Difference between revisions of "Jennie Formby"

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{{person
 
{{person
 
|constitutes=trade unionist, politician
 
|constitutes=trade unionist, politician
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|image=Jennie_Formby.jpg
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|image=Formby_Corbyn.jpg
 
|image_width=240px
 
|image_width=240px
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|description=General Secretary of the Labour Party 2018-2020
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|image_caption=Supporting the "inspiring [[Jeremy Corbyn]]"
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|birth_date=12 April 1960
 
|birth_name=Jennifer Louise Sandle
 
|birth_name=Jennifer Louise Sandle
 
|linkedin=https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jennie-formby-175b8b88
 
|linkedin=https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jennie-formby-175b8b88
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|twitter=https://twitter.com/JennieUnite
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|twitter=https://twitter.com/jenniegensec
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|employment={{job
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|title=General Secretary of the Labour Party
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|start=20 March 2018
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|end=4 May 2020
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|employer=Labour Party
 
}}
 
}}
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'''Jennie Formby''' is [[Unite the Union]]'s South East Regional Secretary and vice Chair of the [[Labour Party]]'s [[National Executive Committee]].<ref>''[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jennie-formby-unite-political-director-stands-down-after-being-involved-in-series-of-controversies-a6923861.html "Jennie Formby: Unite political director to take up new job within union after being involved in series of controversies"]''</ref>
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}}
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'''Jennie Formby''', formerly [[Unite the Union]]'s South East Regional Secretary and vice Chair of the [[Labour Party]]'s [[National Executive Committee]] (NEC),<ref>''[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jennie-formby-unite-political-director-stands-down-after-being-involved-in-series-of-controversies-a6923861.html "Jennie Formby: Unite political director to take up new job within union after being involved in series of controversies"]''</ref> was appointed [[General Secretary of the Labour Party]] on 20 March 2018.<ref>''[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43476332 "Jennie Formby: Labour's new general secretary"]''</ref>
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On 4 May 2020, Jennie Formby announced she was standing down as Labour's [[General Secretary of the Labour Party|General Secretary]]:{{QB|
 +
:"When I applied for the role in 2018 it was because I wanted to support [[Jeremy Corbyn]], who inspired so many people to get involved in politics with his message of hope, equality and peace. Now we have a new leadership team it is the right time to step down."<ref>''[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52528829 "Jennie Formby is to stand down as the Labour Party's most senior official"]''</ref>}}
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On 25 April 2023, [https://twitter.com/Jennieformby1/status/1650888819409862661 Jennie Formby tweeted:]{{QB|
 +
:This is a good result but appalling that Labour have continued with these cases despite any evidence of wrong-doing, no doubt causing huge stress to the individuals concerned as well as wasting ridiculous sums of party members’ money in the process.<ref>''[https://skwawkbox.org/2023/04/25/labour-facing-six-figure-legal-bill-after-losses-in-case-against-former-corbyn-staff/ "Labour facing six-figure legal bill after losses in case against former Corbyn staff"]''</ref>}}
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==Baroness Formby of Southside?==
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According to the ''[[Huffington Post]]'': "Formby is not expected to be recommended for a peerage, as several previous general secretaries have been."<ref>''[https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour-general-secretary-nec-keir-starmer_uk_5eb1b52dc5b6a15b6f47434b "‘Stitch-Up’ Row Erupts As Leftwingers Seize Control Of Labour General Secretary Hire"]''</ref>
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Well, ever since [[Larry Whitty]] (1985-94) was ennobled as Baron Whitty of Camberwell it has been the rule (with two notable exceptions) for former General Secretaries to become peers:
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* [[Tom Sawyer]] (1994-98) Baron Sawyer
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* [[Margaret McDonagh]] (1998-2001) Baroness McDonagh
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* [[David Triesman]] (2001-03) Baron Triesman
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* [[Ray Collins]] (2008-11) Baron Collins of Highbury
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* [[Iain McNicol]] (2011-18) Baron McNichol of West Kilbride
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[[Matt Carter]] (2004-05) and [[Peter Watt]] (2006-07) both resigned under a cloud ("cash for questions" and "donorgate").
 +
 
