Just when you thought Labour couldn't get any more comical....

[Sandydragon]

....there is a chance their annual conference could be cancelled. All due to a problem with the contractors. That would be a complete farce, but perhaps one engineered to oust key figures?

Security row over Labour conference
Michael Savage, Chief Political Correspondent
August 26 2016, 12:01am, The Times

G4S said that it no longer had enough time to plan for the event

Labour’s annual conference could be cancelled after a desperate last-minute attempt to find a security provider failed.

In an embarrassment for the party, it was forced to ask G4S, a company it has vowed to boycott over its links to Israeli prisons, whether it was willing to secure the event. The company refused and Eric Alexander, the managing director, said it did not have enough time to plan for such a “large, complex event”.

The row over security arrangements has become increasingly farcical, with union leaders warning that the event is still in danger of being cancelled. It is due to take place in Liverpool at the end of next month.

The GMB union threatened to picket the event if Showsec, another security company, covered it. GMB claims that Showsec refused to formally recognise the union and urged Labour to find another provider.

Labour sources fear that supporters of Jeremy Corbyn will use the row to target Iain McNicol, the moderate general secretary of the party, and replace him with a hard-left candidate.

[BBD]

How they hope to be considered a serious prospect for government after all this is beyond me

[Digby]

Maybe not having a conference was what Corbyn had in mind when he said he'd listen to the members more, learning from some of history's big names on the left

[Sandydragon]

Maybe not having a conference was what Corbyn had in mind when he said he'd listen to the members more, learning from some of history's big names on the left

Apparently the Momentum conference will still go ahead so the voice of the Labour leadership will still be heard.

[Stones of granite]

Maybe not having a conference was what Corbyn had in mind when he said he'd listen to the members more, learning from some of history's big names on the left

Apparently the Momentum conference will still go ahead so the voice of the Labour leadership will still be heard.

Are they forming a "People's Militia" to do the security?

[Sandydragon]

Well it is in Liverpool so getting red shirts won't be a problem.

[Zhivago]

Firstly, this is a one-off post because I simply could not continue letting your collective imbecility continue unopposed.

Sandy, engineered? Seriously? Seems like you're implying Corbyn somehow is involved in this farce. He's not - the boycott of G4S is the stupidity of GMB and McNichol. Rightfully, if someone in a position of responsibility fucks up, they should be held accountable.

Digby, ditto for you - laughable that you try to pin it on Corbyn at all. And listening to the membership? Remind me how the Tory membership decided on Theresa May... oh right, they didn't.

Over and out, from sunny Santorini.

[Digby]

Firstly, this is a one-off post because I simply could not continue letting your collective imbecility continue unopposed.

Sandy, engineered? Seriously? Seems like you're implying Corbyn somehow is involved in this farce. He's not - the boycott of G4S is the stupidity of GMB and McNichol. Rightfully, if someone in a position of responsibility fucks up, they should be held accountable.

Digby, ditto for you - laughable that you try to pin it on Corbyn at all. And listening to the membership? Remind me how the Tory membership decided on Theresa May... oh right, they didn't.

Over and out, from sunny Santorini.

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest there's some gentle mocking around the situation Labour find themselves in, rather than all comments should be taken literally. Though I'm sure the Glorious Leader™ will be delighted to know his acolytes continue to respond in such fashion.

[Digby]

Well it is in Liverpool so getting red shirts won't be a problem.

Just go out and nick them?

[Sandydragon]

Firstly, this is a one-off post because I simply could not continue letting your collective imbecility continue unopposed.

Sandy, engineered? Seriously? Seems like you're implying Corbyn somehow is involved in this farce. He's not - the boycott of G4S is the stupidity of GMB and McNichol. Rightfully, if someone in a position of responsibility fucks up, they should be held accountable.

Digby, ditto for you - laughable that you try to pin it on Corbyn at all. And listening to the membership? Remind me how the Tory membership decided on Theresa May... oh right, they didn't.

Over and out, from sunny Santorini.

What is the record for the shortest flounce?

