Labour NEC introduces tougher policy on abuse. Who will police it and who will it affect?

Last Updated: September 20, 2016By

160920-jeremy-corbyn-pressWho – exactly – is to be held accountable by these new rules? When Labour MPs were faced with a list of their abuses, they were the ones who demanded an apology.*

How transparent will the process of policing these new rules be?

Who will enforce them and what will be their criteria?

Labour’s NEC – which has just voted in this new, tougher policy on abuse – has been pilloried for enforcing current rules according to their own perceived bias (with detractors of Jeremy Corbyn allegedly using them to disenfranchise his supporters), and using the flimsiest of excuses to do so.

Are these new rules to be exercised in the same slapdash way? If so, they won’t be worth the paper they’re written on.

Considering the abominable way Labour’s National Executive Committee has managed this issue during the leadership contest, it seems clear there must be supervision of any work done in this regard, in a fair and impartial manner.

What guarantees are being offered to the membership?

And, if this new set of rules is abused as badly as the last lot, how may we get rid of them – and the members who foisted them on us?

Labour is to try to stop a “tsunami of abuse” by making all existing and new members sign a pledge about online behaviour or face being barred from the party.

The national executive committee (NEC) agreed to toughen up Labour’s stance on internet abuse during a crucial meeting on Tuesday, which comes as the party’s acrimonious leadership battle draws to a close.

the group unanimously agreed to a new statement on social media behaviour that will be included as a separate item in the terms and conditions of any membership.

Party members will have to explicitly promise “to act within the spirit and rules of the Labour party in my conduct both on and offline, with members and non-members”.

The statement they will have to sign adds: “I stand against all forms of abuse. I understand that if found to be in breach of the Labour party policy on online and offline abuse, I will be subject to the rules and procedures of the Labour party.”

Punishments could include being suspended from the party or eventually being expelled.

The pledge will be linked to a social media code of conduct, drawn up by the party, which warns that “harassment, intimidation, hateful language and bullying” will not be tolerated. It also lists discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

“Abusing someone online is just as serious as doing so face to face. We stand against all forms of abuse and will take action against those who commit it,” it adds, warning against the use of anonymous accounts, trolling, sexualised language, or the publication of private information.

Source: Labour introduces tougher policy on ‘tsunami of online abuse’ | Media | The Guardian

*I still want to see a full explanation of – and apology for – the behaviour of most, if not all, those people, by the way. Why should they get off the hook just because they’re MPs?

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8 Comments

  1. mohandeer September 21, 2016 at 3:02 am - Reply

    So we the members must rally together to denounce the NEC and any policies they bring in with a demand for their removal from office and possibly the party. We the members must make ourselves heard not only iin the deselection of MP’s party to this disgraceful attempt to focus only on Corbyn supporters and give a free pass to all the right wing supporters currently and historically disregarding current rules and indulging in abuse.

  2. Roland Laycock September 21, 2016 at 8:29 am - Reply

    What a two faced system they are running

  3. Elspeth Parris September 21, 2016 at 9:32 am - Reply

    So what happens to an MP who flouts the new rules? As many have done, abusing Corbyn and his supporters.

    • Mike Sivier September 21, 2016 at 9:53 am - Reply

      That’s pretty much my point.

  4. Vernon Moyse September 21, 2016 at 9:50 am - Reply

    Nobbled me. @UKLabour was Judge Jury Executioner blocking my Corbyn vote BEFORE INVESTIGATING an unspecified, anonymous allegation of “abuse”. Electoral Reform Services who run the ballot are NOT the electoral commission and are only bound to OBSERVE LABOUR PARTY RULES. What recourse do I have? To the appeals procedure? Not likely since I do not accept the judgement or the sanctions. When I attempt to get replies to my questions in time to free my vote, I get a standard email response telling me “not to worry” as my vote is safe….. https://www.dropbox.com/s/v9a6g37cielsqdf/LABOUR%20THREAT%20to%20Moyse%20V.pdf?dl=0

  5. Rusty September 21, 2016 at 1:31 pm - Reply

    So no comments in future then! A simple yes or no will only be allowed!

    • Mike Sivier September 21, 2016 at 9:15 pm - Reply

      That’s not what they’re saying. Discourse is allowed as long as it is civil.

      • Vernon Moyse September 22, 2016 at 4:39 am - Reply

        Have a look at some 19th century Punch cartoons about politicians. What is “civil” and when is “honest outrage” appropriate? If Labour’s NEC become the arbiters of what is civil, Freedom of Speech is doomed. I may get some idea about which of my comments they regard as “in-civil” when they deign to give me evidence and a reason for applying sanctions blocking my democratic vote.

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