THE national co-ordinating group is Momentum’s highest body and is responsible for ensuring that the organisation operates within its aims and values so whomever is elected has the power to bring about the change that is needed to bring Momentum forward. 

Momentum began as a people-powered, grassroots movement, which helped mobilise the left during the Corbyn leadership with the same ethos as the Labour Party to transform our society and communities to work for the many not just the privileged few. 

The movement was inspirational in the beginning, but many begun to lose faith in the organisation when it seemed that only a few at the top were calling the shots and members were being marginalised and treated merely as boots on the ground rather than empowering and supporting community groups and voices. 

Solma Ahmed, Forward Momentum candidate for the Midlands and East region, has been a Labour Party member for 30 years with a strong background in helping the most vulnerable. 

She spoke of her disappointment at losing the chance of a socialist government in December and said: “There are so many things wrong in our society; we know how important the fight is to create a better world for us all but with the general election defeat and Corbyn stepping down as leader, many people are disillusioned. 

“The Labour left is in danger of fragmenting and we desperately need to unite the left to become a strong voice both inside and outside the party.” 

When asked why she was standing as a candidate, she replies: “Forward Momentum has given me hope that Momentum can be changed. We have a vision and a plan to make Momentum open, democratic and accountable to its membership. That’s why I’m standing.”

Ahmed, like many Momentum members, felt that “Momentum was a great endeavour that gave us hope for a socialist government” but despite its accomplishments it had failed in its original objective of being a grassroots campaigning body. 

“If it is to survive, it needs to embrace change. Many good people have already left and they will continue to leave unless Momentum listens to its members. It is too valuable an organisation to just let fall apart, but its top-down approach and the culture of backroom deals has to end.”

Ahmed believes that it is a priority to ensure that Momentum becomes an open, grassroots-led organisation. 

“Momentum imposed candidates in parliamentary selections, completely undemocratically and at times overriding the wishes of local Momentum groups. I experienced this first hand. 

“Momentum members have felt left out of these decisions and feel that their opinions are unimportant.”

Ahmed passionately wants this to change and believes that Forward Momentum is leading the way in the debate about transforming Momentum. 

“We are genuinely committed to democracy and putting members in charge. Forward Momentum will ensure that local members and groups decide which candidates Momentum backs to become councillors and prospective parliamentary candidates.” 

Ahmed was brought up in Colchester but spent many years living in Tower Hamlets where she met her role model and inspiration, a head teacher called Susy Powlesland who gave Ahmed her first job working on a homeless project for Bangladeshi families. 

“She took a chance on me and passed on her determination and passion for social justice and equality.”

Ahmed says she transformed that homeless project into one of the most successful community-based housing associations in Tower Hamlets and established a refuge for women fleeing domestic violence and a counselling service. 

She adds: “I also set up a women’s group and youth centre. I am proud to say that these projects are still serving these communities.” 

Today she is still actively campaigning and working to make society better and spoke about how the Bangladeshi communities in Colchester came together and are providing food for the front-line NHS and social care staff. 

“It has shown community spirit and organisation. We need to ensure that our local Labour parties are standing side by side with our communities in these efforts.” 

Ahmed, who has received the backing of socialist film-maker Ken Loach, is committed to staying and fighting for a socialist government and hopes that others will stay and fight with her. 

“Our struggle for socialism is not finished just because Jeremy Corbyn is no longer our leader. The Covid-19 pandemic has proven that we need radical socialist policies more than ever. 

“Thousands of people’s lives will never be the same again and it is up to us to ensure that the post-Covid world we build is more just, not less.” 

When asked what does stay and fight mean to the Labour left she replied: “We must organise locally and nationally so that our communities and our class are protected from attacks by the Conservatives and we seize the opportunity to change people’s minds about what is possible.” 

She went on to say that “Forward Momentum will support and empower every Momentum member to become an organiser. 

“This will enable Momentum members to transform their communities and fight for the issues that are important to them.” 

After such a devastating loss for socialism in December and the discovery from the leaked Labour report that some members of the party were working against the leadership and its members to destroy the chances of an election win, it is hard to believe at times that the changes we so desperately need are possible. 

We keep hearing the words to stay and fight but with the lacklustre performance of the current shadow cabinet and its leader, it is hard to understand what we are fighting for. 

However, people like Ahmed are still staying to fight for socialism and the empowerment of grassroots membership and whether we choose to stay and fight or not they deserve our wholehearted support. 

Forward Momentum hopes to bring back the grassroots, democratically, member-led organisation it set out to be but only Momentum members can vote in the upcoming elections. 

The deadline to become a member to take part in these votes is June 11. Momentum’s national co-ordinating group (NCG) elections are taking place from midday on June 16 until midday on June 30.