THE struggle for a ‘progressive alliance’ in South West Surrey shows no sign of relenting, after local Labour members unanimously passed a motion of support for the reinstatement of three expelled members last week.

Long-standing activists Steve Williams, Kate Townsend and Robert Park were sacked by party HQ in May after backing the National Health Action party’s Dr Louise Irvine to stand against Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Labour HQ fielded David Black, who went on to criticise fellow members for betraying the “blood of your heart” after Mr Hunt was elected a fourth time as Tory MP for South West Surrey, on June 8.

But, meeting for the first time since the election, the local Labour Party branch gave its overwhelming backing to the so-called ‘Godalming Three’ and reiterated its support for the progressive alliance, on June 22.

The motion passed expressed outrage at the expulsion of three active party members, including the secretary, for supporting a progressive alliance in the constituency, as mandated by the CLP membership voting on two previous occasions. It demand their immediate reinstatement.

They also backed a motion to allow local parties the right not to stand a candidate in an election, which will be debated at September’s Labour Party Conference, in Brighton.