. I see you’re called Don, not “Dan”. My apologies. :-/

Please add myself

Ian Robathan – Walsall South CLP

Labour member in full agreement with Harriet

Harriet’s right. And Woolas’s agent shouldn’t be in the Labour Party either.

Anne Lyons
Oxford East CLP

Me too – Ellie Mae O’Hagan, Liverpool

Do you take pseudonyms? If so count me in.

I fully agree with Harriet.

As an ex-Lib Dem I want to see Labour moving on from the past. This is the right signal to be sending

I agree, please add me in:

Glen Watson (Newcastle-under-Lyme CLP)

#iagreewithharriet

Veronica King

Tooting CLP

Mark Ferguson, Acting editor, LabourList

Those leaflets were the opposite of everything that this party is supposed to be. Woolas had to go.

Hi Don,

well done. Do add my name.

Stephen Marks
Oxford East CLP

I support Harriet’s decision.

Ben Singleton
(Fylde CLP)

Agreed.

Lloyd Thomas, Hackney North and Stoke Newington CLP

Please add me,

Duncan Weldon
Hornsey & Wood Green CLP

Add my name!

Regardless of what one thinks personally of Phil Woolas, this was absolutely the correct decision for the Party and exactly the kind of line that should have been taken more consistently in the past.

Matthew Innes Coventry NW CLP

It was absolutely and clearly the correct decision.

Sean Ferguson, Enfield North CLP.

#IagreewithHarriet – please add my name (Hampstead & Kilburn CLP)

I feel for Phil Woolas – but now is the time for him to fall on his sword. Jayne Innes, PPC for Nuneaton 2010.

I agree with Harriet and would like to see Ed Milliband offer his support too

I fully agree.

P J Walker Wolverhampton SW CLP

Good start, but Woolas is hardly the only one. The last Labour government introduced a large range of racist measures in its anti-immigration and anti-terrorism legislation, which the Conservatives have of course been happy to build on since. It’ll take much more significant reform before I’m convinced that Woolas has been suspended for being racist as opposed to for being too obviously racist and shouting what many of the party were whispering.

Claire French, Eastbourne CLP

I agree with Harriet.

Ben Folley
Islington North CLP

Ye put my name on it,
I support Harriet’s decision.
Brian Moylan, Vale of Clwyd CLP

I agree with Harriet Harman, there is no place for the disgusting tactics shown by Woolas in politics alone, nevermind the Labour Party. Stop fighting each other over what is a complete and utter non-issue for many Labour voters and fight the cuts this Coalition is forcing on the country for crying out loud.

I agree – please add my name to the letter.

Juliet Harris
Hastings and Rye CLP

As an ordinary member this self indulgent nonsense disgusts me. At a time when Labour should be focusing on defending the pooresr in society it seems others are focused on defending someone who shows the worst side of the party. It’s time for a new generation, not including Woolas and his apologists.

As someone who has lived in a racially divided society in the past (South Africa),I would like to voice my support for Harriet Harman’s stance towards Phil Woolas’ despicable behaviour.He ran the real risk of formenting racial tensions in an area where community cohesion should be encouraged,not undermined by politicians.

The Labour Party were staunch supporters of the anti-apartheid movement, and to hear that Labour MPs were apparently openly attacking Harriet for her views is as saddening as it is astonishing.

#IagreewithHarriet

Anna Hedge Colchester CLP

(Stockland Green CLP) – d’oh, forgot to add!

Ealing central and Acton.

Switching to Green next time.

I agree.

Luke Jones
Bermondsey and Old Southwark

I am not currently a Labour supporter but their expulsion of Phil Woolas makes it more likely that I will vote for them in the future (and at the upcoming Oldham East by-election).

I too agree with Harriet. Woolas is a disgrace.

I agree with Harriet as well

Mike Homfray
Bootle CLP

Harriet was completely right – we do not and should not condone getting elected on lies or the very nature of these election leaflets. Goes against everything we as a party stand for!

Please add my name Donovan Clarkson, Oxford

I certainly agree with the sentiments in this letter and I would like to add my name

Ralph Ferrett
Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport CLP
Communication Workers Union

I agree with Harriet.

Ian Gilbert (Rochford & Southend East CLP)

Thanks for taking the initiative on this – please add my name.
Jo Kibble
Greenwich & Woolwich CLP

Not a LP member but sign me down.

Add me to the list – Jim Adams. If Labour wants my vote back it needs to grow up and stop being the nasty party. I expect this crap from the Tories – not Labour!

