Labour voters were cheated: We want our money back

Many across social media are livid that the Labour Party allowed itself to be compromised to defy democracy with fake accusations and malevolent innuendo. A great many want their subs returned that they consider were used by the party against the interests of members and of the wider needs of a broken society.

The response below is one excellent articulation and until the Labour Party goes back to its roots will probably be floating around the periphery of mainstream politics for a long time yet.

‘After the first test of Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership – the Labour leaks scandal – did not receive the urgent action I felt it required, I sent an email to the Labour Party and today I received a reply, both of which I have shared further down this article.

The reason I emailed Labour was to request a refund of all subs I had paid to the party because I, like so many others, felt Labour staff had acted against the party membership, undermined our election chances and possibly even acted in a racist and bullying manner. My fears were based on evidence which we have all seen and which if genuine is extremely damning. 

My biggest concern however was not even the apparent horrific behaviour of the staff but the party’s failure to convince me they were taking the matter seriously. I was hearing rumours of alleged saboteurs being promoted, I was being told some of those implicated (or supportive of those implicated) would be conducting the investigation, and I did not see any immediate suspensions. 

We know Labour can and do issue immediate suspensions when the need to protect the reputation of the party arises. I therefore felt the leadership did not think such a need existed and that to me was damning in itself. I felt like I had been duped into paying for a cause which was not what it claimed to be, funding a party bureaucracy which did not share my socialist ideals and which did not even care to win elections, unless it could win on terms that were out of step with the party membership. 

I therefore felt I was within my rights to request a refund of the subs I’d paid, subs which were often paid when I was struggling financially, but were paid gladly for a cause which appears to have amounted to a lie.

Here is a copy of my email and Labour’s subsequent reply:

“Dear sir or madam,

I am utterly horrified by what I have read regarding the Labour leaks scandal and even more horrified by the party’s response. There have been no immediate suspensions, despite evidence of racist bullying and throwing elections. I find this unacceptable.

I now feel like every subs payment I made to the Labour Party was obtained dishonestly by yourselves. I thought I was donating to a party which was sincerely trying to win the last 2 elections and I thought I was donating to an anti-racist party, but it appears I was wrong.

I would like a refund of every direct debit payment I have made since becoming a Labour member in 2017.”

Labour’s reply:
“As a non-profit, campaigning organisation the Labour Party immediately allocates funds received via membership subscriptions and donations, and therefore in the ordinary course of our activities we do not offer refunds. Furthermore, none of your membership fees or donations were procured as a result of any fraudulent activity or representations as you suggest. We are therefore not agreeing to your request.

In accordance with the Direct Debit Guarantee, the Party will refund any payment of membership fees made within the past 28 days. However, you should be aware that maintaining a subscription payment at the appropriate rate is a condition of membership of the Party. If you wish to request a refund under the Direct Debit Guarantee, please let us know in reply to this email.

The Party will vigorously defend any action you may bring against it, of the sort referred to in your email or otherwise. You should also be aware that we will vigorously contest any allegations of fraudulent activity or representations, or breaches of electoral law in any legal action. All of the Party’s rights remain reserved. 

If you require any further information, support, or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us by return email.”

As you can see, an extremely hostile reply. No acknowledgement of very genuine concerns, no attempt at an apology, no explanation of what steps are being taken regarding an investigation, just a “we will fight you” if you come after us. I used to deal with complaints for a bank and part of my role was to coach our staff on how to write responses to the public – you’re supposed to address concerns, acknowledge possible wrongdoing, explain processes and try to regain trust, not fight fire with fire. If I had adopted such an aggressive tone in a letter to a customer, I would have been out of a job.

The response I received tells me I’m seen by the Labour Party as an enemy. It confirms my fears, and this, along with the horrific recent appointment of David Evans as general secretary, means the Labour Party is now dead to me. 

Will I pursue them for my subs? Probably not. But the likelihood of me voting Labour with Starmer in charge is somewhere between nought and zero – and as a person who gave thousands of hours to the Labour cause, who campaigned with every ounce of strength I have, it pains me to say that. It really does.’

Skye City