I really want my £25 back

This is the email I received after I sent the labour party £25.

Nowhere does it say that if they decide I can't vote that they can keep my money.

It's in fact very clear that my money is in order for me to be allowed to vote.

> and paying your fee to participate in our selection process to choose Labour’s Leader.

In fact it could not be clearer.

This clearly states that my fee is to participate in the selection process.

If they are not going to allow me to participate then they should refund the money charged.

UPDATE TO ADD: I later received a copy of the "evidence" and I'd suggest you take a look as it really is laughable.

I spoke to the Labour Party

I gave them a phone call, they answered after not too long a wait of about 25 minutes.

My membership subscription can be refunded (approx £11.50).

My special supporter fee (the £25) cannot be refunded as this was apparently to pay for administration costs associated with my application and not refundable.

I want to use a very nasty expletive to describe how I feel about this. I'll stick to saying that it is simply unjust. It's against all the natural laws of justice. Even the dodgiest night club wouldn't charge you the entrance fee if they decided not to let you in.

They are also going to send me the evidence of my non existent tweet within 4 days. My guess is that they have a tweet which is not from Jan 2015 as stated, or maybe they've got into fabricating evidence now.

Facebook Rant Edited Hightlights

Of everything I ranted on to Facebook, this part is probably the part that is most worth saying.

John Scott Each time read the second paragraph of that letter I am getting more upset. I've patiently and politely debated all my life never knowingly ever shouting anyone down. I've made the highest virtue in listening to others opinion, trying to understand other peoples perspectives. I've never felt so shouted down at by anyone but this contemptible wa*ker from his high throne has ejected me from a debate on the basis of arbitrary and wrong information. Nothing has ever proved to me more what a lie and a sham the whole thing is. I know what is true here. The whole political system has lost my support. It's as if they want May to be unopposed.

Like · Reply · 3 hrs

John Scott I watched the whole three hours of the debate in Glasgow between Smith and Corbyn the night before getting this letter. Still hadn't made up my mind about which way to vote. Was taking the question quite seriously. Frankly now I don't care if Smith can beat May, or if he does, there will be no change of he does. Corporations will have free movement and people won't. Hundreds of organizations will have access to our metadata to make similar arbitrary decisions as this one. Lives, loves, relationships and marriages will still be ruined by the need to throw "initiatives" to a baying mob. I would like a system where fair decisions are made by an enlightened government in the interest of everyone and not the majority. It's not hard. There is no chance of fair open debate anymore. It seems there are two factions now in politics. Those who act only for their own self interest and those who understand that our best interest is everyone being in a good position. To me the latter is obvious but I feel that I am definitely in a minority group with this now.

Next?

So what do I do next?

Please let me know!

Facebook Ranting So Far

I started two threads on Facebook and had this to say:

John Scott Just checked on Twitter and there is absolutely nothing I posted in January 2015 about the greens / lib dems

Like · Reply · 1 · 19 hrs

Andy Allsopp You quoted Winston Churchill... You're clearly a raving tory. Always thought it about you, tbh.

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John Scott HA! You watch your words young man or I'll chase you off my land on horseback...

Like · Reply · 1 · 19 hrs · Edited

Write a reply...

Mark Thomas Crikey

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Karin Lodge This is incredible! I think with the attitude of this party you would not have been happy to be a member anyway. Seems these guys are stuck on lifelong loyalty to Labour. Wonder, how they will gain new members or voters with being so tunnel viewed. Besides: A lot of "not" scentences in the letter, a big no-no in communication.

Unlike · Reply · 1 · 17 hrs

Steve Hillier Don't worry about it John, you said it yourself: they're not going to change anything. 

Corbyn will be re-elected, Labour will start to split, lose the predicted 90 seats, then completely split around 2021 if Corbyn is still in situ....See more

Like · Reply · 17 hrs · Edited

Mark Thomas Hang tight for the People's Front Of Corbyn to get established.

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Matt Ferguson Unbelievable. So unless you're a rabid lefty and always have been, you're not welcome? Do we have the same view of swing voters? I am concerned.

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Steve Hillier "Do we have the same view of swing voters?" Yes, obviously. I thought that was the whole point of St Jeremy, sod the soft Tories, lets bolster Labour heartland. Except where we've lost them to SNP and UKIP obviously, fuck them.

Unlike · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs

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Mary T. Nooney They can seriously do this?

Like · Reply · 8 hrs · Edited

Matt Bartlett This is happening a lot. People are getting worried at the top I reckon.

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John Scott Thing is if Ian Nicol came to my house and begged me to join I'd slam the door in his face. Yes I support corbyn but not the hopeless self serving party he leads. He never had a chance trying to get this lot to behave with integrity. I've slept on it and I'm still angry. Every ounce of power I have will be used now to remove all these parasites from my life no matter what they say their favorite colour is.

