Dear Jeremy and Zarah,

Republic YP is seeking your support to oppose the exclusion of YP members Chris Williamson, Dave Nellist and others from the CEC elections.

Former Labour MP, Chris Williamson, is a member of YP and the Workers Party of Britain. He has always been open about this. He is also a supporter of Republic YP and we have endorsed him as our candidate. Our concern is for all who have been barred from standing.

We consider this decision is anti-democratic and should be reversed on the following grounds:

1. Liverpool conference agreed to accept Dual Membership. (Quite rightly for a new party seeking to unite the left into an effective force).

2. This decision to bar these comrades has created two categories of membership, those with full rights and those whose rights are limited.

3. The decisions on how Dual Membership should operate in practice should be discussed and decided by the newly elected CEC. This is undermined by this premature action.

4. Chris Williamson is Republic YP’s most experienced and effective campaigner. Our campaign for endorsements has been disrupted and weakened by having him barred.

5. The decision as to whether these comrades should be endorsed or elected should be decided exclusively by the votes of members in their regions.

We appeal to you both to say you oppose this, or if you did not oppose it when the decision was made, tell the party that on further consideration that this was a mistake.

We believe this is necessary to restore confidence amongst the membership.

In comradeship

Republic Your Party

republic-yp@anotherengland.org.uk.u