[Sandydragon]

Are you sure you dot mean Mccluskey?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 02786.html

The row over conference security is rooted in the decision of Labour’s National Executive Committee last year to boycott G4S after it was claimed the firm was linked to prisons holding Palestinian political inmates.

Unite the Union, one of Mr Corbyn’s strongest backers which sits on the NEC, was a key force in the NEC’s decision and in the broader Stop G4S campaign.

[Digby]

Are you sure you dot mean Mccluskey?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 02786.html

The row over conference security is rooted in the decision of Labour’s National Executive Committee last year to boycott G4S after it was claimed the firm was linked to prisons holding Palestinian political inmates.

Unite the Union, one of Mr Corbyn’s strongest backers which sits on the NEC, was a key force in the NEC’s decision and in the broader Stop G4S campaign.

McNicol was seen as not supporting Corbyn's attempts to be on the ballot, and thus is a man in the crosshairs. Additionally the left aren't wrong that this is an opportunity for them to hand a lot of key roles to those more on the hard left, I'd have my doubts that's a useful or good idea, but they may well go for a purge. Any which way we mayn't be seeing blame attached in a number of instances for other than slightly barmy/intolerant political reasons.

[Sandydragon]

Are you sure you dot mean Mccluskey?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 02786.html

The row over conference security is rooted in the decision of Labour’s National Executive Committee last year to boycott G4S after it was claimed the firm was linked to prisons holding Palestinian political inmates.

Unite the Union, one of Mr Corbyn’s strongest backers which sits on the NEC, was a key force in the NEC’s decision and in the broader Stop G4S campaign.

McNicol was seen as not supporting Corbyn's attempts to be on the ballot, and thus is a man in the crosshairs. Additionally the left aren't wrong that this is an opportunity for them to hand a lot of key roles to those more on the hard left, I'd have my doubts that's a useful or good idea, but they may well go for a purge. Any which way we mayn't be seeing blame attached in a number of instances for other than slightly barmy/intolerant political reasons.

Most likely there will be a cull of anyone who insufficiently believes in the cause. Just when you thought it couldn't get any messier!!!

[Digby]

Most likely there will be a cull of anyone who insufficiently believes in the cause. Just when you thought it couldn't get any messier!!!

They may yet be proved right to act in such fashion, though my flabber would be gasted.

[OptimisticJock]

Firstly, this is a one-off post

[morepork]

You pricks are loving this.

[cashead]

Firstly, this is a one-off post

You got any more of these one-offs?

Let's see if this'll make you do another:

Corbyn is a butt. True of false?

[Zhivago]

Are you sure you dot mean Mccluskey?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 02786.html

McNicol was seen as not supporting Corbyn's attempts to be on the ballot, and thus is a man in the crosshairs. Additionally the left aren't wrong that this is an opportunity for them to hand a lot of key roles to those more on the hard left, I'd have my doubts that's a useful or good idea, but they may well go for a purge. Any which way we mayn't be seeing blame attached in a number of instances for other than slightly barmy/intolerant political reasons.

Most likely there will be a cull of anyone who insufficiently believes in the cause. Just when you thought it couldn't get any messier!!!

The only cull going on is that of members who show the least dissatisfaction with the right wing of the party. They are being barred from voting for calling MPs 'Blairites'... and even more minor 'offences'.

[Sandydragon]

Another one off?

[Zhivago]

Another one off?

Does it really matter? I'll post as I like, thanks.

[Sandydragon]

Post all you like, but fair play it was a short flounce..

[Sandydragon]

And back to the OP, Labour agree a deal with the Ocs group to provide security. Nothing like a bit of eleventh hour negotiation played out in the national media.

[Mellsblue]

And back to the OP, Labour agree a deal with the Ocs group to provide security. Nothing like a bit of eleventh hour negotiation played out in the national media.

I bet they've paid well over the odds. What a farce Labour has become.

[Sandydragon]

And back to the OP, Labour agree a deal with the Ocs group to provide security. Nothing like a bit of eleventh hour negotiation played out in the national media.

I bet they've paid well over the odds. What a farce Labour has become.

Oh yes, I bet they have!

[Eugene Wrayburn]

I may be missing something but this seems like a total non-story. Labour were going to have one security firm at their conference and now have another. And?