MP faces pressure from Labour left-wing with Momentum event
HUDDERSFIELD MP Barry Sheerman looks set to come under fire from activists within his own party.
Members of Kirklees Momentum, which supports Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, are to host Derby MP Chris Williamson as part of his democracy roadshow.
Mr Williamson, a committed ally of Mr Corbyn, is touring the country calling for the open selection of Labour’s MPs. He will be at Huddersfield Town Hall on Friday evening.
And in what could be perceived as a direct attack on Mr Sheerman, Batley East councillor and Momentum supporter Fazila Loonat has said that making the party more representative “will drive the negativity out of the party”.
Mr Williamson, who was reelected in last year’s general election said his roadshow stops off wherever it has been invited and brushed off criticism that it was targeting MPs hostile to Mr Corbyn’s leadership. He called it “democracy for the many”.
He added: “This tour is holding events wherever we’re invited. And if MPs are sincere about representing our movement and our country then they obviously have nothing to worry about.
“Yes some MPs have thrown their toys out of the pram, but this elitist behaviour has to stop.”
He said Labour MPs who could not accept Mr Corbyn’s “commonsense” policies might wish to consider a career change but that “ultimately it’s up to the members to make that clear”.
A spokeswoman for Mr Sheerman’s office said he was aware of Mr Williamson’s visit but would not be attending the event.
Mr Sheerman, 77, entered Parliament in 1979. The veteran MP is widely considered to be a centrist.
In 2016 he backed a motion of no confidence in Mr Corbyn and threw his weight behind Owen Smith’s challenge for the party leadership.
Mr Williamson will come to Huddersfield accompanied by Tosh McDonald, president of the train drivers’ union ASLEF. The event starts at 7pm.