#IAgreeWithHarriet

Seph Brown, Vauxhall CLP

Please sign me on it. Thanks. The leaflets Woolas were disgusting and vile. Not what Labour is about.

Geraint Rennie (Ceredigion CLP)

I agree with Harriet.

Nicky Clark Shrewsbury and Atcham CLP

Yep, add me

Andy Dixon St.Albans CLP.

Was the content of those leaflets in any way defensible? No.
Was it egregious enough to be career-ending? Yes.
End of.
If parts of the PLP don’t think so, they should explain why. Or shut up.

Also agreeing with Harriet.

Tom Higgins
Brighton Kemptown CLP

I agree with Harriet Harman.

Jamie Khan, Southampton Test CLP

Agree.
Anyone trying to defend Woolas’s actions ought to be ashamed of themselves.
Manuel Fernandes

I totally agree with Harriet…

Ben Cooper

Wimbledon CLP

I agree with Harriet

Anand Shukla
Wimbledon CLP

I’ve been a member since 1984; I was a councillor in Lambeth 1994-2002. Member of Brixton Hill/Streatham CLP. I agree with Harriet. (aka @Gert)

Evidence plp is major obstacle to future of labour. Shameful
If true

Once the decision was made by the courts the party had no choice I just wanna say how did woolis sign this off and his campaign team the PLp need to shut up and get on with their jobs not winging about a guy like woolis

I agree with Harriet.

Please add my name to the letter. Glasgow North CLP

Agreed, C Rowlands, Central Europe branch Labour International

Happy to sign. #Iagreewithharriet

Gus Baker
Bristol West CLP
NPF CLP Representative.

I agree with Harriet Harman.

Unclear why you lot or indeed the Labour Party needed to wait for the verdict. Still, better late than never.

Add my name, too!

Don, please add my name.

Paul Sagar (Bethnal Green and Bow CLP, soon to be changed to Cambridge when I get my act together).

Yes – Harriett did the right thing.

In part the immediate suspension was “pour encourager les autres”.

And last night’s push back showed “Mais les autres n’aiment pas etre encourage”….or something like that.

For every fiver Woolas is seen to raise from Labour MP’s the ordinary members will hold back far far more.

That’s the big danger from letting him be seen to enjoy support from the party.

Robert Jackson

Please add my name.

John Fletcher. Wells.

Lifelong Labour Supporter until now.

we must support harriet on this how can we defend such things when we go doorstepping the party had no choice once the decision was made by the court and how did woolis and his campaign team let this happen

#IagreewithHarrietHarman

What’s Ed Milliband doing while this is all going on?

Hiding in the cupboard and waiting for Aunty Hattie to sort it all out for him?

Can we find out who the fuck are Woolas’ supporters in the PLP? Then we can hit them hard. Very hard. Not physically, of course, but these guys ‘n gals need to be run out of Labour in order for the millions that have abandoned the party since Blair to return.

David Milliband apparently………..

I agree with Harriet.

(Andy Shaw, Edinburgh South CLP)

Absolutely!

Kevin Tomes, Southampton.

I agree with Harriet.

Dan Brember, North Dorset CLP.

Please add me.
Richard Pond, Oxford East CLP

I agree!

I am currently undecided whether I will vote for Labour or the Lib Dems in the next election. The suspension of Phil Woolas is encouraging news, the backlash against the decision is discouraging. I am not yet fully decided.

Please add my name to this letter please

Not a Labour member, but did vote Labour in the last GE, please add my name.

Celia Gardner, Exeter

What’s Ed Milliband doing while this is all going on?

Only being a new dad, nothing sinister. Well, perhaps. Who knows what he and the baby are plotting?

Please add my name to this petition – Harriet Harman was perfectly correct in acting swiftly as regards Woolas. There is no room for such behaviour in the Labour Party.
Cath Bore – writer, broadcaster and member of Birkenhead CLP

Please add me.

Marika Rose
Beverley CLP

I am not in favour of a witch-hunt but Woolas has done wrong and he is wrong now in stirring the party up over his punishment. He has let the party down but he has also let down the children whom he allowed to be taken by force,

I agree with Harriet

Andy Gilpin, Wokingham CLP

I agree with Harriet!

Totally agree with Harriet, and very disappointed with some members of the PLP.

Alys, City of Durham CLP

I agree with Harriet.

Lee Brown
Walthamstow CLP

I agree with Harriet.

