GEORGE SHAW Part 9

As is usual this posting is a matter of rumour,allegations,anecdotes, observations, historical memory/fact and written evidence.

So we come to the "night of the long knives" this is the evening where despite doing all he could do to prevent it George Shaw had to show his hand.

All of Barkings shortlisting meetings were taking place at the Abbey community centre, and despite being told that they were not allowed to be present, we are told that on the evening there were quite a large number of the potential candidates hanging around. We are also told that there were quite a few of them inside the hall itself. Seems to us its one law for some and one law for them.

We are told that Rob Chapman and Dominic Twomey were checking off people on a list as they arrived.

Thames Ward members were the usual faces but there were we are told at least 2 who members did not recognise at all.

2 female long standing members of the party turned up at the door to take part, 1 of them was told by Chapman and Twomey that she could not go in as her membership had lapsed.

We understand, but are still trying to clarify the point, that the word 'lapsed' is only used if your membership has not been renewed for 3 months.

This lady had brought along copies of evidence that her membership had run out the previous Saturday and she had renewed it by post on the Monday, she then put up the argument that she had renewed her membership and paid her dues, but, neither Chapman or Twomey would accept it.

This is despite the letter going out to all members informing them that if they had not paid their membership they could still attend the meeting as long as they had paid their fees by 6.0pm on the day of the shortlisting meeting. Which of course this lady could prove she had.

We hear from a number of sources that a very heated exchange took place but Chapman and Twomey were adamant she was not getting in. Of course they had counted the numbers already in there and knew exactly how many George needed to win.

George opened the meeting and we understand that members were asked to agree 6 candidates to be interviewed none of which was Fred Barns, a member moved from the floor that the ward should interview 7 and that rightly Fred should be interviewed.

In stepped someone very very close to George who moved that a vote be taken that the ward only interviewed 6 and that she could not and would not support the inclusion of Fred.

We understand that George had great difficulty in controlling his facial expressions at this time at could not keep the look of pure smugness off his face.

A ballot of members took place and George announced that it was a tied ballot. George then stated he would as Chairman use his casting vote.........a moment of pure triumph for evil here, it should really be accompanied by a drum roll.....George completed his final act of treachery by voting against the inclusion of Fred to the shortlist.

We understand that silent uproar broke out, members just got up from their seats and walked out in disgust.

Outside very very angry ward members were pretty vocal on their feelings about George and his corrupt actions. We understand a lot of decisions were made outside of that meeting that could have a major impact on labour in Thames and Barking.

Of course Barry Poulton could not resist turning up to gloat at this time.

But, what the ward members did not realize at that time is that George Shaw under Party Rules did NOT have the right as Chairman to use the casting vote.

Members have discovered that now and have made their protests but of course they are being ignored by the North Street mafia.

In our next post we will describe the total farce of the ward interviews??????and let you know just how many party members from Thames have resigned from the party over this.

As is usual this posting is a matter of rumour, allegations, anecdotes, observations historical memory/fact and written evidence.