It’s probably time to pause for a short wile to get a little perspective on the alleged Lambeth Momentum ‘entryism’ that various mainstream media sources have been ‘reporting’ over the past few days.

Just Tell It Like It Is, etc.

Which is precisely what I wanted to do having attended the Lambeth launch event for Momentum at Lambeth Academy in Clap’ham last Thursday.

I recorded the entire audio from John McDonnell’s inspiring speech, and then shared it to help make the process become more transparent.

I most certainly wasn’t expecting the Indie and even the bloody Graun to be quoting chunks back as evidence that Momentum is nothing but a vehicle for the hard left’ - whoever they may be.

This was an incredibly open and transparent meeting.

It was advertised well in advance, and anyone with an interest in helping to carry on the achievements of Jeremy Corbyn during his landslide Leadership campaign was welcome to attend.

Has anyone seen such openness in calling on Comrades to attend Progress local meetings of late?

Thought not.

Or maybe it’s just that the right wing of the party within a party in Lambeth isn’t as well organised as Momentum.

And here lies the main issue: Momentum is a new grass roots movement. Sure, there needs to be some form of structure and accountability.

But the meeting with John McDonnell on Thursday was more about reaffirming the enthusiasm from the summer months, ahead of hopefully carrying on this interest in campaigning for the Labour party in Lambeth.

The issue of SWP Trots selling their silly newspaper outside shows the level of desperation that some will go to to try and damage Corbyn and McDonnell.

If you attend ANY meeting that is ever so slightly to the left of Progress views - or even if you attend Council meetings where Progress policies are being pushed through - the one man and his crappy newspaper will surface.

Does anyone actually buy these things?

Criticising the Clap’ham event for having the SWP bundle of newspapers that no one wants to buy is a little like having a go at the likes of Simon Danczuk for writing right wing newspaper pieces.

No one is really interested to be honest.

As for the Stop the War petition taking a pop at Chuka?

Petitions have always formed part of the politics of the left. They rarely achieve anything, such is the paranoia of the right within the party to hang on to their power.

Plus the very friendly chap collecting signatures was doing so under his own steam, and not as part of the platform for the Momentum meeting.

The meeting itself did hear a very powerful critique of Progress within the Lambeth Labour party.

Once again - I recorded the audio to put the points on the record.

It was a well argued speech explaining how there is a possible conflict of interest in the Lambeth Council Cabinet of serving both Progress and residents.

And yes - of course I am aware that a Momentum dominated local party would be subject to a similar criticism.

But we aren’t in that position. No doubt this paranoia will follow from the Progress crowd locally if such …momentum continues.

As Ruth Cashman observed at the close of the meeting last week:

“We can’t tell people that Labour is the way to kick out the Tories when we have a local party here in Lambeth that is mocking us.”

The Progress group in Lambeth is carrying out policies under the banner of the Labour party. It should expect such scrutiny, and not call the Commie card, anytime anyone dares to question their policies.

If anyone from Progress actually bothers to listen to the audio (or even speak with the Progress people that were at the meeting…) then they will hear how the dreaded D word was never an issue.

John McDonnell spoke passionately about unity, and how some in the PLP are still in a state of shock following the massive mandate passed on to Jeremy Corbyn by the party membership.

Plus what is ‘de-selection’ anyway?

Local party members agreeing democratically who should represent them at a local and national level?

Isn’t that the exact same route that democratically led to the current Progress crowd currently calling the shots in Lambeth?

And so yeah - I’m pleased that I recorded the audio of the Momentum meeting.

For others in the party to take the line of a bloody Tory blogger is perhaps symbolic of the challenges that our party faces over the coming months.