Being a LibDem member (Hornchurch & Upminster), some could accuse me of being a bit smug about Mr Woolas. Those Labour MPs railing against Harriet are rank hypocrites. If BNP leader Nick Griffin had put out those leaflets in Barking, they would be falling over themselves to condemn him. #IagreewithHarriet

Some MPs have clearly lost touch with the members. Stop spouting and start listening! #IagreewithHarriet.

Never thought I’d utter the words, but this time I agree with Harriet.

Count me in – but the caveats from LO@46 and cim@102 apply here also.

Count me in!

#IagreewithHarriet

Lucia Whittaker (young Labour Party member since July)

I agree with Harriet.

Ryan Thomas
Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney CLP

Harriet Harman has my support in this matter too.

I agree with Harriet!

John D Turner, Perry Barr CLP.

Couldn’t agree more

Andrew Barnes, Salisbury CLP (which needs changing as well!)

#IagreewithHarriet

Rebecca Naughten, Newcastle upon Tyne

i’m backing harriet. if phil wanted to pander to genuine bigots there are plenty of parties on the far right he can campaign for. labour are well shut of him.

I agree with Harriet.

Manchester Central CLP

Please add my name I agree with Harriot

Please add my name

If the Labour Party is not a moral party it is nothing

Please add my name to the letter about Woolas.

I’m not exactly ‘happy’ about the courts deciding who should be in Parliament, but having read around this, and looked at the leaflets, I am, quite frankly, disgusted by Woolas’ behaviour – and by those who seek to defend the latter by emphasising the former.

It is important that Labour ‘speaks truth to power’ – nothing less.

The defences put forward by some commentators that potentially many more politicians could be hauled up before the courts simply doesn’t wash with me. Two (or many more) wrongs don’t make a right. Get the principles right, please.

I fully support Harriet’s stance on this.

You can add my name – its Ian Loveland, Corby CLP

The obvious reading of the behaviour of the PLP (if what we hear is true) would suggest they have lost touch how people will see the whole shameful Woolas episode and are losing the will to return to government. I hope that’s not the case.

I fully support Harman’s decisive and fully justified action in expelling Woolas.

Please add my name to your letter: Simon Wood (Cardiff West CLP)

Please add my name to the letter.

I fully support the suspension of Phil Woolas from the Labour Party.

It is vital for the future credibility of our party that the message is clear: the disgusting and racist electioneering in Labour’s name for Phil Woolas in Oldham East and Saddleworth last May is appaling and unacceptable for a modern progressive party. I am deeply unsettled by the apparent support of numerous Labour (and Conservative) MPs for Mr Woolas in the light of the Election Court’s recent judgement against him.

Timothy J Moore
Member, Cheadle CLP

You can add my name – Tim Mullen, Stoke-on-Trent South CLP

Apparently Woolas has the support of Gordon Brown and Cherie Blair. Better chuck them out of the Labour Party as well, eh?

Phil Woolas revolted me with his comments on immigration anyway. Good ridance!

I am not a Labour supporter, but I agree with Harriet. Please add my name to the letter:

Stew Wilson, Edinburgh

I agree with Harriet Harman

I agree with Harriet. Entirely. After what was said in the judgment, anybody backing Woolas needs seriously to examine their morals.

Sorry to spoil the party – but lying to win elections is something the current leader of the labour party has demonstrated quite well.

Ed Miliband against the Iraq War and would have voted against in the House of Commons if he were an MP. Well he has been called out on that by Ed Balls, Andy Burnham and David Miliband during the hustings.

So, could Ed Miliband please throw them out or throw himself out? And what about the nasty attacks on David Miliband – he’s got blood on his hands etc etc.

This self righteous anger is really stupid –

*********************************************************

Also before any Lib dem supporters claim moral superiority over us Labour supporters. During the Gaza massacare, your then party President and now Deputy Leader, sent a letter to only those with Muslim surnames – about how bad Israel is. He forgot to send it to those names which were Wasp or Jewish.

If that is not playing the religious card then I don’t know what is? So, could we please sack Nick Clegg and the entire Lib Dem MPs who said they would vote against the tuition fee rise?

*********************************************************

Are you really comfortable letting the court decide what can and cannot be said in an election campaign? The Labour party leader went on record saying Labour would not have cut housing benefits – oops he wrote a manifesto on that. But Treasury papers suggest otherwise.

So could we just bottle this self righteous anger

**********************************************************

@186: “Apparently Woolas has the support of Gordon Brown and Cherie Blair. Better chuck them out of the Labour Party as well, eh?”

A proposition certainly worthy of serious consideration on this account and more IMO.

I didn’t think I would ever get round to this but bravo, Harriet.

