by Atul Hatwal
Who hasn’t been asked to sign a personal loyalty test by a workplace clique? C’mon. It happens to everyone, right?
You get the e-mail about upholding the values of the company, building on collective success, moving forward together yadda yadda yadda and oh, some other stuff about doing what the faction wants. No biggie. Just need to sign the bit of paper and have it scanned in to be held on file. It’s all about unity and helping, who could think otherwise?
Guys? Guys?
Within many firms there are groups that organise to steer aspects of organisational policy or practice. But Momentum’s loyalty test for prospective Labour party candidates is very different for three reasons: the personal nature of the commitment, who runs Momentum and what Momentum is currently doing in the Labour party.
Here’s the text that candidates are expected to endorse:
“Political Accord for Momentum-Back Candidates
Section 1. Commit to the following political objectives, as set out in Momentum’s Constitution
- To work for the election of a Labour government;
- To revitalise the Labour Party by building on the values, energy and enthusiasm of the Jeremy for Leader campaign so that Labour will become an effective, open, inclusive, participatory, democratic and member-led party of and in Government;
- To broaden support for a transformative, socialist programme;
- To unite people in their communities and workplaces to win victories on the issues that matter to them; To make politics more accessible to more people;
- To ensure a wide and diverse membership of Labour who are in and heard at every level of the party;
- To demonstrate how collective action and Labour values can transform our society for the better and improve the lives of ordinary people;
- To achieve a society that is more democratic, fair and equal.
Section 2. Commit to the following actions, which follow on from Momentum’s political aims
- Work to ensure that Labour’s manifesto (subject to future policy development) ) is fully implemented once Labour are in Government;
- Work to support and sustain a socialist leadership of the Labour Party;
- Avoid any actions which undermine the political objectives outlined in Section 1;
Section 3. Commit to the following standards, which follow on from Momentum’s Code of Ethics
- Work to ensure the safety and self expression of everyone as a priority, especially of those who are often marginalised on the basis of their gender, sexuality, ethnicity, race, religion, class, disability and educational or economic status.
- Promote the values that Jeremy Corbyn popularised during his two leadership campaigns of fair, honest debate focused on policies, not personal attacks or harassment.
- Divulge any past actions or comments which breach Momentum’s Code of Ethics, as well as anything which could bring Momentum into disrepute, before signing this document.
Name:
Electronic signature:
Email:
Phone:
Seat: “
