• Disrupting Power Since 2015
  • Donate
  • Login
Thursday, May 15, 2025
  • Login
  • Register
Canary
MEDIA THAT DISRUPTS
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION
SUPPORT
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
Canary
No Result
View All Result

We made the Labour Party so furious they wrote us a letter, and it’s hilarious [OPINION]

Steve Topple by Steve Topple
8 September 2016
in UK
Reading Time: 5 mins read
170 2
A A
0
Home UK
319
SHARES
2.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Following an opinion column The Canary published on 6 September, a furious Labour Party sent the author a letter by email. And the result is hilarious and telling, in equal measure. The author is, of course, me. And the email was in response to my column entitled This outspoken Labour critic has been allowed to join the Labour Party, and it’s a disgrace.

Keep on purging

On 6 September, I wrote about how, against all the odds, I had miraculously been allowed a vote in the Labour leadership contest. I am a member of the GMB union, and in July had applied for affiliated Labour membership as a sort of ‘experiment’, to see how robust their vetting procedures were. Very little happened, until 2 September. Just after 5pm, an email dropped into my inbox giving me confirmation of my vote, with the codes I needed to use.

I was absolutely gobsmacked that I, a very public critic of the Labour Party, had been allowed a vote. I had written on the apparent ‘purge’ of members and was both overwhelmed and stunned by the responses I got to my request for people’s stories. Some were angry; others baffled; a few laughed it off. But many people were genuinely upset that they wouldn’t be able to vote. And, more often than not, it was for the most ridiculous of reasons. Tweeting once in support of the Green Party. Apparently “abusing” a Labour MP by telling them they were angry. Being “in breach of the party’s recruitment rules“, without any explanation. Tweeting in support of Palestine. Voicing their displeasure at Syrian airstrikes. And being a former member of another party.

I had also been infuriated by the people who, apparently, were allowed a vote. Labour councillor John Ferrett, who called Corbyn supporters “lying Trots“. Party donor Michael Foster, who labelled people “Nazi Stormtroopers” in The Daily Mail. A former UKIP parliamentary candidate in the 2015 general election. John McTernan, who threatened an SNP MP with violence and called for a trade union to be crushed by the Tories. A Liberal Democrat councillor who defected to Labour. Owen Smith, who used a mental health slur at a public meeting. Running for the party leadership. All these people and their behaviour were seemingly acceptable to the Labour machinery.

Labour: they don’t hang around

Hence I wrote my column on 6 September; the serious point being that by ostracising so many people who would want to support the party, Labour is only damaging itself. Furthermore, that it also shows how little the party thinks of its membership.

The column went out at 4.30pm. The response from readers was generally positive, with many commenting what an important point I had made about Labour procedures. At 6.36pm, I tweeted this:

So @UKLabour @IainMcNicol I'm waiting to be purged.

This is about ME & you expel others for less causing huge upset https://t.co/U8ciYWXJ5o

— Steve Topple (@MrTopple) September 6, 2016

I’m sure about two minutes later I heard a collective scream from the Labour Party Compliance Unit in Newcastle; that, or Iain McNicol shouting “SH*T!!! That f*cking Mr Topple has slipped through the net!!!” Because 17 minutes later, I received a letter via email. And horror of horrors, I had been ‘purged’.

Here is the offending email:

labouraffiliate2

 

Now, I don’t know about you – but there are a few issues here.

Owen Smith’s member

We, at The Canary, are mortified at the thought that the Labour Party Compliance Unit refers to us as “a website called”. Do they not know who we are? Would they refer to The Guardian as “a newspaper called”? We thought we were so popular! Or, is it that the author of the email is being intentionally condescending? As one of our other writers at The Canary so accurately said:

as if they aren’t trawling Canary comments pon de regular to try and ban people.

Regarding the “broad church” comments, I did indeed say that. I believe that surely Labour needs to win over people who have previously not voted for it in order to stand a chance of being in government. Not be a “broad church” where the congregation are forced to drink from the Owen Smith font of Kool-Aid or be banished into the wilderness forever.

I was, however, flattered that “disciplinary action” had not been taken against me sooner. Delighted, in fact. Because otherwise, I would never have been able to write Tuesday’s article in the first place.

But their assertion that the possibility of a ‘purge’ is “utterly wrong, ridiculous and based on internet speculation and innuendo, with no basis in fact” would seem at odds with official party line. Over 3,000 people have already been expelled from voting in the leadership contest. And that’s by Labour’s own admission. Although a ‘purge’ being “innuendo”? Unless Owen Smith’s 29-inch ‘member’ has been expelled, I’m unsure what they’re implying…

A ‘Bad Romance’

But I took heart that they recognised that I and the party are just not compatible. My relationship with Labour is much like the Lady Gaga song Bad Romance. I do indeed “want your drama”, Labour, as it gives me so much material to write about. I’ll leave “the touch of your hand” though, thanks. Because, as Simon Danczuk proved, you never know where it may have been. And as for “leather-studded kisses”, I think Keith Vaz has that one covered. You and me, Labour, if we were ever joined in political matrimony, would just have a Bad Romance. It really isn’t worth it.