It’s over. He’s been convicted by two High Court judges. Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime you know.

He doesn’t belong in the PLP and neither do any of the people running that election campaign. The only thing that should have been done differently is for Labour to dump him before the court ruled – it was obvious if anyone had bothered to glance at his campaign literature.

If you’ve not sent it yet, please add me. I left Labour in 2002, and I’m not affiliated to any party at the moment. I would like to see all racist MPs (and those to seek to “get the white vote angry”) outed as such, and with luck deselected.

Agreed

Woolas out. Shame the dinosaur labour MP’s defending him.

Yes of course he should go and on this issue Hariet Harman has most certainly done the right thing. Indeed if anything she should have acted far earlier.

Would these leaflets ever be put out in Hariet Harman’s constituency, or Deptford or Newham, Hackney, Brent or Tower Hamlets – of couse not!

The fact that a Labour MP and former Minister attempted to whip up anger on race issues is simply disgraceful and beyond belief.

It is time for people to stop making excusing about Phil Woolas.

Gordon Brown was called on for completely fabricated leaflets in his constituency by David Cameron and Alex Salmond duing the 2010 election.

Ahh – nothing happened. Should the Tories or SNP have gone to court? Maybe.

But deciding elections in courts or overturning people’s verdict by the judiciary is dangerous –

I do not support Phil Woolas and I don’t even like the man – and his campaign seriously went too far. However, he alone is not to be blamed. The Labour Party HQ, the party leader, the general election coordinator, the kitchen cabinet – what the hell were they doing? If I am correct people in the constituency labour party did bring this to the attention of the Labour HQ.

So pointing fingers at Phil Woolas only and claiming there are no lies in labour campaign ever is just bollocks. And the stance taken by Harman publicly is wrong – and the MPs are rightly concerned about the impact of political campaigning in this country.

Freedom of speech is sacrosanct –

I 100% agree with Harriet. Labour prides itself on being good friends with the British Muslim community. There is absolutely no space for a candidate to try to win elections on the basis of “getting the white folk angry” by demonising Muslims.

Yes sign me up! #Iagreewithharriet

#IagreewithHarriet
Andrew from Chorley, Lancs

Shamit,

Are you really comfortable letting the court decide what can and cannot be said in an election campaign?

I’m satisfied that a candidate who makes “statements of fact in relation to the personal character or conduct of [his opponent] which he had no reasonable grounds for believing were true and did not believe were true” should be disqualifed from being an MP. Please don’t pretend the judgement affects other kinds of political speech.

Please add my name.

UK liberty:

I disagree – even though Gordon Brown and the labour party knew somethings were clearly false about David Cameron – they used it. So did David Cameron and the Tories about Gordon Brown.

I would have agreed with you if you said that “any candidate stirring up racial hatred of any kind” – I would have agreed with you 100%.

I am for Phil Woolas being expelled out of the party and public life –

But I am worried about the specific judgement given by the court. Court judgements become precedents – and I don’t like “statements of fact in relation to the personal character or conduct of [his opponent] which he had no reasonable grounds for believing were true and did not believe were true”

As chair person of Preston Labour Local Government Committee, I totally agree with Harriet Harman and many of my comrades i Preston that I spoke to tonight feel the same. Those Labour MP’s backing Woolas need to get a grip of reality and decide where their loyalties lie, because they are making the job of Labour activists such as myself much harder when we should be attacking the Tory and Lib Dems.

Please add my name. Dave Cole (Huntingdon CLP)

Yes, I agree that Ms Haman (a person with whom I often do not agree) has made the only proper and morally reasonable move that could be made. I am simply astounded that any MP, let alone a Labour one, could possible disagree.

And we should also kick Field, Hutton and Milburn out of the party as well!

Alan Milne,
Wirral West CLP.

Simon Hewitt
Islington South and Finsbury CLP

Of course Harriet is right – well this one time anyway.
Parliament makes the laws and judges uphold them. That’s exactly what’s happened here. Why do MPs always whinge when they suddenly find themselves having to abide by their own laws?

Shamit, do you think candidates should be free to lie about the personal character and conduct of their opponents?

history shows in every political campaign that has happened with the blessings of the HQ.

And within party elections – and by candidates or by their close associates.

That is the nature of politics – I am afraid. Calling them stupid and incompetent is a natural thing. What do you mean by character?

If you take the case of the labour party election: According to Ed Balls, Andy Burnham and David Miliband, Ed Miliband was lying about his opposition to the Iraq war in 2003. Now, based on the judgement, either you have to throw the three out of the party and public life or you would have to throw Ed Miliband out.

