However, many analysts believe the barring of up to 130,000 members could harm Corbyn more than his sole challenger, Owen Smith. Hickenbottom observed, “For the Party to refuse to allow the Claimants to vote in the current leadership election, because they have not been members since 12 January 2016, would be unlawful as in breach of contract”.
Advertisement
But Mr Corbyn has now personally accused Mr Watson of talking “nonsense” as the Labour leadership contest grew increasingly intense.
Foster’s remarks appeared to be the latest in a series of allegations connected to anti-Semitic incidents within the Labour Party.
A spokesman for Mr Corbyn’s campaign praised the group’s efforts, adding: “The strength of solidarity shown to the five claimants campaigning for the democratic rights of their fellow Labour Party members has been truly remarkable”.
If the appeal is rejected, Mr Corbyn could receive a significant boost in his fight to remain party leader, as most new members are expected to support him.
While the majority of Twitter users seem to sway towards that younger demographic – which this writer assumes is likely part of that segment the NEC has seen fit to deny a vote in the leadership contest – some were happy about the ruling, of course.
“At no stage in anyone’s most vivid imagination are there 300,000 sectarian extremists at large in the country who have suddenly descended on the Labour Party”.
The move to set up a new official Northern Irish Labour party in April meant that the Labour members were risking expulsion from the overall UK-wide Labour fraternity. Each member paid at least £3.50 (US$4.50) a month to join the party.
After the Court of Appeal overturned an initial victory, they dropped their case, citing increasing costs as the reason for not taking their battle to the Supreme Court.
It could be interpreted as an attempt to reassure around 130,000 members excluded from voting in the leadership contest after a Court of Appeal ruling on Friday.
“I didn’t want a leadership election and I thought it was too presumptuous after only eight months but we are where we are”.
Iain McNicol, the party’s general secretary, is leading the appeal against Mr Justice Hickinbottom’s decision that swept away a ban on recruits who joined after January 12 getting the vote. “But let’s look at that when the new NEC takes over”.
“During this campaign I am putting forward my case for how the next Labour government under my leadership will rebuild and transform Britain, to ensure no one and nowhere is left behind”.
After a day-long hearing, Lord Justice Beatson, sitting with Lady Justice Macur and Lord Justice Sales, said the court appreciated the urgency of the case and aimed to give its ruling at 3pm on Friday.
Advertisement
The former Unite shop steward urged supporters of Mr Corbyn to ask themselves why the embattled leader had so little support among his MPs and if there was any evidence Labour could win an election under his leadership.
