THE erratic and inconsistent application of disciplinary measures by the Labour Party, as demonstrated by the original suspension of four Labour MEPs which has been lifted, shows once again that within the Labour Party it is not what you say, or what you do - but who does it. That is the trigger for disciplinary action.

It should be noted that this is not a recent phenomena. In the early eighties, six local Labour Party members were expelled and, since then others guilty of serious breaches of behaviour and bringing the party into disrepute were simply ignored.

The four MEPs are now threatened with a further suspension because they refuse to be silenced on the issue of Proportional Representation.

In a political party with a historic and proven track record of free speech and debate, we really have to question the level of competence of those responsible for these suspensions.

I recall a constituent of mine saying: "I do not trust any political party. I simply vote for the one that I think will do me the least harm."

When we remember the blind, uncommitted allegiance demanded by the pre-war fascist parties and mayhem and misery which followed, it seems to me that this is a reasonable and common-sense approach.

For those of us who are members of the Labour Party, there cannot be a neutral position on proposed changes which radically alter democratic elections and our right to express our point of view.

COUNCILLOR DON RISHTON, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.