This is a slippery slope asking the judiciary to referee political campaigning – its against the basic grain of democracy and our Common Law heritage which says Power of the people is supreme and thereby Parliament is supreme. I would have been more comfortable had this been ruled by the Parliament’s own ethics committee.

Sadly Labour people have been allowed to walk on far worse including and arguably especially the Milibands, Straw, Brown and Blair and in many respects Woolas is merely showing how out of touch and say anything they had become. That any rhetoric or smear was acceptable (I recall Ken Follett’s comments years ago).

Nonetheless what Woolas did was vile and the support for someone who is at best a small ‘b’ bigot is disgusting. Quite how with all the info out their Harman, Ed and David Miliband all offered support shows what a rotten party we now have. No new facts emerged last week and yet all 3 appointed him to senior roles in the shadow cabinet and their campaign team.

Harman’s ability to change political clothing in the space of a day is well documented but this was better late than never. Her highlighting of lying was of course laughable.

The lesson is clear drop the whining morality Labour has no superiority and argue for the working people and poor like they are meant to and Woolas was not.

Add my name to the petition. He should never represent us again.

Based on the judgement – one could make a reasonable case against Vince Cable and Nick Clegg.

Considering Vince Cable was the financial sage and had rightly called the financial bubble – one would reasonably expect him to know that tax rises to fund higher education would be a non starter and know that the University finances are in dire straits. He would also know that this island’s nation only source of competitive advantage is intellectual capital – which he argued in many places – therefore, him pledging scrapping of tuition fees or at least stopping the increase was a deliberate lie.

A promise he reasonably could not have expected to keep if he was in Government. And, if he wa smaking the argument knowing that he had very little chance of being in Government – then he was peddling false bill of goods with his considerable and powerful intellect.

And based on this particular judgement which went point by point rather than issue a summary hudgement – one could not only file a case against Vince Cable but the Court most likely would have to hear it.

Is that what democracy should be? I beg to differ.

Please add my name.

I spent part of Saturday squirming in my seat at Labour’s NW Regional Conference as John Healey MP sang Woolas’ praises and urged us to “do it for Phil” by helping out in the by-election! I’m pleased to see so many members supporting Harriet’s stance.

James Groves
Secretary
Lancaster and Fleetwood CLP

the only time I have to agree with Harriet Harman

Shamit, you’ve rambled on but don’t seem to have answered my question:

do you think candidates should be free to lie about the personal character and conduct of their opponents?

UK liberty – I am saying that is politics.

No one actually knows what went through Blair’s mind when he took us to war but it did not stop his political allies (actually opponents were far nicer) to question his integrity or his motives and his conduct.

How many of them have you thrown out of the labour party?

In political campaigns, across the world, questioning politician’s conduct or perceived intent has always been and always will be acceptable and should be acceptable.

On the spending cuts – haven’t the labour party questioned Cameron’s personal character and conduct more so Nick Clegg’s. Should the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister run to the courts now?

So the answer is unequivocal yes.

Yup add me too.

What a bunch of idiots these MPs are. Do they not realise how it makes them look supporting a lying bigot, who stooped to the lowest tactics possible to win an election?

The worst kind of tiny brained tribal loyalty politics.

There’s right and there’s wrong and Harriett was right.

Shamit @214, this is about spreading falsehoods of a particular kind (about an opponent’s “personal character or conduct”), not falsehoods in general. What you have claimed Vince Cable to have said has no relevance to the law in question: “section 106 of the RPA 1983, namely, before the election and for the purpose of affecting the return, he made or published several false statements of fact in relation to the [opponent’s] personal character or conduct which he had no reasonable grounds for believing to be true and did not believe to be true.”

The courts seem highly unlikely to judge political questions, which is what you’re talking about @214.

Sadly it goes to show just how morally bankrupt much of the Labour Party (and indeed much of the political class) has become these days, that they would even consider supporting this vile man.

Please add my signature.

Mark Iliff
Caversham

Never mind the Labour Party: that man’s a disgrace to politics – and the thought that there are people out there who think they can gain by supporting him is just disgusting: do they think lying is OK, or is it the casual racism they support?

UK Liberty – so what about the Iraq war issue during labour leadership election?

how does that play out? btw, I accept your analysis in 221 – So the liar/s should be thrown out – am I correct?

Add my name.

Harriet has to disown Woolas otherwise he will remain are a dark indelible stain that will drag the party down with him. He is a disgrace.

