Ex-councillor quits Labour with swipe at ‘bully culture’
Party’s ‘sadness’ at departure of former cabinet member
AFORMER Hyndburn Labour councillor has publicly resigned his party membership, citing a culture of “bullying, harassment and victimisation”.
Gareth Molineux, who lost his Overton seat in Great Harwood in May 2019 to the Conservatives, was critical of the Constituency Labour Party (CLP) in his open letter and accused the party of “trolling” Hyndburn MP Sara Britcliffe.
Mr Molineux, wrote: “It is fair to say that it is not the running of the council that I have great concerns with, but it is with the running of the Constituency Labour Party.
“I joined an inclusive and democratic Labour party, a party that believed it was OK to have differing views and strong debate was encouraged.
“Unfortunately, it seems that democracy as we know it and the right to a differing opinion is no longer welcome within the Hyndburn CLP.
“There is a culture of bullying, harassment and victimisation if you do not fall into line with the executive or the former MP.”
Labour council leader Miles Parkinson said: “Gareth has left a positive mark and it’s very sad that he has decided to leave. Of course the party must be open to listen to all opinions and under [new Labour leader] Keir that’s what’s being done.”
AFORMER Hyndburn Labour councillor has publicly resigned his party membership, citing a culture of “bullying, harassment and victimisation”.
Gareth Molineux, who lost his Overton seat in Great Harwood in May 2019 to the Conservatives, was critical in of the Constituency Labour Party (CLP) in his open letter, and also accused the party of “trolling” Hyndburn MP Sara Britcliffe.
In the letter sent to the Observer and posted to his Facebook page on June 18, Mr Molineux, who is a former county councillor and married to Labour borough councillor Kerry Molineux, also hints at a rift between the council leadership and the local party.
He wrote: “It saddens me that I find myself writing this letter, especially as this authority is Labour controlled and has been for the past nine years.
“It is fair to say that it is not the running of the council that I have great concerns with, but it is with the running of the Constituency Labour Party. I joined an inclusive and democratic Labour party, a party that believed it was ok to have differing views and strong debate was encouraged.
“Unfortunately, it seems that democracy as we know it and the right to a differing opinion, is no longer welcome within the Hyndburn CLP.
“There is a culture of bullying, harassment and victimisation if you do not fall into line with the executive or the former MP.
“I have obviously been very vocal about their conduct, especially towards their treatment of the newly elected Hyndburn and Haslingden MP Miss Sara Britcliffe, which as been personal, harassing and vindictive in its nature.”
Mr Molineux also criticised their “conduct towards the leader of the council”.
During the pandemic, Coun Miles Parkinson has adopted a joint platform on several occasions with Conservative leader Marlene Haworth and MP Miss Britcliffe.
Mr Molineux said: “I firmly believe that if members disagree with Sara’s stance on an issue then debate that issue and try to prove her wrong in a grown up and mature fashion, not start stalking her facebook looking for pictures of her enjoying the limited down time that she has and trying to embarrass her on social media or by constantly trolling her and sending nasty vindictive emails.
“I also disagree with their conduct towards the leader of the Council who has put politics to the side for now in the interest of the residents in Hyndburn.
“I see no benefit to the local area when a council leader and the MP that represents that area refusing to work together.
“This is grown up politics, this is what saves and changes lives.
“It seems to me, that the CLP executive are more concerned about settling scores for personal revenge than they are in actually improving our area.”
Last year, after losing his council seat, Mr
Molineux launched a withering attack on Hyndburn MP Graham Jones, accusing him of “not honouring” the views of the majority of his constituents over Brexit.
“This week he claimed “all woman shortlists” had been placed on his seats “to prevent me from restanding”, and “resources pulled his marginal seat.”
Josh Allen, Hyndburn Conservative group whip, told the Observer the accusations were “a shame”.
He said: “Bullying in any party is not acceptable.
“It’s disgusting that he feels he has been bullied in the Labour Party.
“It’s a real shame and I hope that it doesn’t discourage him from being a councillor again.
“I hope to see him on the council as soon as possible, as long as it’s not taking a seat from the Conservatives.”
Coun Allen was also fulsome in his praise of council leader Miles Parkinson and the lead group throughout the coronavirus crisis.
He said: “I will give credit to the council’s chief executive David Welsby and to Miles Parkinson as leader.
“The communication between us all has been fantastic.
“I would applaud the council staff for how they’ve been working.
“And I would like to thank the controlling group for how they’ve been. There has been a working together mentality across the board, which is quite nice to see among opposition groups.”
Labour council leader Miles Parkinson said: ”Gareth worked very hard not just for residents of Overton Ward but Great Harwood in general and across Hyndburn.
“It’s always sad when someone decides to leave.
“Gareth was diligent and hard working over the eight years, Gareth served on the Council whether in the Cabinet, responsible for the financial portfolio or being a Great Harwood Councillor,.
“Taking difficult decisions such has to advocate the building of the new housing estate of Lyndon Park which was very controversial while delivering many benefits such as a new ground for Great Harwood Rovers and the small things what are important at certain times of year like the Christmas Light switch on in Great Harwood, on Towngate which before Gareth involved the Schools and community groups it used to be a couple of individuals stood on a empty square now grown into such a wonderful event for the community of Great Harwood.
“So Gareth has left a positive mark and again it’s very sad that Gareth has decided to leave.
“Of course the party must be open to listen to all opinions and under Keir that’s what’s being done.”
Asked for comment by the Observer, Graham Jones said: “I just think the Gareth situation is very sad.” The Constituency Labour Party did not respond to a request for comment