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Corbyn sympathisers wiped from leadership roles at Hendon Labour Party

The CLP had previously been in the grip of Momentum

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An election campaign poster for the Labour Party is seen in Stoke-on-Trent, central England on February 14, 2017. The by-election for the seat of Stoke-on-Trent Central, which has been held by the Labour Party since 1950, will take place on February 23, 2017. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Hendon Constituency Labour Party, a former Momentum stronghold, has elected a Jewish woman as chair and seen the Corbynite left wiped from its executive committee.

At an AGM held on Sunday afternoon, moderate members were voted unopposed into every position on the executive committee. 

Just under half the committee is now Jewish, with Charlotte Daus elected chair, Jean Gaffin the political education officer, Andrea Bilbow OBE elected as treasurer and Josh Tapper the communications and social media officer.

Hendon CLP was previously controlled by members of Momentum, a grassroots organisation that backed Jeremy Corbyn.  

In November last year the CLP even passed a motion of “solidarity” with Mr Corbyn after he was booted out of the party for claiming Labour antisemitism allegations were “dramatically overstated for political reasons” by opponents and the media. 

It is understood that key figures from the CLP’s former leadership have been suspended from the party on allegations regarding their conduct and, as such, some roles on the executive until yesterday had been held by acting officers.

Labour sources were unsure why Momentum did not launch any attempts to regain control over the CLP. 

Sources theorised that a lack of organisation and low chances of success may have been among the reasons. 

A spokesperson from Hendon CLP said: “The last two years in the local Labour Party in Hendon have been incredibly challenging. But after the election of a new executive committee over the weekend, we have turned a page and now head into a new era of sensible and moderate leadership.

“We’re delighted to have a top team, with a Jewish woman as chair, who will have zero tolerance for antisemitism, work hard to continue to root it out from the local party, and will increase our engagement with Jewish residents. 

“The new team is very supportive of Keir Starmer and will be focused on winning elections to improve people’s lives.”

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