Suggested rule changes for Annual Labour Party Women’s Conference 2024

Rule Change 1

Chapter 11A National Labour Party Women’s Committee & Conference; Clause V Labour Party Women’s conference

Amend clause 2: Replace ‘The NEC’ with ‘The National Women’s Committee’

So it reads: The National Women’s Committee will determine the basis for delegations of women to the Labour Party Women’s Conference, with positive action to ensure BAME, LGBT, disabled or young members as delegates’

Reason – the Rules were drawn up before the National Women’s Committee (NWC) was established, NWC now has oversight of the AWC and it is therefore appropriate that it sets the basis for delegations.

Rule Change 2

Chapter 11A National Labour Party Women’s Committee & Conference; Clause V Labour Party Women’s conference

Amend Clause 6. Add at end ‘These motions will stand alone, will not be included in the Priorities Ballot, and be tabled for debate and moved by representatives of the Welsh and Scottish Women’s Committee at Annual Women’s Conference’

So it reads: ‘In addition each or any Scottish or Welsh Women’s Conferences may submit one motion. These motions will stand alone, will not be included in the Priorities Ballot, and be tabled for debate and moved by representatives of the Welsh and Scottish Women’s Committee at AWC.’

Reason – the intention of this clause was to ensure that the Welsh and Scottish women could prioritise a topic to bring to the AWC.  There has to be a mechanism to ensure the motions, representing the priority given of these devolved structures, are heard, and not merged into a composite. The procedure proposed was agreed by the NWC in Sept 2021, and reflects the procedure followed for the AWC motions that are taken to Annual Conference. A devolved nation’s democratic women’s structures cannot be treated in the same way as a CLP.

Rule Change 3

Chapter 11A National Labour Party Women’s Committee & Conference; Clause I Aims and values

Add new point 7: ‘7. To communicate the activities of the National Women’s Organisation including its Committee and Conference including through regular reports published to members.’

Reason – To increase awareness and accountability of the work of the National Women’s Committee throughout the Party

Rule Change 4

Chapter 11 National Labour Party Women’s Organisation; Clause IV Amendment to rules

Clause IV. Amendment to point 1, delete all and insert: “1. Labour Party Women’s Conference shall have the power to propose changes to the Labour Party rulebook relating to women through the submissions of rule changes by CLPs, affiliates or the National Women’s Committee. Any proposal must secure the support of at least a two thirds majority at Labour Party Women’s Conference.”

Reason – Building an effective women’s organisation in the Party may require amendments to various sections of the Labour’s Rulebook not just specifically those relating to the Labour Women’s Conference or Committee – for example those relating to Women’s Representation and Women’s Branches. The representative democratic body of women delegates is best placed to discuss and agree what such changes should be. This updated wording better reflects the situation with Labour’s Annual Conference where rule changes can come from CLPs, affiliates or the NEC. The important check of any changes being discussed and agreed (or not) by Labour’s sovereign Annual Conference remains in part 2 of this clause.

Rule Change 5

Chapter 11A National Labour Party Women’s Committee & Conference; Clause V Labour Party Women’s conference

Point 5 replace ‘or’ with ‘and one’ so it reads:

‘5. One motion and one rule change may be submitted to Labour Party Women’s Conference by each affiliated organisation and CLP/Women’s Branch. Motions from CLPs/Women’s Branches shall be submitted on the same principles outlined in Clause VII.3 above.’

Reason – The Women’s Organisation is new and branches have been slow in establishing.  Women face many more practical barriers to participation in politics than men.  Enabling a motion and a rule change to be passed by each Women’s Branch/CLP will enable women to have a fairer chance of influencing the political and organisational direction of the National Labour Women’s Organisation.