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Ex-Liverpool politician Derek Hatton rejoins Labour Derek Hatton: Ex-Liverpool politician reapplies for Labour membership
(about 1 hour later)
A hard-left former politician has rejoined the Labour Party, 33 years after he was expelled by then-leader Neil Kinnock. A hard-left former politician has applied to rejoin the Labour Party, 33 years after being expelled by then-leader Neil Kinnock.
Derek Hatton, the ex-deputy leader of Liverpool City Council, was booted out for belonging to the Militant Tendency. Derek Hatton, 70, the ex-deputy leader of Liverpool City Council, was booted out for belonging to Militant Tendency.
He set an illegal budget in the 1980s and was denounced by Mr Kinnock in 1985 for sending redundancy notices by taxi to thousands of council workers. He set an illegal budget and in 1985 sent redundancy notices out by taxi to thousands of council workers.
The 70-year-old said he has no plans to run for public office. Labour party sources say no decision has yet been made on his membership.
Mr Hatton said he was inspired by Jeremy Corbyn's leadership to reapply for membership. Mr Hatton said he has no plans to run for public office and was inspired by Jeremy Corbyn's leadership to reapply for membership.
Writing in the Liverpool Echo, he said he spent much of the last 33 years at odds with the Labour leadership, particular at Tony Blair's decision to invade Iraq.Writing in the Liverpool Echo, he said he spent much of the last 33 years at odds with the Labour leadership, particular at Tony Blair's decision to invade Iraq.
However, he said he had remained committed to the party throughout the period and that the recent Labour conference had prompted him to rejoin.However, he said he had remained committed to the party throughout the period and that the recent Labour conference had prompted him to rejoin.
He wrote: "In all my time I have never witnessed such passion, such energy and such powerful socialist leadership. And strangely that power is despite a kinder, gentler form of politics.He wrote: "In all my time I have never witnessed such passion, such energy and such powerful socialist leadership. And strangely that power is despite a kinder, gentler form of politics.
'Trotskyite faction''Trotskyite faction'
"Many people, myself included, probably never thought we would witness an unswerving socialist like Jeremy Corbyn at the helm," he said."Many people, myself included, probably never thought we would witness an unswerving socialist like Jeremy Corbyn at the helm," he said.
But his return to the party fold has received a mixed reaction from Liverpool Labour councillors.
Clare McIntyre, who represents Wavertree ward, described the period when Mr Hatton in power as "awful".
But Joann Kushner, who represents Croxteth said he was "welcome" and part of the city's "phenomenal political history".
Mr Hatton hinted two years ago in a BBC interview that Mr Corbyn's leadership might tempt him back.Mr Hatton hinted two years ago in a BBC interview that Mr Corbyn's leadership might tempt him back.
Over the years the former firefighter he has been a property developer, broadcaster and after-dinner speaker.Over the years the former firefighter he has been a property developer, broadcaster and after-dinner speaker.
The party had rejected his application to join in 2015.The party had rejected his application to join in 2015.
The Militant Tendency, which emerged from a Trotskyite group called the Revolutionary Socialist League, held key positions in the Liverpool Labour Party as it battled the Conservative Thatcher government in the 1980s.The Militant Tendency, which emerged from a Trotskyite group called the Revolutionary Socialist League, held key positions in the Liverpool Labour Party as it battled the Conservative Thatcher government in the 1980s.
Its slogan "It's better to break the law than break the poor" led to the council setting a budget in 1985 which exceeded its income by £30m and led to political turmoil in the city.Its slogan "It's better to break the law than break the poor" led to the council setting a budget in 1985 which exceeded its income by £30m and led to political turmoil in the city.
The slogan was cited by Labour frontbencher Dawn Butler this week on the eve of the party conference in Liverpool.The slogan was cited by Labour frontbencher Dawn Butler this week on the eve of the party conference in Liverpool.