Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Is Claire Kober running a dictatorship?
Below is a blog post that was written by someone who attended the Labour Party meeting where they selected their candidate for Noel Park.
It strikes me that many Labour members do not want Kober as Leader but she has subverted democracy ensuring only people supportive to her retaining power will be allowed to have a vote on her future. This does sound like a dictatorship.
Is this something we should accept as residents. What if there are better people out there to run our council and be our Leader but this is not being allowed? Surely democracy is vital? It sounds like Tower Hamlets.
Disclaimer: I am not a member of the labour party (because of antics below). I do not know Seema, although I had the pleasure of watching her in action at a council meeting and she ran rings around them, whilst still being calm and funny. I can see why Noel Park Labour wanted her.
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ACCUSATIONS OF RACISM, SEXISM, FIXING AND DICTATORSHIP FLY IN STORMY WOOD GREEN LABOUR PARTY MEETING
Following the resignation of Cllr Marshall in Noel Park ward, the Labour party started the process to select a new candidate to contest the by-election to be held on Sept 17th.
The two applicants for the role were Stephen Mann (husband of Haringey Mayor, Jennifer Mann) and Seema Chandwani.
Suspicion began when Mann started contacting members of the Noel Park branch of the Labour Party from mid-July. Ordinary members, unaware of the process were somewhat surprised a few weeks later to see an email sent on the 6th Aug 2015 to formally open the process with a closing date of 12th Aug. Ms Chandwani who had applied, had only been able to contact members from the evening of the closing date.
Both candidates were subject to an interview prior to Noel Park members voting on who they wished to select. The interviews were scheduled on Sat 15th Aug, however Mann already had his interview the previous weekend, before the deadline closed. On both of the interview panels was Cllr Elin Weston, the Councillor in Hornsey with Mann’s wife and also the chair of the Labour group, who herself would require votes from the new Noel Park Councillor to retain that position. Mann, a Hornsey resident would also be eligible to vote for Weston for her reselection in 2018.
Ms Chandwani was informed on Sun afternoon that she was not successful but was able to appeal; her appeal was rejected and she was only informed hours before the selection meeting.
Members of the Noel Park branch, unaware of the situation, turned up to cast their votes and were surprised not to see Ms Chandwani on the list of candidates. Many members were holding her leaflet and began to ask where she was. It was obvious as the discussion of her absence progressed that the majority had come to vote for her. If she was not rejected – she would have won.
Steve Hart, who was embroiled in the Falkirk election scandal, struggled to keep control of the meeting as concerns of racism, sexism and accusations of fixing in favour of Mann were made. Ms Chandwani was the only ethnic and woman candidate.
Members wanted to know the reasons of her being rejected as many did not believe from her literature and meetings they had with her that she was incapable. Ms Chandwani is currently the Secretary of the Tottenham Labour Party, one of the most senior positions in the party, members were bemused how someone in such a position could be unsuccessful. Tensions grew as Hart could not give any responses to the questions posed.
It is believed that Ms Chandwani was blocked as she is a “Lammy-Loyalist” [it is no secret that David and Seema are very close]. Tensions between the Council Leader Claire Kober and David Lammy have been simmering for a number of months as Lammy questions decisions made by the council on housing, youth centres and Marcus Garvey library. Kober in-turn has publically endorsed Lammy’s rival in the mayoral race. Blocking Ms Chandwani is being seen as another attack on Lammy from Kober. Some believe that Ms Chandwani’s popularity could see her overthrow Kober as Leader, leaving her and Lammy to overturn some of the decisions upsetting many residents.
Members of Noel Park branch were presented with Mann and two other candidates, both of whom the members had not heard from until the meeting. One was a former Councillor and the other the son of a current councillor – all were white males.
After the selection meeting Ms Chandwani tweeted congratulations to Mann. Mann, who ironically wrote a book on blacklisting, did not respond.
Ms Chandwani continues to be the Secretary of the Tottenham Labour Party for the third year, a position she won by being voted in by members from all 9 wards within the constituency, including Seven Sisters where Kober is a councillor.
2018 will be interesting.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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This is eerily like the beginnings of the first St Ann's thread. Will it end in an assault and a couple of Harassment notices this time? Have you been sent in by Stuart and Steve to shut this down?
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Permalink Reply by Cllr Emina Ibrahim on
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Absolutely not
I am not commenting on what was said or not said in the meeting or the "tone" of a private meeting I am simply saying that the writing and speaking tone of the two posters is unfamiliar and I cannot place it with anyone who was in the room. Of course the original poster has clarified that they were not there themselves so perhaps that answers that question in my mind and now says that they are being informed by a number of people which perhaps answers some questions for me. However the last poster claims that they were actually there. Whilst it's perfectly plausible for people to speak to people. I find it implausible for a member to comment directly from a private meeting about what went on. Hence whilst I was there I would not dream of doing that. I cannot think of anyone in that room who would suddenly decide to set up at profile on HoL to respond to posts. Remember that you only know about a thread if you are a user of HoL. I was told about the thread otherwise would be none the wiser.
