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OPEN LETTER TO ROCHDALE CO-OPERATIVE PARTY MEMBERS
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stefan
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Sep 30, 2005 23:58 PDT
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OPEN LETTER TO ROCHDALE CO-OPERATIVE PARTY MEMBERS
It seems that the Co-operative party in Rochdale cannot have opinions of it
own or take any decision against the COALITION OF THE LOSERS put together by
Cllr Allen Brett. The June meeting of the Co-op party passed two
resolutions. One calling for the disillusion of the Labour-Tory pact on
Rochdale MBC, the second deploring the proposed cuts to public and community
services and urging Labour representatives to "call-in" the decisions.
At the September Co-operative party meeting (19.9.05) Cllr. Brett staged a
PUTSCH to oust me as the local party secretary. According to the minutes
produced by Cllr. Lambert the vote was 6 for and 3 against. However, the
vote had to be taken at least twice and 3 abstentions were recorded as well.
It takes a three-quarter majority to pass a resolution of no-confidence in
an officer. This clearly did not occur.
Naturally, many of the people who attended the meeting had never turned up
for months, and in some cases years without giving apologies. Cllr. Dave
Murphyıs argument for voting against me was that I had the temerity to
challenge the decisions of the Labour group. Donıt I have the democratic
right to express my concerns and my rejection of a Labour-Tory coalition -
which clears the way for privatisation in the town were I live? I must
confess I do not understand. Why is there such anger and animosity? Donıt I
have the right along with other Co-operative party members to express an
opinion?
Cllr. Lambert seems to think that there was an open democratic debate
before the decision was made about creating the Labour-Tory pact. The
official minutes of the LGC meeting held on 2 March 2005 take a different
view. The minutes state openly under ³Group Reports² the following: ³The
majority of the meeting was taken up with the discussion on the Leaderıs
report and THE DECISION TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE COUNCIL WITH THE SUPPORT OF
THE TORIES² - my emphasis. Thus the decision had already been taken with NO
attempt at prior consultation with the LGC or the CLPıs.
It seems that the main complaint from Cllr Brett was that I was going behind
his back. I do not think that campaigning against the cross-party coalition
in Labour and Co-operative party meetings, participating in a public
campaign and helping to collect hundreds of signatures can be called "going
behind" any ones back.
It seems that the renowned political bruiser Cllr. Brett is a sensitive soul
these days. He even thinks that he has won the political argument because I
had the cheek to challenge him openly in the meeting and tell him where to
get off!!
Never mind, Cllr Brett can always use his political skills in Berlin,
Germany, and broker yet another "grand coalition" this time between SPD
chancellor Schroder and Angela Merkel's centre-right CDU. After all, if a
Labour-Tory coalition is so-good for Rochdale why not set an international
trend and put together another COALITION OF THE LOSERS in Germany!!
I urge all Co-operative party members to attend the next meeting on 17th
October to reverse this undemocratic putsch staged by Cllr Brett et al.
Labour councillors on Rochdale MBC destroyed the chance of electing a Labour
MP by joining a cross party coalition with the Lib-Dems. They then set up a
Labour-Tory coalition to privatise central services, leading to the
suspension of Rochdale CLP. Today they turn their attention to the
Co-operative party and attempt to destroy this as a vehicle for working
class resistance to the Blairite agenda of privatisation.
The Co-op party is YOUR party. It is not the personal property of Cllr.
Brett and those on the payroll who are attempting to usurp YOUR democratic
rights. If you agree with these questions and remarks, if you wish to
express your support, if you have any comments, I ask you to get back to me.
Yours in co-operation & democracy
Stefan CHOLEWKA
31 Spotland Road
Rochdale OL12 6PE
Tel/Fax: 01706 642899 Mobile: 07901 913698 Email: ste-@macunlimited.net
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