Woolas is a disgusting anti-Muslim bigot. Had he made any of the same sort of outrageous comments against any other group – asians, blacks, jews, gays – then he would be facing prison. I hope he does.

I agree with Harriet – Woolas was a disgrace and the Party is well rid of him.

Shamit,

UK Liberty – so what about the Iraq war issue during labour leadership election?

how does that play out? btw, I accept your analysis in 221 – So the liar/s should be thrown out – am I correct?

It would help if you were clear to what and to whom you’re referring.

Which candidate(s) “made or published several false statements of fact in relation to the [opponent’s] personal character or conduct which he had no reasonable grounds for believing to be true and did not believe to be true”? (and what were the false statements?)

And would it be “necessary and proportionate to penalise such speech by declaring the election void”?

Harriet was not my choice as Deputy Leader, but she is right on this occasion.

Uk Liberty –

My point is Phil Woolas should be thrown out for inciting racial hatred and nothing else. Everything else he said about the Lib Dem candidate – I could not see anything wrong with such as not having residence in the constituency.

And again I am not backing Phil Woolas – its good riddance to bad rubbish but I don’t think Harriet Harman or the Labour party should try to take the moral high ground like she and her husband did on TV. its pure bollocks and lying has been an acceptable part of Labour party conduct for years. Including the present leadership.

UK liberty:

In each of the hustings Ed Miliband claimed he was against the Iraq war at the time.

And at each of the hustings, Andy Burnham, David Miliband and Ed Balls said that the only candidate who could claim s/he was against the Iraq war and would have voted as such was Dianne Abbott.

In fact, both Eds went at it in couple of the hastings – and I believe in the last hastings Andy and Ed M. were particularly nasty to each other.

So, someone is lying. Either Ed Miliband or the other three. So, there should be repurcussions right?

And I believe that particular issue made Ed Miliband competitive against David. So if he lied he should be sacked and thrown out of the party in disgrace.

Woolas was wrong. His emails and leaflets were deeply unpleasant and clearly unbecoming of a man who wants to represent the Labour Party. They went past what can be legitimately be used as election material.

With that in mind, consider me in full support.

Shamit,

My point is Phil Woolas should be thrown out for inciting racial hatred and nothing else. Everything else he said about the Lib Dem candidate – I could not see anything wrong with such as not having residence in the constituency.

On the issue of residence, the judges agree with you. The court said that if the only breach had been the “statement in the election address that the Petitioner had reneged on his promise to live in the constituency”, they would have questioned “whether it was necessary and proportionate to penalise such speech by declaring the election void and disqualifying the Respondent from standing for election to Parliament for three years. However, there were in addition the breaches stated in paragraph 207(i) [woo the extremist vote] and (ii) [refused to condemn extremism] above which we consider of such seriousness that such concerns do not arise. We are satisfied that the statutory penalties for the illegal practices committed by the Respondent are both necessary and proportionate. No submission to the contrary was made.”

So what about the labour election – candidates were clearly questioning conduct and characters of each other and the point I raised was that either the current leader or the former Foreign Secretary, Health Secretary and Education Secretary were lying to change the outcome of an election?

So how come no repurcussions?

I agree with Harriet. It was the consistent repeated and sustained attack on civil rights, human rights and the racism of scum like Woolas that finally, after 30 years supporting Labour, led me to resign in 2005 having been a local branch secretary for a number of years. Tore my hair out when the thuggish tendency of Reid , Clarke, Blunkett et al
sabotaged a possible Lib-Lab pact – and look what we have now got!

Sadly could be in for a very long haul back.

Maybe I’ll vote Green next time . . .

Shamit,

someone is lying. Either Ed Miliband or the other three. So, there should be repurcussions right?

I’m not sure what they supposedly said amounts to them breaching the law to an extent that declaring their elections void and disqualifying them is “necessary and proportionate”.

I disagree with your idea that just because no-one has made a (successful) RPA complaint about any of those four people that RPA complaints about other people can’t be made.

Shamit,

So how come no repurcussions?

Presumably because no-one has petitioned the court…

So would nt; it have been better if the Deputy Leader and her husband argued that Phil Woolas was thrown out for inciting racial hatred and not lying as they claimed. But then the question would be what was labour hq doing during and after the election?

So, may be ms. Harman should not be taking such a moral highground and attitude which pissed off more MPs including some in the shadow cabinet/front bench.

i never said the complaints could not be made – my argument from the first comment I made on this post is – lets not go overdrive on the moral superiority clause.

That attitude has pissed off many MPs and some senior respected back bench ones too especially when Labour HQ were very aware of what was happening in Oldham.