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Permalink Reply by 1lt1j1e9vpo6f on
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OK... so you are saying that because you dont recognise the blogger's "tone", then they cant have been in the room. Quite a skill you must possess. You then go on to say that:
I find it implausible for a member to comment directly from a private meeting about what went on.
From my reading of the St Ann's affair, it seems that this is exactly what you did. So is it really impausible?
The blog post was distributed by email, well befor the HoL post was made.
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I absolutely did not post anything on here directly from the St Ann's meeting how could I, I was only in the actual meeting for 5 minutes and neither did I post on anything that went on before or after. I simply responded to posts about party process. Those who did - did so under their own names and are regular posters on this site. I am simply saying I find it implausible as I know all the people who were at the Noel Park meeting. I suppose what I am confused about is when you know people and their characters it's perfectly normal to be suspicious when someone claims to be an eyewitness. The original poster having been probed did say they were not there.
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Stop wriggling. You made comments about the St Ann's meeting. A 'private' meeting . Those comments were used to help substantiate claims made against members of your party. Whether on HarringayOnline, or elsewhere is irrelevant.
It is entirely plausible that someone else might do the same thing.
Why cant the Labour Party deal with its own muck internally? It's clear that the Party is not democratic, so why do we hear so much about these crimes against democracy.
There are more people who play Lawn Bowls in the UK than are members of the Labour Party, and I'm sure there are equally petty power struggles within the Finsbury Park Bowling club.
At least the public has the opportunity to vote Labour in or out every few years. That's our system of Democracy.
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No sir you stop wriggling. You have made unpleasant remarks on this site directed at an individual's. It is therefore perfectly legitimate for people to ask who you are.
Have a good day
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Suggesting that someone is not an appropriate candidate for public office is an opinion. It is neither pleasant nor unpleasant.
I see that currently there are 30 members of this site logged on...of whom 20 are 'anonymous' to some degree.
Is it your suggestion that any of these 20 who hold opinions which differ from yours need to furnish you with their identity? I could give you my email if you'd like to send that in to Labour HQ?
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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DFTT Emine. They've had their fun.
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Permalink Reply by P Knight on
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The original poster having been probed did say they were not there.
Wrong, I never claimed I was there nor did anyone probe me. I was very clear in my first post that I am not a member and that the account was not mine.
Of course the original poster has clarified that they were not there themselves
Wrong again, I did not clarify myself as I had no need. I made it clear from the beginning that I was not a member and that the account was not mine.
now says that they are being informed by a number of people
Wrong again, I have not said this anywhere. I do not know anyone in Noel Park who is a member of the labour party. I did say in response to another poster that I was aware of the St Ann's situation as my partner is a member of the labour party and told me about it.
That said, my partner was aware of this situation as it is being talked about by many people as it concerns many people, as Simon above said
The public has the opportunity to vote Labour in or out every few years. That's our system of Democracy.
So if we can revert back to the question, is Kober running a dictatorship? We would like to know if we should be worried that one person or a small group of people are pre-selecting people based on loyality towards them retaining power and not merit.
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Seems to me, P.Knight, that you're actually asking two questions.
One is what went on behind the scenes in the Labour Party candidate selection for the Noel Park by-election. The second is the possible involvement or - non involvement - of Cllr Claire Kober and the group around her.
I'm not sure you're going to get very much further in exploring either of these. Especially since the most recent contributors to this discussion thread include two local Tories. Justin Hinchcliffe was Chair of Tottenham Tories and Neil O'Shea has stood as a Tory candidate for Noel Park.
About Claire Kober we simply don't know and may never know - unless in the future one of her allies/sycophants has a change of heart and emerges from the foetid cave and into the fresh air and sunshine.
About Noel Park, as I am not a member of that branch Labour Party and wasn't at the meeting, I'm not going to speculate. But as I mentioned before, I'm a friend of Seema Chandwani and regret that members of Noel Park were not given the opportunity to short-list and then invite Seema to their selection meeting. Together with other potential candidates she would have been able to speak, answer questions, and let them judge for themselves whether or not she may make a good ward and borough councillor. If Seema had been selected, the electors would have had the same opportunity. Although I'm told it was never a 'shoo-in' and that Stephen Mann is also a good candidate.
Whether or not Jeremy Corbyn becomes Party Leader, with the huge surge of new members and supporters Labour now has an opportunity to renew itself. To again offer a genuíne left-wing, social democratic alternative; and not just a 'blue-Labour' watered down Neo-Conservatism. So, I hope P. Knight, that you will join the Labour Party and take part in its debates, discussions, and candidate selections.
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John
Within this single thread you have advocated for and against anonymity. Can you be clearer? Is it just those who disagree with you that ought not to be anonymous?
I find the comment above from a sitting Labour councillor and attendee of the meeting to be fascinating.
Firstly, because she writes as an 'eye-witness'. Secondly, because of her involvement in 'outing' the corruption in the St Anns selection. Her apparent defense of the Party goes directly to the points I made about 'conviction' politicians.
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