Rochdale Labour Aim at Restoring Trust

 Leak of Motion for clean break with past politics

LAST Wednesday, the West Heywood and East Middleton wards agreed to move the motion below which raises concerns about the proposed reinstatement of a former Rochdale Labour leader, Richard Farnell, who many in the local Labour Party and among the public beyond who generally feel he was discredited by the finding that he lied under oath at the  Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).  

The tenure of the motion suggests that the people moving it feel that not only has Richard Farnell become totally toxic by his insistance that he was unaware of what was going on at Knowl View residential school, but that the culture created by Farnell's successor, Alan Brett, is now stifling any remaining remnant of decency in the body politic in Rochdale. 

The Heywood and Middleton Constituency Labour Party below urge a change of leadership to create a 'break with that (spirit of) Richard Farnell and Allen Brett, in order that trust and confidence in the local party can be restored'.

Wed 03/07/2019 21:59

 The Motion states:

'In light of recent press reports relating to Richard Farnell and Allen Brett, Heywood and Middleton CLP/ branch note that: Richard Farnell was suspended from the Labour Party when the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) reported its finding that he had lied to the Inquiry under oath; his replacement as Leader of Rochdale Council, Allen Brett (himself found to have brought the authority into disrepute) is reported to have said that he will be pressing for Richard Farnell’s suspension to be immediately lifted; the Executive of Rochdale CLP have apparently written to Labour North West Region in respect of the suspension, with their meeting minutes referring to selection meetings in September and the unfairness of Richard Farnell being “in limbo”. Heywood and Middleton CLP/ branch are of the view that: regardless of the outcome of Richard Farnell’s suspension, his behaviour at the IICSA and IICSA’s finding that he lied under oath, reflect very badly on the Labour Party in Rochdale; perceptions of Allen Brett’s behaviour compound this, along with his call for Richard Farnell’s immediate reinstatement; there is a risk as borne out by responses on social media, and in spite of the good work of many councillors and party members, that the Labour Party in Rochdale Borough loses trust and credibility in the eyes of the electorate. And so, (Heywood and Middleton CLP/ branch) call on Rochdale Council Labour Group to bring about a change of Rochdale Council leadership in a way that represents a clean break with that of Richard Farnell and Allen Brett, in order that trust and confidence in the local party can be restored.'

 Passed at West Heywood and East Middleton so far. On the agenda at Castleton branch next week.

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