Who are we

We, a collection of Labour members, who have joined the Party since 12 January 2016, are calling on the Party to reconsider its decision to deny new members a vote in the forthcoming leadership election. We feel let down and confused as to why the Party would disenfranchise us and over 130,000 other members in this way.

Last week, the Labour Party's National Executive Committee decided to retroactively disenfranchise all Labour members by changing the rules to exclude any members who joined since 12 January 2016 from voting in the forthcoming leadership election.

When we joined the Party, the website said, “As a member, you’ll be a key part of the team. You’ll be eligible to vote in leadership elections.”

Not only can we not vote in this election according to the current procedures but we do not feel like a valued part of the Labour team.

The case

We have called on the Party to reconsider its decision, but it has not proven forthcoming. We believe the only way we can retrieve our rights is by taking the Party to court.

Harrison Grant Solicitors have issued proceedings on our behalf and we hope it will be heard very soon. 

To cover our potential legal fees, we have set up a crowdfunding page. We are not wealthy people and call on all those concerned by democracy in the Labour Party to help us take on this battle for the rights of the 130,000 excluded members. Our complaint is the same as that of the other thousands of new members so if we win, then the right will be won for all.

We joined the Labour Party as we are committed to helping it to become the Party which can win elections and transform society, but that cannot happen without the full involvement of its members. 

About the claimant

Hi, I'm Hannah! I'm 27 and live in Leamington Spa with my boyfriend and our 5 cats. As you can probably tell, I quite like cats... I also like music (playing and listening) and playing board games.

I have always been a Labour voter, but until last year I'd grown quite disillusioned with politics - it seemed to be a choice between very similar parties, none of whom particularly spoke to me (or for me!). Last year, however, that all changed with Jeremy Corbyn and his uncompromising support for equality and fairness. I wasn't sure if he would win - the last few years have shown that many of those in Labour are convinced that the path to power is to emulate the policies of the party currently in power - but I was pleasantly surprised when Corbyn won the leadership election (with my help as a registered supporter).

Fast forward 9 months or so and we come to the EU Referendum. During Corbyn's leadership I have watched Labour closely, watched how the media misrepresent Corbyn and how some Labour MPs undermine him. But it wasn't until the Brexit vote and the events following it that I felt I had to join the Labour Party to try and ensure that it continued to represent not just my views, but the views of anyone else who felt unrepresented and unserved by politics previously.

So now, we are here - the National Executive Committee has decided to retroactively disenfranchise all Labour members who joined after the middle of January. Regardless of who you support in the leadership contest, or whether you are even a Labour member, I am sure you will agree that it is incredibly unfair to all the members, around 130,000 of them, who joined since 12 January to have their voting rights taken away. And perhaps the worst bit is that you can join after that date and vote - you just have to pay £25 - an 8-fold increase over the previous Registered Supporter fee. Labour is supposed to represent and work for the benefit of the most vulnerable among us, but this fee essentially prices out those who need Labour the most.

I am going to pay my £25 to ensure I can vote. I urge all of you who can to do so too. Together we can build a party that is open, welcoming and represents the real interests of working people.

Fast facts

• The National Executive Committee of the Labour Party has decided to exclude members of the party who joined after January 12th 2016 from voting in the forthcoming leadership election. 
• That means 130,000 dedicated members of the Labour Party are being disenfranchised.
• Harrison Grant, a firm of solicitors, has agreed to take on our case.