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Politics

28th May 2019

Alastair Campbell expelled from Labour after voting Lib Dem in European elections

Rich Cooper

Former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell has been expelled from the Labour party after voting for the Liberal Democrats in the European elections

One of Brexit’s most prominent critics, Campbell revealed on Sunday night that he had voted Lib Dem “to try to persuade Labour to do right thing” on Britain’s departure from the European Union.

In a series of tweets, Campbell wrote, “Sad and disappointed to receive email expelling me from Labour – particularly on a day leadership finally seems to be moving to the right place on Brexit.

“I voted Lib Dem, without advance publicity, to try to persuade Labour to do right thing for country/party.

“I have been advised by lawyers with expertise in this field I have grounds for appeal against expulsion and shall do so.”

Tony Blair’s former Director of Communications contrasted his expulsion with Labour’s approach to tackling anti-Semitism within the party, saying that it was “hard not to point out difference in the way anti-Semitism cases have been handled.”

A lifelong Labour supporter, Campbell said that voting Lib Dem was “a very, very strange feeling,” but felt it was necessary to send a message to the Labour leadership, of which he has been critical, particularly regarding the party’s approach to Brexit.

“On this issue, at this time, I think the Labour party has let its own supporters down, it’s let its own members down, and I think it’s let the country down,” Campbell told the BBC’s Huw Edwards on Sunday night.

Both the Conservatives and Labour saw disappointing results at the ballot box, with Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party and the Liberal Democrats making gains in the European Parliament.