Sparkbrook constituency, once contemptuously Two weeks ago the disputes appeared to comt to a head. Mr Mohammed Yousaf the Sparkhill ward, Cial resigned from the bartv atter years. He alleged neglect ot the constituency's nous ing, social and educational problems, adding that when neer dealer constituency meetings WaS LU 'whip the Asians into line' He went on to urge Aslans In sparkbrooK LO for the candidate OLICI members followed ing display of discontent.
Outside Sparkbrook many assumed that they were watching the deparMR ROY HATTERSLEY is not having a good election campaign. Despite his prominent role as deputy leader of the Labour Party in the usual round of rallies and TV and radio programmes, the local and national press have carried regular reports of unrest among what he Yousaf was broad position chair been port. So what drove others out the the first place wing: the position in the Spark OOOK on the receiving end of several attempts to 'whip it into line' expulsions, intimidation and disruption of its meetings have all played a part in this.
Mohammed Yousaf, as the chair of the ward has been a target of regular abuse at ward meetings and was recently accused or assaull winger after Yousat stent right ed in to prevent a fight He was also facing possi ble disciplinary charges for allegedly describing conracists.
It was by-now familiar pattern intimidation aimed at drivIllg of the party without burdening the National Constitutional Committee ingly Sparkbrook's right wing were 'ecstatic' when Yousat decided to go But Yousaf's decision simply due pressure from the party's right wing. The deepening discontent among many Sparkbrook black and white -very real Sparkbrook boasts some of the worst housing and unemployment in the West Midlands. There is a growing credibility gap between Hattersley's campaign against Section and against the left carried out behalf lardina roy folk', his lack campaigning around any of the issues that actually effect them.
in this vear's local elec tions Labour's share of the vote fell from 68 to 55 per cent across the three ward. in the Sparkbrook consti tuency while He DRES share increased from 18 to This brought the Tories within 356 vote: of taking one of the : seats.
Now several Muslim religious leaders, Imams, have expressed public support for Mr Nazir Khan, the Tory parliamentary candidate What im pact this will have on labour's vote remains to be seen But for Sparkbrook's right wing there are bigger fish to fry. Not content with driving members out of the party they are now talking 'restructuring the Sparkhill ward: and of course, Sparkhill might not be the only ward to suffer this fate As Kevin Scally, now Sparkhil ward treasure after his successfu paign - for reinstatemen Clearly if we lose the general the left will be blamed There will be a crack down on left wing wards and individuals.
"The closure of a left wing ward in Hattersley's constituency would be signal to other right wing contrict to do the same That's why the whole of the Party should be following these events.