Labour volunteers involved in fracas shunned by party
Doorstep melee as party canvassed in area
LABOUR officials have told volunteers involved in a violent incident in Small Heath they are no longer welcome on the campaign trail.
But they have so far rejected calls to suspend the candidates that were being backed or halt doorstep canvassing in the area.
It comes after a resident appeared to confront Labour canvassers while they were visiting homes and delivering election leaflets in Kenelm Road on Saturday, April 16, as reported in last week’s Post.
In the resulting scuffle, the man was kicked and punched several times.
Political leaders in Birmingham had been asking why the Labour Party had not acted against those involved.
Cllr Robert Alden, leader of Birmingham Conservatives, and Jon Hunt, Liberal Democrats group leader, said they were surprised the party had not clearly displayed zero tolerance in the face of such blatant violence.
Cllr Hunt has gone further, urging Labour leader Keir Starmer to halt doorstep campaigning by his party locally until safeguarding can be assured.
A Labour source said the volunteers who were on the canvassing session have been removed from the campaign and will not be taking further part.
Councillor Mohammed Idrees, hoping to be reelected in Alum Rock, and candidate Saqib Khan, standing in Small Heath, were canvassing with a group of supporters when the trouble erupted.
There is no suggestion either man was directly involved in the violence that followed.
The local Labour leadership, including Cllr Ian Ward, have viewed the video and spoken to both candidates and accepted that Councillor Idrees tried to pull one protagonist away from the situation and that both candidates were not directly caught up in it.
West Midlands Police say they are investigating an assault in Kenelm Road and anyone who has information is urged to get in touch.
Cllr Hunt said he was appalled to see the incident unfold and has written to Keir Starmer, Labour leader, to press him to personally act. “It is unacceptable behaviour to react so violently. People who lead canvassing teams need to be accountable for the actions of them, that is what the public would expect. This was a disgraceful action,” Cllr Hunt said.
“I have suggested Keir Starmer suspends his party campaigning in Birmingham until he is satisfied they can avoid a repeat.
“In any city, somebody facing allegations of violence would be suspended or removed from a workplace while an investigation took place.
“It is incredibly poor safeguarding and poor practice.”