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So there is no reason why Jennie Formby shouldn't be elevated to the [[House of Lords]]: I suggest Baroness Formby of Southside (Labour HQ address).<ref>''[https://www.facebook.com/groups/469687696729900/permalink/1125374304494566/?comment_id=1125427921155871 "Baroness Formby of Southside"]''</ref>
  
 
==Israel controversies==
 
==Israel controversies==
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In March 2016, Ms Formby spoke out days after the appointment of Baroness [[Jan Royall]] to lead an investigation into claims of anti-Jewish conduct by some in [[Oxford University Labour Club]], saying that Lady Royall had once taken part in a [[Labour Friends of Israel]] (LFI) delegation in 2007. Fellow NEC member [[Shabana Mahmood]] swiftly interrupted to describe Ms Formby’s remarks as “highly inappropriate”, before the chair of the meeting moved on.<ref>''[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/03/08/fresh-row-over-labour-ant_n_9410460.html "Fresh Row Over Labour Anti-Semitism Inquiry As Unite Official Raises Links To Labour Friends Of Israel"]''</ref>
 
In March 2016, Ms Formby spoke out days after the appointment of Baroness [[Jan Royall]] to lead an investigation into claims of anti-Jewish conduct by some in [[Oxford University Labour Club]], saying that Lady Royall had once taken part in a [[Labour Friends of Israel]] (LFI) delegation in 2007. Fellow NEC member [[Shabana Mahmood]] swiftly interrupted to describe Ms Formby’s remarks as “highly inappropriate”, before the chair of the meeting moved on.<ref>''[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/03/08/fresh-row-over-labour-ant_n_9410460.html "Fresh Row Over Labour Anti-Semitism Inquiry As Unite Official Raises Links To Labour Friends Of Israel"]''</ref>
  
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==Labour General Secretary==
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==General Secretary==
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On 27 February 2018, Jennie Formby announced that she is applying for the soon-to-be-vacant role of Labour Party General Secretary, replacing [[Iain McNicol]]:
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In February 2018, Jennie Formby announced she was a candidate to become [[General Secretary of the Labour Party]],<ref>''[https://skwawkbox.org/2018/02/27/jennie-formby-full-statement-on-labour-gensec-application/ "JENNIE FORMBY FULL STATEMENT ON LABOUR GENSEC APPLICATION"]''</ref> shortly after the incumbent, [[Iain McNicol]], resigned.<ref>''[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jennie-formby-declares-candidacy-for-labour-general-secretary-post-pressure-on-jon-lansman-second-woman-in-party-history_uk_5a957f06e4b036ab0142cb44 "Unite’s Jennie Formby Declares Candidacy For Labour General Secretary"]''</ref> Her main rival, [[Jon Lansman]], the chair of [[Momentum]], dropped out of contention on 11 March, making Formby the frontrunner.<ref>''[https://news.sky.com/story/momentum-chair-jon-lansman-withdraws-bid-to-become-labour-general-secretary-11286153 "Momentum chair Jon Lansman withdraws bid to become Labour general secretary"]''</ref>
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:"I have today decided to apply for the post of General Secretary of the Labour Party. Before setting out my reasons for doing so let me pay tribute to the work done by Iain McNicol in that role and to join every Party member in thanking him for his service and wishing him well for the future.
 
