With crucial elections taking place in May, the Labour Party in Newham is in turmoil following a decision by the party head office to suspend the constituency parties in West Ham and East Ham.

Amy Fode, Director of the London Labour Party, wrote to local Labour leaders on March 12 announcing the suspension of both constituency parties “due to wide ranging allegations regarding the conduct of members and membership recruitment practices as well as electoral fraud.”

The Metropolitan Police have already investigated one claim of “electoral malpractice” but decided not to take further action.

The move by Labour means no party meetings or business can take place and, while the party refused to divulge the nature of the investigation, it is understood to be “serious.” Nevertheless, there will still be campaigning ahead of the May elections.

Local political opponents, including the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats, were quick to point an accusing finger at the way Labour dominates Newham Council where it controls all 60 seats. Both groups issued statements saying that the root of the problems are the “one party state” nature of the political landscape in Newham.

In a message to members, West Ham Constituency Labour Party secretary John Saunders expressed frustration at the failure to reveal the detail of the allegations.

He told members: “I wish you all to know that I was not consulted about this, as CLP Secretary. I have done my best to avoid this situation and to persuade the CLP to abide by Labour Party Rules, Standing Orders and Guidance.”

He urged members to continue canvassing in support of Labour candidates for the London Mayor and London Assembly candidates election campaigns.

There is a genuine fear that if the inquiry is not dealt with quickly, it could disrupt Labour’s local preparations for council elections due in 2022.

If the issues are not resolved in time to allow the local parties to choose candidates for the new Council – which has been enlarged following the recent boundary review – candidates for election next year may be imposed by the Labour Party centrally.

Although the exact details of the allegations under investigation have not yet been disclosed – even to the local party leaders – one incident thought to be at the heart of the inquiry is the massive surge in membership which took place last year.

In West Ham alone party membership increased by between 400 and 500 from May to July 2020. Similar surges in membership have taken place in East Ham.

This astonishing rise surprised many members in constituencies where monthly membership changes tend to be counted in tens rather than hundreds.

At the same time the suspension has cast a shadow over the party’s selection of its candidate for the election of a councillor for the vacant seat in East Ham Central ward.

A women-only shortlist has been already agreed, but now it is likely that the final choice will be taken out of the hands of the local party membership and a candidate will be imposed by Labour head office.

Speaking to Newham Voices East Ham MP Stephen Timms said that he hopes the investigation can be dealt with in good time, but in a statement he underlined the seriousness of the situation.

He said

The party is right to take these complaints seriously and investigate them thoroughly, to avoid compromising the integrity of Party decision-making, and to undertake a full audit of party membership.

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