We joined Compass as an organisation seeking to give a coherent voice to mainstream members of the Labour party when the party leadership was becoming dangerously divisive. For many, Robin Cook's opposition to the catastrophic invasion of Iraq initially drew us to Compass. But it was how the organisation challenged thinking in the party, on the role of the market and the need for an active state, which galvanised new activists. The divisions over tuition fees and foundation hospitals helped bring Compass to life, but it established itself when tackling those in the party advocating public service reform in the shape of Post Office privatisation and trust schools.
With Ed Miliband as leader, we have a greater opportunity than ever to reshape the direction of the party, but that debate still needs to be had. Unfortunately, Compass has recently chosen to allow members and elected representatives of parties that stand against Labour to become members of Compass and help set its direction. This will necessarily diminish the role Compass is able to play in shaping Labour's future. We feel it necessary to organise in support of the politics initially espoused by Compass as members of the party, within the party, rather than through a broader structure so that we can credibly have this debate. It is for this reason we have resigned from Compass. We welcome all those who share our view of a changed Labour party to continue this discussion on how we move forward.
Ben Folley Compass management committee, Cat Smith Chair, Compass Youth Organising Committee, and CYOC members Arthur Baker, Ben Soffa, Ben Furber, Lucille Harvey, Heather Elliot, Axel Landin and Caroline Alabi