Like · Reply · 3 hrs

John Scott Each time read the second paragraph of that letter I am getting more upset. I've patiently and politely debated all my life never knowingly ever shouting anyone down. I've made the highest virtue in listening to others opinion, trying to understand oth...See more

Like · Reply · 3 hrs

John Scott I watched the whole three hours of the debate in Glasgow between Smith and Corbyn the night before getting this letter. Still hadn't made up my mind about which way to vote. Was taking the question quite seriously. Frankly now I don't care if Smith can...See more

Like · Reply · 2 hrs

David Brinn What worries me most ( and I can't see you being an abusive person ) is that this implies that you or anyone is not allowed to have views which ever differ from theirs. It's tribal politics at its worse. It implies you must only ever have support their...See more

Unlike · Reply · 1 · 2 hrs

John Scott replied · 1 Reply

Julian Bond Stay angry. Make noise. This is just another fault line opening up in the slow motion earthquake of UK politics. There's something happening here, but where it ends up ain't exactly clear. But you can be sure the encumbents will fight dirty to keep what they think they have. The run up to the 2020 elections is going to be interesting to watch. Just try not to be collateral damage.

Like · Reply · 15 mins

and also added some thoughts to my original threads

I was with the Liberal Democrats from the age of 15 in the 80s until some time after 2010. I see Jeremy Corbyn bringing genuine choice back to politics, and believe passionately that only remaining in EEC with Freedom of Movement and Workers Rights protections in place is the only sane way to navigate Brexit and believe the Labour party can make this happen and want to give my support. So impressed by Jeremy Corbyn and hope joining now I can support him and his team especially Tom Watson whom I have admired for years.

I just joined the Labour Party – will you too?

join.labour.org.uk

JOIN.LABOUR.ORG.UK

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Karin Lodge I deeply hope it helps, all the best!

Unlike · Reply · 1 · 28 June at 14:16

John Scott Dick too ! it's not fair to give Mark all the credit Actually David John your former next door neighbouur ( presumably The Labour Party ? ) was the best advert of all

Like · Reply · 28 June at 14:17

John Scott p.s. Thankyou Kieran too ! it was your share on FB that made me do it!

Like · Reply · 28 June at 14:18

John Scott Sorry to say Kieran, Dick, Mark, Mike, Wes, Tee Jay, Steve that I am furious that my application has been rejected, apparently because I said I used to be a member of the lib dems and I once suggested people should consider joining the greens. I am raging with anger. I think this is it for me and representational politics. The system is causing me so much pain right now for no reason other than pandering to people's prejudice. I've attached the reply I sent them and the one they sent me. I'm incensed that they suggest this should happen in any atmosphere of respect whilst being utterly disrespectful. I very much hope they return my money as a matter of urgency. It was very hard to find that money.

Like · Reply · 2 · 19 hrs · Edited

Write a reply...

John Scott this is the letter I received...

Like · Reply · 20 hrs

Wes White Ludicrous. I've been a Green member and a Lib Dem member too - clearly they missed that. I don't blame you being outraged, John - parts of the Labour party seem to be determined to shoot their own feet off. Two years before you can reapply?! It's a nonsense. I'm sorry to see it.

Unlike · Reply · 1 · 19 hrs

John Scott I most definitely will not be reapplying

Like · Reply · 19 hrs

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John Scott Just checked on Twitter and there is absolutely nothing I posted in January 2015 about the greens / lib dems

Like · Reply · 1 · 19 hrs

Wes White

Unlike · Reply · 1 · 18 hrs

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Mike Flynn Crazy stuff John - as it happens I'm not exactly feeling much love for Labour right now, not sure I want to be a member for much longer either

Like · Reply · 19 hrs

John Scott no they're idiots, so dissapointed by Sadiq Khan comments, they're so blatently in this for their own interests and what they say are so many blatant lies, they have clearly shown they don't care in the slightest for the views of the membership if they're inconvenient to their ability to get a few nice little earners

Like · Reply · 1 · 19 hrs

Write a reply...

Steve Hillier Maybe it's a blessing in disguise John? The Labour Party was in trouble when Miliband became leader on a technicality, but has been utterly fucked since Corbyn took over. 

Time for a new party maybe? This one is over.

Unlike · Reply · 1 · 16 hrs · Edited

John Scott most effective new party I've seen in recent times is the IFFIndependents for Frome

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Steve Hillier I don't know them. Does St Jeremy approve? I know he just ruled out any kind of coalition between progressive parties. The arrogant loser.

Like · Reply · 14 hrs · Edited

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