Labour MP refuses to back strike, draws parallels with Enoch Powell
Jim Fitzpatrick, MP for Limehouse and Poplar in Tower Hamlets, east London, refused to back striking cleaners on 14 October.
Members of transport union RMT on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) are fighting low pay.
Fitzpatrick’s reason? In 1968, some dockers walked out against the sacking of racist Tory minister Enoch Powell.
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Tower Hamlets TUSC @towerhamletTUSC
Looking forward to seeing @FitzMP on #DLR #picket 2moro after @johnmcdonnellMP called for MPs to support strikes
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Jim Fitzpatrick @FitzMP
I don’t give any issue “unconditional” support. I remember dockers striking/marching in support of Enoch, ’nuff said.
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Tower Hamlets TUSC
How about supporting @RMTLondon DLR cleaners & security strike 4 pay justice & workplace agreements 2 be followed?
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RMT London @RMTLondon
Interesting response. Is that a maybe? @FitzMP
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Niall MacLaughlin @nmac94
Is Tower Hamlets Labour taking the piss? You can’t support workers stuck on poverty pay because racists went on strike once?!