Many of us mistakenly placed faith in the fact that the Labour Party would do the right thing by Paulette Hamilton and the situation in Handsworth Wood Birmingham, surrounding her previous deselection in questionable circumstances.
It does appear to me that there is no more loyalty to the traditional and historic support that the Labour Party has been given over the years by the African & Caribbean Community.
It is common knowledge that Paulette has been a victim of a witch hunt over many years in Handsworth Wood and nothing has been done to eliminate the problems that she has faced.
This has now been compounded by the fact that instead of ending this fiasco, it has been brought to my attention that Councillor Hamilton is to stand yet again for selection on Tuesday 24th February 2015 , whilst in stark comparison two other sitting Councillors in Lozells & Handsworth East and Springfield respectively have been imposed by the Labour National Executive.
What message does this send out to our Community? Clearly, Labour does not care and there is likelihood that the Council chamber may have one less African/Caribbean Councillor, in May. We are also reminded of the recent comments and concerns raised by David Lammy, in the Independent Newspaper.
This is not good enough and there is already tension in our local community, we are also reminded that it is 30 years since the riots in Lozells which were very serious, owing to the oppression faced by the black community and with all of the issues which are being currently thrown at us, it would appear that this would be the final insult to us, should Paulette be deselected. It is widely believed that there has been an alleged conspiracy, which I understand the other two candidates who were imposed were of a similar opinion in their respective wards.
Therefore, what is different about Paulette's case? I think the answer is crystal clear.
Therefore, should Labour refuses to do the right thing between now and Tuesday as they have apparently done in Lozells and Handsworth East, also Springfield then the would have in my view shown their clear commitment to the African & Caribbean Community, which I am encouraging not only to register to vote and but ensure that it used it accordingly on May 7th to send a clear message to those that take our votes for granted.
Desmond Jaddoo
21st February 2015
It does appear to me that there is no more loyalty to the traditional and historic support that the Labour Party has been given over the years by the African & Caribbean Community.
It is common knowledge that Paulette has been a victim of a witch hunt over many years in Handsworth Wood and nothing has been done to eliminate the problems that she has faced.
This has now been compounded by the fact that instead of ending this fiasco, it has been brought to my attention that Councillor Hamilton is to stand yet again for selection on Tuesday 24th February 2015 , whilst in stark comparison two other sitting Councillors in Lozells & Handsworth East and Springfield respectively have been imposed by the Labour National Executive.
What message does this send out to our Community? Clearly, Labour does not care and there is likelihood that the Council chamber may have one less African/Caribbean Councillor, in May. We are also reminded of the recent comments and concerns raised by David Lammy, in the Independent Newspaper.
This is not good enough and there is already tension in our local community, we are also reminded that it is 30 years since the riots in Lozells which were very serious, owing to the oppression faced by the black community and with all of the issues which are being currently thrown at us, it would appear that this would be the final insult to us, should Paulette be deselected. It is widely believed that there has been an alleged conspiracy, which I understand the other two candidates who were imposed were of a similar opinion in their respective wards.
Therefore, what is different about Paulette's case? I think the answer is crystal clear.
Therefore, should Labour refuses to do the right thing between now and Tuesday as they have apparently done in Lozells and Handsworth East, also Springfield then the would have in my view shown their clear commitment to the African & Caribbean Community, which I am encouraging not only to register to vote and but ensure that it used it accordingly on May 7th to send a clear message to those that take our votes for granted.
Desmond Jaddoo
21st February 2015