My new year resolution to stop fighting with people on the internet has not got off to a good start. Three weeks pre-resolution, I was interviewed by the BBC for about 40 minutes on the subject of women in the Labour party. I said many things, but in the 30 seconds featured on Newsnight this week, I suggested that some leftwing feminists will forgive anything if it is done by a leftwing man.

Cue loads of people on Twitter shouting at me. My phraseology was probably clumsy, but I also said I was worried about low-level misogyny in the Labour party passing without comment. I stand by that.

I had hoped that post-reshuffle I could have written an apology – a jubilant “They are listening, sisters” piece. Instead, there has been another missed opportunity to reorder the feted top four jobs and give at least one to a woman.

Now that those in the leadership have had time to find their feet, allies and enemies, I think they could manage at least 50-50 across all the positions in the party. In fact I feel the result of the smallest reshuffle that took the longest time is a bit of a pat on the head: “There, there, dear, you got a couple more women.” I know it is hard. But if it were me, I’d have managed it.

This, in and of itself, is not misogyny; it’s a bit entitled, but it’s not misogyny. I don’t think Jeremy Corbyn hates women – I don’t think Jeremy hates anyone. Spend even one minute with him and you would want to take him down to the pub and sink a pint of mild with the man. However, in the hard left of British politics lurks a gruesome misogyny.

George Galloway reports that he is great friends with some of Labour’s top team. Now, I don’t know about you, but I find that once I know one of my mates thinks it is acceptable for someone to have sex with a woman when she is asleep, I start to avoid them at parties. When they try to discredit and belittle the forced marriage and abuse of a Labour candidate (now MP) – yes, the Labour party where you work – well, I conclude, that ain’t no friend of mine.

Next up we have the Socialist Workers party. I am stunned they have not won an award for their services to women. When one of their number alleged that she had been sexually assaulted by another of the “workers”, they showed their true colours. It was reported at the time that the woman who complained about rape in the SWP claimed she was asked a number of offensive questions about her sexual past and drinking habits, and the party was accused of holding a “kangaroo court”. The woman’s allegations were dismissed by the party.

In both these cases, people appeared to take leave of their senses because there was a leftwing man to protect. “Oh, sweetheart, don’t you realise the cause is more important? Take this one for the team.” I know this happens in all sections of society; the hard left just seem to have a special talent for it.

I believe the Labour leadership team do want to fight for equality for women but they think it is a happy byproduct of the cause, something that will trickle down without actually being campaigned for. And because of this they could potentially turn a blind eye to terrible misogyny in some of the causes they support. What worries me about this is that good feminists might turn a blind eye too, for the sake of their man.

Feminism is to me what Stop the War is to Jeremy. The criticism laid at my door is that I am not supporting the leader, but I have never voted against his whip and will do all I can to maintain that. I am a party worker ant – always have been, always will be. I wouldn’t be in my position without the party. But when I’m asked a question I will answer it honestly. There is no spin here. The trouble is, the people who never stuck to a line now see the benefits of it.

I have a cause too. And no, I am not going to shut up about it. Just like our leader didn’t shut up about his for years and years. I respect that. I am not being disloyal. I am being principled. Just call me Jeremy Corbyn.