Ex-Labour stands for Harrow West

Pamela Fitzpatrick, a “proud socialist, trade unionist and mum” will be standing as an independent parliamentary candidate in Harrow West at the next general election.
She says she is standing because being tired of “corruption, hypocrisy and injustice” and that “at a time when it is so desperately needed, we no longer have a Labour Party”.
After the budget few days ago, she posed a question for the Labour “So you’re backing all of today’s Budget… you’ve got identical fiscal rules – how does Labour’s economic policy differ from the Conservatives?”
Ms Fitzpatrick was not short of words in describing the latest association between the Labour leader and the Common’s speaker that resulted in the chaotic Commons debate about the war in Gaza last month: “Starmer and Hoyles actions this week, accusing Muslims of being a threat to MPs, has whipped up hatred against Muslims. The Forde report confirms Labour’s institutional racism. Starmer and other senior Labour MPs constantly treat Palestinian lives as less valuable than others”.
Pamela Fitzpatrick was a long-standing member of the Labour Party, Labour councillor in Harrow for eight years and was the Unite backed Labour parliamentary candidate in Harrow East in 2019.
She has worked in the voluntary sector for over 30 years, set up a legal advice centre in Harrow in 2010 and has been an active trade union member for 40 years.
Ms Fitzpatrick was caught up in the injustice of Labours retrospectively applied disciplinary process, and has since highlighted her ill-treatment by some powerful local and national Labours.
Many on social media were quick to welcome Ms Fitzpatrick decision to challenge the Harrow West sitting MP Gareth Thomas (Lab) who has attracted public protests because of his watered-down approach to a ceasefire to stop killings in Palestine.
“For all those in Harrow who say we do not have options. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Stand for hope and Justice vote for Pamela Fitzpatrick”, wrote the social justice activist Aghileh Djafari-Marbini who had previously resigned from the Labour Party over Gaza.
Rapid support for Ms Fitzpatrick is understandable given the public disappointment about the Labour being ineffective opposition where they, like the government, and public are not on the same page on matters like financial decision-making, health and care provisions, employment, social welfare, and justice and peace.