Momentum hounding out only Liverpool Muslim Cllr

A hard working city councillor in Liverpool, Abdul Qadir, who is also the city's only Muslim representative is being systematically hounded out by Liverpool's Labour Momentum. The move is broadly seen as a naked power grab that tramples over the Labour party's policy to increase BME representation.

When OBV began working in Liverpool some 20 years ago there were no BME councillors. Now there are only four, two of whom are OBV alumni- Anne Rothery and Natalie Nichols. One Black member is standing down, and if Momentum get their way Abdul will be ousted, and not replaced by a BME candidate.

One Labour member- who didn't want to be named for fear of reprisal, told me:

Liverpool Momentum care not one jot about Black people here, they'd wipe them -all BME Cllrs- out if they could. At least with the Far Right, you know where you stand, but with this lot they pretend to be your friend and then stab you in the back."

Cllr Abdul has played a key role in many areas in Liverpool civic life, particularly in regards to young people. The Mayor Les Anderson made him City lead on youth and citizenship.

Kingsley Abrahhams , who heads Labour Black Momentum Caucus is furious about the situation. He said,

I'm deeply worried that some Black people are already starting to say they believe that Momentum is an anti-Black faction within the Labour party. We'll be supporting Abdul and speaking to local Momentum to tell them the damage they are doing to what Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn stands for."

The internal vote for Liverpool Labour candidates is this Wednesday.

Simon Woolley