I’m unsure, however, if my article equated to tendering my “resignation”. This is troublesome, and I’m almost tempted to appeal the decision via Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC). More for the entertainment value of knowing that someone, somewhere in Labour HQ would have to read out “Tony Blair is a c*nt” as evidence of my breaching of party values.

So, it is with a heavy heart that I now won’t be able to vote in the Labour Party leadership election. Despite all my sterling campaigning for the party; the hours I’ve spent, hunched over my laptop, writing hundreds of thousands of words about them, and my dedicated efforts in furthering Labour values. Ahem.

I think my feelings are best summed up by this tweet. Once again, in the political wilderness:

I was "purged" before I had a chance…! 🙁 🙁
😉 pic.twitter.com/idJH0TFfKU

— Steve Topple (@MrTopple) September 7, 2016

Get Involved!

– Read other articles by The Canary on the Labour leadership contest.

– Support The Canary so we can continue to bring you the news that matters.

Featured image via Twitter/screengrab

Share128Tweet80
Previous Post

It’s spider season in the UK and that’s a good thing [OPINION]

Next Post

Theresa May’s gag writer “walks into a bar” and suffers a serious concussion

Next Post
Theresa May’s gag writer “walks into a bar” and suffers a serious concussion

Theresa May's gag writer "walks into a bar" and suffers a serious concussion

A Canadian city eliminates homelessness, Tories continue to increase it

A high-end fashion designer is raising awareness of homelessness with his latest campaign

Tory grammar schools to save fortunate few from Tory education system

Tory grammar schools to save fortunate few from Tory education system

Telegraph writes ode to Owen Smith, claiming he ‘wiped the floor’ with Corbyn at Question Time [OPINION]

Telegraph writes ode to Owen Smith, claiming he 'wiped the floor' with Corbyn at Question Time [OPINION]

The Express runs a spoof story as real news, and it’s hilarious [OPINION]

The Express runs a spoof story as real news, and it's hilarious [OPINION]

The British Museum just held an event with the Israeli embassy - and the Met police responded by repressing Palestine protesters
News

British Museum holds event with the Israeli embassy – so Met Police respond by repressing Palestine protesters

by The Canary
14 May 2025
EXPOSED: the public is paying for Keir Starmer's in-laws to live virtually rent-free in London
Analysis

EXPOSED: the public is paying for Keir Starmer’s in-laws to live virtually rent-free in London

by Ed Sykes
14 May 2025
People are coming together on 7 June to oppose Labour's DWP benefit cuts
News

People are coming together on 7 June to oppose Labour’s DWP benefit cuts

by The Canary
14 May 2025
Keir Starmer's 'Island of Strangers' speech: channeling the racist rhetoric of Enoch Powell
Opinion

Is Keir Starmer capable of killing?

by Jamie Driscoll
14 May 2025
As an ACTUAL GENOCIDE continues, its apologists come for Gary Lineker over an emoji
Opinion

As an ACTUAL GENOCIDE continues, its apologists come for Gary Lineker over an emoji

by Ed Sykes
14 May 2025
  • Contact
  • About & FAQ
  • Get our Daily News Email
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

The Canary
PO Box 71199
LONDON
SE20 9EX

Canary Media Ltd – registered in England. Company registration number 09788095.

For guest posting, contact [email protected]

For other enquiries, contact: [email protected]

The Canary is owned and run by independent journalists and volunteers, NOT offshore billionaires.

You can write for us, or support us by making a regular or one-off donation.

© Canary Media Ltd 2024, all rights reserved | Website by Monster | Hosted by Krystal | Privacy Settings

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion

© 2023 Canary - Worker's co-op.

Before you go, have you seen...?

The British Museum just held an event with the Israeli embassy - and the Met police responded by repressing Palestine protesters
News
The Canary

British Museum holds event with the Israeli embassy – so Met Police respond by repressing Palestine protesters

EXPOSED: the public is paying for Keir Starmer's in-laws to live virtually rent-free in London
Analysis
Ed Sykes

EXPOSED: the public is paying for Keir Starmer’s in-laws to live virtually rent-free in London

People are coming together on 7 June to oppose Labour's DWP benefit cuts
News
The Canary

People are coming together on 7 June to oppose Labour’s DWP benefit cuts

Keir Starmer's 'Island of Strangers' speech: channeling the racist rhetoric of Enoch Powell
Opinion
Jamie Driscoll

Is Keir Starmer capable of killing?

ADVERTISEMENT
Business
Nathan Spears

When digital isn’t enough: why paper still matters in modern business

Tech
Nathan Spears

How Digital Addictions Are Formed in the Shadow of Large Platforms

Lifestyle
Nathan Spears

Recovery in the Sun: How the Canary Islands are Becoming a Wellness Tourism Hub