• ELIZABETH Wilson forgets one important fact (Momentum is not the only way for Labour, November 9).

Without Momentum the party would not have the widespread support it now has with 1,500 members in our constituency alone, many of whom campaigned vigorously for Tulip Siddiq, myself included, and participated in phone banks to support constituencies further afield such as Nottingham and Enfield North.

If she thinks Paul Renny is not looking outward she is looking in the wrong direction (Join up and play a part in delivering for Labour, November 2). He has contributed a lot more than Ms Wilson in my opinion.

And continues to do so, by recruiting trade unionists, as I do, and voting for highly qualified and experienced candidates such as Helen Reardon-Bond OBE for women’s officer, Sarah Friday for trade union liaison officer and Suha Abdul for youth officer, all of whom were rejected by the right wing of the constituency in favour of candidates with hardly any attendance at branch or constituency meetings and little or no experience.

The above named candidates were reputable, experienced, and qualified for the vacant posts but the right wing voted against them for tribal reasons.

Surely voting for experience and qualifications is common sense. The right wing resent their secure positions being challenged and are causing the divisions.

What’s important is that youth are recognised to have deep problems in society, that is, unemployment, student debt and generation rent.

What’s needed is an activist with the contacts and experience to change that, not a new member who’s loyal to the old guard and has never been to a branch meeting.

That’s who’s been selected by the right and they are thinking only of loyalties and not of how effective the candidate will be. Shame.

RUTH APPLETON
Highgate Branch LP
Camden Momentum
Unison Retired Members Branch Secretary