Former General Secretary, Peter Watt has offered his reflections on the tug of war between the Leader of the Labour Party's office, Head Office Staff and the new General Secretary on Labour Uncut.
Ever anxious to safeguard his reputation, Peter makes claims about his role introducing the concept of governance to the National Executive Committee, and by implication the Leader's Office.
I have penned a comment, which at the time of writing is still await approval by Labour Uncut's moderator.
So here it is:
Dear Peter
Before your claims of introducing governance to the Labour Party's NEC become enshrined in urban myth, I suggest you read a copy of the Development Trust Association (now Locality)'s Early Warning Guide.
I declare an interest as a member of the working group that compiled the key performance indicators for executives and non-executives.
I also declare an interest as a former member of the NEC whose first requests having been elected were a) to attend the Warwick 2 National Policy Forum as an observer - refused by the then acting General Secretary Chris Lennie, and b) copies of the 2008 budget, management accounts and staff/organisation organigram(s) - refused by the then Director of Finance and Compliance, Roy (now Lord) Kennedy married to former deputy General Secretary, Alicia Kennedy.
Good governance comes from each member understanding their roles, and responsibilities. Is there any evidence that anyone either in the Leader's Office or the National Executive Committee has a grasp of the most basic principles of governance - good or bad?
I'd be happy to be enlightened.
Yours with happy memories of being told by you some years ago that I was part of the problem
Peter Kenyon
In a word - beware.