PLP defence committee chair raises questions over Livingstone review role

John Woodcock has today written to Shadow Defence Secretary Maria Eagle to raise questions over Ken Livingstone’s role in Labour’s defence policy review, and what the remit and power of the review will be.

Woodcock was elected chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party defence committee earlier this month, and has circulated his letter to Eagle around the PLP in his capacity as the backbenchers’ representative.

In the letter, obtained by LabourList and able to read in full below, Woodcock asks how the appointment was made, whether the review will focus solely on Labour’s position on Trident, and how MPs can contribute to the review.

Woodcock also raised comments made by Livingstone calling Eagle “mad” for her support of Trident, and the furore today around his description of Kevan Jones as “depressed and disturbed”.

Here is the letter from John Woodcock to Maria Eagle in full:

I am writing to you as chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party’s defence committee to seek clarification following the apparent appointment of Ken Livingstone as the co-chair of the review into Labour Party policy on defence. Obviously this is an important position and I would appreciate if you could confirm the announcement made by Mr Livingstone himself at the Left Book Club event last night.

Please could you set out the process by which this appointment was made and whether you were consulted on alternative options to be your co-chair, for example one of the trade union members of Labour’s national executive committee who could bring a valuable perspective on the industrial consequences of any change in the decision to renew the ageing Vanguard-class submarines. What will be the remit of the review – will it be confined to the party’s policy on the nuclear deterrent or be set wider? What is the anticipated timescale for the review and how do you anticipate members of the PLP will be able to contribute to it?

Furthermore I am sure you are aware that your new co-chair is on the record as strongly opposed to the renewal of the UK nuclear deterrent. This includes describing you this month as ‘mad’ for your statements on Labour’s approach to renewal, which are in line with official party policy as confirmed by our recent conference in Brighton. Just this morning he made extremely offensive comments about the mental health of Kevan Jones, one of your shadow ministers. I would like to seek reassurance that this appointment will not prejudice the outcome of the review on this important issue.

Finally, you may be aware of Mr Livingstone’s recent comments calling for the deselection of Labour Members of Parliament and even naming some colleagues who he believes could be targets for deselection. In light of these comments do you believe this is an appropriate person to lead a review of this nature, which must seek input for all sections of the party, including those individuals he has indicated ought to face expulsion?

Given the wide interest in this issue within the PLP I am circulating this letter to our colleagues and would be grateful if you could indicate whether you are content for me to do the same when replying. 

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.