Stepping Down but Not Quitting
Last week I stood down as Chair as Southend Labour Party’s Local Campaign Forum. After two long years it is somewhat of a relief. As anyone who has spent long enough in local Labour politics will admit it can be demanding stuff. But it was tinged with a bit of sadness as this will be the first time in seven years where I will not be taking a leading role on the LCF or on the executive of my Constituency Labour Party (Rochford and Southend East CLP).
Firstly, I have to say it’s been an absolute pleasure to represent the local party and contribute to the campaigning over the years both as an organiser and a candidate. Local government, is where Labour really shines. Our councillor’s in Southend really do represent the best my party has to offer. They do not simply just embody our values of compassion and tolerance but put them into practice week in week out by serving the people who put them into office (and in many cases those that did not — those who feel completely disenfranchised from society).
It is certainly something I have aspired to. In May 2015, on my third attempt to get elected to the council chamber I narrowly lost by 51 votes. But these many defeats (and as a Labour Party activist in Essex I have gained many bruises) have taught be a lot of political lessons. That alongside the thousands of doors knocked and the many hats I have worn at one time or another within the local party — has all been good experience. I have certainly learnt from the best, not just the councillors and activists but several of the fantastic parliamentary candidates I’ve worked with across South Essex.

So why am I stepping down now? I could just cite personal circumstances (after a few years of not quite knowing what I wanted to do I’ve got onto a good Masters course and have a perfect part-time job to go alongside it) but that would be a cop out. The truth, is I simply cannot support the leadership of the Labour Party.
I got into politics to act on my beliefs not to put into №10 a man I think is entirely unfit for the job.
To put it politely, I have irreconcilable differences on defence, foreign and national security issue with the top of the Labour Party. And I’ll end it there because at this moment in time there is no point arguing.
What I should of emphasised in my closing speech at the LCF AGM is that I’m staying in the party — I’ll just be taking a backseat role for now.
