To the surprise, I expect, of no one, Salma Yaqoob has quit Respect:
It is with deep regret that I have decided to resign from Respect. The last few weeks have been extremely difficult for everyone in the party. I feel necessary relations of trust and collaborative working have unfortunately broken down. I have no wish to prolong those difficulties, and indeed hope that they may now be drawn to a close.
I remain committed to the principles and values that led me to help found Respect. The policies we have fought for need to be voiced as loud as ever in opposition to a political establishment that remains out of touch with working people.
I would like to thank everyone in the party for their support over the years; I wish everyone the very best for the future and in those common struggles for peace, justice and equality that I am sure we will all continue to be involved in.
Yaqoob (along with Kate Hudson) was among those in Respect who were critical of fellow party member George Galloway’s extraordinary explanation of what does and does not constitute rape.
Since Galloway is the source of these problems, wouldn’t it make more sense for him to resign from Respect? Ah, but that would require him to acknowledge that the survival and effectiveness of the party is more important than his own personal career.
