I want to talk a bit about what's been happening in CLPs over these past weeks - but this isn't a rant about "free speech" or "stalinism".

It's about the real, human cost of a small group of people pursuing a vendetta and using everyday people as emotional cannon fodder.

For some months, I've been Acting Secretary of my CLP, one of the biggest in the country. Predictably it hasn't been easy, but these past couple of weeks have been almost unbearable and its down to one man: David Evans.

I've spent more hours than I can count in my head, hours of my own free time & accumulated hours I was technically on the clock working from home, going back and forth with regional officers and CLP members, as motion after motion was ruled "not competent business" by Evans.

For those not au fait with this bizarre language of internal Labour politics, "not competent business" basically means "shouldn't be discussed or voted on". Its presented as 'advice' but it is in effect a ruling, a diktat, and if you defy it you risk suspension from the party.

This has already happened to Chairs and Secretaries elsewhere in the country, and as a member of Labour I'm obviously minded to follow the rules.

Some of the rulings made sense, like not discussing disciplinary cases - everyone's a member from door knockers to NEC members.