On 12 October Keir Starmer told Labour MPs he intended not to vote against the Tories’ “spycops” Bill, authorising MI5 and other police to commit criminal offences without limit while working undercover. He will do that even if Labour amendments are defeated. Nine trade union leaders and 18 Labour MPs have come out against the Bill. The Labour Party needs to gain democratic control over the leadership. The ballot for Labour’s National Executive opens 19 October and runs to 12 November. Solidarity has had many criticisms of the “official” left slate, but voting for it against the right will help democratic openings.