LABOUR Party activists appalled at witch-hunts, suspensions and expulsions by the party’s bureaucracy are planning to form “shadow” constituency Labour parties (CLPs) “to continue the good work of the left.”

The Labour In Exile Network is launching workshops to help members set up shadow CLPs after staging a successful alternative inquiry to the official Forde inquiry into alleged corruption and witch-hunts against the left.

The group said 500 people took part in the online inquiry, and 1,000 followed it on Facebook.

Terry Deans, one of the workshop organisers, said: “I see setting up shadow constituency Labour parties as a key way of both defending members and fighting back against such attacks.”

The workshops will include current and excluded members of the party, and “will aim to shape Labour Party policy, carry out direct action and support community projects.

“We want members of different shadow CLPs to share and benefit from each other’s experiences. Vital, also, is the need for these groups to link up — there is strength in unity,” he said.

The first Shadow CLP workshop will be on June 12 at 5pm. Register at https://www.facebook.com/event_invite/1s62kEm4I/