Ever since I became a Labour Party explorer the bush telegraph has resounded with allegations. Today, I was telephoned by Ken Clark, London Labour Party Regional Director to confirm that one of his regional officers had issued incorrect instructions to a group of CLPs instructing them to postpose their AGMs. I thanked him for putting the record straight. What better way of making the case for AGMs at the regular time? I reflected on this here.
The temptation for anyone in a position of power is to hang on. Of course, that will not be the case with Gordon Brown. He will be going to the country on 6 May, rather than hang on until 5 June. But for party unit officials in obscure places like, to name a couple of examples, say, Barking or Stoke, who ought to face re-election in February, it would be so convenient to have their AGMs postponed.
Key message to CLP secretaries - how are we going to motivate members to come out and campaign, if we don't ensure that they have a say?
More insinuations, and innuendo sprinkled with the occasional fact can be read here.