The chair and secretary of Brighton Kemptown’s Labour party have resigned their posts over the party’s stance on Brexit.
Robert Macintosh, who also stood as a candidate in Rottingdean, and Aaron Austin Locke both emailed party members this week to tell them they were stepping down.
Both were critical of both the national party’s lack of leadership on Brexit, as well as local members’ opposition to campaigining for a second referendum.
Mr Macintosh said: “Following a disappointing set of local election results, both nationally and locally, I must confess that I am saddened at the reaction of the national party, that we must ‘fix’ Brexit (seemingly at any cost to our members and the electorate in general).
“I do not regret voting for Jeremy Corbyn – twice, and I champion that we are now an anti-austerity party. Yet in three areas I admit to being disillusioned, angry and feeling foolish that I thought that things could change.
“For me Corbyn has failed to deliver his three key promises. He is not offering straight-talking or honest politics, he is not listening to members on key constitutional issues (on Europe and beyond) and he has not democratised the Labour Party to the extent that it needs at its grass roots.
“The upshot is that after fighting for three years against all the odds (even nay-sayers in my own party), I am considering my future as a Labour Party activist. I will find it difficult to campaign for a party or persons who are not explicit in their support for our EU membership, for open borders and freedom of movement.
“As an internationalist, I believe in remaining in, and reforming the EU. I feel that I can no longer hold an officer position in a CLP that has consistently voted down the notion of a confirmatory public vote (or second referendum) in which Labour would campaign for remain and reform, voting contrary to what the wider membership in the CLP wanted.
“I will continue to to be a Labour Party member, standing up for what I believe in, opposing austerity, social injustices and a damaging Tory Brexit which appeases the far right.”
Aaron Austin Locke said: “The results of the local elections in Brighton and Hove and across the country were very disappointing. I believe we lost the chance of making the gains we should have done on Tuesday, 30 April, when the NEC failed to endorse, unequivocally, a policy of a confirmatory vote (or a second referendum) on our leaving the EU.
“In Rottingdean Coastal ward, and in other wards across the city, we fought the good fight, but we were hindered by a lack of clear leadership on Europe.
“I have never made any secret of my opposition to leaving the EU. I want to remain and reform – ‘love socialism, hate Brexit’.
“I no longer feel comfortable as an office holder in a CLP which has consistently blocked my efforts, and the efforts of others, to agitate for a second referendum with an option to remain.
“I shall, of course, continue to support the other party activists in the CLP who have also worked to secure our CLP’s backing for a second referendum, with an option to remain.”
Brighton and Hove Conservatives have blamed Brexit for the collapse in its vote in last week’s elections. In Central Hove and Westbourne, Labour were able to pick up seats from them, but in Withdean and Hangleton, blue seats went to the Greens.
And in Rottingdean, the only ward in Brighton Kemptown where the Tories lost a seat compared to the 2015 elections, it went to independent Bridget Fishleigh, not Labour.
The pair’s resignations came before the launch of Labour’s manifesto for the upcoming EU elections on May 23, in which the party backed the option of a public vote – but only in third place to an agreement in line with its own Brexit plan or a general election.
Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle said: “I am incredibly sad to see Robert and Arron resign their positions, they are two incredibly hardworking and talented activists but I understand their reasons for going.
“Robert in particular as a candidate saw as coming closer than we ever have to winning in the Tory heartland of Rottingdean Coastal ward, with the Tories losing one of their seats.
“I hope they come back into the fold as active party members again soon.
“I have let Robert and Arron know that I am going to continue to fight to remain in the European Union both in the party and in parliament.”
Reform the EU? Keep dreaming.
Labour’s locked-down, old-style approach on its leaflets of “Vote Green, get Tory” has backfired. Enough people voted Green in Central and Westbourne to make next time very interesting – especially as we are already seeing these Labour people bale out. “Vote Green, get Green.” I think that the Greens are in the strongest position of the three Parties at the moment (although, of course, politics is a volatile endeavour).
The EU will reform to counter the rise of the extreme right, I only hope that the UK are still there to be a part of it