  
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:"Our Party is now united, as it has not been for years, under [[Jeremy Corbyn]]’s leadership. The General Secretary of the Party needs to be someone who can build on that unity to mobilise and organise the entire party and the wider labour movement behind a Labour victory at the next general election whenever this callous and crumbling government decides to call it. Labour’s strength rests on three pillars – the support of millions of voters, an individual membership far larger than that in any other British political party, and our link with our affiliated trade unions. I believe I am well-placed to help our party build on all three.
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On 20 March 2018, she was appointed to the role, effective from April 2018.<ref>''[https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/news/93790/jennie-formby-appointed-labour-general-secretary "Jennie Formby appointed Labour general secretary in huge boost for Jeremy Corbyn"]''</ref><ref>''[https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/eremy-corbyn-plans-in-house-lawyer-in-anti-semitism-crackdown-on-70-unresolved-claims-of-abuse-jennie-formby-first-priority-nec-delays-working-group_uk_5abb32d5e4b03e2a5c77477d "Jeremy Corbyn Plans In-House Lawyer In Anti-Semitism Crackdown On 70 Unresolved Claims Of Abuse"]''</ref>
  
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:"My service as a party member for forty years, as a member of the [[National Executive Committee]] for the last seven, and as a senior official of my union in industrial, political and administrative posts has given me the breadth of experience to lead the whole party in meeting the challenges and seizing the opportunities ahead. I will work with all parts of the movement to ensure that the Party democracy review empowers the party membership, opens up policy-making, and ensures democratic best-practice throughout. I will ensure our exciting new community organising initiative is developed to help entrench Labour in the communities we serve and win the seats we need at the next general election.
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===Tom Watson===
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In July 2019, [[Tom Watson]] – technically if not in practice the deputy leader of the party – launched an unconscionable public attack on Labour general secretary Jennie Formby, who is battling cancer. The Labour parliamentary women who stood in public solidarity on social media with Ms Formby against Watson’s shameful conduct include:
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* [[Diane Abbott]]
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* [[Laura Smith]]
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* [[Laura Pidcock]]
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* [[Emma Dent Coad]]
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* [[Danielle Rowley]]
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* [[Rebecca Long-Bailey]]
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* [[Karen Lee]]
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* [[Margaret Greenwood]]
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* [[Claudia Webbe]]
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* [[Ann Henderson]]
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* [[Andi Daisy Fox]]
  
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:"I stand for a tolerant and welcoming party, with no place for [[anti-Semitism]], racism and misogyny or any form of abuse or intimidation; a party in which complaints are handled both fairly and speedily. I value the commitment and hard work of party staff and will ensure the whole party machine is working in support of our Leader and our policies, embracing the new campaigning tools and methods which we used to such effect in the 2017 election.
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[[Claudia Webbe]] called on [[Tom Watson]] to resign as [[Deputy Leader of the Labour Party]].<ref>''[https://skwawkbox.org/2019/07/12/the-labour-women-mps-and-nec-members-who-showed-solidarity-with-jennie-formby-against-watson/ "The Labour women MPs and NEC members who showed solidarity with Jennie Formby against Watson"]''</ref>
  
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:"I would be proud to be the first woman to serve as Labour Party General Secretary in a generation and only the second ever. I have fought for gender equality – often the hard way – throughout my lifetime in the labour movement. Labour has only one objective – to bring to Britain the socialist change it desperately needs. And it has only one means of delivering that – electoral victory at all levels, and above all in a General Election. As General Secretary, I will devote all my time and energy to ensuring that we grasp the historic opportunity before us."<ref>''[https://skwawkbox.org/2018/02/27/jennie-formby-full-statement-on-labour-gensec-application/ "JENNIE FORMBY FULL STATEMENT ON LABOUR GENSEC APPLICATION"]''</ref>
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==Personal life==
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Jennie Formby is the mother of Unite General Secretary [[Len McCluskey]]'s child, born in 1991.<ref>''[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2371813/Mother-union-boss-love-child-fixes-MPs-Labour-New-scandal-McCluskey-gives-75-000-year-key-role-ex-mistress.html "Mother of union boss love child fixes MPs for Labour: New scandal as McCluskey gives £75,000-a-year key role to ex-mistress"]''</ref>
  
