Juan Lobato’s resignation letter: “The common good has to be above any political position”

The leader of the PSOE of Madrid, Juan Lobato, has resigned from his position this Wednesday. He has done so after generating unrest in his party, which accuses him of “betrayal” for recording before a notary a conversation with Pilar Sánchez Acera, Chief of Staff of Minister Óscar López, about the leak of the email of Alberto González Amador—Isabel’s partner. Díaz Ayuso—to the Prosecutor’s Office recognizing his double tax fraud.

This is the full text of the resignation letter:

“I have made the decision not to continue as Secretary General of the PSOE of Madrid.

I do it to put a stop to a situation of confrontation and serious division that was being generated in the party, which was only going to damage the PSOE in Madrid and the progress in unity that we had achieved in these three years. My goal has always been to build an ambitious and hopeful project for Madrid, and this should continue to be the case in the future.

I have always made it clear that the politics in which I believe has as its essence dialogue and debate, public service, honesty and the general interest. I believe in politics in which people with different positions can agree on things that benefit citizens. Because the common good has to be above any political position.

I do not believe in the destruction of the adversary, in the annihilation of those who disagree and those who think differently. I insist: for me politics is something else. And loyalty to my party is to work to implement its principles, what it has been representing for more than 145 years: equality, freedom, democracy, education and public health, the defense of the most vulnerable, not letting no one behind.

Recovering respect and education in politics has been essential for me these three years. Have the respect of your loved ones and also that of those who think differently.

None of us are essential. It is much more important at all times to protect and promote good politics than those of us who exercise it circumstantially. Without a doubt my way of doing politics is not the same nor perhaps sometimes compatible with that of a majority of the current leadership of my party. No problem. I assume it democratically. But I can’t give up being who I am and how I have always been.

I am convinced that the Socialist Party and its policies are the best for the people. Logically, there are always things we can improve to represent the interests and apply solutions to the problems of the majority of society. But it is the policies of progress and commitment to the social majority that have guaranteed over the years and guarantee today that we live in a society that advances with an outstretched hand and offering security and opportunities for everyone.

I think we have to decisively bet on POLITICS with capital letters. People with different opinions can add and contribute ideas. It is the policy that I have applied in any place or position in which I have represented the citizens and my party. The one who listens, the one who argues, the one who does not insult or annihilate one’s own or the person opposite, but rather tries to convince them and look for common ground. I do not contemplate any other way of doing politics.

My commitment to the PSOE continues and will continue to be there. Today I take a step towards leadership. But you have my commitment that at each appropriate future stage I will assume my responsibility as a militant to help the party continue working to improve people’s lives. As always, together with the thousands of women and men who share militancy and the millions of citizens who do not resign themselves to being just spectators in this society.

The PSOE has always been an open organization, which is fueled by debate among everyone. A party that must make decisions by majority and those decisions must be argued, shared and not imposed. And in which, once agreed, they are defended and applied by all. A PSOE in which those who do not coincide with the opinion of the party leadership in each territorial area are not attacked or vilified.

I want to thank the immense support I have received these days from thousands of militants from all over Spain. I hope my decision will not be a disappointment to you. For me it is not. We have managed to crystallize and be identifiable for citizens an option to do politics in a different way. With education, respect and proposals for the people. And that has helped society, especially young people, to see something different and have hope. All the effort of so many people in these wonderful three years would have been of no use if we had at some point renounced exemplarity, honesty and coherence.

I end this political stage hoping to have lived up to what my parents, teachers and many party leaders taught me. And also at the level of what I try to transmit to my children every day.

Many thanks to the thousands of militants who have carried out this work. And all my support to the next leadership of the party so that it can do the best possible job in Madrid and in Spain.

Forward!

A hug”

Here, the letter in PDF: