Veteran leftwinger and filmmaker Ken Loach has said he has been expelled from the Labour Party in a “purge” of critics of the leadership.
Loach, 85, a lifelong socialist, said he had been ejected after he refused to “disown” other critics from the Labour left who had already been removed.
The move comes after the party last month expelled four associated groups on the grounds that they were “not compatible” with Labour values.
Supporters of the former leader have claimed Starmer has rolled back moves to democratise the party and that he has fought some of his own members with more gusto than the Tories.
On Twitter, 85-year-old Loach, director of I, Daniel Blake, said: “Labour HQ finally decided I’m not fit to be a member of their party, as I will not disown those already expelled. Well … I am proud to stand with the good friends and comrades victimised by the purge. There is indeed a witch-hunt … Starmer and his clique will never lead a party of the people. We are many, they are few. Solidarity.”
‘Labour HQ finally decided I’m not fit to be a member of their party, as I will not disown those already expelled. Well…’ KL
— Ken Loach & Sixteen Films (@KenLoachSixteen) August 14, 2021
Loach previously left the Labour party in the 1990s, reportedly in disgust at Tony Blair, after three decades as a member. He has also been active in political parties such as Respect and Left Unity that have presented themselves as a radical alternative to Labour. He rejoined the party following Corbyn’s election to the leadership and the party returning to its natural position of left-wing politics.
In a defiant series of tweets, Loach insisted that the “clique” around the Labour leader would never ultimately prevail.
“Labour HQ finally decided I’m not fit to be a member of their party, as I will not disown those already expelled,” he said.
“Well, I am proud to stand with the good friends and comrades victimised by the purge.
“There is indeed a witch hunt.
“Starmer and his clique will never lead a party of the people.
“We are many, they are few.
“Solidarity.”
Loach, a supporter of former leader Jeremy Corbyn, has long expressed his socialist ideals through films such as Kes, I, Daniel Blake and Sorry We Missed You.
Everyone knows the real story everybody can see it, we can’t believe anybody is hoodwinked. it’s not espionage this is journalism!
Last year Ken Loach asked some very awkward questions of the Labour leader, in his role as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), what involvement did he have in the Julian Assange extradition case.
Exclusive: Ken Loach calls out Sir Keir Starmer, what were his dealings in the Julian Assange case
Ken Loach spoke out after a screening of a new film highlighting Julian Assange’s political incarceration titled ‘ The War on Journalism: The Case of Julian Assange.‘ After denouncing the mainstream media for sucking every story out of Julian Assange and the Wikileaks organisation then leaving him to dry in the clutches of the vengeful establishment. Ken went on to call out the self-serving media. Ken Loach always one for expressing the truth asked the questions of the mainstream media most journalists and political commentators now shy away from. He went on to say:
“Everyone knows the real story everybody can see it, we can’t believe anybody is hoodwinked. it’s not espionage this is journalism! When you get a right-wing politician like David Davis saying Julian Assange is a political prisoner, everyone knows it, the Guardian knows it who took his stories then disowned him, the BBC knows it, Channel 4 news, every serious editor current affairs programme, of a national newspaper ‘knows this is the truth’ and yet they are silent the journalist are silent, the lawyers are silent.”
Ken Loach: Starmer should be challenged, what does he know?
Stating this should be a test for him! Starmer speaks of openness in his dealings, well let him be open about this, and let’s hear what he says about the torture and the illegal oppression of Julian Assange.
Sir Keir Starmer has yet to answer any questions relating to his involvement.
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