I agree with Harriet. The Labour Party cannot be seen to be condoning the sort of behaviour shown by Woolas. I cannot understand the over-the-top reaction of Labour backbenchers.

I agree with this letter. There should be no place in UK politics for those who deliberately deceive the electorate.

Absolutely agree with this letter. Please add my name. As a new Labour Party member I am appalled to be in the same party as someone like Woolas. Well now I’m not so good riddance. I’ve always thought he was an unprincipled opportunist. Witness his doorstepping of a Lib Dem candidate in 1997 accusing him of supporting legalising marijuana. Really shoddy Daily Mail type politics. The fact that the Lib Dems can behave just as badly is no excuse for us to stoop to these levels.

Totally agree with Harriet.

I agree with Harriet Harman. Phil Woolas is a disgrace

Well said Harriet!

Appalled at the content of the leaflets produced by Phil Woolas’ team even more so than the despicable lies and deception used to woo the electorate. This type of politics is more akin to the BNP and has no place in he Labour Party, The decision to suspend is the right one.

I cant belive Im going to say it but IagreewithHarriet – *shudders* 🙂

Sign me up.

Woolas belongs in the BNP not Labour

Agreed!

I never thought the day would come … but I agree with Mrs Dromey.

Please add my name to this.

There is no fine line when it comes to racism. Phil Woolas should have done the right thing and voluntarily stepped down by now. He hasn’t, which is why I back his expulsion.

Please add my name…

Tony Rigby, Tottenham CLP

Sign me up please, Neil Willis, Islington South and Finsbury.
#IagreewithHarriet

This is the sort of right wing bullying that convinced me to leave the Labour Party.

Add my name. MP’s should wake up and recognise what their constituents think – and then get real.
John Fletcher (Coventry South)

I agree with Harriet.

Tribalistic attitudes within labour party will not be tolerated by ordinary voters.

The Woolas electoral material was deeply offensive.

It’s on a par with the expenses scandal.

MPs should realize we regard them as citizens first, not a special category entitled to preferential treatment.

It’s those who criticize Harriet Harman that should resign and not vice versa.

Hugh Griffiths

@ Shamit

My point is Phil Woolas should be thrown out for inciting racial hatred and nothing else

Sorry to interrupt the lynch mob with a point of order but nothing in the leaflet was racist.

It attacked Muslim extremism- Islam is not a race but a religion practised by people from different races.

I agree with Harriet Harman

Go for it Harriet !

We need a list of those dinosaurs attacking HH. Time for them to become extinct.

Add me in:

James Wyatt; East Oxford.

I agree completely with Harriet Harmon!

Just recently re-joined Labour. Please count me in.

Toby Barrett, Worcester

I agree with Harriet

I agree with Harriet too.

It was an utterly shameful leaflet, but all too typical of the dog-whistle politics that some in the Labour Party have descended to when it comes to immigration and related issues. That – and the war – were key reasons I let my membership lapse for a few years.

There are elements within the Labour Party who have in my view, through their constant banging on about immigration, asylum and Islam, always in negative terms, done a huge amount to help build up support for the likes of the BNP and the EDL. Constantly talking of asylum and immigration in terms of abuse, and never challenging untruths, or saying quite how badly those arriving here are treated (vouchers, dispersal, fewer benefits than a citizen), simply reinforced a tabloid view of people arriving here and living the life of Riley on masive benefit payouts.

Those members – some of them distressingly high up – should be ashamed of themselves; they certainly made me ashamed to be a member of the party.

So, I’m glad – relieved even – that Woolas has found himself in this situation, but with the Party had had the balls to face up to the likes of the Mail and Express and do this itself, instead of hiding behind a court.

Nigel (Hackney North & Stoke Newington, once again)

I fully agree with you Harriet, what Woolas put in those leaflets was a disgrace!

Anthony Parker
Ashton Under Lyne CLP

I agree with Harriet

Matthew Bailey (Norwich South CLP)

I agree with Harriet too – get shot of Woolas.

I agree with Harriet, Woolas has no place in the Labour Party.

Ooops; so annoyed my typing went to pot – last bit of my comment should say “… annoyed with the Party for not having the balls…”

The Labour party have taken a difficult but honest and ethical decision. Well done!

Please add me too:

James Gallagher (Sheffield Hallam CLP)

I also agree with Harriet.

Woolas is a disgrace.

Daniel Campion
Greenwich and Woolwich CLP

I agree with Harriet – please add my name to the letter

James Valentine, Bedford CLP

Please add my support for Ms Harman. I find the comments of the Labour MPs backing Woolas to be incomprehensible and totally out of step with public opinion.