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==Mother==
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She married Freddie Formby in 2000 and the couple had two children and another son, who joined the family aged 14.<ref>''[https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/unites-jennie-formby-appointed-as-labours-new-general-secretary-union-veteran-replaces-iain-mcnicol_uk_5ab12794e4b09a2c75c92575 "Corbyn Ally Jennie Formby Appointed As Labour's New General Secretary"]''</ref>
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Jennie Formby is the mother of Unite General Secretary [[Len McCluskey]]'s child, born in 1991.<ref>''[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2371813/Mother-union-boss-love-child-fixes-MPs-Labour-New-scandal-McCluskey-gives-75-000-year-key-role-ex-mistress.html "Mother of union boss love child fixes MPs for Labour: New scandal as McCluskey gives £75,000-a-year key role to ex-mistress"]''</ref>
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 +
In March 2019 Jennie Formby announced that she was to undergo treatment for breast cancer.<ref>''[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/25/labour-party-general-secretary-jennie-formby-diagnosed-breast-cancer "Labour party's general secretary diagnosed with breast cancer"]''</ref>
 
{{SMWDocs}}
 
{{SMWDocs}}
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>

Latest revision as of 10:30, 26 April 2023

Person.png Jennie Formby LinkedIn TwitterRdf-entity.pngRdf-icon.png
(trade unionist, politician)
Formby Corbyn.jpg
Supporting the "inspiring Jeremy Corbyn"
BornJennifer Louise Sandle
12 April 1960
General Secretary of the Labour Party 2018-2020

Employment.png General Secretary of the Labour Party Wikipedia-icon.png

In office
20 March 2018 - 4 May 2020
EmployerLabour Party

Jennie Formby, formerly Unite the Union's South East Regional Secretary and vice Chair of the Labour Party's National Executive Committee (NEC),[1] was appointed General Secretary of the Labour Party on 20 March 2018.[2]

On 4 May 2020, Jennie Formby announced she was standing down as Labour's General Secretary:

"When I applied for the role in 2018 it was because I wanted to support Jeremy Corbyn, who inspired so many people to get involved in politics with his message of hope, equality and peace. Now we have a new leadership team it is the right time to step down."[3]

On 25 April 2023, Jennie Formby tweeted:

This is a good result but appalling that Labour have continued with these cases despite any evidence of wrong-doing, no doubt causing huge stress to the individuals concerned as well as wasting ridiculous sums of party members’ money in the process.[4]

Baroness Formby of Southside?

According to the Huffington Post: "Formby is not expected to be recommended for a peerage, as several previous general secretaries have been."[5]

Well, ever since Larry Whitty (1985-94) was ennobled as Baron Whitty of Camberwell it has been the rule (with two notable exceptions) for former General Secretaries to become peers:

Matt Carter (2004-05) and Peter Watt (2006-07) both resigned under a cloud ("cash for questions" and "donorgate").

So there is no reason why Jennie Formby shouldn't be elevated to the House of Lords: I suggest Baroness Formby of Southside (Labour HQ address).[6]

Israel controversies

In 2015, Jennie Formby sparked controversy when she moved a motion at the end of an NEC meeting to bar G4S from providing security for the Labour party conference because of concerns over its operations in Israel. The motion was eventually overturned following objections from NEC members pointing out Labour policy was not to boycott firms operating in Israel.

In March 2016, Ms Formby spoke out days after the appointment of Baroness Jan Royall to lead an investigation into claims of anti-Jewish conduct by some in Oxford University Labour Club, saying that Lady Royall had once taken part in a Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) delegation in 2007. Fellow NEC member Shabana Mahmood swiftly interrupted to describe Ms Formby’s remarks as “highly inappropriate”, before the chair of the meeting moved on.[7]

General Secretary

In February 2018, Jennie Formby announced she was a candidate to become General Secretary of the Labour Party,[8] shortly after the incumbent, Iain McNicol, resigned.[9] Her main rival, Jon Lansman, the chair of Momentum, dropped out of contention on 11 March, making Formby the frontrunner.[10]

On 20 March 2018, she was appointed to the role, effective from April 2018.[11][12]

