All elected representatives of the Labour party – from local councillors all the way to the party leader – owe their powers to the trust, goodwill and commitment of grassroots members who first select and then campaign for them. Thus, it is an immense honour which we treasure greatly. Yet, we are also under no illusion that every single one of our Labour party colleagues are only in positions of relative privilege and responsibility because of the sovereign will expressed by the mass of dedicated members.
It is therefore surprising, as well as disheartening, to hear that some are opposed to proposals to extend more democracy to these members, including allowing them to select local Labour group leaders, and therefore, potential local council leaders. Democratic control forms the vital essence of our party, giving many ordinary people – who would otherwise only be able to formally express themselves through voting once every few years – a more complete relationship with their representatives. It is a property which, rather than being criticised and discourage, should be revered and fostered.
Cllr Jumbo Chan Brent (Lab), Cllr Paul Fleming Southwark (Lab), Cllr James McAsh Southwark (Lab), Cllr Jack Buck Southwark (Lab), Cllr Clare Joseph Hackney (Lab), Cllr Patrick Spence Hackney (Lab), Cllr Dee Martin Ealing (Lab), Cllr Daniel Stone Haringey (Lab), Cllr Theresa Byrne Ealing (Lab), Cllr Lewis Cox Ealing (Lab), Cllr Anna Tomlinson Ealing (Lab), Cllr Cathy Page Redruth (Lab), Cllr Gilbert Smyth Hackney (Lab & Co-op), Cllr Luke Sorba Lewisham (Lab), Cllr Michelle Sweeney St Helens (Lab), Cllr Lauren Wall Ealing (Lab), Cllr Erica Gbajumo Brent (Lab), Cllr Keith Perrin Brent (Lab), Cllr Tolga Aramaz Enfield (Lab), Cllr Leigh Drennan Tameside (Lab), Cllr Sue Lukes Islington (Lab), Cllr Aisling Gallagher Lewisham (Lab), Cllr Gabriela Salva Macallan Tower Hamlets (Lab), Cllr Puru Miah Tower Hamlets (Lab), Cllr Abdirazak Abdi Brent (Lab), Cllr Roxanne Mashari Brent (Lab), Cllr Ehtasham Haque Tower Hamlets (Lab), Cllr Aydin Dikerdem Wandsworth (Lab), Cllr Zafar Islam Dudley (Lab), Henry Fowler Labour candidate for Wandsworth, Cllr Maurice Mcleod Wandsworth (Lab)
• “The world is run by those who show up,” someone famously said. But there is no evidence that democratic centralism delivers better government for the greater good (Rachel Shabi, Labour’s democratic review is no stitch-up, 4 July). Ordinary folk support political parties because they broadly support party principles, in much the same way people support the mutuality principles of the Co-op or sign up for the National Trust. But because we are natural “joiners” it should not be assumed we automatically share the political obsessions of the few. Rachel Shabi reports that 10,000 out of a total membership of 550,000 responded to a national survey on Labour’s democratic review. A response rate of under 2% is hardly of any statistical value. In my own constituency, barely 4% of the members turn up for meetings (on a good night).
Of course, large-membership organisations are generally healthy. But because joiners choose not to participate, it does not necessarily mean there is any lack of interest, or of belonging, on our part. The zealotry of missionary politics often loses sight of the real lives of ordinary people. Historically, much of the strength of the three main political parties is embedded in local communities, often in social clubs. All very similar in my experience, if you enjoy a game of snooker, bingo, or just ordinary convivial banter.
Mike Allott
Chandlers Ford, Hampshire
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