Funny how Woolas slated asylum lawyers for using JRs to prevent their clients being deported! And now he can’t get one himself!

Deborah Harvey Erdington CLP & UNISON member

This will fast become known as the Right to Lie revolt. What a shame Labour backbenchers couldn’t become this animated over issues that matter to real people such as the Iraq War.

http://tiny.cc/49hn3

This is agony for me. I met Phil once and I enjoyed his company. I have to believe in High Court Judges who took a lot of time over this ruling I believe. I wish to believe in Harriet Harman’s good judgement. We voted her to deputy lead Labour.

I also agree with Harriet, and thank her for doing the right thing.

My name too please – Kathleen Commons, London

Also not a party member or tbh really a supporter, but I do feel that the reaction to Harriet Harman’s decision was totally inappropriate.

Not a Labour member, but I agree with the decision to suspend Woolas, and disgusted at the reported reaction from some Labour MPs.

James Russell, Hull, East Yorks

I agree with Harriet on this. Mark Round, Surrey

Please add my name:

Andrew Godfrey (Southampton)

Yup, I’m in.

Finn Bell Cochran, Aberdeen.

Please add my name too. It’s not one law for Phil Woolas, and another for everyone else. http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/13528

I fully support Harriet Harman’s actions.

If I am allowed to agree with Harriet, not being a Labour supporter, I do so.

James Lessels
Durham

Ed Miliband has contradicted his deputy “apparently” but this comes from 3 different sources.

No one would be selected in that seat until Woolas has exhausted all his legal challenges.

And now he is no longer expelled from the party but under “administrative suspension”

Remember it only takes 33 Mps to launch a leadership challenge – do you think Ed Miliband is going to take his chances. Especially when more than 50% of his shadow cabinet t vote for him in the first place.

Sorry to ruin the self righteous anger party.

Eric Joyce has revealed himself as another of Woolas’s many apologists. He says of Woolas’s critics, “Be interesting, sort of, to see what they have to say if Phil Woolas wins his appeal” ( http://labour-uncut.co.uk/2010/11/08/hung-out-to-dry-by-labour-i-know-how-woolas-feels/#comments ).

As though Woolas’s behaviour would somehow become acceptable if only it escaped being declared illegal!

As an active member of the Party for over 37 years I fully support Harriet Harman. I am astounded at MPs’ reaction to the decision. They still don’t get it!!

Of course Harriet Harman was right, Woolas’ repulsive campaign was nearly down there with Enoch Powell’s. Any faith or hope I might have had for the labour party is dissipating rapidly.

Naadir Jeewa – Walthamstow CLP

I agree with Harriet

Sarah Slade, Camberwell and Peckham Labour Party

Hi Dan

Breaking comment silence on liberal conspiracy to say pls add my name to this! use my last constituency as not sure they will accept South Sudan CLP!

We still have a long way to go on this issue & denouncing Phil Woolas is not enough, but that’s no reason not to support a letter supporting his expulsion. Personally I think the agent should be expelled too – just because the court took pity on him & decided to make an example of Woolas only doesn’t mean we should do the same. He is responsible for the leaflets & could be expelled for bringing the party into disrepute. Other members in that constituency may be morally responsible but it is the agent first and foremost (even more so than the candidate) who is responsible for the leaflets & it’s impossible to say how responsible other people were for them (the organiser should feel ashamed too, but not sure they can be expelled). Impossible also to expel people on the basis they set the tone for this at a national level but we have to be cogniscent of that as a party still.

cheers

Tim

I agree with Harriet. Sam Bacon, Manchester Central CLP.

I agree with Harriet

I would like to support this letter. Thank you Harriet for taking action.

Anna-Joy Rickard (Nottingham South CLP)

I agree with Harriet! Sale East & Wythenshawe CLP.

Another person who doesn’t really seem to agree with Harriet is Shadow Communities Secretary Caroline Flint. On Question Time she said it was right to “administratively suspend” Woolas, but she was talking of the decision as though it were a necessary evil, didn’t seem the least bit disgusted by his leaflets, and kept stressing what a good friend of Woolas she was and how sorry she felt for him.

I agree wholeheartedly with Harriet Harman.

Left the Labour Party when Blair took over but thinking about rejoining. Anyway, Harriet was spot on about Woolas having no place in parliament or the (post-Blair) Labour Party. Please add my name to your letter.

Cllr Mike Rowley, Oxford East CLP