Tom Watson

In July 2019, Tom Watson – technically if not in practice the deputy leader of the party – launched an unconscionable public attack on Labour general secretary Jennie Formby, who is battling cancer. The Labour parliamentary women who stood in public solidarity on social media with Ms Formby against Watson’s shameful conduct include:

Claudia Webbe called on Tom Watson to resign as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.[13]

Personal life

Jennie Formby is the mother of Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey's child, born in 1991.[14]

She married Freddie Formby in 2000 and the couple had two children and another son, who joined the family aged 14.[15]

In March 2019 Jennie Formby announced that she was to undergo treatment for breast cancer.[16]

 

Related Documents

TitleTypePublication dateAuthor(s)Description
Document:EHRC avoids response to QC’s submission that Labour investigation breaches Equality ActArticle3 August 2019Jewish Voice for Labour's submission to the Equality and Human Rights Commission points out that many of the worst aspects took place under the tenure of former general secretary Iain McNicol, while significant improvements have been made under his successor Jennie Formby.
Document:Labour & ‘anti-Semitism’: Real goal of establishment smear campaign is to deny socialists powerArticle23 April 2019Ken LivingstoneAfter three years of screaming headlines, the truth about anti-Semitism in the Labour Party is finally revealed: just 0.08 percent of Labour’s half-a-million members have said or tweeted something anti-Semitic
Document:Starmer’s Mortal Wound On The Soul Of The Labour Partyblog post30 October 2020Rachael SwindonStarmer clearly believes he has now firmly established his own political identity and laid the foundations for the transformation of Labour’s electoral prospects – in the mould of Kinnock and Blair. It may be that he has simply destroyed his reputation for moral and intellectual integrity – and inflicted a mortal wound on the soul of his party.
Document:The shortcomings of the EHRC ReportStatement6 November 2020Jewish Voice for LabourThere are just 12 mentions of Jeremy Corbyn in the EHRC report, of which only two concern actions taken by him. It is reprehensible not to distinguish between actions taken by individuals supportive of Corbyn and those taken by people hostile to him – such an omission leads to the impression that all failings were Corbyn’s responsibility.
Document:We condemn the suspension of Jo Bird and the appointment of Lord FalconerArticle4 March 2019AdminAs Ken Loach said: “If it looks like a witch hunt and behaves like a witch hunt – it may well be just that. This is intolerable and must end now.”
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References

  1. ↑ "Jennie Formby: Unite political director to take up new job within union after being involved in series of controversies"
  2. ↑ "Jennie Formby: Labour's new general secretary"
  3. ↑ "Jennie Formby is to stand down as the Labour Party's most senior official"
  4. ↑ "Labour facing six-figure legal bill after losses in case against former Corbyn staff"
  5. ↑ "‘Stitch-Up’ Row Erupts As Leftwingers Seize Control Of Labour General Secretary Hire"
  6. ↑ "Baroness Formby of Southside"
  7. ↑ "Fresh Row Over Labour Anti-Semitism Inquiry As Unite Official Raises Links To Labour Friends Of Israel"
  8. ↑ "JENNIE FORMBY FULL STATEMENT ON LABOUR GENSEC APPLICATION"
  9. ↑ "Unite’s Jennie Formby Declares Candidacy For Labour General Secretary"
  10. ↑ "Momentum chair Jon Lansman withdraws bid to become Labour general secretary"
  11. ↑ "Jennie Formby appointed Labour general secretary in huge boost for Jeremy Corbyn"
  12. ↑ "Jeremy Corbyn Plans In-House Lawyer In Anti-Semitism Crackdown On 70 Unresolved Claims Of Abuse"
  13. ↑ "The Labour women MPs and NEC members who showed solidarity with Jennie Formby against Watson"
  14. ↑ "Mother of union boss love child fixes MPs for Labour: New scandal as McCluskey gives £75,000-a-year key role to ex-mistress"
  15. ↑ "Corbyn Ally Jennie Formby Appointed As Labour's New General Secretary"
  16. ↑ "Labour party's general secretary diagnosed with breast cancer"
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